JPH11143200A - Developer replenishing device, imaging cartridge adopting same and imaging device, and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an image quality from deterioration, while prolong the life of an imaging cartridge by providing such as the developer replenishing device capable of removing a sealing member between the imaging cartridge and the developer replenishing device, while restraining possibility that the seal is inadvertently taken-up during the custody. SOLUTION: This image forming device is allowed so that a winding shaft 21 of the toner replenishing device and the winding shaft of the imaging cartridge are connected by a gear, and a locking lever 27 prohibiting the gear 22 is provided on the toner replenishing device from being rotated, and moreover the locking lever 27 is released by a rib 48 only when mounting on the imaging cartridge, the seal is made so as possible to be removed. In such a manner, on precluding possibility that the seal is removed at the storing time or the like, the toner can be replenished by mounting the toner replenishing device when the toner in the imaging cartridge is used up.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, which is unitized as an imaging cartridge so that components such as an image carrier can be easily attached and detached. More specifically, a developer replenishing device in which a developer can be replenished by installing a developer replenishing device when the amount of developer in an imaging cartridge is reduced, an imaging cartridge using the same, and The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An electrophotographic image forming apparatus uses a unit as an imaging cartridge which can easily replace a component having a long life such as an image carrier, a container for a developer as a consumable, and the like. There is. In this case, the longer the life of the entire imaging cartridge is, the more convenient it is. Therefore, the life of the image carrier and the like is increased, and the amount of developer contained in the imaging cartridge is increased accordingly. ing. However, when the amount of developer contained is increased, the period during which the developer is agitated in the container becomes longer, and at the end of the life, the developer is deteriorated due to excessive agitation, and the image quality may be deteriorated. Therefore, it is conceivable that the developer can be supplied to the imaging cartridge. In this case, however, it is necessary to prevent the developer from scattering around when supplying the developer.

[0003] As a conventional example which can meet such a demand,
JP-A-61-117170, for example. In these, as shown in FIG. 10, a toner cartridge 93 is used in which a toner as a developer is packed in a supply container 91 having one opening, and the opening is closed with a seal 92 that can be wound up by a shaft 94. A similar opening is also provided in the toner container of the developing device to which this is attached, and the opening is closed with a seal. When the amount of toner decreases, a toner cartridge 93 is attached and the seal is wound up (FIG. 1).
1), and the toner is replenished. 6
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-110954 describes an advanced form thereof. That is, a mechanism is disclosed in which the driving force from the image forming apparatus main body side is transmitted to the toner cartridge to take up the seal.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems. That is, in the former case, the winding of the seal is performed by attaching a handle for rotating the shaft 94, but only the seal 92 on the toner cartridge 93 side can be removed by this. For this reason, another operation for removing the seal on the toner container side of the developing device is required, which is complicated. In addition, since it is necessary to keep this handle separately, the handle is easily lost and inconvenient. It is only necessary to keep the handle attached to the shaft 94 at all times, but in this case, the handle may be inadvertently turned during storage, causing the problem that the seal of the opening is broken and the toner inside scatters around. occured. In the latter case, if the structure is such that the take-up shaft does not rotate manually, there is no problem of opening during storage, but in that case, in order to install the toner cartridge and remove the seal, the image device itself must be removed. The side had to be turned on.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. That is, the problem is that when the developer replenishing device is mounted on the imaging cartridge, the developer replenishing device that can remove the seal members of both the imaging cartridge and the developer replenishing device by one operation manually, or during the storage. Provided are a developer replenishing device that does not cause the seal to be wound up carelessly, an imaging cartridge capable of replenishing the developer with the developer replenishing device, and an image forming apparatus using the same. It is in. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to prolong the life of an imaging cartridge while preventing a deterioration in image quality due to excessive stirring of a developer.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, a developer supply device according to the present invention includes a container (first) containing a developer and having an opening (first) formed therein, and the container (1) being closed by opening the opening. A sealing member for sealing the inside of the container (first), a removing means for removing the sealing member to open the opening, and a connecting member for connecting the removing means to the outside ( 1).

The imaging cartridge according to the present invention has an image carrier on which a developer image is formed on its surface, a developer for applying to the image carrier, and an opening (second). The formed container (second), a sealing member (second) for closing the opening to seal the inside of the container, and removing means (second) for removing the sealing member and opening the opening. And a connecting member (second) capable of connecting the removing means to the outside.

In the developer supply device of the present invention, when the removing means (first) is driven, the seal member (first) is removed. As a result, the closed opening (first) is opened, and the developer contained in the container (first) can be supplied to the outside. In the imaging cartridge of the present invention, when the removing means (second) is driven, the seal member (second) is removed. This gives
The hermetically closed opening (second) is opened, so that the developer can be supplied to the container (second) from outside.

Therefore, the developer replenishing device according to the present invention can be mounted on the imaging cartridge according to the present invention. In the mounted state, the opening (first) and the opening (second) face each other. It is preferable that the connecting member (first) and the connecting member (second) are connected to each other. In this case, the developer supply device can be considered as an independent unit that can be mounted on the imaging cartridge. Such a combination of the developer supply device and the imaging cartridge is called an imaging device in the present application. Here, the term “installable” may be such that once installed, it cannot be separated.

In this case, when one of the removing means is driven after the developer replenishing device is mounted on the imaging cartridge, the other removing means is also driven via the connecting member (first and second). . Therefore, the seal member (first) and the seal member (second) are removed by one operation, and the sealing of the opening (first) and the opening (second) is released. At this time, since the opening (first) and the opening (second) face each other, the developer contained in the container (first) can be moved into the container (second). Become. Thus, the developer is supplied from the developer supply device to the imaging cartridge.

Thus, at first, the developer supply device is not mounted on the imaging cartridge, and an image is formed using only the developer in the container (second) of the imaging cartridge, and the developer in the container (second) is formed. When the remaining amount becomes small, the developer supply device is mounted to supply the developer, and the image formation can be continued. In this case, since the developer supplied from the developer supply device does not continue to be stirred over the entire use history of the imaging cartridge, the deterioration of the developer due to excessive stirring in the latter half of the life of the imaging cartridge and, consequently, the image quality Can be prevented from decreasing.

Further, in the developer replenishing device and the imaging cartridge of the present invention, one of the developer replenishing device and the imaging cartridge (either one of them) drives the removing means (first or second). It is preferable to have a driving means. In this case,
If the removing means (first or second) is driven by the driving means after the developer replenishing device is mounted on the imaging cartridge, the other removing means (second or first) is also driven, and both sealing members ( The first and second) will be removed in one operation. Therefore, the developer can be replenished from the developer replenishing device to the imaging cartridge without having to obtain drive from the image forming apparatus main body side using the same. Here, it is preferable that the driving means can be manually operated such as a knob or a handle. Also, the one that is always attached to the developer supply device or the imaging cartridge,
It is convenient without any risk of loss.

In this case, the one of the developer replenishing device and the imaging cartridge (the one having the driving means) normally inhibits the driving of the removing means (first or second). A removal prohibiting means which is released by an external operation, and an operation port which covers the removal prohibiting means and allows operation from the other one (the one without a driving means) of the developer supply device and the imaging cartridge. And the other has prohibition releasing means for releasing the removal prohibiting means,
It is preferable that the removal prohibiting means be released by the prohibition releasing means when the developer supply device is mounted on the imaging cartridge.

In this case, in a normal state, that is, when the developer supply device is not mounted on the imaging cartridge, the removal prohibiting means prohibits the driving of the removing means (first or second). Therefore, the removing means cannot be driven by the driving means. Further, the removal prohibiting means is not accidentally released because it is covered by the cover member. As a result, the seal member (first or second) is removed before mounting, the opening (first or second) is opened, and the inside developer is prevented from scattering and contaminating the surroundings. Then, when the developer replenishing device is mounted on the imaging cartridge, the prohibition release means of the other of the developer replenishing device and the imaging cartridge (the one without the driving means) is operated by one of the developer replenishing device and the imaging cartridge. The removal prohibiting means is released by invading the operation port formed in the cover member of a certain one). For this reason, it is possible to remove the seal member (first and second) by driving the removing means by the driving means.

Alternatively, in the present invention, the developer supply device includes a conductive member covered by the seal member (first), and the imaging cartridge includes an electrode covered by the seal member (second). It is preferred that When the developer replenishing device provided with the conductive member is mounted on the imaging cartridge provided with the electrodes, the electrodes are arranged so as to be in contact with or close to the conductive members. With this configuration, when the developer replenishing device is mounted on the imaging cartridge and the seal members (first and second) are removed, the electrical interaction between the conductive member and the electrode changes. By taking out an appropriate electric signal, a function as a mounting completion sensor can be provided.

In a preferred form of the conductive member and the electrode, two electrodes are provided, and when the seal member (first and second) is removed, both electrodes come into contact with the conductive member. It was done. With this configuration, the completion of the mounting can be detected based on the presence or absence of conduction between the two electrodes.

When such an electrically conductive member and an electrode are provided, an image forming apparatus using this imaging cartridge (and a developer replenishing device) requires an amount of the developer in the container (second). It is preferable to have a first image formation prohibiting unit that prohibits image formation until the developer replenishing device is mounted when the amount becomes less than the predetermined amount. here,
The image forming apparatus in the present application uses an imaging cartridge and includes a paper supply / discharge mechanism, an exposure device, a control system, and the like, and forms an image by transferring an image formed on an image carrier of the imaging cartridge to a recording material. Device. The first image formation inhibiting means is provided in a control system of the image forming apparatus.

With this configuration, an image is formed by mounting the imaging cartridge on the image forming apparatus (the developer replenishing device is not mounted yet), and the amount of the developer in the container (second) is reduced to a predetermined amount. The image formation is prohibited by the first image formation prohibiting means when it falls below the lower limit, so that image formation failure due to a shortage of the developer can be prevented. When the developer supply device is mounted and new developer is supplied, the prohibition by the first image formation prohibiting unit is released, and the image can be formed again.

The above image forming apparatus further includes a second image forming apparatus for prohibiting image forming until the amount of the developer in the container (first) becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount until the imaging cartridge is replaced with a new one. Prohibition means may be provided. If this is provided, the developer is supplied to the imaging cartridge by the developer replenishing device, and the developer is reduced by the subsequent image formation, and when the developer falls below a predetermined amount, the image is prohibited by the second image formation inhibiting means. By inhibiting the formation, it is possible to prevent image formation failure due to a shortage of the developer. Then, when the imaging cartridge is replaced with a new one, the prohibition by the second image formation prohibiting means is released, and the image can be formed again. In an imaging cartridge that has been used for a long period of time so that the developer in both the container (second) and the container (first) is used up, the image carrier and the like often reach the end of their product life. It is better to replace it.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, and an imaging cartridge unitized so that components such as an image carrier can be easily attached and detached.
When the amount of toner in the imaging cartridge decreases, a toner replenishing device that replenishes toner is used.

First, the toner supply device will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a toner replenishing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has an outline of an outer shape including a toner tank 10 and a winding unit 20 provided on one side thereof.

Most of the front surface 11 of the toner tank 10 is covered with a seal 17. On the front surface 11 of the toner tank 10, a quadrangular opening 13 is formed substantially at the center, and a packing 16 of an elastic member is attached around the opening. A metal pad 14 is attached outside the packing 16 and at a position from the winding unit 20. Further, near the left and right ends of the upper side, there are formed bosses 12,12. Of these, opening 1
3, metal pad 14 and winding part 20 of packing 16
The other side is covered with the seal 17. And
The remaining three sides of the packing 16 and the bolts 12, 12 are not covered by the seal 17. A holding portion 15 is formed on the upper portion on the back side of the toner tank 10. The toner tank 10 is hollow, and contains therein a toner as a developer.

The winding section 20 is also hollow inside but does not contain toner. Inside the winding unit 20,
A rotatable winding shaft 21 is provided in the vertical direction.
A gear 22 and a knob 23 are attached to the upper end side of the winding shaft 21, and when the knob 23 is rotated, the winding shaft 21 and the gear 22 rotate together. The knob 23 is provided outside the upper surface of the winding unit 20 so that the user can operate it by hand. That is, the knob 22 is connected to the winding shaft 21.
Is driving means for driving. On the other hand, the gear 22
Is provided inside the winding unit 20 because it is not for manual operation by the user.
A window 25 is formed in the front of the gear 22 from which the gear 22 is inserted.
Is protruding a little outside. Further, a vertically long slit 26 is formed at a position very close to the toner tank 10 on the front surface of the winding unit 20.

One end of the seal 17 is adhered to the winding shaft 21. The other end 17 a side of the seal 17 is exposed outside through the slit 26 and covers most of the front surface 11 of the toner tank 10. More specifically, the seal 17 is folded inward, and the folded portion covers the opening 13 of the toner tank 10. The seal 17 is adhered to four sides of the opening 13, and the opening 13 is sealed. This prevents the toner inside the toner tank 10 from leaking outside. However, sticking of the seal 17 on the four sides of the opening 13 is not so strong.
When the winding shaft 21 is rotated by the operation 3, the seal 17 is easily peeled off and the seal 17 is wound around the winding shaft 21. That is, the winding shaft 21 is a removing unit that removes the seal 17 from the front surface 11 of the toner tank 10. The seal 17 also covers one side of the packing 16 and the metal pad 14 as described above.

The internal mechanism of the winding section 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a view of the winding unit 20 viewed from the direction of the arrow P in FIG. 1 and shows a state in which a part of the outer frame is missing. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the winding unit 20. The inside of the winding unit 20 and the winding shaft 21
A lock lever 27 including a shaft portion 28, a rack portion 29, and an arm portion 30 is provided at a position behind the lock lever 27. The rack portion 29 is formed with teeth. The lock lever 27 is provided to be rotatable about a shaft 28. Further, a leaf spring 33 is provided inside the winding unit 20 so as to hang down from the upper surface. The rear part of the winding unit 20 is covered with a rear cover 31 so that the lock lever 27 is not exposed to the outside. A slit 32 is formed in the rear cover 31 in the vertical direction.

In the winding section 20, in the normal state, as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 3, the arm section 30 is in contact with the inner surface of the rear cover 31 by the bias of the leaf spring 33. In this state, the rack portion 29 is horizontal and the arm portion 30 faces downward. At this time,
The teeth of the rack portion 29 are engaged with the gear 22. Therefore, the gear 22 (and the winding shaft 21 and the knob 23)
Rotation is prohibited. That is, the lock lever 27
Is a removal prohibiting means for prohibiting the driving of the winding shaft 21.

However, the lock lever 27 can rotate about the shaft portion 28 so that the rack portion 29 can jump upward.
2 is released, and the gear 22 and the like can be rotated. Specifically, this occurs when the arm 30 is pressed from the lower left in FIG. However, some member is inserted into the slit 32 from outside and the leaf spring 33 is inserted.
The lock lever 27 does not enter such a state in a normal state unless an operation of pushing the arm unit 30 is performed with a force superior to the urging force. That is, the slit 32 is an operation port that allows the operation of the lock lever 27 from outside.

Next, the imaging cartridge will be described. The imaging cartridge 4 according to the present embodiment has a toner tank 40 as shown in FIG.
And a tray 46 provided in front of the toner tank 40.
The outline of the outer shape is constituted by the collection tank 49 provided above the hopper.

Most of the front surface 41 of the toner tank 40 is covered with a seal 47. On the front surface 41 of the toner tank 40, a quadrangular opening 43 is formed substantially at the center. Further, contact electrodes 44 and 45 that are not electrically connected to each other are attached to a position on the right side of the opening 43 in FIG. Furthermore, dents 42 and 4 are provided near the left and right ends of the upper side.
2 are formed. Of these, the opening 43 and the contact electrodes 44 and 45 are covered with a seal 47. The depressions 42 are not covered with the seal 47.
The toner tank 40 is hollow, and contains therein a toner as a developer.

The tray 46 is provided with the toner replenishing device 1 described above.
It is a part to hold for mounting. This tray 46
At the right end in FIG. 4, a winding unit 50 is provided near the front surface 41 of the toner tank 40. Further, a thin plate-shaped rib 48 is attached in a vertical direction at a position on the back side of the front plate 56 of the tray 46 and facing the winding section 50.

The inside of the winding section 50 is hollow, but does not contain toner. Inside the winding unit 50,
A rotatable winding shaft 51 is provided in the vertical direction.
A gear 52 is mounted on the upper end side of the winding shaft 51 so that the winding shaft 51 and the gear 52 rotate together. However, a knob as in the case of the toner supply device 1 is not provided. The gear 52 is
Although it is not for manual operation by the user, it is provided inside the winding unit 50, but a window 55 is formed on the front surface of the winding unit 50, and the gear 52 protrudes slightly from here. ing. There is a slight gap 57 between the rear part of the winding unit 50 and the front surface 41 of the toner tank 40.

One end of a seal 47 is bonded to the winding shaft 51. The other end 47 a of the seal 47 is exposed to the outside through the gap 57 and is
Covers most of the More specifically, the seal 47 is folded inward, and the folded portion has the opening 4 of the toner tank 40.
3 are covered. The seal 47 is adhered to four sides of the opening 43, and the opening 43 is sealed. This prevents the toner inside the toner tank 40 from leaking outside. However, the sticking of the seal 47 on the four sides of the opening 43 is not so strong, and the winding shaft 5
When the roller 1 is rotated, the seal 47 is easily peeled off and the seal 47 is wound around the winding shaft 51. That is, the winding shaft 51 is a removing unit that removes the seal 47 from the front surface 41 of the toner tank 40. The seal 47
Covers the contact electrodes 44 and 45 as described above.

As described above, the toner supply device 1 can be mounted on the tray 46. When the toner cartridge is mounted, the front surface 11 of the toner tank 10 and the front surface 41 of the toner tank 40 face each other between the toner supply device 1 and the imaging cartridge 4. In this state, the notches 12, 12 of the toner supply device 1 are fitted into the depressions 42, 42 of the imaging cartridge 4. In addition, the opening 13 of the toner tank 10 and the opening 43 of the toner tank 40 are
They face each other with 7, 47 in between. In addition, the metal pad 14
And the contact electrodes 44 and 45 face each other with the seals 17 and 47 interposed therebetween. The gear 22 of the winding unit 20 and the gear 52 of the winding unit 50 mesh with each other. further,
The rib 48 of the tray 46 enters the slit 32 of the rear cover 31 of the winding unit 20 of the toner supply device 1.
For this reason, as shown in FIG. 5, the arm 30 of the lock lever 27 is pushed by the rib 48 in the winding section 20, and the rack 29 jumps upward to release the engagement of the meshing teeth into the gear 22. It is in a state of being left. That is, the rib 48 is a prohibition releasing unit that releases the prohibition of the rotation of the winding shaft 21 by the lock lever 27.

As shown in FIG. 6, a photosensitive drum 60, a developing roller 61, and a cleaning blade 62 are provided at the rear of the imaging cartridge 4 (the side opposite to the tray 46).
And so on. The photoconductor drum 60 is an image carrier on which a toner image to be transferred onto a recording medium (such as printing paper) is formed. The developing roller 61 is provided for the toner tank 4.
Developing means for applying a toner of 0 to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 60 to form a toner image. The cleaning blade 62 is a blade for removing excess residual toner, paper dust, and the like on the photosensitive drum 60. The collection tank 49 is a tank for collecting the residual toner, paper powder, and the like removed from the photosensitive drum 60 by the cleaning blade 62. In the toner tank 40, toner is applied to the developing roller 61.
A feed film 63 for feeding the paper toward the camera is provided rotatably around the axis. Further, a similar feed film 24 is provided inside the toner tank 10 of the toner replenishing device 1 to feed the toner toward the toner tank 40 of the imaging cartridge 4.

An image forming apparatus using the imaging cartridge 4 and the toner replenishing device 1 includes a known paper feeding / discharging mechanism, an exposure device, and the like.
This is an apparatus for forming an image by transferring the toner formed on the photosensitive drum 60 to a recording medium. The control system will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, the control system includes a control unit 64, a display input unit 68, a sensor group 69, and a drive system 7.
It is roughly divided into 0.

The control unit 64 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus.
It has a U65, a known ROM 66 for storing programs and data necessary for arithmetic processing, and a known RAM 67 for temporarily storing various numerical values for arithmetic processing. R
The AM 67 is provided with various flags and counters. As one of the flags provided in the RAM 67,
There is a print permission flag. The print permission flag is a flag for controlling whether or not the image forming operation is possible. When the value is "0", the image forming operation is prohibited, and when the value is "1", the image forming operation is permitted.

The display input section 68 is a section for displaying the operation status of the image forming apparatus to the user and for inputting various condition settings and operation commands by the user.

The sensor group 69 is a variety of sensors having a function of detecting the state of each part of the image forming apparatus and informing the control unit 64 of the state. The sensor group 69 includes a cartridge sensor for detecting whether the imaging cartridge 4 is mounted and a toner amount sensor for detecting whether the remaining amount of toner in the toner tank 40 of the imaging cartridge 4 is equal to or more than a predetermined lower limit. And a replenishing device sensor for detecting whether or not the mounting of the toner replenishing device 1 to the imaging cartridge 4 is completed. The replenishing device sensor detects the completion of the attachment of the toner replenishing device 1 based on the presence or absence of conduction between the contact electrodes 44 and 45 of the imaging cartridge 4 as described later.

The drive system 70 includes an exposure system 71 and a photosensitive drum 60 of an imaging cartridge 4 (indicated as “IC” in FIG. 7, and also in FIGS. 8 and 9).
Or an actuator of each section such as the paper supply / discharge system 72.

Next, the operation will be described. When the imaging cartridge 4 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body, an image can be formed. Here, until the toner amount in the toner tank 40 falls below the predetermined lower limit amount, image formation can be performed without attaching the toner replenishing device 1 to the imaging cartridge 4.

First, the operation of the imaging cartridge 4 will be described. When performing image formation, the photosensitive drum 6
While rotating at a predetermined rotational speed, the image forming apparatus receives a process such as charging or exposure from the image forming apparatus main body side, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface thereof. Further, toner is applied to the electrostatic latent image by the developing roller 61 to form a toner image. This toner image is transferred onto a recording medium fed by the image forming apparatus main body side in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 60, and is further fixed to form an image. Here, as the feed film 63 rotates around the axis in the toner tank 40, the toner in the toner tank 40 is sent out toward the developing roller 61 while being stirred. This operation is performed under the control of the control unit 64.

If the amount of toner in the toner tank 40 is reduced by consumption and falls below a predetermined lower limit, the amount of toner becomes insufficient and the image quality deteriorates. Therefore, the toner replenishing device 1 is attached to the imaging cartridge 4.
Will be attached. In this mounting, the toner supply device 1 is attached to the front surface 11 of the imaging cartridge 4.
It is placed on the tray 46 while facing the front surface 41 of the device, and the holding portions 15 are pressed downward to set the bosses 12 and 12 in the depressions 42 and 42. At this time, the opening 13 of the toner tank 10 and the opening 43 of the toner tank 40 face each other with the seals 17 and 47 therebetween. Further, the metal pad 14 and the contact electrodes 44 and 45 face each other with the seals 17 and 47 therebetween. Then, the gear 22 of the winding unit 20 and the gear 52 of the winding unit 50 mesh with each other. Further, the rib 48 of the tray 46 is connected to the winding section 20 of the toner replenishing device 1.
Into the slit 32 of the rear cover 31, the arm 30 of the lock lever 27 is pushed by the rib 48 in the winding section 20, and the rack 29 jumps upward, so that the meshing teeth engage with the gear 22. It is released. Thereby, the winding shaft 21 can be rotated.

Then, the winding section 2 of the toner supply device 1
When the user manually turns the knob 23 at 0, the winding shaft 21
And the gear 22 rotates around the axis. At this time, gear 2
2 and the gear 52 mesh with each other, so that the winding shaft 21
Rotation of the winding unit 50 of the imaging cartridge 4
The gear 52 and the take-up shaft 51 rotate around the shaft. The rotation of the winding shafts 21 and 51 causes the seals 17 and 47 to be wound. For this reason, the portions of the seals 17 and 47 covering the front faces 11 and 41 are pulled, and the adhesive is peeled off, and the front faces 11 and 4 are removed.
Removed from 1. Thereby, the opening 13 of the toner tank 10 and the opening 43 of the toner tank 40 communicate with each other, and the toner can be moved from the toner tank 10 to the toner tank 40.
The removal of the seals 17 and 47 by operating the knob 23 can be performed regardless of whether the power of the image forming apparatus main body is turned on or not. At this time, the opening 1
By the packing 16 provided around the toner container 3, the movement path of the toner from the toner tank 10 to the toner tank 40 is shut off from the outside. Therefore, the moving toner does not spill outside.

When the seals 17 and 47 are removed, the contact electrodes 44 and 45 both come into contact with the metal pad 14. For this reason, the contact electrodes 44 and 45, which were not conductive until then, become conductive by removing the seals 17 and 47. As a result, the replenishing device sensor detects that the toner replenishing device 1
Detects completion of installation.

When the attachment of the toner replenishing device 1 to the imaging cartridge 4 is completed, the above-described image forming operation can be performed again. In the image forming operation in this case, the feed film 63 of the toner tank 40 and the feed film 24 of the toner tank 10 are both rotated around their axes, so that the toner in the toner tank 10 is sent out toward the developing roller 61 while stirring. ing. At this time, the toner supplied from the toner tank 10 is not agitated from when the imaging cartridge 4 is attached to the image forming apparatus to when the toner replenishing apparatus 1 is attached. For this reason,
The quality of the toner replenished from the toner tank 10 does not deteriorate due to excessive stirring. Therefore, even when image formation is performed by attaching the developer supply device 1, an image of the same quality as before attachment can be formed.

Next, the control unit 6 for controlling the image forming operation described above.
The control flow of No. 4 will be described with reference to a flowchart.
The main routine of the control unit 64 is as shown in the flowchart of FIG. This routine is started when the power of the image forming apparatus is turned on. First, predetermined initial settings (including self-diagnosis of each unit) are performed (S1), and a timer is started (S2). Then, the state of the imaging cartridge 4 is detected (S3). What is performed here is to check whether the imaging cartridge 4 or the toner replenishing device 1 is attached, whether or not the remaining amount of toner is equal to or more than a predetermined lower limit, and check the RAM 6 based on the result of the check.
7 is to determine the value of the print permission flag, that is, to determine whether or not to form an image. The process of S3 is executed as a subroutine. The details will be described later with reference to FIG.

Subsequently, an image forming process is performed (S4). That is, in S3, if the image formation is “OK” and an image formation command is input, the image formation processing is performed. If the image formation is determined to be "No" in S3, or if no image formation instruction is input, the image formation processing is not performed. Next, post-processing is performed (S5). Its main contents are:
For example, a recovery process is performed when an error occurs. When this is completed, the timer is checked (S6), and if it is up (S6: Yes), the process returns to S2 and the process is performed again. The processing from S2 to S6 is repeated with a cycle time of about 10 msec. The above is the main routine.

Next, the contents of the state detection processing of the imaging cartridge 4 in S3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(S301) First, it is confirmed whether or not the imaging cartridge 4 is attached to the image forming apparatus. This confirmation is performed by a detection signal of a cartridge sensor which is one of the sensor groups 69. When the imaging cartridge 4 is attached (Yes)
Proceed to S302, if not attached (N
In o), the process proceeds to S307.

(S302, S303) If the imaging cartridge 4 is mounted, it is confirmed whether or not the toner cartridge is empty (S30).
2). This confirmation is performed by a detection signal of a toner amount sensor which is one of the sensor groups 69. If the remaining amount of toner in the toner tank 40 is equal to or more than a predetermined lower limit amount, it is determined that the toner is not empty (No), and the toner amount falls below the lower limit amount. If so, it is determined that the toner is empty (Yes). If the toner is not empty (No), the process proceeds to S303, where "1" is set in the print permission flag. That is, since there is a sufficient amount of toner remaining, image formation is determined to be "OK". If it is toner empty (Yes), S304
Proceed to.

(S304) If the toner is empty, it is confirmed whether or not the toner replenishing device 1 is attached to the imaging cartridge 4. This confirmation is performed by a detection signal of a replenishing device sensor which is one of the sensor groups 69. Specifically, if there is conduction between the contact electrodes 44 and 45 of the imaging cartridge 4, it is determined that the connection is made (Yes), and if there is no conduction, it is not attached (No). That is, the seal 17
And 47 are removed, and only when the toner replenishing device 1 is completely mounted on the imaging cartridge 4.
It is said that it is attached. If the toner replenishing device 1 is attached (Yes), the process proceeds to S305, and if it is not attached (No), the process proceeds to S306.

(S305, S306) Toner supply device 1
If is installed, a message prompting to replace the imaging cartridge 4 with a new one is displayed (S305). This message is displayed on the display input section 68.
Is displayed. In this case, the toner tanks 40 and 1
This is because the toner of 0 is used up, and the photosensitive drum 60 of the imaging cartridge 4 and the like are used for a considerably long time, and it is considered that the product life has already been reached. On the other hand, when the toner replenishing device 1 is not attached, a message prompting to set the toner replenishing device 1 in the imaging cartridge 4 is displayed (S306). This message is also displayed by the display input unit 68. In this case, the toner in the toner tank 40 has been used up, but the toner in the toner tank 10 has not been used yet, and if toner is supplied by the toner supply device 1, image formation is possible.

(S307) If the imaging cartridge 4 is not attached in S301, a message prompting the user to attach the imaging cartridge 4 to the image forming apparatus main body is displayed. This message also
Displayed by the display input unit 68.

(S308) When any of the messages from S305 to S307 is displayed, "0" is set to the print permission flag. That is, since the remaining amount of the toner is insufficient or the imaging cartridge 4 itself is not attached, the image formation is determined as “No”.

When the print permission flag is set in any of S303 and S308, the process returns to the main routine of FIG. 8, and the processing following the image forming processing in S4 is performed. That is, when “1” is set in S303, if there is an image forming command, the image forming process is performed in S4. But S
If “0” is set in 308, the image forming process is not performed even if there is an image forming command, unless the print permission flag is changed.

When the image forming apparatus having the above control flow is actually used, the following phenomenon occurs. First, in a state where the imaging cartridge 4 is not mounted,
In S301 of the flow of FIG. 9, No is determined, and a message prompting to attach the imaging cartridge 4 is displayed in S307. In step S308, “0” is set in the print permission flag. Therefore, no image formation is performed as it is. Then, when a new imaging cartridge 4 is mounted, Ye
s and No in S302,
At 303, "1" is set to the print permission flag.
Therefore, if there is an image formation command, the image formation can be performed.

The toner is consumed by repeating the image formation.
If the remaining amount of toner is lower than the lower limit value, it is determined as Yes in S302. At this point, the toner replenishing device 1 is still in use.
Is not attached, it is determined No in S304. Therefore, a message prompting to set the toner supply device 1 is displayed in S306, and “0” is set in the print permission flag in S308. For this reason, image formation cannot be performed. When the toner replenishing device 1 is mounted, new toner is replenished, so that the determination in S302 is No, and the print permission flag is set to "1" in S303.
Is set to return to a state where image formation is possible. For this reason, image formation can be continued with high-quality toner that is not over-stirred. That is, when the remaining amount of toner in the toner tank 40 of the imaging cartridge 4 falls below the lower limit, image formation is prohibited until the toner supply device 1 is set.

When the image formation is further repeated and the toner is consumed, and the remaining amount of toner is lower than the lower limit, S30 is performed.
The judgment of 2 is again Yes. Since the toner replenishing device 1 is attached at this time, the determination is Yes in S304. Therefore, a message prompting the user to replace the imaging cartridge 4 with a new one is displayed in S305, and the print permission flag is set to “0” in S308.
Is set, image formation cannot be performed. Therefore, when the used imaging cartridge 4 is removed, the determination in S301 changes to No, and the message also changes to a message prompting the user to mount the imaging cartridge 4. Then, if a new imaging cartridge 4 is attached, the image can be formed again. That is, when the remaining amount of toner in the toner tank 10 of the toner supply device 1 falls below the lower limit, image formation is prohibited until the imaging cartridge 4 is replaced with a new one.

As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the gear 2 is mounted on the winding shaft 21 of the toner replenishing device 1.
2 is provided, and a gear 52 is also provided on a take-up shaft 51 of the imaging cartridge 4.
And the gear 52 are engaged with each other, so that one operation of turning the knob 23 of the toner replenishing device 1 allows the seal 17 of both the toner replenishing device 1 and the imaging cartridge 4 to be sealed.
And 47 can be eliminated. This operation is possible irrespective of whether the power of the image forming apparatus main body is turned on or not. Since the knob 23 is always attached, the knob 23 is convenient without being lost during storage.

The winding shaft 21 of the toner supply device 1
A lock lever 27 is provided at a position rearward of the gear so that the meshing teeth of the rack portion 29 mesh with the gear 22, and the lock lever 27 is urged to a meshing state by a leaf spring 33. I covered this,
Unless a member is intentionally inserted from the outside into the slit 32 of the rear cover 31 and the arm portion 30 of the lock lever 27 is pressed by a force superior to the bias of the leaf spring 33, the storage of the toner supply device 1 is performed. The seal 17 is removed inside so that the toner inside does not spill out. Since the imaging cartridge 4 is not provided with a knob on the take-up shaft 51, the seal 47 is removed before the toner replenishing device 1 is attached, and the toner does not squirt out from the inside.

When a rib 48 is provided on the tray 46 of the imaging cartridge 4 and the toner supply device 1 is attached, the rib 48 enters the slit 32 of the rear cover 31 to release the lock lever 27.
When attached, the knobs 23 can be operated without any trouble to remove the seals 17 and 47. Also,
Since the packing 16 is provided around the opening 13 of the toner tank 10 of the toner replenishing device 1, the toner replenishing device 1 is attached to the imaging cartridge 4 and the seals 17 and 47 are removed from the toner reservoir 10 to the toner reservoir 40. Is blocked from the outside to prevent toner from spilling out of the path.

Thus, the imaging cartridge 4 and the toner replenishing device 1 can be provided independently, and a combination thereof can be provided as an imaging device. As a result, in the early stage of use, only the imaging cartridge 4 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body and used for image formation.
When the amount of toner decreases, the toner supply device 1 is attached to supply toner, so that image formation can be continued with high-quality toner that has not deteriorated due to excessive stirring.

Further, a metal pad 14 covered with a seal 17 is provided on the toner replenishing device 1, and the contact electrode 4 covered with a seal 47 is provided on the imaging cartridge 4.
4 and 45, the metal pad 14 and the contact electrodes 44 and 45 are disposed so as to face each other with the seals 17 and 47 interposed therebetween when the toner supply device 1 is attached to the imaging cartridge 4, and the seals 17 and 47 are removed. Since the contact electrodes 44 and 45 are made conductive through the metal pad 14 when the operation is performed, the attachment of the toner replenishing device 1 to the imaging cartridge 4 is completed depending on the presence or absence of conduction between the contact electrodes 44 and 45. Can be detected.

In an image forming apparatus using these, if the remaining amount of toner is below a predetermined lower limit, image formation is prohibited, and if the toner replenishing device 1 is not mounted, it is mounted. When the image formation is performed without attaching the toner replenishing device 1 to the imaging cartridge 4 and the amount of remaining toner falls below the lower limit, the attachment of the toner replenishing device 1 is completed. An image forming apparatus has been provided in which image formation is prohibited until the image forming operation is completed, thereby preventing image formation failure due to toner shortage.

When image formation is prohibited because the remaining amount of toner falls below a predetermined lower limit, if the toner replenishing device 1 is attached, a message prompting the user to replace the imaging cartridge 4 with a new one is displayed. Therefore, the toner supply device 1
If the remaining amount of toner falls below the lower limit amount while the image forming apparatus is mounted, the image forming is prohibited until the imaging cartridge 4 is replaced with a new one. There is provided an image forming apparatus in which a defect is prevented.

The present embodiment is merely an example, and does not limit the present invention. Therefore, naturally, the present invention can be variously modified and modified without departing from the gist thereof.

For example, in this embodiment, the toner tank 10
Although the openings 13 and 47 of and 40 are provided substantially at the center of the front surfaces 11 and 41, the openings 13 and 47 are not limited to the vicinity of the center and may be provided at offset positions. Also, the shape is not limited to the quadrilateral shape, and may be another shape. Seals 17 and 4
The knob 23 for performing the removing operation of the cartridge 7 and the lock lever 27 for inhibiting the drive thereof are provided on the toner supply device 1 and the rib 48 for releasing the lock lever 27 is provided on the imaging cartridge 4. Good. That is, the knob and the lock lever may be provided on the imaging cartridge 4, and the equivalent of the rib may be provided on the toner supply device 1. Similarly, packing 16
May be provided in the imaging cartridge 4 instead of in the toner replenishing device 1 or in both.

The gears 22 and 52 for transmitting the drive between the toner replenishing device 1 and the imaging cartridge 4 may be replaced by another drive transmission means such as a roller. Among them, the gear 22 does not need to be provided coaxially with the knob 23, and some kind of drive transmission means may be interposed. Further, this drive may be guided to the developing roller 61 to adjust the bias voltage for development. This is because when the toner supply device 1 is attached, the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive drum 60 is considerably thinner than when it is new, and it is considered that the appropriate value of the bias voltage has also changed. Alternatively, this driving may be guided to cleaning means provided in various devices (charging, developing, transferring, etc.) around the photosensitive drum 60, and the cleaning may be performed simultaneously. Further, in the present embodiment, the toner supply to the imaging cartridge 4 by the toner supply device 1 is performed only once. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the toner can be supplied two or more times.

Further, the toner empty check for prohibiting the image forming operation (S302) is performed not by detecting the remaining amount of toner itself but by counting the cumulative number of image forming operations and determining that the toner has reached the predetermined number. It may be determined to be empty. In that case, the counter should be reset when the imaging cartridge 4 is replaced. Alternatively, the toner remaining may be used together with the cumulative number of image formations to determine that the toner is empty, whichever is earlier. The confirmation of the toner empty may be replaced with the confirmation of the presence or absence of the imaging cartridge 4. The message display (S305, S306, S307) when the image forming operation is prohibited is not performed in the subroutine of FIG. 9, but an appropriate flag is set in the subroutine and the process returns to the main routine (FIG. 8). The display may be executed from.

[0070]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, when the developer supply device is mounted on the imaging cartridge, the imaging cartridge and the developer can be easily and manually operated by one operation without contaminating the surroundings. A developer replenishing device and an imaging cartridge are provided which can remove both seal members of the replenishing device and can prevent the seal from being taken up carelessly during storage. As a result, a developer replenishing device, an imaging cartridge, and an image forming apparatus using the same, which can extend the life of an imaging cartridge while preventing deterioration in image quality due to excessive stirring of the developer, are provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a toner supply device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the inside of the toner supply device of FIG. 1 with a part cut away.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the inside of the toner supply device of FIG. 1 (locked state).

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a main part of the imaging cartridge according to the embodiment.

5 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the toner supply device of FIG. 1 (unlocked state).

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the inside of the toner supply device of FIG. 1 and the imaging cartridge of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a main routine in the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine for detecting a state of an imaging cartridge.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a conventional developer supply device (before winding a seal).

FIG. 11 is a view showing a conventional developer supply device (after winding up a seal).

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Toner supply device 4 Imaging cartridge 10, 40 Toner tank 13, 43 Opening 14 Metal pad 17, 47 Seal 21, 51 Take-up shaft 22, 52 Gear 23 Knob 27 Lock lever 44, 45 Contact electrode 48 Rib 64 Control part

Claims (12)

[Claims] A container (1) containing a developer and having an opening (1) formed therein, a sealing member (1) for closing the opening and sealing the inside of the container, A developer replenishing apparatus comprising: a removing means (first) for removing a seal member to open the opening, and a connecting member (first) capable of connecting the removing means to the outside. . 2. An image carrier having a surface on which a developer image is formed, and a container (2) containing a developer to be applied to the image carrier and having an opening (2) formed therein. A sealing member (second) for closing the opening to seal the inside of the container; a removing means (second) for removing the sealing member to open the opening; and removing the removing means to the outside. A connection member (second) that can be connected to the imaging cartridge. 3. The developer replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein the developer replenishing device can be mounted on the imaging cartridge according to claim 2, and in the mounted state, the opening (first) is connected to the imaging cartridge. The developer replenishing device, wherein the opening (second) faces and the connecting member (first) is connected to the connecting member (second). 4. The imaging cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the developer replenishing device according to claim 1 can be mounted, and in the mounted state, the opening (first) and the opening are provided. An imaging cartridge, wherein a part (second) faces each other, and the connecting member (first) and the connecting member (second) are connected. 5. A container (1) containing a developer and having an opening (1) formed therein, a sealing member (1) for closing the opening and sealing the inside of the container, A developer replenishing device including a removing means (first) for removing a seal member to open the opening, an image carrier having a surface on which a developer image is formed, and a developer provided on the image carrier. A container (second) having an opening (second) formed while supplying a developer to the developing unit, and a sealing member for closing the opening to seal the inside of the container ( (2) an imaging cartridge having a removing means (second) for removing the seal member and opening the opening, wherein the developer replenishing device can be attached to the imaging cartridge. While wearing the body, The imaging apparatus, wherein the opening (first) and the opening (second) face each other, and the removing means (first) and the removing means (second) are connected. 6. An imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein one of said developer replenishing device and said imaging cartridge has a driving means for driving said removing means (first or second). An imaging device characterized by the following. 7. An imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said one of said first means inhibits driving of said removing means (first or second) in a normal state and is removed by an external operation. Prohibition means, and a cover member which covers the removal prohibition means and has an operation port formed therein for permitting operation from the other of the developer replenishing device and the imaging cartridge, and the other is provided with the removal prohibition means. An imaging apparatus, comprising: a prohibition canceling unit for canceling the removal, and wherein the prohibition canceling unit cancels the removal prohibition unit when the developer supply device is mounted on the imaging cartridge. 8. The developer replenishing device according to claim 1, further comprising a conductive member covered by said seal member. 9. An imaging cartridge according to claim 2, further comprising an electrode covered by said seal member. 10. The imaging cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the developer replenishing device according to claim 8 can be mounted, and in the mounted state, the opening (first) and the opening are provided. A second portion facing the first electrode, the electrode is in contact with or close to the conductive member, and the electrode is provided with the developer supply device and is provided with the seal member (first) and the seal member (second). A developer replenishing device that functions as a mounting completion sensor that detects that the toner has been removed. 11. An image forming apparatus for forming an image by transferring an image on the image carrier to a recording material using the imaging cartridge according to claim 10, wherein an amount of the developer in the container (second) is set. An image forming apparatus comprising: a first image forming inhibiting unit for inhibiting image forming until the developer replenishing device is mounted when the value is less than a predetermined amount. 12. An image forming apparatus for forming an image by transferring an image on the image carrier to a recording material using the imaging cartridge according to claim 4, wherein an amount of the developer in the container (first) is set. An image forming apparatus comprising: a second image forming prohibiting unit for prohibiting image forming until the imaging cartridge is replaced with a new one when the value is less than a predetermined amount.