JPH11219081A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a device which eliminates the need to frequently take recovered toner out of a cleaner even when a cleaner is made small-sized by providing a connecting member for toner conveyance having an upper connection hole connected to a recovered toner outflow hole while the cleaner has moved into a normal use state. SOLUTION: The connecting member 71 for toner conveyance has a lower connection hole and the upper connection hole 76a. The lower connection hole of the connecting member 71 is normally connected to a recovered toner inflow hole. When the cleaner 39 has moved to its normal use position, the upper connection hole 76a of the connecting member 71 is connected to the recovered toner outflow hole. Therefore, toner flowing out of the recovered toner outflow hole of the cleaner 39 while the cleaner 39 has moved to the normally use position flows in the recovered toner inflow hole of a recovered toner conveyance device through the upper connection hole 76a and lower connection hole of the connecting member 71.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copier, a laser printer, and other electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, and more particularly, to a rotatable moving member such as a toner image carrier or a sheet conveying belt supported by a vertically moving member. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a toner attaching member and a cleaner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The following technique (J01) is known as an image forming apparatus in which a rotating paper transport belt (toner image attaching member) is moved upward during maintenance. (J01) Technology described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-171248 This publication describes a movable table that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body, and a belt module supported on the movable table. The belt module includes a belt support frame rotatably supported by the movable table and a paper transport belt rotatably supported by the belt support frame.

[0003]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
Problem 1) When a belt cleaning cleaner is provided to clean the paper transport belt,
Since the cleaner needs to be fixed in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the paper transport belt, it is often fixed to the belt support frame. The maintenance work is performed while the belt support frame is rotated upward with respect to the movable table during maintenance such as belt replacement.

When a paper transport belt and a belt cleaner are supported by the belt support frame, a belt module including the belt support frame, the paper transport belt, the cleaner, and the like is configured to be heavy and large. Is desirable. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the size of the cleaner and the space for accommodating the toner collected by the cleaner. However, when the cleaner is configured in a small size, the space for storing the collected toner becomes narrower. Therefore, it is necessary to take out and dispose of the collected toner before the collected toner fills the toner storage space. Is troublesome.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has the following (O0
The contents described in 1) shall be the subject. (O01) In an image forming apparatus provided with a vertically moving member that supports a rotating toner adhering member and a cleaner that collects toner adhering to the surface thereof, even if the cleaner is configured to be small, the toner collected from the cleaner can be used. Eliminate the need for frequent removal operations.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems Next, the present invention which has solved the above-mentioned problems will be described. Elements of the present invention include elements of the embodiments to facilitate correspondence with the elements of the embodiments described later. Are added as if they were enclosed in parentheses. The reason why the present invention is described in correspondence with the reference numerals of the embodiments described below is to facilitate understanding of the present invention and not to limit the scope of the present invention to the embodiments.

(1st invention) In order to solve the aforementioned problem,
The image forming apparatus according to the first invention of the present application has the following requirements. (A01) A recovery toner inlet (94)
a) and a collected toner transport cylinder (95) having a collected toner outlet (89) formed at a position distant from the collected toner inlet (94a); and a collected toner inlet (94).
(A02) a collected toner conveying device (81 to 97) having a toner conveying member (96) for conveying the collected toner flowing into the collected toner conveying cylinder (95) from the a) to the collected toner discharge port (89); A) a toner adhering member (B) for adhering toner to a surface that rotates and a cleaner (39) for collecting toner on the surface of the toner adhering member (B);
7) a vertically movable member (28) movably supported between a normal use position approaching to the maintenance work position and an upwardly distant maintenance work position, and (A03) in contact with the surface of the toner adhering member (B). A cleaning member (61 + 62) for separating and collecting the toner on the surface of the toner adhering member (B); a cleaner container (56) for storing the cleaning member (61 + 62) and the collected toner; and a cleaner container (56). When the toner is formed and moved to the normal use position, the collected toner outlet (59a) connected to the collected toner inlet (94a), and the toner collected in the cleaner container (56) is collected by the collected toner outlet. (59a) a toner discharge member (63) to be discharged from
(A04) The cleaner (3) having an outlet shutter (66) urged to open and close and always close the collected toner outlet (59a).
9) an outlet shutter opening operation for moving the outlet shutter (66) to the open position when approaching the collected toner conveying device (81 to 97) when the unit moves from the maintenance work position to the normal use position. Member (74),
(A05) Collected toner storage device (101 + 102) for storing toner discharged from the collected toner discharge port (89)
+ V).

The connection between the collected toner outlet (59a) of the cleaner (39) and the collected toner inlet (94a) of the collected toner conveying device (81-97) may be a direct connection or another connection. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which the connection is made indirectly via the member (71).

(Operation of the First Invention) In the image forming apparatus according to the first invention of the present application having the above-described configuration, the toner adhering member (B) and the toner adhering member (B) on which the toner adheres to the rotating surface. Cleaner that collects toner on the surface (3
The vertically moving member (28) supporting the item (9) is movable between a normal use position close to the collected toner conveying device (81-97) and a maintenance work position separated upward. When the vertically moving member (28) and the cleaner (39) supported by it move to the upper maintenance work position, the collected toner outlet (59a) formed in the cleaner container (56) of the cleaner (39). )
The outlet shutter (66) urged in the always closing direction moves to the closed position. The outlet shutter opening operating member (74) is provided with the outlet shutter when the cleaner (39) approaches the collected toner conveying device (81-97) when moving from the maintenance work position to the normal use position. (66) is moved to the open position. When the cleaner container (56) has moved to the normal use position, the collected toner outlet (59a) is connected to the collected toner inlet (94a). At the normal use position, the cleaning member (61 + 62) comes into contact with the surface of the toner adhering member (B) to peel off and collect the toner on the surface of the toner adhering member (B). The collected toner is stored in a cleaner container (56). The toner discharging member (63) discharges the toner collected in the cleaner container (56) from the collected toner outlet (59a). The toner discharged from the collected toner outlet (59a) is collected by a collected toner inlet (94a) provided in a collected toner conveying cylinder (95) of the collected toner conveying device (81-97).
Flows into. The toner conveying member (96) conveys the collected toner flowing into the collected toner conveying cylinder (95) to the collected toner discharge port (89). The toner discharged from the recovered toner discharge port (89) is stored in a recovered toner storage device (101 + 102 + V).

[0010]

(Embodiment 1) An embodiment 1 of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that in the present invention, the following requirements are satisfied. (A06) The recovered toner inflow port (94a) and a toner transport connection member () having an upper connection port (76a) connected to the collected toner outlet (59a) when the cleaner (39) is moved to the normal use position. 71),

(Operation of the First Embodiment) In the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configuration, the lower connection port of the toner conveying connection member (71) is connected to the recovered toner inflow port (94a). Always connect to. The cleaner (3)
9) is moved to the normal use position, the upper connection port (76a) of the toner conveying connection member (71) is connected to the collected toner outlet port (59a). Therefore, with the cleaner (39) moved to the normal use position, the toner that has flowed out of the collected toner outlet (59a) of the cleaner (39) flows to the upper connection port (76a) of the toner transport connection member (71). ) And the lower connection port, and flows into the recovered toner inlet (94a) of the recovered toner conveying device (81-97).

(Second Embodiment of the Invention) An image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention corresponds to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Characterized by having the following requirements:
07) An elastic member (79) that absorbs an impact force applied to the toner conveying connecting member (71) by the cleaner (39) that has moved from the upper maintenance operation position to the normal operation position.

(Operation of the Second Embodiment) In the second embodiment of the present invention having the above-described structure, the elastic member (79) moves down from the upper maintenance work position to the normal work position and moves to the cleaner (39). ) Absorbs the impact force acting on the toner conveying connection member (71). Further, the elastic member (79) is vertically displaced between the collected toner outlet (59a) of the cleaner container (56) and the collected toner inlet (94a) of the collected toner transport cylinder (95) at the normal use position. Can be absorbed.

(Embodiment 3) In Embodiment 3 of the present invention, the following requirement (A08) is satisfied.
(A08) The image forming apparatus main body that supports the collected toner storage device (101 + 102 + V), (A09) The collected toner conveying device (81-97), and the vertical moving member. (28) and an operating member (74) for opening the outlet shutter, between a mounting position attached to the image forming apparatus main body and a detached position pulled out from the image forming apparatus main body to the outside. Movable carriage (27), (A010) Automatically connected when the carriage (27) moves to the mounting position and automatically when the carriage (27) leaves the mounting position. The collected toner discharge port (8
9) and the collected toner storage device (101 + 102 +
V).

(Operation of the Third Embodiment) In the third embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configuration, the main body of the image forming apparatus includes the collected toner storage device (101 + 102 +
V). The movable table (27) movable between a mounting position mounted on the image forming apparatus main body and a detached position drawn out of the image forming apparatus main body is the collected toner transporting device (81-97). , The vertically moving member (28) and the outlet shutter opening operating member (7).
Support 4). The collected toner discharge port (89) and the collected toner storage device (101 + 102 + V) are automatically connected when the movable table (27) moves to the mounting position, and the movable table (27) is connected to the mounting position. Automatically leave when leaving. Therefore, simply moving the movable table (27) between the mounting position and the detached position causes the toner transported by the collected toner transport devices (81 to 97) supported by the movable table (27) to move to the aforementioned toner. It can be stored in the collected toner storage device (101 + 102 + V) supported by the image forming apparatus main body. A collected toner storage device (101+
102 + V) is supported by the image forming apparatus main body, so that a sufficient toner accommodating space can be easily secured. The toner collected in the cleaner container (56) does not stay and stays in the collected toner storage device (101 + 10).
2 + V), the toner container volume of the cleaner container (56) can be reduced. Further, it is not necessary to secure a space for accommodating the collected toner in the moving table (27).

(Embodiment 4) An image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention corresponds to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
Wherein (A011) the collected toner discharge port (89) and the collected toner discharge port (89) are connected when the collected toner storage device (101 + 102 + V) is connected. ) Is automatically opened and the shutter (92) for automatically closing the collected toner outlet (89) when the collected toner outlet (89) and the collected toner container (101 + 102 + V) are separated. .

(Effect of the Fourth Embodiment) In the fourth embodiment of the present invention having the above-described structure, the outlet shutter (92)
Automatically open the collected toner discharge port (89) when the collected toner discharge port (89) and the collected toner storage device (101 + 102 + V) are connected, and When the collected toner storage device (101 + 102 + V) is separated, the collected toner discharge port (89) is automatically closed. Therefore,
When the movable table (27) moves from the mounting position to the detached position, the collected toner discharge port (89) of the collected toner conveying device (81 to 97) supported by the movable table (27)
When the user separates from the collected toner storage device supported by the image forming apparatus main body, it is closed by the discharge port shutter (92). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the toner from being discharged from the collected toner discharge port (89).

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, with reference to the drawings, an embodiment (that is, an embodiment) of a copying machine as an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described, but the present invention is limited to the following embodiments. Not something. In order to facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction, and arrows X, -X,
The directions or sides indicated by Y, -Y, Z, and -Z are front, rear, left, right, upper, lower, or front, rear, left, right, upper, and lower, respectively. Also, in the figure, those with “•” in “○” mean arrows pointing from the back of the paper to the front, and those with “x” in “○” indicate the arrow on the paper. From the back to the back.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus (tandem-type digital color copying machine) according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and shows a state in which a belt module is at a raised position (used position). FIG. FIG. 2 is an image forming apparatus (tandem digital color copying machine) according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an overall explanatory view of a state in which the belt module is at a lowered position (non-use position). FIG.
FIG. A tandem digital color copier U as an image forming apparatus has a UI (user interface) having a copy start key, a numeric keypad, a copy number input key, a paper type input key, a display unit, and the like at an upper part.
And a transparent platen glass 1 on which a document is placed.

An exposure scanning optical system 2 is arranged below the platen glass 1. The exposure scanning optical system 2 has a document illumination unit 3 that scans while illuminating the document on the platen glass 1. Document image light emitted from the illumination light source 4 of the document illumination unit 3 and reflected by the document 1 is reflected by the first mirror 5 and then reflected by the second mirror 7 and the third mirror 8 of the mirror unit 6. Further, the light passes through the imaging lens 9 and is read as red (R), green (G), and blue (B) analog signals by a CCD (color image reading sensor).

The R (red), G (green), and B (blue) image signals read by the CCD are converted by an IPS (image processing system) controlled by a controller C.
Is input to IPS is the value of R,
Image read data output means 11 for converting analog electric signals of G and B read images into digital signals and outputting the digital signals, and converting the RGB image data into K (black), Y (yellow), M
(Magenta) and C (cyan) image data, and has image data output means 12 for performing data processing such as density correction and enlargement / reduction correction, and outputting as write image data (laser drive data). ing. The image data output means 12 has an image memory 13 for temporarily storing the KYMC image data.

The IPS write image data output means 12
Output the KYMC four-color image writing data (laser drive data) output by the laser drive signal output devices 14k, 14y, 14m, and 14c of the respective colors K, Y, M, and C. Is input to The laser drive signal output devices 14k, 14y, 14m, and 14c for each color are
At a predetermined timing, a laser drive signal corresponding to the input image data is transmitted at a predetermined timing to the latent image writing devices ROSk, ROSy,
Output to ROSm and ROSc.

The image carriers 16k, 16y, 16m, and 16c are uniformly charged by respective chargers 17k, 17y, 17m, and 17c, and then the image writing areas Q1k, Q1y, Q1m, and Q are written.
1c, the latent image writing devices ROSk, ROSy, RO
Sm, ROSc output laser beams Lk, Ly, Lm,
Lc forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface. The electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of the image carriers 16k, 16y, 16m, and 16c are developed in the developing regions 18k, 16y, 16m, and 16c by developing units 18k,
The toner images are developed by 18y, 18m and 18c. The developed toner images are developed areas Q2k, Q2y, Q2m,
Pretranscriptional corotrons 19k, 19y, 19 downstream of Q2c
m, 19c, the charge amounts are made uniform, and then the primary transfer units T1k, T1y, T1 in the primary transfer areas Q3k, Q3y, Q3m, Q3c.
The image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt (toner attaching member) B by m and T1c. After transferring the toner images to the intermediate transfer belt B, the residual toner on the surfaces of the image carriers 16k, 16y, 16m, and 16c is removed by the pre-cleaning corotrons 21k, 21y, and 2c.
1m, 21c, and the image carrier cleaners 22k, 22c
Removed at y, 22m, 22c.

Next, the image carriers 16k, 16y, 16
The belt module housed in the belt module housing space of the image forming apparatus main body formed below m, 16c will be described. (Belt Module) In FIGS. 1 to 3, a moving table 27 (indicated by a two-dot chain line) is slidably supported in the image forming apparatus main body by slide rails 26 for the moving table. A belt module (vertical moving member) 28 is supported on the movable table 27 so as to be able to move up and down.
In FIG. 1, the belt module 28 is held at the raised position, and in FIG. 2, it is held at the lowered position. Such a configuration for moving the movable table 27 back and forth and a configuration for moving the belt module 28 up and down are conventionally known (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-171248), and various conventionally known configurations may be employed. It is possible.

The belt module 28 includes a belt support including an intermediate transfer belt B, a belt drive roll 29 for rotatably supporting the intermediate transfer belt B, a tension roll 30, a plurality of idler rolls 31, and an inner roll 32 for secondary transfer. It is rotatably supported by rolls 29 to 32. A secondary transfer outer roll 33 is disposed so as to face the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B that is in contact with the secondary transfer inner roll 32, and is disposed in a region where the intermediate transfer belt B and the secondary transfer outer roll 33 face each other. Is formed with a secondary transfer area Q4. The secondary transfer roll 34 is formed by the secondary transfer inner roll 32 and the secondary transfer outer roll 33.
Is configured.

The secondary transfer outer roll 33 is rotatably supported by a swing arm 35 swingable about a swing shaft 35a. The swing arm 35 is always held at a position separated from the secondary transfer inner roll 32 by a tension spring 36, and only when the solenoid 37 is operated,
It is configured to move to a position where it comes into contact with the next transfer inner roll 32. Therefore, when the movable table 27 and the belt module 28 supported by the movable table 27 move back and forth when they are attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body, the belt module 28 is held at the lower position as shown in FIG. The secondary transfer outer roll 33 is moved to a lower position away from the secondary transfer inner roll 32 so as not to make frictional contact with the image carriers 16k, 16y, 16m, and 16c. , So as not to make frictional contact with the intermediate transfer belt B. Further, the toner adhered to the surface of the outer transfer roller 33 for the secondary transfer is removed by a roll cleaner 38, and the removed toner is removed from the roll cleaner 3.
8 is collected in the toner collection container. The intermediate transfer belt B is cleaned by a belt cleaner 39 on an outer surface of an upstream portion of the belt driving roll 29.

The toner images on the surfaces of the image carriers 16y, 16m, 16c and 16k are transferred to the primary transfer areas Q3y, Q3m, Q3c,
In Q3k, the primary transfer units T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k sequentially transfer the image onto the intermediate transfer belt B in an overlapping manner.
A color image is formed thereon. The color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt B is transported to the secondary transfer area Q4. The recording sheets S on the sheet feed tray 41 disposed below the belt B are taken out by a pickup roll 42, separated by a separation roll 43 one by one, and then sent to a registration roll 44. The registration roll 44 conveys the recording sheet S to the secondary transfer area Q4 at the same time that the color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt B is conveyed to the secondary transfer area Q4. The color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt B is
When the recording sheet S passes through the recording sheet S, it is transferred to the recording sheet S by the secondary transfer roll 34. After the recording sheet S is fixed by the fixing device 46 in the fixing area Q5, the recording sheet S is discharged from the discharge roller 47 to the discharge tray 48.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of FIG. 3 and is a front view of a belt cleaner, a collected toner conveying device, and a toner conveying connecting member. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lower surface of the belt cleaner. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the frame of the belt module and the belt cleaner supported by the moving base are rotated upward. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the belt cleaner, FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the outlet shutter of the collected toner outlet is closed, and FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the outlet shutter is open. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the outlet shutter and the outlet shutter moved to the open position, and is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of an outlet shutter of the recovered toner outlet, FIG. 9A is a top view, FIG. 9B is a view from the arrow IXB in FIG. 9A, and FIG. 9C is a view from the arrow IXC in FIG. 9A. FIG. 9D is a bottom view of the outlet shutter viewed from the arrow IXD in FIG. 9C.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the toner conveying connecting member, the collected toner conveying device, and the collected toner storing device, and shows a state where the collected toner conveying device and the collected toner storing device are separated. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the connection member for toner conveyance, the collected toner conveyance device, and the collected toner storage device, showing a state where the collected toner conveyance device and the collected toner storage device are connected. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a toner conveying connecting member that connects the belt cleaner and the collected toner conveying device, and an outlet shutter that opens and closes the collected toner outlet of the belt cleaner.
FIG. 12A is a view showing a state in which the belt cleaner moves to the upper maintenance work position and the outlet shutter of the recovered toner outlet is closed, and FIG. It is a figure showing the state where the exit shutter rotated to the open position. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram related to the configuration of the belt cleaner, the toner conveying connecting member, and the collected toner conveying device. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a collected toner transport cylinder of the collected toner storage device.
A is a partial top view, and FIG. 14B is an arrow XIV of FIG. 14A.
FIG. 14C is a view as viewed from B, and FIG. 14C is the XIVC-XI of FIG. 14B.
FIG. 14D is a sectional view taken along arrow XIVD when some parts of FIG. 14B are omitted, and FIG. 14E is a longitudinal sectional view of the rigid transfer cylinder 81, which is XIVE-XIV in FIG. 14A.
It is E sectional drawing.

In FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6, a moving table 27 (indicated by a two-dot chain line) is moved forward and backward (in the X-axis direction) by slide rails 26 for the moving table.
Is slidably supported. A belt module (vertical moving member) 28 is supported on the movable table 27 so as to be able to move up and down. In FIG. 1, the belt module 28 is held at the raised position, and in FIG. 2, it is held at the lowered position. Such a configuration for moving the movable table 27 back and forth and a configuration for moving the belt module 28 up and down are conventionally known (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-171248), and various conventionally known configurations may be employed. It is possible. In FIG. 6, the belt module 28 is configured to be able to move (rotate) to a maintenance work position inclined upward while being pulled out from the image forming apparatus main body. A configuration in which such a belt module is rotated to an upper maintenance work position is also conventionally known (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-171248).

In FIG. 6, the belt module 28 includes:
It has a front panel 51 and a rear plate 52, and the front panel 51 and the rear panel 52 allow the belt support rolls 29 to 32 shown in FIGS.
The primary transfer units T1k, T1y, T1m, T1c and the belt cleaner 39 are supported. The intermediate transfer belt B is rotatably supported by the belt support rolls 29 to 32. In FIG. 5, the belt cleaner 3
9 is a cleaner container 56 having a cleaner container 56.
The rear end wall 56a has two connecting pins 5 protruding rearward.
7, 57 are provided. A motor support plate 58 is fixed to a front end wall 56b of the cleaner container 56. A cleaner motor M is supported on the front surface of the motor support plate 58. The belt cleaner 39 inserts the connection pins 57, 57 into pin fitting holes formed in the rear plate 52, and
Is connected to the front plate 51 using screws or the like, so that the front plate 51
And is fixed to the rear plate 52.

The cleaner container 5 of the belt cleaner 39
A flat outflow shutter engagement surface 59 and an outflow shutter support surface 60 are formed on the lower surface of the front end portion 6. The outlet shutter engaging surface 59 has a collected toner outlet 59a.
Are formed. In FIG. 7, a brush 61 for removing the toner on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B is disposed inside the cleaner container 56 of the belt cleaner 39. A blade 62 for rubbing toner on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B is supported above the cleaner container 56. The brush 61 and the blade 62 constitute a cleaning member (61 + 62). The toner collected by the brush 61 and the blade 62 is conveyed forward (in the X direction) by an auger (toner discharging member) 63 for discharging collected toner disposed inside the case, and is transferred to the front end of the lower surface of the cleaner container 56. The toner is conveyed to the collected toner outlet 59. A gear train G is arranged between the front end wall 56b of the cleaner container 56 and the motor support plate 58.

In FIG. 4, the gear train G includes a gear G1 fixed to an output shaft of the motor M,
And a large-diameter gear 63a and a small-diameter gear 63b fixed to the shaft of the auger 63. The gear G1 and the large-diameter gear 6
The small diameter gear 61b integral with the large diameter gear 61a fixed to the shaft of the brush 61 meshes with the large diameter gear 63a fixed to the shaft of the auger 63. The gear train G
Is constituted by the gears G1, 61a, 61b, 63a, 63b. The brush 61 and the auger 63 are rotated by a gear train G rotated by the motor M.

5 and 8, an outlet shutter 66 for opening and closing the recovered toner outlet 59a is rotatably supported on the outlet shutter support surface 60. 5, 8, and 9, the outlet shutter 66 includes a shaft 66a and a cam surface 66 formed on the upper surface of the shaft 66a.
b, 66b (see FIGS. 9C and 9D) and the opening / closing plate 6
6c and a tension spring connecting portion 66d. Are formed. A tension spring 67 is connected to the tension spring connecting portion 66d.
Is connected to a tension spring locking member provided on the front end wall 56b of the cleaner container 56. The outlet shutter 66 is urged by a tension spring 67 toward a closing position (see a two-dot chain line in FIG. 8) that always closes the collected toner outlet 59a. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, when the belt module 28 and the belt cleaner 39 are moved to the maintenance work position where they are rotated upward, the outlet shutter 66 that opens and closes the toner outlet opening 59 a is always operated by the tension spring 67. It is kept closed.

When the belt module 28 and the belt cleaner 39 are lowered from the maintenance operation position shown in FIG. 6, the lower surface of the front end portion of the belt cleaner 39 is a cleaner of the toner conveying connection member 71 supported by the movable base 27. It is supported by the support plate 72. On the upper surface of the cleaner support plate 72, a concave portion 73 for accommodating the shaft portion 66a of the outlet shutter 66 is formed. The recess 73 is provided with a plate-shaped outlet shutter opening operating member 74 that protrudes upward. When the belt cleaner 39 moves from the maintenance work position where the belt cleaner 39 is rotated upward to the normal use position below, the cam surfaces 66b and 66b (FIG. 9).
C, see FIG. 9D) to move the outlet shutter 66 to the open position.

That is, when the outlet shutter 66 constantly urged to the closed position by the tension spring 67 moves from the upper maintenance work position shown in FIG. 6 to the lower normal use position, the cam surface 66b, FIG.
Then, it moves closer to the outlet shutter opening operating member 74 shown by the two-dot chain line in the direction of arrow A1 (see FIG. 9C). At this time, when the cam surfaces 66b, 66b are pressed by the outlet shutter opening operating member 74, the outlet shutter 66 rotates in the direction of arrow A2 shown in FIG. 9D, and the toner outlet opening 59a opens. .

The cleaner support plate 72 of the toner conveying connecting member 71 is provided with the collected toner outlet 59.
A connection concave portion 76 having an upper connection port 76a connected to a is formed, and a transfer member connecting cylindrical portion 77 is provided at a lower end of the connection concave portion 76. A lower connection port (a connection port with a collected toner transport device described later) is formed by a rear end portion of the transport member connecting cylindrical portion 77. The components indicated by reference numerals 72 to 77 constitute the toner transport connection member 71. Four screws 78 (see FIG. 12) penetrate downward from the upper surface of the cleaner support plate 72, and lower ends of the four screws 78 are supported by the bottom wall of the movable base 27. A compression spring (elastic member) 79 is arranged on the outer periphery of the four screws 78 between the lower surface of the cleaner support plate 72 and the bottom wall of the moving table 27. Therefore, the cleaner support plate 72 is constantly urged upward by the compression spring 79, and the rising position is regulated by the head of the screw 78. The compression spring 78 lowers the belt cleaner 39 from the upper maintenance work position,
Absorbs the impact when the toner conveying connection member 71 comes into contact with the cleaner support plate 72, and
And 96b (to be described later) so as to make a reliable connection between the collected toner outlet 59a and the upper connection port 76a.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 10, and 11, a rigid transfer cylinder 81 is fixed to the bottom wall of the moving table 27. As shown in FIG. 14, the rigid transfer cylinder 81 has a mounting box 82 having a rectangular external cross section for mounting on the bottom wall of the moving table 27, and mounting portions 83, 83 provided on the left and right sides thereof. . The mounting portions 83 are fixed to the bottom wall of the movable base 27 with screws. The mounting box 82
On the front side, a cylindrical tube connecting portion 84 integrally formed is provided.
On the rear side of the mounting box 82, a large-diameter portion 86 whose outer diameter is gradually reduced, a spring mounting portion 87, and an outlet shutter mounting portion 88 are provided. A recovery toner discharge port 89 is formed on the lower surface of the distal end (rear end) of the discharge port shutter mounting portion, and an elastic protrusion 90 is formed on the outer peripheral surface.
Are formed.

A compression spring 9 is provided on the outer periphery of the spring mounting portion 87.
A cylindrical outlet shutter 92 having a front end flange 92a is slidably mounted on the outlet shutter mounting portion 88. The outlet shutter 9
The front end flange 92a is always urged rearward by the compression spring 91. The discharge shutter 92
Is moved to the rear end, the front end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the discharge port shutter 92 has a small diameter, and the small diameter portion is configured to be engaged with the elastic projection 90. The outlet shutter 92 is held at a rear end position shown by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. 14A and 14B, that is, a position shown in FIG. In this state, the collected toner outlet 89 is closed by the outlet shutter 92. When the outlet shutter 92 is at the solid line position in FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14C, the collected toner outlet 89 is opened. An auger shaft mounting member 93 is mounted at the rear end of the outlet shutter mounting portion 88 of the rigid transport cylinder 81. An auger shaft support hole 93a is formed on the inner surface of the auger shaft mounting portion 93.

The cylindrical tube 94 made of an elastic material shown in FIGS. 6, 10 and 11 has a front end 94a connected to the rear end of the transport member connecting cylindrical portion 77, and a rear end connected to the tube. It is connected to the connection section 84. The tube 94
The rigid transport tube 81 constitutes a recovered toner transport tube 95. The front end portion 94a of the tube 94 forms a collected toner inflow port 94a into the collected toner transport cylinder 95. A toner transfer auger (toner transfer member) 96 is disposed inside the rigid transfer tube 81, the tube 94, and the transfer member connecting cylindrical portion 77. Auger shaft 96 of the toner conveying auger 96
The rear end is fitted in the auger shaft support hole 93a with a gap and is rotatably supported. The front end of the auger shaft 96a penetrates the transfer member connecting cylindrical portion 77 and projects forward, and is rotatably supported by the front end of the transfer member connecting cylindrical portion 77 via a bearing 97.
A gear 96b is fixed to the front end of the auger shaft 96a. The elements denoted by reference numerals 81 to 97 constitute a collected toner transport device (81 to 97).

The gear 96b is connected to the belt cleaner 3
When the gear 6 is moved to the normal use position supported by the cleaner support plate 72, it meshes with the gear 63b (see FIGS. 4 and 13). Therefore, when the motor M rotates in the normal use position, the gears G1,
61a, 61b, 63a, 63b, and 96b rotate sequentially, and at this time, the brush 61, the auger 63, and the toner conveying auger 96 rotate. Further, the cleaner support plate 72 is provided with the belt cleaner 3.
When the belt cleaner 39 moves down to the normal use position, it slightly moves down when the belt 9 moves to the maintenance work position. At that time, the movement is absorbed by the elasticity of the tube 94. Further, since the rear end of the auger shaft 96a of the toner conveying auger 96 is fitted with a gap in the auger shaft support hole 93a, even if the cleaner support plate 72 slightly moves up and down, the auger shaft 96a is It is possible to rotate in a straight line without bending by only slightly changing the inclination angle.

The relay box 101 for transporting the collected toner shown in FIGS. 6, 10 and 11 is fixed to the main body of the image forming apparatus. The relay box 101 has an outlet shutter fitting hole 102 through which a portion other than the front end flange 92a of the outlet shutter 92 mounted on the rigid transport tube 81 can penetrate. When the moving table 27 is pulled out from the image forming apparatus main body, the discharge port shutter 92 at the rear end of the rigid transport cylinder 81 supported by the moving table 27 is moved to the rear end position (FIG. , The position shown in FIG. 10). In this state, as shown in FIG. 14, the collected toner discharge port 89 formed in the discharge port shutter mounting portion 88 at the rear end of the rigid transport cylinder 81 is closed by the discharge port shutter 92. In this state, the toner inside the outlet shutter mounting portion 88 is not discharged from the recovered toner outlet 89.

With the discharge port shutter 92 in the state shown in FIGS. 6 and 10 and the belt module 39 held in the normal use position (down position), the movable table 27 is inserted into the main body of the image forming apparatus. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the front end flange 92a of the discharge port shutter 92 is engaged with the discharge port shutter fitting hole 102, and the discharge port shutter 92 is connected to the discharge port shutter at the rear end of the rigid transfer tube 81. Sliding forward on the mounting portion (see FIG. 14) 88, the state shown in FIG. 11 (or the state shown by solid lines in FIGS. 14A to 14C) is obtained. At this time, the collected toner discharge port 8
9 is opened, and the toner can be discharged. 6 and 1
As shown in FIG. 11, the toner discharged into the relay box 101 from the recovered toner discharge port 89 is transported to the toner recovery container V by a toner transport device (not shown) of the image forming apparatus main body. ing. The elements denoted by reference numerals 101, 102, and V constitute a collected toner storage device (101 + 102 + V).

(Operation of the First Embodiment) In the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment having the above configuration, the main body of the image forming apparatus supports the collected toner storage device (101 + 102 + V).
The movable table 27 movable between a mounting position mounted on the image forming apparatus main body and a detached position drawn out of the image forming apparatus main body includes the collected toner conveying devices (81 to 97), The vertical movement member 28 and the operating member 74 for opening the outlet shutter are supported. When the movable table 27 is moving to the position (removal position) shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, the outlet shutter mounting section 8 of the collected toner conveying device (81 to 97) supported by the movable table 27.
The outlet shutter 92 attached to the compression spring 9
1 has moved to the rear position (the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIGS. 14A and 14B). At this time, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the collected toner discharge port 89 is closed by the discharge port shutter 92.

In a state where the movable table 27 has been moved to the detached position (a state where the movable table 27 is pulled out of the image forming apparatus main body),
A belt module (vertical moving member) 28 that supports an intermediate transfer belt (toner adhering member) B to which toner adheres to the surface that rotates and a cleaner 39 that collects toner on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B is mounted on the moving table 27. It is movable between a normal use position approaching the supported collected toner transporting devices (81 to 97) and the toner transporting connection member 71 and a maintenance operation position away from the upper side. When the vertically moving member 28 and the cleaner 39 supported by the vertically moving member 28 move to the upper maintenance operation position, the collected toner outlet 59a formed in the cleaner container 56 of the cleaner 39 is urged in a direction to always close. The outlet shutter 66 moves to the closed position.

When the cleaner 39 moves down from the upper maintenance work position to the normal work position, the impact force exerted on the toner conveying connection member 71 by the cleaner 39 is absorbed by the elastic member 79. Further, the elastic member 79 is provided in the cleaner container 5 in the normal use position.
The vertical displacement between the collected toner outlet 59a of No. 6 and the collected toner inlet 94a of the collected toner transport cylinder 95 can be absorbed. When the cleaner 39 is moved to the normal use position, the upper connection port 76a of the toner conveying connection member 71 is connected to the recovered toner outlet 59a.
The lower connection port of the toner transport connection member 71 supported by the moving table 27 is always connected to the recovered toner inlet port 94a.

When the cleaner 39 moves from the maintenance work position to the normal use position, the outlet shutter opening operating member 74 is used to move the collected toner conveying device (81).
９７97), the outlet shutter 66 is moved to the open position. When the cleaner container 56 is moved to the normal use position, the collected toner outlet 5
9a is connected to the recovered toner inlet 94a. With the belt module 28 moved to the normal use position, the moving table 27 can be mounted on the image forming apparatus main body.

The state shown in FIG. 6 and FIG.
When the movable table 27 is moved to a mounting position where the movable table 27 is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body from the state where the movable table 27 is pulled out of the image forming apparatus main body, the collected toner conveying devices (81 to 97) supported by the movable table 27 The outlet shutter 92 attached to the outlet shutter mounting portion 88 of the above-mentioned is fitted into the outlet shutter fitting hole 102 of the collected toner storage device (101 + 102 + V) and penetrates. However, since the front end flange 92a of the outlet shutter 92 is engaged with the outlet shutter fitting hole 102, the outlet shutter 92 slides forward on the shutter mounting portion 88. The state at this time is shown in FIG. In this state, the outlet shutter 92 opens the collected toner outlet 89. Therefore, in this state, the toner conveyed through the collected toner conveying cylinder 95 of the collected toner conveying device (81 to 97) can be discharged from the collected toner discharge port 89 into the relay box 101.

With the movable table 27 mounted and the belt module (vertical moving member) 28 moved to the normal use position, the cleaning member (61 + 62)
The toner adhering member B contacts the surface of the toner adhering member B
The toner on the surface is peeled off and collected. The collected toner is stored in the cleaner container 56. Toner discharging member 6
3 discharges the toner collected in the cleaner container 56 from the collected toner outlet 59a.

With the cleaner 39 moved to the normal use position, the recovered toner outlet 59a of the cleaner 39
The toner flowing out of the toner conveying connection member 71
The collected toner conveying device (81-9) supported on the movable table 27 through the upper connection port 76a and the lower connection port of
The toner flows into the collected toner inflow port 94a provided in the collected toner transport cylinder 95 of 7). Collection toner transport device (81-97)
Transports the toner flowing into the collected toner inflow port 94a to the collected toner discharge port 89 by the toner conveying member 96. From the collected toner discharge port 89, a collected toner storage device (101 + 102 +
The toner discharged into the relay box 101 of V) is transported and stored in the toner collecting container V by a transport device (not shown).

Since the collected toner storage device (101 + 102 + V) for storing the collected toner is supported by the image forming apparatus main body, a sufficient toner storage space can be easily secured. In addition, the collected toner in the cleaner container 56 does not stay, and the collected toner storage device (10
1 + 102 + V), the toner storage capacity of the cleaner container 56 can be reduced. Further, it is not necessary to secure a space for storing the collected toner on the movable table 27. The discharge port shutter 92 automatically opens the collected toner discharge port 89 when the collected toner discharge port 89 and the collected toner storage device (101 + 102 + V) are connected, and opens the collected toner discharge port 89 and the collected toner. When the toner storage device (101 + 102 + V) is separated, the collected toner discharge port 89 is automatically closed. Therefore,
When the movable table 27 moves from the mounting position to the detached position, the collected toner discharge ports 89 of the collected toner conveying devices (81 to 97) supported by the movable table 27 are connected to the collected toner discharge ports 89 supported by the image forming apparatus main body. When the user leaves the toner storage device, it is closed by the outlet shutter 92 at that time. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the toner from being discharged from the collected toner discharge port 89.

(Modifications) Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but falls within the scope of the present invention described in the appended claims. Thus, various changes can be made. Modified embodiments of the present invention will be exemplified below. (H01) The cleaner used in the present invention is an intermediate transfer belt B
Other toner adhering members (members to which toner adheres to the surface)
It is possible to apply to For example, the present invention can be applied to a sheet conveying belt, a belt for forming an electrostatic latent image, and the like.

[0053]

The image forming apparatus of the present invention has the following effects. (E01) In an image forming apparatus provided with a vertically moving member that supports a rotating toner-adhering member and a cleaner that collects toner adhering to the surface thereof, even if the cleaner is configured to be small, the toner collected from the cleaner can be used. The need for frequent removal operations can be eliminated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory diagram of an image forming apparatus (tandem-type digital color copying machine) according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
It is a figure showing the state where a belt module is in a raise position (use position).

FIG. 2 is an overall explanatory diagram of an image forming apparatus (tandem-type digital color copying machine) according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
It is a figure showing the state where a belt module is in a descent position (non-use position).

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of FIG. 3, and is a front view of a belt cleaner, a collected toner conveying device, and a toner conveying connecting member.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lower surface of the belt cleaner.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which a frame and a belt cleaner of the belt module supported by the moving base are rotated upward.

7 is a cross-sectional view of the belt cleaner, FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a state in which an outlet shutter of a collected toner outlet is closed, and FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the outlet shutter is opened.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a recovery toner outlet and an outlet shutter moved to an open position, and is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 5;

9 is an explanatory view of an outlet shutter of the recovered toner outlet, FIG. 9A is a top view, FIG. 9B is a view from the arrow IXB of FIG. 9A, and FIG. 9C is an arrow IXC of FIG. 9A.
FIG. 9D is a bottom view of the outlet shutter as viewed from the arrow IXD in FIG. 9C.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the toner conveying connecting member, the collected toner conveying device, and the collected toner storing device, and shows a state where the collected toner conveying device and the collected toner storing device are separated from each other.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the connection member for toner conveyance, the collected toner conveyance device, and the collected toner storage device, showing a state where the collected toner conveyance device and the collected toner storage device are connected. .

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a toner conveying connecting member for connecting the belt cleaner and the collected toner conveying device, and an outlet shutter for opening and closing the collected toner outlet of the belt cleaner. FIG. FIG. 12B illustrates a state in which the outlet shutter of the recovered toner outlet is closed and moved to the work position, and FIG. 12B illustrates a state in which the belt cleaner moves to a lower normal use position and the outlet shutter rotates and moves to an open position. It is a figure showing a state.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram related to the configuration of a belt cleaner, a toner transport connection member, and a collected toner transport device.

14A and 14B are explanatory views of a collected toner transport cylinder of the collected toner storage device. FIG. 14A is a partial top view, FIG. 14B is a view from the arrow XIVB of FIG. 14A, and FIG. 14D is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 14D as viewed from the arrow XIVD when some parts of FIG. 14B are omitted, and FIG. It is.

[Explanation of symbols]

B: toner attaching member (belt, intermediate transfer belt), 27
… Moving table, 28… vertical moving member, 39… cleaner, 56
... Cleaner container, 59a ... Recovered toner outlet, 63 ... Toner discharge member (auger), 66 ... Outlet shutter, 71
... Toner transport connection member 74 74 Outlet shutter opening operating member 76a Upper connection port 79 Elastic member 89
... Recovered toner discharge port, 92 ... Discharge port shutter, 94a ...
Collected toner inlet, 95: Collected toner transport cylinder, 96: Toner transport member, (61 + 62): Cleaning member,
(81-97): Recovered toner transport device, (101 + 10)
2 + V)... A collected toner storage device.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having the following requirements (A01) to (A05): (A01) a collected toner inlet and a collected toner formed at a position distant from the collected toner inlet A recovery toner transport cylinder having an outlet,
(A02) a collected toner conveying device having a toner conveying member for conveying the collected toner flowing into the collected toner conveying cylinder from the collected toner inflow port to the collected toner discharging port;
A maintenance work position that supports a toner attachment member to which toner adheres to a surface that rotates and a cleaner that collects toner on the surface of the toner attachment member, and is separated from a normal use position close to the collection toner transport device and upward. A vertically moving member movably supported between
(A03) a cleaning member that comes into contact with the surface of the toner adhering member to peel off and collect the toner on the surface of the toner adhering member; a cleaner container that stores the cleaning member and the collected toner; A collecting toner outlet connected to the collecting toner inlet when the normal toner is moved to the normal use position; a toner discharging member for discharging the toner collected in the cleaner container from the collecting toner outlet; (A04) when the cleaner approaches the recovered toner transport device when the cleaner moves from the maintenance work position to the normal use position, the outlet having an outlet shutter that can open and close the outlet and is urged in a direction to always close the outlet. An operating member for opening the outlet shutter for moving the outlet shutter to the open position, (A 05) A collected toner storage device for storing the toner discharged from the collected toner discharge port. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising the following requirement (A06): (A06) a lower connection port that is always connected to the collected toner inflow port and the cleaner is in a normal use position. A toner transport connection member having an upper connection port connected to the collected toner outlet in the state where the toner transport port has been moved to the second position. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising the following requirement (A07), wherein the cleaner which moves down from the maintenance work position above the upper part (A07) to the normal work position is used as the toner. An elastic member that absorbs the impact force applied to the transport connection member. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising the following requirements (A08) to (A010).
08) The image forming apparatus main body that supports the collected toner storage device, (A09) The collected toner conveying device, the vertical moving member, and the outlet shutter opening operating member are supported. A moving table movable between a mounted position and a detached position pulled out of the image forming apparatus main body; (A010) automatically connected when the moving table moves to the mounting position; The collected toner discharge port and the collected toner storage device, which are automatically separated when the movable table separates from the mounting position. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatus satisfies the following requirement (A010): (A011) The image forming apparatus collects the collected toner when the collected toner discharge port and the collected toner storage device are connected. An outlet shutter for automatically opening a toner outlet and automatically closing the collected toner outlet when the collected toner outlet and the collected toner storage device are separated.