JPH09251230A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable satisfactory replenishment under single control without requiring a fullest-state sensor even in a cartridge type replenishment container by recovering developer, removed by a removal means, from a recovery port, and replenishing a developing means with the developer together with prestored developer from a replenishment port. SOLUTION: A toner cartridge 90 as the replenishment container extends between a developing unit 44 and cleaner 50. The toner cartridge 90 has a toner replenishment port 91 in its one end serving as a bottom, and the replenishment port 91 is freely detachably connected to an inlet 93 made in the top of the developing unit 44. On the other hand, the toner recovery port 92 is made in the other end of the toner cartridge 90, and the front end of the recovery duct 94 of the cleaner 50 is freely detachably inserted into the toner recovery port 92. During the operation of the device, toner in the cleaner 50 enters from the recovery port 92 of the toner cartridge 90, via the recovery duct 94, to be recycled.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus applied as, for example, an electronic copying apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electrostatic latent image is formed on an image bearing member made of a dielectric material such as an electrophotographic photosensitive member or polyester, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized with a developer, and then visualized on a recording member. In an image forming apparatus for transferring a toner image, an apparatus has been devised in which untransferred toner remaining on the image carrier after the visible image transfer is removed and collected by a cleaning device such as a blade and reused.

In this image forming apparatus, a charging device, a developing device, a transfer device, and a cleaning device are arranged around a photosensitive drum, which is an image carrier, along the rotation direction thereof. In the image forming apparatus having the above configuration, an image is formed as follows.

The photosensitive member is opposed to the opening surface of the charger provided with the grid, and the discharge from the gold-plated tungsten wire having a diameter of 60 μm in the charger connected to the power supply for the charger is controlled by the grid. However, the surface is uniformly charged. Here, the grid is installed via a Zener diode, and the discharge current from the tungsten wire provides a constant voltage necessary for controlling discharge to the photoconductor.
Further, an optical device is installed above the photoconductor to form an electrostatic latent image by a charge pattern in which light corresponding to the information on the original is exposed on the surface of the photoconductor drum between the charger and the developer. It The developing device has a developing roller, which is a developer bearing member, at a portion facing the photoconductor, and the developing roller is composed of a magnet fixed inside and a developing sleeve made of a non-magnetic material that is rotatable outside. . A predetermined developing bias voltage is applied to the developing sleeve with a developing power source,
Toner and carrier charged with opposite polarities on the outer periphery are held in a magnetic brush state. Then, the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor is developed with toner at the portion facing the developing device to be visualized. Next, the visible image formed by the toner formed on the photoconductor is transferred to a transfer target member such as paper or OHP film at the transfer unit and fixed by a fixing device such as a heat roller.

On the other hand, the untransferred residual toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor without being transferred is scraped off by the urethane blade of the cleaning device into the cleaning device and cleaned. Here, the collected toner dropped in the cleaning device is carried to the collection duct by the conveyance rotary vanes in the cleaning device. The collecting duct conveys the collected toner by the inner conveying rotary vanes and drops it into the toner replenishment control section at the upper part of the developing device. The recovered toner dropped in the toner replenishment control unit is mixed with the unused toner supplied from the toner container by the stirrer. Then, by a replenishment shutter that is moved by a toner replenishment signal based on the toner concentration detection signal of the auto toner sensor, the toner is dropped to the near side on the second mixer in the developing device at appropriate times. Then, the toner replenished by dropping is mixed and stirred with the carrier by the rotational conveying force of the second mixer and moved to the back of the developing device while being frictionally charged, and is folded back at the end of the back of the developing device and conveyed to the front by the first mixer.
On the way, a part is attracted by the magnetic force of the developing roller and used for image formation. By returning the toner collected by the cleaner to the toner replenishment controller of the developing device, the toner can be used efficiently.

[0006]

However, in such a system, since the toner replenishment controller is on the developing device side,
In many cases, a system is used in which the replenishment controller has a large volume to serve as a toner storage unit.

When the user tries to replenish the toner, the toner powder is directly put into the toner replenishment control section with a bottle or the like, or is replenished at once with a toner container having a wide replenishment port.

In this case, the toner is scattered when replenishing the toner, and the lid cannot be closed because the opening of the empty toner container is wide, and the toner remaining inside the toner container is dropped at the time of disposal and the inside of the apparatus or the installation is set. There were problems such as stains around the place or stains on hands and clothes.

Therefore, it is considered that the toner is replenished by using a container (cartridge) having a narrow replenishing port and a shutter at the replenishing port. In this case, the toner is smoothly fed to the narrow replenishing port. In order to be able to do so, it is necessary to provide a feeding mechanism inside the container (cartridge).

As described above, when the feeding mechanism is provided, the toner container becomes expensive, so that it becomes necessary to increase the capacity of the toner. In this case, since the toner container occupies a large space, it is unavoidable to reduce the toner capacity of the replenishment controller, and the replenishment controller does not fill the total amount of toner in the toner container. A control mechanism for providing a detection sensor and controlling the replenishment of the toner to the toner container by the signal is required. In other words, there is a problem that it becomes complicated and expensive because it requires double control of replenishment control and full feed control.

Further, since the replenishment controller is provided integrally with the developing device, if the developer remains in the replenishment controller,
When replacing the developing device, the developer may fall from the replenishment control unit and become contaminated. Therefore, the present invention requires a full sensor even if the replenishing container is a cartridge type with a narrow replenishing port. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus in which replenishment can be satisfactorily performed with a single control and the replenishing container can be detached independently when the developing unit is replaced.

[0012]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a latent image forming means for forming a latent image on an image carrier, and a latent image forming means for forming the latent image on the image bearing body. Developing means for supplying a developer to the latent image to visualize the latent image, transfer means for transferring the image visualized by the developing means to a transfer medium, and the image bearing after the image transfer by the transferring means. A removing means for removing the developer remaining on the body, and a detaching means attached to the removing means via the recovery port and the developing means via the replenishing port. A replenishing container that replenishes the removed developer from the retrieving port and replenishes the developer stored in advance to the developing device through the replenishing port, and receives the replenishment command for the developer in the replenishing container to receive the developer. A feeding means for feeding to the supply port, Comprising a shutter for opening and closing with a mouth in the supply container of the detachable operation to the developing unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the image carrier and a developing means for supplying a developer to the latent image formed by the latent image forming means to visualize the latent image. When,
Transfer means for transferring the image visualized by the developing means to a transfer medium, removing means for removing the developer remaining on the image carrier after the image transfer by the transferring means, and the removing means. The recovery port is removably attached to the developing means via the replenishment port, contains the developer inside, and collects the developer removed by the removing means from the recovery port and stores the developer in advance. A replenishing container for replenishing the developing means together with the developer from the replenishing port portion, a feeding means for receiving the replenishment command of the developer in the replenishing container and feeding it to the replenishing port portion, and the replenishing port portion for developing the replenishing port portion. A shutter that opens and closes in accordance with the attachment / detachment operation of the replenishing container with respect to the means, and is rotatably provided in the replenishing container and scoops up the developer collected from the collecting port in a direction once away from the replenishing port. Stir ; And a stirring means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the image carrier and a developing means for supplying a developer to the latent image formed by the latent image forming means to visualize the latent image. When,
Transfer means for transferring the image visualized by the developing means to a transfer medium, removing means for removing the developer remaining on the image carrier after the image transfer by the transferring means, and the removing means. The recovery port is removably attached to the developing means via the replenishment port, contains the developer inside, and collects the developer removed by the removing means from the recovery port and stores the developer in advance. A replenishing container that replenishes the developing means together with the developer from the replenishing port, a feeding means that receives the replenishment command for the developer in the replenishing container and sends the replenishing port to the replenishing port, and the replenishing port to the replenishing container. The shutter includes a shutter that opens and closes when the replenishing container is attached to and detached from the developing means, and a leak preventing member that seals the replenishing port and prevents the developer from leaking.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the image carrier and a developing means for supplying a developer to the latent image formed by the latent image forming means to visualize the latent image. When,
Transfer means for transferring the image visualized by the developing means to a transfer medium, removing means for removing the developer remaining on the image carrier after the image transfer by the transferring means, and the removing means. The recovery port is removably attached to the developing means via the replenishment port, contains the developer inside, and collects the developer removed by the removing means from the recovery port and stores the developer in advance. A replenishing container for replenishing the developing means together with the developer from the replenishing port portion, a feeding means for receiving the replenishment command of the developer in the replenishing container and feeding it to the replenishing port portion, and the replenishing port portion for developing the replenishing port portion. A shutter that opens and closes when the supply container is attached to and detached from the device, a shutter that opens and closes the recovery port of the supply container when the supply container is attached to and removed from the removing device, and the shutter provided in the removing device. A collection duct detachably connected to the collection port of the supply container, and a case where the collection port is sealed to prevent leakage of the developer and not removed when the collection duct is connected to the collection port. And a leakage prevention member that regulates the connection of the recovery duct.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the image carrier and a developing means for supplying a developer to the latent image formed by the latent image forming means to visualize the latent image. When,
Transfer means for transferring the image visualized by the developing means to a transfer medium, removing means for removing the developer remaining on the image carrier after the image transfer by the transferring means, and the removing means. The recovery port is removably attached to the developing means via the replenishment port, contains the developer inside, and collects the developer removed by the removing means from the recovery port and stores the developer in advance. A replenishing container for replenishing the developing means together with the developer from the replenishing port portion, a feeding means for receiving the replenishment command of the developer in the replenishing container and feeding it to the replenishing port portion, and the replenishing port portion for developing the replenishing port portion. A shutter that opens and closes when the supply container is attached to and detached from the device, a shutter that opens and closes a recovery port of the supply container that attaches and detaches to the removing device, and a collection container that is provided in the removing device and collects the supply container. A recovery duct is detachably connected to the part, the leakage of the developer is prevented by sealing the collecting port portion,
A leakage prevention member is pierced when the recovery duct is connected to the recovery port.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the image carrier and a developing means for supplying a developer to the latent image formed by the latent image forming means to visualize the latent image. When,
Transfer means for transferring the image visualized by the developing means to a transfer medium, removing means for removing the developer remaining on the image carrier after the image transfer by the transferring means, and the removing means. The recovery port is removably attached to the developing means via the replenishment port, contains the developer inside, and collects the developer removed by the removing means from the recovery port and stores the developer in advance. A replenishing container for replenishing the developing means together with the developer from the replenishing port portion, a feeding means for receiving the replenishment command of the developer in the replenishing container and feeding it to the replenishing port portion, and the replenishing port portion for developing the replenishing port portion. A shutter that opens and closes when the supply container is attached to and detached from the device, a shutter that opens and closes a recovery port of the supply container that attaches and detaches to the removing device, and a collection container that is provided in the removing device and collects the supply container. And a leakage preventing member that seals the recovery port to prevent the developer from leaking and is pierced when the recovery duct is connected to the recovery port. And.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a latent image forming means for forming a latent image on an image carrier, a toner and a carrier.
Developing means that contains a component developer and supplies toner to the latent image formed by the latent image forming means to visualize the latent image, and transfer for transferring the image visualized by the developing means to a transfer medium. Means, a removing means for removing the toner remaining on the image carrier after the image is transferred by the transferring means, and a removing port for the removing means and a replenishing port for the developing means. A replenishing container for accommodating the toner inside, replenishing the toner removed by the removing means from the retrieving port, and replenishing the developing means with the pre-contained toner through the replenishing port; Sending means for receiving the replenishment command issued to the developing means according to the toner concentration in the developing means to the replenishing port portion, and the replenishing port portion with the attaching / detaching operation of the replenishing container with respect to the developing means. Comprising a shutter for opening and closing.

According to the present invention, the developer removed by the removing means is recovered into the replenishing container from the recovery port, and the developer is directly replenished to the developing means from the replenishing port having the function of feeding the replenishing container. The developer can be replenished without the need for the replenishment control unit and the fullness detection sensor as in the conventional case.

A shutter for opening and closing the supply port and the recovery port of the supply container is provided. When the supply container is detached, the supply port and the recovery port are closed by the shutter to keep the developer inside. Make sure that the developer does not spill from the replenishment port and the recovery port even when removing it in the remaining state (for example, during repair or regular inspection).

Further, a stirring means is provided in the replenishing container, and the collected developer is scraped up and stirred by the stirring means in a direction away from the replenishing port to stir the collected developer at once. To prevent it from clogging the supply port.

Further, by sealing the replenishment port and the recovery port of the replenishment container with the leakage prevention member, it is possible to prevent the developer from spilling during transportation. Further, the leakage prevention member regulates the insertion of the recovery duct into the recovery port of the replenishing container, thereby preventing the developer from being locked in the recovery duct of the removing unit due to forgetting to remove the leakage prevention member.

Further, the recovery duct of the removing means pierces the leakage prevention member at the recovery port portion during mounting, so that the recovery duct can be connected without the need to remove the leakage prevention member.

Further, by forming the tip of the recovery gacto in a projection shape, the leakage preventing member can be easily pierced with a small force at the time of mounting. Further, by performing the replenishment control on the side of the replenishing container, it is possible to improve the space efficiency when the developing system is a two-component type.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings. FIG. 2 shows a digital copying machine. The digital copying machine includes an apparatus main body 10, and in the apparatus main body 10, a scanner 4 functioning as a reading unit and an image forming unit functioning as an image forming unit, which will be described later. 6 is provided.

On the upper surface of the apparatus main body 10, there are provided a control panel (not shown), and an original placing table 12 made of transparent glass on which an object to be read, that is, an original D is placed. Further, an automatic document feeder 7 (hereinafter referred to as ADF) for automatically feeding the document onto the document table 12 is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus body 10. This ADF7
The document D is disposed so as to be openable and closable with respect to the document table 12, and also functions as a document holder for bringing the document D placed on the document table 12 into close contact with the document table 12.

The ADF 7 includes a document tray 8 on which a document D is set, an empty sen 9 for detecting the presence or absence of a document, a pickup roller 14 for taking out the documents one by one from the document tray, and a paper feed roller 15 for conveying the taken out documents. It is provided with a pair of aligning rollers 16 for aligning the leading edge of the document, and a conveyor belt 18 arranged so as to cover almost the entire document placing table 12. The plurality of originals set upward on the original tray 8 are taken out in order from the bottom page, that is, the last page, are aligned by the aligning roller pair 16, and are placed on the original by the transport belt 18. The sheet is transported to a predetermined position on the table 12.

In the ADF 7, a reversing roller 20, a non-reversing sensor 21, a flapper 22, and a paper discharging roller 23 are arranged at the end opposite to the aligning roller pair 16 with the conveyor belt 18 interposed therebetween. The document D whose image information has been read by the scanner 4 described later is sent out from the document placing table 12 by the conveyor belt 18, and the reversing roller 20,
ADF 7 via flapper 22 and paper discharge roller 23
The document is discharged onto the document discharge unit 24 on the upper surface. When reading the back surface of the document D, the document D conveyed by the conveyor belt 18 by switching the flapper 22 is reversed by the reversing roller 20 and then conveyed again to a predetermined position on the document table 12 by the conveyor belt 18. To be

The scanner 4 provided in the apparatus main body 10
Has a light source 25 such as a fluorescent lamp that illuminates the original D placed on the original placing table 12 and a first mirror 26 that deflects reflected light from the original D in a predetermined direction. The first mirror is attached to a first carriage 27 disposed below the document table 12. The first carriage 27 is movably arranged in parallel with the document table 12, and is reciprocated below the document table by a drive motor via a toothed belt (not shown) or the like.

A second carriage 28, which is movable in parallel with the document placing table, is disposed below the document placing table 12. The second mirror 28 has the first mirror 2
Second and third mirrors 30 and 31 for sequentially deflecting the reflected light from the document D deflected by 6 are attached at right angles to each other. The second carriage 28 is driven by the first carriage 27 by a toothed belt or the like that drives the first carriage 27, and at the same time, the original is placed at a speed half that of the first carriage. It is moved in parallel along the table 12.

Below the document table 12, the image forming lens 32 that focuses the reflected light from the third mirror 31 on the second carriage 28 and the reflected light that is focused by the image forming lens are received. And a CCD sensor 34 for photoelectric conversion. The imaging lens 32 is movably disposed via a drive mechanism in a plane including the optical axis of the light deflected by the third mirror 31, and moves the reflected light at a desired magnification by moving itself. Form an image. Then, the CCD sensor 34 photoelectrically converts the incident reflected light and outputs an electric signal for the read document D.

On the other hand, the image forming section 6 is provided with a laser exposure device 40 which functions as a latent image forming means. The laser exposure device 40 includes a semiconductor laser 41 as a light source, a polygon mirror 36 as a scanning member that continuously deflects the laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 41, and a polygon mirror that is rotationally driven at a predetermined rotational speed described later. A polygon motor 37 as a scanning motor, and an optical system 42 that deflects the laser light from the polygon mirror and guides the laser light to a photosensitive drum to be described later are provided. The laser exposure apparatus 40 having such a configuration is fixed and supported by a support frame of the apparatus body 10 described later.

The semiconductor laser 41 is ON / OFF controlled according to the image information of the document D read by the scanner 4 or the facsimile transmission / reception document information, and this laser light is passed through the polygon mirror 36 and the optical system 42 to the photoconductor. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum by scanning the photosensitive drum peripheral surface toward the drum.

The image forming section 6 has a rotatable photoconductor drum 44 as an image carrier disposed substantially in the center of the apparatus body 10. The peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum is covered by the laser exposure device 40. To expose a desired electrostatic latent image. Around the photosensitive drum 44, a charger 45 for charging the drum peripheral surface to a predetermined electric charge, and a toner as a developer for the electrostatic latent image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum to supply a desired image. Developer 4 for developing with density
6. A transfer target material fed from a paper cassette, which will be described later, that is, a separation charger 47 for separating the copy paper P from the photoconductor drum is integrally provided, and the toner image formed on the photoconductor drum is transferred to the paper P. Transfer charger 48 for transferring the toner image to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum, a peeling claw 49 for peeling the copy sheet from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum, a cleaning device 50 as a removing unit for cleaning the toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum, and a peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. A static eliminator 51 for static erasing is arranged in order.

An upper cassette 52, a middle cassette 53, and a lower cassette 54, which can be pulled out from the apparatus body, are arranged in a laminated state at the lower part of the apparatus body 10,
Copy papers of different sizes are filled in each cassette. Large capacity feeders 5 beside these cassettes
5, a large-capacity feeder accommodates about 3000 sheets of frequently used copy paper, for example, A4 size copy paper. Further, above the large-capacity feeder 55, a paper feed cassette 57 also serving as a manual feed tray 56 is detachably attached.

In the apparatus main body 10, a conveying path 5 extending from each cassette and the large-capacity feeder 55 through a transfer portion located between the photosensitive drum 44 and the transfer charger 48.
8 is formed, and a fixing device 60 is provided at the end of the transport path. A discharge port 61 is formed on the side wall of the apparatus main body 10 facing the fixing device 60, and a discharge tray 62 is formed at the discharge port.
Is installed.

In the vicinity of the upper cassette 52, the middle cassette 53, the lower cassette 54, the paper feeding cassette 57, and the large-capacity feeder 55, the pickup roller 6 for taking out the sheets one by one from the cassette or the large-capacity feeder.
3 are provided. Further, in the transport path 58,
A large number of paper feed roller pairs 6 that convey the copy paper P taken out by the pickup roller 63 through the conveyance path 58.
4 are provided.

A registration roller pair 65 is provided on the upstream side of the photosensitive drum 44 in the transport path 58. The registration roller pair 65 corrects the inclination of the copy paper P taken out and aligns the leading edge of the toner image on the photoconductor drum 44 and the leading edge of the copy paper P, and adjusts the movement speed of the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum. The copy paper P is fed to the transfer unit at the same speed. A pre-aligning sensor 66 for detecting the arrival of the copy paper P is provided on the side of the registration roller pair 65, before the jam, and on the side of the paper feed roller pair 64.

The copy sheets P taken out one by one from each cassette or the large-capacity feeder 55 by the pickup roller 63 are sent to the registration roller pair 65 by the paper feed roller pair 64. Then, the copy paper P is sent to the transfer section after the leading end is aligned by the registration roller pair 65. At the transfer portion, the developer image shaped on the photosensitive drum 44, that is, the toner image is transferred to the transfer charger 4
8 is transferred onto the paper P. The copy sheet P on which the toner image is transferred is peeled off from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 44 by the action of the peeling charger 47 and the peeling claw 49, and is transferred to the fixing device 60 via the conveyance belt 67 forming a part of the conveyance path 58. Be transported. Then, after the developer image is fused and fixed on the copy paper P by the fixing device 60, the copy paper P
Is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 62 through the discharge port 61 by the paper feed roller pair 68 and the paper discharge roller pair 69.

Below the conveying path 58, the copy sheet P that has passed through the fixing device 60 is reversed and the registration roller pair 6 is again provided.
5 is provided with an automatic double-sided device 70 for feeding. The automatic double-sided device 70 has a temporary stacking unit 71 that temporarily stacks the copy sheets P, and a reversing path 72 that branches from the transport path 58 and reverses the copy sheets P that have passed through the fixing device 60 and guides them to the temporary stacking unit 71. A pickup roller 73 for picking up the copy sheets P stacked in the temporary stacking unit one by one, and a sheet feeding roller 75 for feeding the picked-up sheets to the registration roller pair 65 through the transport path 74. Also, the transport path 5
A distribution gate 76 that selectively distributes the copy paper P to the discharge port 61 or the reversing path 72 is provided at a branch portion between the reversing path 72 and the reversing path 72.

When performing double-sided copying, the copy sheet P that has passed through the fixing device 60 is guided to the reversing path 72 by the sorting gate 76, temporarily accumulated in the reversed state in the temporary accumulating section 71, and then picked up. The roller 73 and the sheet feeding roller 75 feed the pair of registration rollers 65 through the conveyance path 74. Then, after the copy paper P is aligned by the registration roller pair 65, the copy paper P is sent to the transfer unit again, and the toner image is transferred to the back surface of the copy paper P. After that, the copy paper P is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 62 via the conveyance path 58, the fixing device 60 and the paper discharge roller pair 69.

FIG. 1 is an enlarged view showing the periphery of the photosensitive drum 44. The developing device 44 is a two-component developing device, and the developing method is a reversal developing method. A developing sleeve 81 is provided inside the developing device 44. The developing sleeve 81 is a rotatable non-magnetic aluminum tube having a diameter of 20 mm, and the surface thereof is sandblasted to have a Rz of about 20 μm.
The magnets 82 ... Are fixed inside.
Then, the developing sleeve 81 is not connected to the photosensitive drum 44.
They are opposed to each other with a gap of 5 mm. The magnet 82 is 5
The main pole facing the photoconductor drum 44 at the pole is 90 mT (millitesla), and the other poles are 20 to 65 mT.

When toner is supplied to the developing device 44 from a toner container (to be described later) according to a toner replenishing signal from the front side of the developing device 44 in the figure, the first mixer 83 exists in the replenished toner and the developing device 44. The developer and the developer are agitated and sent in the depth direction in the figure. And the developer is the developing device 4
4 is sent to the second mixer 84 side at the innermost position and similarly agitated and conveyed, and when reaching the foremost position, it is moved to the first mixer 83 and agitated repeatedly. During this stirring and conveying, the toner and the carrier are triboelectrically charged, and the developer is transferred to the developing sleeve 81 in the second mixer 84.

The peripheral speed of the developing sleeve 81 is the photosensitive drum 4
The photosensitive drum 44 is rotating at a speed twice as fast as the rotating speed of the photosensitive drum 44, and the portion facing the photosensitive drum 44 moves in the same direction as the photosensitive drum 44. Second mixer 8
The developer delivered by No. 4 is 0.4 m with the developing sleeve 81.
The amount of conveyance is regulated by a leveler (not shown) whose front ends face each other with a gap of m, and the sheet is conveyed to a portion facing the photoconductor drum 44. The developer, which has completed the developing process at the portion facing the photosensitive drum 44, is conveyed and returned to the second mixer 84.

A toner concentration sensor 86 is provided below the first mixer 84, and a general magnetic sensor is used in this embodiment. The average particle size of the developer is 60 μm
The spherical ferrite carrier and the toner having an average particle diameter of 9 μm are used at a toner concentration of 5%. Then, a voltage of −400 V is applied to the developing sleeve 81 from a developing bias power source (not shown).

Further, the cleaning device 50 is provided with a cleaning blade 88 which abuts the lower end portion thereof on the photosensitive drum 44 to scrape off the residual toner. Further, inside the cleaning device 50, a conveyance auger 89 for conveying the scraped toner is provided.

The developing device 44 and the cleaning device 5 described above.
Toner cartridge 90 as a replenishing container between 0 and
Has been erected. The toner cartridge 90 has a replenishment port 91 for replenishing the toner on one end side of the bottom portion thereof, and the replenishment port 91 is detachably connected to an introduction port portion 93 formed on the upper surface of the developing device 44. Toner cartridge 90
Inside, there is provided a spiral-shaped rotating body (sending means) 96 for sending the toner to the supply port 91. The supply port 91 is opened and closed by a shutter 95, and the shutter 95 is opened against the urging force of a spring (not shown) when the toner cartridge 90 is attached to the developing device 44, and is opened by the urging force of the spring when removed. It is supposed to be blocked. The feeding rotating body 96 is rotatably driven by the driving device 97 on the apparatus main body 10 side to replenish the toner. The driving device 97 is driven by a toner replenishment signal sent from a CPU (not shown) on the apparatus main body 10 side that receives a signal level from the toner concentration sensor 86 of the developing device 44.

On the other hand, a toner recovery port 92 is provided on the other end side of the toner cartridge 90.
The tip of the recovery duct 94 of the cleaning device 50 is removably inserted into the device 2. When the apparatus is in operation, the toner in the cleaning device 50 enters the inside from the recovery port 92 of the toner cartridge 90 through the recovery duct 94,
Reused.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the toner cartridge 90. The left side of the toner cartridge 90 in the figure shows the tip of the recovery duct 94 of the cleaning device 50. The recovery duct 94 has an opening 99 at the upper side, and the opening 99 is opened and closed by a shutter 100. When the toner cartridge 90 is not attached, the shutter 100 is pushed in the direction of closing the opening 99 by the force of the spring 101, and prevents the toner from spilling from the recovery duct 94. A seal 102 formed by flocking is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the recovery duct 94, and the seal 102 closes the gap between the shutter 100 and the recovery duct 94 to prevent toner from spilling.
Here, when the toner cartridge 90 is installed, as shown in FIG.
As shown in, the shutter 100 hits the wall surface of the toner cartridge 90 and moves in the direction of opening the opening 99 against the pushing force of the spring 101. Then, the toner recovery duct 94 leaves the shutter 100 and the toner cartridge 90.
Is inserted into the toner recovery port 92 of the.

The toner recovery port 92 has the following features. Since the toner replenishing port 91 is attached to the mounting groove of the developing device 44, if the toner collecting port 92 is also provided with a groove in the same collecting duct 94,
The toner cartridge 90 must be inserted parallel to both grooves. In this case, the force cannot be applied evenly, and the mounting operation is difficult, and unreasonable force is applied. Therefore, in the present invention, the toner recovery port 92 has a concave shape, and the recovery duct 94 is inserted therein. The size of the toner recovery port 92 is substantially equal to the size of the shutter 100 and is sufficiently larger than the tip of the recovery duct 94, and the toner recovery port 92 is formed with a radius 86. As a result, the recovery duct 94 can be easily inserted, and the user only needs to insert and push in the insertion slide of the toner supply port 91.

Further, the toner recovery port 92 is provided with the recovery duct 9
4 is not inserted, that is, when the toner cartridge 90 is not attached, the recovery shutter 104 is pressed by the spring 105 built in the toner cartridge 90 to press and close the recovery port 92, and the toner is released outside. It doesn't spill.

On the other hand, when the toner cartridge 90 is mounted, the recovery duct 94 of the cleaning device 50 is inserted into the toner recovery port 92, and the recovery shutter 104 is pushed down while compressing the spring 105. Here, as described above, most of the shutter 100 of the collection duct 94 is left outside the toner cartridge 90, the opening 99 of the collection duct 94 is exposed inside the toner cartridge 90, and the collected toner is conveyed to the toner cartridge 90. It can be fed by rotating the auger 89.

In this way, by making the replenishing container a cartridge form for replenishing the toner little by little, the toner does not scatter when replenishing the toner, and when the toner runs out and is discarded, the toner that slightly adheres inside is replenished. Shattering can be prevented by the shutter 95.

Further, even when the toner is removed with the toner remaining inside (for example, for repair or regular inspection), the toner does not spill from the replenishing port 91. Further, since the collection duct 94 and the collection port 92 are also provided with the shutters 100 and 104, the toner does not spill from the collection duct 94 and the collection port 92, and the inside of the apparatus and the surroundings of the installation place, or the hand. It also prevents the clothes from getting dirty.

Further, the size of the container is only large enough to fill the toner, and the space is not required. Further, there is no need for a sensor for detecting fullness, and the control of replenishment has a simple structure in which it is only driven by the apparatus body 10.

By thus putting the collected toner in the toner cartridge 90, the structure is simple and easy to handle.
It is an economical and economical cartridge that allows reuse of recovered toner at a low cost.

Further, inside the toner cartridge 90, an agitator 106 for agitating the toner recovered from the recovery port 92 is rotatably provided. This stirrer 106
Is agitated in the direction of scraping the toner. Here, as the collected toner that enters the toner cartridge 90 from the toner recovery port 92, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 44 without being transferred to a recording medium such as paper is removed by the cleaning blade 88 of the cleaning device 50 or the like. The toner is scraped off and has different characteristics from the unused toner. For example, the collected toner has extremely poor fluidity as compared with the unused toner.

FIG. 5 shows the fluidity values when the collected toner and the unused toner are mixed. Here, the fluidity was measured using a powder tester manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Co., Ltd. Then, from the bottom, 200 mesh, 100 mesh, 6
Shake 0 mesh and put 20 g of sample toner in the shake of 60 mesh and vibrate for 30 seconds. Thereafter, the weight of the toner remaining on the 200 mesh is taken as the fluidity value. The fluidity is determined by how much the mesh has passed through during the 30 seconds. As is clear from this measurement result, the fluidity is deteriorated when the collected toner enters the unused toner.

The black portion of the general document defined by the copying machine is about 6%, and the toner recovery amount at that time is about 5 mg / A, although it varies somewhat depending on the temperature and humidity environment and the brightness of exposure.
It is about 4. However, when making a copy that is close to solid black, when you press the copy button with the platen cover open, and when using a reversal development digital copier / laser (LE
D) When the output of the charger is down in the printer (a solid black image is formed), the amount of toner collected is close to 200 mg per A3 sheet (per sheet).

For example, in a device of 20 sheets / minute, if such a situation continues for several sheets, as shown in FIG. 6, a few cm ^{3 of the} discharged toner t'will enter the toner cartridge 90 in a short time.

From the recovery duct 94 to the toner cartridge 9
Depending on the moving direction of the stirrer 106, the collected toner t ′ that has entered 0 may be supplied to the toner replenishing port 91 at once as shown in FIG.
Comes to the side and the supply port 91 is clogged. In order to prevent this, it is necessary to mix the collected toner t with the unused toner t in the cartridge 90 at least once.

That is, as shown in FIG.
The collected toner t is temporarily lifted in the direction in which the collected toner t ′ is scooped up in the rotation direction of 6, ie, in the direction away from the toner supply port 92, and is scattered upward to be dispersed into the unused toner t.

As described above, the toner t'recovered by the cleaning device 50 is returned to the small amount replenishing type toner cartridge 90 and reused, and the moving or rotating direction of the stirring bar 106 inside the toner cartridge 90 is used. Since the collected toner t ′ entering from the toner collecting port 92 is scraped or scooped up, the replenishing port 91 of the developing device 46 is not clogged with toner.

In the present invention, when several thousand developing devices are used, the toner capacity is as large as about 1000 cm ³ or more, and the replenishing system is apt to occur due to the structural space of the apparatus main body. This is very effective because it is for a toner cartridge that detects the toner amount during development and supplies a small amount. This is true for any developing method. Further, it goes without saying that the two-component developing method in which the mixing ratio of the toner and the carrier must be controlled at all times is most suitable.

On the other hand, the toner recovery port 92 is provided with a seal-like leakage prevention member 108 for preventing toner leakage when not in use. If this is not removed, the recovery duct 94 of the cleaning device 50 is attached to the toner recovery port 92. I can't.

Further, the small amount replenishment type toner cartridge 90 has a shutter 9 to prevent toner from spilling when not mounted.
5 are provided. The shutter 95 closes the toner replenishing port 91 and prevents the toner from spilling when the toner cartridge 90 is removed from the developing device 46. But,
There are many vibrations (or drops) before the toner cartridge 90 is produced / shipped at the factory and is actually used by the user. Since the shutter 95 attached to the toner cartridge 90 has a slight gap so as to operate smoothly when it is attached to and detached from the developing device 46 and the like, the toner leaks if strong vibration is applied by being dropped or the like. That is, there is a possibility that the shutter 95 alone will fall before it is purchased and used by a general user. Therefore, the toner leakage prevention member 108, such as affixing a seal made of polyethylene or the like to the replenishing port 91 as shown in FIG. 9 or attaching a component for pressing the shutter 95, is required before the user can get it.

The same applies to the case where the toner recovery port 92 is attached to the toner cartridge 90, the toner leakage prevention member 109 is necessary. In the case where the toner leakage prevention member 108 is the toner replenishing port 91 and is attached to the developing device 46 without being removed immediately before the first use, the toner is not replenished and the apparatus main body 10 indicates that the toner cartridge 90 is empty (empty display). ), Or a toner replacement display,
Alternatively, the image output is light or a blank image. In such a case, if the user inspects the toner cartridge 90, the toner leakage prevention member 108 is removed, and the toner cartridge 90 is attached to the developing device 46 again, a normal image can be obtained.

In this case, since no damage occurs in the device or the developing device 46, there is no problem at all. However, if the toner leakage prevention strengthening member 109 of the toner recovery port 92 is forgotten to be removed, the toner from the recovery duct 94 of the cleaning device 50 is not in the toner cartridge 90, and therefore the recovered toner t ′ is inside the recovery duct 94. And the cleaning device 50 is damaged. In the case of a process unit in which the cleaning device 50 and the photosensitive drum 44 are integrated or the cleaning device 50, the photosensitive drum 44, and the developing device 46 are integrated, the damage is significant.

Therefore, in order to solve this problem, a toner leakage prevention member 109 (a polyethylene plate having a thickness of 0.5 mm) is attached with an adhesive material. The toner recovery port 92 has a concave and convex recovery duct 94. The toner leakage prevention reinforcing member 109 must be removed before the toner leakage prevention reinforcing member 109 is removed.
The recovery duct 94 of 0 hits the device. Therefore, since the user cannot attach the toner cartridge 90, the user notices the existence of the toner leakage prevention member 109 and removes the toner leakage prevention member 109, so that the trouble such as clogging of the recovery duct 94 does not occur. The toner leakage prevention member 109 may have any shape as long as it is strong enough not to be deformed even if it is pushed by the recovery duct 94. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the toner leakage prevention member 109 may be formed in a gap shape with an elastic member such as rubber or polyethylene.

Further, by sticking a 25 μm thick polyethylene film to the toner leakage prevention member 109 with an adhesive material, it is broken or pushed away by the recovery duct 94 at the time of mounting, and the recovery duct 94 is inserted into the recovery port 92. You may do it.

In this way, the recovery duct 94 breaks or pushes away the toner leakage prevention reinforcing member 109, so that the recovery duct 94 is not clogged and the trouble does not occur twice. In this case, the material is not limited to the polyethylene film and may be paper or the like.

Further, in this case, as shown in FIG. 11, when the tip of the recovery duct 94 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction with respect to the insertion direction, the toner leakage prevention member 109 is easily broken, so that the force for mounting is small. End Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the tip of the recovery duct 94 may be sharpened.

[0073]

As described above, the present invention collects the developer removed by the removing means into the replenishing container through the retrieving port, and directly develops from the replenishing port having the function of feeding the replenishing container. Since the developer is replenished to the developing means, it is possible to replenish the developer without the need for the replenishment controller and the fullness detection sensor as in the conventional case, and the configuration and the control system can be simplified.

Further, a shutter for opening and closing the supply port and the recovery port of the supply container is provided, and when the supply container is detached, the supply port and the recovery port are closed by the shutter, so that the developer does not get inside. Even when it is removed in the remaining state (for example, for repair or periodical inspection), the developer does not spill from the replenishment port and the recovery port, and the contamination can be prevented.

Further, since the stirring means is provided in the replenishing container and the collected developer is scraped up and stirred by the stirring means in the direction away from the replenishing port portion, the collected developer is fed to the replenishing port portion at once. Without sending it in and jamming it
Good supply is possible.

Further, since the supply port and the recovery port of the supply container are sealed by the leakage prevention member, it is possible to prevent the developer from spilling during transportation. Further, since the leakage prevention member regulates the insertion of the recovery duct into the recovery port of the supply container, it is possible to prevent the developer from being locked in the recovery duct of the removing unit due to forgetting to remove the leakage prevention member.

Further, when the replenishing container is attached, the recovery duct of the removing means pierces the leakage prevention member at the recovery port, so that the recovery duct can be connected without the need to remove the leakage prevention member, and the workability is improved. Can be improved.

Further, since the tip of the recovery gacto is formed in the shape of a protrusion, the leakage prevention member can be easily pierced with a small force at the time of mounting. Further, since the replenishment control is performed on the side of the replenishing container, the space efficiency can be improved when the developing system is a two-component type.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a toner cartridge provided between a developing device and a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram showing an electrophotographic apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a toner cartridge and a recovery duct.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a recovery duct is connected to a toner cartridge.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the fluidity and the mixing ratio of the collected toner and the unused toner.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which collected toner is collected in a toner cartridge.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a state in which the collected toner is sent to the replenishing port of the toner cartridge at one time.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which collected toner is mixed well with unused toner.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a first sealing material that seals the recovery port of the toner cartridge.

FIG. 10 is a second view of sealing the recovery port of the toner cartridge.
The figure which shows the sealing material.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a first other example of the recovery duct.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a second other example of the recovery duct.

[Explanation of symbols]

 44 ... Photosensitive drum (image bearing member) 46 ... Developing device (developing means) 48 ... Transfer charger (transfer means) 50 ... Cleaning device (removing means) 88 ... Cleaning blade 84, 95, 100 ... Shutter, 90 ... Toner cartridge (Replenishing container) 91 ... Toner replenishing port (replenishing port) 92 ... Toner recovery port (recovery port) 94 ... Recovery ducts 108, 109 ... Leak prevention member 106 ... Stirrer (stirring means)

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A latent image forming means for forming a latent image on an image carrier, a developing means for supplying a developer to the latent image formed by the latent image forming means to visualize the latent image, and the developing means. Transfer means for transferring the visualized image to the transfer medium, removing means for removing the developer remaining on the image carrier after the image transfer by the transferring means, and a recovery port portion for the removing means, Removably attached to the developing means via a replenishing port, and contains a developer inside,
A replenishing container that replenishes the developer removed by the removing unit from the retrieving port and replenishes the developer stored in advance to the developing unit through the replenishing port, and a replenishment command for the developer in the replenishing container. An image forming apparatus comprising: a feeding unit that receives and feeds the replenishing port portion to the replenishing port unit; and a shutter that opens and closes the replenishing port unit according to an attaching / detaching operation of the replenishing container with respect to the developing unit. 2. A latent image forming means for forming a latent image on an image carrier, a developing means for supplying a developer to the latent image formed by the latent image forming means to visualize the latent image, and the developing means. Transfer means for transferring the visualized image to the transfer medium, removing means for removing the developer remaining on the image carrier after the image transfer by the transferring means, and a recovery port portion for the removing means, Removably attached to the developing means via a replenishing port, and contains a developer inside,
A replenishing container that replenishes the developer removed by the removing unit from the retrieving port and replenishes the developer stored in advance to the developing unit through the replenishing port, and a replenishment command for the developer in the replenishing container. Receiving means for receiving and feeding the replenishing port to the replenishing port, a shutter that opens and closes the replenishing port with the attachment / detachment operation of the replenishing container with respect to the developing means, and is rotatably provided in the replenishing container. An image forming apparatus comprising: a stirring unit that scoops up and agitates the developer recovered from the recovery port in a direction away from the replenishment port. 3. A latent image forming means for forming a latent image on an image carrier, a developing means for supplying a developer to the latent image formed by the latent image forming means to visualize the latent image, and the developing means. Transfer means for transferring the visualized image to the transfer medium, removing means for removing the developer remaining on the image carrier after the image transfer by the transferring means, and a recovery port portion for the removing means, Removably attached to the developing means via a replenishing port, and contains a developer inside,
A replenishing container that replenishes the developer removed by the removing unit from the retrieving port and replenishes the developer stored in advance to the developing unit through the replenishing port, and a replenishment command for the developer in the replenishing container. Receiving means for receiving and feeding the replenishing port, a shutter that opens and closes the replenishing port portion in association with the attachment / detachment operation of the replenishing container with respect to the developing means of the replenishing container, and seals the replenishing port portion, An image forming apparatus comprising: a leak prevention member that prevents a developer from leaking. 4. A latent image forming means for forming a latent image on an image carrier, a developing means for supplying a developer to the latent image formed by the latent image forming means to visualize the latent image, and the developing means. Transfer means for transferring the visualized image to the transfer medium, removing means for removing the developer remaining on the image carrier after the image transfer by the transferring means, and a recovery port portion for the removing means, Removably attached to the developing means via a replenishing port, and contains a developer inside,
A replenishing container that replenishes the developer removed by the removing unit from the retrieving port and replenishes the developer stored in advance to the developing unit through the replenishing port, and a replenishment command for the developer in the replenishing container. Receiving means for receiving and feeding the replenishing port to the replenishing port, a shutter for opening and closing the replenishing port with the attaching and detaching operation of the replenishing container with respect to the developing means, and a recovery port of the replenishing container for the removing means. A shutter that opens and closes in accordance with the attachment / detachment operation of the supply container, a recovery duct that is provided in the removing unit and is detachably connected to a recovery port of the supply container, and a recovery duct that seals the recovery port A leakage prevention member that prevents leakage and restricts the connection of the recovery duct when the recovery duct is not removed when the recovery duct is connected to the recovery port; Forming apparatus. 5. A latent image forming means for forming a latent image on an image carrier, a developing means for supplying a developer to the latent image formed by the latent image forming means to visualize the latent image, and the developing means. Transfer means for transferring the visualized image to the transfer medium, removing means for removing the developer remaining on the image carrier after the image transfer by the transferring means, and a recovery port portion for the removing means, Removably attached to the developing means via a replenishing port, and contains a developer inside,
A replenishing container that replenishes the developer removed by the removing unit from the retrieving port and replenishes the developer stored in advance to the developing unit through the replenishing port, and a replenishment command for the developer in the replenishing container. Receiving means for receiving and feeding the replenishing port to the replenishing port, a shutter for opening and closing the replenishing port with the attachment / detachment operation of the replenishing container with respect to the developing means, and a recovery port of the replenishing container for the removing means. A shutter that opens and closes in accordance with the attachment / detachment operation, a recovery duct that is provided in the removing means and is detachably connected to the recovery port of the replenishment container, and the recovery port is sealed to prevent leakage of the developer. An image forming apparatus comprising: a leakage preventing member that is pierced when the recovery duct is connected to the recovery port. 6. A latent image forming means for forming a latent image on an image carrier, a developing means for supplying a developer to the latent image formed by the latent image forming means to visualize the latent image, and the developing means. Transfer means for transferring the visualized image to the transfer medium, removing means for removing the developer remaining on the image carrier after the image transfer by the transferring means, and a recovery port portion for the removing means, Removably attached to the developing means via a replenishing port, and contains a developer inside,
A replenishing container that replenishes the developer removed by the removing unit from the retrieving port and replenishes the developer stored in advance to the developing unit through the replenishing port, and a replenishment command for the developer in the replenishing container. Receiving means for receiving and feeding the replenishing port to the replenishing port, a shutter for opening and closing the replenishing port with the attaching and detaching operation of the replenishing container with respect to the developing means, and a recovery port of the replenishing container for the removing means. A shutter that opens and closes in accordance with the attachment / detachment operation, a recovery duct having a tip projection shape that is provided in the removal means and is detachably connected to the recovery port of the replenishment container, and the recovery port seals the developer. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a leakage prevention member that prevents leakage and is pierced when the recovery duct is connected to the recovery port. 7. A latent image forming means for forming a latent image on an image carrier and a two-component developer comprising a toner and a carrier are accommodated, and the toner is supplied to the latent image formed by the latent image forming means. Developing means for visualizing, transfer means for transferring the image visualized by the developing means to a transfer medium, and removal for removing toner remaining on the image carrier after the image transfer by the transferring means Means for removing the toner, and the removing means for removing the toner, and the developing means for removably attaching the toner through the replenishing opening.
A replenishing container that replenishes the toner removed by the removing unit from the retrieving port and replenishes the toner stored in advance to the developing unit through the replenishing port, and the toner in the replenishing container is used as the toner in the developing unit. And a shutter that opens and closes the replenishment port with the operation of attaching and detaching the replenishment container to and from the developing unit. An image forming apparatus characterized by.