JPH0546024A - Method for replenishing toner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To replenish the stably fixed amount of toner regardless of temperature and humidity and the amount of toner in a toner hopper in a small-sized developing device. CONSTITUTION:In the cylindrical toner hopper 10 where the toner is contained, an agitator 11 having a brush-like elastic member 13 at its tip part is turned clockwise, and the elastic member 13 slides on toner replenishing holes 15 provided to be arrayed on a 'Myler(R)' 14 so as to replenish the toner in a developing chamber 3. By changing the rotating time or the revolving speed of the agitator 11 in accordance with the temperature and the humidity and the amount of toner in the toner hopper 10, the always fixed amount of toner is replenished.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toner replenishing method in a developing device using a two-component developer of an image forming apparatus such as an electronic copying machine, a facsimile or a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A two-component developing device of this type uses a mixture of a carrier and a toner as a developer, and the toner consumed in the developing process is replenished from a toner hopper at any time.

FIG. 38 shows an example of a conventional two-component developing device. A toner hopper 110 for supplying toner to the developing chamber 103 of the developing device 102 is a first toner chamber 110a in which an agitator 111 rotates and a toner replenishing roller. 11
The second toner chamber 110b is located in the vicinity of two, and the toner amount in the second toner chamber 110b is always constant even if the toner amount in the first toner chamber 110a decreases.
Therefore, the toner replenishment amount replenished into the developing chamber 103 of the developing device 102 by the rotation of the toner replenishing roller 112 is substantially constant regardless of the amount of toner in the first toner chamber as shown in FIG. ..

However, with recent personalization of the image forming apparatus, there has been a demand for downsizing and cost reduction of the developing device, and a small developing device having only one toner chamber as shown in FIG. Became widely used.

A cylindrical toner hopper 10 for supplying toner to the developing chamber 3 of the developing device 2 is attachable / detachable in the form of a cartridge, and has an elongated hole-shaped opening 10b parallel to the axis on a flat portion 10a on the peripheral side surface. And a mylar 14 made of a polyester film or the like having a plurality of toner supply holes 15 aligned in the axial direction is attached to the flat portion 10a. Inside the toner hopper 10, an agitator 11
Is rotatably provided, and a scooping member 12 and a brush-like elastic member 13 are attached to the tip of the scooping member to form a toner replenishing member, and the agitator 11 rotates clockwise so that the scooping member 12 is rotated. The toner inside is drawn up, and the toner drawn up by the elastic force of the elastic member 13 is supplied into the developing chamber 3 through the toner supply hole 15.

[0006]

However, in such a conventional toner replenishing method, since there is only one toner chamber, the amount of toner in the toner hopper may be different from that shown in FIG.
As indicated by the solid line at 0, the toner replenishment amount greatly fluctuates from the desired replenishment amount indicated by the broken line. Further, as the developing device becomes smaller, the amount of the developer also decreases, so that the toner density also remarkably changes. That is, the amount of toner supplied is 1 g
Even when the developer amount is 1000 g, the change in toner concentration is 0.1%, but when the developer amount is 100 g, it is 1%. There is a problem that when the toner concentration is high, toner scattering and background stain occur, and conversely, when the toner concentration is low, image density is reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a toner replenishing method capable of stably replenishing a constant amount of toner in a small developing device.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a toner provided with an elastic member at its tip inside a toner hopper having a plurality of toner supply holes aligned in the axial direction on a cylindrical side surface. In the toner replenishing method for replenishing the toner stored in the toner hopper into the developing chamber from the toner replenishing hole by rotating the replenishing member around the axis and the elastic member slidingly contacting the toner replenishing hole, The present invention provides a toner replenishment method that changes the number of times the elastic member slides into the toner replenishment hole according to the toner amount.

Further, the vertical position of the toner supply hole along the peripheral side surface may be changed according to the amount of toner in the toner hopper, the total area of the toner supply hole may be changed, or the elastic member may be changed. It is also possible to change the relative position with respect to the toner supply hole.

Further, it is possible to change the number of times the elastic member slides into the toner replenishing hole in accordance with the temperature and humidity in the toner hopper, and to change the vertical position and the total area of the toner replenishing hole along the peripheral side surface. It is more preferable to change the number of times the elastic member slides in the toner supply hole in accordance with the temperature and humidity in the developing chamber and the amount of toner in the toner hopper.

[0011]

In the toner replenishing method according to the present invention, the number of times the elastic member makes sliding contact with the toner replenishing hole is changed according to the amount of toner in the toner hopper. Since the conventional toner replenishing device can be used as it is, the variation of the toner replenishment amount due to the amount of toner in the toner hopper can be prevented by a very simple method, and the toner scattering due to the excessive toner replenishment amount can be prevented. It is possible to prevent the image density from being lowered due to background stains and insufficient toner supply amount.

Further, the method of changing the position and the total area of the toner replenishing hole according to the amount of toner in the toner hopper, and the method of changing the position of the elastic member relative to the toner replenishing hole are also slightly changed in the conventional apparatus. It is also possible to obtain almost the same effect with this method.

Further, the number of times of sliding contact of the elastic member with the toner supply hole is changed according to the temperature and humidity in the toner hopper,
The method of changing the position and the total area of the toner replenishing hole can effectively prevent the toner replenishing amount from changing due to the change in temperature and humidity, and can obtain a stable image.

Furthermore, the method of changing the number of times the elastic member slides into the toner replenishing hole in accordance with the temperature and humidity in the developing chamber and the amount of toner in the toner hopper can prevent the variation in the amount of toner replenishing with higher accuracy. You can

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of a two-component developing device embodying the present invention.

The developing device 2 adjacent to the photosensitive drum 1 is provided with a developing chamber 3 and a detachable cylindrical cartridge-shaped toner hopper 10. In the developing chamber 3, a developing roller 4 facing the photosensitive drum 1 and having a magnet roller 4a and a developing sleeve 4b, a stirring roller 5 for stirring toner, and a predetermined amount of toner on the developing sleeve 4b are provided. 2 and a separator 7 having an elastic piece 7a for scraping off the toner remaining on the developing roller 4 onto the agitating roller 5 and a supporting member 7b thereof are arranged. Is composed of a main body casing 8 and an upper cover 9.

On the other hand, in the toner hopper 10, as shown in detail in FIG. 2, a plate-shaped agitator 11 is rotatably provided, and a scooping member 12 for scooping up toner at the tip thereof and a brush-shaped or sheet-shaped agitator. The elastic member 13 is attached. A flat portion 10a is formed in a part of the peripheral side surface of the toner hopper 10 along the axial direction, and an elongated opening portion 10b is provided along the longitudinal direction thereof.

A mylar 14 such as a polyester film is attached to the flat portion 10a, and a plurality of toner replenishing holes 1 are arranged on the mylar 14 along the axial direction of the toner hopper 10.
5 are provided so that these toner supply holes 15 communicate the inside of the toner hopper 10 with the developing chamber 3 through the opening 10b. The toner replenishing hole provided in the mylar 14 may be an elliptic toner replenishing hole 15 'as shown in FIG. 3, or may be a small diameter hole having any other shape.

In the developing device 2 having the above-described structure, when the agitator 11 rotates clockwise, the toner in the toner hopper 10 is pumped up by the scooping member 12, and the scooped toner is elastically moved by the elastic member 13. It is replenished into the developing chamber 3 through the toner replenishing hole 15.

The replenished toner is mixed with the developer by the counterclockwise rotation of the agitating roller 5 and agitated, pumped up by the clockwise rotation of the developing roller 4, and regulated to a predetermined amount of the developer by the doctor 6. To develop the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1. After the completion of the developing process, the developer remaining on the developing roller 4 is scraped off on the stirring roller 5 by the elastic piece 7a of the separator 7.

In such a developing device, the relationship between the rotation time and the rotation number of the agitator 11 and the toner replenishment amount is approximately proportional as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively. That is, the toner supply amount increases as the rotation time or the rotation speed of the agitator 11 increases. Therefore, when the toner amount in the toner hopper 10 is large and the toner replenishment amount per revolution of the agitator is large, the rotation time or the number of revolutions of the agitator 11 is reduced, and the toner amount is small and the toner replenishment amount per revolution of the agitator is small. If the rotation time or the number of rotations is increased at that time, the toner supply amount can be made constant as shown in FIG. 6 regardless of the amount of toner in the toner hopper.

Here, the toner replenishing method for making the toner replenishing amount constant as described above will be described in detail below together with the toner amount detecting method in the toner hopper. 7 to 11 show a first embodiment of the present invention. When the disposable developing device 2 as shown in FIG. 7 is set in the main body of the image forming apparatus (not shown), the actuator 21a of the switch 21 on the main body side is provided at the end of the developing device 2 or the setting pin 2
When pressed by a, the switch 21 is turned on, and the number of passed sheets or the total number of dot counts (in the case of digital method) is reset.

Since the increase in the number of passed sheets or the total dot count corresponds to the decrease in the toner amount in the toner hopper,
The rotation time or rotation speed of the agitator is increased stepwise in accordance with the A4: 5% conversion counter or the total dot count as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, or linearly as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11. If the control is performed so as to gradually increase, it is possible to replenish a substantially constant amount of toner as shown in FIG. 6 regardless of the amount of toner in the toner hopper. In addition,
If the developing device is not disposable, a reset pin may be provided on the end surface of the toner cartridge side to reset the counter when the toner cartridge is replaced.

12 and 13 show a second embodiment of the present invention in which the amount of toner in the toner hopper is detected by using a reflection type sensor. A transparent window 10c is provided on the end surface of the toner hopper 10. First, second and third sensors 22a, 22b and 22c are provided to face the window 10c to detect the amount of toner in the toner hopper.

FIG. 13 shows these sensors 22a, 22b,
22c shows the rotation time or rotation speed of the agitator corresponding to ON / OFF of 22c. That is, when the toner amount is large, the first, second, and third sensors 22a, 22b, 22
When both c are on, the rotation time or the number of rotations of the agitator is small. When the toner amount is small and only the third sensor 22c is on, the rotation time or the number of rotations of the agitator is large. By controlling so as to be in the middle when 21b and 21c are on, it is possible to always supply a substantially constant amount of toner regardless of the amount of toner in the toner hopper.

FIGS. 14 to 16 show a third embodiment of the present invention in which a weight sensor 22 is provided at the bottom of the toner hopper 10 to detect the toner weight inside and to control the toner supply amount. When the toner weight coefficient detected by the weight sensor 22 is as large as a and the amount of toner in the toner hopper is large, the rotation time or rotation speed of the agitator is small, and the rotation time or rotation speed of the agitator decreases as the toner weight coefficient becomes b or c. By gradually changing (FIG. 15) or linearly (FIG. 16) so as to increase the amount of toner, it is possible to constantly replenish a substantially constant amount of toner regardless of the amount of toner in the toner hopper.

Further, FIGS. 17 to 21 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention in which a toner remaining amount detecting sensor for detecting the amount of torque in the toner hopper is provided by the change in the torque of the agitator. The agitator gear 11c coaxial with the disk 11b fixed to one end of the rotating shaft 11a of the agitator 11 can rotate relative to the disk 11b by a predetermined angle by means of the connecting pin 11d and the elongated hole 11e. 11g, and a spring 16 is attached between the disk 11b and the agitator gear 11c.

When the amount of toner remaining in the toner hopper is large, the load on the agitator 11 is large. Therefore, the disk 11b integrated with the agitator 11 rotates later than the agitator gear 11c, and the spring 16 is in the extended state, but the amount of toner remaining is large. When the load is small, the load on the agitator 11 is small, so that the spring 16 contracts and the disk 11b rotates integrally with the agitator gear 11d.

Disk 11b and agitator gear 11c
17, an actuator 17 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 17a so that the actuator 17 can swing to the left by a spring 18 as shown in FIG.
Both b and the outer peripheral portion of the agitator gear 11c are in rolling contact with each other. A toner remaining amount detection sensor 20 including a photo interrupter is provided above the actuator 17, and is turned on / off by the swing of the actuator 17. 18 and 20 show the states of FIGS. 17 and 19 seen from the opposite side, respectively.

Since the torque of the agitator 11 is large when the amount of toner in the toner hopper is large, the agitator 11 and the disk 11b integral with the agitator 11 have the spring 1
6 is extended and rotated in the arrow direction later than the agitator gear 11c, the notches 11f and 11g are out of phase, and the actuator roller 17b rolls on the outer peripheral portion of the disk 11b and the agitator gear 11c. As shown in FIG.
The sensor is off by blocking the light emitting part and the light receiving part.

On the contrary, since the torque of the agitator 11 is small when the amount of toner in the toner hopper is small, the disc 11b follows the agitator gear 11c integrally by the urging force of the spring 16, and the notches 11f and 11g.
Are in phase with each other, and the actuator roller 17b has the cutout 1
The actuator 17 is inclined by the urging force of the spring 18 as it engages with 1f and 11g, and the upper end of the actuator 17 is retracted from the toner remaining amount detection sensor 20 to be in the sensor-on state, as shown in FIGS.

Therefore, based on the above-described detection result of the remaining amount of toner, as shown in FIG. 21, when the toner amount in the toner hopper is large, the rotation time or the rotation number of the agitator is large, and when the toner amount is small, the rotation time of the agitator is small. Alternatively, if the number of rotations is increased, it is possible to constantly replenish a substantially constant amount of toner regardless of the amount of toner in the toner hopper.

Next, in FIGS. 22 to 29, the toner replenishment amount is controlled by changing the position, diameter, quantity and the like of the toner replenishing hole according to the toner amount in the toner hopper. , 7th Example, respectively. In these embodiments, any one of the toner amount detecting means described above is used to detect the toner amount in the toner hopper.

In these embodiments, as shown in FIG.
The toner hopper 10 is formed into a complete cylindrical shape without a flat portion, and an opening 10b is provided along the axial direction, and the outside thereof is
A toner regulating member 24 having a plurality of toner replenishing holes 25 aligned in the axial direction is slidably provided by urging downward by a spring 26, and the upper portion of the toner regulating member 24 is provided with a wire 2.
By connecting to the winding cylinder 28a of the pulse motor 28 via 7 and rotating the pulse motor 28 in both forward and reverse directions,
The toner regulating member 24 is allowed to slide vertically along the peripheral side surface of the toner hopper 10.

23, 24 and 25 show a fifth embodiment of the present invention in which the position of the toner supply hole 25 of the toner regulating member 24 is raised and lowered within the range of the opening 10b. As can be seen from No. 25, when the position of the toner supply hole 25 is on the + (plus) side of the reference position A shown in FIG. 22, the toner supply amount is small, and when it is on the- (minus) side, the toner supply amount is large. Become.

Therefore, when the toner amount in the toner hopper is large, the pulse motor 28 is normally rotated in the direction of the arrow to move the toner regulating member 24 to the + side against the spring 26, and the toner amount in the toner hopper is reduced. When it becomes, the pulse motor 28 is rotated in the reverse direction to move the toner regulating member 24 to the negative side, and the toner level in the toner hopper and the toner supply hole 2
By making the difference from the height of 5 substantially constant, the toner supply amount can be made constant regardless of the amount of toner in the toner hopper.

26 and 27, the toner replenishment amount is controlled by raising and lowering the position of the toner regulating member 34 to change the diameter of the toner replenishing hole.
An example is shown. As shown in FIG. 26, the toner regulating member 34 has, for example, a diameter of 0.5 mm and a diameter of 0.8 mm.
2 rows of toner replenishing holes 35a, 35b are aligned in the axial direction of the toner hopper 10 and are provided at the same intervals. By moving the toner regulating member 34 up and down, one of them is positioned in the opening 10b. It is designed to let you.

As shown in FIG. 27, when the diameter of the toner supply hole is small, the toner supply amount is small, and when the diameter is large, the toner supply amount is large. Therefore, when the toner amount in the toner hopper is large, the toner regulating member 34 is moved upward. To a small diameter toner replenishing hole 35a in the opening 10b, and when the toner amount in the toner hopper is small, the toner regulating member 34 is moved downward to move the large diameter toner replenishing hole 35a.
By positioning b in the opening 10b, it is possible to replenish toner in a substantially constant amount regardless of the amount of toner in the toner hopper.

28 and 29, the toner replenishing amount is controlled by changing the number of toner replenishing holes with the same diameter by vertically moving the toner regulating member 44. Is shown. As shown in FIG. 28, the toner regulating member 44 has, for example, 16 toner replenishing holes 45a aligned at a predetermined interval and 33 toner replenishing holes 45b having the same diameter aligned at a half interval. They are provided in two rows, and one of them is positioned in the opening 10b by moving the toner regulating member 44 up and down.

As shown in FIG. 29, when the number of toner supply holes is small, the toner supply amount is small, and when the number is large, the toner supply amount is large. Therefore, when the toner amount in the toner hopper is large, the toner regulating member 44 is moved upward. Move a small number of toner supply holes 45a to the inside of the opening 10b,
When the amount of toner in the toner hopper is small, the toner replenishing member 44 is moved downward so that a large number of toner replenishing holes 45b are located in the opening 11b, so that the toner replenishing member 45 can always maintain a substantially constant amount regardless of the amount of toner in the toner hopper. Toner can be replenished. In the sixth and seventh embodiments, the total area of the plurality of toner replenishing holes is changed according to the amount of toner.

Next, FIGS. 30 and 31 show an agitator 11.
8 shows an eighth embodiment of the present invention in which the toner replenishment amount is controlled by changing the amount of protrusion of the elastic member 13 provided at the tip of the opening portion 10b. In this embodiment, a pair of disks 50 provided at both ends of the rotary shaft 10d of the toner hopper 10 are provided by a long hole 50a so as to be movable by a predetermined amount, and an agitator 11 is fixed between the disks.
Further, a spring 52 is engaged between the spring retainer 51 provided on the disk 50 and the rotating shaft 10d to urge the disk 50 to the left in FIG. 30, and the cam 53 can be rotated on the disk 50. This cam 53 is mounted and connected to the solenoid 55 via the wire 54, and the operation of the solenoid 55 in the direction of the arrow causes the cam 53 to rotate counterclockwise via the wire 54, causing the disk 50 to move to the left. The amount of protrusion of the elastic member 11 from the reference position B is increased.

Since the toner is replenished from the toner replenishing hole 25 by the elastic force of the elastic member 13, as the protruding amount of the elastic member 13 is large as shown in FIG. 31, the toner replenishing amount is large, and therefore the toner amount in the toner hopper is large. When the amount of toner is small, the amount of protrusion of the elastic member 13 is small, and when the amount of toner is small, the solenoid 55 is operated to increase the amount of protrusion of the elastic member 13, so that a substantially constant amount of toner is supplied regardless of the amount of toner in the toner hopper. Will be possible.

32 and 33, the toner supply amount is controlled by changing the angle (hereinafter referred to as "wing angle") with the opening 10b of the elastic member 13 provided at the tip of the agitator 11. 9 shows a ninth embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the scooping member 12 provided at the tip of the agitator 11 is swingably provided, and the scooping member 1
The distal end of 2 is connected to the solenoid 65 via the wire 64, and the solenoid 65 is actuated to pull the wire 64 in the direction of the arrow to rotate the pumping member 12 clockwise. The wing angle θ with the opening 10b of the attached elastic member 13 is increased.

FIG. 33 shows the relationship between the wing angle θ and the toner replenishment amount. Since the toner replenishment amount is related to the toner scooping amount by the agitator 11, when the blade angle θ is large, the scooping amount is increased and the toner replenishing amount is increased. Therefore, when the amount of toner in the toner hopper is large, the wing angle θ is made small, and when the amount of toner is small, the wing angle θ is made large so that a substantially constant amount of toner can be supplied regardless of the amount of toner in the toner hopper. ..

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 30 and 32, the protrusion amount of the elastic member 13 and the wing angle θ are controlled in two steps by the solenoids 55 and 65, respectively. Instead of the solenoid, a pulse motor or the like is used. If it is used, finer control is possible.

In the above, the case of correcting the fluctuation of the toner replenishment amount due to the amount of toner in the toner hopper has been described, but the fluidity (cohesiveness) of the toner changes due to the change of temperature and humidity, and the toner replenishment amount accordingly. Also changes. Therefore, it is preferable to control the toner replenishment amount even in response to changes in temperature and humidity.

FIG. 35 shows the above relationship. For example, when the temperature is 10 ° C. and the humidity is 15% at low temperature and low humidity, the toner fluidity is good, so the toner replenishment amount is large and the temperature is 30 ° C.
Since the toner fluidity is poor at high temperature and high humidity with a humidity of 80%, the toner replenishment amount is small, and when the temperature is 23 ° C. and the humidity is 60% and the temperature is medium and medium humidity, the toner replenishment amount is intermediate between the two.

Therefore, in the tenth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 34, a temperature / humidity sensor 70 is provided above the upper cover 9 of the developing device 2 to indirectly detect the toner temperature / humidity in the toner hopper. As shown in FIG. 36, by controlling the rotation time or the number of rotations of the agitator at low temperature and low humidity, increasing them at high temperature and high humidity, and controlling them so that they are in the middle between medium and medium humidity.
As shown by the broken line in FIG. 35, it is possible to always replenish a substantially constant amount of toner regardless of changes in temperature and humidity.

This method is applied to, for example, the fifth, sixth, and seventh embodiments shown in FIGS. 22 to 29, and when the temperature and humidity are high, the position of the toner replenishing hole is set to the lower side, or a large diameter or a large number of holes are provided. By arranging the toner supply hole in the opening or vice versa at low temperature and low humidity, it is possible to always supply a substantially constant amount of toner regardless of changes in temperature and humidity.

Further, the toner replenishment method for controlling the toner replenishment amount by the change of the temperature and humidity is added to the first to ninth embodiments, and the agitator rotation time or the agitator rotation time is detected by detecting the toner amount in the toner hopper and the temperature and humidity, respectively. By controlling the number of rotations, it is possible to control the toner replenishment amount more finely, and it is possible to always replenish a constant amount of toner regardless of the amount of toner in the toner hopper and changes in temperature and humidity.

FIG. 37 is a method for obtaining the rotation time or the number of rotations of the agitator in the eleventh embodiment of the present invention in which a constant amount of toner is replenished corresponding to both the amount of toner in the toner hopper and the temperature and humidity. Depending on the rotation time or the number of rotations of the agitator at normal temperature and normal humidity, the temperature / humidity coefficient x for low temperature and low humidity, the temperature and humidity coefficient y for high temperature and high humidity, and the amount of toner in the toner hopper. It can be obtained by multiplying the agitator rotation coefficients dx, ex, dy, and ey, which are combinations of the toner amount coefficients d and e, respectively. However, here d <e, x <y
And

[0052]

As described above, the toner replenishing method according to the present invention has the following effects.

In the toner replenishing method of the first aspect, since it is only necessary to change the rotation time and the number of revolutions of the toner replenishing member in accordance with the amount of toner in the toner hopper, it is possible to obtain a very simple method regardless of the amount of toner in the toner hopper. It is possible to constantly replenish toner in a substantially constant amount, and even in a developing device with a small amount of developer that tends to have large fluctuations in toner concentration, scumming on the image due to toner scattering due to excessive toner replenishment or insufficient toner replenishment It is possible to prevent a decrease in image density and always obtain a stable image.

In the toner replenishing method of the second aspect, since the vertical position of the toner replenishing port may be changed according to the amount of toner in the toner hopper, the toner replenishing amount is continuously changed and finely controlled. Is possible.

In the toner replenishing method of the third aspect, since it is only necessary to change the total area of the toner replenishing holes in accordance with the amount of toner in the toner hopper, switching accuracy is not required, and fluctuations in the toner replenishing amount are surely corrected. can do.

In the toner replenishing method of the fourth aspect, the amount of protrusion of the elastic member at the tip of the toner replenishing member from the toner replenishing hole and the wing angle with the toner replenishing hole can be slightly changed according to the amount of toner in the toner hopper. You can obtain a good correction effect by a simple method.

In the toner replenishing method of the fifth aspect, the number of times the elastic member at the tip of the toner replenishing member slides into the toner replenishing hole is changed according to the temperature and humidity in the toner hopper. It is possible to effectively correct the fluctuation of the toner replenishment amount caused by the change of the sex.

In the toner replenishing method of the sixth aspect, since the upper and lower positions of the toner replenishing hole are changed according to the temperature and humidity in the toner hopper, the toner replenishing amount is continuously changed according to the level of temperature and humidity. It will be possible.

In the toner replenishing method according to the seventh aspect, since the total area of the toner replenishing holes is changed according to the temperature and humidity in the toner hopper, the toner replenishing amount can be changed based on the toner fluidity by a simple method. Can be corrected.

In the toner replenishing method of the eighth aspect, the number of times the elastic member at the tip of the toner replenishing member slides into the toner replenishing hole is changed according to the temperature and humidity in the toner hopper and the amount of toner. The toner replenishment amount can be made more accurate as compared with the correction of the variation of the toner replenishment amount.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a two-component developing device embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part showing a configuration of the toner hopper.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view showing another example of a mylar attached to the peripheral side surface of the toner hopper.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between a rotation time of an agitator and a toner supply amount.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of revolutions of the agitator and the toner replenishment amount.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a desirable relationship between the amount of toner in the toner hopper and the amount of toner replenishment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the developing device and the dot counter used in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a relationship between the agitator rotation time and an A4: 5% conversion counter.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the relationship between the agitator rotation time and the A4: 5% conversion counter.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a relationship between the agitator rotation speed and an A4: 5% conversion counter.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the relationship between the agitator rotation speed and the A4: 5% conversion counter.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a relationship between the toner amount and the rotation time or rotation speed of the agitator.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the relationship between the toner amount and the rotation time or rotation speed of the agitator.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing another example of the relationship between the toner weight and the rotation time or rotation speed of the agitator.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a state in which the toner amount according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is large.

FIG. 18 is a rear view of FIG. 17 as seen from the back side.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a state in which the toner amount is also small.

20 is a rear view of FIG. 19 as seen from the back side.

FIG. 21 is a diagram similarly showing the relationship between the toner amount and the rotation time or rotation speed of the agitator.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a partial perspective view of the toner regulating member.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the relationship between the vertical position of the toner supply hole and the toner supply amount.

FIG. 25 is a diagram similarly showing the relationship between the vertical position of the toner supply hole and the toner supply amount.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a main part of a toner regulating member according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a diagram similarly showing the relationship between the diameter of the toner supply hole and the toner supply amount.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a main part of a toner regulating member according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a diagram similarly showing the relationship between the number of toner supply holes and the toner supply amount.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram showing an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing the relationship between the elastic member protrusion amount and the toner replenishment amount.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram showing a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing the relationship between the wing angle of the elastic member and the toner replenishment amount.

FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram showing a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is a diagram similarly showing the relationship between the temperature and humidity and the toner replenishment amount.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing the relationship between the temperature and humidity and the rotation time or rotation speed of the agitator.

FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship among a toner amount coefficient, a temperature / humidity coefficient, and an agitator rotation coefficient in the eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 38 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a conventional two-component developing device.

FIG. 39 is a diagram similarly showing the relationship between the toner amount and the toner replenishment amount.

FIG. 40 is a diagram showing a relationship between a toner amount and a toner replenishment amount in a conventional toner replenishment method using the developing device shown in FIG. 1.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photoconductor drum 2 Developing device 3 Developing chamber 10 Toner hopper 11 Agitator 12 Pumping member 13 Elastic member 14 Mylar 15, 15 ', 25, 35, 45 Toner supply port 20 Toner remaining amount sensor 22a, 22b, 22c Sensor 24, 34 , 4
4 Toner regulating member 28 Pulse motor 55, 65 Solenoid 70 Temperature / humidity sensor

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A toner replenishing member having an elastic member at its tip is rotated around an axis in a toner hopper having a plurality of toner replenishing holes aligned in the axial direction on a cylindrical peripheral side surface, and the elastic member is abutted. In a toner replenishing method of replenishing the toner stored in the toner hopper into the developing chamber from the toner replenishing hole by slidingly contacting the toner replenishing hole, the elastic member is moved to the toner replenishing hole according to the amount of toner in the toner hopper. A toner replenishment method characterized by changing the number of times of sliding contact. 2. A toner replenishing member having an elastic member at its tip rotates around an axis line in a toner hopper having a plurality of toner replenishing holes aligned in the axial direction on a cylindrical peripheral surface, and the elastic member is abutted. In a toner replenishing method of replenishing the toner stored in the toner hopper into the developing chamber from the toner replenishing hole by slidingly contacting the toner replenishing hole, the peripheral side surface of the toner replenishing hole is provided according to the amount of toner in the toner hopper. A method of replenishing toner, characterized in that the position along the vertical direction is changed. 3. A toner replenishing member having an elastic member at its tip is rotated around an axis line in a toner hopper having a plurality of toner replenishing holes aligned in the axial direction on a cylindrical peripheral surface, and the elastic member is moved by the elastic member. In a toner replenishing method of replenishing the toner stored in the toner hopper into the developing chamber from the toner replenishing hole by slidingly contacting the toner replenishing hole, the total area of the toner replenishing hole is changed according to the amount of toner in the toner hopper. A method of replenishing toner, which comprises: 4. A toner replenishing member having an elastic member at its tip is rotated around an axis in a toner hopper having a plurality of toner replenishing holes aligned in the axial direction on a cylindrical peripheral side surface, and the elastic member is moved by the elastic member. In a toner replenishing method for replenishing the toner stored in the toner hopper into the developing chamber from the toner replenishing hole by slidingly contacting the toner replenishing hole, in the toner replenishing hole of the elastic member according to the amount of toner in the toner hopper, A method of replenishing toner, characterized in that the relative position of is changed. 5. A toner replenishing member having an elastic member at its tip rotates around an axis line in a toner hopper having a plurality of toner replenishing holes aligned in the axial direction on a cylindrical peripheral surface, and the elastic member is abutted. In a toner replenishing method for replenishing the toner stored in the toner hopper into the developing chamber from the toner replenishing hole by slidingly contacting the toner replenishing hole, the elastic member is connected to the toner replenishing hole according to temperature and humidity in the toner hopper. A toner replenishment method characterized by changing the number of times of sliding contact. 6. A toner replenishing member having an elastic member at its tip rotates around an axis line in a toner hopper having a plurality of toner replenishing holes aligned in the axial direction on a cylindrical peripheral side surface, and the elastic member is made of the elastic member. In a toner replenishment method for replenishing the toner stored in the toner hopper into the developing chamber from the toner replenishment hole by slidingly contacting the toner replenishment hole, the peripheral side surface of the toner replenishment hole is provided in accordance with the temperature and humidity in the toner hopper. A method of replenishing toner, characterized in that the position along the vertical direction is changed. 7. A toner replenishing member having an elastic member at its tip rotates around an axis line in a toner hopper having a plurality of toner replenishing holes aligned in the axial direction on a peripheral surface of a cylindrical shape, and the elastic member becomes In a toner replenishing method of replenishing the toner stored in the toner hopper into the developing chamber from the toner replenishing hole by slidingly contacting the toner replenishing hole, the total area of the toner replenishing hole is changed according to the temperature and humidity in the toner hopper. A method of replenishing toner, which comprises: 8. A toner replenishing member having an elastic member at its tip is rotated around an axis in a toner hopper having a plurality of toner replenishing holes aligned in the axial direction on a peripheral surface of a cylindrical shape, and the elastic member is moved by the elastic member. In a toner replenishing method for replenishing the toner stored in the toner hopper into the developing chamber from the toner replenishing hole by slidingly contacting the toner replenishing hole, the elastic member is provided in accordance with temperature and humidity in the toner hopper and a toner amount. A toner replenishment method characterized by changing the number of times of sliding contact with the toner replenishment hole.