JPH07209981A - Electrostatic latent image developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To appropriately inform an operator of an abnormal state by giving an abnormality warning when a toner amount signal is equal to or above a specified value in the case a toner concentration signal does not attain a control value in a specified time. CONSTITUTION:A toner supply part 8 is equipped with a toner attachably/ detachably attached to the housing means 14. In this electrostatic latent image developing device, a control means controls to actuate carrying means 330, 332, 334 and 336 in a specified toner supply mode in the case the toner concentration signal from a toner concentration detecting means 430 is lower than the specified control value by a specified amount or more, that is, the concentration showing emptiness. In the case the toner concentration signal does not attain the control value in the specified time after controlling to actuate the means 330, 332, 334 and 336 in the specified toner supply mode, the toner amount in a toner carrying part 6 is confirmed according to a signal from a toner amount detecting means 390. In the case the toner amount signal is equal to above a specified value, abnormality warning is given.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrostatic latent image developing device used in an image forming machine such as an electrostatic copying machine or a laser printer, and more specifically, toner replacement is performed by replacing a toner cartridge. And an electrostatic latent image developing device of the type described above.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An electrostatic latent image developing device used in an image generator applies toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoconductor to be developed and develops the toner image into a toner image. Therefore, the toner is consumed according to the execution of the development, and it is necessary to replenish the toner to the electrostatic latent image developing device after the development is performed many times. Replenishment of toner is required to be easy to operate, and in general, a toner replenishment system in which toner is replenished by replacing a toner cartridge is adopted. In the electrostatic latent image developing device adopting such a toner replenishment system, a toner cartridge accommodating means is provided, and the toner cartridge is detachably mounted in this toner cartridge accommodating means. A toner receiving opening is formed in the toner cartridge housing means. The toner cartridge includes a container having a toner discharge opening, toner contained in the container, and sealing means for closing the toner discharge opening. Usually, the toner discharge opening is formed in the lower wall of the container, and the sealing means is composed of a tape member that is releasably attached to the lower wall of the container. When the toner cartridge is mounted in the predetermined mounting position of the toner cartridge accommodating means, the toner discharge opening of the toner cartridge is positioned to face the toner receiving opening of the toner cartridge accommodating means. After the toner cartridge is mounted at the predetermined position of the toner cartridge accommodating means, the tape member is peeled from the container to open the toner discharge opening, the toner in the container is discharged through the toner discharge opening into the toner receiving opening, and thus the electrostatic discharge is performed. Toner is supplied to the latent image developing device. The tape member is normally peeled from the container by grasping one end and pulling. Such a toner cartridge type electrostatic latent image developing device is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-58.
No. 224364 is disclosed.

In this type of electrostatic latent image developing device,
The toner carrying section is provided with a carrying means for carrying the toner discharged from the toner cartridge to the developing section, and the toner carrying section is provided with a toner quantity detecting means for detecting the toner quantity. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-343378 discloses a technique for controlling the operation of the conveying means based on a detection signal and a detection signal of a toner density detecting means arranged in the developing section for detecting the toner density of the developer. ing.

[0004]

When the toner density detecting means detects a toner density lower than a predetermined control value, the operation means controls the conveying means to supply the toner to the developing section. By supplying the toner to the developing section in this way, the toner concentration of the developer normally recovers to a predetermined control value, but the toner concentration reaches the predetermined control value even when the operation of the conveying means is controlled. If not, the image becomes defective due to lack of toner.

The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and its main technical problem is that the toner concentration of the developer does not reach a predetermined control value despite the operation control of the conveying means. In addition, when the toner amount in the toner conveying portion is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, the conveying unit has a failure, the toner amount detecting unit has a failure, or an extremely dark original such as so-called solid black is continuously copied. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrostatic latent image developing device that warns the operator of the occurrence of the abnormal state.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned first technical object, according to the present invention, a toner cartridge having a container having a toner discharge opening and a toner cartridge having a toner receiving opening are provided. A toner cartridge accommodating unit that is detachably mounted, a toner conveying unit that includes a conveying unit that conveys the toner discharged from the toner cartridge to the developing unit, and a toner and a carrier that are conveyed from the toner conveying unit. In the electrostatic latent image developing device having a developing action section, the toner concentration detecting means disposed in the developing action section for detecting the toner concentration of the developer, and the toner concentration detecting section disposed in the toner transport section. Toner amount detecting means for detecting the toner amount of the conveying portion, and the conveying means based on the detection signals from the toner concentration detecting means and the toner amount detecting means. And a control means for dynamically controlling the toner density signal from the toner density detection means when the toner density signal has a toner density lower than a predetermined control value by a predetermined toner density. When the operation is controlled in the toner replenishment mode, and the toner concentration signal does not reach the control value within a predetermined time, when the toner amount signal from the toner amount detecting means is equal to or more than the predetermined value, an abnormal alarm is issued. Electrostatic latent image developing device.

[0007]

In the electrostatic latent image developing apparatus according to the present invention, the control means controls the conveying means to a predetermined value when the toner density signal from the toner density detecting means is an empty density that is a predetermined amount or more lower than a predetermined control value. The operation is controlled in the toner replenishment mode of. When the toner concentration signal does not reach the control value within a predetermined time after the operation control of the conveying means in the predetermined toner replenishing mode, the toner amount of the toner conveying portion is confirmed by the signal from the toner amount detecting means. When the toner amount signal exceeds a predetermined value, an abnormal alarm is issued.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A detailed description will be given below with reference to the accompanying drawings showing a preferred embodiment of an electrostatic latent image developing device constructed according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 is used as a whole.
The electrostatic latent image developing device shown by is composed of a developing unit 4, a toner transport unit 6, and a toner supply unit 8. The toner supply unit 8 includes a toner cartridge housing means 14 and a toner cartridge 16 detachably mounted in the toner cartridge housing means 14. As will be described in more detail later, the toner T is contained in the toner cartridge 16 as shown in FIG. 5, and the toner T is discharged into the toner transport unit 6. The electrostatic latent image developing device 2 and the rotary drum 12 are arranged in a housing (not shown) of an image forming machine such as an electrostatic copying machine or a laser printing machine.

Continuing the description with reference to FIG. 2 together with FIG. 1, the toner cartridge accommodating means 14 of the toner supply section 8 will be described.
Includes a stationary support frame 24. The support frame 24 has a bottom wall 26 extending substantially horizontally, an upright rear wall 28 extending upward from a rear edge of the bottom wall 26, and upright side walls 30 and 32 extending upward from both side edges of the bottom wall 26. The upright rear wall 28 and the upright side walls 30 and 32 each have a double wall structure, and a space is formed between the walls. In the central region of the bottom wall 26, a rectangular toner receiving opening 34 is formed in the width direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1). A seal member 36 made of a cushioning material is joined to the upper surface of the bottom wall 26 and extends along the peripheral edge of the toner receiving opening 34. The seal member 36 is made of a flexible material such as foamed resin. A short shaft 40 that projects horizontally is fixed to the rear portion of the side wall 32, and a gear 42 that constitutes a seal tape winding means is rotatably mounted on the short shaft 40. This gear 42 is transmission-coupled to an electric motor M1 which is a drive source via a transmission means 43 including a gear train. A rectangular cutout 44 is formed inside the lower portion of the rear wall 28.
The gear 42 is projected forward through the notch 44. As will be clear from the following description, the gear 4
Reference numeral 2 constitutes an output means drivingly connected to an input means composed of a gear arranged in the toner cartridge 16.

The toner cartridge accommodating means 14 is provided with an elevating means 50 for the toner cartridge 16. The elevating means 50 has a short shaft 52 on each of the side wall 30 and the side wall 32.
And a lifting gear 56 rotatably supported by
And 58. Elevating pins 60 and 62 are provided on inner surfaces of the elevating gears 56 and 58, which are opposed to each other so as to project substantially inward. The one up-and-down gear 56 is electrically connected to an electric motor M2 as a drive source via a power transmission mechanism 64 such as a gear mechanism and a timing belt mechanism. In addition, circular openings 35 and 37 are formed in the inner side walls that form the side walls 30 and 32, respectively, for allowing rotation of the lifting pins, which will be described later. Further, the elevating gears 56 and 58 are respectively engaged with connecting gears 68 and 70 mounted at both ends of a connecting shaft 66 disposed in the rear wall 28 and rotatably supported by the side wall 30 and the side wall 32, respectively. It is matched. Therefore, when the elevating gear 56 is driven by the driving force of the electric motor M2 via the power transmission mechanism 64, the driving force is transmitted to the elevating gear 58 via the connecting gear 68, the connecting shaft 66, and the connecting gear 70. The lifting gear 58 is adapted to rotate at the same speed as the lifting gear 56. It should be noted that the one lifting gear 56 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, a cam 57 that constitutes a lifting pin position detecting means is provided on the outer surface thereof. A lift pin position detection switch SW1 is provided corresponding to the cam 57. Cam 5
7 and the lifting pin position detection switch SW1 have a positional relationship shown in FIG. 3A at the attachment / detachment position of the toner cartridge 16. At this time, the lifting pin position detection switch SW1.
Is engaged with the small diameter portion 57a of the cam 57 and is off.
In the state shown in FIG. 3B in which the lifting gear 56 rotates in the direction of the arrow from the state of FIG. 3A and the lifting pin 60 is positioned at the lowest point, that is, the mounting position, the lifting pin position detection switch. SW4 is engaged with the large diameter portion 57b of the cam 57 and is turned on.
are doing. A toner cartridge detection switch SW2 is arranged on the rear wall 28 of the toner cartridge accommodating means 14.

The toner cartridge 16 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 together with FIG. The toner cartridge 16 shown in the drawing is a synthetic resin container 100 formed by integrally or integrally joining two or more parts, and a base portion 102 mounted on the lower end of the synthetic resin container 100. It has and. Note that FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the synthetic resin container 100 and the base portion 102 in a disassembled state as seen from the bottom, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge 16 in which the synthetic resin container 100 and the base portion 102 are assembled, viewed from the bottom. Container 100 that constitutes this toner cartridge 16
Has a box-shaped main portion 104, and the toner T is stored in the main portion 104. The upper half of the main portion 104 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, but the lower half has a truncated pyramidal shape and a relatively small rectangular parallelepiped following the pyramidal shape. In other words, in the lower half part of the main part 104, all of the four side walls are inclined inward and extend downward, and then extend substantially vertically downward. Main part 10
Two toner discharge openings 108a and 108b are formed in the lower surface wall 106 of No. 4 in parallel in the width direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 5, lower left to upper right in FIG. 4). The toner discharge openings 108a and 108b may have a rectangular shape. As will be readily understood by referring to FIG. 5, the lower wall 106 has a front bulge 110 and a rear bulge 112 extending forward and backward. Further, the lower surface wall 106 has a side protrusion 1 as shown in FIG.
14 and 116. The container 100 also includes an intermediate wall 119 that extends in the width direction above the rear overhang 112 that constitutes the lower surface wall 106. As clearly shown in FIG. 4, the lower wall 106 has a toner discharge opening 108.
a and 108b, respectively, fusion splicing ridges 118a and 118b
18b is formed. Fusing ridges 118a and 118
Each side portion of b is straightly extended, but the front portion and the rear portion are inclined from both sides toward the center in the width direction toward the front and the rear, respectively, and are protruded forward and rear in a triangular shape. The toner discharge openings 108a and 108b are
With the toner cartridge 16 mounted in a predetermined position of the toner cartridge housing means 14, it faces the toner receiving opening 34 formed in the bottom wall 26. Further, the toner receiving opening 34 formed in the bottom wall 26 is
The toner discharge openings 108a and 108b are larger than the toner discharge openings 108a and 108b. Therefore, the lower surface wall 106 of the container 100 is mounted along the peripheral edge of the toner receiving opening 34.
Inside of the pressure contact portion that contacts with the toner discharge opening 108a
And 108b form a space S.

Continuing the description with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5,
On both sides of the lower end on the rear wall side of the synthetic resin container 100, both side upright walls 120 and 122 connected to the side protrusions 114 and 116 are attached. The upright walls 1 on both sides
20 and 122, the rear projection 112 of the lower wall 106.
Winding shaft 12 constituting winding means arranged above the
4 is rotatably mounted. The take-up shaft 124 is disposed so as to extend in the width direction along the toner discharge openings 108a and 108b, and one end of the take-up shaft 124 penetrates the side upright wall 122 and is projected outward. A gear 126 is fixed to the. As will be further referred to later, this gear 126 is the toner cartridge housing means 1 described above.
4 constitutes an input means which is drivingly connected to the gear 42 arranged in the above-mentioned FIG.

The toner cartridge 16 further comprises seal tapes 128a and 128b arranged in association with the toner discharge openings 108a and 108b. The seal tapes 128a and 128b are arranged inside the pressure contact portion that contacts the seal member 36, that is, in the space S. Seal tape 128a and 12
8b is formed of an appropriate synthetic resin film. One end of each of the seal tapes 128a and 128b is attached to the rear overhanging portion 112 side, extends forward along the lower surface wall 106, and extends to the toner discharge openings 108a and 108b.
To reach the front overhang 110. Sealing tapes 128a and 128b extending along the lower surface wall 148 and covering the toner discharge openings 108a and 108b are releasably attached to the lower surface wall 106. In such peelable attachment, the sealing tapes 128a and 128b are attached to the outer surface of the lower surface wall 106 by the fusion-bonding ridge 118a.
And 118b by heat fusion. The seal tapes 128a and 128b are further
It is folded back on the front side (left side in FIG. 4) of the toner discharge openings 108a and 108b and extends rearward, and then passes behind the rear overhanging portion 112, and the other end edge thereof forms a winding shaft 124 constituting the winding means. It is connected.

The toner cartridge 16 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 3, the toner solidification preventing means 200 is transmission-connected to the winding shaft 124. The toner solidification preventing means 200 is provided with a rotating shaft 202 arranged at the lower center of the container 100 constituting the toner cartridge 16 so as to penetrate the container in parallel with the winding shaft 124. The rotating shaft 202 is provided with an agitating member 204 formed by being bent alternately so as to act on the toner contained in the container 100 to agitate the toner.
2 and the stirring member 204 are integrally formed of synthetic resin in the illustrated embodiment. A driven toothed pulley 206 is attached to the end of the rotary shaft 202. On the other hand, a drive toothed pulley 208 is attached to an end portion of the winding shaft 124 opposite to the end portion to which the gear 126 is attached. The drive toothed pulley 208 and the driven toothed pulley 206 are attached to each other. The toothed belt 210 is wound and the winding shaft 1
The driving force for rotating 24 is transmitted to the rotary shaft 202 to which the stirring member 204 is attached via the drive toothed pulley 208, the toothed belt 210, and the driven toothed pulley 206.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the base portion 102 mounted on the lower end of the synthetic resin container 100 is made of synthetic resin, and has a front wall 140 and a rear wall 142.
And side walls 144 and 146 and a bottom wall 148.
At 48, an opening 156 larger than the toner discharge openings 108a and 108b is formed. The base portion 102 is fitted to the lower end of the synthetic resin container 100 and is integrally assembled with the container 100. A flange 158 facing the rear end of the rear extension 112 of the synthetic resin container 100 is formed in the width direction on the rear wall 142 that defines the rear edge of the opening 156 of the base portion 102, and the front surface thereof is formed. A wiping sponge 160 is attached to the. The base portion 10
2 rear wall 142, flange 158 and wiping sponge 16
0 is the rear overhang 112 that constitutes the lower surface wall 106 of the container 100, the intermediate wall 115, and both upright walls 120, 1
22 to form a closed space 161 above the lower wall,
The winding portion of the winding shaft 124 is disposed in the closed space 161.

The base portion 102 includes side walls 144 and 146.
Further, it is provided with cam grooves 170a and 170b with which lifting pins 60 and 62 attached to lifting gears 56 and 58 constituting the lifting means 50 engage. For the one cam groove 170a, refer to FIG. The cam grooves 170a and 170b are provided with inlets / outlets 172a and 172b extending vertically from the lower end, and inlets / outlets 172a and 172.
It has operating portions 174a and 174b which are formed continuously with the upper end of b and extend in a substantially horizontal direction. The operating portion 174a
And 174b are defined by upper walls 175a and 175b, first lower walls 176a and 176b, and second lower walls 177a and 177b.

The toner cartridge 16 constructed as described above is mounted in the toner cartridge accommodating means 14. The mounting operation will be described below with reference to FIGS.
Will be described with reference to. First, when the toner cartridge 16 is inserted into the toner cartridge accommodating means 14 from above, the inlet / outlet portion 172a of the cam groove 170a (170b) formed in the base portion 102 at the mounting position as shown in FIG.
The lifting pin 60 (62) attached to the lifting gear 56 (58) is fitted to (172b), and the cam groove 170a (1
70b) upper wall 175a (175b) is the lifting pin 60
The insertion is regulated by abutting against (62). When the electric motor M2 is driven in this state, the lifting gear 56 (58) is rotated in the direction of arrow A as shown in FIG.
The elevating pins 60 and 62 engage with the first lower walls 176a (174b) of the cam grooves 170a and 170b and rotate, thereby moving the toner cartridge 16 downward. And
When the elevating gear 56 (58) further rotates in the direction of arrow A and the elevating pin 60 (62) reaches near the lowest point, the elevating pin 60 (58)
(62) is an entry / exit portion 172 of the cam groove 170a (170b).
a (172b) and the other second lower wall 177a
The toner cartridge 16 is lowered to the lowest point shown in FIG. 10 by engaging with (175b). Lifting pin 60 in this state
(62) is a sealing member 3 forcing the toner cartridge 16 downward so that the lower surface wall 106 of the container 144 is disposed on the bottom wall 26 of the toner cartridge accommodating means 14.
Press down to 6. Thus, the toner cartridge 16 is elastically retained in the mounting position shown in FIG.

Next, the winding of the seal tapes 128a and 128b mounted on the toner cartridge 16 mounted on the toner cartridge housing means 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. The toner cartridge 16 is the toner cartridge housing means 14
In the state shown in FIG.
The gear 126 mounted on the gear 24 is adapted to engage with the gear 42 arranged on the toner cartridge accommodating means 14. When the electric motor M1 constituting the seal tape winding means is driven in this state, the winding shaft 124 is rotated via the transmission means 43, the gear 42 and the gear 126, and the seal tapes 128a and 128b are wound. Therefore, the seal tapes 128a and 128b cover the toner discharge openings 108a and 108b shown in FIG. 11, and after the state shown in FIG. 12, the toner discharge openings 150a and 150b are completely opened as shown in FIG. Is rolled up. In this way, the toner discharge opening 15
0a and 150b are opened, the toner T contained in the container 144 is discharged from the toner discharge openings 150a and 15a.
0b and the toner receiving opening 34, and is discharged downward and is supplied into the toner conveying unit 6. The winding shaft 1
Sealing tape 128a and 128b wound around 24
Is stored in the closed space 161, so that when the toner cartridge 16 is taken out of the toner cartridge housing means 14, the toner attached to the seal tapes 128a and 128b may be scattered or the surroundings may be soiled by the attached toner. Absent. In addition, the toner discharge opening 108a
And sealing tape 128a and 128b covering 108b
Is disposed inside the pressure contact portion that contacts the seal member 36, that is, in the space S, so that the winding shaft 12
Since the seal member 36 does not come into contact with the seal member 36 when it is wound around 4, the seal member 36 is not contaminated with the toner, and the elasticity and the seal function are prevented from being deteriorated due to the toner entering the seal member 36. be able to.

When all the toner T stored in the container 144 of the toner cartridge 16 is consumed and the toner cartridge 16 is replaced with a new one, the electric motor M2 is driven from the mounted state of FIG. (5
When 8) is rotated in the direction of arrow A, the lifting pin 60 (62)
Is the predetermined mounting position from the lowest point position to the cam groove 170a
The toner cartridge 16 is engaged with the upper wall 175a (173b) of the (170b) 173b and rotated to move the toner cartridge 16 upward to the loading state shown in FIG. Therefore, by pulling up the toner cartridge 16 in which the toner has been consumed, it can be easily taken out from the toner cartridge housing means 14.

Next, the toner carrying section 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 14, and 15. The illustrated toner transport unit 6 includes a housing 300. The housing 300, which can be made of an appropriate synthetic resin, has the toner cartridge accommodating means 14 on the upper surface of the upstream end thereof.
A mounting portion 302 for mounting the toner is formed, and a toner delivery opening 304 is formed on the lower surface of the downstream end portion thereof. More specifically, the upper surface of the upstream end (right end) of the housing 300 is formed with an upstream-side upper surface wall portion 306 that extends substantially horizontally. An opening 308 extending in the width direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1) is formed in the upper surface wall portion 306. A pair of support walls 310 and 312 are formed on both sides of the upper surface wall portion 306 and extend substantially vertically upward. The toner cartridge accommodating means 14 is mounted on the mounting portion 302 defined by the upper surface wall portion 306 and the pair of support walls 310 and 312.

The toner delivery opening 3 formed on the lower surface of the downstream end portion of the housing 300 of the toner carrying portion 6.
On both sides of 04, the lower surface wall of the housing 300 is inclined in a direction in which it gradually approaches downward,
A delivery section 314 having an inverted trapezoidal cross section is defined. A toner delivery unit 316 is arranged in the delivery unit 314. Toner delivery means 3 in the illustrated embodiment
16 is composed of a delivery roller 318 extending in the width direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1). Referring to FIG. 14 in conjunction with FIG. 1, the delivery roller 318, which may be formed of a sponge, has a rotating shaft 320 that extends substantially horizontally in the width direction, the rotating shaft 320 including a front wall 322 of the housing 300 and It is rotatably mounted between the rear walls 324. The delivery roller 318 is selectively rotatably driven in the direction indicated by arrow 326, as further referred to below, thus the toner delivery opening 304 of the housing 300.
The toner T is sent to the developing section 4 through the.

In the inside of the housing 300 of the toner conveying portion 6, a toner conveying member 328 for conveying the toner T discharged from the toner cartridge 16 to the upstream end portion of the housing 300 toward the toner delivering means 316 is shown. Means are provided. The toner conveying means 328 in the illustrated embodiment is composed of two upstream side toner conveying means 330.
And 332 and two downstream toner transport means 334 and 336. Four arcuate portions 338, 340, 342 and 344 are bulged downward corresponding to the upstream side toner transporting means 330 and 332 and the downstream side toner transporting means 334 and 336 on the lower surface wall of the housing 300.
Are formed. Continuing the description with reference to FIG. 14 together with FIG. 1, each of the upstream side toner conveying devices 330 and 332 and the downstream side toner conveying devices 334 and 336 is rotatably provided between the front wall 322 and the rear wall 324 of the housing 300. It includes mounted rotating shaft members 346, 348, 350 and 352. Rotating shaft member 3 extending substantially horizontally
Rotation members 354, 356, 358 and 360 are fixed to the respective 46, 348, 350 and 352.
As shown in FIG. 14, the rotating member 360 is the rotating shaft member 352.
Has a connecting portion 362 extending from both ends thereof in a radial direction and a conveying rod portion 364 extending between the connecting portion 362 substantially in parallel with the rotating shaft member 352 (and thus substantially horizontally).
Similarly, the other rotating members 354, 356, and 358 similarly connect the connecting portions that extend in the radial direction from both ends of the rotating shaft members 346, 348, and 350 and the rotating shaft members 346, 3 to each other.
It has a transport rod portion extending substantially parallel to 48 and 350. Incidentally, the rotating members 354, 356, 358 and 36.
Zeros are required to be arranged with their phases shifted as shown. The upstream toner transporting means 330 and 332 and the downstream toner transporting means 334 and 336 are selectively driven to rotate in a direction indicated by an arrow 366, as will be further described later. Rotating members 354, 356, 358 and 360
1 is moved along the arcuate portions 338, 340, 342 and 344 on the lower surface wall of the housing 300, and the toner T in the housing 300 is moved from right to left in FIG. An auxiliary rotating member 368 is further attached to the downstream side toner transporting means 336. The auxiliary rotating member 368 conveys the rotating member 360 between the connecting portion 370 and the connecting portion 370 extending in the radial direction from the rotating shaft member 352 on the inner side in the width direction (axial direction) of the connecting portion 362 of the rotating member 360. The rod portion 364 has an auxiliary rod portion 372 extending inward in the radial direction in parallel with the rod portion 364. As can be clearly understood from FIG.
The auxiliary rotation member 368 is attached to the rotation member 360 by the arrow 36.
It is fixed to the common rotating shaft member 352 by being displaced by a predetermined angle of about 50 degrees in the rotation direction shown by 6. Therefore, the auxiliary rotating member 368 is driven to rotate integrally with the rotating member 360 in the direction indicated by the arrow 366.

Continuing the description with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, on the outer surface (rear) of the rear wall 324 of the housing 300, two driving means, that is, an electric motor constituting an upstream driving means. An electric motor M4 that constitutes M3 and the downstream drive unit is provided. An output gear 374 is fixed to the output shaft of the electric motor M3. On the other hand, the rotary shaft member 34 of each of the upstream side toner transport units 330 and 332.
6 and 348 are projected through the rear wall 324 to the rear, and the input gears 376 and 3 are provided at the protruding ends.
78 is fixed. And, as clearly shown in FIG. 15, the output gear 374 is engaged with the input gears 376 and 378. Thus, when the electric motor M3 is energized, the upstream side toner conveying means 330 and 332 are rotationally driven in the direction indicated by the arrow 366. Similarly, an output gear 380 is fixed to the output shaft of the electric motor M4. On the other hand, the downstream side toner conveying means 334 and 336.
The respective rotary shaft members 350 and 352 of the above are projected rearward through the rear wall 324, and the input gears 382 and 384 are fixed to the protruding ends. Furthermore,
The rotary shaft 320 of the toner delivery unit 316 also penetrates the rear wall 324 and is projected rearward, and the input gear 386 is also fixed to the protruding end portion. The output gear 380 of the electric motor M4 constituting the downstream drive means is the input gear 3
82 and 384 are engaged. In addition, the input gear 384 is engaged with the input gear 386 via the transmission gear 388. Thus, when the electric motor M4 is energized, the downstream toner conveying devices 334 and 336 are rotationally driven in the direction indicated by the arrow 366, and the toner delivery means 316 is also rotationally driven in the direction indicated by the arrow 366.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 14, the toner conveying section 6 is further provided with a toner amount detecting means 390 for detecting the amount of toner existing in the downstream portion of the housing 300. The toner amount detecting means 390 in the illustrated embodiment includes a swivel plate 392. Housing 30
A support shaft 394 is mounted between the front wall 322 and the rear wall 324 of zero. Upright mounting pieces 396 are integrally formed on both sides of the base end of the swivel plate 392.
By inserting the support shaft 394 into the support shaft 3,
A swivel plate 392 is rotatably attached to the front end portion of 94. A permanent magnet 398 is fixed to the front end portion of the swivel plate 392 (a portion adjacent to the front wall of the housing 300).
On the other hand, at a predetermined position on the outer surface (front surface) of the front wall 322 of the housing 300, a reed switch SW3 forming a detector for detecting the permanent magnet 398 of the swivel plate 392 is fixed.

As shown in FIG. 1, when a sufficient amount of toner T is present in the downstream portion of the housing 300, the free end of the swivel plate 392 comes into contact with the upper surface of the toner T, so that the swivel plate 392 moves. It is maintained at a relatively high position, and reed switch SW3 does not detect permanent magnet 398. On the other hand, the toner T in the downstream portion of the housing 300
Is reduced, the swivel plate 392 is correspondingly reduced.
Is turned counterclockwise and descends, and thus the reed switch SW3 detects the permanent magnet 398. When the swing plate 392 is lowered due to the reduction of the toner T in the downstream portion of the housing 300, the swing plate 3
Reference numeral 92 designates the rotating member 3 in the downstream side toner conveying means 336.
The transport rod portion 364 of 60 and the auxiliary rod portion 372 of the auxiliary rotating member 368 project into the rotation loci.
Therefore, when the downstream side toner conveying unit 336 is rotationally driven in the direction indicated by the arrow 366, first, the auxiliary rotating member 368 is driven.
The auxiliary rod portion 372 of the rotary member 360 acts on the swivel plate 392 to swivel it counterclockwise to raise it, and then the transport rod portion 368 of the rotating member 360 acts on the swivel plate 392 to swivel it counterclockwise. If the rotating member 360 does not interfere with the swivel plate 392, the swivel plate 392 is lifted.
Is rotated clockwise by its own weight so that the position shown in FIG.
It is lowered to the position where 8 is detected. Therefore, when the amount of toner T in the downstream portion of the housing 300 becomes less than or equal to a predetermined value, the downstream side toner transport unit 336 causes the arrow 366 to move.
The reed switch SW3 periodically detects the permanent magnet 398 when it is rotated in the direction indicated by. The swivel plate 392 is reciprocally swiveled counterclockwise and clockwise in accordance with the operation of the downstream side toner transporting unit 336, whereby swivel failure of the swivel plate 392 occurs, for example, the mounting piece 396 of the swivel plate 392 and the support shaft 394. During this period, the toner T is blocked and the swivel plate 392 is prevented from swirling. Housing 300
Even when the toner T is sufficiently present in the downstream portion of the
The downstream side toner transport means 336 is rotationally driven in the direction indicated by the arrow 366, whereby the upper surface of the toner T is periodically raised and lowered over a certain range,
Therefore, the swivel plate 392 is swung to and fro somewhat, and thus the swivel plate 392 is sufficiently reliably prevented from causing a swivel failure.

The developing section 4 shown in FIG. 1 has a developing housing 402. A developing opening 404 is formed on the left side surface of the developing housing 402, and a toner receiving opening 406 is formed on the right end portion of the upper surface thereof. A magnetic brush mechanism 408 and stirring mechanisms 410 and 412 are arranged in the developing housing 402. A developer 41 composed of toner and carrier is provided in the developing housing 402.
4 are accommodated. Stirring mechanisms 410 and 412, which are composed of rotary stirring members that are rotated in the directions indicated by arrows 416 and 418, stir the developer 414 in the developing housing 402 to frictionally charge the toner to a predetermined polarity. The magnetic brush mechanism 408 is composed of a sleeve member 420 which is rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow 418 and a stationary permanent magnet 422 which is disposed in the sleeve member 420, and the developer 41 is provided on the peripheral surface of the sleeve member 420.
4 is magnetically held and conveyed to the developing area 424, and toner is applied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor provided on the peripheral surface of the rotary drum 12. The toner in the developer 414 is consumed by performing the development, and according to the consumption of the toner, the toner is transferred from the toner transport unit 6 to the developing housing 402.
Toner is supplied inside. Toner concentration detecting means 430 for detecting the amount of toner consumed in the developer 414 is provided in the upper part of the developing housing 402 in the vicinity of the magnetic brush mechanism 408. The toner concentration detecting means 430 is
The device itself can be configured by a known magnetic permeability sensor or the like, and the toner concentration of the developer 414 is detected by measuring the magnetic permeability of the developer 414 in the developing housing 402, and the detection signal is used as a control unit described later. Send to.

The electrostatic latent image developing device in the illustrated embodiment has an electric motor M1 constituting the seal tape winding means, an electric motor M2 constituting the elevating means, and an electric motor M3 constituting the upstream drive means. And to control the operation of the electric motor M4 that constitutes the downstream drive means,
The control means 440 shown in FIG. 16 is provided. The control means 440 is composed of a microcomputer, and has a central processing unit 441 that performs arithmetic processing according to a control program and an R that stores a control program and a control map.
Storage means 444 having OM 442 and readable / writable RAM 443 for storing calculation results and the like, and timer 44
5 and an input / output interface 446.
The control means 440 uses the lifting pin position detection switch S.
W1, the toner cartridge detection switch SW2, the reed switch SW3, the toner density detection means 43.
0 and signals from a toner cartridge mounting switch SW4, a toner cartridge take-out switch SW5, a copy switch SW6, etc., which are command means arranged on an operation panel (not shown), are input to drive the electric motors M1, M2, M3 and M4. Control the operation.

Next, the operation of the electrostatic latent image developing device controlled by the control means 440 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The toner cartridge 16 has the following structure.
It can be attached to 4. First, the toner cartridge 16 is inserted into the toner cartridge accommodating means 14 from above to bring the state shown in FIG. 8, and when the operator turns on the toner cartridge mounting switch SW4, the control means 4 is operated.
40 begins operation. As shown in FIG. 17, the control means 4
For 40, the toner cartridge mounting switch SW4 is ON
If the toner cartridge mounting switch SW4 is ON, it is confirmed whether the toner cartridge detection switch SW2 is ON (step S2). This is to prohibit the operation of the electric motor M2 of the elevating means when the toner cartridge 16 is not inserted in the toner cartridge housing means 14. If the toner cartridge detection switch SW2 is ON in step S2, the toner cartridge 16 is inserted in the toner cartridge housing means 14, so the control means 440 proceeds to step S3 to drive the electric motor M2 of the elevating means. When the electric motor M2 is driven, the lift pins 60 (62) move the first and second lower walls 176a of the cam grooves 170a (170b) as described above.
(176b) and 177a (177b) are engaged and rotated to move the toner cartridge 16 downward. When the lift pin 60 (62) reaches the lowest point position, the lift pin position detection switch SW1 is turned on, and the control means 440 causes the lift pin position detection switch SW.
It is checked whether 1 is turned on (step S4). If the raising / lowering pin position detection switch SW1 is not ON, the drive of the electric motor M2 of the raising / lowering means is continued, and if it is ON, the toner cartridge 16 is positioned at the predetermined mounting position, so that the electric motor M2 of the raising / lowering means is driven. Stop (step S5). In this way, when the toner cartridge 16 is positioned at the predetermined mounting position, the control unit 4
40 drives the electric motor M1 which constitutes the sealing tape winding means (step S6), and sets the timer 185 to T1 (step S7). By driving the electric motor M1, the transmission means 43, the gear 42, and the gear 12
The take-up shaft 124 is rotated via 6 and the sealing tape 12
8a and 128b are wound up. When the electric motor M1 is driven, the control means 440 controls the time T from the start of driving.
Check whether or not the set time T1 has been reached (step S8), and if T has not reached T1, continue driving the electric motor M1, and if T has reached T1, drive the electric motor M1. Stop (step S9). Therefore, the set time T1 is set to a value sufficient to wind the seal tapes 128a and 128b. As shown in FIG. 13, the seal tape 128a (128b) is attached to the winding shaft 12.
4 and the toner discharge opening 108a (10
When 8b) is opened, the toner T contained in the container 100 is discharged downward through the toner discharge opening 150a (150b) and the toner receiving opening 34, and is supplied into the toner conveying unit 6.

As described above, the toner cartridge 1
When the image generator 6 is equipped with the electrostatic latent image developing device mounted in the toner cartridge accommodating means 14, the electric motor M1, the electric motor M3 constituting the upstream drive means, and the downstream drive means are used. The operation of the electric motor M4 constituting the above is controlled as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. That is, the control unit 440 receives the signal (output voltage) from the toner concentration detection unit 430, detects the toner concentration V of the developer 414, and stores it in the RAM 443 (step Q1). In the present embodiment, the toner concentration detecting means 430 is designed so that the output voltage increases as the toner concentration decreases. As the toner density V, for example, the signal from the toner density detecting means 430 is read 12 times every 16 msec, and the average value thereof is used as detection data for one time in the RAM 443.
To store. This toner concentration V is detected periodically,
The detection data stored in the RAM 443 is constantly updated. The control means 440 checks whether or not the copy switch SW6 for instructing the copy operation is turned on in step Q2 (step Q2), and if the copy switch SW6 is turned on, the process proceeds to step Q3 and the RAM 443 is operated. The latest data of the stored toner density V is compared with the stored toner density control level voltage V1. When the toner concentration V of the developer 414 is lower than the control level voltage V1 (when the toner concentration is higher than the control level), the process returns to step Q2, and when the toner concentration V of the developer 414 is equal to or higher than the control level voltage V1, step Q4. Toner density V is controlled level voltage V1 plus 0.1 volt (V)
It is determined whether or not When the toner concentration V of the developer 414 is equal to or lower than the control level voltage V1 plus 0.1 volt (V), the process proceeds to step Q5 and the mode 1 is controlled, and the toner concentration V becomes the control level voltage V1 plus 0.1 volt ( If it is larger than V), the process proceeds to step Q6 to control the mode 2. Mode 1 is selected and step Q5
When the process proceeds to step S4, the electric motor M3 that constitutes the upstream drive means and the electric motor M4 that constitutes the downstream drive means.
Drive control of the electric motor M1 to rotationally drive the take-up shaft 124.
The toner solidification preventing means 200 operatively connected to 24 is operated to replenish the toner. In this toner replenishment control, the electric motors M3, M4 and M1 are driven for 1.5 seconds, for example.
The operation of continuously driving (ON) and stopping (OFF) for 1.0 second is repeated. At the time of this toner supply control, the control means 44
For 0, the latest data of the toner density V is compared with the control level voltage V1 of the toner density (step Q7). If the toner density V is the control level voltage V1 or less, the process proceeds to step Q8 and the electric motor M3 and the electric motor M4. And electric motor M
1 is stopped (OFF) and the timer 445 is set to T2.
(For example, 1.0 sec) (step Q
9). If the timer 445 is set to T2, the control means 440 checks whether or not the elapsed time T from the stop of each of the electric motors has reached T2 (step Q1).
0), wait if T has not reached T2, and return to step Q1 if T has reached T2. Step Q7 above
If the toner concentration V is higher than the control level voltage V1, the control means 440 proceeds to step Q11 to check whether the toner concentration V is equal to or higher than the control level voltage V1 plus 0.1 volt (V), When the toner concentration V is lower than the control level voltage V1 plus 0.1 volt (V), the process returns to step Q5 and the control of mode 1 is continued. When the toner density V is equal to or higher than the control level voltage V1 plus 0.1 volt (V) in step Q11, the control unit 440 executes each operation step of step Q16 and subsequent steps described later. In the step Q4, when the toner density V is larger than the control level voltage V1 plus 0.1 volt (V) and the mode 2 is selected and the process proceeds to the step Q6, the electric motor M3, the electric motor M4 and the electric motor M1 are operated. Drive control is performed to control toner replenishment. The toner replenishment control is performed by the electric motors M3, M4 and M1.
Is driven (ON) for 1.5 seconds, for 0.5 seconds
The operation of stopping (OFF) for a while is repeated. At the time of this toner replenishment control, the control means 440 compares the latest data of the toner density V with the control level voltage V1 of the toner density (step Q12). If the toner density V is the control level voltage V1 or less, the process proceeds to step Q13. The driving of the electric motor M3, the electric motor M4, and the electric motor M1 is stopped (OFF), and the timer 445 is set to T3 (for example, 0.5 sec) (step Q14). If the timer 445 is set to T3, the control means 440 checks whether the elapsed time T from the stop of each electric motor has reached T3 (step Q15), and T must reach T3. For example, wait, and if T reaches T3, return to step Q2. When the toner density V is higher than the control level voltage V1 in step Q12, the control means 440 proceeds to step Q16 and the toner density V is controlled level voltage V1.
It is checked whether or not the empty density is more than plus 0.2 V (V), and the toner density V is the control level voltage V.
If it is lower than 1 plus 0.2 V (V), step Q
Returning to step 6, the control of mode 2 is continued. Step Q16
, The toner concentration V is the control level voltage V1 plus 0.
When the voltage is 2 volts (V) or more, the control means 440 proceeds to step Q17 to display an empty state on the operation panel (not shown) (step Q17), and in step Q18, performs the toner replenishment control similar to that in the mode 2 and the timer 445 is started. T
Set to 4 (eg 150 sec) (step Q1)
9). When the timer 445 is set to T4, the control means 440 checks in step Q18 whether the elapsed time T from the start of the toner replenishment control similar to the mode 2 has reached T4 (step Q20). , T is T
If it does not reach 4, the process waits, and if T reaches T4, the latest data of the toner density V is compared with the control level voltage V1 of the toner density (step Q21), and the toner density V is restored to the control level voltage V1. Check whether or not. When the toner density V reaches the control level voltage V1, the process proceeds to step Q22, the empty display is canceled, and the process returns to step Q1. If the toner concentration V does not reach the control level voltage V1 in step Q21, the reed switch SW3 of the toner amount detecting means 390 is turned on to confirm whether the toner in the toner cartridge 16 has been consumed. It is checked whether or not there is (step Q23). If the reed switch SW3 is not turned on in step Q23, the toner is not supplied to the developing action unit 4 or the developing action unit 4 does not exist even though the toner is present in the toner transport unit 6 at a predetermined value or more. Since an abnormal state such as an abnormally large amount of toner consumption has occurred, the control means 440 proceeds to step Q24 to display an abnormal alarm on the operation panel (not shown), and stops the copy operation in step Q25. If the reed switch SW3 is turned on, it is determined that the toner in the toner cartridge 16 has been consumed, and the process proceeds to step Q25 to stop the copy operation.

Next, the container 10 of the toner cartridge 16
All the toner T accommodated in 0 is consumed, and the empty display is made as described above, and the toner cartridge 16
The operation of taking out the toner cartridge when replacing the toner cartridge with a new one will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When taking out the toner cartridge 16 mounted in the toner cartridge housing means 14, the operator turns on the toner cartridge take-out SW5.
To do. Then, the operation of taking out the toner cartridge 16 is started. The control unit 180 checks whether the toner cartridge take-out SW 5 is ON (step P
1) If the toner cartridge take-out SW5 is ON,
It is confirmed whether the toner cartridge detection switch SW2 is ON (step P2). This is for confirming that the toner cartridge 16 is mounted in the toner cartridge accommodating means 14, and if the toner cartridge 16 is not mounted in the toner cartridge accommodating means 14, the toner cartridge removing operation is not necessary. Because. If the toner cartridge detection switch SW2 is ON in step P2, the toner cartridge 16 is mounted in the toner cartridge housing means 14, so the control means 440 proceeds to step P3 to drive the electric motor M2 of the elevating means. When the electric motor M2 is driven, the lifting gear 5 moves from the state shown in FIG.
Since 6 (58) is rotated in the direction of arrow A, the lifting pin 60 (62) engages with the upper wall 175a (175b) of the cam groove 170a (170b) and rotates to move the toner cartridge 16 upward. Excuse me. When the toner cartridge 16 is moved to the attachment / detachment position shown in FIG. 8, the elevation pin position detection switch SW1 is turned off. When the electric motor M2 is driven in step P3, the control means 440 checks whether or not the first elevating pin position detection switch SW1 is turned off (step P4) If it is not turned off, the electric motor M2 is continuously driven. , OFF, the drive of the electric motor M2 is stopped (step P5). FIG. 8 shows the state in which the driving of the electric motor M2 is stopped in this way, and the elevating pin 60 (62) is positioned at a position corresponding to the entry / exit portions 172a (172b) of the cam grooves 170a and 170b. The toner cartridge 16 can be replaced. As described above, the operation of the elevating means 50 and the seal tape winding means is controlled by the control means 440, and therefore, the toner cartridge mounting switch SW4 or the toner cartridge unloading switch SW5 is simply turned on.
Can be automatically positioned at the mounting position or the mounting / demounting position.

[0032]

The electrostatic latent image developing device according to the present invention is constructed as described above, and is provided in the toner transporting portion and the toner concentration detecting means provided in the developing action portion for detecting the toner concentration of the developer. A toner amount detecting means for detecting the toner amount of the toner conveying portion, and a control means for controlling the operation of the conveying means based on a detection signal from the toner density detecting means and the toner amount detecting means are provided. If the toner density signal from the toner density detecting means is an empty density that is a predetermined amount or more than a predetermined control value, the conveying means is controlled to operate in a predetermined toner replenishing mode, and the toner density is reduced within a predetermined time. When the signal does not reach the control value, an abnormal alarm is issued when the toner amount signal from the toner amount detecting means is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. -It is possible to appropriately notify the operator of an abnormal condition such as not being supplied or toner being consumed more than necessary.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a preferred embodiment of an electrostatic latent image developing device constructed in accordance with the present invention with a toner cartridge disassembled and a part thereof shown in section.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of toner cartridge accommodating means in the electrostatic latent image developing device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing an operation sequence of lifting pin position detecting means of the lifting means installed in the toner cartridge housing means in the electrostatic latent image developing apparatus shown in FIG.

4 is a perspective view of a disassembled state and an assembled state of a toner cartridge in the electrostatic latent image developing device shown in FIG. 1, viewed from the bottom.

5 is a sectional view of the toner cartridge shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the toner cartridge shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the toner cartridge shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of the elevating means showing a state in which the toner cartridge is inserted into the toner cartridge accommodating means in the electrostatic latent image developing device shown in FIG.

9 is an explanatory view of the elevating means showing a state where the toner cartridge inserted in the toner cartridge accommodating means in the electrostatic latent image developing device shown in FIG. 1 starts to descend.

10 is an explanatory view of the elevating means showing a state in which the toner cartridge inserted in the toner cartridge accommodating means in the electrostatic latent image developing device shown in FIG. 1 is positioned at a predetermined mounting position.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of a seal tape take-up unit showing a state in which the seal tape is started to be taken up in the electrostatic latent image developing device shown in FIG.

12 is an explanatory view of a seal tape winding device showing a state in which the seal tape in the electrostatic latent image developing device shown in FIG. 1 is partially wound.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a seal tape winding unit showing a state in which the seal tape is wound in the electrostatic latent image developing device shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a toner carrying unit in the electrostatic latent image developing device shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a drive system of a toner carrying unit in the electrostatic latent image developing device shown in FIG.

16 is a schematic block diagram of the control means for controlling the operation of the electrostatic latent image developing device shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining a toner cartridge mounting operation of the control unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of controlling the conveying means and the toner solidification preventing means of the control means shown in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of controlling the carrying means and the toner solidification preventing means of the control means shown in FIG.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining the toner cartridge removing operation of the control means shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2: Electrostatic latent image developing device 4: Development action part 6: Toner conveying part 14: Toner cartridge housing means 16: Toner cartridge 24: Still support frame 34: Toner receiving opening 36: Seal member 42: Gear (output means) 43 : Transmission means 50: Lifting means 56: Lifting gear 57: Cam 58: Lifting gear 60: Lifting pin 62: Lifting pin 64: Power transmission mechanism 66: Connecting shaft 68: Connecting gear 70: Connecting gear 100: Synthetic resin container 102 : Base part 104: Container main part 116: Lower surface wall 108a: Toner discharge opening container 108b: Toner discharge opening container 115: Locking claw 117: Locking claw 118a: Welding ridge 118b: Welding ridge 124: Winding shaft 126 : Gear (input means) 128a: Seal tape 128b: Seal tape 130: Shutter member 132: Shutter 134: Engaging member 170a: Cam groove 200: Toner solidification preventing means 202: Rotating shaft 204: Stirring member 206: Driven tooth pulley 208: Drive tooth pulley 210: Tooth belt 300: Housing 302: Mounting portion 304: Toner delivery opening 314: Delivery section 316: Toner delivery means 318: Delivery roller 328: Toner transport means 330: Upstream toner transport means 332: Upstream toner transport means 334: Downstream toner transport means 336: Downstream toner transport means 346 : Rotary shaft member 348: rotary shaft member 350: rotary shaft member 352: rotary shaft member 368: auxiliary rotary member 374: output gear 376: input gear 378: input gear 380: output gear 382: input gear 384: input gear 386: Input gear 388: Transmission gear 390: Toner amount detecting means 39 : Swiveling plate 394: Support shaft 398: Permanent magnet 402: Development housing 404: Development opening 406: Toner receiving opening 408: Magnetic brush mechanism 410: Stirring mechanism 412: Stirring mechanism 414: Developer 424: Development area 430: Toner concentration detection Means 440: Control means T: Toner SW1: Elevating pin position detection switch SW2: Toner cartridge detection switch SW3: Lead switch SW4: Toner cartridge mounting switch SW5: Toner cartridge ejection switch SW6: Copy switch M1: Electric motor M2: Electric motor M3 : Electric motor M4: Electric motor

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A toner cartridge having a container having a toner discharge opening, a toner cartridge housing means having a toner receiving opening to which the toner cartridge is detachably mounted, and a toner acting on the toner discharged from the toner cartridge as a developing unit. In the electrostatic latent image developing device, the electrostatic latent image developing device is provided with a toner conveying unit having a conveying unit that conveys the toner to the developing unit, and a developing unit that forms a developer with the toner and the carrier conveyed from the toner conveying unit. A toner concentration detecting means for detecting the toner concentration of the developer, a toner amount detecting means for detecting the toner amount in the toner conveying portion, the toner concentration detecting means and the toner amount. A control means for controlling the operation of the conveying means based on a detection signal from the detecting means, the control means being the toner concentration detecting means. If the toner density signal is a density lower than the predetermined control value and the toner density is lower than the predetermined control value, the conveyance means is controlled to operate in a predetermined toner replenishment mode, and the toner density signal becomes the control value within a predetermined time. If the toner amount signal from the toner amount detecting means is equal to or more than a predetermined value, an abnormal alarm is issued, and an electrostatic latent image developing device is characterized.