JPH1165278A - Developer processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the scattering of a developer and to replace the developer at user's place by connecting a developer recovering means for transferring the developer with sucking force to a developing device with an attachable/ detachable flexible transfer member. SOLUTION: In the developer recovering means 120, a hole 140 connected to the developing device is attached to the sucking side of a suction type power pump 121 and a tube 141 as a transfer member connected to a recovering tank is attached to the discharge side of the suction type power pump 121. Further, an air supply port 126 is provided on the discharged side of the pump 121 and connected to an air pump for supplying air into a discharge type powder pump through a tube 127. The air at a given flow rate is supplied through this air pump. The fluidization of the developer is accelerated with the air and the transfer by the pump 121 can be made sure.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developer processing system for collecting and replacing a developer from a developing device in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, it is necessary to replace a developer containing a toner and a carrier contained in a two-component developing device and a developer contained in a one-component developing device as a toner with the lapse of time. Will occur. In the replacement of the developer, the operation of extracting the developer from the developing device and the operation of filling the developer are both manual operations, and are operations that cannot be performed by the user. Therefore, the replacement of the developer is usually performed by a serviceman, but this work is troublesome and time-consuming, the hands become dirty, and the machine itself and its surroundings become dirty due to the scattering of the developer. Had to work. In addition, the most troublesome operations such as the generation of dust problems due to the scattering of the developer at the user's site and the storage and disposal of used developer have been forced. Therefore, it is desirable that the replacement of the developer be performed at the user's site because it reduces the exchange cost associated with the work efficiency and logistics and reduces the downtime of the machine. Because of the space requirement and the problem of dust such as scattering of the developer, almost all the developer is transferred to a service base or a factory.

[0003]

However, if the developing device is transferred to a service base or factory every time the developer is replaced, the machine becomes unusable during that time, so that downtime has become a very serious problem. . Especially,
Downtime is a serious problem for a user who needs a large amount of copying and printing work, and the machine of such a user naturally also needs to change the developer frequently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, the present invention enables developer collection and replacement to be performed by a simple operation, and reduces the amount of developer scattered. The purpose is to provide a system.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a developer processing system for recovering a developer loaded in a developing device of an image forming apparatus. A developer collecting means for transferring the developer, and a developer collecting container for storing the developer collected by the developer collecting means, wherein the developer collecting means and the developing device are connected via a detachable flexible transfer member. It is characterized by being connected.

It is to be noted that the present invention is directed to a suction type powder pump having a screw-shaped rotor capable of moving the developer along an axial direction by rotating the developer collecting means, and moving by the powder pump. It is effective to provide an air supply means for fluidizing the developing agent in a diffused state.

Further, according to the present invention, when the developer collecting means and the developer collecting container are provided in the same housing,
It is effective. In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a developer processing system for exchanging a developer loaded in a developing device of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a developer collection unit configured to transfer the developer by suction force; A developer collection container for storing the developer collected by the developer collection unit, a developer storage unit for storing the developer to be filled in the developing device, and a developer stored in the developer storage unit. A developer supply unit that supplies the developer to the developing device, wherein the developer collection unit is connected to the developing device, and the developer supply unit is connected to the developing device via a detachable flexible transfer member. And

Furthermore, the present invention provides a powder pump having a screw-shaped rotor capable of moving the developer along the axial direction by rotating the developer supply means, and a powder pump which is moved by the powder pump. It is effective to provide an air supply means for fluidizing the developer in a diffused state.

Further, the present invention is effective when the developer collecting means, the developer collecting container, the developer accommodating section and the developer supplying means are provided in the same housing.

Further, the present invention is effective when the system main body is formed in a portable size.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an example of a developer processing system according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional explanatory view showing an internal structure of the processing system.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the developer processing system has a supply section for supplying a developer composed of, for example, a toner and a carrier to a later-described developing device, and a collecting section for collecting the developer of the developing device. The supply unit includes a developer tank 10 for storing the developer to be supplied, a developer supply unit 20 for supplying the developer in the tank to the developing device, a hose 40 as a transfer member, and a tip of the hose 40. And a filling connector 50 connected thereto.

The collecting section includes a collecting tank 110 for storing the collected developer, and a developer collecting means 120 for transferring the developer in the developing device to the collecting tank 110 (FIG. 5).
), And a hose 140 as a transfer member. Then, the developer tank 10 and the developer supply means 2
The collection tank 110 and the developer collection means 120 are provided in an outer case 1 formed in a vertically long box shape as a housing.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a developer supply port 12 closed by a cap 11 is provided on the upper portion of the developer tank 10 in the supply section. Further, the developer supply means 20 has a discharge type powder pump 22 disposed at the bottom of the developer tank 10, and the discharge type powder pump 22 is provided with a transport screw 2 provided at the bottom in the developer tank 10.
Connected to 1. The developer contained in the developer tank 10 is agitated above the transport screw 21 in the developer tank 10 to prevent the developer from aggregating and to prevent the occurrence of the developer blocking phenomenon. The agitator 13 is arranged in parallel along the longitudinal direction to suppress it.

The discharge type powder pump 22 is provided in the developer tank 1.
Female screw type stator formed with a double-pitch spiral groove made of an elastic body such as rubber and inserted into a holder 23 made of a resin material forming a powder transfer path and attached to the casing 14 of 24 is a single-shaft eccentric screw pump constituted by a male screw rotor 25 rotatably fitted into the stator 24. This rotor 25
Is integrally connected to one end of the shaft of the conveyance screw 21 by a screw or a pin, and the other end of the conveyance screw 21 penetrates the casing 14 of the developer tank 10 and is outside the casing 14 as shown in FIG. Gear train 30
Through the drive motor 31.

The inner peripheral surface of the holder 23 and the stator 24
A small gap of about 1 mm is provided between the outer peripheral surface and the gap, and the gap communicates with the developer discharge side of the pump.
Further, the holder 23 is provided with an air supply port 26 communicating with the gap. The air supply port 26 is connected to an air pump 27 via a tube 28, and air is supplied from the air pump 27 at a flow rate of, for example, about 0.5 to 2.0 liters / minute. This air promotes fluidization of the developer and ensures the transfer by the discharge type powder pump 22.

The hose 40 is connected to the discharge type powder pump 22.
The hose 40 is made of a flexible and excellent developer-resistant material, for example, a tube made of soft vinyl chloride, silicon, nylon, or Teflon (trade name). It is effective for

Further, the single-axis eccentric screw pump of the discharge type powder pump 22 is capable of continuous constant-quantity transfer at a high solid-gas ratio, and an accurate transfer amount of the developer in proportion to the rotation speed of the rotor can be obtained. It has been known. Therefore, the amount of the developer to be transferred can be controlled by controlling the driving time of the screw pump, and the transfer path by the hose 40 is free, and the developer can be freely transferred in any direction including up, down, left and right. A filling connector 50 shown in FIG. 11 is provided at the end of the hose 40.

In the case of the present embodiment, the recovery tank 110 is formed to have a smaller capacity than the developer tank 10.
It is arranged above the discharge type powder pump 22. The developer collecting means 120 is disposed below the collecting tank 110. As shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 9, the developer collecting means 120 is a suction type powder
Suction pump).

As shown in FIG. 9, a single-axis eccentric screw pump having the same principle as the discharge type powder pump 22 is used as the suction type powder pump 121. The suction type powder pump 121 is a female screw type having a double pitch spiral groove made of an elastic body such as rubber inserted into a holder 122 made of a resin material forming a powder transfer path. Stator 1
23 is a screw pump constituted by a male screw rotor 124 rotatably inserted into the stator 123. The rotor 124 is driven to rotate via a drive motor 130, a drive transmission gear group 131, and a shaft coupling 125. The suction type powder pump 121 and the drive motor 1
The drive transmission gear group 30 and the drive transmission gear group 131 are supported by a bracket 132 as shown in FIGS.

The developer recovery means 12 constructed as described above
Reference numeral 0 denotes a suction side of the suction type powder pump 121 to which a hose 140 connected to a developing device described later is attached. Further, a tube 141 as a transfer member connected to the collection tank 110 is attached to the discharge side of the suction type powder pump 121. Further, an air supply port 126 is provided on the discharge side of the suction type powder pump 121, and the air supply port 126 has a tube 127.
Is connected to an air pump 27 that supplies air to the discharge type powder pump 22 described above. From the air pump 27, for example, 0.5 to 2.0 liters /
Air is supplied at a flow rate of about one minute. This air promotes fluidization of the developer, and the suction type powder pump 121
The transfer by is ensured.

A connection holder 142 is provided above the recovery tank 110, and the tube 127 is attached to the connection holder 142. The connection holder 142 is provided with an air vent filter (not shown) and a shutter (not shown).

FIG. 10 is an explanatory sectional view showing an example of a developing device for exchanging a developer, and FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a part of the developing device. 10 and 11, reference numeral 200 denotes a photosensitive member, and reference numeral 300 denotes a developing device. Inside the developing device 300, a developing sleeve 310, a first stirring screw 320, and a second stirring screw 330 are provided. The developer in the developing device 300 is circulated by the first stirring screw 320 from left to right in FIG. 11 and by the second stirring screw 330 from right to left. During this circulation, the developing sleeve 3
The electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 200 is developed by the developer transferred to the photoconductor 200.

As shown in FIG. 11, the developing device 300 has a first stirring screw 32 at its front end.
An agent filling unit 321 is provided at a position corresponding to 0, and an agent collecting unit 331 is provided at a position corresponding to the second stirring screw 330. The agent filling section 321 and the agent recovery section 331 are usually closed by a stopper or the like. However, when the developer is filled, the stopper is opened and the hose 4 is inserted into the agent filling section 321.
When the developer is collected and the developer is collected, the stopper or the like is opened to load the hose 140 into the agent collection unit 331. In addition,
The agent filling section 321 is provided with an air filter 322 for removing air sent together with the developer. The developer processing system configured as described above includes the developing device 3
When collecting the used developer from 00, the hose 140 is connected to the agent collecting section 331 of the developing device 300, and the drive motor 130 and the air pump 27 are turned on. At this time, the first and second stirring screws 32 of the developing device 300
0,330 is also activated. This stirring screw 320,
By the operation of 330, the developer in the developing device 300 circulates, and the developer that has reached the agent collecting section 331 is sucked by the suction force of the suction type powder pump 121, and is collected via the suction type powder pump 121. Will be collected. Then, almost all of the developer in the developing device 300 can be recovered by the first and second stirring screws 320 and 330. When the developer is to be filled, the filling tool 50 attached to the end of the hose 40 is connected to the agent filling section 321 of the developing device 300, and the drive motor 30 and the air pump 27 are turned on. At this time, the first
Also, the second stirring screws 320 and 330 are operated.
The developer is transferred to the agent filling section 321 of the developing device 300 via the hose 40 by the operation of the discharge type pump 22 and the air pump 27. At this time, the air is degassed from the developing device 300 via the air filter 322, and the developer is prevented from being scattered from the connecting member and the developing device at the time of filling the agent. Then, the transferred developer is supplied to the stirring screw 32.
By the operation of 0,330, the ink is circulated evenly in the developing device 300.

When the developer is filled, it is desirable to control the filling amount. There are various methods for controlling the filling amount, but controlling by weight is one of the preferable methods.

As a control method, the developing device 300
The method of stopping the supply of the developer by stopping the drive motor and the air pump of the developer supply means when the weight of the developer reaches the desired weight before and after the filling, the transfer amount detector between the developer supply means and the transfer member path And a technique such as a method for controlling the supply of the developer may be diverted.

Regardless of the method used, the timing of driving the powder pump and the supply of air are important in order to ensure the reliability of the developer transfer when the developer is charged. It is more preferable to drive the body pump 22 before the body pump 22 is driven and supply air for a predetermined time after the drive type powder pump 22 is stopped. As a result, the developer is prevented from remaining in the hose 40, and the developer is stably filled.

It is known that the developer used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus has a very low fluidity and is difficult to transfer. Originally, when transferring the developer, it is not desirable to apply a large mechanical stress to the developer. When an abnormal stress is applied to the developer, blocking (heat fusion), crushing, and the like of the developer are caused, and not only is the property of the developer deteriorated or the developer cannot be transported, but also
This causes damage to the developer transfer member such as a coil, a screw, and a pipe, and a drive member. Therefore, when transferring the developer, it is important to devise as little abnormal mechanical stress as possible to the developer.

In the conventional developer transfer device, since the transfer is mainly performed by the screw and the pipe, the mechanical stress due to the screw and the mechanical stress due to the friction generated between the screw and the pipe cannot be very large. Did not get. This becomes worse as the transfer distance becomes longer and the transfer direction is displaced. Further, the required torque for driving the screw becomes very large, so that the cost of the driving member and the power consumption cannot be ignored.

For these reasons, when it is desired to lengthen the transfer distance or to change the transfer direction, it is necessary to perform multi-stage transfer using a plurality of screws and pipes. This leads to further deterioration of the developer characteristics, an increase in the number of parts, an increase in cost, a reduction in reliability, a reduction in maintenance and productivity of the apparatus, an increase in the installation volume of the developer transfer device, and a decrease in operability. I was

In the present developer processing system, only a flexible developer transfer member needs to be connected to the developer supply means, and the developer is transferred in a mixed state with air through the developer transfer member. Therefore, there is almost no mechanical stress on the developer, and there is no driving load on the transfer member. As a result, the developer characteristics are maintained and the developer transfer is ensured, and the reliability and durability of the developer processing system are sufficiently ensured. Further, the configuration of the developer processing system is simplified, and low power consumption and low cost can be achieved by low driving.

Further, the developer processing system shown in the above-described embodiment clearly shows a stationary type developer processing system in which the apparatus has a developer accommodating section for accommodating a relatively large amount of developer. This system is difficult to carry, but, for example, if the developer is installed at a service person's activity base and the developer is collected from the user, the developer can be replaced immediately. Therefore, there is no waste such as transporting the developing device to the factory, and the operability of the user / serviceman is improved.
Efficiency at the time of filling, productivity in the factory, and workability of service maintenance are greatly improved. In addition, this system can be installed and used by the user himself.

Further, the developer processing system of the present invention is very easy to set as a small-sized and portable size as a developer accommodating / supplying device for accommodating a medium / small capacity, and it goes without saying that it can be realized. .

If the developer processing system is set to a small and portable size, the effect will be enormous. For example, if the developer processing system can be carried, a service person or the like will visit the user with it,
The developer in the developing device can be directly replaced. As described above, if the processing system is a stationary type, the processing system is installed at a developer distribution base (a distribution base located between a developer production base such as a sales base and a service and a user) and is a portable type. If there is, the developer can be carried to the place where the user installs the machine to change the developer. In either case, it is possible to promptly respond to the urgent request of the user without transporting the developing device from the user to the factory. Further, the developer is relieved from the troublesome and troublesome work of replenishing and collecting the developer, and the storage and disposal of the used developer container is not required.

[0035]

According to the present invention, the recovery and replacement of the developer can be easily performed, and the downtime can be reduced. In addition, the stress applied to the developer during the operation can be reduced, and the scattering of the developer can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an example of a developer processing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory sectional view showing an internal structure of a filling section of the processing system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory center sectional view showing an internal structure of a filling section of the processing system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory sectional view showing an internal structure of a filling section of the processing system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory sectional view showing an internal structure of the processing system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory sectional view showing the internal structure of the processing system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a collection unit.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a collection unit.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a collection unit.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a developing device.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the developing device collects the developer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Outer case 10 Developer tank 20 Developer supply means 22 Discharge type powder pump 24 Stator 25 Rotor 27 Air pump 40 Hose 50 Filling connection tool 110 Recovery tank 120 Developer recovery means 121 Suction type powder pump 123 Stator 124 Rotor 140 Hose 300 developing device

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A developer processing system for recovering a developer loaded in a developing device of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a developer recovery unit configured to transfer the developer by suction force; and a developer recovery unit configured to recover the developer by the developer recovery unit. A developer collection container for storing the developer, wherein the developer collection unit and the developing device are connected via a detachable flexible transfer member. 2. The suction type powder pump according to claim 1, further comprising: a screw-shaped rotor capable of moving the developer along an axial direction by rotating the developer collection unit. And an air supply means for fluidizing the developer moved by the powder pump in a diffused state. 3. The developer processing system according to claim 1, wherein said developer recovery means and said developer recovery container are provided in the same housing. 4. A developer processing system for exchanging a developer loaded in a developing device of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a developer collecting unit that transfers the developer by suction force; and a developer collected by the developer collecting unit. A developer collecting container for storing the developer, a developer accommodating portion for accommodating the developer to be filled in the developing device, and a developer supply means for supplying the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion to the developing device Wherein the developer collecting unit and the developing device and the developer supplying unit are connected to the developing device via a detachable flexible transfer member together with the developing device. 5. The developer processing system according to claim 4, wherein the developer supply means rotates, and the powder supply pump includes a screw-shaped rotor capable of moving the developer along an axial direction. An air supply means for fluidizing the developer moved by the powder pump in a diffused state, the developer processing system comprising: 6. The developer processing system according to claim 4, wherein the developer collection unit, the developer collection container, the developer storage unit, and the developer supply unit are provided in a same housing. A developer processing system. 7. The developer processing system according to claim 1, wherein the system body is formed in a portable size.