WO2016143212A1 - 現像剤容器およびこれを備える画像形成装置 - Google Patents
現像剤容器およびこれを備える画像形成装置 Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2016143212A1 WO2016143212A1 PCT/JP2015/084808 JP2015084808W WO2016143212A1 WO 2016143212 A1 WO2016143212 A1 WO 2016143212A1 JP 2015084808 W JP2015084808 W JP 2015084808W WO 2016143212 A1 WO2016143212 A1 WO 2016143212A1
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- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- tag
- communication device
- toner
- container
- mounting portion
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/50—Machine control of apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern, e.g. regulating differents parts of the machine, multimode copiers, microprocessor control
- G03G15/5075—Remote control machines, e.g. by a host
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
- G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
- G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
- G03G15/0863—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer provided with identifying means or means for storing process- or use parameters, e.g. an electronic memory
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
- G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
- G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
- G03G15/0865—Arrangements for supplying new developer
- G03G15/0875—Arrangements for supplying new developer cartridges having a box like shape
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
- G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
- G03G21/1642—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements for connecting the different parts of the apparatus
- G03G21/1657—Wireless connection means, e.g. RFID
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
- G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
- G03G21/18—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements using a processing cartridge, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit
- G03G21/1875—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements using a processing cartridge, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit provided with identifying means or means for storing process- or use parameters, e.g. lifetime of the cartridge
- G03G21/1878—Electronically readable memory
- G03G21/1882—Electronically readable memory details of the communication with memory, e.g. wireless communication, protocols
- G03G21/1885—Electronically readable memory details of the communication with memory, e.g. wireless communication, protocols position of the memory; memory housings; electrodes
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a developer container suitably used for a copying machine, a printer, and the like, and an image forming apparatus including the developer container.
- An image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer develops an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier into a toner image by a developer (toner) supplied from a developing device.
- the developer is accommodated in the developer container and supplied from the developer container to the developing device.
- the process cartridge (toner container) described in Patent Document 1 is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body.
- An IC tag for storing information relating to the remaining amount of toner is attached to the process cartridge.
- the apparatus main body is provided with a controller that performs wireless communication with the IC tag via an antenna.
- the controller receives an information signal from the IC tag and displays information on the remaining amount of toner on the display unit.
- an IC tag performs radio communication with an antenna within a hemispherical communication area centered on the antenna.
- the IC tags of the process cartridge (toner container) described in Patent Document 1 are arranged on the same axis as the antenna of the controller.
- the specification of the IC tag may be changed depending on the type of the image forming apparatus.
- an RF tag with high security performance (confidentiality) is used for a high-functional image forming apparatus, and an inexpensive RF tag is used for a popular image forming apparatus.
- the specifications of the RF tag are changed, it is necessary to change the design of the toner container in order to perform appropriate wireless communication with the antenna. For this reason, a toner container having a different shape must be manufactured for each type of image forming apparatus, resulting in an increase in manufacturing cost.
- the present invention provides a developer container for installing RF tags having different specifications without changing the design, and an image forming apparatus including the developer container.
- the developer container of the present invention includes a container body and an RF tag.
- the container body contains a developer and is attached to an apparatus body including a communication device.
- the RF tag is provided in the container main body and performs wireless communication with the communication device within a communicable region centering on the communication device.
- the container main body has a plurality of attachment portions formed so as to face the communication device in a state of being mounted on the device main body.
- the RF tag is disposed in any one of the plurality of attachment portions in accordance with the unique communicable area.
- the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes the developer container described above.
- RF tags having different specifications can be installed on a single container body without changing the design.
- FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing an internal structure of a color printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a toner container and a mounting portion according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a toner container according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3.
- FIG. 5 is a VV cross-sectional view of FIG. 2.
- 3 is a plan view schematically showing a first RF tag or a second RF tag of a toner container according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a first communicable region of a first RF tag of a toner container according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the 2nd communicable area
- upstream and downstream and similar terms refer to “upstream” and “downstream” in the toner (developer) transport direction and similar concepts.
- FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing the internal structure of the color printer 1.
- the color printer 1 includes an apparatus main body 2, a paper feed cassette 3, and a paper discharge tray 4.
- the apparatus main body 2 is formed in a substantially rectangular box shape.
- the paper feed cassette 3 is provided in the lower part of the apparatus main body 2.
- the paper discharge tray 4 is provided in the upper part of the apparatus main body 2.
- the color printer 1 includes a conveyance unit 5, an image forming unit 6, and a fixing device 7 inside the apparatus main body 2.
- the transport unit 5 sends out the sheet S in the paper feed cassette 3 toward a transport path 8 extending from the paper feed cassette 3 to the paper discharge tray 4.
- the image forming unit 6 is provided in an intermediate part of the conveyance path 8.
- the fixing device 7 is provided on the downstream side of the conveyance path 8.
- a control device 9 that performs overall control of the color printer 1 is provided inside the apparatus main body 2.
- the sheet S is not limited to a paper sheet, and includes a resin film, an OHP (Over Head Projector) sheet, and the like.
- the image forming unit 6 includes four toner containers 10, an intermediate transfer belt 11, four drum units 12, and an optical scanning device 13.
- the four toner containers 10 are juxtaposed in the left-right direction below the paper discharge tray 4.
- the intermediate transfer belt 11 is provided on the lower side of each toner container 10 so as to be able to travel in the direction of a white arrow.
- the four drum units 12 are juxtaposed in the left-right direction below the intermediate transfer belt 11.
- the optical scanning device 13 is disposed below each drum unit 12.
- the four toner containers 10 contain toners (developers) of four colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, black).
- the toner may be a one-component developer made of a magnetic toner or a two-component developer containing a toner and a carrier.
- Each drum unit 12 includes a photosensitive drum 20, a charging device 21, a developing device 22, a primary transfer roller 23, a cleaning device 24, and a charge removal device 25. Since the four drum units 12 have the same configuration, only one drum unit 12 will be described below.
- the photosensitive drum 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape that can rotate around an axis.
- the photosensitive drum 20 is in contact with the lower surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11.
- the charging device 21, the developing device 22, the primary transfer roller 23, the cleaning device 24 and the charge eliminating device 25 are arranged around the photosensitive drum 20 in the order of the transfer process.
- the developing device 22 is connected to the toner container 10 and receives toner supply from the toner container 10.
- the primary transfer roller 23 is disposed on the upper side of the photosensitive drum 20 with the intermediate transfer belt 11 interposed therebetween.
- a secondary transfer roller 26 that forms a secondary transfer nip portion 26a is disposed.
- the control device 9 includes an arithmetic processing device (not shown) that controls image forming processing and processing related thereto based on data and programs stored in a memory (not shown).
- the control device 9 executes image forming processing as follows based on the input image data.
- Each charging device 21 charges the surface of each photosensitive drum 20.
- the optical scanning device 13 performs exposure corresponding to the image data (see broken line arrows in FIG. 1) toward each photosensitive drum 20.
- Each developing device 22 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 20 into a toner image.
- the four toner images carried on each photoconductor drum 20 are primary-transferred sequentially to the traveling intermediate transfer belt 11 by a primary transfer roller 23 to which a primary transfer bias is applied. As a result, a full-color toner image is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11.
- the sheet S supplied from the paper feed cassette 3 is transported through the transport path 8 and passes through the secondary transfer nip portion 26a.
- the full-color toner image is secondarily transferred to the sheet S by the secondary transfer roller 26 to which a secondary transfer bias is applied.
- the fixing device 7 fixes a full-color toner image on the sheet S.
- the sheet S after the fixing process is discharged to the paper discharge tray 4.
- Each cleaning device 24 removes toner remaining on the surface of each photoconductive drum 20 after transfer.
- Each static elimination device 25 irradiates static elimination light and removes the electric charge of each photosensitive drum 20.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the toner container 10 and the mounting portion.
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the toner container 10. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VV in FIG.
- an upper portion of the apparatus main body 2 is provided with a mounting portion 2a for mounting four toner containers 10 side by side in the left-right direction.
- Each toner container 10 is supported by the mounting portion 2a so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction.
- An opening / closing cover (not shown) for opening and closing the mounting portion 2 a is provided on the upper front surface of the apparatus main body 2. The user opens and closes the opening / closing cover to perform the attaching / detaching operation of each toner container 10 with respect to the mounting portion 2a.
- a communication device 14 is provided on the upper rear side of the mounting portion 2a.
- the communication device 14 constitutes an RFID (Radio Frequency IDdentifier) system together with an RF (Radio Frequency) tag 36 (described later) provided in each toner container 10. Prior to the description of each toner container 10, the communication device 14 will be described.
- the communication device 14 includes four leader boards 14a and four reader antennas 14b.
- the four leader boards 14a and the four reader antennas 14b are juxtaposed in the left-right direction so as to oppose the rear upper surfaces of the four toner containers 10 attached to the attachment part 2a. Since the four leader boards 14a have the same configuration, only one leader board 14a will be described below. Similarly, one reader antenna 14b will be described below.
- the reader board 14a includes a control unit (not shown) that controls wireless communication performed with the RF tag 36 based on data and programs stored in a memory (not shown). .
- the leader board 14 a is electrically connected to the control device 9 and is controlled by the arithmetic processing device of the control device 9.
- the reader antenna 14b is electrically connected to the leader substrate 14a to form an electrical closed circuit.
- the reader antenna 14b is provided to transmit / receive information to / from the RF tag 36.
- the reader antenna 14b is formed in a substantially spiral shape (not shown) that circulates so as to draw a substantially square shape without overlapping on the leader substrate 14a.
- the toner containers 10 that store toners of the respective colors (yellow, magenta, cyan) except for black (K) have the same capacity and the same specifications.
- the toner container 10 (K) that stores black toner is set to have a larger capacity than the other toner containers 10 and has different specifications.
- the four toner containers 10 differ only in their capacities and specific specifications, and the basic configuration is the same. Therefore, the toner containers 10 that store toner of each color except black will be described below.
- the toner container 10 includes a container body 30, a shutter mechanism 31, a stirring member 32, a transport member 33, a first cylindrical portion 34, and a second cylindrical portion 35. , And the RF tag 36.
- the container body 30 contains a toner (developer) and has a discharge port 30a for discharging the toner.
- the shutter mechanism 31 is provided to open and close the discharge port 30a.
- the agitating member 32 agitates and conveys the toner stored in the container body 30.
- the transport member 33 transports the toner in the container body 30 toward the discharge port 30a.
- the first cylindrical portion 34 and the second cylindrical portion 35 are provided in the container main body 30.
- the RF tag 36 is provided on the upper surface of the container body 30.
- the container body 30 is detachably mounted on the mounting portion 2a of the apparatus body 2.
- the container body 30 is formed of a synthetic resin material in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the front-rear direction.
- the container main body 30 has a storage container part 40 and a lid part 41.
- the storage container portion 40 includes side walls 43F, 43B, 43L, and 43R (see FIGS. 4 and 5) that are erected around the bottom portion 42, and is formed in a box shape having an open upper surface.
- the lid portion 41 is provided so as to seal the upper surface of the storage container portion 40.
- a storage chamber R1 for storing toner is formed inside the container body 30 (see FIGS. 4 and 5).
- the bottom portion 42 has an agitation concave portion 42 a and a conveyance concave portion 42 b that are curved so as to protrude downward in a front view.
- a discharge port 30a is opened in the lower surface of the rear portion of the conveyance recess 42b.
- a container-side flange 431 extending outward is formed at the upper end of the storage container 40.
- the front side wall 43F has a filling port 44 for filling the storage chamber R1 with toner (see FIG. 4).
- the filling port 44 is sealed with a cap 432 (see FIG. 4).
- a cover 433 is attached to the front side wall 43 ⁇ / b> F so as to cover the filling port 44.
- the cover 433 is formed with a grip portion 434 that the user grips when the toner container 10 is attached or detached.
- a cylindrical stirring bearing boss 45 and a conveyance bearing boss 46 are formed on the front side wall 43F.
- the stirring bearing boss 45 protrudes from the front surface of the side wall 43F, and the transport bearing boss 46 protrudes from the rear surface of the side wall 43F.
- a stirring support hole 47 and a conveyance support hole 48 are opened in the rear side wall 43B.
- the lid portion 41 has substantially the same shape as the storage container portion 40 in plan view.
- a lid side flange 411 is formed at the lower part of the lid portion 41 over the entire circumference.
- the lid portion 41 is disposed so that the lid side flange 411 faces the container side flange 431 (see FIGS. 4 and 5).
- the lid part 41 is fixed to the storage container part 40 by joining both flanges 411 and 431 by an adhesive (or welding process). Thereby, the upper surface opening 40a of the storage container part 40 is sealed by the cover part 41 (refer FIG. 5).
- the container body 30 has two attachment portions formed so as to face the facing surface 14 c provided on the lower surface of the communication device 14 in a state of being mounted on the device body 2 (mounting portion 2 a). 41a and 41b.
- the first attachment portion 41a and the second attachment portion 41b are formed on the upper surface of the rear portion of the lid portion 41 (see FIG. 3).
- the first mounting portion 41a is disposed on the left side of the lid portion 41, and forms a rectangular plane in plan view.
- the first attachment portion 41 a constitutes a part of the uppermost surface of the lid portion 41.
- the first attachment portion 41a is formed directly below the communication device 14 with the container body 30 attached to the attachment portion 2a (see FIG. 5).
- a fitting recess 41d is formed in the upper surface of the first mounting portion 41a. 41 d of fitting recessed parts are formed in the rectangular shape in the center part of the 1st attaching part 41a by planar view.
- the second mounting portion 41b is disposed at a substantially intermediate portion in the left-right direction of the lid portion 41, and forms a rectangular plane in plan view.
- the second mounting portion 41b is formed adjacent to the right side of the first mounting portion 41a and shifted downward (so as to be away from the communication device 14) from the first mounting portion 41a.
- a step portion 41c is formed between the first mounting portion 41a and the second mounting portion 41b (see FIG. 5).
- the shutter mechanism 31 includes a holding member 50 and a shutter 51.
- the holding member 50 is attached to the lower surface of the conveyance recess 42b so as to cover the periphery of the discharge port 30a.
- An arrangement space S in which the shutter 51 and the like are arranged is formed in the holding member 50.
- the holding member 50 has a first communication hole 50a at a position corresponding to the discharge port 30a in a bottom view.
- the shutter 51 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape in plan view and is held in the arrangement space S.
- a seal 52 made of synthetic rubber
- a second communication hole 51a is opened on the rear side of the shutter 51 (seal 52).
- the shutter 51 is slidably provided between an open position where the second communication hole 51a is aligned with the discharge port 30a and a closed position where the second communication hole 51a is shifted from the discharge port 30a.
- the shutter 51 In a state where the toner container 10 is detached from the mounting portion 2a, the shutter 51 is urged by an urging member (not shown) and held in the closed position. At this time, since the seal 52 is in close contact with the peripheral edge of the discharge port 30a, toner leakage can be prevented.
- the shutter 51 engages with an engaging portion (not shown) provided on the mounting portion 2a and moves from the closed position to the open position (FIG. 4). reference).
- the discharge port 30a is connected to a toner conveyance path (not shown) extending from the developing device 22 through the communication holes 50a and 51a. The toner is supplied to the developing device 22 from the discharge port 30a through the toner conveyance path.
- the stirring member 32 is disposed on the stirring recess 42a.
- the stirring member 32 includes a stirring rotation shaft 55, a stirring blade 56, and a stirring connecting member 57.
- the stirring rotation shaft 55 has a substantially rectangular cross section and is formed in a rod shape that is long in the front-rear direction.
- the front end portion of the stirring rotation shaft 55 is rotatably supported by the stirring bearing boss 45 via a boss shaft (not shown).
- the rear end portion of the agitation rotating shaft 55 is rotatably supported by the agitation support hole 47 via the agitation connecting member 57.
- the stirring blade 56 is formed in a rectangular shape that is long in the front-rear direction by a flexible synthetic resin film. One side in the longitudinal direction of the stirring blade 56 is fixed along the longitudinal direction of the stirring rotation shaft 55.
- the width dimension of the stirring blade 56 (the dimension in the radial direction of the stirring rotating shaft 55) is set longer than the distance connecting the axis of the stirring rotating shaft 55 and the inner surface of the stirring recess 42a (see FIG. 5).
- a plurality of cut grooves 56a are cut into the stirring blade 56 from the free end side toward the stirring rotation shaft 55 side (see FIG. 4).
- the stirring connecting member 57 has a stirring gear 57a and a stirring connecting shaft 57b.
- the stirring gear 57a is a so-called spur gear, and is disposed along the rear surface of the side wall 43B.
- the stirring connecting shaft 57b protrudes from the rotational axis of the stirring gear 57a.
- the stirring connecting shaft 57b is inserted into the stirring support hole 47 of the side wall 43B from the rear, and is rotatably supported by the stirring support hole 47.
- the tip end portion (front end portion) of the stirring connecting shaft 57b is non-rotatably connected to the rear end portion (axial center portion) of the stirring rotating shaft 55.
- the transport member 33 is disposed on the transport recess 42b.
- the conveyance member 33 includes a conveyance rotation shaft 60, a first blade 61, a second blade 62, and a conveyance connection member 63.
- the conveyance rotation shaft 60 is formed in a round bar shape that is long in the front-rear direction.
- the conveyance rotation shaft 60 is integrally formed by a rotation shaft portion 60a and a fitting shaft portion 60b.
- the rotary shaft portion 60a extends from the front end portion to the vicinity of the discharge port 30a.
- the front end portion of the rotating shaft portion 60a is rotatably supported by the transport bearing boss 46.
- the fitting shaft portion 60b is connected to the rear end portion of the rotating shaft portion 60a.
- the fitting shaft portion 60b has the same axial center as the rotation shaft portion 60a and is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape that is thicker than the rotation shaft portion 60a.
- the fitting shaft portion 60 b is rotatably supported by the transport support hole 48 via the transport connecting member 63.
- wing 61 protrudes in the radial direction from the surrounding surface of the rotating shaft part 60a, and is formed spirally along the longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft part 60a.
- the second blade 62 protrudes in the radial direction from the peripheral surface of the fitting shaft portion 60b, and is formed in a spiral shape of one or two turns.
- the second blade 62 has a spiral direction opposite to that of the first blade 61 (reverse phase) and has the same diameter as that of the first blade 61 when viewed from the front.
- wing 62 is provided in the downstream (rear side) rather than the discharge port 30a.
- the fitting shaft portion 60b has a larger diameter than the rotation shaft portion 60a, the magnitude of the conveying force of the second blade 62 is smaller than the magnitude of the conveying force of the first blade 61.
- wing 62 are not provided above the discharge port 30a.
- the transport connecting member 63 has a transport gear 63a and a transport connecting shaft 63b.
- the conveyance gear 63a is a so-called spur gear, and is disposed along the rear surface of the side wall 43B.
- the transport gear 63a is connected to a drive mechanism (not shown) including a drive motor and a gear train provided in the apparatus main body 2.
- the transport gear 63a is connected (engaged) to the agitation gear 57a via the intermediate gear 63c.
- the conveyance connecting shaft 63b protrudes from the rotation axis of the conveyance gear 63a.
- the conveyance connecting shaft 63 b is inserted into the conveyance support hole 48 of the side wall 43 ⁇ / b> B from the rear and is rotatably supported by the conveyance support hole 48.
- the front end portion (front end portion) of the conveyance connecting shaft 63b is fitted in the hollow inside of the fitting shaft portion 60b of the conveyance rotation shaft 60 so as not to rotate.
- the control device 9 controls the drive motor to execute the toner replenishment operation as follows.
- the driving force of the driving motor rotates the transport gear 63a.
- the rotation of the transport gear 63a rotates the agitation gear 57a through the intermediate gear 63c.
- the stirring connecting member 57 and the stirring rotating shaft 55 rotate integrally around the same axis.
- the stirring blade 56 stirs the toner in the storage chamber R1 while scraping off the toner that is elastically curved and adheres to the inner surface of the stirring recess 42a (see FIG. 5).
- the conveyance connecting member 63 and the conveyance rotation shaft 60 rotate integrally around the same axis.
- the first blade 61 conveys the toner stirred by the stirring member 32 toward the discharge port 30a.
- the toner is blocked by the rotation of the second blade 62 and discharged from the discharge port 30a to the developing device 22 (see the thick arrow in FIG. 5).
- the first cylindrical portion 34 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape that extends in the front-rear direction integrally with the rear end portion of the conveyance recess 42 b at a position that covers the discharge port 30 a.
- a transfer chamber R ⁇ b> 2 that encloses the rear end portion of the transfer member 33 is formed inside the first tubular portion 34.
- the toner in the storage chamber R1 is sent to the transfer chamber R2 by the rotating transfer member 33 and discharged toward the developing device 22 from the discharge port 30a (see FIG. 4). Since the discharge port 30a is covered with the first cylindrical portion 34, an excessive amount of toner is not carried to the discharge port 30a. That is, it is possible to prevent toner from being oversupplied to the developing device 22.
- the second cylindrical portion 35 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape extending vertically upward from the upper peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 34 along the side walls 43B and 43R.
- a retracting chamber R3 communicating with the transfer chamber R2 is formed inside the second cylindrical portion 35.
- a gap 35 a is formed between the upper end portion (front side and left side) of the second cylindrical portion 35 and the lower surface of the lid portion 41 so as to allow the retraction chamber R3 and the storage chamber R1 to communicate with each other.
- the toner to be conveyed is introduced from the conveyance chamber R2 into the retreat chamber R3 (see the thick dashed arrows in FIGS. 4 and 5). In this way, by letting the toner escape from the conveyance chamber R2 to the retreat chamber R3, even when toner conveyance is continued in a state where toner discharge failure has occurred, the load acting on the conveyance member 33, the drive motor, and the like is reduced. be able to. Further, when the toner fills the retreat chamber R3, the toner is discharged from the upper gap 35a to the storage chamber R1 (see the two-dot chain thick arrows in FIGS. 4 and 5). Therefore, the toner filled in the evacuation chamber R3 does not apply an excessive load to the transport member 33, the drive motor, and the like. As described above, the transport member 33, the drive motor, and the like are protected.
- FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically showing the RF tag 36.
- FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the first communicable area A1 of the (first) RF tag 36.
- FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the second communicable area A2 of the (second) RF tag 37. As shown in FIG.
- the RF tag 36 of the toner container 10 is fixed to the first mounting portion 41a.
- the RF tag 36 is disposed immediately below the reader antenna 14b of the communication device 14 in a state where the toner container 10 is mounted on the mounting portion 2a.
- the RF tag 36 is fitted into the fitting recess 41d of the first mounting portion 41a.
- the upper surface of the RF tag 36 forms substantially the same plane as the upper surface of the first mounting portion 41a in a state of being fitted in the fitting recess 41d.
- the RF tag 36 includes a base portion 36a, an IC chip 36b, a tag antenna 36c, and a cover portion 36d.
- the base portion 36a is formed, for example, in a rectangular sheet shape in plan view.
- the base portion 36a is made of a resin material (for example, glass epoxy, phenol, polyimide, etc.) having excellent heat resistance and mechanical strength and having a small thermal expansion coefficient.
- An adhesive layer (not shown) is formed on the back surface (lower surface) of the base portion 36a.
- the RF tag 36 is affixed to the fitting recess 41d by the adhesive layer of the base portion 36a.
- the IC chip 36b is provided at a substantially central portion of the surface (upper surface) of the base portion 36a in plan view.
- the IC chip 36b includes a nonvolatile memory (not shown).
- This memory stores unique identification information related to the toner container 10 and toner.
- the identification information includes, for example, the manufacturing number and date of manufacture of the toner container 10, the driving time (the number of rotations) of the conveying member 33, the toner color, the amount of storage, and the like.
- the tag antenna 36c is electrically connected to the IC chip 36b to form an electrical closed circuit.
- the tag antenna 36 c is provided for transmitting and receiving information to and from the reader antenna 14 b of the communication device 14.
- the tag antenna 36c is formed in a substantially spiral shape that circulates so as to draw a substantially square shape without overlapping around the IC chip 36b.
- the tag antenna 36c is formed on the surface of the base portion 36a with, for example, conductive ink in which a conductive material (metal powder such as gold, platinum, silver, or copper, or carbon particles) is mixed into a photocurable or thermosetting synthetic resin. It is formed by applying (printing).
- the cover portion 36d is covered on the base portion 36a on which the IC chip 36b and the tag antenna 36c are disposed.
- the cover portion 36d is made of a resin material that is excellent in water resistance, insulation, and the like in order to protect the IC chip 36b and the tag antenna 36c.
- a general RF tag including the RF tag 36 is configured to be able to wirelessly communicate with the communication device 14 within a hemispherical communicable region centered on the communication device 14 (reader antenna 14b) (C0) ( FIG. 7 and FIG. 8).
- This communicable area is individually set for each RF tag according to the specification of the RF tag.
- the maximum communication distance that forms the maximum radius of the operable region and the minimum communication distance that forms the minimum radius of the operable region are individually set according to the specification of the RF tag. Note that the communicable area, the maximum communication distance, and the minimum communication distance refer to the communicable area, the maximum communication distance, and the minimum communication distance of a general RF tag including the RF tag 36.
- the toner container 10 is mainly mounted on a popular color printer 1. For this reason, for example, an inexpensive RF tag 36 having a short maximum communication distance is employed in the toner container 10.
- the toner container 10 may be mounted on a high-functional image forming apparatus 70 in addition to the popular color printer 1 (see FIG. 8).
- the toner container 10 has another RF tag 37 (hereinafter referred to as “second RF tag 37”) instead of the RF tag 36 (hereinafter referred to as “first RF tag 36”).
- second RF tag 37 has, for example, a relatively long maximum communication distance and high security performance (confidentiality).
- the second RF tag 37 has the same configuration as the above-described RF tag 36, and includes a base portion 37a, an IC chip 37b, a tag antenna 37c, and a cover portion 37d. (See FIG. 6).
- the first maximum communication distance D11 is set to 3 mm
- the first minimum communication distance D12 is set to 0 mm.
- the first communicable area A1 of the first RF tag 36 is defined as a hemispherical (fan-shaped vertical cross section) area having a radius of the first maximum communication distance D11.
- the second maximum communication distance D21 is set to 7.5 mm
- the second minimum communication distance D22 is set to 1.5 mm. .
- the second communicable area A2 of the second RF tag 37 is obtained by subtracting a hemispherical area having a radius of the second minimum communication distance D22 from a hemispherical area having a radius of the second maximum communication distance D21. (Excluded). That is, the vertical cross section of the second communicable area A2 has a belt-like arch shape.
- the communication distances D11 and D12 are linear distances from the center C0 on the plane of the reader antenna 14b to the centers C1 and C2 on the plane of the tag antennas 36c and 37c ( FIG. 7 and FIG. 8).
- the first RF tag 36 that performs wireless communication with the communication device 14 within the first communicable area A1 and the wireless communication with the communication device 14 within the second communicable area A2.
- the RF tag is selected from the second RF tag 37 that performs the above.
- the toner container 10 (container body 30) according to the present embodiment includes two mounting portions 41a and 41b so as to correspond to a plurality of RF tags having different specifications. That is, the first mounting portion 41a and the second mounting portion 41b are arranged in parallel in the direction parallel to the communication device 14 and in parallel to the direction orthogonal to the communication device 14 so as to correspond to a plurality of different communicable areas. Has been. As described above, the first RF tag 36 is disposed on the first mounting portion 41a (see FIG. 7). On the other hand, when the toner container 10 (container body 30) is applied to the image forming apparatus 70, the first RF tag 36 is removed, and the second RF tag 37 is disposed in the second attachment portion 41b (see FIG.
- the 2nd RF tag 37 is stuck on the 2nd attachment part 41b by the adhesion layer (not shown) of the base part 37a. That is, each RF tag 36, 37 is disposed in one of the two attachment portions 41a, 41b in accordance with each preset unique communication possible area A1, A2.
- the apparatus main body 71 of the image forming apparatus 70 is provided with mounting portions 71a for detachably mounting the four toner containers 10.
- a communication device 14 having the same configuration is provided at the same position as the above-described color printer 1 on the upper rear side of the mounting portion 71a.
- the image forming apparatus 70 has substantially the same configuration as the color printer 1 described above, detailed description thereof is omitted.
- the first RF tag 36 is configured to be capable of wireless communication with the reader antenna 14b by arranging the center C1 of the tag antenna 36c in the first communicable area A1.
- the second RF tag 37 is configured to be capable of wireless communication with the reader antenna 14b by disposing the center C2 of the tag antenna 37c in the second communicable area A2. Yes.
- the first mounting portion 41 a and the second mounting portion 41 b are arranged in the horizontal direction (direction parallel to the facing surface 14 c of the communication device 14) and the vertical direction (on the facing surface c of the communication device 14). The position is shifted in the orthogonal direction.
- the RF tags 36 and 37 are located in their own communicable areas A1 and A2. Are arranged with the centers C1 and C2 of the tag antennas 36c and 37c.
- the first RF tag 36 (or the second RF tag 37) out of the two RF tags 36 and 37 having different communicable areas (maximum / minimum communication distance) is the corresponding first attachment.
- the portion 41a (or the second mounting portion 41b) By being arranged in the portion 41a (or the second mounting portion 41b), appropriate wireless communication with the communication device 14 can be performed. That is, the reliability of wireless communication can be improved.
- the container body 30 by providing the container body 30 with the two attachment portions 41a and 41b, it is possible to clearly indicate the positions where the RF tags 36 and 37 are attached to the operator. Thereby, it can suppress that an operator mistakes the attachment position of each RF tag 36,37.
- the communication device 14 and the first RF tag 36 When the toner container 10 is mounted on the mounting portion 2a, the first RF tag 36 is disposed immediately below the communication device 14.
- the reader antenna 14b of the communication device 14 transmits information stored in a memory (not shown) of the reader board 14a on a radio wave or a magnetic field (hereinafter also referred to as “radio wave”).
- the tag antenna 36c of the first RF tag 36 generates electric power by rectifying the received radio wave (or resonating the magnetic field).
- the IC chip 36b operates with the generated power.
- the tag antenna 36c returns the identification information stored in the memory of the IC chip 36b on a radio wave or the like.
- the reader antenna 14b receives the two radio waves returned from the tag antenna 36c.
- the reader substrate 14a reads identification information from the received radio wave or the like. Moreover, the leader board
- the control device 9 executes various controls such as image forming processing based on the identification information. Further, the control device 9 (arithmetic processing device) determines whether or not the toner container 10 and the toner accommodated in the toner container 10 are genuine products based on the identification information. The control device 9 displays the determination result on, for example, a liquid crystal display (not shown) provided on the upper front surface of the device main body 2.
- the operation of the communication device 14 and the second RF tag 37 is the same as the operation of the first RF tag 36 described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted.
- the communication device 14 reader board 14a
- the communication device 14 has only a reading function, but in addition to this, may have a function of writing information to the RF tags 36 and 37 (memory thereof).
- the first attachment portion 41a and the second attachment portion 41b are displaced three-dimensionally (three-dimensionally), thereby communicating with the attachment portions 41a and 41b.
- the distance from the device 14 is changed for each of the attachment portions 41a and 41b.
- the first RF tag 36 (second RF tag 37) is attached to a first attachment portion 41a (second attachment portion 41b) selected corresponding to its own communicable area A1 (A2). Therefore, it is possible to easily change the specification of the RF tag (change of the communicable area (communication distance)) without changing the design of the container body 30.
- the single container body 30 can be applied to a plurality of types of image forming apparatuses (such as the color printer 1 and the image forming apparatus 70). Thereby, since the design change of the container main body 30 can be avoided, the cost concerning manufacture of the container main body 30 can be reduced.
- the first RF tag 36 (second RF tag 37) is arranged on the first mounting portion 41a of the two mounting portions 41a and 41b, thereby performing wireless communication with the single communication device 14. be able to. Thereby, since it is not necessary to change the position or exchange of the communication device 14 by changing the specification of the RF tag, it is possible to reduce the cost and installation space for installing the communication device 14 and the like. Thereby, the apparatus main body 2 can be reduced in size.
- the toner container 10 has the two attachment portions 41a and 41b, but the present invention is not limited to this. Two or more attachment portions may be formed according to the number of RF tags. Moreover, although the 1st attachment part 41a and the 2nd attachment part 41b were adjacent to the left-right direction, it may adjoin not only this but the front-back direction, for example.
- the toner container 10 has the two attachment portions 41a and 41b (two RF tags 36 and 37) provided on the upper surface, but the present invention is not limited to this.
- the two attachment portions 41a and 41b are preferably provided on the side wall 43B of the toner container 10 or the like.
- the description of the above embodiment shows one aspect of the developer container and the image forming apparatus including the developer container according to the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. .
- the components in the above embodiment can be appropriately replaced or combined with existing components and the like, and the description of the above embodiment does not limit the content of the invention described in the claims. .
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Abstract
Description
Claims (7)
- 現像剤を収容し、通信装置を備える装置本体に装着される容器本体と、
前記容器本体に設けられ、前記通信装置を中心とする通信可能領域内で前記通信装置と無線通信を行うRFタグと、を備え、
前記容器本体は、前記装置本体に装着された状態で前記通信装置に対向するように形成される複数の取付部を有し、
前記RFタグは、固有の前記通信可能領域に応じて前記複数の取付部のいずれか1つに配設されている現像剤容器。 - 前記RFタグは、第1の通信可能領域内で前記通信装置と無線通信を行う第1のRFタグと、第2の通信可能領域内で前記通信装置と無線通信を行う第2のRFタグと、の中から選択され、
前記複数の取付部は、
前記第1のRFタグが配設される第1取付部と、
前記第2のRFタグが配設される第2取付部と、を含み、
前記通信装置は、前記第1取付部及び前記第2取付部と対向する対向面を有し、
前記第1取付部と前記第2取付部は、前記対向面に平行な方向および直交する方向に位置ずれして形成されている請求項1に記載の現像剤容器。 - 前記RFタグは、
固有の情報を記憶するICチップと、
前記ICチップに電気的に接続されるタグアンテナと、を含んで構成され、
前記タグアンテナの中心は、前記通信可能領域内に配置される請求項1に記載の現像剤容器。 - 前記複数の取付部は、
前記通信装置の直下に形成される第1取付部と、
前記第1取付部に隣接すると共に前記第1取付部よりも下方にずれて形成される第2取付部と、を有し、
前記第1取付部には、前記RFタグを配置可能な嵌合凹部が凹設されている請求項1に記載の現像剤容器。 - 前記容器本体は、
上面を開放した箱状に形成される貯留容器部と、
前記貯留容器部の上面を封止する蓋部と、を備え、
前記複数の取付部は、前記蓋部の上面に形成されている請求項1に記載の現像剤容器。 - 前記蓋部には、前記複数の取付部の間に段差部が形成されている請求項5に記載の現像剤容器。
- 通信装置を備える装置本体と、
前記装置本体内に装着される請求項1に記載の現像剤容器と、を備えている画像形成装置。
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US15/553,596 US10082758B2 (en) | 2015-03-11 | 2015-12-11 | Developer case and image forming apparatus including the same |
JP2017504570A JP6361815B2 (ja) | 2015-03-11 | 2015-12-11 | 現像剤容器およびこれを備える画像形成装置 |
CN201580073933.6A CN107209468B (zh) | 2015-03-11 | 2015-12-11 | 显影剂容器和具有该显影剂容器的图像形成装置 |
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JP2020115171A (ja) * | 2019-01-17 | 2020-07-30 | 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 | 画像形成装置、消耗部材、および純正判定方法 |
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