JPH117228A - Image forming device with automatic opening/closing mechanism for discarded toner port - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device equipped with an automatic discarded toner port opening/closing mechanism for automatically controlling an opening/closing mechanism installed at the discarded toner input port of a toner recovering part. SOLUTION: The image forming device is provided with the automatic discarded toner port opening/closing mechanism (7b and 13a) for automatically controlling the opening/closing mechanism installed at the discarded toner input port of the toner recovering part 39. In this case, the toner recovering part 39 is installed so as to be attached/detached to/from the image forming device main body, and also, an opening/closing door 7 is installed so as to freely open/ close the output port of the toner recovering part 39, and the opening/closing mechanism is constituted so that it may be opened/closed by operating the door 7 to be open/closed.

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 provided with an automatic waste toner opening / closing mechanism for automatically controlling an opening / closing mechanism provided at a waste toner inlet of a toner collecting section.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus in which waste toner removed from a photosensitive drum can be transported to a toner collecting section located above the photosensitive drum by a belt transporter is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H10-204873. -116868.

In this image forming apparatus, a cleaning blade scrapes off residual toner attached to a photosensitive drum, and waste toner removed from the photosensitive drum is transported to a transport mechanism by rotating a spiral spiral blade. Is done.

The waste toner collecting container is generally located above the photosensitive drum, that is, in consideration of easiness of replacement.
It is arranged in an upper part of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, a belt body that communicates with the waste toner collection container is provided in the transport mechanism, and the belt body is configured to collect the waste toner in the waste toner collection container.

[0005] In the prior art constructed as described above, in order to prevent the waste toner from scattering in the apparatus and adversely affecting the image forming mechanism, the outer periphery of the spiral blade for transporting the waste toner to the transport mechanism is formed. While being covered with a cylindrical portion, the entrance opening of the transport mechanism and the cylindrical portion are fitted so that the waste toner does not scatter in the machine, or the entrance opening and the cylindrical portion are connected via packing or the like. Mechanism must be considered.

[0006] Due to the demand for downsizing of the body, it is not possible to form these waste toner conveying mechanisms in a dimension having a sufficient margin.

[0007]

Therefore, according to the above-mentioned prior art, the residual toner scraped off by the cleaning blade is transferred to the transport mechanism while being pushed by the spiral blade, and the belt body is moved near the entrance of the transport mechanism. The paper is loaded on the stacker and transported to the waste toner collecting container.

However, due to the inoperability of the belt member or some other reason, the waste toner remains near the entrance of the transport mechanism and solidifies, and the solidified waste toner closes the entrance, and the driving of the spiral blade is stopped. There is a risk that the stoppage, and eventually the cleaning blade portion will be filled with the waste toner, will result in not only insufficient cleaning of the photosensitive drum but also damage to the surface of the photosensitive drum.

For this reason, it is desirable that the belt body, that is, the transport mechanism, is configured to be detachable in the image forming apparatus for repair or replacement.

When the waste toner is conveyed from below toward a toner collecting container disposed in an upper portion of the image forming apparatus, the conveying mechanism is configured to transfer the waste toner from above toward a receiving port of the toner collecting container. By providing a discharge port for discharging, the toner can be easily transferred into the toner collection container by the driving force of the transport mechanism and the weight of the toner itself, and a reasonable mechanism can be configured.

However, when the transport mechanism is configured to be detachable from the main body, if some countermeasure is not taken, when the transport mechanism is removed from the main body, waste toner is discharged from the discharge port into the image forming apparatus main body. There is a risk of emission and contamination of the cabin. Therefore, it is desirable to provide an opening / closing mechanism that opens when the transport mechanism is mounted in the image forming apparatus main body and shields the discharge port when replacing the transport mechanism.

When the transport mechanism is configured to be detachably mountable in the main body, it is necessary to lock the transport mechanism at a mounting position in the main body and position the transport mechanism. Since the number of parts increases when the printer is provided, it is preferable to use a part of a replacement part such as a toner collection container or a toner container in which new toner is built.

The transport mechanism and the toner collecting container,
Alternatively, an opening / closing door is provided at an upper portion for replacing a toner container or the like in which new toner is built. A mechanism for suppressing the transport mechanism by closing the opening / closing door is also conceivable. If the transport mechanism swings each time the door is opened, waste toner in the transport mechanism may leak into the apparatus and become contaminated.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus having an automatic waste toner port opening / closing mechanism for automatically controlling an opening / closing mechanism provided at a waste toner introduction port of a toner collecting section. Aim. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus provided with an automatic waste toner opening / closing mechanism for easily replacing a toner collecting section.

[0015]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has an automatic waste toner port opening / closing mechanism for automatically controlling an opening / closing mechanism provided at a waste toner introduction port of a toner collecting section. An image forming apparatus comprising: an opening / closing door in which the toner collecting section is detachably provided to an image forming apparatus main body, and an opening of the toner collecting section is provided so as to be openable and closable; The opening / closing mechanism is configured to be capable of opening / closing by the opening / closing operation.

According to the present invention, for example, as shown in FIG.
a related to an image forming apparatus provided with an automatic waste toner opening / closing mechanism (7b, 13a, 13) for automatically controlling the opening / closing mechanism 13 provided in the image forming apparatus, the toner collecting section 39 is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. And an opening / closing door (upper door) 7 having an opening for opening / closing an apparatus main body for taking out the toner collecting section 39 from the image forming apparatus is provided. The mechanism 13 is configured to be openable and closable.

With this configuration, when the toner collecting unit is replaced, the opening / closing mechanism is automatically closed by opening the opening / closing door, so that waste toner does not scatter in the apparatus.

Further, since the opening / closing mechanism 13 is opened by closing the opening / closing door 7, when the toner collecting section is replaced, the toner collecting section and the waste toner conveying section are electrically connected by closing the opening / closing door 7. This eliminates the need for the operator to perform any other special operation.

A waste toner carrier is detachably provided between the photosensitive drum and the waste toner introduction port of the toner collecting section with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the opening / closing mechanism is arranged on the waste toner transport body. The waste toner transport body is configured to be disengageable with the toner collecting unit, and the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing door causes the opening / closing mechanism to engage with the waste toner transport body in the toner collecting unit. The configuration for operation is also an effective means of the present invention.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 11, between the photosensitive drum 9 and the waste toner introduction port of the toner collecting section, a waste toner transport body (waste toner transport section) 11 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus. When the waste toner is solidified between the photosensitive drum 9 and the waste toner introduction port of the toner collecting unit and the transportation of the waste toner becomes impossible, the waste toner transport body 11 is provided. Can be taken out and the waste toner receiving port of the carrier 11 can be cleaned.

Further, by configuring the waste toner transporting body to be detachable from the toner collecting section, the waste toner transporting body can be positioned by the toner collecting section, and a special locking mechanism is provided. In addition, the waste toner carrier can be fixed to the image forming apparatus.

Further, since the waste toner conveying body is locked by the toner collecting section, in this locked state, it has no relation to the operation of the opening / closing door, and the toner collecting section is replaced. Even when the opening / closing door is opened and closed, the opening / closing mechanism disposed on the waste toner transport body only opens and closes, and the waste toner transport body does not swing. The toner does not soar at the time of opening and closing and does not contaminate the inside of the apparatus.

Further, the waste toner conveying member can be moved toward and away from the image forming apparatus main body in a direction intersecting with the attaching / detaching direction of the toner collecting portion, and is disposed so as to be biased in a direction away from the toner collecting portion. The waste toner transport body is configured to be able to acquire an engagement position with the toner collecting unit and a detached position from the toner collecting unit, and in the detached position,
It is also an effective means of the present invention that the waste toner carrier is engaged with the toner collecting section by closing the opening / closing door.

According to the present invention, the waste toner conveying member can be moved toward and away from the image forming apparatus main body in a direction intersecting with the attaching / detaching direction of the toner collecting section, and the engagement position with the toner collecting section; Since the detachable position from the toner collecting unit can be acquired, the toner collecting unit can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body at a position separated from the waste toner conveyance body, and can be easily operated without any obstacle at that position. It is attached and detached.

Further, the waste toner transporting body is disposed so as to be biased in a direction away from the toner collecting section, and at a position separated from the toner collecting section, the waste toner transporting body is opened by closing the opening / closing door. Since the body is configured to be engaged with the toner collecting section, no special operation is required, and the opening and closing door can be automatically engaged with the toner collecting section by closing the opening / closing door.

[0026]

Embodiments of the present invention will be illustratively described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, unless otherwise specified, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but are merely illustrative examples. It's just

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 10, in the image forming apparatus 1, an a-Si photosensitive drum rotating counterclockwise in the figure is disposed on the back surface of a frame 12 on which a waste toner transfer unit 11 described later is placed. Around the body drum, a developing unit 10, a transfer roller 19, a cleaning blade for cleaning the photosensitive drum, a charging unit, and the like are arranged along a rotation direction.

The developing device 10 is provided with a developing roller (not shown), and the surface of the developing roller is separated from the surface of the photosensitive member by a predetermined distance. The developing device 10 is configured to be able to appropriately supply a predetermined amount of toner from the toner container 31. The upper door 7 is disposed above the toner container 31 so as to be openable and closable in the direction of arrow 53 around the base 7a, so that the toner container 31 can be detached.

An optical unit 5 for forming an image dot on the surface of the photoconductor is provided on the upper surface of the photoconductor. The optical unit 5 is a polygon mirror for reflecting laser light from a laser light source (not shown). It has an optical system that forms image dots on the surface of the photoreceptor via the reflection mirror.

In the lower part of the image forming apparatus 1, a control circuit for controlling the apparatus in the image forming apparatus 1 is accommodated, and a recording paper container is detachably disposed from the outside. A recording paper storage in front is provided,
The recording paper placed on the pressing spring can be conveyed to the registration rollers 18 and 30 through the passage by the conveyance roller.

On the right side of the image forming apparatus 1, a fixing roller 2
3 and 24 form a fixing unit, and the recording paper that has passed between the photosensitive member and the transfer roller 19 is fixed to the fixing rollers 23 and 24.
The recording paper after fixing is transported by the transport rollers 25, 2
The transferred images are stacked as a face-down tray on the paper discharge tray 6 by rollers 28 and 29 through a passage 27 by a roller 6 and a lower surface.

The image forming apparatus 1 configured as above is
When a power switch (not shown) is closed, a main motor (not shown) starts driving, and when a start switch (not shown) is closed, the photosensitive drum rotates counterclockwise, and the optical unit 5 causes an image to be formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The image is developed by a developing roller of a developing device 10, and the developed image is transferred to a recording sheet by a transfer roller 19, fixed by fixing rollers 23 and 24, and
The sheets are conveyed to the sheet discharge tray 6 and accumulated by 5, 26, 28 and 29.

Next, each main part of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 10, in the frame 12 attached to the housing 49, the waste toner scraped off by the cleaning blade to remove the residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum is disposed in the waste toner chamber 39 of the toner container 31. A belt housing 15 for transporting and accumulating the belt is provided. The specific configuration will be apparent from FIG.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a main part of the waste toner transferring section. The waste toner transfer unit 11 includes a belt housing 15
Opening 15 for discharging waste toner into waste toner chamber 39
and an opening and closing mechanism 13 in which f can be opened and closed.

The belt housing 15 is formed of a transparent synthetic resin, and has a pulley 46 rotatably fitted to a lower circulation shaft 47 fixed below the transparent surface 15h, and is disposed rotatably upward. And the pinion 43 is disposed between the pulley 46 and the pinion 43.
An endless track-like belt 45 having a groove provided in the width direction meshing with the number 3 and having a large number of partition walls 45a erected on the other surface at predetermined intervals is stretched, and the belt 45 is rotated by the pinion 43. It is configured to be rotatable.

An opening 15b is formed above the lower circulation shaft 47. A cover cylinder 42 extending from the photosensitive drum side and a spiral blade shaft 38 having a spiral blade 37 are formed in the opening 15b. The belt 45 and the opening 15 are fitted with an end and formed to receive waste toner.
b is surrounded by a transparent outer wall 15e.

The pinion 43 is integrally connected to an intermediate gear 32 disposed on the back of the belt housing 15, and the intermediate gear 32 is disposed on the frame 12 via the intermediate gear 33 (not shown). Meshes with a gear 34 connected to a drive source,
The belt 45 is configured to be rotatable by the pinion 43.

As described above, the belt 45 is driven so that the pinion 43 located above pulls up the waste toner transfer chamber 50 on the upper surface side of the belt and presses the empty transfer chamber on the lower surface side. If a drive source is connected to the lower circulating shaft 47 and driven, waste toner is loaded in the transport chamber on the upper surface side, and when it becomes heavy, the belt is bent due to an increase in load, and the belt is wavy. Therefore, in order to cause a loss of driving force, it is necessary to increase the thickness of the belt so as not to bend. Instead, an extra driving force is required. However, in the present embodiment, as described above, the belt 45 is Since the rotational driving force is obtained from the pinion 43 located above, the heavy waste toner transport chamber 50 on the upper surface side of the belt is pulled up, and the thin and light belt is driven by pushing the empty transport chamber on the lower surface side to push. Even if used, the belt can be driven satisfactorily without deflection and satisfactorily.

Next, the relationship between the frame 12 and the belt housing 15 will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view for explaining an operation of attaching the belt container 15 constituting the waste toner transfer unit 11 to the frame 12, and FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a removing mechanism for removing the residual toner from the photosensitive drum and the removed waste. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional configuration diagram illustrating a relationship with a transport mechanism that transports toner to a belt housing.

In FIG. 2, the frame body 12 is formed in a boots shape, and the side wall which rises from the surface 12h and forms the upper wall surface 12b is provided diagonally downward to the right, and is separated from the upper wall surface 12b by a predetermined distance. A hill-shaped body having a side wall surface 12c and a hill top surface 12e is formed facing the upper wall surface 12b, and a side wall 12i stands upright on the side of the hill top surface 12e opposite to the side wall surface 12c.

A drive gear 35 and a gear 34 connected to a drive source (not shown) are disposed on the upper side wall 12g of the hill-shaped body, and an intermediate gear 3 provided on the back surface of the belt housing 15 is provided.
3 can be connected.

The side wall surface 12c extends below a locking portion 12d for locking a dowel 15d provided on the back surface of the belt housing 15 described below. Above the locking portion 12d, the upper wall 12b comes into contact with the opening 12k.
Is formed, and a lower inner peripheral surface 12a which forms an opening of the opening 12k is a cylindrical portion 15a of a belt storage body 15 described later.
And rises slightly thicker from the surface 12h on the front side of the paper than the surface 12h.

A V-shaped holding lever 16 having a center of rotation 16a at one end in a bifurcated manner is provided in the vicinity of the opening 12k so as to be rotatable in a clockwise direction with a rotating behavior. I have. An optical sensor 17 having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit is provided near the lever 16.
When the is rotated to the full right, the other rotatable tip of the forked shape is disposed so as to block the detection portion of the optical sensor 17.

In FIG. 11, the main plate 5
2 and 55 are disposed, and the frame 12 is disposed between the two base plates. Between the frame 12 and the base plate 52, a sliding contact surface 15p that slides on the base plate 52 and a surface 12h of the frame 12 are provided. A belt housing 15 having a cylindrical portion 15r that slides with the belt housing 15 is slidably disposed.

The mounting plate 54 on which the photosensitive drum 9 is rotatably mounted is provided with an opening 54a.
A cover cylinder 42 is integrally fitted into a. A spiral blade shaft 38 having a spiral blade 37 is rotatably disposed in the cover cylinder 42. A rectangular long groove 42a is provided on the photosensitive drum 9 side of the cover cylinder 42 over the entire length of the photosensitive drum, and a thin plate 57 having one end adhered to one side of the long groove 42a and the cleaning blade 5 having the other end.
6 is disposed in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 9 below
It is configured as a waste toner guide.

The mounting plate 54 is directly or indirectly
Is extended to the right end side of the photosensitive drum 9 on the right side, and a grip portion is provided on the right end portion. When the grip portion is pulled out, the cover cylinder 42 and the spiral blade shaft 38 are attached to the photosensitive drum 9. 11 together with the cleaning blade 56 so as to be able to be integrally pulled out.

Next, a method for loading the belt housing 15 into the frame 12 will be described. When the upper door 7 is opened in FIG. 2 in a state where the mounting plate 54 in FIG. 11 is pulled out to the right and the cover cylinder 42 is retracted from the surface 12 h of the frame 12, a space 49 a appears, and the belt housing 15 is closed. The back surface is placed on the upper surface 12e of the hill-shaped body of the frame 12, and the dowels 15d projecting from the back surface are brought into contact with the side wall surfaces 12c as indicated by imaginary lines 15'd. The outer periphery 15a (FIG. 11) of the cylindrical portion 15r projecting from
The belt housing 15 in an oblique state is inserted into the frame 12 in contact with the side wall 12 b of the frame 12.

When the belt housing 15 descends, the lower outer periphery 15c of the outer frame comes into contact with the rotating tip of the holding lever 16, the holding lever 16 turns counterclockwise, and the belt housing 15 moves to the detector 17 position. Outer circumference 15a of a cylindrical portion 15r inserted between the detection portions of
Comes into contact with the inner circumference 12a below the opening 12e, and further lowering stops.

At this time, the tip of the holding lever 16 engages with the engaging recess 15 i of the belt housing 15, and the biasing force of the holding lever 16 moves the belt housing 15 to the lower edge 12 a of the opening 12 k of the frame 12. Is rotated clockwise with the guide as a guide, but since the engaging recess 15i and the tip of the holding lever 16 have different rotation radii, the tip interferes with each other in the engaging recess 15i, and the dowel 15d Locking part 12
3 (b), and is held at the position shown in FIG.

In the illustrated position, the toner container 31 cannot be mounted in the apparatus because the belt housing 15 is in the way. Therefore, when the tip 13a of the opening / closing mechanism 13 of the belt housing 15 is rotated clockwise, the belt housing 15 is opened.
Is disengaged from the engaging recess 15i and the distal end of the holding lever 16, the dowel 15d goes left of the locking portion 12d, and the distal end of the pressing lever 16 rides on the engaging recess 15i. And reaches FIG.

In this state, as shown in FIG. 11, the mounting plate 54 integral with the photosensitive drum 9 and the cover cylinder 42 is inserted into the apparatus main body from the right side, and the tip end of the cover cylinder 42 is Is inserted into the inner periphery 15b of the cylindrical portion 15r protruding from the rear surface of the cylindrical member 15r.

Next, the operation for loading the toner container 31 will be described. In FIG. 1, an opening / closing door (upper door) 7 for opening and closing an upper opening of the toner container mounting portion 44 opens and closes in a direction of an arrow 53 around a rotation axis 7a of a hinge portion provided near the left end of the paper discharge tray 6. It is arranged freely. The upper door 7 is configured to be able to stand upright at the illustrated position by a mechanism (not shown).

The toner container 31 includes a toner collection container for storing waste toner and a toner chamber for supplying new toner. In FIG. 1, the belt container 15 is located at a position indicated by a dashed line. The surface 31c extending from the side surface 31b of the toner container 31 is located on the side opposite to the belt housing 15, and the side 31a is in a position not in contact with the belt housing 15.

Therefore, the toner container 31 is
1 ′ and can be placed in the toner container placement section 44. When the upper door 7 is rotated counterclockwise from this state, an opening / closing mechanism 13 for opening / closing the opening of the waste toner chamber 39 is opened.
The arm tip 13a is sandwiched by the concave portion 7b of the upper door 7, and the belt housing 15 rotates counterclockwise around the opening 12k of the frame 12 to reach the solid line position. Details will be described.

In FIG. 12, the upper door 7 turns left, and the cam surface 7c contacts the arm 13a of the opening / closing mechanism 13, and the tip 13a of the arm is pushed by the cam surfaces 7d and 7e and turns left. Then, the belt housing 15 rotates to the left, and the arm portion tip 13
When a enters the concave portion 7b, a locking piece 15j formed of an elastic body provided at the upper end of the belt housing 15 is locked by the locking portion 31d of the toner container 31, and the position is fixed. After moving to the entrance side of the locking portion 12d (FIG. 6), the gear 33 provided on the back surface of the belt housing 15 meshes with the gear 34 provided on the frame 12, and the toner container 3
The sponge for preventing the scattering of the waste toner provided in 1 is compressed by the opening / closing mechanism 13 and reaches FIG. Note that the upper door 7 may be rotated to the left after being pushed down to the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 1 to lock the locking pieces 15j to the locking portions 31d.

In FIG. 13, when the upper door 7 is further rotated, the arm tip 13a of the opening / closing mechanism 13 is taken into the recess 7b, and the opening / closing mechanism 13 descends obliquely downward. The discharge opening 15f of the belt housing 15 is opened to reach FIG.

In this state, the sponge 36 is
And the waste toner chamber 39 are compressed and interposed between the belt housing 15 and the waste toner chamber 39.
It does not fly outside and contaminate the cabin. In this state, since the belt member 45 is rotating in the direction of the arrow, the waste toner 48 is discharged from the waste toner transfer chamber 50 of the belt member 45 by the kinetic energy of the partition wall 45a, and the self-weight of the toner is added to the waste toner chamber. It falls into 39.

Next, a method for removing the toner container 31 from the apparatus main body will be described. From the state of FIG.
When is rotated clockwise, the opening / closing mechanism 13 closes the opening 15f of the belt housing 15, and the state shown in FIG. 13 is obtained.

After the upper door 7 is further rotated and held upright as shown in FIG. 1, when the arm 13b of the opening / closing mechanism 13 of the belt housing 15 shown by a solid line is pushed rightward with a finger, the locking is performed. The piece 15j is disengaged from the locking portion 31d of the toner container 31, and the belt housing 15 is pressed by the pivotal tip of the pressing lever 16 to press the portion 20 of the locking portion 15i.
By the urging force of 6, the frame 12 rotates clockwise using the lower inner periphery 12a of the opening of the frame 12 as a guide and moves to the position of the virtual line 15 '(FIG. 5).

At this time, the dowel 15d protruding from the back surface of the belt housing 15 enters the engaging portion 12d (FIG. 5),
The upward movement of the belt housing 15 is locked by the recess 12d. In this state, the belt container 15 is separated from the side wall 31a of the toner container 31, so that the toner container 31 can be pulled up without any obstacle. When the toner container 31 is pulled upward in FIG. 1 in a state where the locking portion 31d of the toner container 31 is engaged with the locking piece 15j, the locking piece 15j and the locking portion 31d are automatically The engagement is released, and the belt housing 15 is disengaged.
Can be moved to the position shown in FIG.

Next, a method for removing the belt housing 15 will be described. 11 is pulled out to the right, the cover cylinder 42 is retracted from the surface 12h of the frame 12, and the toner container 31 is pulled out, as shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, when the tip 13a of the arm of the opening / closing mechanism 13 is turned counterclockwise, the engaging recess 15i of the belt conveyor 15 presses the tip of the holding lever 16, and the holding lever 16 turns counterclockwise. Then, the tip of the holding lever 16 is engaged with the lower portion 15k of the engaging concave portion 15i, and the dowel 15d escapes from the locking portion 12d to be in the state shown in FIG.

Since the dowel 15d has escaped from the engaging portion 12d, the waste toner transfer portion 11 is raised obliquely upward in FIG. 7 by the urging force of the pressing lever 16 to reach FIG. In this state, the holding lever 16 completely shuts off the detection area of the detection means 17.

Next, the operation of conveying the waste toner scraped from the photosensitive drum 9 to the belt housing 15 will be described. As shown in FIG. 11, the waste toner 48 scraped off by the cleaning blade 56 in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 9 slides on the surface of the thin plate 57 and enters the cover cylinder 42 from the opening 42 a of the cover cylinder 42. Fall.

The waste toner 48 is conveyed by the spiral blade 37 toward the belt housing 15 and falls into the belt housing 15. In FIG. 9, the belt housing 15 includes a spiral blade 37.
Is disposed obliquely with respect to the direction in which the waste toner 48 is conveyed by the
5, a plurality of waste toner transfer chambers 50 are arranged between the waste toner receiving port and the lower circulation shaft 47.

Therefore, even if the waste toner 48 falling into the belt housing 15 is solidified by the rotation of the spiral blade 37, the waste toner 48 collides with the belt 45 or the waste toner by the falling energy due to its own weight. It falls apart. Therefore, a large number of waste toners 48 solidify and solidify near the receiving opening of the belt housing 15, and
The inside of the cover cylinder 42 is solidified by the waste toner, and furthermore, the opening 42a of the cover cylinder 42 is prevented from being blocked and scattered in the apparatus, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 9 is prevented from being damaged.

Further, as shown in FIG.
The inner wall of 5 is wide 15m, 15m and 15m narrower
n, 15n, so that the inner walls 15n, 15n sufficiently cover the light beam 60, which is the detection area of the detecting means 17, and the space between the inner walls 15n, 15n is slightly smaller than the width of the partition 45a of the belt 45. It is formed narrow. Therefore, during the movement of the belt 45 during the conveyance of the waste toner, the inner walls 15n and 15n of the belt housing 15 are cleaned by the upper edge 45b and the lower edge 45c of the partition wall 45a, and the waste toner adheres to the wall surface. Detection performance does not decrease.

As described in detail above, in the present embodiment, the toner collecting section is provided so as to be detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the outlet of the toner collecting section is provided so as to be openable and closable. Since the opening and closing door is provided and the opening and closing mechanism is configured to be opened and closed by the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing door, the opening and closing of the opening and closing door automatically closes the opening and closing mechanism when replacing the toner collecting unit. Is not scattered in the cabin.

Since the opening / closing mechanism 13 is opened by closing the opening / closing door 7, when the toner collecting section is replaced, the toner collecting section and the waste toner conveying section are electrically connected by closing the opening / closing door 7. This eliminates the need for the operator to perform any other special operation.

Further, the waste toner carrier (waste toner transfer unit) 11 is provided between the photosensitive drum 9 and the waste toner introduction port of the toner recovery unit 39 so as to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. When the waste toner solidifies between the photosensitive drum 9 and the waste toner introduction port of the toner collecting section 39 and the conveyance of the waste toner becomes impossible, the waste toner transport body 11 is taken out and the transport body 11 is removed. The waste toner receiving port can be cleaned, and maintenance and inspection are easy.

Further, since the waste toner conveying member is configured to be detachable from the toner collecting portion, the waste toner conveying member can be positioned by the toner collecting portion, and a special locking mechanism is provided. Thus, the waste toner transport body can be fixed to the image forming apparatus.

Further, since the waste toner conveying body is locked by the toner collecting section, in this locked state, it has no relation to the operation of the opening / closing door, and the toner collecting section is replaced. Even when the opening / closing door is opened and closed, the opening / closing mechanism disposed on the waste toner transport body only opens and closes, and the waste toner transport body does not swing. The toner does not soar at the time of opening and closing and does not contaminate the inside of the apparatus.

Further, according to the present invention, the waste toner conveying member can be moved toward and away from the image forming apparatus main body in a direction intersecting with the attaching / detaching direction of the toner collecting section, and the waste toner conveying body can be moved to and from the engagement position with the toner collecting section. Since it is configured to be able to acquire the detached position from the toner collecting unit, it is possible to take a position separated from the waste toner conveying body, at which position the toner collecting unit is detachable from the apparatus main body, At that position it can be easily attached and detached without any obstacles.

Further, the waste toner transporting body is disposed so as to be biased in a direction away from the toner collecting section, and at a position separated from the toner collecting section, the waste toner transporting body is opened by closing the opening / closing door. Since the body is configured to be engaged with the toner collecting section, no special operation is required, and the opening and closing door can be automatically engaged with the toner collecting section by closing the opening / closing door.

[0074]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the toner collecting section is provided detachably with respect to the image forming apparatus main body, and the outlet of the toner collecting section is provided so as to be freely opened and closed. The opening and closing door is provided, and the opening and closing mechanism is configured to be openable and closable by the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing door. When the toner collecting unit is replaced, the opening and closing of the opening and closing door automatically closes the opening and closing mechanism. No toner is scattered in the machine.

Further, since the opening / closing mechanism is opened by closing the opening / closing door, when the toner collecting section is replaced, the toner collecting section and the waste toner conveying section are electrically connected by closing the opening / closing door, and the operation is performed. Does not need to perform any other special operation.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the waste toner carrier is detachably provided between the photosensitive drum and the waste toner inlet of the toner collecting section with respect to the image forming apparatus main body. When the waste toner solidifies between the photosensitive drum and the waste toner introduction port of the toner recovery unit and the transportation of the waste toner becomes impossible, the waste toner transport body is taken out and the waste toner receiving port of the transport body is taken out. Can be cleaned.

Further, by configuring the waste toner transport body to be detachable from the toner collecting section, the waste toner transport body can be positioned by the toner collecting section, and a special locking mechanism is provided. In addition, the waste toner carrier can be fixed to the image forming apparatus.

Further, since the waste toner carrier is locked by the toner collecting portion, even if the door is opened and closed in this locked state, the waste toner carrier is disposed on the waste toner carrier. Since the opening / closing mechanism only opens and closes, and the waste toner transport body does not swing, even if the opening / closing door is unnecessarily opened / closed, toner does not soar every time the opening / closing door is opened / closed and does not contaminate the inside of the machine. .

Further, according to the present invention, the waste toner transporting member can be brought into contact with and separated from the image forming apparatus main body in a direction intersecting with the attaching / detaching direction of the toner collecting section. Since the engagement position and the disengagement position from the toner collection unit are configured to be obtainable, the toner collection unit is detachable from the apparatus main body at a position separated from the waste toner conveyance body. It is easily attached and detached without any obstacles.

Further, the waste toner transport body is disposed so as to be urged in a direction away from the toner recovery section, and at a position separated from the toner recovery section, the waste toner transport body is opened by closing the opening / closing door. Since the body is configured to be engaged with the toner collecting section, no special operation is required, and the opening and closing door can be automatically engaged with the toner collecting section by closing the opening / closing door.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a method for loading a toner container.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a loading operation of a waste toner transfer unit.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a loading operation stage 1 of a waste toner transfer unit.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a loading operation stage 2 of the waste toner transfer unit.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a loading operation stage 3 of the waste toner transfer unit.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of removing a waste toner transfer unit.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of removing a waste toner transfer unit.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a waste toner transfer unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram illustrating an arrangement relationship between a waste toner transfer unit and a waste toner removing mechanism.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of the loaded waste toner transfer unit by the upper door.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the waste toner transfer unit is locked in the toner container.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram illustrating an open state of an open / close door of a waste toner transfer unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 image forming apparatus 7 upper door (opening / closing door) 11 waste toner transfer section (waste toner transporting body) 12 frame 13 opening / closing mechanism 15 belt housing 16 holding lever 17 optical sensor 39 waste toner chamber (toner collecting section) 45 belt

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus provided with an automatic waste toner port opening / closing mechanism for automatically controlling an opening / closing mechanism provided at a waste toner introduction port of a toner collecting section, wherein the toner collecting section is provided with respect to an image forming apparatus main body. An automatic disposing mechanism which is detachably disposed and has an opening / closing door provided with an opening / closing opening of the toner collecting section so that the opening / closing mechanism can be opened / closed by opening / closing operation of the opening / closing door. An image forming apparatus having a toner opening / closing mechanism. 2. A waste toner transporter is provided between a photosensitive drum and a waste toner inlet of the toner recovery section so as to be detachable from an image forming apparatus main body, and the opening / closing mechanism is arranged on the waste toner transporter. The waste toner transport body is configured to be detachable from the toner collecting unit, and the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing door causes the opening / closing mechanism to engage with the waste toner transport body in the toner collecting unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is operable. 3. The waste toner conveying member is disposed so as to be able to contact and separate in a direction intersecting with a mounting and dismounting direction of the toner collecting unit with respect to the image forming apparatus main body, and to be biased in a direction separating from the toner collecting unit. The waste toner transport body is configured to be capable of acquiring an engagement position with the toner collection unit and a detached position from the toner collection unit. At the detached position, the opening and closing door is closed to operate. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a waste toner conveying body is engaged with the toner collecting unit.