WO2023033862A1

WO2023033862A1 - Waste toner transfer container with shutter

Info

Publication number: WO2023033862A1
Application number: PCT/US2022/014493
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dongwoo Lee; Hanjun Lee; Younghoon Kim
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date: 2021-08-30
Filing date: 2022-01-31
Publication date: 2023-03-09
Also published as: KR20230032378A

Abstract

An example image forming apparatus includes a main body, a print unit arranged inside the main body, a waste toner storage container to store a waste toner discharged from the print unit, and a waste toner transfer container to connect between the print unit and the waste toner storage container and to transfer the waste toner discharged from the print unit to the waste toner storage container. The waste toner transfer container includes a container having an inlet to receive the waste toner and an outlet to discharge the received waste toner toward the waste toner storage container, a transferring member rotatably installed in the container to transfer the received waste toner toward the outlet, and a shutter to switch between a closed position for closing the outlet and an open position for opening the outlet.

Description

WASTE TONER TRANSFER CONTAINER WITH SHUTTER

BACKGROUND

[0001] In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method, toner may be supplied to an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoconductor to form a visible toner image on the photoconductor. The toner image may be transferred to a print medium and the transferred toner image may be fused to the print medium, thereby printing an image on the print medium. A developing device accommodates the toner and supplies the toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor to form the visible toner image on the photoconductor.

[0002] A waste toner generated in an image forming process may be stored or accommodated in a waste toner storage container. In a situation in which the waste toner storage container is full of the waste toner, the waste toner storage container may be removed and replaced with a new waste toner storage container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] Various examples will be described below by referring to the following figures.

[0004] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to an example.

[0005] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 according to an example.

[0006] FIG. 3 is a view for describing a waste toner storage container and a waste toner transfer container of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 according to an example.

[0007] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a waste toner storage container of FIG. 3 according to an example. [0008] FIGS. 5A and 5B are views for describing first information or second information to be displayed on a display unit according to an example.

[0009] FIG. 6 is a view for describing a waste toner set capacity of an image forming apparatus according to an example.

[0010] FIG. 7 is a partially exploded perspective view of a waste toner transfer container according to an example.

[0011] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the waste toner transfer container of FIG. 7 is assembled according to an example. [0012] FIGS. 9 and 10 are views illustrating a state in which a shutter in the waste toner transfer container of FIG. 7 is located in an open position according to an example.

[0013] FIGS. 11 through 13 are views illustrating a state in which the shutter in the waste toner transfer container of FIG. 7 is located in a closed position according to an example.

[0014] FIG. 14 is a view for describing an operation of a controller of an image forming apparatus according to an example.

[0015] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to an example.

[0016] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to an example.

[0017] FIGS. 17 and 18 are views for describing an operation of a shutter according to an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method, a waste toner is generated in an image forming process, and the generated waste toner is collected and stored. In a large image forming apparatus, in order to transfer a waste toner generated in a printing unit to a waste toner storage container, a waste toner transfer container connecting between the printing unit and the waste toner storage container may be used. The waste toner generated in the printing unit may be finally transferred to the waste toner storage container via the waste toner transfer container.

[0019] In a situation in which the waste toner storage container, in which the waste toner is stored, is full of waste toner (e.g., an amount of waste toner in the waste toner storage container being greater than a threshold value), the waste toner storage container may be replaced. Before the waste toner storage container is replaced, a printing job of the image forming apparatus may be stopped. Thus, the image forming apparatus may notify a user that the waste toner storage container should be replaced in advance before the waste toner storage container is full. For example, a sensor for detecting an amount of the stored waste toner or a height (e.g., water level) of the waste toner may be arranged inside the waste toner storage container. Through the sensor, it may be detected that the waste toner is almost full before the waste toner storage container is filled with the waste toner. Based on it being detected through the sensor that the waste toner storage container is almost full, first information for preparing to replace the waste toner container may be displayed to the user. Subsequently, based on it being detected, based on the number of prints, that the waste toner storage container is full, second information for replacing the waste toner storage container may be displayed to the user.

[0020] A time between the displaying of the first information for preparing to replace the waste toner storage container to the displaying of the second information for replacing the waste toner storage container is a replacement preparation time during which the user may prepare the replacement of the waste toner storage container. However, in an existing image forming apparatus, the replacement preparation time of the waste toner storage container is relatively short, which is a cause of user dissatisfaction.

[0021] In an image forming apparatus according to an example, waste toner is additionally stored using a waste toner transfer container that has been used to transfer the waste toner so that a sufficient replacement preparation time of the waste toner storage container may be secured. In that case, the lifespan of the waste toner storage container may be increased. Furthermore, because the waste toner transfer container occupies a considerable space in an image forming apparatus according to the related art, it is inefficient in terms of overall space utilization. However, the waste toner transfer container may be utilized as a space for additionally storing the waste toner so that space usability of the image forming apparatus may be increased. In an image forming apparatus according to an example, in order to store waste toner, a waste toner transfer container includes a shutter mechanism to operate by selectively linking with rotation of a transferring member transferring the waste toner in the waste toner transfer container to open and close a discharge port. Through the shutter mechanism, leakage of the waste toner that may occur in a mounting or removal operation of the waste toner transfer container may be reduced or prevented.

[0022] Hereinafter, a waste toner transfer container, an image forming apparatus including the same, and a method of storing a waste toner in the image forming apparatus according to examples will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, components having substantially the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and thus, redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to an example. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 according to an example. FIG. 3 is a view for describing a waste toner storage container and a waste toner transfer container of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 according to an example.

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an image forming apparatus may include a main body 1 , a printing unit 2 arranged inside the main body 1 , a waste toner storage container 30 in which a waste toner discharged from the printing unit 2 may be stored, a waste toner transfer container 40, which connects between the printing unit 2 and the waste toner storage container 30 and to transfer the waste toner discharged from the printing unit 2 to the waste toner storage container 30, a paper feeding cassette 90 for mounting a print medium P to be fed to the main body 1 .

[0025] The main body 1 may include a door 3 to be opened and closed to replace the waste toner storage container 30 and the waste toner transfer container 40. The door 3 may be opened so that the waste toner storage container 30 and the waste toner transfer container 40 may be exposed to the outside so as to mount or remove the waste toner storage container 30 and the waste toner transfer container 40. In the drawings, an example in which the waste toner storage container 30 and the waste toner transfer container 40 are exposed by one door 3, is shown. However, examples are not limited thereto, and the waste toner storage container 30 and the waste toner transfer container 40 may be exposed by each of a plurality of doors 3.

[0026] In an example, the printing unit 2 may print a color image on the print medium P by using an electrophotographic method. The printing unit 2 may include a plurality of developing devices 10, an exposure unit 50, a transfer unit, and a fusing unit 80. The printing unit 2 may further include a plurality of toner cartridges 20 in which a developing agent may be accommodated and which are respectively connected to the plurality of developing devices 10 to supply the developing agent to the plurality of developing devices 10, respectively. The plurality of toner cartridges 20 and the plurality of developing devices 10 may be detachable from the main body 1 and individually replaced.

[0027] In an example, the plurality of developing devices 10 may include a plurality of developing devices for forming toner images of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) colors. The plurality of toner cartridges 20 may include a plurality of toner cartridges 20 in which developing agents of C, M, Y, and K colors to be supplied to the plurality of developing devices, for example, toners, are respectively accommodated. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, based on C, M, Y and K being attached to reference numerals, C, M, Y, and K respectively refer to components for forming images of C, M, Y, and K colors.

[0028] Each of the developing devices 10 may include a photoconductive drum 14 on which an electrostatic latent image may be formed, and a developing roller 13 to supply toner to the electrostatic latent image and develop the electrostatic latent image into a visible toner image. The photoconductive drum 14, which is an example of a photoconductor on which an electrostatic latent image may be formed, may include a conductive metal pipe and a photoconductive layer formed on an outer circumference of the conductive metal pipe. A charging roller 15 is an example of a charging device to charge the photoconductive drum 14 to have a uniform surface electric potential. A charging brush, a corona charging device, or the like instead of the charging roller 15 may also be employed.

[0029] The exposure unit 50 may irradiate the photoconductive drum 14 with light modulated in response to image information to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive drum 14. Examples of the exposure unit 50 may include a laser scanning unit (LSU) using a laser diode as a light source, a light emitting diode (LED) exposure device using an LED as a light source, and the like.

[0030] The developing roller 13 may be spaced apart from the photoconductive drum 14. A distance between an outer circumferential surface of the developing roller 13 and an outer circumferential surface of the photoconductive drum 14 may be, for example, several tens to several hundreds of microns. The developing roller 13 may also have a shape in which a magnetic member is disposed inside a rotating developing sleeve. The toner may be mixed with a magnetic carrier in the developing device 10, and the toner may be attached to a surface of the magnetic carrier. The magnetic carrier may be attached to the surface of the developing roller 13 and transferred to a developing region in which the photoconductive drum 14 and the developing roller 13 face each other. A regulating member may regulate the amount of the toner and the magnetic carrier to be transferred into the developing region. The toner may be supplied to the photoconductive drum 14 by a developing bias voltage applied between the developing roller 13 and the photoconductive drum 14, so that the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductive drum 14 may be developed into a visible toner image.

[0031] The transfer unit may transfer the toner image formed on the photoconductive drum 14 to the print medium P. As an example, the transfer unit may include an intermediate transfer belt 60, an intermediate transfer roller 61 , and a transfer roller 70. The intermediate transfer belt 60 may temporarily accommodate the toner image developed on the photoconductive drum 14 of the plurality of developing devices 10. A plurality of intermediate transfer rollers 61 may be arranged at positions where the plurality of intermediate transfer rollers 61 face the photoconductive drum 14 of the plurality of developing devices 10 with the intermediate transfer belt 60 therebetween. An intermediate transfer bias voltage for intermediately transferring the toner image formed on the photoconductive drum 14 to the intermediate transfer belt 60 may be applied to the plurality of intermediate transfer rollers 61 . The transfer roller 70 may face the intermediate transfer belt 60. The print medium P drawn out from the paper feeding cassette 90 may be transported between the transfer roller 70 and the intermediate transfer belt 60 along a paper feeding path 91. A transfer bias voltage for transferring the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 60 to the print medium P may be applied to the transfer roller 70.

[0032] The fusing unit 80 may fuse the toner image by applying heat and/or pressure to the toner image transferred to the print medium P. The shape of the fusing unit 80 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1. The image forming apparatus may include an output roller 92 to discharge the printing medium to an output tray or the like.

[0033] Toner and foreign substances that remain on the surface of the photoconductive drum 14 may be removed by a cleaning member 17 after an intermediate transfer operation has been performed. Toner and foreign substances that remain on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 60 after the transfer operation may be removed by a cleaning member 62. Based on an ADR development method being employed, a small amount of carrier may be accommodated in the toner cartridge 20 together with the toner, and the toner and the carrier may be supplied to the developing device 10. In order to maintain an amount of a developing agent (e.g., toner and carrier) in the developing device 10, an excess developing agent may be discharged from the developing device 10. The toner and the foreign substances removed from the photoconductive drum 14 and the intermediate transfer belt 60 and the excess developing agent discharged from the developing device 10 are referred to as a ‘waste toner’. The waste toner may be transferred to the waste toner storage container 30 through the waste toner transfer container 40.

[0034] The waste toner transfer container 40 may be located between the printing unit 2 and the waste toner storage container 30. The waste toner transfer container 40 may connect between the printing unit 2 and the waste toner storage container 30 and may transfer the waste toner discharged from the printing unit 2 to the waste toner storage container 30. The waste toner transfer container 40 may temporarily accommodate the waste toner discharged from the printing unit 2 in a process of transferring the waste toner to the waste toner storage container 30. The waste toner transfer container 40 may include a plurality of, for example, nine inlets 411 into which the waste toner removed from four photoconductive drums 14 and developing devices 10 and the waste toner removed from the intermediate transfer belt 60 are introduced. However, the number of inlets 411 being nine inlets is an example and examples are not limited thereto.

[0035] The waste toner transfer container 40 may include a container 41 having the inlet 411 into which the waste toner is introduced from the printing unit 2, and an outlet (see 412 of FIG. 3) through which the waste toner introduced through the inlet 411 may be discharged to the waste toner storage container 30. The waste toner transfer container 40 may include a transferring member 42 that is rotatably installed in the container 41 to transfer the introduced waste toner to the outlet 412.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a waste toner inlet 301 may be disposed in the waste toner storage container 30. The outlet 412 of the waste toner transfer container 40 may be connected to the waste toner inlet 301 . External shutters 33 and 43 may be arranged in the outlet 412 of the waste toner transfer container 40 and the waste toner inlet 301 of the waste toner storage container 30 so as to open and close each of the outlet 412 and the waste toner inlet 301. In an example, the external shutters 33 and 43 may open the outlet 412 and the waste toner inlet 301 by an operation of mounting the waste toner storage container 30 on the main body 1 . Similarly, the external shutters 33 and 43 may close the outlet 412 and the waste toner inlet 301 by an operation of removing the waste toner storage container 30 from the main body 1 .

[0037] The transferring member 42 of the waste toner transfer container 40 may be implemented by, for example, an auger to transfer the waste toner to the outlet 412. The waste toner discharged from the printing unit 2 and accommodated in the waste toner transfer container 40 may be transferred to the outlet 412 by the transferring member 42 and may be stored or accommodated in the waste toner storage container 30 through the waste toner inlet 301. A connection pipe 32 may be arranged between the waste toner transfer container 40 and the waste toner storage container 30. Each of the outlet 412 and the waste toner inlet 301 may be connected to the connection pipe 32.

[0038] Based on the waste toner storage container 30 being full, the waste toner storage container 30 may be replaced. For example, based on the waste toner stored in the waste toner storage container 30 reaching a set capacity that may be stored in the waste toner storage container 30, the waste toner storage container 30 may be removed from the main body 1 , and a new waste toner storage container 30 may be mounted on the main body 1.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a waste toner storage container of FIG. 3 according to an example. FIGS. 5A and 5B are views for describing first information or second information to be displayed on a display unit according to an example.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the waste toner storage container 30 may include a sensor 31 to detect an amount of waste toner stored therein. For example, the sensor 31 may detect a height (e.g., water level) of the waste toner of the waste toner storage container 30.

[0041] The sensor 31 may be installed at a height at which a reference height H is defined inside the waste toner storage container 30. The sensor 31 may detect whether the waste toner stored in the waste toner storage container 30 reaches the reference height H. In an example, an optical sensor may be used as the sensor 31. The sensor 31 may emit and receive light in a horizontal direction at the reference height H so that it may be detected whether the waste toner stored in the waste toner storage container 30 reaches the reference height H.

[0042] The reference height H may be detected in such a way that it may be detected that the waste toner has reached a reference capacity close to the set (e.g., maximum) capacity of the waste toner storage container 30. For example, in a situation in which the set capacity of the waste toner storage container 30 is the amount of the waste toner generated by printing 130,000 sheets, the reference height H may be detected to be a height based on printing of about 3,000 sheets remaining until the amount of the waste toner reaches the set capacity (i.e., by printing 127,000 sheets).

[0043] A controller 200 may control to display information regarding the replacement of the waste toner storage container 30 based on the amount of the waste toner detected by the sensor 31 . The controller 200 may control to display first information 2101 for preparing to replace the waste toner storage container 30 based on the waste toner stored in the waste toner storage container 30 reaching the reference height H. The controller 200 may detect that the waste toner has reached the reference height H through the sensor 31 , and the controller 200 may control to display the first information 2101 for preparing to replace the waste toner storage container 30, on a display unit 210 based on the result of the detection, as shown in FIG. 5A. The first information 2101 may be displayed in the form of characters, but examples are not limited thereto, and the first information 2101 may be displayed in various shapes.

[0044] The controller 200 may detect that the waste toner storage container 30 is full with the waste toner based on at least one of the number of prints or a print time after the waste toner has reached the reference height H. In an example, the controller 200 may estimate the amount of the waste toner stored in the waste toner storage container 30 after the waste toner has reached the reference height H, considering the number of prints after the waste toner has reached the reference height H. Thus, the controller 200 may detect whether the waste toner storage container 30 is full of the waste toner. In another example, the controller 200 may estimate the amount of the waste toner stored in the waste toner storage container 30 after the waste toner has reached the reference height H, considering the print time after the waste toner has reached the reference height H. Thus, the controller 200 may detect whether the waste toner storage container 30 is full of the waste toner. Based on the waste toner storage container 30 being full of the waste toner, the controller 200 may control to display second information 2102 for replacing the waste toner storage container 30, on the display unit 210, as shown in FIG. 5B.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a view for describing a waste toner set capacity of an image forming apparatus according to an example.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 6, printing is performed on a print medium by the image forming apparatus in a state in which the waste toner storage container 30 is mounted. As printing starts, waste toner generated in the printing unit 2 may be transferred to the waste toner storage container 30 and may start to be stored. As the number of prints by using the printing unit 2 increases, the amount of the waste toner stored in the waste toner storage container 30 increases. Based on the waste toner of the waste toner storage container 30 reaching the reference height H, the first information 2101 may be displayed by the controller 200 on the display unit 210.

[0047] Because the waste toner may be stored in the waste toner storage container 30 even in a situation in which the first information 2101 is displayed on the display unit 210, the image forming apparatus may not perform additional printing. In an image forming apparatus according to the related art, the number of additional prints that may be printed after the first information 2101 is displayed may be detected by the residual capacity of the waste toner storage container 30. The residual capacity of the waste toner storage container 30 may be 5% or less of the set capacity of the waste toner storage container 30. For example, in a situation in which the set capacity of the waste toner storage container 30 is the amount of the waste toner generated based on130,000 sheets being printed, the residual capacity of the waste toner storage container 30 may be the amount of the waste toner generated based on 3,000 sheets being printed.

[0048] If the residual capacity of the waste toner storage container 30 is small, the time from displaying the first information 2101 on the display unit 210 to displaying the second information 2102 may be short. In this case, the user may not have enough time to prepare the replacement of the waste toner storage container 30. In other words, the user may not have enough time to prepare a new waste toner storage container 30. Based on the new waste toner storage container 30 not being replaced within a limited time, printing of the image forming apparatus may be stopped, which may dissatisfy a user.

[0049] In an image forming apparatus or method according to an example, a user is provided with sufficient time to prepare the replacement of the waste toner storage container 30 without increasing the set capacity of the waste toner storage container 30.

[0050] In an image forming apparatus according to an example, waste toner may be stored in the waste toner transfer container 40 as well as in the waste toner storage container 30. As an example, the image forming apparatus may include a shutter 110 that may be switched between a closed position where the waste toner transfer container 40 closes the outlet 412 and an open position where the waste toner transfer container 40 opens the outlet 412. For example, operation of the shutter 110 may be linked with rotation of the transferring member 42 to be switched between the closed position and the open position.

[0051] FIG. 7 is a partially exploded perspective view of a waste toner transfer container according to an example. FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the waste toner transfer container of FIG. 7 is assembled according to an example. FIGS. 9 and 10 are views illustrating a state in which a shutter in the waste toner transfer container of FIG. 7 is located in an open position according to an example. In more detail, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the waste toner transfer container taken along a direction perpendicular to a waste toner transferring direction according to an example, and FIG. 10 is a view from the left in a state in which the waste toner transfer container of FIG. 7 is assembled according to an example.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the waste toner transfer container 40 may include a container 41 , the transferring member 42 rotatably installed in the container 41 , and the shutter 110 to open and close the outlet 412 in the container 41.

[0053] The transferring member 42 may include a transferring shaft 421 and a transferring wing 422 spirally arranged around the transferring shaft 421. The transferring shaft 421 may be rotatably installed in the container 41 and may extend in a transferring direction of the waste toner. The transferring shaft 421 may pass through the container 41 , and one end of the transferring shaft 421 may be exposed to the outside of the container 41 . The transferring member 42 may further include a driving gear 423 that is coupled to one end of the transferring shaft 421 to receive a driving force from the outside. [0054] Based on the driving gear 423 being rotated in a forward direction by the driving force received from the outside, the transferring shaft 421 coupled to the driving gear 423, and the transferring wing 422 arranged on the transferring shaft 421 may rotate in the forward direction. The transferring member 42 may rotate in the forward direction. By forward rotation of the transferring member 42, the waste toner in the container 41 may be transferred toward the outlet 412. The waste toner transferred toward the outlet 412 may be discharged through the outlet 412 and transferred to the waste toner storage container 30.

[0055] The shutter 110 may rotate to open and close the outlet 412. A shutter movement groove 140 through which the shutter 110 passes and in which the shutter 110 may rotate within a certain angle range, may be formed in the container 41. The shutter 110 may pass through the shutter movement groove 140. The shutter 110 may move along the shape of the shutter movement groove 140 and may open or close the outlet 412.

[0056] Operation of the shutter 110 may be linked with rotation of the transferring member 42 and may be switched between a closed position 110B for closing the outlet 412 and an open position 110A for opening the outlet 412. For example, in a situation in which the transferring member 42 rotates in the forward direction, the shutter 110 may be switched between the closed position 110B and the open position 110A. Based on the transferring member 42 rotating in a reverse direction, the shutter 110 may be switched between the open position 110A and the closed position 110B. As an example, the shutter 110 may pass through the shutter movement groove 140, be exposed, and be connected to the driving gear 423 which rotates the transferring member 42. By using the driving gear 423, operation of the shutter 110 may be linked with rotation of the transferring member 42 and the shutter 110 may rotate between the closed position 110B and the open position 110A.

[0057] The waste toner transfer container 40 may further include a power transmission portion 130 to selectively transfer the rotational force of the transferring member 42 to the shutter 110 so that the shutter 110 may be switched between the closed position 110B and the open position 110A and the switched position may be maintained. [0058] Based on the power transmission portion 130 transferring the rotational force to the shutter 110, the shutter 110 may rotate together with the transferring member 42 and may be switched between the closed position 110B and the open position 110A or between the open position 110A and the closed position 110B. Based on the power transmission portion 130 not transferring a rotational force to the shutter 110, the shutter 110 may be maintained in the closed position 110B or the open position 110A in spite of rotation of the transferring member 42. The power transmission portion 130 may switch the shutter 110 between the closed position 110B and the open position 110A and the shutter 110 may be maintained in the open position 110A or the shutter 110 may switch between the open position 110A and the closed position 110B and the shutter 110 may be maintained in the closed position 110B, according to the rotation direction of the transferring member 42.

[0059] As an example, the power transmission portion 130 may include a torque limiter 131 between the driving gear 423 and the shutter 110, and a stopper 132 to limit a rotation angle of the shutter 110. The torque limiter 131 may block power transmission between the driving gear 423 and the shutter 110 based on a load applied between the driving gear 423 and the shutter 110 being a predetermined value or more. The stopper 132 may be defined as both ends of the shutter movement groove 140. One end of the shutter movement groove 140 may be a first stopper 1321 that limits a rotation angle in a forward direction of the shutter 110, and the other end of the shutter movement groove 140 may be a second stopper 1322 that limits a rotation angle in a reverse direction of the shutter 110.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 8 through 10, based on the transferring member 42 rotating in the forward direction, the shutter 110 may rotate together with the transferring member 42 before contacting the stopper 132 and may be switched between the closed position 110B and the open position 110A. After contacting the stopper 132, transfer of the rotational force of the transferring member 42 may be blocked by the torque limiter 131 and thus, the open position 110A may be maintained.

[0061] Based on the driving gear 423 of the transferring member 42 rotating in the forward direction, the transferring shaft 421 coupled to the driving gear 423 and the transferring wing 422 may rotate in the forward direction and simultaneously, the shutter 110 connected to the driving gear 423 may rotate in the forward direction by using the torque limiter 131. The shutter 110 may be switched between the closed position 11 OB and the open position 110A. While the shutter 110 rotates in the forward direction, the shutter 110 may contact the first stopper 1321 and rotation in the forward direction of the shutter 110 may be blocked by the first stopper 1321 . In this case, because a load of a predetermined value or more is applied between the shutter 110 and the driving gear 423, transfer of the driving force from the driving gear 423 to the shutter 110 may be blocked by the torque limiter 131. Thus, even in a situation in which the driving gear 423 continues to rotate in the forward direction, the shutter 110 may no longer rotate, and the open position 110A may be maintained.

[0062] FIGS. 11 through 13 are views illustrating a state in which the shutter in the waste toner transfer container of FIG. 7 is in the closed position according to an example. In more detail, FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the waste toner transfer container in a direction parallel to a waste toner transferring direction according to an example, FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the waste toner transfer container in a direction perpendicular to the waste toner transferring direction according to an example, and FIG. 13 is a view from the left in a state in which the waste toner transfer container is assembled according to an example. [0063] Referring to FIGS. 11 through 13, based on the transferring member 42 rotating in the reverse direction, the shutter 110 may rotate in reverse together with the transferring member 42 before contacting the stopper 132 and may be switched between the open position 110A and the closed position 110B. After contacting the stopper 132, transfer of the rotational force of the transferring member 42 may be blocked by the torque limiter 131 and thus, the closed position 110B may be maintained.

[0064] Based on the driving gear 423 of the transferring member 42 rotating in reverse, the transferring shaft 421 coupled to the driving gear 423 and the transferring wing 422 rotate in reverse and simultaneously the shutter 110 connected to the driving gear 423 may also rotate in reverse by the torque limiter 131. The shutter 110 may be switched between the open position 110A and the closed position 11 OB. While the shutter 110 rotates in reverse, the shutter 110 may contact the second stopper 1322 and rotation in the reverse direction of the shutter 110 may be blocked by the second stopper 1322. In this case, a load of a predetermined value or more is applied between the shutter 110 and the driving gear 423, and the torque limiter 131 may block transferring of the driving force from the driving gear 423 to the shutter 110. Thus, even in a situation in which the driving gear 423 continues to rotate in reverse, the shutter 110 may no longer rotate but may be maintained in the closed position 110B.

[0065] Referring back to FIG. 7, a length of the shutter movement groove 140 may be greater than a width of the shutter 110 so that the shutter 110 may be movable. Here, the width of the shutter 110 and the length of the shutter movement groove 140 may be defined by the length according to the movement direction of the shutter 110. Due to a width difference between the shutter movement groove 140 and the shutter 110, in order to prevent the waste toner from leaking, a first sealing portion 151 may be arranged in a portion where the shutter movement groove 140 in the container 41 is formed. The first sealing portion 151 may include a shutter hole 1511 corresponding to a cross-sectional shape of the shutter 110. The shutter 110 may pass through the shutter hole 1511. The first sealing portion 151 may rotate based on the shutter 110 rotating. Thus, even in a situation in which the shutter 110 rotates, a portion of the shutter movement groove 140, except for a portion through which the shutter 110 passes, may be sealed by the first sealing portion 151 .

[0066] A second sealing portion 152 may be arranged in a portion of the container 41 where the outlet 412 is formed. An opening 1521 may be formed in the second sealing portion 152 in a portion corresponding to the outlet 412 to overlap the outlet 412. Through a gap between the shutter 110 and the outlet 412, the waste toner may be prevented from leaking by the second sealing portion 152. [0067] The controller 200 of the image forming apparatus may control the shutter 110 to be switched between the open position 110A and the closed position 110B based on a state of the waste toner transfer container 40.

[0068] FIG. 14 is a view for describing an operation of a controller of an image forming apparatus according to an example.

[0069] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 14, the controller 200 may control the shutter 110 to be switched between the open position 110A and the closed position 110B based on the amount of the waste toner stored in the waste toner storage container 30.

[0070] For example, the controller 200 may detect the amount of the waste toner stored in the waste toner storage container 30 based on the sensor 31 . For example, it may be detected by the sensor 31 whether the waste toner stored in the waste toner storage container 30 is filled to the reference height H. Furthermore, it may be detected whether the waste toner stored in the waste toner storage container 30 reaches the set capacity of the waste toner storage container 30 considering the number of prints or a print time after the waste toner stored in the waste toner storage container 30 has been filled to the reference height H.

[0071] The controller 200 may control to switch the shutter 110 to the closed position 110B based on the waste toner stored in the waste toner storage container 30 reaching the set capacity of the waste toner storage container 30. For example, the controller 200 may control to rotate the driving gear 423 for rotating the transferring member 42 in the reverse direction in a situation in which the waste toner stored in the waste toner storage container 30 reaches the set capacity of the waste toner storage container 30. In other words, before the waste toner stored in the waste toner storage container 30 reaches the set capacity of the waste toner storage container 30, the transferring member 42 may be rotated in the forward direction so that the waste toner may be discharged through the outlet 412 of the waste toner transfer container 40. Furthermore, based on the waste toner stored in the waste toner storage container 30 reaching the set capacity of the waste toner storage container 30, the transferring member 42 may be rotated in the reverse direction.

[0072] As the transferring member 42 is rotated in the reverse direction, the shutter 110 connected to the driving gear 423 of the transferring member 42 may be rotated in the reverse direction. The shutter 110 may be switched between the open position 110A and the closed position 110B. After the shutter 110 has been moved to the closed position 11 OB, movement of the shutter 110 may be stopped by the second stopper 1322 located at an end of the shutter movement groove 140, and transferring of the driving force between the driving gear 423 and the shutter 110 may be blocked by the torque limiter 131 . Thus, even in a situation in which the transferring member 42 does not rotate in the reverse direction by reverse rotation of the driving gear 423, the shutter 110 may no longer rotate but may be maintained in the closed position 110B. As the transferring member 42 rotates in the reverse direction, the waste toner stored in the waste toner transfer container 40 may be transferred in a direction away from the outlet 412. As the transferring member 42 rotates in the reverse direction, by forward rotation of the transferring member 42, a state in which the waste toner is gathered in the vicinity of the outlet 412 is alleviated so that the waste toner stored in the waste toner transfer container 40 may be uniformly spread. Reverse rotation of the transferring member 42 may be stopped after a period of time sufficient to move the shutter 110 to the closed position 110B.

[0073] The shutter 110 may close the outlet 412 of the waste toner transfer container 40 so that the waste toner may be stored inside the waste toner transfer container 40. The waste toner transfer container 40 may function as an auxiliary waste toner storage container of the image forming apparatus. Thus, the replacement capacity, which is a capacity at which replacement of the waste toner storage container 30 of the image forming apparatus should occur, may be greater than the set capacity of the waste toner storage container 30.

[0074] The set capacity of the waste toner transfer container 40 may be 5% to 20% of the set capacity of the waste toner storage container 30. The set capacity of the waste toner transfer container 40 may be greater than the residual capacity, which is a difference between a reference capacity of the waste toner that may be detected by the sensor 31 in the waste toner storage container 30 and the waste toner set capacity. The set capacity of the waste toner transfer container 40 may be twice to ten times the residual capacity of the waste toner storage container 30.

[0075] If the image forming apparatus has a structure in which the waste toner is not additionally stored by the waste toner transfer container 40, based on the waste toner of the waste toner storage container 30 reaching the set capacity of the waste toner storage container 30, the second information 2102 may be displayed. In this case, the residual capacity of the waste toner storage container 30 corresponds to the replacement preparation capacity of the waste toner storage container 30, and the set capacity of the waste toner storage container 30 corresponds to the replacement capacity for replacing the waste toner storage container 30.

[0076] However, in an image forming apparatus according to an example, the waste toner may be additionally stored in the waste toner transfer container 40 so that the replacement preparation capacity that is greater than the residual capacity of the waste toner storage container 30 may be secured, and the replacement capacity that is greater than the set capacity of the waste toner storage container 30 may be secured.

[0077] In this way, the waste toner may be stored through the waste toner transfer container 40 as an auxiliary for the waste toner storage container 30 so that a sufficient replacement time for the waste toner storage container 30 may be secured. That is, the lifespan of the waste toner storage container 30 may be increased. The set capacity of the waste toner transfer container 40 may be greater than the residual capacity of the waste toner storage container 30. In this case, compared to the image forming apparatus in which the waste toner is not stored by the waste toner transfer container 40, the replacement time of the waste toner storage container 30 may be increased more than two-fold.

[0078] Hereinafter, an example method of controlling an image forming apparatus including a print unit as described above, a waste toner transfer container, and a waste toner storage container will be described.

[0079] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to an example.

[0080] Referring to FIG. 15, the controller 200 may rotate the transferring member 42 of the waste toner transfer container 40 in the forward direction so that the waste toner discharged from the print unit 2 may be transferred to the waste toner storage container 30 via the waste toner transfer container 40 in operation S10. [0081] Referring back to FIGS. 1 through 3, the waste toner transfer container 40 may be located on the main body 1 , and a printing work may be performed by the image forming apparatus. While the printing work is performed, the waste toner may be discharged from the print unit 2. The discharged waste toner may be introduced into the waste toner transfer container 40 through the inlet 411.

[0082] The controller 200 may rotate the driving gear 423 of the transferring member 42 in the forward direction so that the transferring wing 422 of the transferring member 42 may be rotated in the forward direction, and thus, the waste toner of the waste toner transfer container 40 may be transferred toward a direction of the outlet 412.

[0083] As shown in FIGS. 8 through 10, based on the transferring member 42 rotating in the forward direction, the shutter 110 connected to the driving gear 423 by the torque limiter 131 may be rotated and thus may be switched between the closed position 110B and the open position 110A. After the shutter 110 is switched to the open position 110A, rotation of the shutter 110 may be blocked by the stopper 132, and transferring of the rotational force from the driving gear 423 may be blocked by the torque limiter 131. Thus, after the shutter 110 is switched to the open position 110A by forward rotation of the transferring member 42, the shutter 110 may not be additionally rotated and may be maintained in the open position 110A. Because the shutter 110 is located in the open position 110A, the waste toner of the waste toner transfer container 40 may be discharged through the outlet 412 and transferred to the waste toner storage container 30. In this state, as the printing work is performed, as shown in FIG. 3, the waste toner may be collected and stored in the waste toner storage container 30 via the waste toner transfer container 40.

[0084] The controller 200 may detect the amount of the waste toner transferred to and stored in the waste toner storage container 30 by using the sensor 31 in operation S20. The controller 200 may identify whether the detected amount of the waste toner has reached the set capacity of the waste toner storage container 30 in operation S30. Based on the amount of the waste toner not reaching the set capacity of the waste toner storage container 30, the controller 200 may repeatedly perform an operation of rotating the transferring member 42 in the forward direction and detecting the amount of the waste toner.

[0085] Before the stored waste toner of the waste toner storage container 30 reaches the set capacity, the controller 200 may check whether the height of the waste toner reaches the reference height H by using the sensor 31 disposed in the waste toner storage container 30. Based on the waste toner storage container 30 reaching the reference height H, the controller 200 may display the first information 2101 indicating that the waste toner storage container 30 needs to be prepared for replacement, on the display unit 210, as shown in FIG. 5A. In this case, the printing work may not be stopped but may continue to be performed. [0086] The controller 200 may check whether the number of prints after the waste toner of the waste toner storage container 30 has reached the reference height H has reached a preset number. Based on the number of prints having reached the preset number, the controller 200 may detect that the waste toner storage container 30 is full of the waste toner.

[0087] Based on the detected amount of the waste toner reaching the set capacity of the waste toner storage container 30, the shutter 110 of the waste toner transfer container 40 may be controlled to be switched between the open position 110A for opening the outlet 412 of the waste toner transfer container 40 and the closed position 110B for closing the outlet 412 in operation S40. As an example, in a situation in which the detected amount of the waste toner has reached the set capacity, the transferring member 42 may be rotated in the reverse direction. As the transferring member 42 is rotated in the reverse direction, the shutter 110 of the waste toner transfer container 40 may be switched between the open position 110A and the closed position 110B so that the outlet 412 through which the waste toner is discharged from the waste toner transfer container 40 toward the waste toner storage container 30 may be closed. In a state in which the shutter 110 is switched to the closed position 110B, the waste toner may be stored in the waste toner transfer container 40.

[0088] Based on detecting that the waste toner storage container 30 is full of the waste toner, the controller 200 may rotate the driving gear 423 of the transferring member 42 in the reverse direction, as shown in FIG. 11. As the driving gear 423 of the transferring member 42 is rotated in the reverse direction, contact of the shutter 110 with the first stopper 1321 may be released, and the shutter 110 may be rotated in the reverse direction. The shutter 110 may be switched between the open position 110A and the closed position 110B. After the shutter 110 is switched to the closed position 110B, the shutter 110 may be in contact with the second stopper 1322 of the shutter movement groove 140, and rotation of the shutter 110 may be blocked. Rotation of the shutter 110 is blocked by the second stopper 1322 and transferring of a rotational force from the driving gear 423 may be blocked by the torque limiter 131 . Thus, after the shutter 110 is switched to the closed position 110B by reverse rotation of the transferring member 42, the shutter 110 may not be additionally rotated but may be maintained in the closed position 110B. Because the shutter 110 is located in the closed position 110B, the waste toner of the water toner transfer container 40 may not be discharged through the outlet 412 and may be stored in the waste toner transfer container 40.

[0089] The transferring member 42 of the waste toner transfer container 40 may be rotated in the reverse direction so that the waste toner may be moved in an opposite direction of the outlet 412 of the waste toner transfer container 40. After the shutter 100 is switched to the closed position 110B, the controller 200 may stop reverse rotation of the transferring member 42. Thus, the waste toner may be prevented from being piled up on one side of the waste toner transfer container 40, which may occur in a situation in which reverse rotation of the transferring member 42 continues for a long time.

[0090] In the above-described example, in a situation in which the amount of the waste toner reaches the set capacity, the operation of the shutter 110 has been described. However, the method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to various examples is not limited thereto. For example, based on the amount of the waste toner reaching the set capacity, various controls may be performed.

[0091] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to an example.

[0092] Referring to FIG. 16, based on the amount of the waste toner reaching the set capacity, the controller 200 may rotate the transferring member 42 of the waste toner transfer container 40 in the reverse direction in operation S41 . Thus, the waste toner may be controlled to be moved in an opposite direction of the outlet 412 of the waste toner transfer container 40. It is noted that operations S10, S20, and S30 illustrated in FIG. 16 are substantially the same as those illustrated in FIG. 15 and described above such that a repeat description is avoided for convenience.

[0093] In the example of FIG. 16, it is described that the operation of the shutter 110 is controlled by the controller 200 based on the amount of the waste toner stored in the waste toner storage container 30. However, the function of the controller 200 is not limited thereto. For example, if the operation of the shutter 110 of the waste toner transfer container 40 is controlled based on the state of a configuration other than the waste toner transfer container 40, various functions of the controller 200 may be applied.

[0094] FIGS. 17 and 18 are views for describing an operation of a shutter according to an example. In more detail, FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a door of an image forming apparatus is open according to an example, and FIG. 18 is a view for describing an operation of a controller according to an example.

[0095] Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, the controller 200 may control the shutter 110 to be switched between the open position 110A and the closed position 110B based on the open/closed state of the door 3. For example, based on the door 3 being opened, the controller 200 may rotate the driving gear 423 of the transferring member 42 in the reverse direction to switch the shutter 110 to the closed position 110B. Rotation in the reverse direction of the transferring member 42 may be stopped after a period of time sufficient to move the shutter 110 to the closed position 110B.

[0096] Because the shutter 110 operates according the open/closed state of the door 3, in a situation in which the user or worker opens the door 3 so as to mount or remove the waste toner transfer container 40, the shutter 110 may be switched to the closed position 110B and may block the outlet 412 of the waste toner transfer container 40. Thus, the waste toner may be prevented from leaking while the waste toner transfer container 40 is mounted or removed such that the periphery of the image forming apparatus may be prevented from being contaminated. Based on the door 3 being closed, the shutter 110 may be switched to the open position 110A so that the outlet 412 of the waste toner transfer container 40 may be open.

[0097] If the image forming apparatus does not include the shutter 110 to operate according to the open/closed state of the door 3, a phenomenon in which the waste toner may leak through the outlet 412 of the waste toner transfer container 40 may occur. For example, in a situation in which the image forming apparatus includes the external shutter 43 to operate while the waste toner transfer container 40 is removed and does not include the shutter 110, a time difference between opening/closing of the outlet 412 and the operation of the external shutter 43 may occur while the waste toner transfer container 40 is removed, which may be the cause of waste toner leakage. However, in the image forming apparatus according to an example, by using the shutter 110 that blocks the outlet 412 while linking with the opening/closing operation of the door 3, the waste toner may be prevented from leaking due to a time difference between opening/closing of the shutter 110 and the operation of the external shutter 43 may be prevented. Thus, the periphery of the image forming apparatus may be prevented from being contaminated by leakage of the waste toner while the waste toner transfer container 40 is mounted or removed.

[0098] In the above examples, a shutter mechanism including the shutter 110 to rotate about the same axis as the transferring member 42 and the power transmission portion 130 including the torque limiter 131 have been described. However, the shutter 110 and the power transmission portion 130 of the shutter mechanism are not limited thereto and may be variously modified. Although not shown, operation of the shutter 110 may be linked with rotation of the transferring member 42 and may have a structure in which the shutter 110 rotates about an eccentric rotation axis with the rotation axis of the transferring member 42 or may move without rotation. The power transmission portion 130 may be variously modified. For example, elements such as an electronic clutch for selectively transferring a driving force may be employed instead of the torque limiter 131 . [0099] The examples described herein should be considered in a descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each example should typically be considered as available for other similar features or aspects in other examples. While various examples have been described with reference to the figures, it will be understood that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope as defined by the following claims.

Claims

26 WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1 . An image forming apparatus comprising: a main body; a print unit arranged inside the main body; a waste toner storage container to store a waste toner discharged from the print unit; and a waste toner transfer container to connect between the print unit and the waste toner storage container and to transfer the waste toner discharged from the print unit to the waste toner storage container, wherein the waste toner transfer container comprises: a container having an inlet to receive the waste toner and an outlet to discharge the received waste toner toward the waste toner storage container, a transferring member rotatably installed in the container to transfer the received waste toner toward the outlet, and a shutter to switch between a closed position for closing the outlet and an open position for opening the outlet.

2. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein an operation of the shutter is linked with rotation of the transferring member and is switched between the closed position and the open position, wherein, in a case where the transferring member is rotated in a forward direction, the shutter is switched between the closed position and the open position, and wherein, in a case where the transferring member is rotated in a reverse direction, the shutter is switched between the open position and the closed position.

3. The image forming apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a power transmission portion to selectively transfer a rotational force of the transferring member to the shutter to switch the shutter between the closed position and the open position and to be maintained in the switched position, wherein, in a case where the power transmission portion transfers the rotational force to the shutter, the shutter is rotated together with the transferring member and switched between the closed position and the open position or between the open position and the closed position, and wherein, in a case where the power transmission portion does not transfer the rotational force to the shutter, the shutter is maintained in the closed position or the open position in spite of rotation of the transferring member.

4. The image forming apparatus of claim 3, wherein the power transmission portion is to switch the shutter between the closed position and the open position according to a rotation direction of the transferring member and maintain the shutter in the open position, or switch the shutter between the open position and the closed position and maintain the shutter in the closed position.

5. The image forming apparatus of claim 3, wherein the power transmission portion comprises: a torque limiter to selectively rotate the shutter by transferring a rotational force of the transferring member to the shutter; and a stopper to limit a rotation angle of the shutter.

6. The image forming apparatus of claim 5, wherein, in a case where the transferring member rotates in a forward direction, the shutter is to rotate together with the transferring member before contacting the stopper, and is switched between the closed position and the open position, and after contacting the stopper, transferring of the rotational force of the transferring member is blocked by the torque limiter so that the open position of the shutter is maintained, and wherein, in a case where the transferring member rotates in a reverse direction, the shutter is to rotate together with the transferring member in the reverse direction before contacting the stopper, and is switched between the open position and the closed position, and after contacting the stopper, the transferring of the rotational force of the transferring member is blocked by the torque limiter so that the closed position of the shutter is maintained.

7. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a controller to control the shutter to be switched to the closed position based on an amount of the waste toner stored in the waste toner storage container.

8. The image forming apparatus of claim 7, wherein the controller is to control the shutter to be switched to the closed position in a case where the amount of the waste toner stored in the waste toner storage container reaches a set capacity, and wherein the received waste toner is stored in the waste toner transfer container.

9. The image forming apparatus of claim 8, wherein a set capacity of the waste toner transfer container is 5% to 20% of the set capacity of the waste toner storage container.

10. The image forming apparatus of claim 7, wherein the waste toner storage container further comprises a sensor to detect the amount of the waste toner stored in waste toner storage container, and wherein the controller is to control to display information regarding replacement of the waste toner storage container based on the detected amount of the waste toner by the sensor.

11. The image forming apparatus of claim 10, wherein the sensor is to detect whether the waste toner stored in the waste toner storage container reaches a reference height, and wherein the controller is to: display first information for preparing to replace the waste toner storage container in a case where the waste toner stored in the waste toner storage container has reached the reference height, and 29 display second information for replacing the waste toner storage container by identifying whether the waste toner storage container is full of the waste toner based on at least one of a number of prints and a print time after the waste toner has reached the reference height.

12. The image forming apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the controller is to control to display the second information in a case where the amount of the waste toner stored in the waste toner transfer container reaches a set capacity of the waste toner transfer container.

13. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the main body further comprises a door to be open or closed so that the waste toner transfer container is exposed so as to mount or remove the waste toner transfer container, and wherein the image forming apparatus further comprises a controller to control the shutter to be switched to the closed position based on a state of the door.

14. A method of controlling an image forming apparatus, the method comprising: rotating a transferring member of a waste toner transfer container in a forward direction so that a waste toner discharged from a print unit is transferred to a waste toner storage container via the waste toner transfer container; detecting an amount of the waste toner transferred to and stored in the waste toner storage container; identifying whether the detected amount of the waste toner has reached a set capacity; and in a case where the detected amount of the waste toner reaches the set capacity, controlling a shutter of the waste toner transfer container to switch from an open position for opening an outlet of the waste toner transfer container to a closed position for closing the outlet. 30

15. A method of controlling an image forming apparatus, the method comprising: rotating a transferring member of a waste toner transfer container in a forward direction so that a waste toner discharged from a print unit is transferred to a waste toner storage container via the waste toner transfer container; detecting an amount of the waste toner transferred to and stored in the waste toner storage container; identifying whether the detected amount of the waste toner has reached a set capacity; and in a case where the detected amount of the waste toner has reached the set capacity, rotating the transferring member in a reverse direction to control the waste toner to be moved in an opposite direction of an outlet of the waste toner transfer container.