JPH06308867A - Recovery carrying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a recovering/carrying device capable of preventing the blocking of toner and smoothly carrying the toner into a toner recovering bottle. CONSTITUTION:On the internal surface of a toner carrying path 10, a rectangular recessed region 9 is consecutive. At this time. the toner 5 after cleaning is turned into a lump larger than the average grain diameter of the toner and intruded into the toner carrying path 10. The contact area of the toner intruded into the toner carrying path 10 with the internal surface is reduced by the consecutiveness of the rectangular recessed region 9 having a diameter slightly smaller than grain diameter of the toner turned into the large lump, so that the chance to stick to the internal surface can be reduced and the toner is carried by a carrying coil while being prevented from sticking to the toner carrying path 10.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a collected material conveying device, and more specifically, to prevent a defective conveyance of a collected material (toner) in an electrophotographic apparatus to a toner collection bottle due to adhesion of toner near the exit of the conveying device, and to convey toner. The present invention relates to a toner conveying device capable of separating toner adhering to the vicinity of an outlet of the device. For example, it can be applied to a toner stirring device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Known publications describing the prior art relating to the present invention include, for example, "cleaning device" in JP-A-3-160487, "toner conveying device" in JP-A-1-128358, and JP-A-4. The "electrophotographic device" of 182689 is proposed. According to the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-160487, in order to obtain a cleaning device that does not cause deterioration of image quality by reducing the amount of toner remaining in the cleaning device, the vibration vibrates in contact with the blade of the toner conveying spiral. Since the member introduces the toner collected in the cleaning housing into the toner conveying spiral without accumulating,
The amount of toner remaining in the cleaning device can be extremely reduced.

In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 182689/1992, a recording medium is used in order to prevent the toner blocking in the cleaning device by blocking the heat from the fixing device without requiring a large fan. While fixing the transferred image on the fixing device with a fixing device, in an electrophotographic apparatus that cleans the surface of the photoconductor after transfer with a cleaning device,
The cleaning device is provided with a casing having a heat insulating effect.

As described above, in conventional electrophotography, there is blocking, which is clogging development due to adhesion of toner in the vicinity of the exit of a conveying device for sending toner to a toner recovery bottle. When the toner causes this blocking in the vicinity of the exit of the conveying device, the toner causes a conveyance failure, and the toner is not collected in the toner collecting bottle, and the toner which is not collected causes the inside of the electrophotographic apparatus to become dirty.

[0005]

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a collected-material conveying device capable of preventing toner blocking and smoothly conveying toner to a toner collecting bottle. It was made.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides (1)
In a collected-material conveying device of the electrophotographic industry in which the collected material in the collected-material conveying path is conveyed to a collecting bottle by a conveying means via an inlet portion, a linear dent region is provided on an inner wall of the collected-material conveying path. Further, (2) a drive device is provided which is perpendicular to the collected material conveying direction and continuously vibrates the collected material conveying path, and (3) in (2) above.
AC bias is applied to the recovered material transport path made of a conductive material, and (4) In (2), drive for generating a traveling wave in the recovered material transport path toward the recovered material transport direction. It is also characterized in that a device is provided, and (5) in (4) above, a vibration detection device is provided in the collected material conveying path, and an external control circuit connected to the vibration detection device is provided.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining an embodiment of a collected material carrying device according to the present invention. In the drawing, 1 is a toner carrying path, 2 is a carrying coil, 3 is a toner collecting bottle inlet,
Reference numeral 4 is a toner recovery bottle, 5, 6, 7 is toner, and 8 is a recessed area. The toner 5 is conveyed in the toner conveying path 1 from the direction A where the cleaning blade exists by the spiral conveying coil 2 to the toner collecting bottle 4 through the toner collecting bottle inlet 3. At this time, due to the continuous shape of the recessed area 8 formed on the inner wall of the toner transport path 1, the toner 6
Contacts only the non-recessed portion, and reduces the contact area of the toner 6 existing in the toner transport path 1 with the inner wall. The reduction in the contact area leads to a reduction in the adhesion surface of the toner 6 with the inner wall of the toner conveying path 1, and this reduces the chance of adhesion of the toner having strong adhesiveness to the inner wall as much as possible and adheres. .

Usually, the toner has an average particle size of about 10 μm, but in the case of the toner after cleaning, the toner itself often aggregates and apparently is a lump larger than the average particle size. In addition, the toner particles that have agglomerated with each other have high adhesiveness, and are likely to form larger lumps. This means that the recessed area 8 does not need to have a diameter corresponding to the average particle diameter of the toner so that the toner 6 does not get clogged in the area, and can have a certain size of diameter. This also means that the area of the recessed area 8 can be made large, and the contact area with the toner 6 can be further reduced.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the embodiment of claim 1, and shows the inner wall surface of the conveying path of the toner conveying device. 9 in the figure
A hollow area, 10 is a toner transport path, and other portions having the same functions as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. A rectangular hollow area 9 is continuously formed on the inner wall surface of the toner transport path 10. At this time, the toner 5 after cleaning is
The lumps, which are larger than the average particle diameter of the toner, enter the toner conveying path 10. The contact area of the toner 6 entering the toner transport path 10 with the inner wall surface is reduced due to the continuation of the rectangular recess area 9 having a diameter slightly smaller than the particle diameter of the toner 6 which is a large lump. It is possible to reduce the chances of adhesion to the inner wall surface, and the toner 6 is conveyed by the conveyance coil 2 while preventing the toner 6 from adhering to the toner conveyance path 10.

FIG. 3 is a view showing another embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention and shows an inner wall surface of the conveying path of the toner conveying device. In the figure, 11 is a hollow area, 12 is a toner transport path,
Portions having the same functions as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.
On the inner wall surface of the toner transport path 12, a circular depression area 11 is formed.
Are continuously applied.

Next, claim 2 will be described. Figure 4
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an embodiment of claim 2 and is a diagram showing a toner transport path in the toner transport device. In the figure, 14 is a drive circuit, 15 is a vibrating surface, and other parts having the same functions as those in FIG. In the toner transport path 1, the drive circuit 14 is provided in the toner transport path 1 according to the first aspect of the invention so as to vibrate the toner transport path 1 continuously and vertically to the toner transport direction. At this time, the vibrating surface 15 can be considered as the vibrating surface of the toner conveying path 1. As the drive circuit 14, a drive circuit using a piezoelectric element can be used. On the inner wall surface of the toner transport path 1, a recessed area 8 is formed.
Are continuously applied.

The toner 5 after cleaning becomes a mass larger than the average particle diameter of the toner, and the toner 6 that has entered the toner conveying path 1 has a hollow area having a diameter slightly smaller than that of the toner 6 which is a large mass. The continuous area of 8 reduces the contact area with the inner wall surface, reduces the chance of adhesion with the inner wall surface, and at the same time vibrates the toner conveying path 1 to the vibrating surface 15 by the vibration of the piezoelectric element as the drive circuit 14, When the toner 6 attached to the inner wall surface is peeled off from the inner wall surface,
The toner 6 is transported by the transport coil 2 while preventing the toner 6 from adhering to the toner transport path 1.

Next, claim 3 will be described. Figure 5
[FIG. 4] is a diagram showing an embodiment of claim 3 and is a diagram showing a toner conveyance path. In the figure, reference numeral 16 is an AC bias applying section, and other parts having the same operation as in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the toner transport path 1, the toner transport path 1 described in claim 2 is made of a conductive material, and the toner transport path 1
The AC bias 16 is applied to. In a third embodiment of the present invention, a driving circuit using a piezoelectric element is used as the driving circuit 14, and an AC bias is applied to the toner carrying path 1 made of a conductive material.

A hollow area 8 is formed on the inner wall surface of the toner conveying path 1.
Are continuously applied, and the toner 5 after cleaning becomes a lump larger than the average particle diameter of the toner, and the toner 5
Enter. The toner 6 that has entered the toner conveyance path 1 has a contact area with the inner wall surface reduced due to the continuation of the recessed area 8 having a diameter slightly smaller than that of the toner 6 which is a large lump, so that the adhesion with the inner wall surface is reduced. At the same time as reducing the opportunity, the vibration of the piezoelectric element serving as the drive circuit 14 vibrates the toner conveying path 1 to the vibrating surface 15 to separate the toner 6 adhering to the inner wall surface from the inner wall surface, and further convey the toner. By the AC bias 16 applied to the path 1, the toner 6 when being charged is electrically separated from the inner wall surface, and the toner 6 is transported by the transport coil 2 while preventing the toner 6 from adhering to the toner transport path 1.

Next, FIG. 6 for explaining claim 4 will be described.
It is a figure which shows the Example of Claim 4, and is a figure which shows a toner conveyance path. In the figure, reference numeral 17 denotes a drive circuit, and other parts having the same operations as those in FIG. 4 are designated by the same reference numerals. Claim 4
In the configuration shown in (1), another drive circuit 17 is provided in addition to the toner conveying path described in claim 2. The drive circuit 17 generates a traveling wave in the same direction as the toner carrying direction B on the toner carrying path 1. In the fourth embodiment, a drive circuit using a piezoelectric element is used as the drive circuit 14, and a drive circuit using a piezoelectric element is also used as the drive circuit 17 for generating a traveling wave.

As described in claim 2, the toner conveying path 1
A hollow area 8 is continuously formed on the inner wall surface of the toner, and the toner 5 after cleaning enters the toner conveying path 1 as a lump having a size larger than the toner average particle diameter. The toner 6 that has entered the toner conveyance path 1 is formed by the continuous recessed area 8 having a diameter slightly smaller than that of the toner 6 which is a large lump,
The contact area with the inner wall surface is reduced, and the chance of adhesion with the inner wall surface is reduced. At the same time, the vibration of the toner conveying path 1 is caused to vibrate on the vibrating surface 15 by the vibration of the piezoelectric element as the drive circuit 14 When the toner 6 is present, the toner 6 is separated from the inner wall surface to prevent the toner 6 from adhering to the toner conveying path 1. Further, in the toner conveying direction B on the toner conveying path 1 generated by the vibration of the piezoelectric element as the drive circuit 17. Due to the traveling traveling wave, a driving force is applied to the toner 6 in a region where the transport coil 2 cannot reach, and the toner 6 is transported.

Next, claim 5 will be described. Figure 7
[FIG. 8] is a diagram showing an embodiment of claim 5 and is a diagram showing a toner conveyance path. In the figure, 19 and 20 are drive detection devices 21, 21.
Reference numeral 2 denotes an external control circuit, and other parts having the same functions as those in FIG. 4 are designated by the same reference numerals. The configuration according to claim 5 is
In addition to the toner conveyance path according to the fourth aspect, an external control device connected to a vibration detection device for detecting vibration of the toner conveyance path is provided. Further, the vibration signal detected by the vibration detecting device is passed to the external control device, and the external control device feeds back the driving device vibrating the toner transport path to realize appropriate vibration.

As an embodiment of claim 5, the drive circuit 1
Drive circuits using piezoelectric elements are used as 4 and 17, and vibration detecting devices 20 and 19 are attached to the toner conveyance path 1 vibrated by the respective drive circuits according to vibration directions. As the vibration detecting device, one using a piezoelectric element is also conceivable. In addition, this vibration detection device 20, 1
External control circuits 22 and 21 are added to receive the signals detected by 9 and feed them back to the drive circuits 14 and 17 which give the respective vibrations. According to the effect of claim 4, when the toner 6 is prevented from adhering to the inner wall surface of the toner conveying path 1 and is conveyed, when the toner is not properly conveyed due to the vibration state of the toner conveying path 1. Therefore, a vibration feedback circuit composed of the vibration detection devices 14 and 17 and the external control circuits 22 and 21 is provided, and the stable effect of claim 4 is obtained.

[0019]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention has the following effects. (1) Effect corresponding to claim 1; When toner is transported to a toner recovery bottle in electrophotography, by using claim 1, toner adhesion to the inner wall surface of the toner transport path can be reduced. , It is greatly effective in realizing smooth transfer of toner to the toner bottle. Further, as a configuration, there is an effect that no special device is required. (2) Effect corresponding to claim 2; In electrophotography, when toner is transported to a toner recovery bottle, the use of claim 2 reduces the adhesion of toner to the inner wall surface of the toner transport path. The toner that has adhered is also claim 2.
The attached toner can be peeled off by the vibration obtained in 1., and it is greatly effective in realizing the smooth conveyance of the toner to the toner bottle. (3) Effect corresponding to claim 3; In electrophotography, when toner is transported to a toner recovery bottle, by using claim 3, toner adheres to the inner wall surface of the toner transport path, particularly electrical one. The toner can be peeled off even if it adheres to the toner, especially toner that has been electrically adhered, and the toner bottle can be smoothly transported. Is very effective in realizing. (4) Effect corresponding to claim 4; In electrophotography, when toner is transported to a toner recovery bottle, the use of claim 4 reduces the adhesion of toner to the inner wall surface in the toner transport path. Even with the toner that has adhered, the adhered toner can be separated by the vibration obtained in claim 2, and in claim 4, a traveling wave is added to the toner conveyance path itself to smoothly convey the toner. Has been realized. (5) Effect corresponding to claim 5: In electrophotography, when a toner is conveyed to a toner recovery bottle, by using claim 5, a feedback circuit is added in addition to the effect obtained in claim 4. As a result, stable use as toner conveyance is realized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram for explaining an entire collected material carrying device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment (Claim 1) of the collected material carrying apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another embodiment of claim 1 of the collected material carrying apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view showing still another embodiment (claim 2) of the collected material carrying apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view showing still another embodiment (claim 3) of the collected material carrying apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view showing still another embodiment (claim 4) of the collected material carrying apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing yet another embodiment (Claim 5) of the recovered material transport apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Toner conveying path, 2 ... Conveying coil, 3 ... Toner collection bottle inlet part, 4 ... Toner collecting bottle, 5, 6, 7 ... Toner, 8 ... Recess area, 9 ... Recess area, 10 ... Toner conveying path.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. In a collected product carrying device of an electrophotographic industry in which a collected product in a collected product carrying path is carried to a collecting bottle by a carrying means via an inlet portion, a straight line is formed on an inner wall of the collected product carrying path. A collected-materials conveying device having a recessed region. 2. The collected-material conveying device according to claim 1, further comprising a drive device which is perpendicular to the collected-material conveying direction and continuously vibrates the collected-material conveying path. 3. The collected material carrying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an AC bias is applied to the collected material carrying path made of a conductive material. 4. The collected-material conveying device according to claim 2, wherein a drive device for generating a traveling wave in the collected-material conveying direction is provided on an inner wall of the collected-material conveying path. 5. The collected-material conveying device according to claim 4, wherein a vibration detecting device is provided in the collected-material conveying path, and an external control circuit connected to the vibration detecting device is provided.