JPH11258963A - Waste toner recovery device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent erroneous detection that a waste toner recovery container is full by judging that the waste toner recovery container is full of waste toner from at least either one of the counted values by a developing time counting means or by a toner-replanished amount counting means. SOLUTION: A waste toner amount detection sensor 67 is installed on the upper surface of the toner storing part of the waste toner recovery container 6. At the time of judging that the value of a 2nd developing integration driving time counter 2 is equal to or above the value of a 1st developing integration driving time counter C1, the fullness of the container 6 is displayed on a waste toner recovery container fullness display device TF. If the value of the counter C2 is not equal to or above the value of the counter C1, whether the value of a 2nd toner bottle used number counter T2 is equal to or above the value of a 1st toner bottle used number counter T1 is judged. When the value of the counter T2 is equal to or above the value of the counter T1, the fullness of the container 6 is displayed on the display device TF in the same manner.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a waste toner collecting device for collecting waste toner in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a facsimile or a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In this type of waste toner collecting apparatus for an image forming apparatus, in order to prevent waste toner overflow in a waste toner collecting container and to efficiently collect waste toner in a limited space, Generally, the amount of collected toner in the waste toner collecting device is detected to detect the fullness thereof. As the detection sensor, a piezoelectric vibration sensor is often used because of installation space or the like (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 56-40876). In addition, as a method for collecting the waste toner, a method of introducing waste toner into a collection container by a spiral conveying means is generally adopted as disclosed in the publication.

However, if the waste toner is to be collected by free fall, it can only be collected in the space in the falling direction. Therefore, a sufficient amount cannot be collected, and a large space is required. become,
There was a problem. Regarding such a problem, there is disclosed a technology in which a horizontally long container is swung in the longitudinal direction and waste toner is transported in the container in the longitudinal direction, thereby effectively collecting the waste toner in the container. It is disclosed in JP-A-62-157083 and JP-A-1-79069.

However, even in this case, in order to sufficiently collect the waste toner without any side effect such as overflow of the waste toner, it is necessary to detect the amount of the collected waste toner and to sufficiently collect the waste toner in the container. For this purpose, it is effective to install a sensor near the collection port of the container.

However, if a piezoelectric vibration sensor is installed near the outlet of the spiral conveying means, the waste toner immediately after being discharged adheres and accumulates on the waste toner detecting surface, and the full state of the waste toner collection container is erroneously detected before the full state. There is a problem.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a first object of the present invention to provide a waste toner collecting apparatus which does not erroneously detect the fullness of the waste toner collecting container before the container is full.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide a waste toner collecting apparatus which can reliably prevent side effects such as overflow of waste toner in addition to the first object.

A third object is to make it possible to collect a sufficient amount of waste toner with a simple configuration and without side effects such as overflow of waste toner.

A fourth object of the present invention is to make it possible to collect a sufficient amount of waste toner without side effects such as overflow of waste toner.

[0010]

The first object is to oscillate a waste toner collecting container in the longitudinal direction thereof,
Installed on the top of the horizontally extending part of the waste toner collection container,
A waste toner amount detection sensor for detecting that the amount of waste toner in the waste toner collection container has reached a predetermined amount, and a development time count for counting an integrated development time of the developing device until the waste toner amount detection sensor performs a detection operation. Means, a replenishment toner amount counting means for counting an accumulated replenishment toner amount to the developing device until the waste toner amount detection sensor performs a detection operation, and a waste toner in a waste toner collection container from at least one of these count amounts. This can be achieved by providing waste toner full detecting means for determining whether the toner is full.

A second object is to provide a oscillating means for oscillating the waste toner collecting container in the longitudinal direction thereof, and to set the waste toner collecting container on the upper surface of a horizontally extending portion of the waste toner collecting container. A waste toner amount detection sensor for detecting that the amount of toner has reached a predetermined amount; a first development time counting means for counting an accumulated development time of the developing device until the waste toner amount detection sensor performs a detection operation; First replenishment toner amount counting means for counting the total amount of replenished toner to the developing device until the toner amount detection sensor performs a detection operation, and counting the integrated development time of the development device after the waste toner amount detection sensor performs a detection operation. A second developing time counting means for counting, a second replenishing toner amount counting means for counting an integrated replenishing toner amount to the developing device after the waste toner amount detecting sensor performs the detecting operation, It can be achieved by comparing the counting amount after and a waste toner full detecting means for determining the full waste toner in the waste toner collection container. In this case, it is preferable that the waste toner amount detection sensor is installed at the middle of the upper surface of the waste toner collecting container in the longitudinal direction.

The third object can be achieved by using a means for counting the integrated driving time of the developing device as a developing time counting means for counting the integrated developing time of the developing device.

A fourth object is to provide a replenishment toner amount counting means for counting an integrated replenishment toner amount to the developing device.
By using the means for counting the number of used toner bottles, and by using the means for counting the cumulative driving time of the toner supply device as the supply toner amount counting means for counting the cumulative supply toner amount to the developing device. Can be achieved.

[0014]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 2, a latent image formed on the photoreceptor 1 by a known mechanism (not shown) is developed by a developing device 2. Then, the developed image is transferred to the transfer device 3
Is transferred onto transfer paper (not shown).

In the developing device 2, toner is supplied by rotating a toner supply roller 41 in the toner supply device 4 by a driving source (not shown). When a toner bottle 43 having a spiral groove inside as shown in FIG. 3 is rotated and driven by a motor (not shown) in the toner supply device 4, toner is supplied from the toner bottle 43. The toner amount in the toner replenishing device 4 is kept almost constant, and the toner replenishment amount per unit driving time from the toner replenishing roller 41 is also kept constant.
The output of the toner end sensor 42 causes the toner bottle 43
When the toner end is detected, the toner bottle 43 is replaced.

In FIG. 2, the transfer residual toner on the photoconductor 1 is carried to the cleaning device 5 as the photoconductor 1 rotates, and is scraped off from the photoconductor 1 by the photoconductor cleaning blade 51 and the brush 52. The toner is conveyed into the waste toner collecting container 6 through the upper guide pipe 54 by the upper collecting coil 53 (see FIG. 4) provided at the lower part of the container 5.

Similarly, the residual toner on the transfer belt 31 of the transfer device 3 is scraped off by the transfer belt cleaning blade 35 in accordance with the rotation of the drive roller 32, and the lower recovery coil 33 (see FIG. 4). Is transported into the waste toner collecting container 6 through the guide pipe 34.

As shown in FIG. 4, the waste toner collecting container 6 has a flat rectangular toner container 6a extending in the horizontal direction.
The toner introduction portion 6b is projected obliquely upward at one corner of the opening. The toner introduction portion 6b has openings 61 and 62 at positions corresponding to the upper and lower guide pipes 54 and 34, respectively.
The outlets of the guide pipes 54 and 34 protrude into the toner introduction portion 6b through the openings 61 and 62. Each opening 61/62 has a respective guide pipe 54/34.
Member 63.6 made of sponge or the like to close the gap
4 is provided to prevent blowing of waste toner and the like. Note that the opening 62 corresponding to the guide pipe 34 from the transfer belt 31 is larger when a jam occurs.
When the transfer belt 31 and the transfer belt casing 36 are released downward with the drive roller 32 as a fulcrum, the guide pipe 34 also moves, so that the movement is allowed.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the waste toner collecting container 6 has a swing cam 65 and a lever 6 which rotate intermittently.
6, the container 6 slowly moves in the direction of arrow a, and swings rapidly in the direction of arrow b by a spring (not shown) provided on the front surface of the container 6.
069). Due to this reciprocating swing, the opening 61
The waste toner put into the container 6 from 62 is moved to the inner side of the container 6 (in the direction of the arrow b).

On the upper surface of the toner container 6a of the waste toner collecting container 6, the toner introduction portion 6b
A waste toner amount detection sensor 67 is provided in the vicinity.

Here, the degree of accumulation of the waste toner in the waste toner collecting container 6 will be described with reference to FIG. In the same figure, (a) is a front view, (b) is a right side view, (c) is a plan view as viewed from directly above, hatched lines and dots represent collected waste toner, and hatched portions represent waste toner. A state where the inner wall of the collection container 6 is filled, and a dot indicates a state where the inner wall is not filled.

After dropping into the waste toner collecting container 6, the waste toner accumulates by the above-described swing so as to fill the right rear in FIG. Therefore, by installing the waste toner amount detection sensor 67 at the above position, it is possible to reliably detect that the waste toner in the waste toner collection container 6 has reached a predetermined amount. This waste toner amount detection sensor 6
7 is half the position of the waste toner collecting container 6 when viewed from the amount stored therein, that is, the amount from when the waste toner collecting container 6 is empty to when the waste toner amount detection sensor 67 is turned on (detection operation). Is set at a position where the amount until the waste toner collecting container 6 becomes full after turning on is substantially the same.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electric schematic configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an algorithm of a control operation and a judgment operation by the control unit CPU. In FIG. 8, it is determined whether or not the image formation is completed (step S1). When the image formation is completed, it is determined whether or not the waste toner amount detection sensor 67 is on (step S2).
Until the waste toner amount detection sensor 67 is turned on, the first development integrated driving time counter C1 is added (step S3), and it is determined whether or not the toner is exhausted by the output of the toner end sensor 42 (step S3). Step S4) If toner end, toner end is displayed on the toner end display device TE (step S5). And toner bottle 4
It is determined whether or not No. 3 has been replaced (step S6), and if it has been replaced, the first toner bottle use number counter T1 is added (step S7).

After the waste toner amount detection sensor 67 is turned on, the second development integrated driving time counter C2 is added (step S8), and whether the toner end is detected is determined by the output of the toner end sensor 42. Judgment (Step S
9) If toner end, toner end display device TE
To display the toner end (step S10). Then, it is determined whether or not the toner bottle 43 has been replaced (step S11). When the toner bottle 43 has been replaced, a second toner bottle use number counter T2 is added (step S12).

Next, a second developing integrated driving time counter C
It is determined whether or not the value of 2 has become equal to or greater than the value of the first integrated development drive time counter C1 (step S13). It is displayed that it has become (step S14). If the value of the second integrated development drive time counter C2 is not equal to or greater than the value of the first integrated development drive time counter C1, the value of the second toner bottle use number counter T2 is set to the value of the first toner bottle use number counter T1. It is determined whether the value is equal to or more than the value (step S15). When the value is equal to or greater than the value, the waste toner collecting container full display device TF similarly indicates that the waste toner collecting container 6 is full (step S14).

Since the transfer residual toner on the photoreceptor 1 has a background stain along with the transfer residual of the developed image, and is substantially proportional to the development time, the above-mentioned configuration is adopted, so that the waste toner collecting container is used. No. 6 can be reliably detected.
In other words, even when the waste toner collection amount per integrated development drive time increases (for example, when the ratio of the developed image increases), the toner replenishment amount can be calculated without any problem such as toner overflow from the waste toner collection container 6. It becomes possible to detect whether the waste toner collecting container 6 is full. Further, when the amount of waste toner collected per integrated development drive time decreases (for example,
Even if the ratio of the developed image is reduced), a sufficient amount of waste toner can be collected because the waste toner can be collected up to the integrated development drive time determined from the averaged collection amount for many times.

In the above example, the waste toner collecting container 6
The waste toner amount detection sensor 67 is located at a position where the amount from the empty state until the waste toner amount detection sensor 6 is turned on and the amount until the waste toner collection container 6 becomes full after the on state are substantially the same. However, the same effect can be obtained by changing the ratio of the collection amount and changing the count number for detecting the full state of the waste toner collection container 6 according to the ratio.

However, in the case of the prior art, FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 2, the waste toner amount detection sensor 68 is installed near the guide pipe 34 in order to obtain a sufficient recovery amount. However, in this position, the guide pipe 54
When the waste toner falls from 34, the waste toner directly hits the detection surface of the waste toner amount detection sensor 68, and the waste toner that floats during the fall or floats when dropped on the bottom of the container is electrostatically charged. As a result, the waste toner adheres and accumulates on the detection surface of the waste toner amount detection sensor 68, and there is a problem that the full state is erroneously detected before the full state.

In the above-described configuration according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, the waste toner amount detection sensor 67 is disposed on the upper surface of the toner container 6a of the waste toner collecting container 6 and at the middle of the longitudinal direction. Since it is installed near the toner introduction section 6b, the waste toner does not directly hit the detection surface of the waste toner amount detection sensor 67, and most of the floating toner is also discharged before reaching the sensor position. Since the toner is adhered to the inner surface of the toner collecting container 6, it is possible to prevent the erroneous detection of the full state before the full state as in the related art.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart thereof. In this case, the first integrated development drive time counter C1 is added until the waste toner amount detection sensor 67 is turned on, and the second integrated development drive time is added after the waste toner amount detection sensor 67 is turned on. The addition of the counter C2 is the same as that in the first embodiment, but the integrated driving time of the toner supply roller driving device RD for driving the toner supply roller 41 of the toner supply device 4 is turned on by the waste toner amount detection sensor 67. First until
(Step S16 in FIG. 10), and after the waste toner amount detection sensor 67 is turned on, counting is performed by the second toner supply roller cumulative drive time counter R2 (Step S1).
7).

Then, in FIG. 8, it is determined whether or not the value of the second integrated development drive time counter C2 is equal to or greater than the value of the first integrated development drive time counter C1 (step S).
13) When the above is reached, the waste toner collecting container full display device TF displays that the waste toner collecting container 6 is full (step S14). When the value of the second integrated development drive time counter C2 is equal to the value of the first integrated development drive time counter C1
If not, it is determined whether the value of the second toner supply roller cumulative drive time counter R2 is equal to or greater than the value of the first toner supply roller cumulative drive time counter R1 (step S18). Similarly, the waste toner collecting container full display device TF displays that the waste toner collecting container 6 is full (step S14).

By adopting such a configuration, it becomes possible to detect the accumulated toner replenishment amount with higher accuracy, and to detect the fullness of the waste toner collecting container 6 after collecting a sufficient amount of waste toner. It becomes possible.

[0034]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the waste toner amount detecting sensor is provided on the upper surface of the horizontally extending portion of the waste toner collecting container, so that the waste toner is It does not directly hit the detection surface of the toner amount detection sensor, and before the floating toner reaches the sensor position,
Most of the toner adheres to the inner surface of the waste toner collecting container, so that the erroneous detection of the full state before the full state as in the related art can be prevented.
Further, the integrated development time of the developing device until the waste toner amount detection sensor performs the detection operation and the integrated replenishment toner amount to the development device until the waste toner amount detection sensor performs the detection operation are counted. Since at least one of them determines the fullness of the waste toner in the waste toner collection container, it is possible to detect the fullness without any side effect such as overflow of the waste toner from the waste toner collection container.

According to the invention of claim 2, similarly,
Since the waste toner amount detection sensor is installed on the upper surface of the horizontally extending part of the waste toner collection container, the waste toner does not directly hit the detection surface of the waste toner amount detection sensor, and the floating toner also comes to the sensor position. Before reaching, most of the toner adheres to the inner surface of the waste toner collecting container, so that the erroneous detection of the full state before the full state can be prevented. In addition, the accumulated development time of the developing device until the waste toner amount detection sensor performs the detection operation, the accumulated replenishment toner amount to the development device until the waste toner amount detection sensor performs the detection operation, and the detection operation of the waste toner amount detection sensor are performed. The accumulated developing time of the developing device after the operation and the accumulated amount of toner replenished to the developing device after the detection operation of the waste toner amount detection sensor are counted. Is determined, it is possible to reliably prevent a side effect such as overflow of the waste toner from the waste toner collecting container and detect the full state.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the accumulated development time is detected by counting the accumulated drive time of the developing device, a sufficient amount of the toner can be obtained with a simple configuration without side effects such as overflow of waste toner. Waste toner can be collected.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the number of used toner bottles is counted to detect the total amount of toner replenished to the developing device, and according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, Since the total amount of toner supplied to the developing device is detected by counting the total driving time of the toner supply device, a sufficient amount of waste toner can be collected with a simple configuration without side effects such as overflow of waste toner. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical schematic configuration of a first example of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus to which the first example is applied.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a toner supply device in the image forming apparatus.

4A and 4B show a schematic configuration of a waste toner collecting container in the same image forming apparatus, wherein FIG. 4A is a front view, FIG.
(C) is a plan view seen from directly above.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory perspective view of the waste toner collecting container.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the waste toner collecting container and a mechanism for swinging the container.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating a degree of accumulation of waste toner in the waste toner collection container, where FIG. 7A is a front view, FIG.
(C) is a plan view seen from directly above.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the first example.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an electrical schematic configuration of a second example of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the second example.

FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional example.

FIG. 12 shows a waste toner amount detection configuration in a conventional example,
(A) is a front view, (b) is a side view.

[Explanation of symbols]

 6 Waste toner collection container 42 Toner end sensor 67 Waste toner amount detection sensor C1 First development integrated drive time counter C2 Second development integrated drive time counter T1 First toner bottle use number counter T2 Second toner bottle use number Counter RD Toner supply roller driving device R1 First toner supply roller cumulative drive time counter R2 Second toner supply roller cumulative drive time counter

Claims (6)

[Claims] A swinging means for swinging the waste toner collecting container in a longitudinal direction thereof; and a swing means provided on an upper surface of a horizontally extending portion of the waste toner collecting container. A waste toner amount detection sensor that detects that the amount has reached a fixed amount, a development time counting unit that counts an accumulated development time of the developing device until the waste toner amount detection sensor performs a detection operation, and the waste toner amount detection sensor detects the amount. Replenishment toner amount counting means for counting the accumulated replenishment toner amount to the developing device until operation, and waste toner full detecting means for judging the fullness of the waste toner in the waste toner collection container from at least one of these count amounts A waste toner collecting device, comprising: 2. A oscillating means for oscillating the waste toner collecting container in a longitudinal direction thereof, and a swing means for installing the waste toner collecting container on the upper surface of a horizontally extending portion of the waste toner collecting container. A waste toner amount detection sensor for detecting that the amount has reached a fixed amount; first development time counting means for counting the accumulated development time of the developing device until the waste toner amount detection sensor detects the waste toner amount; First replenishment toner amount counting means for counting an accumulated replenishment toner amount to the developing device until a sensor performs a detection operation; and counting an accumulated development time of the development device after the waste toner amount detection sensor performs a detection operation. Second developing time counting means for counting the amount of toner supplied to the developing device after the waste toner amount detecting sensor detects the waste toner amount. , Characterized by comprising a waste toner full detecting means for determining the full waste toner of the waste toner collecting container by comparing the count of the front and rear thereof, a waste toner collecting device. 3. The waste toner collecting device according to claim 1, wherein the developing time counting means for counting the integrated developing time of the developing device counts the integrated driving time of the developing device. 4. A replenishing toner amount counting means for counting an integrated replenishing toner amount to the developing device counts the number of used toner bottles.
2. The waste toner collecting device according to 1. 5. A replenishment toner amount counting means for counting an accumulated replenishment toner amount to the developing device, counts an accumulated driving time of the toner replenishment device.
2. The waste toner collecting device according to 1. 6. The waste toner collecting device according to claim 2, wherein the waste toner amount detecting sensor is provided at a middle of a top surface of the waste toner collecting container in a longitudinal direction.