JPH10319695A - Developer replenishing device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely discriminate that developer is deplated in the inside of a developer replenishing container at the time of replenishing the developer by displaying the replenishment end of the developer at the time of detecting that the developer in the inside of the projecting part of the developer replenishing container is depleted by a developer detecting means. SOLUTION: A discriminating means 16 discriminating the existence of toner at the inside of a toner cartridge 7 based on whether a photodetector 14 receives light or not is connected to the photodetector 14. A control part 17 to display that toner replenishment is completed on the display 19 of a device main body 1 when the discriminating means 16 discriminates that the toner is depleted is connected to the discriminating means 16. When the photodetector 14 receives the light at the time of replenishing the toner, the discriminating means 16 discriminates that a device is in a state where the toner in the inside of the toner cartridge 7 is depleted. Then, the display meaning the completion of the toner replenishment is made on the display 19 of the device main body 1, and a user detaches the toner cartridge 7 after viewing the display.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to, for example, a developer replenishing apparatus provided in an electrophotographic copying machine for replenishing a developing unit with toner and an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an electrophotographic copying machine, a developing device supplies toner to a latent image formed on a photoreceptor to visualize the latent image and transfers the visualized image to paper. When the amount of toner in the developing device becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount and reaches the replenishment level, the detection sensor detects this and notifies the user.

[0003] In response to this notification, the user mounts the toner cartridge on the machine body to supply toner. The toner cartridge needs to be removed after the toner inside the cartridge is completely replenished. If the toner is removed while remaining in the toner cartridge, the toner spills and is wasted, and the surroundings are soiled. Therefore, the toner cartridge is formed of a translucent or transparent material so that the toner inside the toner cartridge can be seen.

[0004]

However, since the toner is a powder, the toner adheres to the inner surface of the toner cartridge, and the remaining amount of the toner cannot be visually confirmed from the outside. Further, the bottle type toner cartridge has a drawback that the toner is apt to be clogged at the outlet portion because the area of the toner outlet is narrowed in order to increase the capacity of the toner cartridge.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
An object of the present invention is to provide a developer replenishing device and an image forming apparatus capable of reliably determining that the developer in a developer replenishing container has run out when replenishing the developer.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a developer supply container connected to a developing device for replenishing a developer, and a developer supply container connected to the developing device. A projecting portion formed in a concave shape on the inner wall surface on the lower side and projecting to the outside, developer detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of developer in the projecting portion of the developer supply container, and the developer detecting means; And a display unit for displaying the end of the supply of the developer when it is detected that the developer has been exhausted in the projecting portion of the developer supply container.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a developer is connected to a developing device to replenish the developer, and a developer replenishing container made of a material having optical transparency and a lower portion of the developer replenishing container are provided. A protruding portion formed in a concave shape on the inner peripheral wall surface and protruding to the outside, developer detecting means for optically detecting the presence or absence of the developer in the protruding portion, and the developer detecting means for the developer supply container And displaying means for displaying the end of replenishment when it is detected that the developer has run out in the protruding portion.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a supply port located at the lower end is connected to the developing device to supply the developer, and the diameter of the developer gradually decreases from an intermediate portion toward the supply port. A developer supply container having a light-transmitting property, and a protruding portion which is formed in a concave shape on an inner peripheral wall located below a portion where the diameter of the developer supply container starts to decrease and protrudes to the outside. Developer detecting means for optically detecting the presence or absence of the developer in the projecting portion; and replenishing is terminated when the developer detecting means detects that the developer has disappeared in the projecting portion of the developer supply container. And display means for displaying

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a supply port located at a lower end portion is connected to the developing device to supply the developer, and the diameter is gradually reduced from an intermediate portion toward the supply port. A developer supply container having a light-transmitting property, and a concave shape is formed on an inner peripheral wall located at a lower side from a portion where the diameter of the developer supply container starts to decrease, and protrudes outside,
A projection whose inner bottom surface is inclined at a gentler angle than the inclination angle of the portion where the developer supply container gradually decreases in diameter, and a developer detection unit that optically detects the presence or absence of the developer in the projection, When the developer detecting means detects that the developer has run out in the projecting portion of the developer supply container, the developer detecting means includes a display means for displaying the end of replenishment.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus main body accommodating a developing device for supplying a developer to a development target portion, an opening provided in the apparatus main body and facing the developing device, and an opening provided in the apparatus main body. A developer replenishing container connected to the developing device for replenishing the developer, an opening / closing member for opening and closing the opening, and provided on the opening / closing member to detect presence / absence of the developer in the developer replenishing container. And a display unit for displaying the end of replenishment when the developer detection unit detects that the developer has been exhausted in the developer replenishment container.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus main body accommodating a developing device for supplying a developer to a portion to be developed, an opening provided in the apparatus main body and facing the developing device; A developer supply container connected to the developing device for supplying the developer, a projection formed in a concave shape on an inner peripheral wall surface on a lower side of the developer supply container and projecting to the outside,
An opening / closing member that opens and closes the opening, and a developer detecting unit that is provided on the opening / closing member and detects the presence or absence of the developer in the protruding portion to detect the presence or absence of the developer in the developer supply container. Display means for displaying the end of replenishing when the developer detecting means detects that the developer has been exhausted in the developer replenishing container.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus main body accommodating a developing device for supplying a developer to a developing portion, an opening provided in the apparatus main body and facing the developing device, The developer supply container is connected to the developing device through a developer supply container, and is formed in a concave shape on an inner peripheral wall surface on a lower side of the developer supply container made of a material having a light transmitting property. A projecting portion projecting to the outside, an opening / closing member for opening and closing the opening, and a developer detecting means provided on the opening / closing member for optically detecting the presence or absence of the developer in the projecting portion of the developer supply container. Display means for displaying the end of replenishment when the developer detection means detects that the developer has run out in the protruding portion of the developer supply container,
A cleaning unit provided in the apparatus main body and cleaning the developer detecting unit in accordance with the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing member.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus body for accommodating a developing device for supplying a developer to a portion to be developed, an opening provided in the apparatus body and facing the developing device, The developer is supplied by connecting a replenishing port located at the lower end to the developing device through the developer.The diameter gradually decreases from the middle to the replenishing port to form a bottle. A developer replenishing container having: a protruding portion formed in a concave shape on an inner peripheral wall located below a portion where the diameter of the developer replenishing container starts to be reduced and protruding to the outside; Developer detecting means for optically detecting the presence or absence of the developer, and display means for displaying the end of replenishment when the developer detecting means detects that the developer has run out in the projecting portion of the developer replenishing container, Opening / closing of the opening / closing member provided in the apparatus main body Comprising a cleaning means for cleaning the developer detecting means with the work.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus main body accommodating a developing device for supplying a developer to a portion to be developed, an opening provided in the apparatus main body and facing the developing device; The developer is supplied by connecting a replenishing port located at the lower end to the developing device through the developer.The diameter gradually decreases from the middle to the replenishing port to form a bottle. A developer supply container having the developer supply container, a concave shape formed on an inner peripheral wall located below a portion where the diameter of the developer supply container starts to decrease, and protruding to the outside; A projecting portion that is inclined at a gentler angle than the inclination angle of the portion where the diameter gradually decreases, developer detecting means for optically detecting the presence or absence of developer in the projecting portion, and the developer detecting means The developer has run out of the protruding part of the supply container When detecting, a display means for displaying the replenishment completion, provided in the apparatus main body, comprising a cleaning means for cleaning the developer detecting means in accordance with the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing member.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus main body accommodating a developing device for supplying a developer to a development target portion, an opening provided in the apparatus main body and facing the developing device, and an opening formed therein. A developer replenishing container connected to the developing device via a replenisher, for replenishing developer, and an opening and closing member for opening and closing the opening,
A developer detecting means provided on the opening and closing member for detecting the presence or absence of the developer in the developer supply container; and when the developer detection means detects that the developer is no longer present in the developer supply container. Display means for displaying the end of replenishment, and cleaning means provided on the apparatus main body and cleaning the developer detecting means in accordance with the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing member.

According to the present invention, when the developer is supplied, the presence or absence of the developer in the developer supply container is detected by the developer detecting means,
When the developer detecting means detects that the developer has been exhausted in the developer supply container, the display means displays the completion of the supply so that the user may accidentally remove the developer supply container during toner supply. Try not to be.

Further, by providing a developer detecting means on an opening / closing member of the apparatus main body, and providing a cleaning means for cleaning the developer detecting means with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing member on the apparatus main body closed by the opening / closing member. Even if the developer detecting means is soiled during the replenishing operation of the developer, the stain can be removed.

Further, when the developer detecting means is not used, the developer detecting means is covered with an opening / closing member so that the developer detecting means can be prevented from being stained when not used.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the electrophotographic copying machine. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an apparatus main body. On the upper surface of the apparatus main body 1, a document cover 2 for opening and closing a document table on which a document is placed is provided, and various buttons such as a setting button for setting the number of copies and a copy start bonder are provided. An operation panel 3 on which the operation buttons are arranged, and a disc play 19 as display means for displaying characters for urging toner replenishment are provided. Further, an opening 5 that is opened and closed by an opening / closing lid 4 as an opening / closing member is provided on one side of the upper surface of the apparatus main body 1.

A photosensitive member (not shown) for carrying an electrostatic latent image corresponding to a document image is provided inside the apparatus main body, and toner is supplied to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member to supply toner. A developing device 8 (shown in FIG. 2) for forming an image is provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the opening 5 of the apparatus main body 1 is opposed to the upper surface of the developing device 8, and when toner is supplied,
A bottle-shaped toner cartridge 7 as a developer supply container is inserted into the opening 5.
Are connected to the developing device 8.

When the toner in the developing unit 8 is used and the amount of the toner drops below a predetermined amount, the toner is detected by a toner density detector (not shown). In response to this detection, an instruction to prompt toner supply is displayed on the display 19 of the apparatus main body 1 in characters. After seeing this instruction, the user opens the opening / closing lid 4 of the apparatus main body 1 to open the opening 5, inserts the toner cartridge 7 from the opening 5, connects to the developing device 8, and supplies toner. . At this time, in order to completely replenish the toner in the toner cartridge 7, the user strikes the toner cartridge 7 to apply vibration and drop the toner cartridge 7 into the developing device 8.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the toner cartridge 7. The toner cartridge 7 has an inner diameter dimension A, and is formed in a bottle shape by forming a squeezed portion 7a whose diameter gradually decreases from the middle to the lower end side, and a supply port 7b having an inner diameter dimension B at the lower end. Are formed.

FIG. 3 shows the throttle section 7a of the toner cartridge 7.
FIG. 4 is a side sectional view thereof, and FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view thereof. The protruding portion 10 is formed to protrude outward from the inner peripheral wall surface of the throttle portion 7a of the toner cartridge 7 in a concave shape. The protrusion 10 is inserted into a concave light transmission type detection sensor 12 as a developer detection unit. The light transmission type detection sensor 12 includes a light emitting element 13 that emits light and a light receiving element 14 that receives light emitted from the light emitting element 13.

The light receiving element 14 is connected to a determination means 16 for determining the presence or absence of toner in the toner cartridge 7 based on the presence or absence of light reception of the light receiving element 14. Determination means 1
A control unit 17 is connected to the controller 6 for displaying when the discrimination means 16 determines that there is no toner on the disc play 19 of the apparatus main body 1 to indicate that toner supply has been completed.

When the light receiving element 14 receives light during toner replenishment, the discriminating means 16
It is determined that there is no toner inside. At this time, it is displayed on the display 19 of the apparatus main body 1 that the toner supply has been completed, and the user sees this and removes the toner cartridge 7.

Therefore, there is no residual toner in the removed toner cartridge 7, so that the toner does not run out and is wasted, and the surroundings are not stained. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the shape of the protrusion 10 of the toner cartridge 7.

In order to leave the toner t inside the protrusion 10 to the end, the protrusion 10 is
a of the projection 10 is smaller than the angle E of the diaphragm 7a. Further, the portion 10a of the projecting portion 10 through which light is transmitted is provided above the lower end D of the diaphragm portion 7a.

Due to this shape, when the toner t is clogged in the squeezing portion 7a, the toner t always remains in the projecting portion 10, and when the toner t is dropped by applying vibration, the toner The toner t remains in the section 10. That is, when the toner t has run out in the protruding portion 10, the toner t in the toner cartridge 7 is completely out.

It should be noted that since the light transmission type detection sensor 12 needs to transmit and detect the light even when the toner t adheres to the inner surface of the toner cartridge 7, it is necessary to use a high luminance type sensor.

FIG. 7 shows the mounting structure of the light transmission type detection sensor 12 described above. Light transmission type detection sensor 12
Is mounted on the inner surface side of the opening / closing door 4 of the apparatus main body 1 which is opened when toner is supplied. When the toner cartridge 7 is inserted into the opening 5 and attached to the developing device 8, the protrusion 10 of the toner cartridge 7 is inserted into the concave light transmitting detection sensor 12. I have.

As shown in FIG. 8, a recess 21 is provided in the upper surface of the apparatus main body 1 adjacent to the opening 5, and a central portion in the recess 21 is a felt as a cleaning means. Cleaning pad 22 is provided.

When the door 4 is opened and closed, the cleaning pad 22 is inserted and removed between the light emitting element 13 and the light receiving element 14 of the detection sensor 12 to clean the detection surface.

Thus, even if the detection portion of the sensor 12 is soiled with toner during the toner replenishing operation, the stain can be cleaned, and when not in use, the detection sensor 12 is covered by the opening / closing door 4. The dirt can be prevented.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the developer is supplied, the presence or absence of the developer in the developer supply container is detected by the developer detection means. When it is detected that the developer has run out, the display means displays the end of replenishment, so that the user does not mistakenly remove the developer replenishment container during replenishment, the developer is spilled and wasted, It doesn't get dirty.

In addition, the opening and closing member of the apparatus main body is provided with developer detecting means, and the apparatus body closed by the opening and closing member is provided with cleaning means for cleaning the developer detecting means with the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing member. Even if the developer detecting means becomes dirty during the replenishment operation, the stain can be removed. Further, when the developer detecting means is not used, the developer detecting means is covered by the opening / closing member, so that the developer detecting means can be prevented from being stained when not used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an electrophotographic apparatus and a toner supply cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the toner cartridge.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a protrusion of the toner cartridge and a remaining toner detector for detecting the remaining amount of toner.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a protrusion of a toner cartridge and a toner remaining amount detector for detecting the remaining amount of toner.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a protrusion of the toner cartridge and a toner remaining amount detector for detecting a remaining amount of toner in the protrusion.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a protrusion of the toner cartridge.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a toner remaining amount detector attached to an opening / closing door of the apparatus main body and a cleaning pad thereof.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a cleaning pad is fitted into the toner remaining amount detector.

[Explanation of symbols]

 t: toner (developer) 1: apparatus main body 4: open / close door (open / close member) 5: opening 7: toner cartridge (developer supply container) 8: developing device 12: light transmission type detection sensor (developer detection means) 19: display (display means) 22: cleaning pad (cleaning means)

Claims (10)

[Claims] A developer supply container connected to a developing device for supplying a developer; a projection formed in a concave shape on an inner peripheral wall surface on a lower side of the developer supply container and projecting outside; Developer detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the developer in the projecting portion of the developer supply container; and when the developer detecting means detects that the developer has disappeared in the projecting portion of the developer replenishing container, Display means for displaying the end of replenishment. 2. A developer replenishing container connected to a developing device for replenishing a developer, the developer replenishing container being made of a material having a light transmitting property, and a concaved inner wall surface on a lower side of the developer replenishing container. A projecting portion formed outside and projecting to the outside; developer detecting means for optically detecting the presence or absence of the developer in the projecting portion; and a developer detecting means for detecting the presence of the developer in the projecting portion of the developer supply container. Display means for displaying when replenishment is completed, when the replenishment is completed, and a display means for displaying the end of replenishment. 3. A developer supply is provided by connecting a supply port located at a lower end portion to the developing device. The developer gradually decreases in diameter from an intermediate portion toward the supply port to form a bottle. A projecting portion formed in a recessed shape on an inner peripheral wall located below a portion where the diameter of the developer replenishing container starts to decrease and projecting to the outside; Developer detecting means for optically detecting the presence or absence of the developer, and display means for displaying the end of replenishment when the developer detecting means detects that the developer has run out in the projecting portion of the developer replenishing container. A developer replenishing device, comprising: 4. A developer supply is provided by connecting a supply port located at a lower end portion to the developing device. The developer gradually decreases in diameter from an intermediate portion toward the supply port to form a bottle. A developer supply container having a concave shape formed on an inner peripheral wall located below a portion where the diameter of the developer supply container starts to decrease, and protruding to the outside, and the inner bottom surface of the developer supply container A projecting portion that is inclined at a gentler angle than the angle of inclination of the portion where the diameter of the container is gradually reduced; developer detecting means for optically detecting the presence or absence of developer in the projecting portion; And a display means for displaying the end of replenishment when it is detected that the developer has run out of the protruding portion of the developer supply container. 5. An apparatus main body for accommodating a developing device for supplying a developer to a developing portion; an opening provided in the apparatus main body, facing the developing device; A developer supply container that is connected to supply the developer, an opening / closing member that opens and closes the opening, and a developer detection unit that is provided on the opening / closing member and that detects the presence or absence of the developer in the developer supply container. An image forming apparatus comprising: a display unit that displays the end of replenishment when the developer detection unit detects that the developer has been exhausted in the developer supply container. 6. An apparatus main body accommodating a developing device for supplying a developer to a development target portion, an opening provided in the apparatus main body, facing the developing device, and the developing device provided through the opening. A developer supply container connected to the developer supply container for supplying the developer; a projection formed in a concave shape on an inner peripheral wall surface on a lower side of the developer supply container and projecting to the outside; an opening / closing member for opening and closing the opening A developer detecting means provided on the opening / closing member for detecting the presence or absence of a developer in the projecting portion to detect the presence or absence of a developer in the developer supply container; and An image forming apparatus, comprising: display means for displaying completion of replenishment when it is detected that the developer has been exhausted in the developer replenishment container. 7. An apparatus main body for accommodating a developing device for supplying a developer to a development target portion, an opening provided in the apparatus main body, facing the developing device, and the developing device provided through the opening. The developer supply container is connected to the developer supply container. The developer supply container is made of a material having a light transmitting property. The developer supply container is formed in a concave shape on an inner peripheral wall surface on a lower side of the developer supply container and protrudes outside. A projecting portion, an opening / closing member for opening and closing the opening, a developer detecting means provided on the opening / closing member, and optically detecting the presence or absence of a developer in the projecting portion of the developer supply container; Display means for displaying the completion of replenishment when the means detects that the developer has run out in the protruding portion of the developer replenishment container; provided on the apparatus main body; Clean the developer detection means An image forming apparatus comprising: a cleaning unit that performs cleaning. 8. An apparatus main body for accommodating a developing device for supplying a developer to a developing portion, an opening provided in the apparatus main body, facing the developing device, and the developing device provided through the opening. A developer supply container is connected to a supply port located at the lower end to supply the developer, and has a bottle-like shape in which the diameter is gradually reduced from the middle to the supply port, and a developer supply container having a light transmitting property. A projecting portion which is formed in a concave shape on the inner peripheral wall located below the portion where the diameter of the developer supply container starts to be reduced and projects outside, and the presence or absence of the developer in the projecting portion is optically determined. A developer detecting means for detecting when the developer detecting means detects that there is no more developer in the projecting portion of the developer replenishing container. , According to the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing member. An image forming apparatus characterized by comprising a cleaning unit, a cleaning the agent detection means. 9. An apparatus main body for accommodating a developing device for supplying a developer to a development target portion, an opening provided in the apparatus main body, facing the developing device, and the developing device through the opening. A developer supply container is connected to a supply port located at the lower end to supply the developer, and has a bottle-like shape in which the diameter is gradually reduced from the middle to the supply port, and a developer supply container having a light transmitting property. However, the developer supply container is formed in a concave shape on the inner peripheral wall located below the portion where the diameter of the developer supply container starts to decrease and protrudes to the outside, and the inner bottom surface gradually decreases the diameter of the developer supply container. A projecting portion that is inclined at a gentler angle than the inclination angle of the portion; a developer detecting unit that optically detects the presence or absence of a developer in the projecting portion; and a developer detecting unit that is inside the projecting portion of the developer supply container. When it detects that the developer has run out, Display means for displaying the termination, provided in the apparatus main body, an image forming apparatus characterized by comprising a cleaning means for cleaning the developer detecting means in accordance with the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing member. 10. An apparatus main body for accommodating a developing device for supplying a developer to a development target portion, an opening provided in the apparatus main body, facing the developing device, and an opening formed in the developing device through the opening. A developer supply container that is connected to supply the developer, an opening / closing member that opens and closes the opening, and a developer detection unit that is provided on the opening / closing member and that detects the presence or absence of the developer in the developer supply container. When the developer detecting means detects that the developer has been exhausted in the developer replenishing container, a display means for displaying the completion of replenishment is provided on the apparatus main body, and in accordance with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing member. An image forming apparatus comprising: a cleaning unit that cleans the developer detection unit.