JPH06230628A - Electrophotographic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable a process unit to be effectively used over a long period without making it large. CONSTITUTION:A developer replenishment container 21 which can replenish developer, is loaded in the main body 13 of a developing device 11 so as to be freely loaded and unloaded. Then, a replenishing frequency count means 31 counting and storing the replenishing frequency of the developer by the container 21 and a replenishment restriction means 41 obstructing the loading of the container 21 to the main body 13 and making the replenishment of the developer impossible after the counted replenishing frequency arrives at the prescribed replenishing frequency are provided.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic apparatus such as an electronic copying machine and a laser printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 11 shows a schematic structure of a conventional electrophotographic apparatus. In the figure, 2 is a photosensitive drum as an image bearing member. The photosensitive drum 2 has a photosensitive layer formed on the surface thereof, and at the time of printing, the surface is uniformly charged by the charger 3, and then exposed by irradiation with a laser beam based on print data to form an electrostatic latent image. It is formed. The electrostatic latent image is developed by the developer supplied from the developing roller 12 of the developing device 11, and then transferred and fixed on the paper P by the transfer device 4 and the fixing device 5. After the transfer, the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum 2 is collected by the cleaning device 6. The residual charges on the photosensitive drum 2 are removed in preparation for the next charging. In addition, in FIG.
Reference numeral 7 is a paper feed cassette, 8 is a paper discharge section, and 9 is a feed roller.

Recently, in order to improve the handling property, as shown in FIG. 12, the photosensitive drum 2, the charger 3, the cleaning device 6 (the waste toner accommodating portion 6a, the cleaning blade 6b), etc. are used as the image carrier unit 1. In many cases, the image carrier unit 1 and the developing device 11 are integrated and the process unit 1P is formed.

In the electrophotographic apparatus having such a process unit 1P, when the developer T in the developing device 11 is consumed and development becomes impossible, the entire unit 1P is replaced.

[0005]

By the way, in the electrophotographic apparatus having the above-mentioned process unit 1P,
Even when the developer T in the developing device 11 is consumed and development is impossible, the other components of the unit 1P have not expired and the usable components are discarded at once. More problematic from an economic and resource protection standpoint.

Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned inconvenience, it is conceivable to increase the developer accommodating capacity of the developing device 11 in the process unit 1P, but this causes the unit 1P to become large, resulting in poor handling and high cost. It will be.

In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic apparatus capable of effectively using a process unit for a long period of time without increasing the size.

[0008]

An electrophotographic apparatus according to the present invention includes an image carrier unit capable of forming an electrostatic latent image, and a developer is supplied to the image carrier unit to develop the electrostatic latent image. In the electrophotographic apparatus having a process unit integrally formed with a developing device, a developer replenishing container capable of replenishing the developer is detachably attached to the main body of the developing device. Replenishment number counting means for counting and storing the number of times of replenishment of developer, and after the number of times of replenishment of count reaches the prescribed number of times of replenishment, the mounting of the developer replenishing container to the main body of the developing device is blocked and the replenishment of developer is disabled. And a replenishment restricting means to be provided.

[0009]

According to the present invention having the above-described structure, when the remaining amount of the developer in the main body of the developing device is detected, a new developer supply container is attached to the main body to supply the developer. The number of times the developer is replenished is counted and stored by the replenishment number counting means.

After the count replenishment number reaches the specified replenishment number, even if an attempt is made to mount a new developer replenishing container on the main body of the developing device, the replenishment limiting means prevents the developer from being replenished and the life of the process unit is shortened. Notify the user that it has run out.

Here, the specified replenishment frequency is selected in consideration of the life of each component of the process unit (each component of the image carrier unit, etc.), that is, until the life of each component is almost exhausted. By determining the prescribed number of replenishments so that the process unit can be used, the process unit can be effectively used for a long period of time without increasing its size.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
This electrophotographic apparatus has a basic configuration [process unit 1P
(Image carrier unit 1, developing device 11), transfer device, fixing device, etc.] are the same as in the conventional example (FIGS. 11 and 12),
A developer replenishing container 21 capable of replenishing the developer is detachably attached to the main body 13 of the developing device 11, and a replenishment number counting means 31 for counting and storing the number of times of replenishment of the developer by the replenishing container 21 and a count replenishing number After the predetermined number of replenishment times (12 times in the present embodiment), the replenishment limiting means 41 is provided to prevent the replenishment container 21 from being attached to the developing device main body 13 and disable the replenishment of the developer. Has been done. The specified number of times of replenishment is selected so that it can be used near the end of the life of each component of the process unit 1P (each component of the image carrier unit 1, etc.). With this configuration, the process unit 1P is effectively used for a long period of time without increasing the size. The same components as those of the conventional example (FIGS. 11 and 12) are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

Here, the image carrier unit 1 and the developing device 1
As shown in FIG. 1, 1 is assembled and integrated so as to be relatively rotatable via connecting pins 19, 19. As shown in FIG. 2, the image carrier unit 1 includes a photosensitive drum 2 as an image carrier, a charger 3, and a cleaning device 6 (waste toner container 6a, cleaning blade 6).
b) and the like). The waste toner storage portion 6a of the cleaning device 6 is formed to have a volume capable of storing the transfer residual developer even if the developer is replenished a prescribed number of times (12 times).

Further, the developing device 11 comprises a main body 13 capable of accommodating a developer and a developing roller 12 for supplying the accommodated developer to the photosensitive drum 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the upper portion of the main body 13 is opened for replenishing the developer, and a mounting surface 14 for mounting the developer replenishing container 21 is formed along the periphery of the opening.

A rib 15 having a locking portion 16 is formed on the mounting surface 14. The locking portion 16 is formed by four rib notch portions 16b and a recess 16a that opens to the notch portion 16b.

A stopper 17 is provided at the left end of the mounting surface 14 in FIG. Stopper 17
Is urged upward in the figure, and the upper part thereof projects from the mounting surface 14 in a normal state. The stopper 17 regulates the position of the developer supply container 21 in the leftward direction in FIG.

A rotation control plate 32 and a feed plate 36 of a replenishment number counting means 31, which will be described later, are provided at the right end of the mounting surface 14 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the developing device main body 13 is provided with a replenishment detection sensor 51 that detects the remaining amount of the developer and notifies the replenishment timing.

On the other hand, the developer replenishing container 21 has the engaging projections 24 on the mounting surface 14 of the developing device main body 13 and the engaging portions 1 described above.
6 and a stopper 17 and is detachably attached, and includes a developer accommodating portion 22, a collar portion 23 formed under the accommodating portion 22, a film sheet 26, and a slide plate 27. [The side view of FIG. 3 (A),
(See bottom view of (B)].

The developer container 22 of the replenishing container 21 is
The lower surface has an opening sealed with a film-like sheet 26 and contains a predetermined amount of developer. Further, the flange portion 23 is provided with four engaging convex portions 24 for mounting. Further, the film-like sheet 26 is folded back and the upper edge thereof is attached to the lower surface of the developer accommodating portion 22 with an adhesive. The lower end of the film sheet 26 in FIG. 3 is connected to the slide plate 27. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the slide plate 27 is attached to the collar portion 23 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction in FIG. Note that FIG.
In (A), 22b is a cap. Also, 23a is
It is a recess provided in the collar portion 23 of the supply container 21 corresponding to a rotation limiting plate 32 and a feed plate 36 described later.

Here, in order to mount the developer supply container 21 on the developing device main body 13, each engaging convex portion 24 of the supply container 21 is attached to each rib cutout portion 16 of the engaging portion 16 of the apparatus main body 13.
It is placed on the mounting surface 14 so as to be aligned with b. Then,
The stopper 17 is pushed into the apparatus main body 13 from the mounting surface 14 by the end portion 25 of the collar portion 23 of the supply container 21.

Next, in this state, the supply container 21 is slid to the right in FIG. Then, the engaging convex portions 24 of the supply container 21 are fitted into the concave portions 16a of the locking portion 16 of the apparatus main body 13, and the movement in the vertical direction in the drawing and the rightward direction in the drawing are restricted. Further, the pressing relationship between the stopper 17 and the end portion 25 of the supply container 21 is released, and the stopper 17 projects from the mounting surface 14. The stopper 17 also restricts the movement of the supply container 21 to the left in FIG. From the above, the supply container 21
Is positioned and fixed at a predetermined position on the mounting surface 14 of the developing device main body 13.

Next, in that state, the slide plate 27 is moved to the position shown in FIG.
(A), (B) When slid to the right in the middle and pulled out, the film-like sheet 26 is peeled from the lower surface of the developer accommodating portion 22, and the developer flows into the developing device main body 13 from the opening of the accommodating portion 22. To do.

When removing the supply container 21,
Push the stopper operating lever 18 shown in FIG.
7 is pushed into the apparatus main body 13 from the mounting surface 14, and in that state, the supply container 21 is slid to the left in FIG. 1 so that the engaging projections 24 and the recesses 16a of the locking portions 16 are engaged with each other. To release. Then, the supply container 21 is lifted upward and separated from the developing device main body 13.

The replenishment number counting means 31 is provided at the right end portion of the developing device main body 13 in FIG. 1, and detects the drawer of the slide plate 27 of the developer replenishing container 21 mounted on the developing device main body 13. Counts the number of times of developer replenishment
It is configured to store. Specifically, the replenishment number counting means 31 includes a rotation limiting plate 32, a rotation ratchet 35, and a feeding plate 36, as shown in FIG.

The rotation limiting plate 32 is formed in a fan shape as a whole, and its upper portion 34 is rotatably supported via a support shaft 32a so as to be capable of projecting and retracting from the opening 14a of the mounting surface 14 of the developing device main body 13. There is. Further, the rotation limiting plate 32 is urged by a spring 39a so that the upper portion 34 normally projects from the opening 14a. Further, the rotation limiting plate 32 is provided with an arcuate rotation restricting groove 33 centered on the support shaft 32a, and a locking shaft portion 32b is provided below the groove 33. A shaft portion 35a, which is planted in the developing device main body 13 at a predetermined distance from the support shaft 32a, is fitted in the rotation restriction groove 33 so as to be relatively slidable.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the rotary ratchet 35 has a predetermined number of claws formed on the outer periphery at a predetermined pitch and is rotatably supported by the shaft portion 35a. The rotation ratchet 35 includes the locking shaft portion 3 of the rotation limiting plate 32.
A predetermined number of engaging recesses 35b that can be fitted with 2b are provided on the inner circumference of each claw at the same pitch as the claw.

The feed plate 36 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 32a of the rotation limiting plate 32 so that the upper portion (stopper portion 37) thereof can be projected and retracted from the opening 14b of the mounting surface 14 of the developing device main body 13. There is. The feed plate 36 has a spring 39.
In the normal state, the stopper portion 37 has the opening portion 14b.
It is biased to project from. Also, the feed plate 36
An engaging claw portion 38a that can be engaged with each claw of the rotating ratchet 35 is formed at a substantially central portion of the, and a positioning arm portion 38b is provided at a lower end portion thereof.

Therefore, when the developer supply container 21 is mounted on the mounting surface 14 of the developing device main body 13 and the slide plate 27 is slid along the mounting surface 14 in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. The uppermost portion 34 of the rotation limiting plate 32 is closed by the leading edge portion 27a of the slide plate 27.
It is pushed into the apparatus main body 13 from a. As a result, the rotation limiting plate 32 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing from the initial state shown in FIG.
It is rotated while being in sliding contact with a and is positioned at the position shown in FIG. As a result, the engagement recess 3 of the rotary ratchet 35
The locking shaft portion 32b of the rotation limiting plate 32 comes out from 5b,
The ratchet 35 is in a rotatable state.

On the other hand, as the slide plate 27 is pulled out,
The stopper portion 37 of the feed plate 36 is also moved from the opening 14b to the apparatus main body 13 by the second tip portion 27b of the slide plate 27.
It is pushed in. As a result, the feed plate 36 also rotates in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 8 about the support shaft 32a as in the rotation limiting plate 32, and the engaging ratchet portion 38a causes the rotary ratchet 35 to move by one pitch of the nail. Rotate clockwise.

When the slide plate 27 is completely pulled out,
The rotation limiting plate 32 and the feed plate 36 are provided with respective springs 39.
The upper portion 34 and the stopper portion 37 by the elastic force of a and 39b.
Are projected from the openings 14a and 14b of the mounting surface 14.
At this time, since the recess 23a of the supply container 21 allows the rotation limiting plate 32 and the feed plate 36 to return, the limiting plate 3
The second upper portion 34 and the stopper portion 37 of the feed plate 36 are smoothly projected from the openings 14a and 14b of the mounting surface 14.
As a result, the rotation ratchet 35 includes the locking shaft portion 32b of the rotation limiting plate 32 and the positioning arm portion 3 of the feed plate 36.
Rotation is restricted by 8b.

By rotating the rotary ratchet 35 by one pitch, the number of times of supplying the developer is counted and stored. For example, when the rotary ratchet 35 is rotated 5 pitches from the initial state, the developer replenishment has already been performed 5 times.

Further, in the replenishment limiting means 41, the rotary ratchet 35 has a predetermined pitch [in the present embodiment, the prescribed replenishment frequency (12
The rotation of the feed plate 36 is restricted by 12 pitches, which corresponds to the number of times), and the stopper portion 37 prevents the feed plate 36 from rotating.
It is formed so as not to be pushed in through the opening 14b of No. 4 and to prevent the slide plate 27 from being pulled out, thereby making it impossible to replenish the developer. More specifically, the supply limiting means 4
Reference numeral 1 is formed of the replenishment number counting means 31 and a rotation restricting convex portion 45 provided on a predetermined pawl portion of the rotary ratchet 35.

As shown in FIG. 9, the rotation restricting convex portion 45 has a locking shaft portion 32b of the rotation limiting plate 32 when the rotation ratchet 35 is rotated clockwise by 12 pitches from the initial state shown in FIG. It is attached to the ratchet 35 so as to be positioned at a position where it can be engaged with. In the state where the rotation restricting convex portion 45 and the locking shaft portion 32b of the rotation restricting plate 32 are engaged, the rotation of the rotary ratchet 35 is restricted and the feed plate 3
6 cannot rotate. Therefore, the stopper portion 37 of the feed plate 36 is provided in the opening portion 14 of the mounting surface 14 of the developing device main body 13.
It is no longer pushed into the developing device main body 13 from b, and the slide plate 27 cannot be pulled out. As a result, the developer cannot be supplied.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
When the replenishment detection sensor 51 warns that it is time to replenish the developing device main body 13,
The developer replenishing container 21 that has been attached to the developing device main body 13 is removed, and a new developer replenishing container 21 is attached. Then, from the attached replenishment container 21 to the slide plate 2
The film-like sheet 26 is peeled off by pulling out 7 to supply the developer into the developing device main body 13. At this time, the rotation ratchet 35 of the replenishment number counting means 31 is rotated in the clockwise direction by one pitch from the initial state shown in FIG. 7 by the rotation limiting plate 32 and the feed plate 36 that rotate together with the slide plate 27 being pulled out. To do. The number of times of replenishment is counted and stored by the rotation of the rotary ratchet 35.

In this way, when the count replenishment number reaches the specified replenishment number (12 times), that is, when the rotation ratchet 35 is rotated by 12 pitches, the rotation regulating convex portion 45 and the locking shaft portion 32b of the rotation limiting plate 32 are connected. The rotation of the rotary ratchet 35 is restricted by the cooperation of the above, and the stopper 37 of the feed plate 36 is prevented from being pushed in from the opening 14b of the mounting surface 14 of the developing device main body 13. As a result, the slide plate 27 cannot be pulled out to replenish the developer, and the user is informed that the process unit 1P has reached the end of its life.

Here, the specified number of times of replenishment (12 times) is selected so that it can be used near the end of the life of each component of the process unit 1P, so that the process unit 1P can be effectively used for a long period of time. it can. Also,
The user does not need to judge whether or not the number of times of replenishment of the developer has reached the prescribed number of times of replenishment, so that it is not complicated, and there is no human error such that the replacement time of the process unit 1P is delayed and trouble occurs.

However, according to this embodiment, the developer replenishing container 2 capable of replenishing the main body 13 of the developing device 11 with the developer.
1 is removably mounted, and a replenishment number counting means 31 for counting and storing the number of times of developer replenishment by the developer replenishing container 21;
Since the developer supply container 21 is prevented from being attached to the main body 13 and the supply of the developer is disabled, the process unit 1P is configured without increasing the size. It can be used effectively for a long time.

Further, since the replenishment number counting means 31 and the replenishment limiting means 41 are mechanically constructed, it is possible to prevent the reliability from deteriorating even when used under severe circumstances.

In the above embodiment, the replenishment number counting means 31 and the replenishment limiting means 41 are mechanically constructed. However, some or all of them may be electrically or electronically constructed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the numbers 1 to 12 indicating the number of times of replenishment of the developer are stamped on the side surface of the rotary ratchet 35 at the same pitch as the claws, and the developing device main body 13 facing the ratchet 35 has a window. Part 13w is provided,
The numbers may be visible from the outside through the window 13w. With this configuration, it is possible to confirm in advance whether the number of times of replenishment of the developer has approached the prescribed number of times of replenishment,
The replacement preparation of the process unit 1P can be performed more smoothly.

[0041]

According to the present invention, the number of replenishment times in which the developer replenishing container capable of replenishing the developer is detachably attached to the main body of the developing device and the number of times of replenishing the developer by the developer replenishing container is counted and stored. Since the counting means and the replenishment limiting means for preventing the replenishment of the developer by blocking the mounting of the developer replenishing container to the apparatus main body after the count replenishment number reaches the prescribed replenishment number, the constitution is provided. The process unit can be effectively used for a long time without increasing the size.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view for explaining an essential part of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view for explaining a process unit in which an image carrier unit and a developing device are integrally formed.

FIG. 3 is also a diagram for explaining a developer supply container.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining the positional relationship between the slide plate of the developer supply container, the rotation limiting plate of the replenishment number counting means, and the feed plate.

FIG. 5 is a plan view for explaining the positional relationship among the slide plate, the rotation limiting plate and the feed plate.

FIG. 6 is likewise an exploded perspective view for explaining the configuration of the replenishment number counting means.

FIG. 7 is also a diagram for explaining the initial state of the replenishment number counting means.

FIG. 8 is also a diagram for explaining the counting operation of the replenishment number counting means.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the supply limiting operation of the supply limiting means in the same manner.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view for explaining a replenishment number counting means having a window for displaying the number of replenishment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional electrophotographic apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view for explaining a conventional process unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1P process unit 1 image carrier unit 11 developing device 21 developer replenishing container 31 replenishment number counting means 41 replenishment limiting means

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An image carrier unit capable of forming an electrostatic latent image, and a developing device for supplying a developer to the image carrier unit to develop the electrostatic latent image are integrally combined. In an electrophotographic apparatus having a process unit, a developer replenishing container capable of replenishing developer is detachably attached to the main body of the developing device, and the number of replenishment times is stored by counting the number of times of developer replenishment by the developer replenishing container. Means and a supply limiting means for preventing the developer supply container from being attached to the developing device main body after the count supply number reaches the specified supply number, thereby disabling the supply of the developer. Electrophotographic device.