CN101673073B - Developer residue detection and developing equipment, processing unit and imaging equipment - Google Patents
Developer residue detection and developing equipment, processing unit and imaging equipment Download PDFInfo
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- CN101673073B CN101673073B CN 200810149468 CN200810149468A CN101673073B CN 101673073 B CN101673073 B CN 101673073B CN 200810149468 CN200810149468 CN 200810149468 CN 200810149468 A CN200810149468 A CN 200810149468A CN 101673073 B CN101673073 B CN 101673073B
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Abstract
The invention aims to detect color toner residue by arranging a detection part capable of mechanically detecting in developing equipment and provides small-sized and structurally simple developing equipment. In the developing equipment (2), the detection part (27) rotating near a supply roll is arranged in a developing chamber (35) and the color toner residue is detected by the rotation of the corresponding detection part (27). The developing equipment (2) is provided with a stirring and conveying part (24) and comprises an accommodating chamber (34) accommodating component developer and the developing chamber (35) provided with developer carrying and conveying developer carrier (21) and the supply roll (22) supplying the developer to the developer carrying and conveying developer carrier (21). In addition, the developing equipment (2) conveys the developer to the developing chamber (35) from the accommodating chamber (34) by the rotation of the stirring and conveying part (24).
Description
Technical field
The present invention relates to a kind of developer residue detecting equipment, developing apparatus, processing unit, and image forming apparatus, described developer residue detecting equipment can form at the image of the electrofax mode of duplicating machine, printer, facsimile recorder (FAX) etc. the toner residual in the middle detection developing apparatus.
Background technology
In the past, in the image forming apparatus of example such as electrofax mode, developing apparatus is equipped with, this developing apparatus forms electrostatic latent image on the image carrier surface, in order to make this electrostatic latent image visual image, this developing apparatus receiving photographic developer makes developer move to the sub-image supporting body in developing process, make latent electrostatic image developing, to form visual image.
And the visualization way in the image forming apparatus is divided into two composition visualization way and a composition visualization way substantially.Two composition visualization way are used the developer that contains toner and magnetic carrier, and a composition visualization way is used the developer that does not contain magnetic carrier and contain toner.And a composition visualization way can further be categorized as for example magnetic one composition toner and a non magnetic composition toner.
Compare with two composition visualization way, a composition visualization way does not contain magnetic carrier, and, because do not need mix and blend magnetic carrier and toner, therefore can make the developing apparatus miniaturization, further make its simple structure.
But toner is the consumables that are contained in the developing apparatus, is consumed along with forming image and reduces.Therefore, in developing apparatus, have the toner residual detecting sensor that detects toning dosage in the developing apparatus, piezoelectric element for example, if the toner exhaustion of developing apparatus, signal sends from sensor, the situation of expression toner exhaustion.According to this expression, the user must change developing apparatus, or newly replenishes toner.Therefore, at developing apparatus and be equipped with in the processing unit of this developing apparatus, in order to detect the toner residual, toner residual detecting sensor need to be set.Yet, corresponding with miniaturization and the low price of nearest image forming apparatus body, require not use the developing apparatus with high price sensor, but use low-cost equipment.
As the prior art that detects the toner residual, the toner-out checkout equipment is disclosed in patent document 1, this toner-out checkout equipment contacts the interior residual toner of toner detecting device and toner loading hopper (hopper), contact load based on toner, detect according to the detection signal that is sent by described toner detecting device whether toner is arranged, at this moment, this toner-out checkout equipment has the toner drawing device, is used for pulling out the residual toner in the toner loading hopper.
And, the toner residue detecting equipment is disclosed in patent document 2, be provided with pull bar in this toner residue detecting equipment, this pull bar moves up and down in the outer container of toner accommodating, when moving down, press developer, the movement of an end that reaches the pull bar of outer container outside is detected by detection part 27, knows the residual of toner.
But patent document 1 and 2 toner-out checkout equipment etc. detect the toner residual in the toner loading hopper of toner accommodating.Therefore, existence can not detect and be directly used near the toner residual the developer roll of development, the low problem points of accuracy of detection of toner residual.And, exist the structure scale to be not suitable with greatly the problem of miniaturization.
And, the movable parts in order to detect the toner residual such as toner detecting device etc. are set, thereby exist in order to make it movably make the problem points of structure complicated.
And if make the rotary part rotation of mixing component etc. in toner, toner enters between turning axle and the bearing.The toner that enters is by because the problem of the rotation of adhesion and obstruction turning axle etc. afterwards, occurs in the heat of friction fusing that the rotation of turning axle etc. produces.In patent document 3, disclose powder and held container, this powder holds container and has container and rotary body, described container holds powder, described rotary body inserts shaft end and can rotate centered by this shaft end in being arranged at the dead eye of described container inner wall, described powder holds container and is provided with the spiral grooves that cuts out towards the direction of returning container inside with respect to the sense of rotation of rotary body at described shaft end.In patent document 4, disclose developing apparatus, this developing apparatus is to inner at the bearing of the parts of bearings that is present in the turning axle that is supported on the described developer roll that configures in the described developing apparatus and contact described turning axle and the developer that arranges enters the space-filling lubricant that arranges between the bearing that prevents parts and support described turning axle.
But, in patent document 3, insufficient on the discharge this point of outside at the toner that will enter between bearing and the axle.In patent document 4, the toner that enters is brought into grease, if the toning dosage that enters is many, then for the adhesion between axle and the parts of bearings prevent insufficient.
[patent document 1] opens clear 62-No. 118248 communiques in fact
02-No. 20887 communiques of [patent document 2] Unexamined Patent
11-No. 194598 communiques of [patent document 3] Unexamined Patent
2006-No. 098916 communique of [patent document 4] JP
Summary of the invention
The problem to be solved in the present invention
Therefore, the present invention considers the problems referred to above and makes, and its problem is, thereby can detects the toner residual by the detection part that can mechanically detect is set in developing apparatus, and, a kind of developing apparatus that can realize that miniaturization and structure simplify is provided.
And, a kind of developing apparatus is provided, enter rotary part still with its structure of discharging to the outside even have toner, thereby can detect steadily in the long term the toner residual.
The technological means that adopts
The below enumerates as the technical scheme that addresses the above problem:
1. developer residue detecting equipment, the rotary state of the detection part that changes accordingly by the amount that detects developer in turned position and the developing apparatus detects the amount of the interior developer of developing apparatus, and described developer residue detecting equipment comprises:
Detection part, has plate-shaped member, this plate-shaped member is arranged near the supply part of developing regional direction supply developer and is installed on rotation axis, and the space of this plate-shaped member in developing apparatus from supply part away from the part of direction rise, descend in the part near the direction of supply part;
Driving force transmission apparatus when detecting, applies driving force to detection part on the direction that plate-shaped member is risen, plate-shaped member is risen and decline; And
Sensor, near the rotary state the extreme lower position when detecting plate-shaped member decline.2. developing apparatus, has developer residue detecting equipment, the rotary state of the detection part that this developer residue detecting equipment changes accordingly by the amount that detects developer in turned position and the developing apparatus detects the amount of the developer in the developing apparatus, and described developing apparatus comprises:
Detection part, has plate-shaped member, this plate-shaped member is arranged near the supply part of developing regional direction supply developer and is installed on rotation axis, and the space of this plate-shaped member in developing apparatus from supply part away from the part of direction rise, descend in the part near the direction of supply part; And driving force transmission apparatus, when detecting, on the direction that plate-shaped member is risen, detection part is applied driving force, plate-shaped member is risen and decline.Described developing apparatus transmits the rotary state of detection part to the outside, near the rotary state the extreme lower position when descending to detect plate-shaped member.
3. developing apparatus, accommodating chamber and developing room with receiving photographic developer, the developer carrier that this developing room has bearing developer and developer is carried from accommodating chamber to developing room, developer carrier and supply part from developer to this developer carrier that supply with, this developing apparatus is sent to developing room with developer from accommodating chamber, wherein, the stirring transfer unit that has developer at accommodating chamber, and has the detection part that the amount of turned position and developer in developing room changes accordingly at developing room, and transmit the rotary state of detection part to the outside, detect developer residue with the turned position based on this detection part.
4. according to above-mentioned 3 described developing apparatuses, wherein detection part has plate-shaped member, this plate-shaped member is arranged near the supply part of developing regional direction supply developer and is installed on rotation axis, and the space of this plate-shaped member in developing apparatus from supply part away from the part of direction rise, descend in the part near the direction of supply part; And driving force transmission apparatus applies driving force to detection part on the direction that plate-shaped member is risen, and plate-shaped member is risen and descends.
5. according to any one described developing apparatus in above-mentioned 1 described developer residue detecting equipment or above-mentioned 2 to 4, wherein, driving force transmission apparatus alternatively applies described detection part and makes the driving force that plate-shaped member rises and carry out control to the plate-shaped member extreme lower position.
6. according to any one described developing apparatus in above-mentioned 1 or 5 described developer residue detecting equipments or above-mentioned 2 to 5, wherein, the rotation axis of detection part is positioned at the position higher than the rotation axis of supply part.
7. according to any one described developing apparatus in any one described developer residue detecting equipment or above-mentioned 2 to 6 in above-mentioned 1,5 or 6, wherein, be provided with to the developer carrier of developing regional supplying developing agent, the rotation axis of described detection part is positioned at the position higher than the contact area of supply part and developer carrier.
8. according to any one described developing apparatus in above-mentioned 2 to 7, wherein, the rotation of detection part is carried out with the rotational synchronization that stirs transfer unit.
9. according to any one described developing apparatus in above-mentioned 2 to 8, wherein, by transmitting the driving force that is produced by the rotation of stirring transfer unit, carry out driving force transmission apparatus to the driving of detection part.
10. according to any one described developing apparatus in above-mentioned 2 to 9, wherein, has central shaft and in the synchronization section of the pull bar of its both sides stirring to arrange between transfer unit and the detection part, and at the turning axle that stirs transfer unit cam is set, the pull bar of one side contacts with this cam, synchronization section is shaken in synchronous with the stirring transfer unit, and this pull bar that shakes by opposite side is sent to detection part, thereby drives detection part.
11. according to above-mentioned 10 described developing apparatuses, wherein,
Column part at the central shaft of described synchronization section forms axis hole, and this axis hole is developed apparatus casing and supports rotationally, and, the opening portion that communicates with axis hole in the column part setting.
12. according to above-mentioned 11 described developing apparatuses, wherein,
The opening portion of described synchronization section has spiral-shaped.
13. according to any one described developing apparatus in above-mentioned 2 to 12, wherein,
Stirring transfer unit consists of agitating function or consists of conveying function according to its turned position is different; Conveying function is got with the timing that detection part moves when the lifting position synchronously.
14. according to any one described developing apparatus in above-mentioned 2 to 13, wherein,
Described stirring transfer unit has a plurality of blades, and wherein at least one blade is take conveying function as main.
15. according to any one described developing apparatus in above-mentioned 2 to 14, wherein,
Turning axle at described stirring transfer unit arranges disk, and synchronization section is pressed to the developing apparatus case side and determined the position by this disk.
16. a processing unit becomes one and integrally comprises image carrier and developing apparatus, and can be to the installation or removal of image forming apparatus body, has according to any one described developing apparatus in above-mentioned 2 to 15.
17. image forming apparatus, comprise the image carrier that forms sub-image and utilize toner to come developing apparatus to image development, comprising according to any one described developer residue detecting equipment in above-mentioned 1,5 or 6, according to any one described developing apparatus in above-mentioned 2 to 15 and according in the above-mentioned 16 described processing units any one.
The effect of invention
The present invention as above-mentioned technological means can provide the equipment that can detect by simple structure the developer residue in the developing apparatus.
And, the impact of developer of the parts of rotation can be prevented from entering, and stable operation can be carried out for a long time.
Description of drawings
Fig. 1 illustrates the formation of the image forming apparatus that possesses developing apparatus of the present invention.
Fig. 2 illustrates the formation of processing unit.
Fig. 3 illustrates the formation as the developing apparatus of one embodiment of the present of invention.
Fig. 4 illustrates the shape that stirs transfer unit.
Fig. 5 illustrates the formation of detection part.
Fig. 6 illustrates the formation of synchronization section.
Fig. 7 A, Fig. 7 B illustrate the shape of the synchronization section with opening portion.
Fig. 8 illustrates the state that stirring transfer unit, synchronization section, detection part in the developing apparatus make up.
Fig. 9 A, Fig. 9 B, Fig. 9 C and Fig. 9 D illustrate the synchronous operation of the interior stirring transfer unit of developing apparatus, synchronization section, detection part.
Figure 10 illustrates the position relationship of detection part and other component parts.
Figure 11 illustrates the opening portion of the outer surface of processing unit.
Figure 12 A, Figure 12 B illustrate the bonding part of axle and the arm of detection part.
Figure 13 illustrate in the past arm and the connection status of axle.
Figure 14 illustrates the flow process that detects toner exhaustion (detection part, arm, rotatable parts, sensor).
Figure 15 A, Figure 15 B are used for illustrating the state that processing unit is installed to the image forming apparatus body.
Figure 16 is the planimetric map of rotatable parts.
Figure 17 illustrates the planimetric map that processing unit is installed to the state of image forming apparatus body.
Figure 18 A, Figure 18 B illustrates the output signal from sensor.
Figure 19 is the process flow diagram that the operating process of toner exhaustion checkout equipment is shown.
Symbol description
1 image forming apparatus
The sidewall of 101 image forming apparatus housings
102 guide tracks
103 opening portions
2 processing units
205 processing unit housings
206 guides
207 opening portions
3 photoreceptors
10 paper feed unit
11 input trays
12 intake rollers
13 separating components
14 alignment rolls
15 exit rollers
16 discharge trays
20 developing apparatuses
201 housings
202 bossings
21 developer rolls
22 donor rollers
23 limiting parts
24 stir transfer unit
241a, 241b blade
242 turning axles
243 disks
25 cams
26 synchronization section
261 column parts
262 axis holes
263 first pull bars
264 second pull bars
The 264a leg
265 opening portions
266 elastomeric elements
27 detection parts
271a, 271b axle
272 smooth parts
273 grooves
274 projections
275 check-out consoles
276 bonding parts
28 arms
281 axis holes
282 burnishing surfaces
283 sunk parts
29 rotating parts
291 rotation axiss
30 sensors
301 light-emitting components
302 photo detectors
31 brackets
32 elastic parts
34 accommodating chambers
35 developing rooms
36 partitioning portions
40 charging equipments
41 charging rollers
50 cleaning equipments
51 cleaning blades
60 exposure sources
70 transfer apparatus
80 fixation facilities
300 spaces
Embodiment
Below, implement preferred forms of the present invention based on accompanying drawing explanation.And, those skilled in the art can easily change and revise the present invention in above-mentioned scope, and envision other embodiment, these changes and modification are included within the above-mentioned scope of the present invention, explanation hereinafter is the example of embodiment among the present invention, does not limit the above-mentioned scope of claim.
The image forming apparatus that is equipped with developing apparatus of the present invention has image carrier, charging device, exposure device, developing apparatus, transfer device, fixing device at least, and, the device that also can have as required other is such as electric discharge device, cleaning device, retracting device, control device etc.The below specifies.
Fig. 1 illustrates the formation of the image forming apparatus that is equipped with developing apparatus 20 of the present invention.
As shown in Figure 1, in the centre configuration process unit 2 of image forming apparatus 1, configuration has the paper feed unit 10 of input tray 11 below this processing unit 2.Configuration exposure sources 60 above processing unit 2, this exposure sources 60 forms sub-image to photoreceptor 3 irradiating lasers as the image carrier of drum type.In processing unit 2, be provided with photoreceptor 3, around it, be provided with: charging equipment 40, carry out charging process to the surface of photoreceptor 3; Developing apparatus 20 makes the electrostatic latent image that forms in face exposure visual by toner; Cleaning equipment 50 is removed and to be recovered in the residual toner of photoreceptor 3.
And in image forming apparatus 1, respectively configuration: transfer apparatus 70 is transferred to the toner image on the photoreceptor 3 on the recording chart; Fixation facility 80 by making transfer printing have the recording chart of toner image to pass between the paired roller and applying heat and pressure, makes the toner image on the recording chart.
Although the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment can be as described above as coming the image forming apparatus of the function with printer of recording image on recording chart based on digitized image information, but in addition also can be the multiple function image formation device with following function, as by arrange control assembly its as can with distant location send and receive image information facsimile equipment function and the fetch equipment read original copy is set and the function of the duplicating machine of original copy conveying equipment.
0011
The below describes each processing procedure of image forming apparatus in detail.
As photoreceptor 3, about its material, shape, structure, size etc., can select according to purpose.As shape, can enumerate drum type, sheet, for no reason banded etc.Size can be selected according to size and the pattern of image forming apparatus 1.As material, can enumerate inorganic photoreceptor or polysilane such as amorphous silicon, selenium, CdS, ZnO etc., the Organophotoreceptor (OPC) of phthalein polymethin dye (Phthalopolymethine) etc., etc.Layer as such Organophotoreceptor consists of, and roughly is divided into monolayer constructions will and lit-par-lit structure.The photoreceptor of monolayer constructions will has matrix and the single-layer type photographic layer on this matrix, in addition as required can also matcoveredn, middle layer, and other layer.The photoreceptor of lit-par-lit structure have at least successively on matrix, this matrix charge generating layers and and charge transport layer, and as required can also matcoveredn, middle layer and other layer.
Charging process is the process to photoreceptor 3 surface chargings, is undertaken by charging equipment 40, applies voltage by the surface to photoreceptor 3 and charges equably.As charging equipment 40, have the way of contact by contacting to charge with photoreceptor 3, and and the cordless that charges of photoreceptor 3 noncontacts.
As the charging equipment 40 of the way of contact, can enumerate charging roller, Magnetic brush, fur brush, film, rubber tree leaf of electric conductivity or semiconduction etc.Wherein, charging roller is compared the growing amount that can significantly reduce ozone with corona discharge, and excellent in stability when photoreceptor 3 Reusability can effectively prevent deterioration in image quality.The other embodiment of the charging roller 41 of the present embodiment is, and though not shown in the drawings, can have: metal-cored, as cylindrical conductive base; Electric resistance adjusting layer forms at metal-cored outer peripheral face; Protective seam, the surface of covering electric resistance adjusting layer, Leakage prevention.Charging roller 41 is connected to power supply, is applied in predetermined voltage.Although voltage can only be direct current (DC) voltage, also can be that the dc voltage stack exchanges the resulting voltage of (AC) voltage.By so applying AC voltage, can charge more equably to the surface of photoreceptor 3.
As non-contacting charging equipment 40, can enumerate the non-contact charge wire that utilizes corona discharge, pin electrode device, have electric conductivity that minim gap configures or charging roller of semiconduction etc. with respect to photoreceptor 3.Corona discharge is to refer to be applied to by carrying out plus or minus ion that corona discharge generates in the air the non-contacting charging method on the surface of photoreceptor 3, corona tube (Corton) charger has the characteristic that applies certain charge volume to photoreceptor 3, and grid corona tube (Scorotron) charger has the characteristic of the certain potentials of applying.The corona tube charger has case (casing) electrode that occupies electrical discharge wire half space on every side and the electrical discharge wire that places its approximate centre position.Grid corona tube charger obtains by appending gate electrode to the corona tube charger, and gate electrode is arranged on and the position of photoreceptor 3 surfaces at a distance of 1.0-2.0mm.Has small gap and the charging roller that configures makes it have slight gap with respect to photoreceptor 3 to obtain by improving charging roller with respect to photoreceptor 3.As slight gap, be preferably 10-200 μ m, more preferably 10-100 μ m.
Exposure process can be the process of face exposure that makes the photoreceptor 3 of charging, is undertaken by exposure sources 60.Exposure can be by exposing the surface of photoreceptor 3 to carry out by picture pattern.There are large difference in optical system in the exposure and simulated optical system and digit optical system.The simulated optical system directly projects to optical system on the photoreceptor 3 to original copy by optical system.The digit optical system makes image information apply as electric signal, and it is transformed to light signal, to the optical system of photoreceptor 3 exposures and imaging.As exposure device, as long as the image exposure that can form accordingly based on information on the surface of the photoreceptor 3 that charges just can be selected according to purpose.Can enumerate the various exposers of rod lens array, liquid crystal optical shutter system, LED optical train etc., particularly preferably laser (LD) optical system.
Developing process can be by making latent electrostatic image developing with the developing apparatus 20 with toner, to form the process of visual image.Developing apparatus 20 usefulness one composition developer develops.As a composition developer, can be any one of magnetic color tuner, nonmagnetic toner.About this developing apparatus 20, describe later.
Transfer process is the process that visual image is transferred to recording medium, carries out with transfer apparatus 70.As transfer apparatus 70, can roughly be divided into the visual image on the photoreceptor 3 directly is transferred to the transfer device of recording medium or use middle transfer body, after being transferred to visual image successively on the middle transfer body the secondary transfer printing device of visual image secondary transfer printing to the recording medium, at this, for the miniaturization of image forming apparatus 1, preferably carry out the transfer apparatus 70 of direct transfer printing.As transfer apparatus 70, can enumerate such as the corona transfer device that adopts corona discharge, transfer belt, transfer roll, pressure transfer roll, adhesion transfer implement etc.At this, use be the transfer apparatus 70 of roller mode.
And as recording medium, representational is common paper, yet so long as the uncertain image after can transfer printing developing can be selected to be not particularly limited according to purpose, can also use film for OHP etc.
Fixing makes the visual image photographic fixing that is transferred to recording medium with fixation facility 80.
As fixation facility 80, multiple choices can be arranged, the preferred fixation facility 80 that uses the thermal source that has fixing member and fixing member is heated.
As fixing member, form clamping (nip) part if can contact, just can select, can enumerate combination such as combination, roller and the roller of endless band and roller etc.
In the situation that fixing member is roller, the metal-cored of roller preferably formed by non-resilient parts, to prevent owing to high pressure is out of shape.As non-resilient parts, can select according to purpose, and be not particularly limited, the material of high thermal conductivity of preferred aluminium, iron, stainless steel, brass etc.And, the preferred overlay offset preventing layer in the surface of roller.As the material that forms the skew preventing layer, can select according to purpose, and be not particularly limited, for example can enumerate such as RTV siloxane, tetrafluoroethylene/perfluoro alkyl vinyl ether resin (PFA), teflon (PTFE) etc.
In the fixing, the image of toner is transferred to recording medium, can there be the recording medium of image to pass retained part by making transfer printing, makes image fixing on recording medium, also can utilize retained part to carry out simultaneously image to transfer printing and the photographic fixing of recording medium.
Therefore cleaning course is undertaken by cleaning equipment 50 owing to removing toner residual on photoreceptor 3.
And developing apparatus 20 can utilize the developer roll 21 with photoreceptor 3 Surface Contacts, will be recovered in the remaining toner on the photoreceptor 3 in the latent electrostatic image developing that photoreceptor 3 forms, and cleans and need not to arrange separately cleaning equipment 50.
As cleaning equipment 50, as long as can remove toner residual on the photoreceptor 3, just various selections can be arranged.Cleaning equipment can be enumerated such as Magnetic brush descaler, static bruss descaler, magnetic roller descaler, cleaning blade, brush descaler, net descaler etc.Wherein, particularly preferably toner is removed ability, small-sized, cheap cleaning blade 51.As the material of the rubber that is used for cleaning blade, for example, can enumerate chemglaze, silicone rubber, fluororubber, neoprene, butadiene rubber etc., wherein, particularly preferably gather chemglaze.
Below, the flow process that forms operation about the image corresponding with the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment describes.
As shown in Figure 1, photoreceptor 3 is when being driven in rotation, and its surface is in the scanning of the laser that is subject to after the uniform charging by the charging equipment 40 that uses charging roller 41 sending from exposure sources 60, and electrostatic latent image forms on the surface of photoreceptor 3.This exposure scanning is based on carrying out from the image information of outside.In addition, photoreceptor 3 forms processing unit 2 with charging equipment 40, developing apparatus 20, cleaning equipment 50 in the mode of an integral body.According to the developing apparatus 20 in this processing unit 2, the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 3 is developed, and visual image forms.On the sense of rotation of photoreceptor 3, also to be in the downstream than developing apparatus 20, configuration transfer apparatus 70.
On the other hand, the recording chart that sends from input tray, can with photoreceptor 3 on the overlapping timing of visual image, send into transfer area from being clipped in two alignment rolls 14 between the roller.
In transfer area, by transfer apparatus 70 visual image is transferred to recording chart from photoreceptor 3.
On the surface of the photoreceptor 3 that passes transfer area, the remaining toner of transfer printing is by drum cleaning equipment 50 cleanings.This drum cleaning equipment 50 utilizes the clearer that is applied with the cleaning bias voltage to clean the remaining toner of transfer printing.
The recording chart that forms visual image is sent into fixation facility 80.The recording chart of sending into is carried out conveying when folder advances in the photographic fixing zone that fixing roller forms with contacting of backer roll.Visual image on the recording chart is subject to the impact of applied pressure in the heat that applies from fixing roller and the photographic fixing zone, and is fixed on the recording chart.After this, pass the discharge tray 16 that exit roller 14 is sent into image forming apparatus 1 from fixation facility 80.
Below, be described in detail about processing unit.
Fig. 2 illustrates the formation of processing unit 2.
Processing unit possesses photoreceptor and at least one treating apparatus, in processing unit 2 of the present invention, as treating apparatus, as shown in Figure 2, integrally is equipped with as one: charging equipment 40 has the charging roller 41 to photoreceptor 3 chargings; Developing apparatus 20 is to the image development that forms at photoreceptor 3; Cleaning equipment 50 has cleaning blade 51, with the toner of cleaning at the remained on surface of photoreceptor 3.
This processes unit 2 and can install and dismounting image forming apparatus 1, as shown in Figure 1, from the side of image forming apparatus 1, installs along the guiding devices such as track that are arranged at image forming apparatus 1.Thus, owing to can easily carry out in the short time exchange of photoreceptor 3 and other processing element, therefore can shorten and safeguard the required time, thereby realize cost.And, because each equipment and the photoreceptor 3 processed are done as a whole formation, therefore have advantages of relative positional precision is improved etc.
Fig. 3 illustrates the formation as the developing apparatus of one embodiment of the present of invention.
The developing apparatus 20 of the present embodiment possesses: accommodating chamber 34, hold a composition developer; Developing room has as the developer roll 21 that is used for carrying and carrying the developer carrier of the composition developer that the sub-image on the photoreceptor 3 is developed, reaches as donor rollers 22 from the supply part of a composition developer to developer roll 21 that supply with.And, between accommodating chamber 34 and developing room 35, form partitioning portion 36.Partitioning portion 36 is chevron, thus developing apparatus 20 is divided into accommodating chamber 34 and developing room these two chambers 35.
Developing apparatus 20 forms toner layer at developer roll 21, and developer is by carrying toner layer and photoreceptor 3 contacted modes on the developer roll 21, and contact one composition that carries out the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 3 is developed develops.
Be equipped with to stir transfer unit 24 in accommodating chamber 34, the toners in the developing apparatus 20 stir by the rotation of stirring transfer unit 24, cross partitioning portion 36 and mechanically are transported to developing room 35, and supply to donor rollers 22 as supply part.This donor rollers 22 is formed by foaming polysiloxane etc., has pliability, forms the structure of easy carrying toner by the cabin of 50-500 μ m diameters.And the JIS-A hardness of donor rollers 22 is lower 10-30 °, can contact equably with developer roll 21.
Developer roll 21 forms by the top layer that has elastomeric material at conductive base, and diameter is 10-30mm, and the surface is suitably coarse, and surfaceness Rz is 1-4 μ m.The value of preferred this surfaceness Rz is 13-80% with respect to the mean grain size of toner.Thus, toner just can not be embedded in the surface of developer roll 21, but is transferred.Particularly, the surfaceness Rz of developer roll 21 is preferably 20-30% scope of toner mean grain size, in order to do not carry charged significantly few toner.As elastomeric material, can enumerate such as silicone rubber, butadiene rubber, NBR rubber, Xi Duolin (ヒ De リ Application) rubber, EPDM rubber etc.And, preferably in the surface coverage coating of developer roll 21, in order to make especially the stable in properties of the time of going through.As coating material, can enumerate material such as silicone material, Teflon (registered trademark) class etc.The toner charging property of the material of silicone is good, and the release property of the material of Teflon (registered trademark) class is good.And, can make its conductive material that contains carbon black etc., to obtain electric conductivity.Coating thickness is preferably 5-50 μ m.If depart from this scope, the easy generation problem of easily breaking etc. then.
On donor rollers 22 or the toner of the inner predetermined polarity (in the situation that the present embodiment is negative polarity) that exists, by being clipped in along with rotation at contact point mutually along between the developer roll 21 and donor rollers 22 of opposite direction rotation, by the electrostatic force by the electronegative gained of triboelectric action, and, by by the resulting conveying effect of the surfaceness of developer roll 21, and remain on the developer roll 21.But the toner layer on the developer roll 21 of this moment is also inhomogeneous, but adheres to (1-3mg/cm very superfluously
2).Therefore, be used for limiting the limiting part 23 of toner layer thickness by contact, form the toner thin layer with uniform layer thickness at developer roll 21.The end of limiting part 23 is towards the downstream with respect to the sense of rotation of developer roll 21, the middle body of contact limiting part 23, it is so-called waist contact, but, limiting part also can in the form setting of the opposite direction contact (contrary connecing) of the rotation direction of developer roll, also can be realized edge contact.
As the material of limiting part 23, the metal of preferred SUS304 etc., thickness is 0.1-0.15mm.Except metal, it can also used thickness be the higher resin material of hardness of the elastomeric material of urethane rubber etc. of 1-2mm and silicone resin etc.And, even because by sneaking into carbon black beyond the metal etc., also can low resistance, therefore also can by connect grid bias power supply and developer roll 21 between form electric field.
In developing apparatus 20, as shown in Figure 3, arrange and stir transfer unit 24, detection part 27, reach synchronization section 26.
Stir transfer unit 24 and be arranged in the accommodating chamber 34, have following function: by rotating the toner that stirs the composition developer in the accommodating chamber 34 and making it charged, further, carry toner to developer 35.
The below about stir transfer unit 24, detection part 27, and synchronization section 26 describe particularly.
The formation of stirring transfer unit 24 shown in Figure 4, Fig. 5 illustrates the formation of detection part 27, and Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 A and Fig. 7 B illustrate the formation of synchronization section 26.
And Fig. 8 illustrates the state that stirs transfer unit 24, detection part 27, reaches synchronization section 26 combinations.
Such as Fig. 3, Fig. 4, and shown in Figure 8, stir blade 241a and 241b that transfer unit 24 has turning axle 242 and is arranged at this turning axle 242.Turning axle 242 is equipped with cam 25 in the end of one side, further, as shown in Figure 8, disk 243 is installed.Turning axle 242 is arranged to accept the driving force of drive motor (not shown) and is rotated along the direction of arrow shown in Figure 3.
Fig. 4 illustrates the shape that stirs transfer unit.Stir transfer unit 24 and be equipped with the plate-shaped member of rotation or membranaceous blade 241a and 241b.Stir transfer unit 24 and have the function that makes the toner frictional electrification by the toner in the stirring accommodating chamber 34.And, also have 35 functions of carrying toner from accommodating chamber 34 to developing room.The blade 241a and the 241b that stir transfer unit 24 can not separate function fully, yet in order to make the shape of the blade corresponding with the function of each, line is asymmetricly made centered by turning axle 242.And, Durchgangshohle in blade, and the area of adjustment blade, simultaneously, control transport capacity, stirring capacity.
For example, be made as the more shape of perforation take agitating function as main blade 241a, on the other hand, adjust area take conveying function as main blade 241b to regulate the toning dosage of carrying.In the blade of stirring transfer unit 24 at least one is as main blade take conveying function.
And these blades 241a and 241b use has flexible resinous film.Because film has pliability, bottom shell that therefore can rubbing contact developing apparatus 20, and carry almost whole toners in the accommodating chambers 34 to developing room 35.As resin, can use polypropylene, the polyalkenes resin of tygon etc., poly terephthalic acid butylidene ester, poly terephthalic acid ethylidene ester and polyorganosiloxane resin etc. are not limited to membranaceously in addition as blade, and sheet also can.
And, on the turning axle 242 of stirring transfer unit 24 shown in Figure 8, disk 243 is set.This disk 243 presses to developing apparatus housing 201 to synchronization section 26, and, decide the position of synchronization section 26 by the thickness of disk 243.Accordingly, just can suppress synchronization section 27 change axially, improve running accuracy, make effectively coaxial stirring transfer unit 24 and rotation and the rotation of synchronization section 26.
Such as Fig. 3, Fig. 5, and shown in Figure 8, comprise axle 271a, 271b, check-out console 275, and bonding part 276 at detection part 27.
Check-out console 275 is the plate objects that contact to detect the toner residual with toner, and its turned position is according to the amount of toner and difference.
The check-out console 275 of detection part 27 is according to the rotation of detection part 27 and the space in developing room 35 rises and descend.During rising from donor rollers 22 away from, during decline near donor rollers 22.
To become as a whole mode to arrange, the shank 264a of its downside and synchronization section 26 combines at a side of axle 271 and check-out console 275 in bonding part 276.
With different angle settings, bonding part 278 is in the position of upside with respect to axle 271a and 271b for bonding part 276 and check-out console 275.
Check-out console 275 adopts the material that has rigidity, is difficult to be out of shape.The toner of a non magnetic composition developer has pliability, hold yielding material, even can not detect the toner residual.Therefore, the material that can enumerate is thermoplasticity or the thermosetting resin of ABS resin, ACS resin, ethylene/vinyl base monomer copolymer, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, vibrin, poly-urethane resin, melmac, alkyd resin etc.Also can make it contain carbon black as filling agent, silicon dioxide, aluminium dioxide etc.
And the area of the detection faces of check-out console 275 is at 1000-1500mm
2In the situation that area is little, owing to can detect a small amount of toner, therefore suit to detect the toner residual.For this reason, if area surpasses 1500mm
2, then push the power grow of toner, the accuracy of detection step-down of toner residual.And, if becoming, area compares 1000mm
2Little, then check-out console 275 is damaged sometimes.
And the amplitude of preferred detection plate 275 from the root to the end is more than 10mm.This amplitude is longer, more can detect a small amount of toner residual, can improve the accuracy of detection of toner residual.If long, then cause load in the end of check-out console 275, may cause damage, and, the miniaturization difficult of equipment.
Form the axis hole 262 of an end obturation in column part 261, the bossing 202 that is arranged at the axle of housing 201 inserts this axis hole 262, and thus, synchronization section 26 is installed in mode free to rotate.
And in the column part 261 of synchronization section 26, as shown in Figure 8, its shaft end is equipped with elastomeric element 266, and thus, synchronization section 26 is pressed towards, the direction that the first pull bar 263 is contacted with cam 25.
The column part 261 that Fig. 7 A, Fig. 7 B are illustrated in synchronization section 26 arranges the opening portion 265 that communicates with axis hole 262.
Toner the following describes the reason that opening portion 265 is set, because at developing apparatus 20 interior toner accommodatings, can enter between the axis hole 262 and bossing 202 of synchronization section 26 of rotation sometimes.If toner enters between the axis hole 262 and bossing 202 of synchronization section 26, the heat of friction that produces owing to the friction of the rotation of synchronization section 26, toner can melt, after this, when cooling off and solidifying, synchronization section 26 and bossing 262 can be adhered, and the conveying that can not carry out toner and detection of toner residual etc. become.So, synchronization section 26, need to be tackled this by toner adhesion and the deteriorated problem that becomes of operating performance owing to using for a long time.
Fig. 7 A, Fig. 7 B illustrate the synchronization section that has be used to the opening portion 265 of tackling above-mentioned problem.
Such as Fig. 7 A, shown in Fig. 7 B, in the column part 261 of this synchronization section 26, opening portion 265 is set.By this opening portion 265 being set, can discharging the toner that enters among the axis hole 262.Thus, can prevent from staying inside, thereby, can prevent that toner from melting in inside, bossing 202 and synchronization section 26 adhesions.
Fig. 7 A illustrates the rectangle as the shape of opening portion 265, and Fig. 7 B illustrates spiral-shaped.Particularly, shown in Fig. 7 B, by make spiral-shaped opening portion 265 in rotation direction, can discharge rapidly the toner that enters, the generation of the fault that prevents from thus adhering.
In such formation, as shown in Figure 3, stir transfer unit 24 and accept the driving force of drive motor (not shown), rotate along the direction of arrow, when the component toner in the accommodating chamber 34 is stirred, the housing bottom of rubbing contact accommodating chamber 34 is to the toner of developing room 35 supplies as a composition developer.
At this moment, the first pull bar 263 of synchronization section 26 is because the contact cam 25 coaxial with carrying mixing component, thus synchronization section 26 via cam 25 by stirring transfer unit 24 drivings, shake along the shape of cam 25.
The leg 264a of the downside of the bonding part 276 of detection part 27 and the second pull bar 264 of synchronization section 26 is pressurized and contact, and detection part 27 rotates along with shaking of synchronization section 26.
Particularly, detection part 27 the second pull bar 264 that moves through by synchronization section 26 upward upwards pushes away to carry out, movement downwards utilization is carried out the acting force downwards of detection part 27, and this motion is until till the position that the motion of the second pull bar 264 is prevented from.
So, detection part 27 has been limited extreme lower position in the rising driving force that is subject to synchronization section 26 transmission.
The lowest positions of the second pull bar 264 is till the position that does not contact partitioning portion 36 when shaking.
Keep the bonding part 276 of detection part 27 and the angle between the check-out console 275, the position of bonding part 276 above check-out console 275, thus, by so configuration, even the lowest positions of the second pull bar 264 is not when when contacting the position of partitioning portion 36, still can make the lowest positions that moves of check-out console 275 downwards near donor rollers 22, in order to can detect toner exhaustion.
By the position relationship of change check-out console 275 like this and bonding part 276, just can change the toning dosage that retains in the developing room 35 with the situation of what degree as toner exhaustion.
The following describes the state that toner exhaustion detects, detect the toner residual detection part 27 check-out console 275 as shown in Figure 3 the lower end position that namely rotates of rotational angle depend on the amount of toner and difference.In above-mentioned mode of operation, check-out console 275 rotates towards donor rollers 22, yet, at this moment, if in the developing room 35 of developing apparatus 20 a large amount of toners is arranged, then owing to having toner between check-out console 275 and donor rollers 22, so the rotation of check-out console 275 is prevented from, the angle of rotating diminishes, and check-out console 275 rotates in the position of separating with donor rollers 22 and stops (position of the dotted line of Fig. 3).
The amount of the toner that exists in developing room 35 is in the situation about almost not having, and it is large that the rotational angle of check-out console 275 becomes, and can turn to (position of the solid line of Fig. 3) till near the position position of donor rollers 22 or almost contact.
Therefore, by detecting the size of the angle that this check-out console 275 rotates, the situation of the lower end position that namely rotates can detect the toner residual of developing apparatus 20.
Below with reference to figure A, Fig. 9 B, Fig. 9 B. Fig. 9 C illustrate stirring conveying operations in the developing apparatus 20 and the timing of toner detection.
In addition, at Fig. 9 A, Fig. 9 B among Fig. 9 B. Fig. 9 C, has represented that as in the blade that stirs conveyance member 24, the Length Ratio take agitating function as main blade 241a is take the length short situation of conveyance function as main blade 241b.
In Fig. 9 A, stir transfer unit 24 and in the situation that the signal that situation that the toner supplementary signal is sent out or image form operation is sent out, begin rotation along the direction of arrow.If stir transfer unit 24 rotations, then be installed on the also simultaneously rotation of cam 25 of turning axle 242.
The first pull bar 263 of synchronization section 26 is exerted pressure to contact this cam 25 by elastomeric element 266 (referring to Fig. 8).
In the state shown in Fig. 9 A and since the first pull bar 263 to the contact position of cam 25 with turning axle 242 immediate positions, therefore the position of the second pull bar 264 becomes minimum position.The check-out console 275 of detection part 27 presses to downward direction by elastomeric element, towards under direction rotate because the position of the second pull bar 264 is minimum, therefore until move to minimum position by the second pull bar 264, it moves and is not hindered.
Therefore, check-out console 275 also turn to according to toner under the few state of toning dosage rotate the position that is prevented from till, till perhaps turning to it and move the extreme lower position that is prevented from by the second pull bar 264.
The position of the check-out console 275 shown in Fig. 9 A illustrates the position in the few situation of the amount of toner, and under this state, the check-out console 275 of detection part 27 enters owing to placing the bottom in the developing room 35 thereby blocking the state of developing room 35.
Subsequently, stirring transfer unit 24 and cam 25 rotations, enter in the situation of state of Fig. 9 B, because the contact position of the first pull bar 263 is in and turning axle 242 immediate positions, so the invariant position of the second pull bar 264 and check-out console 275, the state that the detection faces 275 of detection part 27 is blocked developing rooms 35 continues.
When the state transitions of the rotation of stirring transfer unit 24 from the state of Fig. 9 A to Fig. 9 B, the blade 241a that stirs transfer unit 24 passes near the partitioning portion 36, carry out toner is pressed to the movement of developing room 35 directions, yet, because the function of blade 241a is take agitating function as main, therefore, continue even detection faces 275 is blocked the state of developing room 35 gradually, affect also little.
And in the state shown in Fig. 9 A, in the many situations of the amount of toner, the end of the detection faces 275 of detection part 27 enters the position of the upside of the partitioning portion 36 between accommodating chamber 34 and the developing room 35, and developing room 35 enters open state.
When the state transitions of the rotation of stirring transfer unit 24 from the state of Fig. 9 B to Fig. 9 C, the contact position of the first pull bar 263 gradually change to from the position near turning axle 242 away from the position, owing to being depressed into till turning axle 242 position farthest, till therefore the position of the second pull bar rises to the highest position from minimum position.The check-out console 275 of detection part 27 presses to downward direction by elastomeric element, yet because the second pull bar rises, thereby the power that check-out console 275 is subject to the second pull bar is pressed onto the highest position on also.
Under this state, because the upside of the partitioning portion 36 of the end of the detection faces 275 of detection part 27 between accommodating chamber 34 and developing room 35, so developing room 35 is in open state.
Stirring transfer unit 24 and cam 25 rotations, enter in the situation of state of Fig. 9 D, because the contact position of the first pull bar 263 is in apart from turning axle 242 position farthest, so the invariant position of the second pull bar 264 and check-out console 275, the open state of developing room 35 continues.
When the state transitions of the rotation of stirring transfer unit 24 from the state of Fig. 9 C to Fig. 9 D, the blade 241b that stirs transfer unit 24 passes near the partitioning portion 36, carries out toner is pressed to the movement of developing room 35 directions.
Because the function of blade 241b is take conveying function as main, so toner is carried to the developing room 35 of opening.
When the state transitions of the rotation of stirring transfer unit 24 from the state of Fig. 9 D to Fig. 9 A, carry out and process opposite when the state transitions from from the state of Fig. 9 B to Fig. 9 C of the rotation of stirring transfer unit 24, return the state of Fig. 9 A.
Be in minimum position by the position that makes the second pull bar, utilize the second pull bar 264, from changing near Fig. 9 B timing until move to Fig. 9 A that extreme lower position is not obstructed, carry out the detection of toner exhaustion according to the rotation of the downward direction of check-out console 275.
And, in this embodiment, owing to regularly be not vulnerable to accept the impact that toner is carried, therefore very little to the baneful influence that detects.
So, in developing apparatus 20, by making synchronization section 26 contacts of being exerted pressure by elastomeric element 266 be arranged at the cam 25 of the turning axle 242 that stirs transfer unit 24, need not to obtain other driving force from other side, can make synchronization section 26 rotations, and can be in the movement of controlling detection part 27 by the rotation of this synchronization section 26, so that when detecting the toner residual, the conveying of carrying out toner replenishes.
Figure 10 illustrates the position relationship of detection part and other component parts.The position of detection part 27 is, its turning axle 271 be centered close to the high position of contact area than supply part 22 and developer roll 21.In this contact area, toner is supplied to developer roll 21 from supply part 22.Because the center of the turning axle of detection part 27 places the position higher than contact area, therefore can improve the precision that the toner residual detects.
And the position of detection part 27 is, its turning axle 271a and 271b are centered close to high position, center than the turning axle of supply part 22.Supply part 22 does not supply to developer roll 21 to the composition developer in the developing room 35 with not remaining as far as possible.Therefore, make the housing bottom surface rubbing contact of developing room 35 rotate or rotate with the gap that is similar to rubbing contact, yet, if the turning axle 271a of detection part 27 and 271b be centered close to the position lower than supply part 22, lengthen the amplitude difficult of detection part 27.
The below describes about the structure that detects toner exhaustion in the image forming apparatus 1.
Figure 11 illustrates the part of the outward appearance of processing unit 2.
In the processing unit 2, be provided with processing unit housing 205.In a side of this housing 205, the scope so that arm 28 rotates forms opening portion 207, the state that being configured to of arm 28 exposed from this opening portion 207.The face in the end face of the rotation axis 271a of detection part 27 and the outside of arm 28 is configured to be same face with the side outside of housing 205.
Owing to passing through so to settle, arm 28 and rotation axis 271a are outstanding laterally from housing 205, therefore, when processing unit 2 is installed and dismantled, can move smoothly.And, when processing unit 2 is installed, with the contacting and can carry out smoothly of rotatable parts 29 (Figure 14 is to shown in Figure 16 as described later).
Form respectively the guide 206 of a pair of circle in the two sides of housing 205.This guide 206 processing unit 2 install and dismounting when mobile and the guide track 102 of when installation contact body sidewall 101 (as described later Figure 15 A, shown in Figure 15 B) above, support processing unit 2.
Figure 12 A and Figure 12 B illustrate the bonding part of axle 271a and the arm 28 of detection part 27.
End at the axle 271a of detection part 27, the formation smooth part 272 smooth by a part of grinding circular axle, and from outer surface, pass the groove 273 of round through outer surface, and, arrange a pair of hemispheric protruding 274 at the outer surface of axle 271a.
Because it is rectangular tabular that arm 28 is roughly, in the individual end of one, form the axis hole 281 that inserts axle 271a.
In the part of axis hole 281, form the burnishing surface 282 corresponding with the smooth part 272 of axle 271a, the hemispheric sunk part 283 of projection 274 interlocks of a pair of and axle 271a is set at axis hole 281 medial surfaces.
The smooth part 272 of axle 271a forms the length roughly the same with the thickness of arm 28, and the length of groove 273 is longer than the thickness of arm 28.
By such structure, only by the end of the axle 271a of detection part 27 being pressed into the axis hole 281 of arm 28, namely can embed.And, because smooth part 272 and 282 with plane contact, reaches projection 274 and sunk part 283 interlocks, thereby slip and the axial movement of the sense of rotation of axle 271a do not occur.Further, by forming groove 273, the axle 271a of detection part 27 can flexibly embed the axis hole 281 of arm 28.
Figure 13 illustrate in the past arm and the connection status of axle.
In the past, the axle 27 of detection part went out to the outside from the end of arm 28, and, in the past, by C ring or E ring 37 are installed at outstanding axle, fixed axle.But if like this, then essential the setting and the outstanding corresponding space of axle will have problems aspect the processing unit miniaturization.And, because C ring etc. being installed, also be difficult to the shortening time.
In an embodiment of the present invention, do not need the joint of screw, welding etc., can be installed to simply the axle 271a of detection part 27 by holding arms 28, owing to there not being the part of outstanding axle, therefore can realize miniaturization.As mentioned above, the rotary state of detection part 27 is via the arm 28 of the axle 271a that is installed on detection part, and is sent to image forming apparatus 1 body, in equipment 1 body, by detecting the situation of the lower end position that rotates, can detect the toner residual of developing apparatus 20.
Figure 14 illustrates the structure of image forming apparatus 1 base side that can detect toner exhaustion, in equipment 1 body, when processing unit 2 is installed on equipment 1 body, joint is installed on the arm 28 of axle 271 of the detection part of developing apparatus 20, and the rotatable parts 29 that rotate accordingly with the rotation of arm 28 and the sensor 30 that detects the rotation of rotatable parts 29 are set.
If rotatable parts 29 rotate, then its part is crossed between light-emitting component 301 and the photo detector 302, and thus, the rotation of detection part 27 is detected.
And, also can adopt the structure of the angle that rotatable parts 29 is not set and is rotated by optical sensor direct-detection arm 28.
Figure 15 A, Figure 15 B explanation is installed to processing unit 2 state of image forming apparatus 1 body.
Figure 16 is Figure 15 A, the enlarged drawing of the part of Figure 15 B.
The state of rotatable parts 29 when Figure 15 A illustrates installation process unit 2 not etc., Figure 15 B illustrates the state that processing unit 2 is installed to image forming apparatus 1 body.
Figure 15 A, among Figure 15 B and Figure 16,300 both sides form the sidewall 101 of image forming apparatus 1 body in the space, are used for being installed in the processing unit 2 that image forming apparatus 1 body forms.Shell (not shown) at the outside of this sidewall 101 configuration image forming device 1.Form guide track 102 in the sidewall 101, guide track 102 is boot process unit 2 when installing and dismantle processing unit 2, is used for supporting after installation.In a side of sidewall 101, form opening portion 103 with the moving range size of rotatable parts 29, rotatable parts 29 are installed in this opening portion 103.
Be used for detecting the sensor 30 of toner exhaustion in the configuration of the outside of the opening portion 103 of sidewall 101, be installed to sidewall 101 by bracket 31.
In such structure, processing unit 2 is inserted into and installs in the direction shown in the arrow along guide track 102.At this moment, the lateral surface of rotatable parts 29 contact arms 28, and centered by rotation axis 291, rotate a little to the direction of the sensor 30 that is positioned at sidewall 101 outsides.Rotatable parts 29 are set to, and under the unexhausted state of toner, are in the position that the light of sensor 30 is not blocked.But, also can change shape and the position relationship of rotatable parts 29, shading light a little, the threshold value that detects by adjusting in this case toner exhaustion can distinguish the detection of the installation of processing unit 2 and toner exhaustion.
In Figure 16 2 shown in, the state that processing unit 2 is installed to image forming apparatus 1 body is shown, the position of rotatable parts 29 illustrates the state of toner exhaustion.
In this state, the original position of rotatable parts 29 during from installation process unit 2 begins further rotation, reaches the light that blocks sensor 30 fully, detects toner exhaustion.
Direction of motion at rotatable parts 29 is in the situation that the direction identical with the direction of insertion of processing unit 2 is difficult to rotate, for example, in the situation that direction of motion and the processing unit 2 of rotatable parts 29 are conflicted, insertion for processing unit 2, rotatable parts 29 are conflicted, and the insertion of processing unit 2 becomes and can not carry out smoothly.At this, the rotation axis 291 of rotatable parts 29 is disposed at the forward direction of the direction of insertion of processing unit 2.Thus, rotatable parts 29 with the insertion of processing unit 2 not contrary but identical direction rotate, the installation of processing unit 2 is carried out smoothly.
And Figure 17 illustrates the planimetric map that processing unit 2 is installed to the state of image forming apparatus 1 body.Utilization is provided to the elastomeric element 33 of image forming apparatus, processing unit 2 is pressed to the depths of image forming apparatus 1.Thus, the distance of rotatable parts 29 and arm shortens, and perhaps, is applied in certain power, therefore, can carry out stable detection operation.
Figure 18 A, Figure 18 B illustrates the output signal from sensor 30.
Carry out the signal that signal is processed gained based on detecting the output (not shown) from sensor 30 outputs.Be present at toner under the state of developing room 35 of developing apparatus 20, as signal output, shown in Figure 18 A, rank L is output.
Be not present at toner under the state of developing room 35, the circulation of the rotation by the stirring transfer unit 24 that undertaken by rotatable parts 29 is because the light of sensor 30 is blocked, therefore, shown in Figure 18 B, corresponding with it, as signal output, the pulse of rank H appears.By intensity and the task that presets signal H, can detect the signal corresponding with the toner residual in the developing room 35.
Figure 19 is the process flow diagram that the operating process of toner exhaustion checkout equipment is shown.Utilize image forming apparatus 1, by copy button or printing are begun to be set to start (ON), begin image and form operation (step S2).Meanwhile, make the sensor 30 of toner exhaustion checkout equipment for starting (ON) (step S3).
In the situation of toner exhaustion, by the rotation of the detection part 27 in the toner exhaustion checkout equipment, detect the signal H (step S4) that Figure 18 B is shown.When detecting this signal H, start detection is processed, in order to carry out the judgement (step S5) of toner exhaustion.If signal H only represents once, then because the conveying of toner is inhomogeneous and developing room inhomogeneous, can not judge soon toner exhaustion.Therefore, for example, in N above situation of signal H continuous representation, judge toner exhaustion (step S6).In contrast, in the situation that signal H represents less than N time, turn back to the step S4 of detection signal H.
In the situation that judge toner exhaustion, image forms operation and ends (step S7), shows the expression (step S8) of toner exhaustion in monitor picture.
Illustrated as mentioned, in the developing apparatus 20 of the present embodiment, detection part 27 is arranged on to being used for the developer roll 21 of the image development on the photoreceptor 3 is supplied with near the donor rollers 22 of toners, by this detection part 27, can detect near the particularly toner residual donor rollers 22 of developing room 35.The rotation of detection part 27 is sent to image forming apparatus 1, and the detection of toner residual is undertaken by the sensor 30 of image forming apparatus 1.
By stirring transfer unit 24, toner is crossed partitioning portion 36 and is delivered to developing room 35.Detection part 27 acceptance are also driven by the driving force from stirring transfer unit 24 that synchronization section 26 sends, and thus, the detection of toner residual is that one side and the conveying operations of getting stirring transfer unit 24 are got timing, Yi Bian carry out.
And, enter the toner of axis hole 262 of the synchronization section 26 of rotation by discharge, can carry out steadily in the long term the detection of toner exhaustion.
Claims (19)
1. developer residue detecting equipment, the rotary state of the detection part that changes accordingly by the amount that detects developer in turned position and the developing apparatus detects the amount of the interior developer of developing apparatus, and described developer residue detecting equipment comprises:
Detection part, has plate-shaped member, this plate-shaped member is arranged near the supply part of developing regional direction supply developer and is installed on rotation axis, and the space of this plate-shaped member in developing apparatus from supply part away from the part of direction rise, descend in the part near the direction of supply part, described plate-shaped member is pressed towards downward direction towards described supply part by the elastomeric element that is arranged at described rotation axis end;
Driving force transmission apparatus when detecting, applies driving force to detection part on the direction that plate-shaped member is risen, plate-shaped member is risen and decline; And
Sensor, near the rotary state the extreme lower position when detecting plate-shaped member decline.
2. according to developer residue detecting equipment claimed in claim 1, wherein, driving force transmission apparatus alternatively applies described detection part and makes the driving force that plate-shaped member rises and carry out control to the plate-shaped member extreme lower position.
3. according to claim 1 or 2 described developer residue detecting equipments, wherein, the rotation axis of detection part is positioned at the position higher than the rotation axis of supply part.
4. according to claim 1 or 2 described developer residue detecting equipments, wherein, be provided with to the developer carrier of developing regional supplying developing agent, the rotation axis of described detection part is positioned at the position higher than the contact area of supply part and developer carrier.
5. developing apparatus, has developer residue detecting equipment, the rotary state of the detection part that this developer residue detecting equipment changes accordingly by the amount that detects developer in turned position and the developing apparatus detects the amount of the developer in the developing apparatus, and described developing apparatus comprises:
Detection part, has plate-shaped member, this plate-shaped member is arranged near the supply part of developing regional direction supply developer and is installed on rotation axis, and the space of this plate-shaped member in developing apparatus from supply part away from the part of direction rise, descend in the part near the direction of supply part, described plate-shaped member is pressed towards downward direction towards described supply part by the elastomeric element that is arranged at described rotation axis end; And
Driving force transmission apparatus, when detecting, on the direction that plate-shaped member is risen, detection part is applied driving force, plate-shaped member is risen and decline, described developing apparatus transmits the rotary state of detection part to the outside, near the rotary state the extreme lower position when descending to detect plate-shaped member.
6. developing apparatus, accommodating chamber and developing room with receiving photographic developer, this developing room has bearing developer and to the developer carrier of developing regional supplying developing agent, and supply part from developer to this developer carrier that supply with, this developing apparatus is sent to developing room with developer from accommodating chamber, wherein, the stirring transfer unit that has developer at accommodating chamber, and has the detection part that the amount of turned position and developer in developing room changes accordingly at developing room, and transmit the rotary state of detection part to the outside, detect developer residue with the turned position based on this detection part; Wherein
Detection part has plate-shaped member, this plate-shaped member is arranged near the supply part of developing regional direction supply developer and is installed on rotation axis, and the space of this plate-shaped member in developing apparatus from supply part away from the part of direction rise, descend in the part near the direction of supply part, described plate-shaped member is pressed towards downward direction towards described supply part by the elastomeric element that is arranged at described rotation axis end; And driving force transmission apparatus applies driving force to detection part on the direction that plate-shaped member is risen, and plate-shaped member is risen and descends.
7. according to claim 5 or 6 described developing apparatuses, wherein, driving force transmission apparatus alternatively applies described detection part and makes the driving force that plate-shaped member rises and carry out control to the plate-shaped member extreme lower position.
8. according to claim 5 or 6 described developing apparatuses, wherein, the rotation axis of detection part is positioned at the position higher than the rotation axis of supply part.
9. according to claim 5 or 6 described developing apparatuses, wherein, be provided with to the developer carrier of developing regional supplying developing agent, the rotation axis of described detection part is positioned at the position higher than the contact area of supply part and developer carrier.
10. according to claim 5 or 6 described developing apparatuses, wherein, the rotation of detection part is carried out with the rotational synchronization that stirs transfer unit.
11. according to claim 5 or 6 described developing apparatuses, wherein, by transmitting the driving force that is produced by the rotation of stirring transfer unit, carry out driving force transmission apparatus to the driving of detection part.
12. according to claim 5 or 6 described developing apparatuses, wherein, has central shaft and in the synchronization section of the pull bar of its both sides stirring to arrange between transfer unit and the detection part, and at the turning axle that stirs transfer unit cam is set, the pull bar of one side contacts with this cam, synchronization section is shaken in synchronous with the stirring transfer unit, and this pull bar that shakes by opposite side is sent to detection part, thereby drives detection part.
13. according to the described developing apparatus of claim 12, wherein,
Column part at the central shaft of described synchronization section forms axis hole, and this axis hole is developed apparatus casing and supports rotationally, and, the opening portion that communicates with axis hole in the column part setting.
14. according to the described developing apparatus of claim 13, wherein,
The opening portion of described synchronization section has spiral-shaped.
15. according to claim 5 or 6 described developing apparatuses, wherein,
Stirring transfer unit consists of agitating function or consists of conveying function according to its turned position is different; Conveying function is got with the timing that detection part moves when the lifting position synchronously.
16. according to claim 5 or 6 described developing apparatuses, wherein,
Stir transfer unit and have a plurality of blades, wherein at least one blade is take conveying function as main.
17. according to the described developing apparatus of claim 12, wherein,
Turning axle at described stirring transfer unit arranges disk, and synchronization section is pressed to the developing apparatus case side and determined the position by this disk.
18. a processing unit becomes one and integrally comprises image carrier and developing apparatus, and can to the installation or removal of image forming apparatus body, have according to any one described developing apparatus among the claim 5-17.
19. image forming apparatus, comprise the image carrier that forms sub-image and utilize toner to come developing apparatus to image development, comprising according to any one described developer residue detecting equipment among the claim 1-4, according to any one described developing apparatus among the claim 5-17 and according in the described processing unit of claim 18 any one.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN 200810149468 CN101673073B (en) | 2008-09-11 | 2008-09-11 | Developer residue detection and developing equipment, processing unit and imaging equipment |
| JP2009209615A JP5682105B2 (en) | 2008-09-11 | 2009-09-10 | Toner end detection device, developer remaining amount detection device, development device, process unit, and image forming apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN 200810149468 CN101673073B (en) | 2008-09-11 | 2008-09-11 | Developer residue detection and developing equipment, processing unit and imaging equipment |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN101673073A CN101673073A (en) | 2010-03-17 |
| CN101673073B true CN101673073B (en) | 2013-04-17 |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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| CN 200810149468 Expired - Fee Related CN101673073B (en) | 2008-09-11 | 2008-09-11 | Developer residue detection and developing equipment, processing unit and imaging equipment |
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| CN (1) | CN101673073B (en) |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN1321920A (en) * | 2000-02-15 | 2001-11-14 | 佳能株式会社 | Treatment cassette and image forming apparatus |
| CN1467581A (en) * | 2002-06-07 | 2004-01-14 | ������������ʽ���� | Developer remaining amount detection mechanism and printer |
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2008
- 2008-09-11 CN CN 200810149468 patent/CN101673073B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN1321920A (en) * | 2000-02-15 | 2001-11-14 | 佳能株式会社 | Treatment cassette and image forming apparatus |
| CN1467581A (en) * | 2002-06-07 | 2004-01-14 | ������������ʽ���� | Developer remaining amount detection mechanism and printer |
Non-Patent Citations (2)
| Title |
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| JP特开2006-251549A 2006.09.21 |
| JP特开2008-76428A 2008.04.03 |
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