JP2001318520A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Provided is an image forming apparatus capable of supplying toner irrespective of the position of a developing device, and capable of forming a toner replenishing section with a simple structure in a small size. A rotary developing device (2) includes a toner receiving portion (9) protruding from one end of the rotary (3) in the axial direction concentrically with the rotary (3), and the toner receiving portion (9) is rotated integrally with the rotary (3). It has become. Further, the toner receiving portion 9 is a pair of clamp-shaped temporary storage portion forming members 2.
5, 26, and these temporary storage portion forming members 2
Reference numerals 5 and 26 form a temporary toner storage for yellow toner. Similarly, the toner receiving section 9 has a pair of clamp-shaped temporary storage section forming members 29, 30; 31, 32; 33, 34 for sequentially forming magenta, cyan, and black toner temporary storage sections. are doing. These temporary toner storage sections are provided for each supply pipe 28, 35,
It is connected to each toner container via 36 and 37.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention belongs to the technical field of an image forming apparatus such as an electrostatic copying machine or a printer.
The invention belongs to the technical field of an image forming apparatus in which toner is supplied regardless of the position of the developing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as an electrostatic copying machine or a printer, an electrostatic latent image carried on a latent image carrier such as a photoreceptor is developed into a toner image by a developing device, and then the toner image is developed. The image is transferred to a recording medium such as paper, and the toner image transferred to the recording medium is fixed to obtain an image.

In order for the developing device to perform development, it is necessary to supply toner to the developing device. Therefore,
Various toner replenishing devices for replenishing toner to a developing device have been conventionally proposed. As one of conventional toner replenishing devices, for example, provided in a movement path of a developing unit,
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. S61-97674 proposes a toner replenishing device that enables replenishment of a developer to one developing unit moved to a developer replenishing position different from the developing position. Further, as another conventional toner replenishing device, a replenishing path for guiding the developer to each of the developing devices that have reached a common one replenishing position, shutter means for opening and closing the replenishing path, and a developing device for the developing device that has reached the replenishing position. A toner replenishing device that supplies developer by opening only shutter means is disclosed in
It has been proposed in JP-A-117575.

[0004] Still another conventional toner replenishing device includes a toner storage unit for storing toner of each color, and a toner replenishment unit provided in the developing unit and replenishing toner from the toner storage unit. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-109074 proposes a toner replenishing device in which a storage unit is arranged in a developing unit so as to rotate integrally with the developing unit and is coaxially and integrally arranged with the developing unit. Further, as another conventional toner replenishing device, a toner receiving port of each color developing device and a toner hopper outlet of each color provided outside the developing device are communicated only when the developing device is at the developing position. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-072381 proposes a toner replenishing device which replenishes the developing device with toner.

[0005]

However, in the toner replenishing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-97674, one developing unit requiring developer replenishment is moved to a developer replenishing position different from the developing position. Since the developer is replenished, there is the following problem. That is, it is difficult to perform continuous printing (continuous printing of monochrome images) in the single color mode. The provision of the shutter means complicates the structure. Since the shutter is opened and closed, it is difficult to switch the developing device at high speed (compatible with high-speed machines). Since the shutter is opened and closed, it is difficult to supply the developer in a short time.

In the toner supply device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-117575, shutter means is provided in a supply path connecting the toner supply device and the developing device, and a shutter for the developing device moved to the supply position is provided. Since only the means is opened and the toner is supplied, there are the following problems. That is, it is difficult to switch the developing device at high speed (for high-speed machines) to open and close the shutter. Since the shutter is opened and closed, it is difficult to supply the developer in a short time. Since the shutter is frequently opened and closed, the shutter is easily damaged.
A shutter opening / closing operation sound is generated.

Further, in the toner replenishing device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-109074, a toner storage portion connected to the toner replenishment portion is integrally arranged coaxially with the development portion so as to rotate together with the development portion. Therefore, there are the following problems. That is, when the capacity of the toner storage unit is increased, the end supporting the developing device and the toner storage unit is likely to bend in the direction of gravity, and the developing roller may be deformed in the direction in which the developing roller is twisted at the contact portion with the photoconductor. . When the capacity of the toner storage unit is increased, the inertia force is increased and the load for starting the motor is increased, so that it is difficult to rotate the toner storage unit together with the developing unit at high speed. Similarly, when the inertia force is increased, not only is it difficult to accurately stop at a predetermined position in a short time after high-speed rotation, but also the speed reduction mechanism or the static mechanism becomes complicated and large.
When the capacity of the toner storage unit is increased, the longitudinal direction of the developing device is correspondingly larger.

Further, in the toner supply device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-072381, the toner receiving port of each developing device and the discharging port of the toner hopper communicate with each other when the developing device is at the developing position. There are the following problems. It is difficult to replenish the required amount of toner in a short time during high-speed switching. A plurality of developing units cannot be replenished at the same time, and in such a case, much time is required for replenishing the toner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its object to enable toner to be supplied regardless of the position of the developing device, and to make the toner supply section compact with a simple structure. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can be formed.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developing device for developing with toner and a toner provided outside the developing device and supplied to the developing device. An image forming apparatus having at least a toner storage device for storing the toner, wherein the developing device is provided with a cylindrical toner receiving portion protruding in the axial direction for receiving toner from the toner storage device and supplying the toner to the developing device; The unit is capable of receiving toner from a toner storage device regardless of the position of the developing device.

Further, according to a second aspect of the present invention, a temporary storage section for temporarily storing toner from the toner storage device is provided on an outer periphery of the toner receiving section, and the toner from the toner storage apparatus is provided with a temporary storage section. It is characterized in that it is supplied to the developing device via the temporary storage section.
Further, the invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the developing device is provided with a developing device for each color of yellow, magenta, cyan and black, these developing devices are attached to a rotating body and the toner receiving section is The rotator is provided so as to protrude in the axial direction coaxially with the rotator, and the temporary storage section is provided for each color, and further inside the toner receiving section, the temporary storage section is provided from the temporary storage section. It is characterized in that a toner moving path is provided for each color in which the toner of each color moves to the corresponding developing device.

Further, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the outer periphery of the toner receiving portion is partitioned in the axial direction for each of the colors, and the temporary storage portion for each of the colors is divided in each of the partitioned areas on the outer periphery of the toner receiving portion. And a toner receiving port that communicates the temporary storage section with a corresponding toner moving path is formed in each of these partitioned areas.

Further, the invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the temporary storage sections for the toners of the respective colors are set so that their volumes increase as the distance from the developing device increases. Further, in the invention according to claim 6, the temporary storage portions of the toners of the respective colors are set such that their outer diameters increase as the distance from the developing device increases, or their widths (axial lengths). ) Is set to be longer as the distance from the developing device increases.

Further, according to the present invention, among the temporary storage sections for the toners of the respective colors, the temporary storage section for the toner of the color used most is supplied to the developing device from the temporary storage sections for the toners of other colors. It is characterized in that it is set at the closest position, or the volume of the temporary storage for the toner of the most used color is set larger than the volume of the temporary storage for the other colors.

[0015]

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configuration, toner from a toner storage device provided outside the developing device is provided in a cylindrical toner receiving portion provided in the developing device so as to protrude in the axial direction. Irrespective of the position of the developing device. As described above, since the toner storage device is not provided in the developing device, even if the toner storage device has a large capacity, the toner receiving portion of the developing device does not become large and the entire developing device does not become so large. Therefore, even if the developing device rotates at a high speed, the rotation of the developing device is controlled with high accuracy. Thus, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can sufficiently and reliably cope with a high-speed machine. In addition, toner can be supplied to the developing device via the toner receiving portion regardless of the position of the developing device.
It is not necessary to move the developing device to the supply position one by one, and toner supply can be performed efficiently in a short time.

In particular, in each of the second to seventh aspects of the present invention, the provision of the temporary storage section for temporarily storing the toner from the toner storage device eliminates the need for the conventional shutter, and therefore the structure is not required. Becomes easier.
Further, in each of the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to simultaneously supply toner of each color of yellow, magenta, cyan and black irrespective of the position of each developing device. As a result, toner supply can be performed in a shorter time. Further, in the fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention, the volume of the temporary storage portion for the toner of each color increases as the distance from the developing device increases. Accordingly, the influence on the toner supply due to the rotational shake or the centrifugal shake at the time of rotation of the toner receiving unit is reduced, and the toner replenishing efficiency is improved. Further, in the invention according to claim 7, the temporary storage portion of the toner of the most used color is set at a position closest to the developing device than the temporary storage portions of the toners of the other colors, or Since the volume of the temporary storage unit for the toner of many colors is set to be larger than the volume of the temporary storage unit of the other colors, the replenishment efficiency of the toner is effectively improved in each case.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a developing device and a photoconductor in an example of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 of this example includes a rotary developing device 2,
The rotary developing device 2 includes a rotatable rotary 3 and yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) developing devices supported by the rotary 3. 4, 5, 6, and 7. These developing units 4, 5, 6, 7 are arranged clockwise and at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotary 3 in this order, and are respectively provided with developing rollers 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a and a supply roller. 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b and developing rollers 4a, 5a, 6a, 7
regulating members 4c, 5c, 6c, 7 for regulating the toner layer thickness a
c and the first and second augers 4d, 5d, 6d, 7d; 4
e, 5e, 6e and 7e. When the rotary 3 rotates in the counterclockwise direction indicated by the arrow α, these developing units 4, 5, 6, and 7 cause the developing rollers 4a, 5 to rotate.
a, 6a, and 7a are set to the developing positions in which the photosensitive members 8 are sequentially contacted. The developing units 4, 5,
The arrangement order of 6, 7 is not limited to the above-mentioned order, and is arbitrarily set. However, in the following description, for the sake of convenience, the developing units 4, 5, and 5 are arranged in the order of the colors described above, that is, in the order of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black in a clockwise direction.
It is assumed that 6, 7 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the rotary developing device 2 has a toner receiving portion 9 which protrudes from one end of the rotary 3 in the axial direction concentrically with the rotary 3, and the toner receiving portion 9 is 3 and is to be rotated together. As shown in FIG. 3, the toner receiving section 9
It comprises a cylindrical portion 10 extending in the axial direction concentrically with the rotary 3, and a flange portion 11 provided at one end of the cylindrical portion 10 and attached to the rotary 3. In the internal space of the cylindrical portion 10, four fan-shaped toner movement paths 13, 14, 15, and 16 are defined by a cross-shaped partition wall 12, and these toner movement paths 13, 14, 15, and 16 are respectively formed. It is long in the axial direction, the end on the flange portion 11 side is opened, and the end on the side opposite to the flange portion 11 side is closed.
Each of the toner moving paths 13, 14, 15, 16 has
Yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners are received in this order.

Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 10, five partition ribs 17, which partition the outer peripheral surface into four in the axial direction,
18, 19, 20, 21 are provided. In the partitioned area of the cylindrical portion 10 between two adjacent partition ribs 17 and 18, yellow toner is introduced from the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 10 into the toner moving path 13 by communicating the toner moving path 13 with the outside. A toner receiving port 22 is formed. Similarly, in a partition area of the cylindrical portion 10 between the two partition ribs 18 and 19, the magenta toner is communicated with the outside by communicating the toner moving path 14 with the outside. , A toner receiving port 23 for introducing the toner into the toner moving path 14 is formed, and two partition ribs 19 and 20 are further provided.
A toner receiving port 24 for communicating cyan toner from the outer periphery of the cylindrical part 10 into the toner moving path 15 by communicating the toner moving path 15 with the outside is formed in the partitioned area of the cylindrical part 10 between Further, the cylindrical portion 1 between the two partition ribs 20 and 21
A toner receiving port (not shown) for introducing black toner from the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 10 into the toner moving path 15 is formed in the 0 section area so as to communicate the toner moving path 16 with the outside. Accordingly, each toner receiving port is provided with a phase difference of approximately 90 ° in the counterclockwise direction in the order of yellow, magenta, cyan and black toners.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the rotary type developing device 2 is provided between two partition ribs 17 and 18 to close a space between the partition ribs 17 and 18 to temporarily store toner to be described later. A pair of clamp-shaped temporary storage portion forming members 25 and 26 forming the first storage portion 27 are provided. These temporary storage portion forming members 25, 26 are respectively arc-shaped portions 25a,
26a, and connecting flange portions 25b, 25c extending from both ends of these arc-shaped portions 25a, 26a, respectively;
26c. Then, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the arc-shaped portions 25a and 26a are
18, the connecting flange portion 25b on one end side of the temporary storage portion forming member 25 and the temporary storage portion forming member are arranged so as to surround the cylindrical portion 10 between the partition ribs 17, 18. The connecting flange 26b at one end of the temporary storage portion forming member 25 and the connecting flange portion 26c at the other end of the temporary storing portion forming member 26 abut against each other. These temporary storage portion forming members 25 and 2 are connected to each other by appropriate fixing tools such as bolts or screws (not shown).
Reference numeral 6 surrounds the cylindrical portion 10 in a clamp shape.

As described above, the pair of temporary storage portion forming members 2
In a state in which 5, 26 are provided between the partition ribs 17, 18, the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 10 and the inner peripheral surface 25a of the arc-shaped portions 25a, 26a between the partition ribs 17, 18, as shown in FIG. ₁
A temporary toner storage section 27 (corresponding to a temporary storage section of the present invention) is formed between the temporary storage section 27 and the arc-shaped section 26a and its inner peripheral surface (not shown).
Numeral 7 is formed in an annular shape so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 10 between the partition ribs 17 and 18. The temporary toner storage section 27 is always in communication with the yellow toner moving path 13 through the toner receiving port 22, and the yellow toner is transferred from the temporary toner storing section 27 to the toner moving path 13 through the toner receiving port 22. It can be introduced. In this case, the inner peripheral surfaces 25a ₁ , 26 of the arc-shaped portions 25a, 26a shown in FIG.
a ₁ and joining flange portions 25b, 25c; 26b, 26c
Although not shown, a sealing member is provided on the butting surfaces 25b ₁ , 25c ₁ ; 26b ₁ , 26c ₁ to prevent the toner in the toner temporary storage section 27 from leaking to the outside.

In the state where the temporary storage portion forming members 25 and 26 are provided between the partition ribs 17 and 18, when the toner receiving portion 9 rotates integrally with the rotary 3, the partition ribs 1 are formed.
Reference numerals 7 and 18 are adapted to rotate and slide relative to the temporary storage portion forming members 25 and 26. And partition rib 1
The side surfaces of the temporary storage portions 27 and 18 and the side surfaces of the temporary storage portion forming members 25 and 26 also come into sliding contact with each other.
The inside toner is prevented from leaking to the outside of the temporary storage portion forming members 25 and 26. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the arc-shaped portion 25 a of the one temporary storage portion forming member 25 has
A toner detecting unit 94 for detecting the presence or absence of a predetermined amount of toner in the toner temporary storage unit 27 is provided (this toner detecting unit 94 is not shown in FIG. 2 and is shown in FIG. 3). The positions of the toner detecting means 94 and the toner receiving port 22 and the toner detecting means 94 shown in FIG.
And the respective positions of the toner receiving port 22 are shown shifted from each other. ). The toner detecting means 94 comprises an optical sensor formed in a U-shape, and optically detects the toner present in the U-shaped bifurcated portion of the optical sensor. Further, a supply pipe 28 for supplying yellow toner is connected to the arc-shaped section 25a of the one temporary storage section forming member 25. As shown in FIG. 27.

For magenta, cyan, and black toners, a pair of temporary storage section forming members 25 and 26 and a supply pipe 28 for such a yellow toner, respectively, are used. Members 29, 30; 31, 32; 33, 34 and supply tubes 35, 3
6, 37 are provided in the same manner as shown in FIG. 2, and the same toner detecting means 94 as the toner detecting means 94 for the yellow toner is used in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. Therefore, although not shown, each temporary storage portion forming member 29, 30;
1, 32; 33, 34, so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 10 between the partition ribs 18, 19, a magenta toner temporary storage section similar to the yellow toner temporary storage section 27,
The cyan temporary toner storage section similar to the yellow toner temporary storage section 27 and the outer circumference of the cylindrical section 10 between the partition ribs 20 and 21 so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical section 10 between the partition ribs 19 and 20. A black toner temporary storage unit similar to the yellow toner temporary storage unit 27 is formed so as to cover the surfaces.

Each of the magenta, cyan, and black toner temporary storage sections also has a magenta toner movement path 14, a cyan toner movement path 15, and a black toner movement path 15 via corresponding toner receiving ports, similarly to the case of yellow. And the supply pipes 35, 36, 37 are respectively opened in the respective toner temporary storage sections.

[0025] Then, the diameter of up to (inner peripheral surface 25a ₁ is shown in FIG. 5 in the yellow toner temporary retention unit 27 of the toner as an example) the center of rotation O from the inner peripheral surface of the toner temporary retention unit (Distance ) Are the respective rotation centers 4a ₁ , 5a ₁ , 6a ₁ , of the respective developing rollers 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a of the respective developing units 4, 5, 6, 7.
It is set to be smaller than the diameter of up to 7a ₁ (distance). As a result, as described later, the toner receiving port of the cylindrical portion 10 faces upward, and the toner in the temporary toner storage corresponding to the upwardly facing toner receiving port travels through the toner receiving port and the corresponding toner moving path, respectively. When the toner is supplied to the corresponding developing device, the water level of the toner supplied to the developing device is set at the uppermost position of the inner peripheral surface of the toner temporary storage portion, that is, from the rotation center O to the inner peripheral surface of the inner peripheral surface. The toner level is determined by the above-mentioned diameter (distance) 間 between the uppermost positions, and the toner is not supplied into the developing unit any more. Further, the water level of the toner in each of the toner temporary storage sections, that is, the toner amount is controlled by controlling the rotation of each of the toner containers 42, 43, 44, and 45 by detecting the toner by each of the toner detecting means. Has become.

Thus, the toner is not completely filled in each of the developing devices, and a predetermined space is automatically formed in each of the developing devices. When each developing unit is rotated by the rotation of the rotary 3 by forming this space, the newly supplied toner and the remaining old toner in each developing unit are efficiently stirred, and each developing unit is stirred. The toner in the device is made uniform, and the toner is prevented from being ejected from the seal between the developing devices due to excessive supply of toner.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
Reference numerals 5, 36, and 37 denote yellow toner container 42, magenta toner container 43, cyan toner container 44, and black toner container 45, respectively, in a toner storage unit provided outside the developing device 2 for storing toner. Are connected via connecting supply tubes 38, 39, 40, 41.

Each of the toner containers 42, 43, 44, and 45 is the same, and comprises a cylindrical container 46 made of resin as shown in FIG. 47 are integrally formed. A handle 48 is provided on one end surface of the cylindrical container 46.
An engagement recess 49 is formed in the center of the other end face, and a toner discharge hole 50 is formed at a position eccentric from the center of the end face.
Are drilled. Further, a sealing member 51, a shutter member 52, and a shutter pressing member 53 shown in FIG. 6B are relatively rotatably fitted to the other end surface of the cylindrical container 46. Each of the seal member 51, the shutter member 52, and the shutter pressing member 53 is provided with a toner discharge hole 54 that can communicate with the toner discharge hole 50. Further, a projection-like first engagement means 55 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the other end of the cylindrical container 46, and a projection-like second engagement means is also provided on the outer peripheral surface of the shutter member 52. 56 are provided.

The thus configured cylindrical container 46 is supported by a cylindrical container support member 57 shown in FIG. On the peripheral surface of the container support member 57, a slit-shaped axial guide means 58 extending in the axial direction from one open end to the other end, and an axial direction slightly before the other end of the axial guide means 58 A slit-shaped circumferential guide means 59 branching from the guide means 58 in the circumferential direction and extending therefrom, an engagement recess 60 provided on the other end side of the branch point of the axial guide means 58 with the circumferential guide means 59, An engagement recess 61 provided at the end of the circumferential guide 59 is provided. A predetermined number of circular toner drop holes 62 are formed in the peripheral surface of the container support member 57.

Further, an elastic seal member 63 is mounted on one end opening side of the container supporting member 57. The elastic seal member 63 prevents the rattling caused by the rotation of the cylindrical container 46, and prevents the cylindrical container 46 from shaking. The container 46 is connected to the container supporting member 57.
It has a function of cleaning toner adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the container when it is detached from the container. In addition, a toner receiving member 64 is provided below the container supporting member 57,
The toner receiving member 64 prevents the inside of the image forming apparatus 1 from being contaminated with toner.

At the other end of the container support member 57, a shutter member 65 and a seal member 66 are fitted and fixed. As shown in FIG. 8B, these shutter member 65 and seal member 66 are provided with toner discharge holes 67 and 68, respectively.
Are provided, and the toner discharge hole 6 of the shutter member 65 is formed.
An annular rib-like projection 69 is provided on the periphery of 7.
The annular rib-shaped projection 69 is pressed against the periphery of the toner discharge hole 68 of the seal member 66, and the toner discharge hole 67,
Leakage of toner passing through 68 is prevented. Also,
At the center of the shutter member 65, a cylindrical third engaging means 70 is provided so as to protrude axially and concentrically.
Is circumferentially engaged with the engaging recess 49 of the cylindrical container 46 which is a toner container.

At the other end of the container support member 57, a toner storage container 71 is attached so as to be rotatable relative to the container support member 57. As shown in FIG. 8, the toner storage container 71 has an opening at one end and a discharge cylinder 72 at the other end. The inside of the discharge cylinder 72 communicates with the toner storage container 71, and the discharge cylinder 72 is provided with a toner discharge hole 73 that communicates the inside of the discharge cylinder 72 with the outside. Further, a pair of annular seal members 74 and 75 are provided on the outer periphery of the discharge cylinder portion 72 with the toner discharge hole 73 interposed therebetween in the circumferential direction.
Then, the connected supply pipes 38, 39,
The connecting supply pipes 38, 39, 40, are pierced through through holes 76, 77 provided at the ends of 40, 41 so as to be relatively slidable.
The end of the supply tube 41 opposite the supply tube 28, 35, 36, 37 is disposed between the pair of annular seal members 74, 75.

A shutter member 78 made of a disk plate is fitted and fixed to an opening at one end of the toner storage container 71, and a toner discharge hole 79 is provided in the shutter member 78. Then, the toner discharge hole 6
7, 68 and the toner discharge hole 79 are always aligned in the circumferential direction and communicate with each other in the axial direction. At the center of the shutter member 78, an engaging portion 80 is provided so as to protrude in the axial direction and concentrically, and the engaging portion 80 is a cylindrical third member fixed to the container supporting member 57. The fitting means 70 is fitted and is engaged in the circumferential direction. Therefore, when the cylindrical container 46 rotates around its central axis, the two shutter members 65 and 78 rotate together. Further, the shutter member 78 is provided such that the toner in the toner storage container 71 flows to the toner discharge hole 79 when the adjusting member 81 is positioned above the toner discharge hole 79. .

A rotary shaft 82 is provided concentrically at the end of the discharge cylinder 72 opposite to the toner storage container 71, and a drive gear 83 is fitted and fixed to the rotary shaft 82. Then, the connection flange 84 provided on the outer periphery of the toner storage container 71 and the connection flange 96 provided on the outer periphery of the container support member 57 are connected, and the rotation shaft 82 is rotated by the driving force applied to the drive gear 83. Then, the toner storage container 7
1 and the container support member 57 rotate integrally.

Next, the cylindrical container 46 is connected to a container supporting member 57.
The operation of mounting on the device will be described. Before the cylindrical container 46 is mounted on the container support member 57, the first engaging means 55 of the cylindrical container 46 and the second engaging means 56 of the shutter member 52 are circumferentially aligned, and The toner discharge holes 50 of the cylindrical container 46 and the toner discharge holes 54 of the seal member 51 and the shutter member 52 are not aligned in the circumferential direction, and do not communicate with each other in the axial direction. Therefore, leakage of the toner from the cylindrical container 46 is prevented.

When the cylindrical container 46 is mounted on the container supporting member 57, the first engaging means 55 of the cylindrical container 46 and the second engaging member 55 of the shutter member 52 are held by holding the handle 48 of the cylindrical container 46. The cylindrical container 46 is inserted from one end side of the container support member 57 so that the fitting means 56 is fitted to the axial guide means 58 of the container support member 57, and is advanced in the axial direction. Then, when the cylindrical container 46 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 9A when the second engagement means 56 is engaged with the engagement recess 60 as shown in FIG. The engaging means 55 moves along the circumferential guide means 59. At this time, since the second engagement means 56 is engaged with the engagement recess 60, the seal member 51, the shutter member 52, and the shutter holding member 53 are all rotated with the rotation of the cylindrical container 46. do not do. Therefore, relative rotation occurs between these members and the shutter members 65 and 78 on the cylindrical container 46 and the container support member 57 side.

Then, as shown in FIG. 9B, the first engaging means 55 is engaged with the engaging recess 61 at the end of the circumferential guiding means 59.
, The cylindrical container 46 is fixedly mounted on the container support member 57. In the state where the cylindrical container 46 is mounted on the container support member 57, the toner discharge hole 50 of the cylindrical container 46, the seal member 51, the shutter member 52, and the shutter pressing member as shown in FIG. 5
The toner discharge holes 54 of No. 3 and the toner discharge holes 79 of the container support member 57 are aligned in the circumferential direction, and these toner discharge holes communicate with each other in the axial direction. Therefore, in this state, the toner in the cylindrical container 46 can move to the toner storage container 71.

The container support member 57 of the cylindrical container 46
A small amount of toner leaked from the cylindrical container 46 at the time of detachment from the cylindrical container 46 passes through the toner drop hole 62 of the container supporting member 57, falls into the toner receiving member 64, and is also
Adheres to the outer periphery of The toner adhered to the outer periphery of the cylindrical container 46 is cleaned by the elastic seal member 63 when the cylindrical container 46 is pulled out in the axial direction, and is stored in the toner receiving member 64.

Next, the operation of toner supply to the developing device in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment thus configured will be described. Toner containers 42, 43, 44, 45 for each color
9A is attached to the corresponding container support member 57 as shown in FIG. 9A, and when the rotational driving force of a motor (not shown) is applied to each drive gear 83 of each container support member 57, each drive gear 83 rotates. Then, each toner storage container 71, each container support member 57, and each toner container 4
2, 43, 44, and 45 rotate integrally. As a result, the toner of each color in each of the toner containers 42, 43, 44, and 45 is conveyed toward each of the toner discharge holes 20 by each of the spiral ribs 47.
0, 54, 67, 68, 79 and each toner storage container 7
1 is supplied. At this time, the toner containers 42, 43,
Since the toners are loosened by the rotation of the rollers 44 and 45, the fluidity of the toners is improved, and the toners flow smoothly into the toner storage containers 71. The toner supplied into each of the toner storage containers 71 further flows to the discharge tube portion 72, and when the discharge tube portion 72 rotates, the toner discharge hole 73 turns downward. Free fall due to gravity on the connecting supply pipes 38, 39, 40, 41 of. On the other hand, the excess toner supplied into each toner storage container 71 is removed by the adjusting member 81 when the toner discharge hole 79 comes up.
To the toner containers 42, 43, 44, and 45 after passing through the respective toner discharge holes.

Each toner dropped into each of the connecting supply pipes 38, 39, 40, 41 further passes through a respective supply pipe 28 of the toner receiving section 9 to form a ring-shaped toner temporary storage section (a yellow toner temporary storage section). (Only the portion is illustrated by reference numeral 27 in FIG. 5), and is temporarily stored in these toner temporary storage portions. At this time, since the rotary 3 is rotating by the driving of the motor, the cylindrical portion 10 and the flange portion 11 are also rotating integrally with the rotary 3. Therefore, when each of the toner receiving ports provided in the cylindrical portion 10 comes to a position above the rotation center O, the toner in each of the toner temporary storing sections passes through the toner receiving port and the corresponding toner moving path 13, 14 respectively. , 15, 16 fall.

Each toner that has entered each of the toner moving paths 13, 14, 15, and 16 is transferred to each of the toner moving paths 13 and 14, respectively.
14, 15, and 16 are the rotation centers O with the rotation of the rotary 3.
By rotating around, the toner tries to level the toner to a certain level due to its fluidity.
It moves to 5, 6, 7 by itself and enters each developing unit 4, 5, 6, 7. As a result, each of the toner movement paths 13, 14, 1
There is no need to provide a toner conveying means such as an auger in the sections 5 and 16, and a structure without a toner conveying means such as an auger can be provided. Of course, although not shown, each toner moving path 1
For example, the first augers 4d, 5d,
It is also possible to provide a conveying means such as an agitator which rotates integrally with 6d and 7d, and to convey the toner toward the developing device by this conveying means. Then, the toner that has entered the developing units 4, 5, 6, 7 is the first and second augers 4d, 5d, respectively.
The mixture is stirred and circulated by d, 6d, 7d; 4e, 5e, 6e, 7e, and a part thereof is supplied to the supply rollers 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b.

According to the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, each of the toner containers 42,
The toner can be supplied from 43, 44, 45 irrespective of the position of each of the developing devices 4, 5, 6, 7. Since the developing device 2 is not provided with a toner storage device,
Even if the capacity of the toner storage device is large, the toner receiving portion 9 of the developing device 2 can be kept small, and as a result, the entire developing device 2 can be made small accordingly. Therefore, even when the developing device 2 rotates at a high speed, the rotation of the developing device 2 can be controlled with high accuracy. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 of this example can sufficiently and reliably cope with a high-speed machine. Further, regardless of the position of the developing device 2, the toner can be supplied to each of the developing devices 4, 5, 6, 7 via the toner receiving portion 9, so that each of the developing devices 4, 5, 6, 7 is supplied one by one. There is no need to move the toner to a position, and toner can be efficiently supplied in a short time.

Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 10, a temporary toner storage portion for supplying and temporarily storing the toner from each toner container is provided in an annular shape so as to cover the outer peripheral surface. Since the unit and the toner moving path communicating with each developing unit are communicated via the toner receiving port, there is no need to provide special parts such as a conventional shutter member, and the structure can be simplified. Moreover, the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 10 is divided into five partition ribs 17, 18, 19, 20, 2
1, the toner is replenished at a maximum of four colors at the same time since the toner is temporarily separated in each color and the annular toner temporary storage portion covering the outer peripheral surface is provided for each of the outer peripheral surfaces. It can be performed in a much shorter time.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing another example of the embodiment of the present invention. The components corresponding to the components in the above-described example are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and the toner detecting unit 94 will be omitted from the drawing, but provided in the same manner as in the above-described example ( The same applies to the following examples.) In the above-described example, the arc-shaped portions 2 of the pair of clamp-shaped temporary storage portion forming members 25 and 26 are used.
Inner peripheral surfaces 25a ₁ , 26a _{1 of} 5a, 26a are formed flat in the axial direction (the same applies to the members for temporarily storing other colors of toner), and five partition ribs 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 are formed. By increasing the height of the cylindrical portion 10 from the outer peripheral surface, the volume of the toner temporary storage section for temporarily storing the toner is secured, but in the image forming apparatus 1 of this example, as shown in FIG. As described above, the arc-shaped concave portions 25a ₂ , 26 are respectively formed on the inner peripheral surfaces 25a ₁ , 26a ₁ of the yellow arc-shaped portions 25a, 26a.
a ₂ is provided (although not shown, the arcuate recesses each provided in the same way in each inner peripheral surface of the arcuate portion of the other color toners). Then, as shown in FIG. 11, these arc-shaped concave portions form a part of the toner temporary storage portion.

The partition ribs 17, 18, 19,
The heights of the cylindrical portions 10 from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 10 are set lower than those of the above-described examples. In that case, the middle three partition ribs 18, 19, 20 are respectively a pair of partition ribs 18a, 18b spaced at a predetermined distance in the axial direction;
19a, 19b; 20a, 20b.
Other configurations of the image forming apparatus 1 of this example are the same as those of the above-described example.

According to the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment thus configured, even if the height of each of the partition ribs 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 is reduced, the arc-shaped concave portions of the respective arc-shaped portions are formed. Thereby, the volume of the toner temporary storage portion can be secured, and the area of the sliding portion between each arc-shaped portion and each partition rib 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 can be reduced, and sliding friction can be reduced. Moreover, since the three intermediate ribs 18, 19, 20 are formed as a pair of ribs 18a, 18b; 19a, 19b; 20a, 20b, the ribs 18a, 19a, 2 on one side are formed.
0a, even if toner leaks from the other partition rib 18b,
19b and 20b can prevent the toner from entering the other toner. Therefore, even if the height of each of the partition ribs 18, 19, and 20 is reduced, it is possible to prevent color mixing between toners due to toner leakage.

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing still another example of the embodiment of the present invention. In each of the above-described examples, the temporary storage section forming member 2 that forms the toner temporary storage section 27 is used.
5 and 26 are divided into two parts and connected to each other in a clamp shape, and the cylindrical part 10 is formed of one cylindrical member. As shown in FIG. In the device 1, the temporary storage portion forming member for each color is formed of one annular member. Further, the temporary storage portion forming member of this example is provided with annular concave portions which are separated like the arc-shaped concave portions 25a ₂ and 26a ₂ of the example shown in FIG. These annular temporary storage portion forming members are provided with the same supply pipes as those in the above-described respective examples (in the figure, the temporary storage portion forming members 85 and 86 for the yellow and magenta toner temporary storage portions and the annular temporary storage portion forming members). Recess 85
a, 86a and supply tubes 28, 35 are shown, respectively. Of course, it is needless to say that a temporary storage portion forming member for other cyan and black, an annular concave portion, and a supply pipe are also provided).

Further, in this example, the cylindrical portion 10 is provided so as to be divided for each color (in the figure, a divided cylindrical member 87 for yellow and a divided cylindrical member 88 for magenta are shown). The cylindrical portion of each toner has substantially the same shape except that the position of the toner receiving port in each of the above-described examples differs for each toner. For convenience of description, the divided cylindrical member 88 for magenta will be described as a representative. The divided cylindrical member 88 has a large-diameter partition rib 88a formed on one side and a small-diameter partition rib 88b formed on the other side. I have.

Further, inside the divided cylindrical member 88, toner moving paths 13, 14, 15, and
The divided moving paths 89, 90, and 9 respectively forming a part of the 16
1, 92 are partitioned by a partition 93. In this case, a divided moving path 90 which is a part of the magenta toner moving path 14 is opened to the outer peripheral surface of the divided cylindrical member 88 via the toner receiving port 23. Similarly, the other divided cylindrical members of the toner have the same configuration as the divided cylindrical member 88, except that the position of the toner receiving port is different as in the above-described embodiments. Further, the yellow divided cylindrical member 87 has a large diameter partition rib 87a whose flange portion 1 is attached to the rotary 3.
1 and the flange 11
And concentrically.

Then, the flange portion 11, each cylindrical portion 87,
When assembling the temporary storage portion forming members 85, 86,..., First, the yellow toner temporary storage portion forming member 85 is fitted into the divided cylindrical member 87, and the shaft of the temporary storage portion forming member 85 is fitted. The side surface in the direction abuts against the large-diameter partition rib 87a of the divided cylindrical member 87, and then the large-diameter partition rib 88a of the divided cylindrical member 88 for magenta toner is appropriately connected to the small-diameter partition rib 87b of the divided cylindrical member 87. Connect by means. At that time, the divided cylindrical member 8
8, the divided moving paths 89, 90, 91, and 92 respectively correspond to the corresponding divided moving paths inside the yellow divided cylindrical member 87 such that the toner moving paths 13, 14, 15, and 16 of the respective toners are formed. Be consistent.

Next, the temporary storage portion forming member 86 for the magenta toner is fitted into the divided cylindrical member 88, and the axial side surface of the temporary storage portion forming member 86 is similarly formed into the large-diameter partition rib 88a of the divided cylindrical member 88. After that, the large-diameter partition rib of the cyan toner divided cylindrical member is connected to the small-diameter partition rib 88b of the divided cylindrical member 88. Thereafter, the cyan toner temporary storage section forming member, the black toner divided cylindrical member, and the black toner temporary storage section forming member are similarly assembled. In the state where the divided cylindrical members and the temporary storage section forming members are assembled in this manner, a toner temporary storage section (not shown) similar to the above-described respective examples (for the yellow toner, the toner temporary storage section 27 shown in FIG. 5). Is formed between the corresponding outer peripheral surface of each divided cylindrical member and the inner peripheral surface of each temporary storage portion forming member. In this manner, the toner receiving portion 9 is configured similarly to the above-described respective examples, and the flange portion 11 is connected to the rotating member 3. The other configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 of this example is the same as that of each of the above-described examples, and the operation and effect of this example are substantially the same as those of each of the above-described examples.

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 10, showing still another example of the embodiment of the present invention. In the example shown in FIG. 10 described above, four fan-shaped toner moving paths 13, 14, 15, and 16 defined by the cross-shaped partition wall 12 have the cylindrical portion 10 and the flange portion concentric with the rotation center O of the rotary 3. In the image forming apparatus 1 of this example, four arc-shaped toner moving paths 13, 14, 15, and 16 are larger than the rotation center O as shown in FIG. It is provided separately. That is, the distance from the rotation center O to each of the toner movement paths 13, 14, 15, 16 is set to be larger than in the above-described respective examples. Another configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 of this example is the same as that of FIG.
This is the same as the example shown in FIG.

In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment having the above-described configuration, each of the toner moving paths 13, 14, 15, and 16 is used.
Is far away from the rotation center O, so that the water level control of the toner in the developing device can be performed more reliably, and the toner feed control in each of the toner moving paths 13, 14, 15, 16 is easier. become. Other functions and effects of the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment are substantially the same as those of the above-described embodiments.

By the way, in the image forming apparatus 1 of each of the above-described examples, the four color toner temporary storage sections are arranged in the axial direction. The influence of rotational fluctuation or centrifugal fluctuation on toner supply is considered. Although this effect does not cause any particular problem in toner supply, it is desirable to minimize the effect. Therefore,
It is conceivable to set the volume of the temporary toner storage section farther from the developing device 2 to be larger than the volume of the temporary toner storage section closer to the developing device 2.

As described above, as a means for changing the volume of each temporary storage section, the width (length in the axial direction) of each temporary storage section forming member is set to be equal as shown in FIG. By increasing the diameter of the member as the distance from the developing device 2 increases, the volume of the temporary toner storage unit is set to increase as the distance from the developing device 2 increases. Although the outer diameter of the temporary storage portion forming member is shown to increase in order in FIG. 14, the diameter of the temporary storage portion forming member is set so that at least the inner diameter increases as the distance from the developing device 2 increases. If it is,
The outer shapes may be equal to each other. For example, arcuate portion 25a shown in FIG. 3, or changing the inner peripheral surface 25a _1, 26a ₁ of the inner diameter of the 26a, either changing the inner diameter of the inner peripheral surface of the arc-shaped recess 25a _2, 26a ₂ shown in FIG. 10 This changes the volume of the temporary storage portion forming member. As a means for changing the volume of each temporary storage section, as shown in FIG. 15, the inner diameter of each temporary storage section forming member is set to be equal, but as the width of the temporary storage section forming member increases as the distance from the developing device 2 increases. By increasing the size, the volume of the toner temporary storage unit is set to increase as the distance from the developing device 2 increases.

On the other hand, generally, in an image forming apparatus, 4
Of the color toners, the amount of black toner used is generally the largest in many cases.
It is preferable from the viewpoint of toner replenishment efficiency that the volume of the black toner temporary storage section is set to be larger than that of the other temporary toner storage sections. Similarly, the temporary toner storage for the black toner is moved from the other temporary toner storage to the developing device 2.
Is preferably set at a position closest to the developing device 2. Further, the volume of the black toner temporary storage unit may be maximized and set at a position closest to the developing device 2. In the case of an image forming apparatus in which one of the colors other than black uses the largest amount of toner, the volume of the temporary toner storage unit for the toner is set to be the largest, and the temporary toner storage unit for the toner is set to the largest. Needless to say, it is set to a position closest to the developing device 2 from other toner temporary storage units.

In each of the above-described examples, each of the supply pipes 28, 35, 36, and 37 is provided on the upper side of the temporary storage portion forming member, and each toner is freely dropped from above into the temporary toner storage portion. However, as shown in FIG. 16, each supply pipe 28 can be provided below the temporary storage portion forming member, and each toner can be introduced into the temporary toner storage portion from below (see FIG. 16). FIG. 16 shows only the yellow temporary storage portion forming member 85 and the yellow divided cylindrical member 87 similar to those shown in FIG. 12, but the same applies to toners of other colors. In this case, since each toner cannot be introduced into the temporary toner storage section by free fall due to gravity, the toner is forcibly conveyed by a conveying means such as an auger 95 as shown in FIG. In order to control the forced toner conveyance by the conveyance means, it is necessary to provide a shutter for opening and closing the supply pipes 28, 35, 36, and 37, though not shown. Further, in each of the above-described examples, the toner moving paths 13, 14, 15, and 16 of the respective colors in the toner receiving section 9 are all extended to the toner temporary storing section farthest from the developing device. As described above, these toner moving paths 13, 14, 15, 16 may be provided only from the corresponding temporary toner storage sections to the developing device side. Further, the present invention is not limited to a rotary type full-color image forming apparatus of four colors, but can be applied to various image forming apparatuses.

[0058]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the toner can be supplied from the toner storage device not provided in the developing device to the toner receiving portion regardless of the position of the developing device. Thus, even if the toner storage device has a large capacity, the toner receiving portion of the developing device can be formed in a small size, and it is possible to prevent the entire developing device from being enlarged. Therefore, even if the load on the motor can be reduced and the speed of the developing device is increased, the rotation of the developing device can be controlled with high accuracy, and it is possible to sufficiently and surely cope with the speeding up of the developing device. In addition, since the toner can be supplied to the developing device from the outside via the toner receiving portion regardless of the position of the developing device, the toner cartridge is replaced together with the developing device at the time of toner replenishment as in the conventional toner cartridge type. This makes it easy to replenish the external toner, and it is not necessary to move the developing device to the replenishing position one by one, so that toner replenishment can be performed efficiently in a short time.

In particular, according to each of the second to seventh aspects of the present invention, since the temporary storage section for temporarily storing the toner from the toner storage device is provided, it is not necessary to provide a shutter as in the prior art. The structure can be made simpler. According to each of the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, the toner of each color of yellow, magenta, cyan and black can be simultaneously supplied irrespective of the position of each developing device. Can be performed in a shorter time.

Further, according to each of the fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention, the volume of the temporary storage portion for each color toner is increased as the distance from the developing device is increased. The effect on the toner supply due to the blur can be reduced, and the toner replenishment efficiency can be improved. Furthermore,
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the temporary storage unit for the toner of the most used color is set at a position closer to the developing device than the temporary storage units of the toners of other colors, or the color of the most used color is used. Is set larger than the volumes of the temporary storage units of the other colors, so that the toner replenishment efficiency can be effectively improved in each case.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a developing device and a photoconductor in an example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a developing device and a toner replenishing device in an example of the embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view partially showing a toner receiving portion of the example shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a part of the toner receiving unit of the example shown in FIG. 2 taken along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 4;

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a toner container used in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, wherein FIG. 6A is a perspective view and FIG. 6B is an exploded perspective view showing one end of the toner container.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view partially showing a container support member used in the image forming apparatus of this example.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show a connecting portion between a container supporting member and a connecting supply tube used in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, where FIG. 8A is an exploded perspective view and FIG. 8B is an enlarged view of a VIIIB portion in FIG. .

9A and 9B show a state in which the toner container shown in FIG. 6 is mounted on the container supporting member shown in FIG. 7; FIG. 9A is a perspective view, and FIG. FIG.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view similar to FIG. 3, partially showing a toner receiving portion of another example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view similar to FIG. 3, partially showing a toner receiving portion of still another example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view similar to FIG. 3, partially showing a toner receiving portion of still another example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view similar to FIG. 3, partially showing a toner receiving portion of still another example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a toner receiving unit according to still another example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a toner receiving unit according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a toner receiving unit according to still another example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a toner receiving unit according to still another example of the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 2 ... Rotary developing apparatus, 3 ... Rotary, 4 ... Yellow developing device, 5 ... Magenta developing device,
6: cyan developing device, 7: black developing device, 4a, 5
a, 6a, 7a: developing roller, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b: supply roller, 8: photoreceptor, 9: toner receiving portion, 10: cylindrical portion, 11: flange portion, 12: partition wall, 13: yellow color Toner moving path, 14 ... Magenta toner moving path, 15
... Cyan toner movement path, 16 ... Black toner movement path, 17, 17a, 17b, 18, 18a, 18b, 19, 1
9a, 19b, 20, 20a, 20b, 21 ... partition ribs, 2
2 ... yellow toner receiving port, 23 ... magenta toner receiving port, 24 ... cyan toner receiving port, 25, 26 ... yellow temporary storage section forming member, 27 ... yellow toner temporary storage section, 28 ... yellow supply Pipes, 29, 30: magenta temporary storage section forming member, 31, 32: cyan temporary storage section forming member, 33, 34: black temporary storage section forming member, 35: magenta supply pipe, 36: cyan supply Tube, 37 black supply tube, 42 yellow toner container, 42 yellow toner container, 43 magenta toner container, 44 cyan toner container, 45 black toner container, 38, 39, 40, 41: connecting supply pipe, 46: toner container, 57: container support member, 85: yellow temporary storage portion forming member, 86: magenta temporary storage portion forming member, 87: yellow -Divided cylindrical member, 87a
... Large-diameter partition rib, 87b ... Small-diameter partition rib, 88 ... Magenta divided cylindrical member, 88a ... Large-diameter partition rib, 88b ... Small-diameter partition rib, 94 ... Toner detecting means

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Satoru Miyamoto 3-3-5 Yamato, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture Seiko-Epson Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2H030 AA07 BB24 BB33 BB38 2H077 AA03 AA20 AA25 AA31 AC02 GA13

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising at least a developing device for developing with toner and a toner storage device provided outside the developing device and storing toner to be supplied to the developing device, wherein the developing device A cylindrical toner receiving portion that receives toner from the storage device and supplies the toner to the developing device is provided so as to protrude in the axial direction, and the toner receiving portion can receive the toner from the toner storing device regardless of the position of the developing device. An image forming apparatus, comprising: 2. A temporary storage unit for temporarily storing toner from the toner storage device is provided on an outer periphery of the toner receiving unit, and toner from the toner storage device is provided through the temporary storage unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is supplied to a developing device. 3. The developing device includes developing devices for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. The developing devices are mounted on a rotating body, and the toner receiving unit is connected to the rotating body. The temporary storage portion is provided coaxially with the rotating body in the axial direction, and the temporary storage portion is provided for each color, and further, inside the toner receiving portion, the toner of each color from the temporary storage portion is provided. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a toner moving path for each color that moves to the corresponding developing unit is provided. 4. An outer periphery of the toner receiving section is partitioned in the axial direction for each of the colors, and a temporary storage section for each of the colors is provided for each partitioned area of the outer circumference of the toner receiving section. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a toner receiving port that communicates the temporary storage section with a corresponding toner moving path is formed in each of the divided areas. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the temporary storage sections for the respective color toners are set so that their volumes increase as the distance from the developing device increases. 6. The temporary storage portion for each color toner is set such that the outer diameter thereof increases as the distance from the developing device increases, or the width (axial length) of the developing device increases. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the length of the image forming apparatus is set to be longer as the distance from the apparatus increases. 7. A temporary storage unit for the toner of each color,
The temporary storage unit for the toner of the most used color is set at a position closer to the developing device than the temporary storage units for the toners of the other colors, or the temporary storage unit for the toner of the most used color is 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the volume is set to be larger than the volume of the other color temporary storage section.