JPH1130903A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of preventing a toner container from interfering with other members. SOLUTION: This image forming device 1 is provided with a toner supplying device 3 for feeding toner in the toner container 20 to a developing device 5. The toner supplying device 3 is provided with a first toner hopper part 23 into which the toner container 20 is fitted, a second toner hopper part 24 arranged between the first toner hopper part 23 and the developing device 5 and communicated with each of them to temporarily store the toner from the first toner hopper part 23, and toner carrying means 31 and 32 for carrying the toner from the first to toner hopper part 23 to the second toner hopper part 24 and from the part 23 the developing device 5, respectively.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, and the like.
The present invention relates to a toner supply device used in the image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus, a developing device for visualizing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier is provided with a toner replenishing device for replenishing toner to a developing portion thereof. . The toner supply device of the most general developing device has a configuration shown in FIG. In FIG.
0 is a photosensitive drum, 201 is a developing device, 2 is
02 denotes a developing roller, and 203 denotes a paddle roller. The developing device 201 is provided with a toner cartridge 204 for storing toner and a toner hopper 205 for replenishing toner. The toner in the toner cartridge 204 is replenished to the toner hopper 205 by the agitator 206. To supply toner to the toner hopper unit 205 once, the toner supply roller 2
The reason is to make the toner supply amount to the developing unit 201a as constant as possible, and to make the toner concentration in the developing unit 201a constant. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-6115 also discloses a method in which a toner hopper is provided in front of a discharge port of a toner container, and toner is supplied to the developing device from the toner hopper by a constant amount.

[0003]

In the above-described toner replenishing device, the toner replenishing device and the toner container must be disposed near the developing device or the process cartridge. For this reason, especially when the toner container has a large capacity, a large space in the longitudinal direction is required near the developing device and the process cartridge.
On the other hand, in the vicinity of the developing device and the process cartridge, it is necessary to arrange a high-voltage power supply for an image forming process, a cooling duct for cooling the process cartridge, and the like.
When the toner container has a large capacity, the high-voltage power supply, the cooling duct, and the like may interfere with the toner container, causing a problem that the toner container becomes an obstacle. Also,
In order to avoid interference between the high-voltage power supply and the cooling duct and the toner container, the toner container is disposed in front of the toner replenishing device main body, that is, in front of the developing device and the process cartridge. As a result, there is a problem that the toner replenishing apparatus main body becomes large.

[0004] Such a toner container becomes an obstacle,
The problem that the size of the main body of the toner replenishing device becomes large obstructs the recent demand for downsizing of the image forming apparatus, and there is a problem that downsizing of the image forming apparatus becomes difficult. In particular, in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 14, that is, a so-called vertical paper transport type image forming apparatus, since a heat source such as a fixing device is concentrated near a process cartridge, a problem that the toner container becomes an obstacle or a toner replenishing device main body is used. However, the problem that the size becomes large occurs more remarkably. Note that in FIG.
10 is a process cartridge, 211 is a toner bottle, 212 is a transfer / separation unit, 213 is a fixing unit, 214 is a writing unit, 215 is a registration roller, 216 is a feed roller. , Code 2
Reference numeral 17 denotes a sheet feeding unit, and reference numeral 218 denotes a transfer sheet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing the toner container from interfering with other members.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
In an image forming apparatus having a toner replenishing device for replenishing toner in a toner container to a developing device, the toner replenishing device includes a first toner hopper unit to which the toner container is attached, a first toner hopper unit, and a developing device. , A second toner hopper that temporarily communicates with the toner from the first toner hopper, and that communicates with the first toner hopper and the developing device. The image forming apparatus further includes a toner conveying unit that conveys the toner to the second toner hopper from the second toner hopper to the developing device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the first toner hopper section and the second toner hopper section can be moved toward and away from each other, and only the first toner hopper section has a toner replenishing device. It is a configuration that can be attached to and detached from.

[0008] The invention described in claim 3 is claim 1 or 2.
In the image forming apparatus described above, a configuration is provided in which a second toner hopper unit is provided near a communication portion with the first toner hopper unit, and has a conveyance auxiliary unit that agitates the toner from the first hopper.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first, second, or third aspect, the toner conveying means comprises:
A first transport section that transports the toner inside the first toner hopper section to the second toner hopper section, a second transport section that transports the toner inside the second toner hopper section to the developing device, And a drive unit that drives both the transport unit and the second transport unit.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus 1 includes the image forming apparatus 1
And a toner supply device 3 detachably provided in the process cartridge 2. The process cartridge 2 is provided with a photosensitive member as an image carrier. It mainly includes a body 4 and a developing device 5, and the photoconductor 4 and the developing device 5 are housed integrally to form a unit.

Around the photosensitive member 4, a charging roller 6 for uniformly charging the photosensitive member 4, a developing device 5 for developing an electrostatic latent image, and a transfer roller for transferring a toner image to transfer paper 7. A cleaning device 8 having a cleaning blade 8a for removing residual toner on the photoconductor 4 is disposed.

The developing device 5 includes a stirring screw 9, 1.
0, a developing sleeve 11 and a doctor blade 12 are provided. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 13 denotes a toner density sensor.

The image forming operation by the process cartridge 2 is performed as follows. The photoreceptor 4 is subjected to static elimination light A by a static elimination lamp (not shown) to eliminate residual charges on its surface, and its surface potential is averaged to a reference potential of 0 to -150V. Next, it is charged by the charging roller 6 and the surface potential is-
It will be around 1100V. Next, a portion (image portion) exposed by exposure light B by an exposure unit (not shown) has a surface potential of 0 to -290 V. Since a bias voltage of about -800 V is applied to the developing sleeve 11, the toner on the developing sleeve 11 adheres to the image portion.

The photoreceptor 4 on which the toner image is formed is rotated in the direction of C in the drawing, and is transferred from a paper supply unit (not shown) at such a timing that the leading end of the sheet and the leading end of the image coincide at the transfer roller 7. The paper is fed, and the toner image on the surface of the photoconductor 4 is transferred to the transfer paper by the transfer roller 7. Thereafter, the transfer paper is sent to a fixing unit (not shown), and the toner is fused to the transfer paper by heat and pressure and discharged as a copy. The residual toner remaining on the photoreceptor 4 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 8a, and thereafter, the photoreceptor 4 is destaticized by the static elimination light A to be in a state without any toner.
The process moves to the next image forming step again.

The photosensitive member 4, the charging roller 6, the developing device 5 and the cleaning blade 8a are accommodated in a case 14 integrally formed near the photosensitive member 4. Residual toner collected by the cleaning device 8 is transferred to a transport pipe 16 connected to a developing unit by a toner transport coil 15.
It is transported to a position (indicated by a two-dot chain line). Then, the toner is sent to the developer stirring section having the stirring screw 10 by free fall, and the toner is recycled.

Next, the developing device 5 will be described. The developing sleeve 11 has a fixed shaft in which a five-pole magnet is disposed, and its outer peripheral surface is covered with a non-magnetic pipe material.
Move up. The developer is a two-component type composed of a small iron ball called a carrier and toner. The developer circulates while being stirred by the stirring screws 9 and 10,
As a result, the toner has a charge, adheres to the carrier, is carried to the surface of the photoconductor 4, and can be attached to the photoconductor 4 by the action of electrostatic force. Of the developer, the carrier circulates, but the toner is consumed because it adheres to the image portion on the photoconductor 4. Therefore, it is necessary to replenish appropriately. In addition, if the supply amount of the developer to the photoconductor 4 is not constant, an image density defect or density unevenness occurs. Therefore, a doctor blade 12 that regulates the flow amount of the developer is provided.

The toner replenishing device 3 is connected to the developing device 5, and the toner replenishing device 3 is arranged in parallel with the developing device 5. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the toner supply device 3 includes a toner bottle 20 serving as a toner storage container.
And a toner receiving table 21 on which the toner bottle 20 is placed.
A first toner hopper section 23 and a second toner hopper section 24 provided integrally with the bottle holding member 22 for holding the head of the toner bottle 20 and the toner receiving table 21;
And a rotating member 25 disposed inside the toner hopper section 24.

A second toner hopper 24 is provided between the first toner hopper 23 and the developing device 5. An opening 26 is formed at a portion where the first toner hopper 23 and the second toner hopper 24 are in contact with each other, and communicate with each other. An opening 27 is also formed in a portion of the second toner hopper 24 that communicates with a toner receiving port 17 of the developing device 5 described later. The outer surface of the opening 27 is covered with a replenishing amount regulating member 28 having elasticity to make the toner replenishing amount appropriate. Opening 27
A toner introduction cover 29 that covers the opening 27 and the replenishing amount regulating member 28 is attached near the outer periphery of the toner supply port 29. 30 are formed.
The toner supply port 30 is opened and closed by a shutter member 35 described later.

A toner receiving port 17 is formed above the stirring screw 10 of the developing device 5 of the process cartridge 2. When the toner supply device 3 is connected to the process cartridge 2, the toner supply port 30 and the toner receiving port 17 are opposed to each other. Normally, the toner receiving port 17 is covered with a shutter member (not shown). The shutter member operates in conjunction with the operation of mounting the process cartridge 2 to the image forming apparatus 1, and opens the toner receiving port 17. . In addition, the process cartridge 2 operates in conjunction with the operation of being removed from the image forming apparatus 1, and closes the toner receiving port 17.

The bottle holding member 22 is provided for the toner bottle 20.
It is attached to the first toner hopper 23 so as to be rotatable integrally with the first toner hopper 23, and has two pushing members 31 for pushing the toner to the opening 26. A rotatable member 25 is rotatably housed inside the second toner hopper 24, and the rotatable member 25 pushes the toner to the opening 27.
A plurality of extrusion members 32 are respectively attached. The first transport unit is pushed by the pushing member 31 and the bottle holding member 22, and the second feeding unit is pushed by the pushing member 32 and the rotating member 25.
Are configured respectively. The first transport unit and the second transport unit constitute a toner transport unit.

Therefore, since the second toner hopper 24 is provided between the first toner hopper 23 and the developing device 5, the toner bottle 20 is separated from the process cartridge 2, that is, the developing device 5. The space can be formed near the process cartridge 2. Therefore, a high-voltage power supply, a cooling duct for cooling the process cartridge, and the like can be arranged near the process cartridge 2, and interference with the toner bottle 20 can be avoided.
Further, since the toner replenishing device 3 can be arranged in parallel with the process cartridge 2, the size of the image forming apparatus 1 can be prevented, and the size of the image forming apparatus 1 can be reduced.

Next, the toner supply device 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the toner supply device 3. The toner bottle 20 is driven to rotate by a driving unit 40 fixed to a rear side plate (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 1. The drive unit 40 includes a joint 41, a spring 42, a case 43 containing a motor and a shaft, and a concave portion 41 a at the tip of the joint 41 which fits with the cylindrical convex portion 20 b of the toner bottle 20.
And convex portions 41b, 41b to be fitted with the prismatic convex portions 20c of the toner bottle 20, respectively. Correspondingly, on the bottom surface (rear end surface) of the toner bottle 20, a cylindrical convex portion 20b fitted into the concave portion 41a of the joint 41 is provided.
And a prismatic convex portion 2 that engages with the side surfaces of the convex portions 41b, 41b.
0c is formed. Concave part 41a of cylindrical convex part 20b
, The bottom of the toner bottle 20 is held,
The rotation of the toner bottle 20 is obtained by the engagement of the prismatic projection 20c with the projections 41b, 41b.
When the joint 41 of the driving unit 40 rotates in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 4, the toner bottle 20 also rotates in the same direction.

On the peripheral surface of the toner bottle 20, a spiral ridge 20d projecting toward the inside is formed. When the toner bottle 20 is rotated, the toner is guided by the spiral ridge 20d, and the toner is discharged from the toner discharge port 20a.
Discharge from. The toner discharge port 20a is provided with a cap 19 that is detachable from the discharge port 20a.
When toner is not used, a cap 19 is fitted to prevent toner discharge.

An intermediate portion 20f having a smaller diameter than the main body is formed between the main body, which is the large diameter portion of the toner bottle 20, and the toner discharge port 20a. This intermediate part 2
The drive pawls 20e, 20 with which ribs 22b, which will be described later, engage, are provided on the end surface of the toner discharge port 20a at 0f, that is, on the so-called shoulder.
e are formed respectively.

The tip side of the bottle holding member 22, ie,
Two ribs 22a are integrally formed on the first toner hopper 23 side, and an extruding member 31 is attached to each of the ribs 22a with a double-sided tape. The pushing member 31 is formed of an elastic material such as mylar and rubber, for example. A rib 22b is formed on the inner wall surface of the bottle holding member 22 at a position facing the end surface of the intermediate portion 20f of the toner bottle 20. The ribs 22b serve as driving claws 20e, 20e of the toner bottle 20.
, The rotation of the toner bottle 20 is transmitted to the bottle holding member 22 so that the two rotate integrally.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 50 denotes the cap 19.
2 shows a collet chuck for picking up and releasing a collet. The collet chuck 50 is housed in a cylindrical case 51, and is integrated with a shaft member 53 by a screw 52. Reference numeral 54 denotes a sealing material, reference numeral 55 denotes a sealing member,
Reference numeral 56 denotes a coil spring that constantly presses the collet chuck 50, the cylindrical case 51, and the shaft member 53 toward the toner bottle 20. These assembled parts are held in the first toner hopper 23. Reference numeral 57 denotes a handle for opening and closing the cap 19. The handle 57 is a shaft 57 formed integrally with the handle 57.
a is supported by a shaft hole 21a formed at the tip of the toner receiving table 21 and is rotatable.

Reference numeral 58 denotes a hole 53 formed in the shaft member 53.
a slide shaft 58 which contacts the cam portion 57b formed on the handle 57, rotates the handle 57 in the direction of arrow E in FIG. When the is slid away from the toner bottle 20, the cap 19 is pulled out of the toner discharge port 20a, and the toner in the toner bottle 20 can be discharged into the first toner hopper 23.

As described above, the first toner hopper 2
The inside of the second toner hopper 24 adjacent to 3
A rotating member 25 is provided. The rotating member 25 is driven to rotate by a driving unit 70 fixed to a side plate (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 1. The driving unit 70 includes a driving unit 40
And a case 72 having a motor and a shaft built-in, and a concave portion 71a and convex portions 71b, 71b are formed at the end of the joint 71, respectively. Correspondingly, at the end of the rotating member 25, a columnar convex portion (not shown) that fits into the concave portion 71a of the joint 71 and a prismatic convex portion that engages with the side surfaces of the convex portions 71b, 71b are formed. I have. Concave part 71 of cylindrical convex part
a, the rotating member 25 is held by the
The rotation of the rotating member 25 is obtained by the engagement of the prism-shaped protrusions with b and 71b.

Four ribs 25a are integrally formed on the tip side of the rotating member 25, that is, on the side of the second toner hopper section 24, and the extruding members 32 are attached to these ribs 25a with a double-sided tape. ing. The pushing member 32 is formed of an elastic material such as mylar or rubber, for example, like the pushing member 31.

Next, the shutter member 35 for opening and closing the toner supply port 30 will be described. As shown in FIG.
The supply amount regulating member 28 provided in the opening 27 of the toner hopper 24 is made of an elastic material, for example, mylar or rubber, and is provided with a slit 28a in the form of an elongated square hole at a substantially central portion thereof. ing. This slit 28a
The toner supply amount can be adjusted by setting the opening area of the slit 28a so that the toner supply amount is appropriate.
Are appropriately set. Supply amount regulating member 28
Is attached to the periphery of the opening 27 with a double-sided tape.

A shutter member 35 for opening and closing the toner supply port 30 is provided outside the toner introduction cover 29 so as to cover the toner introduction cover 29. The shutter member 35 is provided movably in the front-rear direction of the toner replenishing device 3, that is, in the direction of arrow F in the drawing. The shutter member 35 is integrally formed with a projection 35a that comes into contact with a guide rib (not shown) formed integrally with the process cartridge 2 and a long hole 35b for guiding in the movement direction. Further, a spring member 37 for urging the shutter member 35 so that the toner supply port 30 is always closed is attached to the shutter member 35. Shutter member 3
A seal member 36 is provided at a position corresponding to the toner supply port 30 of No. 5. The seal member 36 is formed of a sponge, and is attached to the shutter member 35 with a double-sided tape.

As shown in FIG. 5, the toner introduction cover 29
In addition to the toner supply port 30 formed on the bottom surface, a protrusion 29a for guiding the movement of the shutter member 35, that is, engaging with the long hole 35b is formed. Further, a sponge seal 38 as an elastic seal member for preventing toner scattering is provided below the toner introduction cover 29.

As shown in FIG. 3, the toner receiving table 21 is slidable on the guide plate 80 in the direction of arrow G. That is, a step 21 provided on the side edge of the toner receiving table 21
b and 21c are engaged with guide portions 80a and 80b provided on the side edge of the guide plate 80, respectively, and a sliding portion 21d provided on the side edge of the toner receiving table 21 is engaged with the guide portion 80.
b. The guide plate 80 is fixed to a main body side plate 81 of the image forming apparatus 1 with a screw (not shown).

At the end of the guide plate 80, there is provided a stopper 83 which is supported by a leaf spring 82 fixed to the guide plate 80, and the stopper 83 is pressed down. When the toner replenishing device 3 is mounted on the guide plate 80 and the retaining stopper 83 is returned after the mounting, the retaining stopper 83 engages with the tip of the toner receiving table 21 as shown in FIG. The toner replenishing device 3 is kept in a retaining state.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the toner replenishing device 3 is pulled out.
Is attached to and detached from the toner supply device 3. In this case, the steps 21b and 21c of the toner receiving tray 21
This is performed by engaging notches 80c and 80d formed in the guide portions 80a and 80b of the guide plate 80, respectively.

In the state shown in FIG.
0 is placed on the toner receiving table 21, and the toner replenishing device 3 is pushed into the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 for mounting. In this case, before the toner supply device 3 is pushed in, the shutter member 35
The toner introduction cover 29 by the urging force of the spring member 37.
Is in a state in which the toner supply port 30 formed at the bottom of is closed. For this reason, the opening 27 of the second toner hopper 24
The space between the developing device 5 and the toner receiving port 17 is sealed so that toner leakage does not occur.

When the toner replenishing device 3 is pushed in from this state, the projection 35a formed integrally with the shutter member 35 comes into contact with a guide rib (not shown) formed integrally with the process cartridge 2, and the spring member 37 is formed. 4 in the direction of arrow F1 in FIG.
The slide of the shutter member 35 causes the toner supply port 3 to move.
0 is opened, and the second toner hopper 24 and the developing device 5
Are in communication with each other.

Conversely, when the toner replenishing device 3 is removed, the projection 35a of the shutter member 35
While being separated from the guide rib of the process cartridge 2, it slides in the direction of arrow F <b> 2 in FIG. The toner supply port 30 is closed by sliding of the shutter member 35, and the state between the second toner hopper 24 and the developing device 5 is shut off. Therefore,
Outflow of toner from between the second toner hopper section 24 and the developing device 5 can be prevented.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which the toner supply port 30 and the toner receiving port 17 are open, that is, a state in which the toner supply device 3 and the process cartridge 2 are mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. Intermediate part 20 of toner bottle 20
f is positioned on the bottle holding member 22. That is, the spherical small projection 20g formed on the intermediate portion 20f contacts and engages with the inner diameter portion of the bottle holding member 22, and the driving claws 20e, 20e engage with the rib 22b of the bottle holding member 22. Accordingly, the intermediate portion 20f of the toner bottle 20 is positioned on the bottle holding member 22.

From this state, in FIG.
6 is rotated in the direction of arrow E, the cam portion 57b pulls the slide shaft 58 in the direction of arrow H in FIG. As a result, the shaft member 53 also starts to move in the H direction, and the collet chuck 50 comes into contact with the projection 51a of the cylindrical case 51, whereby the collet chuck 50 starts closing and the cap 1 is closed.
Pick 9 When the shaft member 53 further moves in the H direction in this state, the cap 19 of the toner bottle 20 is removed by the collet chuck 50 as shown in FIG. Of the toner hopper 23 can be discharged. In addition,
6 and 7, a symbol T indicates a toner.

The toner supply is performed by detecting the toner density in the developing device 5 by the toner density sensor 13. When the detected value becomes equal to or lower than the reference density, the driving unit 40 operates to rotate the joint 41 in the direction of arrow D in FIG. As a result, the joint 41 engages with the bottom of the toner bottle 20, and the toner bottle 20 also rotates in the same direction. At the same time, the drive unit 70 also operates, and rotates the rotating member 25 in the direction of arrow I in FIG.

In FIG. 1, when the toner bottle 20 rotates, the toner is discharged from the toner discharge port 20a (arrow X1) and accumulates in the first toner hopper 23. on the other hand,
The rotation of the toner bottle 20 causes the driving claws 20 e of the toner bottle 20 to move to the ribs 22 b of the bottle holding member 22.
, The rotation of the toner bottle 20 is transmitted to the bottle holding member 22. As a result, the pushing member 31 becomes the first
Is slidably rotated on the inner wall surface of the toner hopper 23, and the toner accumulated in the first toner hopper 23 is scraped up (arrow X2).

When the toner scraped up by the pushing member 31 reaches the opening 26, the toner passes through the opening 26 (arrow X3) and is pushed into the second toner hopper 24. The toner that has flowed into the second toner hopper unit 24 is temporarily stored in the second toner hopper unit 24. Similarly to the bottle holding member 22 in the first toner hopper section 23, the rotating member 25 in the second toner hopper section 24 is also rotated by the driving section 70.
The pushing member 32 of No. 5 also slides and rotates on the inner wall surface of the second toner hopper section 24, and the toner accumulated in the second toner hopper section 24 is scraped up by the rotation of the pushing member 32 (arrow X4).

When the toner scraped up by the pushing member 32 reaches the slit 28a of the supply amount regulating member 28,
The toner passes through the slit 28a (arrow X5) and is pushed into the toner introduction cover 29. The toner extruded into the toner introduction cover 29 falls inside the toner introduction cover 29 toward the toner supply port 30 and passes through the toner supply port 30 and the toner receiving port 17 in the open state (arrow X6). , Are supplied into the developing device 5.

When the toner is supplied into the developing device 5 and the toner density exceeds the reference density, both the driving units 40 and 70 are stopped, and the toner is supplied to the developing device 5, that is, the toner is replenished by the toner replenishing device 3. Is stopped. afterwards,
When the toner density becomes lower than the reference density due to the consumption of the toner, the above-described toner supply is performed again.

Next, a second embodiment is shown in FIGS.
This embodiment will be described. In these figures,
The same members as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in FIGS. 1 to 4, and description thereof will be omitted, and different points will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the toner replenishing device 1
Reference numeral 00 mainly includes a first toner hopper 110 and a second toner hopper 120. The first toner hopper unit 110 and the second toner hopper unit 120 are separately formed, and are configured to be able to contact and separate from each other.

The first toner hopper section 110 is formed integrally with the toner receiving table 21 for accommodating the toner bottle 20 and slides the guide plate 80 in substantially the same manner as the first toner hopper section 23 of the first embodiment. It is configured to be able to be pulled out of the image forming apparatus main body by moving. Further, inside the first toner hopper unit 110, members for opening and closing the cap 19 such as the collet chuck 50 and the bottle holding member 22 are provided. First toner hopper 11
A handle 57 and the like are disposed at the outer end of the “0” so as to face the collet chuck 50.

An opening 111 for transporting the toner in the first toner hopper 110 to the second toner hopper 120 is provided in a portion of the first toner hopper 110 which is in contact with the second toner hopper 120. I have. A toner introduction cover 112 that covers the opening 111 is attached to a peripheral edge of the opening 111.
Is provided with a toner supply port 113 communicating with the.

Outside the toner introduction cover 112, the first
A shutter member 115 similar to the shutter member 35 of the embodiment is attached. That is, the shutter member 115 is attached to the toner introduction cover 112 such that the toner supply port 113 is always closed by the urging force of a spring member (not shown). A protrusion 115a is formed integrally with the shutter member 115. The protrusion 115a is formed on the second toner hopper 120 when the first toner hopper 110 is pushed into the main body of the toner replenishing device 100. The shutter member 115 is moved in the direction of arrow J, and the toner supply port 113 is opened.

On the other hand, the second toner hopper section 120 is fixed to the main body side plate 81a of the image forming apparatus by screws, and when the process cartridge 2 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1, a part thereof is developed. It is attached to connect with. The second toner hopper unit 120 is substantially the same as the second toner hopper unit 24 of the first embodiment,
It mainly includes a rotating member 25 disposed inside the second toner hopper unit 120 and a driving unit 70 for rotating the rotating member.

The portion of the second toner hopper 120 that contacts the first toner hopper 110, that is, the portion that contacts the toner supply port 113, has the first toner hopper 11.
A toner receiving port 121 for receiving toner from 0 is formed. The toner receiving port 121 is connected to the toner supply port 113.
Are provided opposite to each other. Below the toner receiving port 121, a toner introduction path 122 for guiding the toner to the inside of the second toner hopper unit 120 is formed. The toner receiving port 121 is covered with a shutter member (not shown) similar to the shutter member that covers the toner receiving port 17, and is opened and closed in conjunction with attachment and detachment of the first toner hopper 110.

In a portion of the second toner hopper section 120 which is substantially opposite to the toner receiving port 121 and is connected to the developing device 5, the supply amount is the same as in the second toner hopper section 24 of the first embodiment. Regulating member 28, toner supply port 3
0, a toner introduction cover 29 and a shutter member 35 are provided. The shutter member 35 is attached so that the toner supply port 30 is always closed by the urging force of the spring member 37. Further, when the process cartridge 2 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1, the shutter member 35 is moved in the direction of arrow K by a guide rib (not shown) provided on the process cartridge 2 to open the toner supply port 30.

The process cartridge 2 is connected to the image forming apparatus 1
After the toner bottle 20 is attached to the first toner hopper 110, the first toner hopper 110 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1. By mounting the process cartridge 2 in the image forming apparatus 1, the second
The toner hopper section 120 and the developing device 5
They communicate with each other via the toner supply port 30 and the toner receiving port 17. On the other hand, by attaching the first toner hopper 110 to the image forming apparatus 1, the first toner hopper 110 and the second toner hopper 120
1. They communicate with each other via a toner supply port 113 and a toner receiving port 121.

When the toner density in the developing device 5 becomes lower than the reference density, the driving units 40 and 70 are operated together to supply toner. 8, the toner is discharged from the toner discharge port 20a by the rotation of the toner bottle 20 (arrow Y1) and accumulates in the first toner hopper 110. First
The toner accumulated in the toner hopper section 110 is scraped up by the pushing member 31 (arrow Y2), and
1 (arrow Y3), and is pushed into the toner introduction cover 112. The toner flowing into the toner introduction cover 112 passes through the toner supply port 113 and the toner receiving port 121 and flows into the second toner hopper 120 (arrow Y).
4) After passing through the toner introduction path 122, the toner further flows into the inner part of the second toner hopper 120, and is temporarily stored in the second toner hopper 120. The toner accumulated in the second toner hopper unit 120 is scraped up by the pushing member 32 (arrow Y5), passes through the slit 28a of the supply amount regulating member 28 (arrow Y6), and is pushed out into the toner introduction cover 29. The toner pushed into the toner introduction cover 29 is supplied to the toner supply port 30 and the toner receiving port 1.
7 (arrow Y7), and is supplied into the developing device 5. Note that the operation of pulling out the toner receiving tray 21 and the operation of opening and closing the cap 19 of the toner bottle 20 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

After all the toner in the toner bottle 20 has been replenished to the developing device 5, the toner bottle 20 is replaced. At this time, the first toner hopper 110
Of the toner bottle 20
Can be replaced, the second toner hopper 120 is not in the way, and the workability of replacing the toner bottle 20 can be improved. Further, since only the first toner hopper 110 needs to be pulled out, the operability is good and the toner bottle 20 can be easily replaced.

Next, a third embodiment is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, and this embodiment will be described. In these drawings, the same members as those shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in FIGS. 8 and 9, and the description thereof is omitted, and different points will be described. In the third embodiment, the toner supply device 100 of the second embodiment is
The second toner hopper unit 120 is the first toner hopper unit 1
10 in that it has a conveyance assisting means for agitating the toner from No. 10.

Hereinafter, the transport assisting means will be described in detail. Toner receiving port 12 of second toner hopper section 120
1, a small space 123 is formed in which the toner flowing from the toner receiving port 121 is accumulated. In the space 123, a stirring blade member 124 as a conveyance assisting unit for stirring the toner accumulated in the space 123 is provided.
Are arranged. The stirring blade member 124 is configured such that a flat blade 124a is provided integrally with a shaft 124b, and a gear mounting portion 124c having a D-shaped cross section is formed at one end of the shaft 124b. Both ends of the shaft 124b are rotatably supported by bearings 126 via seal members 125, respectively.

The bearing 126 is sandwiched between both side walls 127, 127 forming a space 123 and both side walls 129, 129 of a cover 128 covering the space 123. That is, the groove 126a is provided on substantially the entire peripheral surface of the bearing 126. In addition, grooves 126 are formed in both side walls 127 and 127.
a and the notches 127a, 127a with which the
Are formed respectively. Furthermore, on both side walls 129, 129,
The receiving portions 129a and 129a for holding the bearing 126 and the engagement holes 129b and 129 with which the claws 127b and 127b engage.
b are formed respectively.

Receiving part 12 corresponding to gear mounting part 124c
9a has a hole 129 through which the gear mounting portion 124c is inserted.
c is provided. After the stirring blade member 124 is mounted on the second toner hopper 120, the gear mounting portion 124c
The hole 129c has a length protruding from the hole 129c.
The gear 130 is attached to the gear attachment portion 124c that protrudes from the gear 130.

A gear portion 131 is integrally formed on the peripheral surface of the end portion of the rotating member 25 facing the drive portion 70, where the concave portion 71a and the convex portions 71b, 71b are engaged. . The stirring blade member 124 is connected to the second toner hopper section 12.
After being attached to 0, the gear portion 131 and the gear 130 mesh with each other.

When the rotating member 25 is rotated by the drive unit 70 in the direction of the arrow L1 in the figure, the gear part 131 also rotates, and the gear 130 meshing with this rotates in the direction of the arrow L2 in the figure. By rotating the gear 130, the stirring blade member 124 also rotates in the direction of arrow L3 in FIG.
Stir the toner accumulated inside
To the center of the toner hopper section 120. Although the stirring blade member 124 rotates in the direction of arrow L3 in FIG. 10, there is no particular restriction on the direction of this rotation, and the rotation may be in the opposite direction to the direction of arrow L3.

Accordingly, the toner in the space 124 is stirred by the stirring blade member 124 and is conveyed to the center side of the second toner hopper 120, so that the aggregation of the toner in the second toner hopper 120 is prevented. The deterioration of the fluidity of the toner can be prevented. Further, the toner conveyance in the second toner hopper section 120 can be favorably maintained.

Next, a fourth embodiment is shown in FIG. 12, and this embodiment will be described. In FIG.
The same members as those shown in FIG. 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in FIGS. 10 and 11, and the description thereof will be omitted, and different points will be described. In the fourth embodiment, the third
The configurations of the bottle holding member and the rotating member are different from those of the toner supply device 100 of the embodiment.

Hereinafter, the bottle holding member and the rotating member will be described in detail. In FIG. 12, reference numeral 140 denotes the first
Reference numeral 150 denotes a second toner hopper. First toner hopper section 140
Is formed integrally with the toner receiving table 141 similarly to the first toner hopper section 110 of the third embodiment. Inside the first toner hopper section 140, a bottle holding member 142 is provided. A gear portion 143 is integrally formed on an end portion of the bottle holding member 142 facing the drive portion 40 and on a peripheral surface of the end portion holding the toner bottle 20. An idler gear 144 meshes with the gear 143, and the idler gear 144 is rotatably supported by a shaft 145 provided on a side surface of the first toner hopper 140.

On the other hand, the second toner hopper section 150 has the same configuration as the second toner hopper section 120 of the third embodiment, and a rotating member 151 is disposed inside the second toner hopper section 150. Have been. Rotating member 151
The gear 152 is integrally provided at the end of the gear. The gear 152 meshes with the idler gear 144.
The gear 152 has a gear 13 of the stirring blade member 124.
0 is engaged.

When the toner bottle 20 is rotated by the drive unit 40, the bottle holding member 1 is moved via the toner bottle 20.
42 is rotated in the direction of arrow M1. Bottle holding member 1
By the rotation of 42, the idler gear 144 rotates in the direction of arrow M2, the gear 151 rotates in the direction of arrow M3, and the gear 130 rotates in the direction of arrow M4.

Therefore, since both the bottle holding member 142 and the rotating member 151 rotate in the same direction, the pushing members 31 and 32 in both toner hopper portions 140 and 150 also rotate in the same direction, and the two toner hopper portions 140 and 150 have the same rotation. Conveys toner.

Accordingly, the bottle holding member 142 in the first toner hopper section 140 and the rotating member 151 in the second toner hopper section 150 can be driven to rotate by the driving section 40, so that the bottle holding member 142 and the rotating member 151 can be rotated. Only one drive source is required for rotational driving, so that the toner supply device can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

[0070]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the second toner hopper is disposed between the first toner hopper and the developing device, the toner container can be developed. This makes it possible to dispose the apparatus away from the apparatus, and to form a space near the developing apparatus. Therefore, a high-voltage power supply, a cooling duct, and the like can be arranged near the developing device, and interference with the toner container can be avoided. In addition, since the toner replenishing device can be maintained in parallel with the developing device, the size of the image forming device can be prevented from increasing, and the size of the image forming device can be reduced.

In particular, in the image forming apparatus of the vertical paper transport type,
Since a heat source such as a fixing device is concentrated in the vicinity of the process cartridge, it is possible to more effectively prevent an obstacle due to the toner container and an increase in the size of the image forming apparatus.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when replacing the toner container, only the first toner hopper can be pulled out of the image forming apparatus and the toner container can be replaced, so that if the second toner hopper is obstructed. Therefore, the workability of replacing the toner container can be improved. Also, since only the first toner hopper needs to be pulled out, the operability is good and the toner container can be easily replaced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the toner supplied to the second toner hopper is agitated by the conveyance assisting means, so that aggregation of the toner in the second toner hopper can be prevented, and the fluidity of the toner can be prevented. Deterioration can be prevented.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the first transport section in the first toner hopper section and the second transport section in the second toner hopper section are both rotationally driven by the drive section. Only one drive source is required to rotationally drive the unit, so that the toner supply device can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing each component of the toner supply device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a relationship between a toner receiving tray of the toner supply device and a guide plate on the image forming apparatus main body side.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the toner supply device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a toner introduction cover having a toner supply port.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the first toner hopper unit showing a state where the toner bottle is mounted on the first toner hopper unit.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the first toner hopper showing a state in which the cap of the toner bottle has been pulled out and the toner in the toner bottle has flowed into the first toner hopper;

FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of a toner supply device showing an embodiment of the toner supply device according to claim 2;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the toner replenishing device according to claim 2, showing a relationship between a toner receiving table of the toner replenishing device and a guide plate on the image forming apparatus main body side.

FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view of the configuration of a toner supply device showing an embodiment of a toner supply device based on claim 3;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the second toner hopper where a stirring and conveying member is provided.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a bottle holding member and a rotating member.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional toner replenishing device showing a schematic configuration of the toner replenishing device.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus of a vertical paper transport type.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Process cartridge 3 Toner replenishing apparatus 5 Developing apparatus 20 Toner bottle (toner container) 22 Bottle holding member (1st conveyance part) 23 1st toner hopper section 24 2nd toner hopper section 25 No. 2 transport unit) 31 Extrusion member (first transport unit) 32 Extrusion member (second transport unit) 40, 70 Drive unit 124 Stirring transport member (transport assisting unit)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Daijiji 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Jiji Mizuishi 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Mayumi Ohbori 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo ・ Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Ken Amamiya 1-3-6, Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hideki Yoshinami 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Ricoh Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having a toner replenishing device for replenishing toner in a toner container to a developing device, wherein the toner replenishing device comprises: a first toner hopper unit in which the toner container is mounted; A second toner hopper portion disposed between the toner hopper portion and the developing device, communicating with the first toner hopper portion and the developing device, and temporarily storing toner from the first toner hopper portion; An image forming apparatus, comprising: toner conveying means for conveying toner from a first toner hopper to a second toner hopper and from the second toner hopper to the developing device. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first toner hopper and the second toner hopper are detachable from each other, and only the first toner hopper is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. Item 2. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a conveyance assisting means provided near a communication part of the second toner hopper with the first toner hopper, and agitating the toner from the first hopper. 3. The image forming apparatus according to 2. 4. A toner conveying means for conveying the toner inside a first toner hopper to a second toner hopper, and developing the toner inside a second toner hopper with the toner. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second transport unit that transports the image to the apparatus, and a drive unit that drives both the first transport unit and the second transport unit.