JPH0990728A - Toner residual quantity detecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reliably detect a toner residual quantity in plural toner hoppers in the small number of part items on light emitting parts or light receiving parts. SOLUTION: In a toner residual quantity detecting device which is provided with toner hoppers 131 to 134, and is provided with light emitting parts 111 to 113 and light receiving parts 151 to 152, and detects a toner residual quantity in the respective toner hoppers by receiving passing of the light emitted from the light emitting parts by the light receiving parts, at least one of the light emitting parts or the light receiving parts is composed of the number of pieces less than the toner hoppers 131 to 134, and the toner residual quantity detecting means is provided with light conductive means 121 to 124 and 141 to 144 to optically connect the respective light emitting parts, the light receiving parts and the respective toner hoppers to each other, and is provided with control means 100 to 102 to optically detect a toner residual quantity by driving the light emitting parts and the light receiving parts corresponding to the toner hoppers to be detected.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toner remaining amount detecting device for toner replenishing means used in a copying machine, a page printer or the like for forming an image by an electrophotographic process, and more particularly, to optimally detect a toner remaining amount. Therefore, the present invention relates to a toner remaining amount detecting device capable of realizing stable operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an electric signal (image signal) corresponding to the density of image information (original image) of an original is converted into an electric signal (laser light) and the like. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor drum by using it. Then, this electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image and then transferred to a recording sheet, and the toner image on the recording sheet is heated by a heater of a fixing device to be fused and fixed.

In a color image forming apparatus, usually, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C),
The image forming apparatus is operated with four color toners of black (Bk). Therefore, a four-color developing device is installed, and a corresponding four-color toner supply unit is also installed.

Here, the toner replenishing means is composed of a toner bottle for replenishing toner, a toner hopper for storing a certain amount of toner from the toner bottle in order to prevent the toner concentration from decreasing in the developing device, and the like.

A light emitting portion and a light receiving portion are provided for each of the toner hoppers so as to detect the toner accumulation amount (level).

[0006]

According to the remaining toner amount detection as described above, it is necessary to have the light emitting portions and the light receiving portions which are equal in number to the toner hoppers. A color image forming apparatus using four color toners requires four light emitting units and four light receiving units.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view for schematically explaining the relationship between the toner hopper that contains four color toners and the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion. In FIG. 8, 11 to 14 are light emitting parts for four colors, 21 to 24 are light guiding parts such as optical fibers for guiding the light from the light emitting parts to the toner hopper, and 31 to 34 are toners for accumulating toner of four colors. The hoppers 41 to 44 are light guide portions 51 to 5 for guiding the light passing through the toner hopper to the light receiving portion.
Reference numeral 4 denotes a light receiving unit that detects the light guided by the light guiding units 41 to 44. The light-emitting-side light guide portion and the light-receiving-side light guide portion are arranged at the same toner accumulation level of each toner hopper and at a predetermined toner accumulation level.

In such a structure, control of light emission and recognition of the result of light reception are performed by a control unit (not shown). The toner hopper is controlled to be replenished with toner from the toner bottle until the light from the light emitting unit is blocked in the toner hopper.

As described above, if the number of light emitting parts and light receiving parts is increased, there are problems such as an increase in the number of parts and an increase in cost.
An object of the present invention is to provide a toner remaining amount detecting device capable of reliably detecting the toner remaining amount in a plurality of toner hoppers with a small number of parts.

[0010]

That is, a first invention for solving the above-mentioned problems has a plurality of sets of toner hoppers,
In a toner remaining amount detecting device that includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, and detects the remaining amount of toner in each toner hopper by receiving transmission of light emitted from the light emitting unit at the light receiving unit,
At least one of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit is configured in a number smaller than that of the toner hopper, and the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are provided with a light guiding unit that optically connects the toner receiving unit and the toner hopper. A toner remaining amount detecting device comprising a control unit for driving a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit corresponding to a hopper to optically detect the toner remaining amount.

In such a toner remaining amount detecting device, the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion corresponding to the toner hopper to be detected are driven to detect the toner remaining amount. In this case, at least one of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit is smaller than the number of toner hoppers, so that the number of parts can be reduced.

Further, the same number of light emitting units as the toner hoppers,
It is possible to reduce the number of parts by configuring with a single light receiving part, the same number of light emitting parts from each of the toner hoppers, and a light guide means for optically connecting the single light receiving part from each of the toner hoppers. This is preferable for realizing reliable operation.

In such a toner remaining amount detecting device, the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion corresponding to the toner hopper to be detected are driven to detect the toner remaining amount. In this case, since the number of the light receiving units is smaller than the number of toner hoppers, the number of parts can be reduced.

Further, a single light emitting portion, the same number of light receiving portions as the toner hoppers, a guide for optically connecting the respective toner hoppers from the single light emitting portion and the same number of light receiving portions from the respective toner hoppers. It is preferable to configure the optical means in order to reduce the number of parts and realize a reliable operation.

In such a toner remaining amount detecting device, the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion corresponding to the toner hopper to be detected are driven to detect the toner remaining amount. In this case, since the number of the light emitting units is smaller than the number of toner hoppers, the number of parts can be reduced.

Further, there are four sets of toner hoppers, each of which is provided with a light emitting section and a light receiving section, and the remaining toner amount detected in each toner hopper is detected by receiving transmission of light emitted from the light emitting section at the light receiving section. In the quantity detecting device, three light emitting parts, two light receiving parts, and light guiding means for optically connecting the three light emitting parts and the two light receiving parts with the four toner hoppers are to be detected. And a control unit for driving the light emitting unit corresponding to the toner hopper and the light receiving unit to optically detect the remaining toner amount.
In a toner remaining amount detecting device having four toner hoppers, it is preferable in order to efficiently reduce the number of parts and realize a reliable operation.

In such a toner remaining amount detecting device, the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion corresponding to the toner hopper to be detected are driven to detect the toner remaining amount. In this case, it is possible to reduce the number of parts for both the light emitting section and the light receiving section, and
The optical path length of the light guide means can also be shortened.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a general toner remaining amount detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, four colors (yellow: Y, magenta: M, cyan: C,
A description will be given by taking an example of using a toner hopper that stores a black (Bk) toner.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a CPU which controls each part of the image forming apparatus and also controls the detection of the remaining toner amount. Reference numeral 101 denotes a drive circuit which receives an instruction from the CPU 100 and drives a light emitting unit for detecting the remaining amount of toner. Reference numeral 102 denotes a detection circuit for transmitting a signal from the light receiving unit for detecting the remaining amount of toner to the CPU 100.

That is, the CPU 100, the drive circuit 101, and the detection circuit 102 operate as control means for driving the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion corresponding to the toner hopper to be detected to optically detect the remaining toner amount. In addition, CPU
In the case where 100 has a port that can directly drive (output) the light emitting unit and receive (input) the detection result from the light receiving unit, the drive circuit 101 and the detection circuit 102 may be omitted. It is possible.

Reference numerals 111 to 113 designate light emitting portions for four colors, and 121.
Numerals 124 denote a light guide portion as an optical guide such as an optical fiber for guiding the light from the light emitting portion to the toner hopper, 131
~ 134 is a toner hopper for accumulating four color toners, 1
Reference numerals 41 to 144 denote light guide portions that guide the light passing through the toner hopper to the light receiving portion, and reference numerals 151 to 52 denote light receiving portions that detect the light guided by the light guide portions 141 to 144. The light-emitting-side light guide portion and the light-receiving-side light guide portion are arranged at the same toner accumulation level of each toner hopper and at a predetermined toner accumulation level.

In the structure shown here, three light emitting portions and two light receiving portions are provided for the four toner hoppers 131 to 134. The three light emitting portions and the two light receiving portions are configured such that the light guide portions are branched or combined so that the toner accumulation amounts of the four toner hoppers can be detected. This state is shown in FIG. still,
In addition to the branching and coupling as shown in FIG. 2, it is also possible to bundle two light guide portions having a diameter of half for use.

Also, these four toner hoppers 131
Toner bottle 161 for replenishing toner to
An arrangement including .about.164 is shown in FIG. That is, each toner bottle 161 to 164 is provided with a spiral groove and is fitted in the toner receiving portions 171 to 174 in a rotatable state. Then, by being rotationally driven by a toner bottle rotational driving means (not shown), the toner in the bottle is sent to the toner hopper side. Although this layout diagram schematically shows the arrangement of the toner hopper and the light guide section, in reality, the light guide section is set at a predetermined height on the wall surface of the toner hopper so that the desired toner accumulation amount is obtained. Is provided so that it is embedded.

The operation of such a configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. CPU10
When 0 executes the toner density detection task, it determines which of the four colors the toner remaining amount is to be detected (FIG. 4S).
11, 12, 13, 14).

To detect the remaining amount of yellow toner, first, the density of the developer in the yellow developing device (not shown in FIG. 1) is checked (S21 in FIG. 4). And
The toner bottle 161 is driven to rotate, and the toner hopper 13
Yellow toner is replenished into the inside of 1 (S31 in FIG. 4).

During this toner replenishment process, the drive circuit 101 turns on the light emitting portion 111 as the residual LED 1 by a command from the CPU 100 (S41 in FIG. 4). Therefore, the light guide unit 121 irradiates the inside of the toner hopper 131 with light.

Wait for 10 milliseconds in this lighting state (S51 in FIG. 4), and from the toner hopper 131 to the light guide unit 1.
With respect to the light guided at 41, the light receiving output of the light receiving portion 151 as the residual photo sensor PS1 is detected by the detection circuit 102 (S61 in FIG. 4) and is taken into the CPU 100. Then, the light emission of the light emitting unit 111 is stopped (S71 in FIG. 4).

In such a task, if the required amount of toner is accumulated in the toner hopper 131, the light from the light emitting portion 111 is blocked by the toner and the light receiving portion 15 is blocked.
1 does not detect. On the contrary, if the required amount of toner is not accumulated, the light receiving unit 151 detects light. Therefore, it is determined whether or not to continue the toner replenishment by the rotational driving of the toner bottle 161 according to the detection result of the light receiving unit 151 captured by the CPU 100.

When detecting the remaining amount of magenta toner, first, the density of the developer in the magenta developing device (not shown in FIG. 1) is checked (S22 in FIG. 4).
Then, the toner bottle 162 is rotationally driven to refill the toner hopper 132 with magenta toner (S3 in FIG. 4).
2).

During this toner replenishment process, the drive circuit 101 turns on the light emitting portion 112 as the residual LED 2 in response to a command from the CPU 100 (S42 in FIG. 4). Therefore, the light guide unit 122 irradiates the inside of the toner hopper 132 with light.

Wait for 10 milliseconds in this lighting state (S52 in FIG. 4), and from the toner hopper 132 to the light guide unit 1.
With respect to the light guided at 42, the light receiving output of the light receiving portion 151 as the residual photosensor PS1 is detected by the detection circuit 102 (S62 in FIG. 4) and is taken into the CPU 100. Then, the light emission of the light emitting unit 112 is stopped (S72 in FIG. 4).

In such a task, if the required amount of toner is accumulated in the toner hopper 132, the light from the light emitting section 112 is blocked by the toner and the light receiving section 15 is blocked.
1 does not detect. On the contrary, if the required amount of toner is not accumulated, the light receiving unit 151 detects light. Therefore, it is determined whether or not to continue the toner replenishment by the rotational driving of the toner bottle 162 according to the detection result by the light receiving unit 151 captured by the CPU 100.

When detecting the remaining amount of cyan toner, first, a cyan developing device (not shown in FIG. 1) is used.
The density of the developer inside is checked (FIG. 4 S23). Then, the toner bottle 163 is rotationally driven to supply cyan toner to the toner hopper 133 (FIG. 4 S33).

During the toner replenishing process, the drive circuit 101 turns on the light emitting portion 112 as the residual LED 2 in response to a command from the CPU 100 (S43 in FIG. 4). Therefore, the light guide section 123 irradiates the inside of the toner hopper 133 with light.

Wait for 10 milliseconds in this lighting state (S53 in FIG. 4), and from the toner hopper 133 to the light guide unit 1.
With respect to the light guided by 43, the light receiving output of the light receiving portion 152 as the residual photosensor PS2 is detected by the detection circuit 102 (S63 in FIG. 4) and is taken into the CPU 100. Then, the light emission of the light emitting unit 112 is stopped (S73 in FIG. 4).

In such a task, if the required amount of toner is accumulated in the toner hopper 133, the light from the light emitting portion 112 is blocked by the toner and the light receiving portion 15 is blocked.
2 is not detected. On the contrary, if the required amount of toner is not accumulated, the light receiving unit 152 detects light. Therefore, it is determined whether or not to continue the toner replenishment by the rotational driving of the toner bottle 163 according to the detection result of the light receiving unit 152 captured by the CPU 100.

When the black toner remaining amount is detected, first, the density of the developer in the black developing device (not shown in FIG. 1) is checked (S24 in FIG. 4).
Then, the toner bottle 164 is rotationally driven to supply black toner into the toner hopper 134 (FIG. 4S3).
4).

During the toner replenishing process, the drive circuit 101 turns on the light emitting portion 113 as the residual LED 3 in response to a command from the CPU 100 (S44 in FIG. 4). Therefore, the light guide section 124 irradiates the inside of the toner hopper 134 with light.

Wait for 10 milliseconds in this lighting state (S54 in FIG. 4), and from the toner hopper 134 to the light guide unit 1.
With respect to the light guided at 44, the light receiving output of the light receiving portion 152 as the residual photosensor PS2 is detected by the detection circuit 102 (S64 in FIG. 4) and is taken into the CPU 100. Then, the light emission of the light emitting unit 113 is stopped (S74 in FIG. 4).

In such a task, if the required amount of toner is accumulated in the toner hopper 134, the light from the light emitting section 113 is blocked by the toner and the light receiving section 15 is blocked.
2 is not detected. On the contrary, if the required amount of toner is not accumulated, the light receiving unit 152 detects light. Therefore, it is determined whether or not to continue the toner replenishment by the rotational driving of the toner bottle 164 according to the detection result of the light receiving unit 152 captured by the CPU 100.

In the above structure, the three light emitting parts 111 are provided for the four toner hoppers 131 to 134.
˜113 and the two light receiving units 151 and 152, the number of light emitting units and light receiving units can be reduced. Further, even when the number of light emitting units and light receiving units is reduced, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are used for the adjacent toner hoppers. Instead, it can be in a short state. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the same accuracy as the conventional device.

The shape of the toner bottle and the mechanism for replenishing the toner may be other than those shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows another example of the relationship between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. In the configuration shown here, one light emitting unit 111 and four light receiving units 151 to 154 are provided for the four toner hoppers 131 to 134.

The light guide section on the light emitting section side is divided into four branches so that one light emitting section and four light receiving sections can detect the toner accumulation amounts of the four toner hoppers. In addition to the branch as shown in FIG.
It is also possible to bundle four small-diameter light guide portions in the vicinity of 1. In addition, since the light from one light emitting unit is used after being branched into four, each of the light receiving units 151 to 154 is used.
It is necessary to configure so that the light emitting unit 111 can output a sufficient amount of light that can be detected in the above.

Therefore, in the configuration of FIG. 5, it is possible to reduce the number of light emitting parts, and it is possible to reliably detect the remaining amount of toner in a plurality of toner hoppers with a small number of parts. The device can be realized.

FIG. 6 shows still another example of the relationship between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion. In the configuration shown here, the four light emitting units 11 are provided for the four toner hoppers 131 to 134.
1-114 and one light receiving portion 151 are provided.

The four light-emitting portions and the one light-receiving portion are configured so that the four light-guiding portions on the light-receiving portion side are combined into one so that the toner accumulation amounts of the four toner hoppers can be detected. Has been done. In addition to the combination shown in FIG. 6,
It is also possible to bundle and use four thin light guide parts near the light emitting part 151.

Therefore, in the configuration of FIG. 6, the number of light receiving portions can be reduced, and the remaining toner amount can be reliably detected in a plurality of toner hoppers with a small number of parts. The device can be realized.

FIG. 7 shows still another example of the relationship between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion. In the configuration shown here, two light emitting units 111 are provided for the four toner hoppers 131 to 134.
˜112 and two light receiving units 151 to 152 are provided.

Two light emitting portions and two light receiving portions are provided so that two light emitting portions and one light guiding portion are provided so that the toner accumulation amounts of the four toner hoppers can be detected. It is configured to bind to a book. still,
In addition to the connection as shown in FIG. 7, it is also possible to bundle two thin light guide portions for use.

Further, in the light emitting section and the light receiving section, one element is in charge of two toner hoppers, but it is necessary to arrange them so that they do not form the same combination. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, Y-M, C-
In the case of the combination of Bk, Y-B
A combination such as k, MC is prepared.

By doing so, it becomes possible to surely detect the remaining amount of toner in the desired toner hopper by using any combination of the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion. less than,
The combination of the light emitting part and the light receiving part to be used and the toner hopper detected by the light emitting part is shown. Light emitting portion 111-light receiving portion 151-toner hopper 121 Light emitting portion 111-light receiving portion 152-toner hopper 122 Light emitting portion 112-light receiving portion 152-toner hopper 123 Light emitting portion 112-light receiving portion 151-toner hopper 124 Therefore, in FIG. In the configuration, it is possible to reduce both the number of light emitting units and the number of light receiving units, and it is possible to realize a toner remaining amount detecting device that can reliably detect the remaining amount of toner in a plurality of toner hoppers with a small number of parts.

As described above, by reducing the number of light emitting units and light receiving units, a toner remaining amount detecting device capable of reliably detecting the toner remaining amount in a plurality of toner hoppers with a small number of parts is provided. This is feasible, and there are several patterns in the reduced number of light emitting units and light receiving units. In the case of using the above-mentioned four toner hoppers, the number of the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion is three, that is, 3: 2, 1: 4, 4: 1, and 2: 2, but various modifications other than this are also possible. It is possible. For example, the number of light emitting units and light receiving units is 2: 3 or the like. Furthermore, as the number of toner hoppers increases, more patterns are possible.

As described above, there are several combinations of the numbers of the light emitting portions and the light receiving portions. Considering the number of each of them and the length of the light guiding means, etc., a combination suitable for the device is selected. It is possible to decide.

In general, in consideration of the fact that the unit price of the light receiving part is higher than that of the light emitting part, and the accuracy decreases as the optical path length becomes longer, the inventor confirmed by experiments in each of the above patterns. However, when four toner hoppers were used, the most satisfactory result in terms of cost and detection accuracy was obtained in the combination of three light emitting parts and two light receiving parts.

[0055]

As described in detail above, a plurality of sets of toner hoppers are provided, a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion are provided, and the remaining amount of toner in each toner hopper is transmitted to the light receiving portion through transmission of light emitted from the light emitting portion. In the remaining toner amount detection device for detecting by receiving at, at least one of the light emitting portion or the light receiving portion is configured with a smaller number than the toner hopper, and each light emitting portion and each light receiving portion and each toner hopper are optically The invention of a toner remaining amount detecting device including a light guide unit connected to a light emitting unit and a control unit for driving a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit corresponding to a toner hopper to be detected to optically detect the toner remaining amount. According to this, it is possible to reliably detect the remaining amount of toner in the plurality of toner hoppers with a small number of parts in the light emitting unit or the light receiving unit.

There are several combinations of the numbers of the light emitting parts and the light receiving parts, and the combination suitable for the device should be determined in consideration of the number of each of the light emitting parts and the length of the light guiding means. Is possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a toner remaining amount detection device according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a relationship between a toner hopper and a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit in an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a layout diagram schematically showing a layout including a toner bottle in relation to a toner hopper and a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit in an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing another example of the relationship between the toner hopper and the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing still another example of the relationship between the toner hopper and the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing still another example of the relationship between the toner hopper and the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit in the example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a relationship between a toner hopper and a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit in a conventional device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 CPU 101 Drive circuit 102 Detection circuit 111-114 Light emitting part 121-124 Light guide part (light emitting part side) 131-134 Toner hopper 141-144 Light guide part (light receiving part side) 151-154 Light receiving part

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A toner residue, which has a plurality of sets of toner hoppers, includes a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion, and detects the remaining amount of toner in each toner hopper by receiving the transmission of light emitted from the light emitting portion at the light receiving portion. In the quantity detecting device, at least one of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit is configured in a smaller number than the toner hopper, and the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are provided to optically connect the light receiving units and the toner hoppers. A toner remaining amount detecting device comprising a control means for driving a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion corresponding to a toner hopper to be detected to optically detect the toner remaining amount. 2. The same number of light emitting sections as the toner hoppers, a single light receiving section, a guide for optically connecting the same number of light emitting sections from each of the toner hoppers and the single light receiving section of each of the toner hoppers. The toner remaining amount detecting device according to claim 1, further comprising: a light unit. 3. A single light emitting part, the same number of light receiving parts as the toner hoppers, a guide for optically connecting the respective toner hoppers from the single light emitting part and the same number of light receiving parts from the respective toner hoppers. The toner remaining amount detecting device according to claim 1, further comprising: a light unit. 4. A toner residual amount, which has four sets of toner hoppers, is provided with a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion, and detects the remaining amount of toner in each toner hopper by receiving transmission of light emitted from the light emitting portion at the light receiving portion. In the quantity detecting device, three light emitting parts, two light receiving parts, light guiding means for optically connecting the three light emitting parts and the two light receiving parts and the four toner hoppers, A toner remaining amount detecting device, comprising: a control unit that drives a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit corresponding to the toner hopper to optically detect the toner remaining amount.