JPH0792854A - Developer reproducing device and image forming device using same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a filter from being clogged and to display excellent separation performance for a long period of time by arranging a sucking means which sucks a developer through the filter on the upstream side of the filter in the graviational force operating direction. CONSTITUTION:A residue sucked on the surface of a sleeve 18 is sent to a separation part which faces the sleeve 19 and efficiently attracted toward the sleeve 19 with lines of concentrated magnetic force extending from S18 to S19. Magnetic forces N19 and S18 of the separation part are so set that N19 > S18, so toner is attracted more to N19 and lifted through holes of meshes 20. Paper powder flying together with magnetic toner is restrained by the meshes 20 from passing and falls on the side of the sleeve 18 by gravitation. Thus, foreign matter such as the paper powder separates from the filter 20 by its own weight, and consequently the developer and foreign matter can be separated without clogging the filter 20.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developer regenerating apparatus for regenerating a developer from a mixture of a developing agent and a foreign substance, and an image forming apparatus using this apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the residue remaining on the image carrier after transferring the developer image from the image carrier to the recording material is removed by a cleaning blade or the like and discarded as an unnecessary material.

Therefore, from the viewpoint of effective utilization of resources, various devices for separating the developer from the residue and devices for reusing this developer have been proposed. Among them, in particular, many devices have been proposed as a simple structure for separating the developer that drops the residue on the mesh filter and slips through the filter and the other foreign matter that cannot be slipped off.

[0004]

However, when the developer is regenerated by separating the developer and other foreign substances by using a filter, particularly a mesh filter, the paper contained in the residue removed from the image carrier is used. The problem is that the mesh is clogged with foreign matter such as powder. In particular, when the mesh is made small to remove even small foreign matter, the mesh is likely to be clogged.

Therefore, maintenance of the reproducing apparatus must be frequently performed, and it is difficult to put it into practical use.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, a filter for restricting passage of a substance other than the developer in a mixture of a developer and a foreign substance and a developer adsorbing the filter are adsorbed. In a developer regenerating apparatus having an adsorbing device and an image forming apparatus using this device, the adsorbing device is arranged upstream of the filter in the gravity acting direction.

[0007]

1 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a developer for separating a residue removed from an image carrier by a cleaning means into a developer and other foreign substances. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the reproducing device, FIG. 3 is a side view of the developer reproducing device seen from the direction of arrow A in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which a magnetic toner and a non-magnetic substance (foreign substance) are separated by a developer reproducing device.

The image forming process of this apparatus will be described below.

The rotating photoconductor (image carrier) 1 is first uniformly charged by the charger 7. Next, it is exposed by the light 8a based on the document placed on the document table 9 (using the optical system 8), and an electrostatic latent image is formed. This latent image is visualized by the developing device 2 supplied with a one-component developer made of magnetic toner. Further, the toner image formed on the photoconductor 1 is transferred onto the recording material P by the transfer charger 4. The recording material P carrying the toner image is conveyed by the conveyor belt 11 to the fixing device 12, and the fixing device 12 fixes the toner image on the recording material P to the recording material P. After this, the recording material P is discharged to the paper discharge tray 13. Since residual toner, paper dust, and the like remain on the photoconductor 1 after the transfer of the toner image, these residues are removed by the cleaning device 5. After that, the photoreceptor 1 receives the light from the pre-exposure device 6 and the surface of the photoreceptor 1 is discharged.

The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 removes foreign matter such as paper dust from the cleaned residue, and conveys only the residual toner (magnetic toner) to the hopper 3 of the developing device 2 for reuse. Is. Therefore, the developer regenerating apparatus of the first embodiment for separating the residue collected from the surface of the photoconductor into toner and other foreign matter will be described with reference to FIGS.

Inside the frame 17 of the regenerator, there is a terminal portion (broken line portion in FIG. 3) of a carrier path 24 having a carrier screw 24 'for carrying the residue recovered by the cleaner 5 into the regenerator. A sleeve 18 carrying a residue and rotating in the direction of arrow C, a magnet 18 'fixed in the sleeve 18 such that the magnet 18' is non-rotatable (that is, the S pole is always upward as shown in FIG. 2), A regulating member 25 that regulates the layer thickness of the residue on the sleeve 18, a sleeve 19 (rotating in the direction of arrow B) for adsorbing toner from the sleeve 18, and the sleeve 19 cannot rotate (that is, as shown in FIG. 2). Magnet fixed to (the north pole always facing downward)
9 '(attracting member), a scraping blade 26 for scraping the toner from the sleeve 19;
A start end portion (broken line portion in FIG. 3) of the conveying path 27 having a conveying screw 27 'for conveying the toner scraped off by the blade 26 to the developing hopper side, a mesh shape provided between the sleeve 18 and the sleeve 19. A filter (made of non-magnetic stainless wire, non-magnetic brass wire, nylon fiber, etc.) 20, and the like are provided. Reference numeral 30 is a seal member that prevents leakage of toner and the like.

A method of separating the magnetic toner and other foreign matter by such a developer regenerating apparatus will be described below.

The conveying screw 24 'in the conveying path 24 is parallel to the sleeve 18 and is located on the inner side surface of the device 17 (D side in FIG. 3).
Conveying path 2 extending to the vicinity and facing the sleeve 18
4 is provided with an opening on the sleeve 18 side. Therefore, the residue (magnetic toner and foreign matter such as paper powder) removed from the photosensitive drum and conveyed by the conveying screw 24 'is attracted to the surface of the sleeve 18 by the magnetic force of the magnet 18' in the sleeve 18 (at this time, Since foreign matter such as magnetic paper dust is covered with the magnetic toner, it is adsorbed on the surface of the sleeve 18 together with the magnetic toner).

The layer thickness of the residue adsorbed on the surface of the sleeve 18 is regulated by the doctor blade 25, and as the sleeve 18 rotates, the area where the sleeve 19 and the sleeve 18 face each other (separation area between toner and foreign matter), that is, the magnetic force of the sleeve 19. Are transported to the area where they fully act on the residue. Then, the residue sent to the separating portion facing the sleeve 19 is
The concentrated magnetic field lines extending from S ₁₈ to N ₁₉ are efficiently attracted to the sleeve 19 side. Magnetic force of separation part N ₁₉ , S ₁₈
Is set so that N ₁₉ > S ₁₈ , the toner is strongly attracted by N ₁₉ and passes through the holes of the mesh 20 and is pulled upward. Here, the mesh 20 has a gap several times the particle diameter of the toner [37.5 μm (# 400) to 150 when using a toner having an average particle diameter of about 5 to 20 μm].
Since the toner easily passes through the mesh 20, the paper dust that flies together with the magnetic toner is restricted from passing by the mesh 20. Since the paper powder is regulated by the surface of the mesh 20 on the sleeve 18 side, the paper powder separated from the magnetic toner falls by its own weight, falls on the sleeve 18 and is carried again on the sleeve 18. The foreign matter such as paper dust is further conveyed together with the toner that has not been adsorbed on the sleeve 19 and the foreign matter that has not fly, and is once separated from the surface of the sleeve 18 by the non-magnetic contact member 28 set on the downstream side of the separation unit. This non-magnetic abutment member 28 has a small abutment pressure so that the sleeve 1
Since it is in contact with 8, it is possible to scrape off foreign matter such as paper powder attached to the sleeve 18 with a weak force,
The toner that cannot be completely separated and remains in the separating portion is adsorbed on the sleeve by the magnetic force, and thus the non-magnetic contact member 2
8 cannot be scraped off, and the sleeve is further conveyed by the rotation of the sleeve to obtain another opportunity for separation. Therefore, the developer is hardly collected in the collection unit 29, and most of the foreign substances made of non-magnetic material are stored in the collection unit 29.

As described above, since the sleeve 19 which is a developer adsorbing member is provided on the upstream side of the filter 20 with respect to the direction of gravity, foreign matter such as paper dust is separated from the filter by its own weight. Therefore, the developer and other foreign matter can be separated satisfactorily without causing clogging of the filter.

Further, in this embodiment, the mesh 20 is vibrated by the cam 22 connected to the drive motor 23 through the support member 21 for holding the mesh 20 (preferably, the frequency is 50 Hz or more, the amplitude is 0.2 to 4 mm). Degree) is given. In this way, what gives vibration to the mesh is that the toner in the residue also contains agglomerated toner,
This does not pass through the mesh 20 and adheres to the gaps of the mesh 20, or particularly when the humidity is high, the degree of cohesion becomes higher and the toner that cannot pass through the mesh and adheres to the gaps of the mesh causes clogging of the mesh. This is because there is fear.

As described above, the cohesive developer attached to the mesh 20 is destroyed by its vibration force, so that the clogging of the mesh 20 can be prevented more reliably (see FIG. 4). Note that the developer itself has a small self-weight, and by setting the magnetic force so that the attraction force by the magnetic force becomes sufficiently large, the toner is easily carried to the upstream side in the gravity action direction and adheres to the sleeve 19. Further, in this embodiment, the magnetic toner is set so as to be conveyed from the downstream side to the upstream side in the gravity direction and separated, so that the non-magnetic substance (foreign matter) separated from the magnetic toner adheres to the lower side of the mesh. The non-magnetic material loses its adhesive force to the mesh due to its own weight and the vibration applied to the mesh, and is knocked down. Therefore, the magnetic toner and the foreign matter can be efficiently separated, and the mesh can be continuously prevented from being clogged. The magnetic toner separated from the paper powder and adsorbed to the sleeve 19 is conveyed by the rotation of the sleeve 19, is scraped off the sleeve 19 by the scraping blade 26, and is conveyed outside the reproducing apparatus by the screw 27. Then, the separated magnetic toner is conveyed to a developing system by a conveying device (not shown) and is supplied to the developing again.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the developer recycling apparatus according to the present invention. Reference numerals 31 and 32 denote magnet rollers arranged so that the magnetic poles of opposite polarities come at the positions facing each other in the separating portion, and the magnetic poles (N ₁ , S ₁ ) of the magnet roller 31 and the magnetic poles (N
₂ , S ₂ ) are set to have a force relationship of N ₁ > S ₂ , S ₁ > N ₂ . Further, the magnetic poles are arranged at a certain set angle, and are rotated at the same speed by a driving source (not shown) so that the magnetic poles of the opposing separating portions always have opposite polarities. Next, the operation will be described. After being removed from the photosensitive drum, the residue attached to the surface of the magnet roller 32 is the doctor blade 25.
The layer thickness is regulated by and is transported to the separation unit. Then, the magnetic toner is efficiently attracted to the magnet roller 31 by the concentrated magnetic force lines of the opposing magnetic poles. At this time,
As for the magnetic force of the separating portion, since the upper magnetic forces N ₁ and S ₁ are larger than the lower magnetic forces N ₂ and S ₂ , the magnetic toner is strongly attracted by N ₁ and S ₁ and pulled upward through the mesh 20. Then, like the first embodiment, the mesh 20 separates the magnetic toner from the foreign matter. A scraping roller 33 made of a magnetic material is contacted and rotated on the magnet roller 31, and the magnetic toner adhering to the surface of the magnet roller 31 is once attracted onto the scraping roller 33 and is brought into contact with the scraping roller 33. The scraping blade 26 is set so that the magnetic toner is scraped off. Then, the magnetic toner separated from the foreign matter is conveyed to the outside of the reproducing apparatus by the conveying screw 27. The foreign matter such as paper dust dropped from the mesh 20 is carried again on the magnet roller 32 and is conveyed by the rotation of the roller 32. Then, the non-magnetic foreign matter is scraped off by the protrusion 17a into the recovery unit 29. At this time, the mesh 20
The magnetic toner carried on the magnet roller 32 again without passing through the magnetic roller 32 is still adsorbed on the magnet roller 32, and is conveyed to the downstream side as it is without being collected by the cleaning brush 34, and an opportunity for separation is provided again. You will get it. Therefore, the magnetic toner is hardly collected in the collection unit 29, and most of the foreign substances made of non-magnetic material are stored in the collection unit 29.

In the above-described embodiment, the separation of the one-component developer having the magnetic toner and the other foreign matter is described, but the developer is not limited to this, and the developer having the non-magnetic toner or the toner having the carrier is used. It may be a component developer. In short, it is sufficient that foreign matter other than the developer blocked by the filter is separated from the filter by its own weight. However, when reproducing non-magnetic toner,
As a member for adsorbing the toner through the filter, a member that generates a force other than the magnetic force is required.

In the above embodiment, the filter is provided substantially perpendicular to the direction of gravity, that is, substantially parallel to the installation surface of the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and paper dust or the like may be used. The installation angle of the filter is not limited to this as long as the foreign matter can be separated from the filter by its own weight.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be shown. FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming apparatus using the developer regenerating apparatus of the third embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6, 101 is a platen glass on which an original is placed, 103 is an illumination lamp (exposure lamp) for illuminating the original, and 105, 107 and 109 are scannings for changing the optical paths of the reflected light of the original. For reflection mirror (scanning mirror), 111 is a lens having focusing and zooming functions, 11
Reference numeral 3 is a fourth reflecting mirror (scanning mirror) that changes the optical path. 115 is an optical system motor for driving the optical system, 11
Reference numerals 7, 119 and 121 denote sensors, respectively.

Reference numeral 131 is a photosensitive drum, 133 is a main motor for driving the photosensitive drum 131, 135 is a high voltage unit, 137 is a blank exposure unit, 139 is a developing device,
141 is a transfer charger, 143 is a separation charger, and 145.
Is a cleaning device.

Reference numeral 151 is an upper cassette, 153 is a lower cassette, 171 is a manual paper feed port 155 and 157 is a paper feed roller, and 159 is a registration roller.

Further, 161 is a conveyor belt for conveying the recording paper on which an image is recorded to the fixing side, and 163 is a fixing device for fixing the conveyed recording paper by heat fixing.

The surface of the above-mentioned photosensitive drum 131 is composed of a photoconductor and a seamless photosensitive member using a conductor, and this drum 131 is rotatably supported by a shaft and operates in response to depression of a copy start key. The motor 133 starts rotation in the direction of the arrow in this figure. Then, when the predetermined rotation control of the drum 131 and the potential control processing (preprocessing) are completed, the original placed on the original table glass 101 is illuminated by the illumination lamp 103 integrally configured with the first scanning mirror 105, The reflected light of the document is the first scanning mirror 10
5, the second scanning mirror 107, the third scanning mirror 109, the lens 111, and the fourth scanning mirror 113, and then the drum 1
Image on 31.

The drum 131 is corona-charged by the primary charger 135. After that, the image (original image) illuminated by the illumination lamp 103 is slit-exposed, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the drum 131 by the known Carlson process.

Next, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 131 is
The toner is developed by the developing roller 140 of the developing device 139 and visualized as a toner image, and the toner image is transferred to the transfer charger 1.
It is transferred onto the transfer paper by 41.

That is, the transfer paper in the upper cassette 151 or the lower cassette 153 or the transfer paper set in the manual paper feed port 171 is the paper feed roller 155 or 1.
It is fed into the main body apparatus by 57 and the leading edge of the latent image and the leading edge of the transfer paper are aligned.

After that, the transfer charger 141 and the drum 131
When the transfer paper passes between and, it is discharged to the outside of the main body 100.

After the transfer, the drum 131 continues to rotate, and its surface is cleaned by a cleaning device 145 composed of a cleaning roller and an elastic plate.

Thereafter, the collected residue is conveyed by the conveying screw 148 and guided to the developer regenerating apparatus 200 shown in FIG.

A screw 148 conveys the residue from the cleaning device to the developer regenerator 200 and conveys it from the back side to the front side. Reference numeral 201 denotes a first magnetic field forming member, which attracts the magnetic toner and foreign matter such as paper dust covered with the magnetic toner onto the sleeve by the magnetic force of the fixed magnet in the sleeve. After that, the sleeve rotates in the direction of the arrow and conveys the residue containing the toner and foreign matter to the position facing the second magnetic field forming member 202.

For example, the distance between the first and second sleeves is about 3 m.
m, the magnetic flux density at each facing position is determined by the first sleeve N pole 7
50 Gauss, second sleeve S pole 1000 Gauss.

Further, a non-magnetic mesh filter 203 made of, for example, phosphor bronze is disposed substantially in the center between the first sleeve and the second sleeve, substantially perpendicular to the installation surface of the image forming apparatus, that is, substantially parallel to the gravity acting direction. To do. The mesh filter has a coarseness of about 5 to 50 times the toner particle size, particularly 200 to 3 times.
00 mesh is optimal.

Vibration can be applied to the mesh filter. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a mesh filter is sandwiched between frames 350 and 351, a plate spring 352 is brought into contact with a part of the mesh filter, and a plate cam 354 made of an elastic body is attached to a rotary shaft 353 of the motor. When the cam rotates, the leaf spring vibrates and transmits the vibration to the mesh filter.

The residue carried on the first sleeve is
At the position opposite to the sleeve, the ears are erected by the magnetic field formed by the first sleeve and the second sleeve. At this time, the magnetic toner in the residue is given a force for flying from the first sleeve to the second sleeve side. Therefore, the magnetic toner flying from the first sleeve to the second sleeve passes through the mesh and is carried on the surface of the second sleeve.

At this time, since a part of the paper powder in the residue is covered with the toner, the paper powder flies from the first sleeve to the second sleeve together with the toner. However, since the paper dust is much larger than the toner, the mesh prevents it from moving to the second sleeve. Most of the toner that has caused the paper powder to fly passes through the mesh, so the paper powder that reaches the mesh loses its ability to move. Further, since the mesh is installed between the first sleeve and the second sleeve substantially parallel to the direction of gravitational force, the paper dust reaching the mesh slides down on the mesh surface by its own weight. This allows
Magnetic toner and foreign matter such as paper powder can be separated without causing clogging of the mesh.

In this embodiment, the mesh is further vibrated. By vibrating the mesh filter, the aggregated toner in the vicinity of the mesh filter is also scattered and smoothly passes through the mesh filter. In addition, the paper dust that reaches the mesh also easily falls. The dropped paper powder is conveyed to the contaminant collecting unit by the screw 206.

FIG. 9 shows the relationship between the frequency applied to the mesh filter and the amount of toner that has passed through the mesh filter per unit time (toner passing efficiency).

Further, FIG. 10 shows changes in the amount of toner (toner passing efficiency) that has passed through the mesh filter per unit time with respect to the number of copies, with and without vibration of a frequency of 100 Hz. Line m is a case where vibration is given and line n is a case where no vibration is given. From FIGS. 9 and 10, it can be seen that the toner passes through the mesh filter efficiently by applying vibration, and stably for a long period of time without clogging of the mesh.

The toner that has passed through the second sleeve is
The sleeve is transported by rotating in the direction of the arrow, stripped from the sleeve by the scraper 204, and transported to the developer hopper or the developing device by the screw 205 for reuse.

FIG. 11 shows a fourth embodiment. A screw 148 conveys the residue collected from the cleaner into the regenerator. Then, the collected toner is attracted onto the sleeve by, for example, the N pole of the sleeve 601 having the magnet fixed inside the magnetic field forming means. The magnet is fixed and the sleeve rotates in the direction of the arrow to convey the collected toner. 20
3 is a non-magnetic mesh filter. A magnet roller 602 has a plurality of poles, for example, 8 poles. This magnet roller rotates in the direction of the arrow. When the magnetic pole has a different polarity from the opposing magnetic pole of the magnet sleeve 601, that is, when the S pole reaches the opposing portion, the collected toner has a spike, and the toner passing through the mesh filter from the magnetic sleeve 601 adheres to the magnetic roller 602. To do. With the subsequent rotation of the magnet roller 602, the same pole as that of the magnet sleeve 601 is located, and the spikes are eliminated (or reduced), and the collected toner is lost in the vicinity of the mesh filter. By repeating this, the same effect as the vibration of the mesh filter can be obtained.

The non-magnetic contaminants do not pass through the mesh filter, fall along the mesh filter and are transported by the transport screw 606 to the contaminant collecting section.

On the other hand, the toner adhering to the magnet roller 602 is conveyed in the direction opposite to the arrow, and is scraped by the scraper 60.
In step 4, the transfer screw is stripped off and transferred to a hopper or a developing device for reuse.

It should be noted that the side that adsorbs the residue and flies in the direction of the mesh may be a rotating magnet roller, and the side that adsorbs toner via the mesh may be a sleeve. You may comprise.

Further, in the third embodiment, the vibration was applied to the mesh filter by the rotating cam, but as shown in FIG. 12, the ultrasonic vibrator 701 may be arranged in a part of the mesh filter to apply the vibration. .

Next, in advance on the first magnetic field forming means,
An example will be shown in which foreign matter such as paper dust is removed to some extent.

FIG. 13 shows the fifth embodiment.

Reference numeral 148 denotes a cleaning device to a reproducing device 2
Reference numeral 00 denotes a screw that conveys the residue removed from the surface of the photoconductor, and conveys it from the back side to the front side. 201 is the first
This is a magnet sleeve, and the collected toner is attracted onto the sleeve by the magnetic force of the magnet inside the sleeve. Then, the sleeve rotates in the direction of the arrow, and the blade 210 regulates the layer thickness to, for example, 300 μm. Thereby, the paper dust and the like are collected by the blade. At the same time, the amount of the collected toner conveyed to the position facing the second magnet sleeve 202 is regulated, and clogging due to a large amount of collected toner going to the mesh filter at once is prevented.

For example, the distance between the first and second sleeves is about 3 m.
m, the magnetic flux density at each facing position is determined by the first sleeve N pole 7
50 Gauss, second sleeve S pole 1000 Gauss.

Further, a mesh filter 203 made of non-magnetic material such as phosphor bronze is provided approximately in the center of the first sleeve and the second sleeve.
To arrange. The mesh filter has an optimum mesh roughness of about 5 to 50 times the toner particle size, particularly 200 to 300 mesh.

Vibration can be applied to the mesh filter. For example, similar to the first embodiment, the frame bodies 350 and 351 are
The mesh filter is sandwiched between the two, and the leaf spring 352 is brought into contact with a part of the mesh filter so that the rotation shaft 3
An elastic plate cam 354 is attached to 53, and the plate spring vibrates when the plate cam rotates, and transmits the vibration to the mesh filter.

The collected toner on the first sleeve paniculates at a position facing the second sleeve, and a force of a part of the panicked toner due to the concentrated magnetic field in the second sleeve passes through the mesh filter toward the second sleeve. Receive. By vibrating the mesh filter, the aggregated toner in the vicinity of the mesh filter is separated and smoothly passes through the mesh filter. On the other hand, the paper dust collected by the blade portion is scraped off by the cleaning member such as the felt 211 when the blade is released from the position and rotated, and is dropped as it is, and is transported to the contaminant collection portion by the transport screw 206. It For example, in FIG. 14, the relationship between the number of copies and the amount of toner passing through the mesh filter per unit time (toner passing efficiency) is shown by a solid line with a blade and by a broken line without a blade. From this, it is understood that the toner having the blade passes the mesh filter efficiently and stably even when the number of copies increases.

The toner that has passed through the second sleeve is
The sleeve is transported by rotating in the direction of the arrow, stripped from the sleeve by the scraper 204, and transported to the developer hopper or the developing device by the screw 205 for reuse.

FIG. 15 shows a sixth embodiment. The residue is attracted to the first magnet sleeve as in the previous embodiment, and then the sleeve rotates in the direction of the arrow. A brush roll 215 has a gap of about 0.5 mm from the sleeve and rotates in the counter direction. Paper dust or the like is collected on this brush. At the same time, the amount of the collected toner conveyed to the position facing the second magnet sleeve 202 is regulated to prevent clogging caused by the toner temporarily moving to the mesh filter portion. After that, the toner that has passed through the mesh filter is reused as in the third embodiment. On the other hand, the paper powder or the like collected on the brush roll is beaten down by the elastic plate 216, dropped downward, and conveyed by the conveying screw 206 to the contaminant collecting portion. If a roller is used instead of the brush roll, the effect of removing paper dust is reduced but the same effect is obtained.

The seventh embodiment has the same construction as the fifth embodiment, and the layer thickness of the collected toner is regulated by the blade. FIG.
As described above, by making the blade tip shape into a saw shape, the efficiency of removing paper dust can be improved, and at the same time, the blade portion is less likely to be clogged and the collected toner can be stably conveyed to the mesh filter portion.

As described above, the mesh filter is provided vertically, the toner is horizontally passed by the magnetic force generating means, and the mesh filter is vibrated, so that the aggregated toner in the vicinity of the mesh filter is separated. By controlling the toner layer thickness in the mesh filter part and pre-processing paper powder etc. at the same time, the efficiency of toner passing through the mesh filter is improved, and even if there is a lot of collected toner at one time, the efficiency is safe. There is an effect that can be maintained.

As can be understood from the first to seventh embodiments described above, the installation angle of the filter is an angle (α) parallel to the installation surface of the image forming apparatus body as in the first and second embodiments. =
It may be between 0 °) and an angle (α = 90 °) perpendicular to the installation surface as in the third to seventh embodiments.

That is, if the angle of the plane perpendicular to the direction of gravity is α = 0 °, then 0 ° ≦ α ≦ 90 ° may be satisfied.

As in the above-described first to seventh embodiments, the attracti on the upstream side of the filter in the gravity acting direction.
By disposing the ng member, it is possible to prevent the filter from being clogged and reduce the number of times of maintenance of the device.

The following embodiment can prevent clogging of the mesh filter even when the apparatus is stopped.

The eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The members having the same functions as those in the above-mentioned embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.

In the developer regenerating apparatus of the eighth embodiment, in order to prevent the mesh 20 from being clogged when the copying operation is stopped or stopped, the magnets of the sleeves 18 and 19 which are respectively arranged at the opposing positions through the mesh 20. The relative positions of the magnetic poles are configured to be displaceable.

Details will be described below with reference to FIGS. 17, 18 and 2.

Outside the frame 17a of the reproducing device 17, shaft ends 19a and 20a of a magnet rotatably incorporated with respect to the sleeves 18 and 19 are projected.
9a and 20a have a D-cut shape. One ends of pole determining plates 31, 32 are fitted to the D-cut shaft ends 19a, 20a, respectively. The other end of the pole plate 31 is the frame body.
It is fixed to 17a with screws. The magnetic pole position of the magnet built in the sleeve 19 when the reproducing device is operated to separate the toner and the paper powder is fixed to the position shown in FIG. Further, a shaft 33 is fastened to the other end of the pole determining plate 32 fitted to the shaft fixed to the magnet 18 ', and a long hole 35 formed in one end of the lever 34 is attached to the shaft 33. Are fitted. The lever 34 has a rotation fulcrum 36 fixed to the frame 17a, and the other end thereof is engaged with an iron core 39 of a solenoid 38 by a pin 37. Also, the long hole 35 at one end of the lever 34
One end of a tension spring 40 is hooked in the vicinity, and the other end of the tension spring 40 is bent and raised at a bend 42 of the solenoid support 41.
Is caught in. As a result, the magnet built in the sleeve 18 is rotationally biased counterclockwise by the restoring force of the tension spring 40. Further, the position of the magnet of the sleeve 18 thus urged to rotate is regulated, that is, the magnetic pole position is fixed by the lever 34 contacting the bent and raised portion 43 of the solenoid support 41. The sleeves 18 and 19 are rotationally driven by a drive source (not shown) that is transmitted through a gear or the like.

Therefore, in the developer reproducing apparatus of this embodiment, the magnet 19 'is always fixed in the same direction during the copying operation and at other times. That is, the N pole is always fixed at a position facing the mesh 20 as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the magnet 18 'changes its magnetic pole facing the mesh 20 during the copying operation and at other times.

That is, during the copying operation, as shown in FIG. 17, by energizing the solenoid 38 and attracting the iron core 39, the magnetic pole position of the magnet built in the sleeve 18 is regenerated as shown in FIG. Fixed in possible position. Here, the solenoid 38 is adjustably attached to the abutment 41 in order to accurately position the magnetic pole of the magnet 18 'when the iron core 39 is attracted.

Then, when the copy operation is completed, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the solenoid 38 is de-energized, the lever 34 is rotated counterclockwise by the restoring force of the tension spring 40, and the pole determining plate 32 is also rotated in the same direction, so that the magnet 1
The magnetic pole N ₁₈ of 8'is the magnetic pole N of the magnet of the sleeve 19.
_The lever 34 is located at the position where the lever 34 is opposed to the solenoid abutment.
The magnetic pole position of the magnet 18 'is fixed by contacting the bent and raised portion 43 of 41. That is, except during the copying operation,
Since N ₁₈ and N ₁₉ face the mesh 20, the magnetic toner does not fly from N ₁₈ to N ₁₉ .

With the above configuration and operation, the sleeve 1
It is possible to prevent the coagulation and solidification of the developer in the vicinity of the separating portions 8 and 19 from occurring while the copying operation is stopped or when the main switch of the image forming apparatus is turned off.

In the above embodiment, the direction of rotation of the magnet when the solenoid 38 is OFF is set to the sleeve 18 direction.
Although it is set to rotate in the same direction as the rotating direction of the sleeve 18, it may be set to rotate in the opposite direction to the rotating direction of the sleeve 18. In this case, the doctor blade 25 and the sleeve 18
Contaminants (foreign substances) such as paper powder other than the developer that have entered between the sleeve 18 and the blade 25 when the copying operation is stopped
The developer layer thickness on the surface of the sleeve 18 is partially changed due to the accumulation of the developer between the sleeve 18 and the blade 25 due to these impurities. As a result, it is possible to avoid a problem such as a decrease in the developer transporting force to the mesh 20 parts.

Further, in the above embodiment, the sleeve 18
It goes without saying that the magnet built in the sleeve 19 may be rotated instead of the magnet 18 'built in.

Further, as shown in FIG. 19, a mesh 20 as a mesh filter is installed substantially vertically, and sleeves 18 and 19 containing a magnet as a magnetism generating means are installed at opposing positions on both sides of the mesh 20 for separation. The above-described present invention can be applied to the device.

Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing the structure of the separation device according to this embodiment. The members having the same functions as the members described in the above-mentioned embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 20, reference numerals 51 and 52 denote magnet rollers as magnetic force generating means which are arranged so that magnetic poles of opposite polarities are provided at opposing positions of the separating portion. The magnetic force relationship between the magnetic poles (N ₁₁ , S ₁₁ ) of the magnet roller 51 and the magnetic poles (N ₂₁ , S ₂₁ ) of the magnet roller 52 is N ₁₁ > S.
₂₁ and S ₁₁ > N ₂₁ are set. Further, the magnetic poles are arranged at a certain set angle, and the magnetic poles facing each other in the separating portion are always set to have opposite polarities by being rotated at the same speed together by a driving source described later.

Next, the operation of the developer recycling device will be described. The layer thickness of the developer on the magnet roller 25 is regulated by the doctor blade 26 and is conveyed to the separating portion, and the developer is efficiently attracted by the concentrated magnetic force lines by the opposing magnetic poles. At this time, the magnetic force relationship of the magnetic poles in the separating portion is as described above,
Pole N ₁₁ of 51, the magnet roller 52 should have a lower S ₁₁
Is larger than the magnetic poles N ₁₂ and S _{12 of
It} is strongly attracted to ₁₁ and S ₁₁ , and is pulled upward through the mesh 20. Then, the mesh 20 separates the developer and the foreign matter.

Further, a scraping roller 53 made of a magnetic material is abutted and rotated on the magnet roller 51, and the separated developer on the magnet roller 51 is once attracted to the scraping roller 53 to scrape it. The developer is set to be scraped off by the scraping blade 54 that is in contact with 53. The developer separated from the foreign matter is conveyed to the outside of the regenerator 17 by the conveying screw 27 '. Further, the residual foreign matter is conveyed to the further downstream side by the magnet roller 52 together with the residual developer, and the foreign matter is collected by the cleaning brush 55 made of a non-magnetic material, and the protrusion 17
It is scraped off to the collection unit 29 by a1. At this time, since the developer has magnetism, it is still attracted to the magnet roller 52, and is conveyed to the downstream side as it is without being collected by the cleaning brush 55, so that an opportunity for separation is obtained again. . Therefore, the developer is hardly collected in the collection unit 29, and most of the foreign substances made of non-magnetic material are stored in the collection unit 29.

Further, in the apparatus 17, in order to prevent the mesh 20 from being clogged when the copying operation is stopped or stopped, the magnet rollers 51 and 52 arranged at opposing positions through the mesh 20 are provided with a relative magnetic force. The position can be displaced. Details will be described below with reference to FIGS. 21 to 23. 21 and 22 are configuration explanatory views showing a configuration of a magnetic pole displacement mechanism in the reproducing apparatus, and FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a control system of the reproducing apparatus.

A gear 56 is fitted to the shaft end 51a of the magnet roller 51 outside the frame 17a of the reproducing device 17, and is not shown via a gear 57 rotatably provided on the frame 17a. Drive is transmitted from the drive source. Further, the shaft end 52a of the magnet roller 52 has a gear 58 that meshes with the gear 56.
Is provided, and the shaft end 52a of the magnet roller 52 is provided.
A one-way clutch 59 that regulates the rotation direction to one direction is provided between the gear 58 and the gear 58. Due to the action of the one-way clutch 59, the magnet roller 52 cooperates with the gear 58 to rotate in the direction of the arrow only when the gear 58 rotates in the direction of the arrow when the separating device operates. The number of teeth of the gear 56 and the gear 58 is a magnet roller.
It is configured with the same number of teeth because it is necessary to rotate the magnetic poles at the facing portions of 51 and 52 so that the magnetic poles always have opposite polarities in phase. The magnet rollers 51 and 52 and their gears
When the 56 and 58 are initially assembled or disassembled and assembled at the time of servicing, the magnet rollers 51 and 52 are provided with a reference such as a marking for magnetic pole alignment to enable the initial phase alignment.

During normal operation, the magnet rollers 51, 52 rotate in the direction of the arrow in the figure to separate foreign matter such as paper dust from the collected developer. The 51 and 52 continue to rotate in the direction of the arrow when driven by the drive shaft. And magnet roller
Flag 60 fixed to the side of drive gear 56 of 51
When the photo sensor 62 provided on the frame 17a of the reproducing apparatus 17 via the support plate 61 is blocked, the drive of the magnet rollers 51 and 52 is stopped by the signal from the photo sensor 62, and the magnetic pole N ₁₁ And the magnetic pole S ₂₁ are regulated at positions where they are opposed to each other at the separating portion (see FIG. 20).

Thereafter, a drive source (not shown) receives a command from a microprocessor unit (MPU) for controlling the main body of the apparatus and drives the magnet rollers 51 and 52 to rotate in the direction opposite to the arrow direction. When a flag 63 also fixedly attached to the side surface of the drive gear 56 interrupts a photosensor 64 provided via the support plate 61, a signal from the photosensor 64 causes the magnet roller to move.
The rotation of 51, 52 is stopped.

In the above operation, a one-way clutch that acts as described above is provided between the magnet roller 52 and the gear 58.
Since the gear 58 is provided, the magnet roller 52 does not rotate while the gear 58 rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow direction as described above. Therefore, when the flag 63 finally blocks the photo sensor 64, the magnetic pole S ₁₁ of the magnet roller 51 and the magnetic pole S ₂₁ of the magnet roller 52 can be opposed to each other at the separating portion and stopped.

In the control system of the reproducing apparatus, as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 23, the signals from the photosensors 62 and 64 are transmitted to the microprocessor unit (MPU) 66 via the input interface 65, and the signals are transmitted. Accordingly, the motor driver 68 is driven via the output interface 67, and the drive motor 69 that drives the magnet roller is driven.

In the reproducing apparatus of this embodiment described above,
Considering that when the same poles of the magnet rollers 51 and 52 face each other in the separating portion, the repulsive force causes the magnet rollers 51 and 52 to rotate and the opposing magnetic poles shift, so that a minute current is applied to the motor as a drive source. A structure may be provided in which the repulsive force is applied to prevent the rotation by allowing the liquid to flow therethrough, depending on the degree of the repulsive force.

Contrary to the above-mentioned separating device, the drive transmission to the magnet roller is transmitted from the magnet roller 52, and the one-way clutch 59 is connected to the magnet roller 51.
It goes without saying that the configuration provided between the gear 56 and the gear 56 may be adopted.

[0087]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the adsorption means for adsorbing the developer through the filter is arranged on the upstream side of the filter with respect to the gravity acting direction, the filter can be prevented from being clogged. And, good separation performance can be exhibited over a long period of time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic main body sectional view showing an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a developer recycling device.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the developer recycling device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which a developer and a non-magnetic substance (foreign substance) are separated by a developer reproducing device.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a developer recycling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a developer recycling device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a mesh filter vibration imparting device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a frequency and a toner passing efficiency.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a change in toner passing efficiency depending on the presence or absence of vibration.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a developer recycling device according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a modified example of the developer recycling apparatus of the third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a developer recycling device according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a change in toner passing efficiency depending on the presence or absence of a blade.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a developer recycling device according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a partially enlarged view of a residue layer thickness regulating blade of the developer recycling device of the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a structural explanatory view showing the structure of a magnetic pole displacement mechanism in the developer reproducing apparatus of the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a structural explanatory view showing the structure of a magnetic pole displacement mechanism in the developer reproducing apparatus of the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a developer recycling device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing the structure of the developer recycling device of the ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a structural explanatory view showing the structure of a magnetic pole displacement mechanism in a ninth embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a structural explanatory view showing the structure of a magnetic pole displacement mechanism in the ninth embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a control system of a ninth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Developer 5 Cleaner 18 and 19 Sleeve with a built-in magnet inside 20 Mesh 22 Cam 23 Vibration imparting motor 28 Non-magnetic contact member 29 Collection part 31, 32 Magnet roller 34 Non-magnetic brush

Front page continued (72) Inventor Michio Koike 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A developer regenerating apparatus comprising: a filter for restricting passage of a substance other than the developer in a mixture of the developer and foreign matter; and an adsorbing means for adsorbing the developer passing through the filter, The developer regenerating apparatus, wherein the means is arranged upstream of the filter in the direction of gravity action. 2. The developer regenerating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adsorbing means has a first magnetic field forming member that forms a magnetic field, and adsorbs magnetic toner as a developer. 3. The developer regenerating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filter has a mesh. 4. The developer regenerating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the mesh size of the mesh is # 400 or more and # 100 or less. 5. The filter has a flat surface, and the installation angle α of the flat surface is an angle perpendicular to the gravity acting direction α = 0.
When the angle is 0, 0 ° ≤ α ≤ 90 °.
Item. The developer regenerating apparatus according to item. 6. The apparatus further has a second magnetic field forming member downstream of the filter with respect to the direction of gravity, and a mixture of magnetic toner and foreign matter is adsorbed to the second magnetic field forming member. 3. The developer regenerating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the developer regenerating apparatus moves to a position facing the first magnetic field forming member and then flies toward the first magnetic field forming member. 7. The first magnetic field forming member and the second magnetic field forming member facing each other across the filter have polarities different from each other, and the first magnetic field forming member facing each other has a different polarity. 7. The developer reproducing device according to claim 6, wherein the magnetic flux density of the magnetic pole is larger than the magnetic flux density of the magnetic pole of the second magnetic field forming member. 8. An image forming means for forming a developer image on the image bearing body and the image bearing body, and a residue remaining on the image bearing body after the developer image is transferred onto the recording agent is removed from the image bearing body. An image forming apparatus comprising: a cleaning unit; a filter that restricts passage of substances other than the developer in the residue removed from the image carrier; and an adsorption unit that adsorbs the developer that passes through the filter. Is disposed upstream of the filter in the direction of gravity action. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the adsorbing means has a first magnetic field forming member for forming a magnetic field, and adsorbs magnetic toner as a developer. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the filter has a mesh. 11. The mesh size of the mesh is # 400.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, which is # 100 or less. 12. The filter has a flat surface, and the installation angle α of the flat surface is an angle perpendicular to the gravity acting direction α =
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein 0 ° ≦ α ≦ 90 ° when 0 °. 13. The device further comprises a second magnetic field forming member downstream of the filter with respect to the direction of gravity.
A mixture of magnetic toner and foreign matter is adsorbed to the second magnetic field forming member, then moves to a position facing the first magnetic field forming member, and flies toward the first magnetic field forming member. The image forming apparatus according to Item 9. 14. The first device facing the filter as a boundary.
The magnetic field forming member and the second magnetic field forming member face each other with polarities different from each other, and the magnetic flux density of the magnetic pole of the first magnetic field forming member facing each other is equal to that of the magnetic pole of the second magnetic field forming member. Claim 13 which is larger than magnetic flux density
The image forming apparatus according to item. 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the apparatus further includes a conveying unit that conveys the developer regenerated by the suction unit and the filter to the image forming unit.