JP2001318523A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Object] To prevent an excessive filling of toner in a developing device. A toner receiving portion is provided which protrudes axially from one end of a rotary supporting a developing device and concentrically with the rotary. The toner receiving section 9 is provided with a temporary toner storage section 27 into which toner is introduced from a toner container, and a toner movement path through which the toner is introduced from the temporary toner storage section 27 and the toner moves toward the developing device 4. 13 are formed. A first auger 4 d for stirring and conveying the toner in the developing device 4 is provided in the developing device 4, and a toner moving path conveying means 102 having a spiral coil 101 is provided in the toner moving path 13. Is provided. The spiral coil 101 conveys the toner into the developing device 4 along the toner moving path 13 by rotating. At this time, if the toner pressure in the developing device 4 is equal to or higher than the set pressure, the spiral coil 101 does not carry the toner, but simply runs idle.

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, and more particularly to a technique of an image forming apparatus for preventing a developing device from being overfilled with toner. Belongs to the field.

[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. Incidentally, 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 the developing device have been conventionally proposed.

One of the conventional toner replenishing devices includes, for example, a toner replenishing port on the peripheral surface of the developing device cylinder, opening and closing means for the toner replenishing port, and a stirring means for stirring and conveying the toner from the toner replenishing port. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. HEI 9-78139 discloses a developing device in which the means for uniformly distributing the toner from the toner replenishing port to the left and right in the axial direction of the cylindrical body has the spiral winding direction of the spiral blade of the screw auger set opposite to the replenishing port. 62-182
768 publication. In the developing device described in this publication, the toner filling level (height) at both ends of the screw auger eventually rises.

As another conventional toner replenishing device,
It has a toner supply port on the peripheral surface of the developing device, an opening / closing means for the toner supply port, and a stirring means for stirring and conveying the toner from the toner supply port. The pitch of the spiral blade is set smaller as the stirring means approaches the shaft end. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 62-182767 proposes a developing device in which the toner conveying capacity at the end is reduced. In the developing device described in this publication, the toner filling level (height) at both ends of the screw auger eventually rises, but in that case, the rise time of the toner filling level is delayed.

Further, as another conventional toner supply device,
A developing device that has a feed screw auger that transports the developer in the longitudinal direction of the supply member and a return screw auger that transports the toner in a direction opposite to the feed screw auger, and a developing device that circulates and transports the toner by using these screw augers. It has been proposed in JP-A-6-295127. The developing device described in this publication has an effect of equalizing the toner filling level in the circulation direction.

[0006]

In the developing device of the image forming apparatus, when the toner storage space in the developing device is overfilled with toner, the developing roller of the developing device and the toner thin layer regulating member are moved. Not only is the toner likely to leak from the contact portion or the toner seal portion between the developing roller and the toner seal member, but also the toner is not sufficiently stirred and mixed due to excessive filling of the toner, and the image quality fluctuates due to insufficient stirring and mixing. There is a problem that is easily caused.

However, in the developing device described in any of the above-mentioned conventional publications, the toner is simply circulated, agitated, and conveyed in a toner storage space in the developing device. It does not prevent excessive filling of the storage space with toner. Therefore, none of the developing devices described in the publications can solve the problems of toner leakage and image quality variation from the developing device described above.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which can prevent toner from being excessively filled in a developing device.

[0009]

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 toner storage unit is configured to receive toner from the toner storage device regardless of the position of the developing device. A temporary storage unit that temporarily stores the toner from the toner storage device is provided around the toner receiving unit. And a toner moving path is formed inside the toner receiving section for moving the toner into which the toner has been introduced from the temporary storage section to the developing device. Ri, Furthermore, the toner moving path,
A transfer means in the toner movement path for transferring the toner introduced into the toner movement path to the developing device is provided, and the pressure of the toner in the toner introduction section of the developing device into which the toner is introduced from the toner movement path is reduced. When the pressure is equal to or higher than the set pressure, the toner transport path in-transport means does not transport the toner to the developing device.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the conveying means in the toner moving path comprises a spiral coil or a discontinuous spiral blade, and the spiral coil or the discontinuous spiral blade rotates to transport the toner. When the toner level of the developing device is the maximum toner level, the toner is not conveyed to the developing device. Further, the invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that, in each of the developing devices, a first conveying means in the developing device for stirring and conveying the toner conveyed from the toner moving path in the toner storage space of each of the developing devices is provided. And the toner transport capability of the first transport unit in the developing device is set to be larger than the toner transport capability of the transport unit in the toner movement path.

Further, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in each of the developing units, the toner conveyed from the first conveying unit in the developing unit is returned to the first conveying unit in the developing unit. And that the toner carrying capacity of the second carrying means in the developing device is set to be larger than the toner carrying capacity of the first carrying means in the developing device. Features. Further, in the invention according to claim 5, the toner is moved from the terminal end of the first transporting unit in the developing device to the starting end of the second transporting unit in the developing device at the terminal end of the first transporting unit in the developing device. A first agitating blade for causing the toner to be supplied is provided, and a starting end of the first conveying means in the developing device is provided at a terminal end of the second conveying means in the developing device from a terminal end of the second conveying means in the developing device. A second stirring blade is provided for moving the stirring blade to the section.

Further, according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the developing device includes yellow, magenta, cyan, and black developing units, respectively. These developing units are attached to a rotating body and receive the toner. A part is provided on the rotating body so as to protrude in the axial direction coaxially with the rotating body, and the temporary storage part, the toner moving path, and the conveying means in the toner moving path are provided for each color. It is characterized by.

[0013]

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. The replenishment can be easily performed regardless of the position of the developing device. Further, 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 whole 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.

When the toner pressure at the toner introduction portion of the developing device is the set pressure, the conveying means in the toner moving path does not convey the toner to the developing device. Therefore, by setting this set pressure to the toner pressure corresponding to the maximum toner level of the developing device, the toner is not introduced into the developing device above the maximum toner level, thereby preventing the developing device from being overfilled with toner. Is done. Thus, the toner level of the developing device is automatically and reliably controlled to the preset maximum toner level.

Further, since the toner is prevented from being excessively charged into the developing device, the toner in the developing device is effectively stirred, and the effect of stirring the toner is improved. As a result, the toner in the developing device is made more uniform, and fluctuations in image quality are prevented. Further, since it is possible to prevent the toner from being excessively filled in the developing device, the toner in the developing device may be ejected from the contact portion between the developing roller and the thin layer regulating portion and the contact portion between the developing roller and the toner seal member in the developing device. In addition to this, it is possible to prevent the driving load on the sliding portion from increasing due to the intrusion of the toner into each sliding portion in the developing device, and further increase the rotational load torque due to an increase in the weight of the developing device. Is prevented.

In particular, according to the third aspect of the present invention, since the carrying capacity of the first carrying means in the developing device is set to be larger than the carrying capacity of the carrying means in the toner moving path, the toner is moved from the toner moving path into the developing device. When the toner is supplied, the toner conveyance in the toner moving path is performed more reliably. In the invention according to claim 4, the second device in the developing device is provided.
Since the carrying capacity of the carrying means is set to be larger than the carrying capacity of the first carrying means in the developing device, the toner is not unevenly distributed on the end side of the first carrying means in the developing device, and the toner level is made substantially uniform. . Moreover, even if the toner is conveyed to the terminal side by the second conveying means in the developing device, the toner is conveyed again by the first conveying means in the developing device, so that the toner is conveyed to the terminal side of the second conveying means in the developing device. Is not unevenly distributed. In addition, since the pressure at the toner introduction portion of the developing device is increased by the toner conveyed by the second conveying device in the developing device, the excessive filling of the toner in the developing device by the conveying device in the toner moving path is further more effective. Will be prevented.

Further, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the first and second conveying means in the developing device and the first and second stirring blades surely circulate and move the toner in the developing device. Blocking of the toner in the apparatus is prevented, and the fluidity of the toner is improved.

[0018]

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
a thin toner layer regulating members 4c and 5 for regulating the toner layer thickness
c, 6c, 7c and the first and second augers 4d, 5d, 6
d, 7d; 4e, 5e, 6e, 7e (corresponding to the first and second transport means in the developing device of the present invention, respectively).

When the rotary 3 rotates in the counterclockwise direction indicated by the arrow α, each of the developing devices 4, 5, 6, 7
Are set at developing positions where the developing rollers 4a, 5a, 6a, and 7a are sequentially brought into contact with the photosensitive member 8. The order in which the developing units 4, 5, 6, and 7 of each color are arranged is as follows.
The order is set arbitrarily without being limited to the order described above. However, in the following description, for convenience of explanation, the order of the aforementioned colors,
That is, it is assumed that the developing units 4, 5, 6, and 7 are arranged in the order of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black in the clockwise direction.

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 developing device 2 is provided between the two partition ribs 17 and 18 to close the space between the partition ribs 17 and 18 and temporarily store the toner temporarily. 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 (a) and 5, the arc-shaped portions 25a, 26a are fitted between the partition ribs 17, 18 and surround the cylindrical portion 10 between the partition ribs 17, 18. The connecting flange portion 25b on one end of the temporary storage portion forming member 25 and the connecting flange portion 26 on one end side of the temporary storage portion forming member 26 are arranged.
b and the connecting flange 25c at the other end of the temporary storage portion forming member 25 and the connecting flange 26c at the other end of the temporary storage portion forming member 26, respectively. These temporary storage portion forming members 2 are connected to each other by appropriate fixing members.
5, 26 surround 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) for yellow toner is formed between the first toner storage section 27 and the arc-shaped section 26a and the inner peripheral surface thereof (not shown). The storage portion 27 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 unit 27 is always in communication with the yellow toner moving path 13 through the toner receiving port 22,
Yellow toner can be introduced into the toner moving path 13 from the temporary toner storage section 27 through the toner receiving port 22. In that case, the arc-shaped portions 25a and 26a shown in FIG.
Inner peripheral surfaces 25a ₁ , 26a ₁ and connecting flange 25b,
25c; 26b, 26c of the abutment surfaces 25b _1, 25c _1;
Although not shown, a seal member is provided at each of 26b ₁ and 26c ₁ to prevent the toner in the temporary toner storage section 27 from leaking to the outside.

In a 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 and 26 are provided.
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 4A, a toner detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a predetermined amount of toner in the toner temporary storing portion 27 is provided on the arc-shaped portion 25a of one of the temporary storing portion forming members 25. The toner detecting means 94 is not shown in FIG. 2. The positions of the toner detecting means 94 and the toner receiving port 22 shown in FIG. 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. Arc-shaped portion 2 of one temporary storage portion forming member 25
5a is a supply pipe 2 for supplying yellow toner.
8 are connected, and as shown in FIG.
Is open in the toner temporary storage section 27.

For the magenta, cyan, and black toners, a pair of temporary storage section forming members 25 and 26 and a supply pipe 28 for such yellow toner are respectively identical to the pair of temporary storage section forming members. Members 29, 30; 31, 32; 33, 34 and supply tubes 35, 3
6 and 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 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A for yellow toner is similarly provided. It is provided in. Therefore, although not shown, each temporary storage part forming member 29, 30;
31 and 32; the magenta toner temporary storage section and the partition ribs 19 and 20 similar to the yellow toner temporary storage section 27 so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 10 between the partition ribs 18 and 19. And a temporary cyan toner storage section similar to the yellow temporary toner storage section 27, and partition ribs 20 and 21 so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical section 10 between them.
The black temporary toner storage portions similar to the yellow temporary toner storage portions 27 are formed so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 10 between them.

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 the 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.

The outer peripheral surface of each temporary toner storage portion is defined by the inner peripheral surface of the arc-shaped portion of each upper toner temporary storage portion forming member (as an example in FIG. 5, the temporary toner storage of yellow toner). the outer peripheral surface of the part 27 is shown to be defined by the inner peripheral surface 25a ₁ of the arc-shaped portion of the upper toner temporary retention unit formation member 25 of the yellow toner), at each of the toner one to the center of rotation O the distance d ₁ to the outer peripheral surface of the reservoir is smaller than the maximum distance d ₂ of the toner storage space in which the toner in the developing devices 4, 5, 6, and 7 are stored from the rotation center O (d ₁ <d ₂₎ It is set as follows.

The toner storage space will be described.
As shown in FIG. 6, for example, the toner storage space 4h of the yellow developing device 4 has partition walls 97 for separating the magenta developing device 5 adjacent to the yellow developing device 4 and the black space adjacent to the yellow developing device 4. Wall 9 for partitioning the developing unit 7
8, a yellow developing roller 4a, a toner thin layer regulating member 4c that contacts the yellow developing roller 4a, a regulating member supporting member 4f that supports the toner thin layer regulating member 4c, and a yellow developing roller 4a. This is a space surrounded by a toner seal member 4g that contacts and seals yellow toner (a space indicated by oblique lines in the figure).
That is, the yellow toner storage space 4h is a space for storing yellow toner that is not carried on the developing roller 4a after the thin layer is regulated by the toner thin layer regulating member 4c.
Then, in the yellow developing device 4 of this example, the distance between the position 98a of the partition wall 98 shown by the arrow and the rotational center O is the largest distance d ₂ of the toner storage space 4h in FIG. The toner storage spaces 5h, 6h, and 7h for the colors magenta, cyan, and black are also spaces surrounded by the partition walls 99, 100 and the like as in the case of the above-described yellow.

As will be described later, the toner receiving port of the cylindrical portion 10 faces upward, and the toner in the temporary toner storing section corresponding to the upwardly facing toner receiving port is moved to the toner receiving port and the corresponding toner transfer port, respectively. The toner is supplied to the corresponding developing device through the path, and at this time, the water level of the toner supplied to the developing device is equal to the water level of the toner in the toner temporary storage section by the leveling action due to the fluidity of the toner. It will be almost the same. Therefore, by controlling the water level of the toner in each of the toner temporary storage sections, the water level of the toner in the developing device when the toner is supplied to the developing device is controlled. In this case, the water level of the toner in each of the 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 based on the detection of the presence or absence of the toner by each of the toner detection units. It is supposed to be.

The maximum level of the toner in the temporary toner storage section is controlled to be equal to or less than the uppermost position of the outer peripheral surface of the temporary toner storage section (that is, the distance d ₁ from the rotation center O to the outer peripheral surface). I have. Therefore, when the toner is supplied to the developing device, the maximum water level of the toner in the developing device is also restricted to the distance d ₁ or less from the rotation center O, and no more toner is supplied into the developing device. Now, the toner storage spaces 4h, 5 of the developing devices 4, 5, 6, 7 from the rotation center O
h, 6h, the maximum distance d ₂ 7h is set larger than the distance d _1, thereby not the toner is completely filled in each of the developing devices, toner storage space 4h in each developing unit , 5h, 6h, and 7h, a predetermined toner-free space is automatically and reliably formed. By forming the toner non-existing space, when each developing device is rotated by the rotation of the rotary 3,
The newly supplied toner and the remaining old toner are efficiently stirred in each developing device so that the toner in each developing device is made uniform, and each developing device is overfilled with toner. The ejection of toner from the toner regulating member and the toner seal member is prevented.

The toner receiving port of each developing unit and the toner receiving unit 9 corresponding to each developing unit is provided with a toner non-existing space formed by controlling the maximum water level of the toner in each developing unit. When the toner receiving port of the receiving section 9 corresponding to the developing device is positioned above the rotation center O, the toner receiving port is similarly positioned above the rotation center O.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), a spiral coil 101 connected to one end of a first auger 4d which is a conveying means in the developing unit is provided in the yellow toner moving path 13. A transfer means 102 in the toner moving path is provided. As shown in detail in FIG.
Numeral 01 is made of a wire and is provided coaxially with the rotation axis of the first auger 4d and rotatable integrally with the first auger 4d. The spiral coil 101 rotates together with the rotation of the first auger 4d when the yellow developing device 4 is in the developing position shown in FIG.
The yellow toner introduced into the yellow developing device 3
Is transported into a toner storage space 4h described later.

In this case, the transfer capacity β of the spiral coil 101
₁ is smaller than the transport capacity β ₂ of the first auger 4d (β ₁ <β ₂ ). When the toner level of the toner in the toner storage space 4h reaches a predetermined level, the toner storage space 4 into which the toner is introduced from the toner moving path 13 is moved.
When the pressure of the toner in the toner introduction unit 4h ₁ in the position h becomes a set pressure, the transfer of the toner by the spiral coil 101 is resisted by the set pressure, so that the spiral coil 101 does not convey the toner but simply idles. Is set to The set pressure at this time is set as follows. That is, at the developing position of the yellow developing device 4 shown in FIG. 1, the first and second augers 4d and 4e are located in the same horizontal plane, and in this state, are controlled by toner level control as described later. When the toner level in the toner storage space 4h is controlled to the maximum toner level shown in FIG. ₁ , the pressure at the toner introduction section 4h1 in the toner storage space 4h into which the toner is introduced from the toner moving path 13 Is set as the set pressure at this time. At the position (posture) of the yellow developing device 4 shown in FIG. 1, a toner-free space in which no toner exists in the toner storage space 4h is formed on the first and second augers 4d and 4e.

Although not shown in the drawings, the magenta, cyan, and black toners also correspond to the toner transporting means in the toner transporting path composed of a spiral coil, which is exactly the same as the yellow toner transporting path transporting means 102 described above. The first transfer means is provided in the toner movement paths 14, 15, and 16 and is exactly the same as the transfer means 102 in the toner movement path.
The first auger 5 is attached to one end of each of the augers 5d, 6d, and 7d.
d, 6d, and 7d are coaxially rotatable.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first auger 4d and the second auger 4d
The auger 4e is provided in parallel with each other, the first auger 4d is formed with a spiral blade 4d ₃ consecutive, that is the continuous spiral blade 4d ₃ rotates, indicated by an arrow a toner 8 It is set so as to convey while stirring leftward (that is, in the same direction as the conveying direction indicated by the arrow of the conveying means 102 in the toner moving path). Also, the second
Auger 4e is formed with a helical blade 4e ₁ continuous, that this continuous spiral blade 4e ₁ is rotated, the right indicated by the arrows in FIG. 8 the toner (i.e., conveyance indicated by an arrow in the first auger 4d (The direction opposite to the direction) is set so as to be transported while stirring. At this time, the transfer capacity β ₃ of the second auger 4e is set to be larger than the transfer capacity β ₂ of the first auger 4d (β ₃ > β ₂ ): that is, β ₁ <
β ₂ <β ₃ ).

Further, a first stirring member 103 is provided at the other end of the first auger 4d so as to be coaxial with the rotation shaft of the first auger 4d and integrally rotatable therewith. As shown in detail in FIG.
The first stirring member 103 includes a rotating shaft 103a coaxially connected to a rotating shaft of the first auger 4d, and a rotating shaft 103a.
And a predetermined number (seven in the illustrated example) of stirring blades 103b protruding radially (radially). As shown in FIG. 8, the first stirring member 103 is also provided on the second auger 4e.
A second end composed of a rotating shaft 104a and a stirring blade 104b having exactly the same configuration as the first stirring member 103
The stirring member 104 is provided coaxially with the rotation axis of the second auger 4e and integrally rotatable.

Although not shown in the drawing, toners of the respective colors of magenta, cyan and black also correspond to the toner transporting means in the toner transporting path, which is composed of a spiral coil, just like the toner transporting means 102 in the yellow toner transporting path. The first transfer means is provided in the toner movement paths 14, 15, and 16 and is exactly the same as the transfer means 102 in the toner movement path.
The first auger 5 is attached to one end of each of the augers 5d, 6d, and 7d.
d, 6d, and 7d are coaxially rotatable.

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 includes 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 at the center of the other end face of the other side 6 and the toner discharge hole 5
0 is drilled. Further, a sealing member 51, a shutter member 52, and a shutter pressing member 53 shown in FIG. 10B are fitted into the other end surface of the cylindrical container 46 so as to be relatively rotatable. 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 supporting 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 support 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 rotating. 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. 12B, the shutter member 65 and the seal member 66 have toner discharge holes 67 and 6 respectively.
The shutter member 65 is provided with an annular rib-like projection 69 on the periphery of the toner discharge hole 67. The annular rib-shaped projection 69 is pressed against the periphery of the toner discharge hole 68 of the seal member 66 and
Leakage of toner passing through 7,68 is prevented. A cylindrical third engagement means 70 is provided at the center of the shutter member 65 so as to protrude in the axial direction and concentrically. The third engagement means 70 is a cylindrical container which is a toner container. 46
Are engaged in the circumferential direction with the engagement concave portions 49 of the first.

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. 12, the toner storage container 71 has one end opened,
The discharge cylinder 72 is provided on the other end side. Discharge cylinder 72
Communicates with the toner storage container 71,
The discharge tube portion 72 is provided with a toner discharge hole 73 for communicating the inside and the outside of the discharge tube portion 72. 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 connecting cylinder 38,
The connecting supply pipes 38, 39, are pierced through through holes 76, 77 provided at the ends of 39, 40, 41 so as to be relatively slidable.
Ends of the supply pipes 40, 41 opposite to the supply pipes 28, 35, 36, 37 are 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 the shutter member 78 is provided with a toner discharge hole 79. 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 the 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, as shown in FIG. 13B, when the second engagement means 56 is engaged with the engagement recess 60, the cylindrical container 46
Is rotated clockwise in FIG. 13A, the first
The engaging means 55 moves along the circumferential guide means 59. At this time, since the second engaging means 56 is engaged with the engaging concave portion 60, the seal member 51, the shutter member 52, and the shutter pressing member 53 are all in the cylindrical container 46.
Does not rotate with the rotation of. 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. 13B, the first engaging means 55 is engaged with the engaging recess 6 at the end of the circumferential guiding means 59.
When engaged with 1, 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 supporting 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 are provided as shown in FIG. Each of the toner discharge holes 53 of 53 and the toner discharge hole 79 of the container supporting member 57 side 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 supporting 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 and effect of toner supply to the developing device in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment thus configured will be described. In the following description of the operation and effect,
For the sake of convenience, the operation and effect of replenishment of yellow toner will be described, but the same applies to the replenishment of magenta, cyan and black toners, and a description thereof will be omitted. If the yellow toner toner detecting means 94 does not detect the toner in the yellow toner temporary storage section 27, a yellow toner replenishing motor (not shown) is driven, and its rotational driving force is reduced to the yellow toner container supporting member 57. Is added to the drive gear 83. Then, the drive gear 83 rotates, and the yellow toner storage container 71 and the container support member 5 are rotated.
7 and the toner container 42 rotate integrally. As a result, the toner in the toner container 42 is
The toner is conveyed toward the toner discharge hole 20, and further supplied through the toner discharge holes 50, 54, 67, 68, 79 into the toner storage container 71. At this time, the yellow toner is loosened by the rotation of the toner container 42, so that the fluidity thereof is improved, and the toner flows smoothly into the toner storage container 71.

The toner supplied into the toner storage container 71 further flows to the discharge cylinder 72 and the discharge cylinder 72
When the toner discharge hole 73 is turned downward due to the rotation of, the toner falls freely from the toner discharge hole 73 to the connection supply pipe 38 for yellow toner by gravity. The excess toner supplied into the toner storage container 71 flows to the toner discharge hole 79 by the adjusting member 81 when the toner discharge hole 79 comes upward, and further passes through the toner discharge hole, and Returned to

The yellow toner that has fallen into the connecting supply pipe 38 further falls through the supply pipe 28 of the toner receiving section 9 and freely falls into each of the annular temporary toner storage sections 27, and is temporarily stored in the toner temporary storage section 27. Is stored. Then, when the yellow toner is stored in the toner temporary storage unit 27 until the yellow toner is detected by the toner detection unit 94, the yellow toner supply motor is stopped by the toner detection signal from the toner detection unit 94. On the other hand, when the rotary 3 rotates by the drive of the motor for driving the developing device, the cylindrical portion 10 and the flange portion 11 also rotate integrally with the rotary 3, and the toner receiving port 22 provided in the cylindrical portion 10 is located above the rotation center O. When it comes to the position, the yellow toner in the temporary toner storage unit 27 falls through the toner receiving port 22 and enters the toner movement path 13 of the yellow toner.

When the yellow developing device 4 reaches the developing position shown in FIG. 1, the rotation of the rotary 3 is stopped.
The first and second augers 4d and 4e and the conveying means 102 in the toner movement path are driven. The yellow toner that has fallen into the toner moving path 13 is transported by the conveying means 102 in the toner moving path.
By rotation of the helical coil 101 in conveying capacity beta ₁ comes to be conveyed toward the developing device 4 of. Then, the yellow toner from the toner moving path 13 toner - when conveyed into the storage space 4h, the toner is conveyed to the left in a large transport capacity beta ₂ while being stirred by the first auger 4d. When the toner reaches the first stirring blade 103, by the first stirring blade 103 is fed toward the second auger 4e, in turn, the toner reverse big conveying capacity beta ₃ while being agitated by the second auger 4e Conveyed to the right. When the toner reaches the second stirring blade 104, the toner is sent out toward the first auger 4 d by the second stirring blade 104, merges with the toner conveyed from the toner moving path 13, and the merged toner is re-formed. 1 auger 4
is conveyed leftward in large conveying capacity beta ₂ while being agitated by d.

Thus, the toner conveyed into the toner storage space 4h of the yellow developing device 4 circulates while being stirred by the first and second augers 4d and 4e. At this time, a part of the toner conveyed while being stirred by the first and second augers 4d and 4e is fed toward the supply roller 4d. The remaining toner circulates and flows while being stirred, thereby preventing blocking and maintaining good fluidity.

According to the image forming apparatus 1 of this example, each of the toner containers 42,
The toner can be easily supplied from 43, 44, 45 irrespective of the position of each of the developing devices 4, 5, 6, 7. Since the toner storage device is not provided in the developing device 2, even if the toner storage device has a large capacity, the toner receiving portion 9 of the developing device 2 can be held small. As a result, the entire developing device 2 can be reduced in size accordingly. Can be formed. 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. Moreover, each of the developing devices 4 of the developing device 2
Regardless of the positions of 5, 6, and 7, the toner can be supplied to each of the developing devices 4, 5, 6, and 7 via the toner receiving section 9, so that each of the developing devices 4, 5, 6, and 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.

At the developing position of the yellow developing device 4 shown in FIG. 1, the toner level in the toner storage space 4h becomes the maximum toner level (the toner level shown in FIG. 1). When the pressure at the toner introduction section 4h ₁ connected to the toner moving path 13 reaches the set pressure,
Since the helical coil 101 of the conveying means 102 in the toner moving path does not convey the toner to the developing device 4 but simply idles, the yellow toner is introduced into the toner storage space 4h above the maximum toner water level. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the toner from being excessively filled in the toner storage space 4h. Thus, the toner level in the toner storage space 4h of the developing unit 4 can be automatically and reliably controlled to the preset maximum toner level. In this example, since the pressure is increased in the toner inlet portion 4h ₁ of the toner storage space 4h toner conveyed by the second auger 4e, by helical coil 101 overfilling of the toner to the toner storage space 4h It can be more effectively prevented.

Further, since the toner is prevented from being excessively filled in the toner storage space 4h, the toner in the developing device 4 can be effectively stirred, and the effect of stirring the toner is improved. As a result, the toner in the developing device 4 can be efficiently agitated, and the newly supplied toner and the remaining old toner can be efficiently agitated and mixed in the developing device 4 as well. Uniformity can be achieved, and image quality fluctuation can be prevented.

Further, since the toner in the developing device 4 can be prevented from being excessively filled, the toner in the developing device 4
a and the developing roller 4a, the supply roller 4b or the augers 4d and 4e in the developing device 4 can be prevented from being blown out from the contact portion between the developing roller 4a and the toner seal member 4g. The drive load on this sliding part can be prevented by the intrusion of toner into the sliding part of
Further, an increase in the rotational load torque due to an increase in the weight of the developing device 2 can be prevented. Furthermore, since the conveying capacity beta ₂ of the first auger 4d is set larger than the conveying capacity beta ₁ of the toner movement path conveying means 102, when the toner supply from the toner moving path 13 to the toner storage space 4h, toner movement Road 13
Can be further reliably carried out.

[0060] Further, since the conveying capacity beta ₂ of the second auger 4e is set larger than the conveying capacity beta ₁ of the first auger 4d, that the toner in the first stirring blade 103 side of the first auger 4d is unevenly distributed Thus, the toner level can be made substantially uniform. In addition, the second auger 4e uses the second
Even if the toner is conveyed to the second agitation blade 104 side of the auger 4e, since this toner is conveyed again by the first auger 4d, the toner is hardly unevenly distributed on the second agitation blade 104 side.

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 7, 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, and detailed description thereof will be omitted (the same applies to the following examples). In the above-described example, the in-toner-movement-path conveying unit 102 provided in the toner movement path 13 is configured by the spiral coil 101, but in the image forming apparatus 1 of this example, the spiral coil 10
1 instead of the spiral blade 105 as shown in FIG.
Are integrally formed on the extension shaft portion 4d ₂ of the rotary shaft 4d ₁ of the auger 4d. Each of these spiral blades 105 has almost 1
They are formed to have a pitch (approximately one rotation) and are provided discontinuously spaced apart from each other in the axial direction.
Other configurations of the image forming apparatus 1 of this example are the same as those of the above-described example.

In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment thus configured, the toner in the toner moving path 13 is transported into the toner storage space 4h of the developing device 4 by the spiral blade 105 provided discontinuously. . Then, as in the example above, the toner pressure in the toner introduction portion 4h ₁ of toner storage space 4h becomes set pressure not substantially introduced from the toner moving path 13 to the toner storage space 4h, helical blade 105
Becomes idle. Further, by the spiral vane 105 is provided discontinuously, as in the example described above, as conveying capacity beta ₁ of the toner movement path conveying means 102 is set smaller than the conveying capacity beta ₂ of the first auger 4d Become.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are views similar to FIGS. 4A and 4B showing still another example of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15A is a sectional view taken along the line XVA-XVA in FIG. FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a toner receiving section. Note that FIG. 15 does not show the divided structure of the temporary toner storage portion forming member, the supply pipe 28, and the toner detecting means 94. As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this example, the partition ribs 17, 1
The first toner receiving blade 106 projects radially from the cylindrical portion 10 between the second toner receiving blade 10 and the second toner receiving blade 107.
Are provided in parallel with the first toner receiving blade 106 at predetermined intervals. In that case, the first toner receiving blade 1
06 is the tip and the inner peripheral surface 25 of the arc-shaped portions 25a, 26a.
The _first toner receiving blade 107 is slidably in contact with the inner peripheral surfaces 25a ₁ and 26a ₁ while a predetermined gap 108 is formed between the _first and second toner receiving blades 107 and 26a _1. It is provided in such a manner. The toner receiving port 22 is provided between the tip of the first toner receiving blade 106 and the second toner receiving blade 107.

The toner moving path 13 is not formed in a fan shape as in the above-described example, but is formed in a U-shaped cross section in a part of the fan shape portion. This toner moving path 1
In FIG. 3, there is provided a toner moving path conveying means 102 having a predetermined number of spiral blades 105 arranged discontinuously as shown in FIG. 14. Other configurations of the image forming apparatus 1 of this example are the same as those of the above-described example.

In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment thus configured, when the yellow developing device 4 is at the developing position shown in FIG. 1, the toner receiving port for the yellow toner formed in the cylindrical portion 10 is provided. Reference numeral 22 denotes FIGS. 15 and 16 (a).
It opens upward as shown in FIG. In this state, yellow toner has been introduced into the toner moving path 13 through the toner receiving port 22 by the previous rotation of the rotary 3. At this time, the yellow developing device 4 develops the yellow image on the latent image on the photoreceptor 8 so that a predetermined amount of yellow toner in the developing device 4 is used and the toner moving path 13
The toner introduced into the toner conveying path 1
02 is conveyed to the developing device 4. At this time, the rotation of the yellow toner container 42 is controlled based on the signal of the toner detecting means 94, and the toner in the temporary toner storage section 27 is introduced until the toner level reaches a preset maximum toner level.

When the development of yellow is completed, the rotary 3 is set in order to set the next magenta developing device 5 to the developing position.
Is rotated. Then, along with the rotation of the rotary 3, the cylindrical portion 10 also rotates in the same direction (that is, the counterclockwise direction indicated by the arrow in the figure). Then, as shown in FIG. 16B, the cylindrical portion 10 is moved from the yellow developing position in FIG.
When rotated by 0 degrees, the next magenta developing device 5 is set to the developing position, and the first toner receiving blade 106 enters one of the toners at the maximum toner level in the temporary toner storing section 27. At this time, since the toner receiving port 22 is opened to the left in the drawing, the toner
8 and into the toner passage 13 through the toner receiving port 22, and the toner level on the opposite side is
Ascends slightly due to the rotation of.

Further, when the rotary 3 rotates in the same direction,
Since the second toner receiving blade 107 presses the toner in the temporary toner storage unit 27 in the counterclockwise direction, the toner in the temporary toner storage unit 27 moves in the same direction along the annular temporary toner storage unit 27. When the toner level of the toner in the temporary toner storage unit 27 on the side opposite to the side pressed by the second toner receiving blade 107 is higher than the uppermost position of the cylindrical unit 10, the toner is higher than the uppermost position. Of the second toner receiving blade 107 moves to the opposite side (back side) from the uppermost position of the cylindrical portion 10 due to the rotation of the cylindrical portion 10 and the weight of the toner. As shown in FIG. 16C, when the cylindrical portion 10 is rotated by 90 degrees from the magenta developing position in FIG. 16B, the next cyan developing device 6 becomes the developing position. At this time, the second
The toner that has passed over the uppermost position of the cylindrical portion 10 is stored in the temporary toner storage 27 on the back side of the toner receiving blade 107.

Further, when the rotary 3 rotates in the same direction,
Since the second toner receiving blade 107 rotates in the same direction while further pressing the toner in the toner temporary storing portion 27 in the counterclockwise direction, the cylinder storing the toner in the temporary toner storing portion 27 on the back side of the second toner receiving blade 107. The amount of stored toner that has passed over the uppermost position of the unit 10 increases. As shown in FIG. 16 (d), the cylindrical portion 10 is moved 9 degrees from the cyan developing position in FIG. 16 (c).
When rotated by 0 degrees, the next black developing device 7 is at the developing position. At this time, since the yellow toner receiving port 22 is opened rightward, a predetermined amount of toner in the toner temporary storage section 27 on the pressing side of the second toner receiving blade 107 passes through the toner receiving port 22 by its own weight. The toner enters the toner moving path 13.

Further, when the cylindrical portion 10 rotates, the toner receiving port 22 is opened upward, so that a predetermined amount of the toner which has entered the toner moving path 13 is secured. As shown in FIG. 16A, when the cylindrical portion 10 is rotated by 90 degrees from the black developing position at the position shown in FIG. 16D, the yellow developing device 4 is again in the developing position, and the toner is rotated by one rotation of the cylindrical portion 10. A fixed amount of toner is secured in the moving path 13. When the developing device 4 is driven at this developing position, the conveying means 102 in the toner moving path is driven and the toner moving path 13 is moved.
The operation of transporting the toner inside to the developing device 4 is performed. At this time, if the toner level in the developing device 4 is lower than the maximum toner level, the toner is
When the toner level in the developing device 4 reaches the maximum toner level, the toner is introduced from the toner moving path 13 into the toner storing space 4h of the developing device 4. Therefore, the conveying means 102 in the toner moving path idles. If the toner level in the developing device 4 has already reached the maximum toner level,
Similarly, the toner is not introduced into the toner storage space 4h, and the transport means 102 in the toner moving path idles. Other functions and effects of the image forming apparatus 1 of this example are the same as those of the above-described example.

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing another example of the embodiment of the present invention. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3 described above, a pair of clamp-shaped temporary storage portion forming members 25 and 26 are provided.
The inner peripheral surfaces 25a ₁ , 26a ₁ of the arc-shaped portions 25a, 26a are formed flat in the axial direction (the same as the members for temporarily storing the other colors of toner), and the five partition ribs 17, 18, 19 are provided. ,
By increasing the height of the cylindrical portions 10 and 20 from the outer peripheral surface, the volume of the toner temporary storage section for temporarily storing the toner is secured. In the image forming apparatus 1 of this example,
As shown in FIG. 17, each of the yellow arc-shaped portions 25a, 26
Arc-shaped concave portions 25a ₂ and 26a ₂ are provided on each of the inner peripheral surfaces 25a ₁ and 26a ₁ (not shown, but also on each inner peripheral surface of the arc-shaped portion of the toner of another color, respectively). Arc-shaped recesses are similarly provided). And FIG.
As shown in (1), a part of the toner temporary storage portion is formed by these arc-shaped concave portions.

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 heights of the partition ribs 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 are 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. Other functions and effects of the image forming apparatus 1 of this example are the same as those of the respective examples described above.

FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing still another example of the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 19, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this example, the toner temporary storage portion forming member 85 of yellow color, for example, is formed of one annular member. The toner temporary storage portion forming member 85 is provided with an annular concave portion 85a like the arc-shaped concave portions 25a ₂ and 26a ₂ of the example shown in FIG. In the annular toner temporary storage portion forming member 85, the same supply pipe 28 as in each of the above-described examples is provided below the center of the toner temporary storage portion forming member 85, and the yellow toner is supplied from the lower side. It is designed to be introduced into the temporary storage section 85.

Further, in this example, the cylindrical portion 10 is divided for each color.
Is shown in FIG. The divided cylindrical member 87 has a large-diameter partition rib 87a formed on one side and a small-diameter partition rib 87b formed on the other side. Further, inside the divided cylindrical member 87, the toner moving paths of the toners of the respective colors similar to the above-described respective examples (the toner moving paths 13, 14, 1 in the example shown in FIG. 3).
(5, 16), divided moving paths 89, 9 respectively constituting a part of
0, 91, 92 are partitioned by a partition 93. For example, a divided moving path 89 which is a part of the yellow toner moving path 13 is opened on the outer peripheral surface of the divided cylindrical member 87 via the toner receiving port 22. Similarly, the divided cylindrical members for other toners have the same configuration as the divided cylindrical member 87, except that the position of the toner receiving port is different as in the above-described respective examples.

Although not shown, the yellow divided cylindrical member 87 has a large-diameter partition rib 87a formed integrally with the flange portion 11 attached to the rotary 3 in the same manner as in each of the above-described examples. It is concentrically integrated with the part 11. Then, the yellow divided cylindrical member 8
7 is concentrically attached to the rotary 3 via the flange portion 11, and the temporary storage portion forming member 85 is fitted to the divided cylindrical member 87. Then, the axial side surface of the temporary storage portion forming member 85 is divided into the large-diameter partition ribs 8 of the divided cylindrical member 87.
After the contact with the small-diameter partitioning member 87a, the large-diameter partitioning rib 87a of the divided cylindrical member 88 of magenta toner is connected to the small-diameter partitioning rib 87b of the divided cylindrical member 87 by an appropriate connecting means such as an adhesive (not shown). At this time, each of the divided moving paths constituting a part of the toner moving path inside the divided cylindrical member 88 corresponds to the corresponding divided moving inside the yellow divided cylindrical member 87 such that a toner moving path for each toner is formed. Roads 89, 90, 9
1,92.

Next, the temporary storage portion forming member for magenta toner is fitted into the divided cylindrical member 87, and the axial side surface of the temporary storage portion forming member is similarly contacted with the large-diameter partition rib of the magenta divided cylindrical member. After the contact, the large-diameter partition rib of the cyan toner divided cylindrical member is connected to the small-diameter partition rib of the divided cylindrical member. 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 each of the divided cylindrical members and the respective temporary storage portion forming members are assembled in this manner, although not illustrated, the same toner temporary storage portions as those in the above-described respective examples correspond to the respective outer peripheral surfaces of the respective divided cylindrical members and the respective temporary storage portions. It is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the forming member. In this manner, the toner receiving section 9 is formed in the same manner as in each of the above-described examples, and the flange section 11 is formed.
Are connected to the rotating member 3.

Further, in each toner moving path, there is provided, for example, a non-continuous spiral blade 105 as shown in FIG. 14, which is provided coaxially and integrally with the first auger of each developing device. 102 are provided. The other configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment is the same as that of each of the above-described embodiments, and the operation and effect of this embodiment are the same as those of the above-described embodiment except that each toner is introduced into the annular temporary storage section from below the center thereof. It is substantially the same as each example.

In each of the above-described examples, the developing device 2 rotates. However, the present invention can be applied to a stationary developing device in which the developing device does not move. Also,
In the above-described example, the toner moving path conveying means 102 is constituted by the spiral coil 101 or the discontinuous spiral blade 105. However, the toner moving path conveying means 102 is the first auger spiral blade in the developing device. Or a spiral blade having a pitch smaller than the pitch of the spiral blades of the first auger, or a continuous spiral blade having a radius smaller than the radius of the spiral blades of the first auger. Can also.

[0079]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the toner is supplied from the toner storage device provided outside the developing device to the developing device regardless of the position of the developing device. You can easily replenish. Also,
Since the toner storage device is not provided in the developing device, even if the toner storage device has a large capacity, the entire developing device can be reduced, and the rotation control of the developing device can be performed with high accuracy even when the developing device rotates at high speed. Thus, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can sufficiently and reliably cope with a high-speed machine. In addition, since toner can be supplied to the developing device via the toner receiving portion regardless of the position of the developing device, there is no need to move the developing device to the replenishing position, and toner can be efficiently supplied in a short time. Can be.

Further, when the toner pressure at the toner introduction portion of the developing device is at the set pressure, the toner is not conveyed to the developing device by the conveying means in the toner moving path. Therefore, this set pressure is set to the maximum toner level of the developing device. By setting the toner pressure corresponding to the level, it is possible to prevent the toner from being introduced into the developing device beyond the maximum toner level, and to prevent the developing device from being excessively filled with toner. Thus, the toner level of the developing device can be automatically and reliably controlled to a preset maximum toner level.

Further, since the toner is prevented from being excessively charged into the developing device, the toner in the developing device can be effectively stirred, and the effect of stirring the toner can be improved. This allows
The toner in the developing device can be made more uniform, and image quality fluctuation can be prevented. Further, since it is possible to prevent the toner from being excessively filled in the developing device, it is possible to prevent the toner from being ejected from the contact portion between the developing roller and the thin layer regulating portion in the developing device and the contact portion between the developing roller and the toner seal member. In addition, it is possible to prevent an increase in the driving load at the sliding portion due to the intrusion of the toner into each sliding portion in the developing device, and further to prevent an increase in the rotational load torque due to an increase in the weight of the developing device.

In particular, according to the third aspect of the present invention, since the carrying capacity of the first carrying means in the developing device is set to be larger than the carrying capacity of the carrying means in the toner moving path, the toner is moved from the toner moving path to the inside of the developing device. When the toner is supplied, the toner conveyance in the toner moving path can be performed even more reliably. Also,
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the transport capacity of the second transport means in the developing device is set to be larger than the transport capability of the first transport means in the developer device. Uneven distribution of the toner can be prevented, and the toner water level can be made substantially uniform. In addition, even if the toner is conveyed to the terminal side by the second conveying means in the developing device, the toner is conveyed again by the first conveying means in the developing device.
Uneven distribution of toner on the end side of the conveying means can also be prevented. In addition, since the pressure in the toner introduction portion of the developing device is increased by the toner conveyed by the second conveying device in the developing device, the excessive filling of the toner in the developing device by the conveying device in the toner movement path is further more effective. Can be prevented.

Further, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the first and second conveying means in the developing device and the first and second stirring blades ensure that the toner circulates in the developing device. Therefore, blocking of the toner in the developing device can be prevented, and the fluidity of the toner is improved.

[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 shows a toner receiving section of the example shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view along the line IVA-IVA in FIG. 4B, and FIG. 4B is a vertical cross-sectional view of the toner receiving portion.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a developing device internal space in the developing device of the developing device illustrated in FIG. 1;

7 is a perspective view partially showing a first auger in a developing device and a helical coil serving as a conveying means in a toner moving path in the developing device shown in FIG. 4;

8 is a horizontal sectional view of the developing device and the toner moving path shown in FIG.

9 is a perspective view partially showing a first auger in a developing device in the developing device shown in FIG. 4;

FIGS. 10A and 10B show a toner container used in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, wherein FIG. 10A is a perspective view and FIG. 10B is an exploded perspective view showing one end of the toner container.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view partially showing a container support member used in the image forming apparatus of this example.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show a connecting portion between a container supporting member and a connecting supply tube used in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, wherein FIG. 12A is an exploded perspective view and FIG. .

13 shows a state in which the toner container shown in FIG. 10 is mounted on the container support member shown in FIG. 11, (a) is a perspective view, and (b)
It is the elements on larger scale of the axial direction guide means and the circumferential direction guide means of a container support member.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view partially showing a first auger in a developing device and a helical coil serving as a conveying unit in a toner moving path used in an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

15A and 15B show a toner receiving unit according to still another example of the embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVA-XVA in FIG. FIG.

16A and 16B illustrate a toner replenishing operation of the image forming apparatus of the example illustrated in FIG. 15; FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view of a yellow toner temporary storage unit when a yellow developing device is at a development position;
Is a cross-sectional view of the yellow toner temporary storage unit when the magenta developing device is at the developing position, (c) is a cross-sectional view of the yellow toner temporary storing unit when the cyan developing device is at the developing position, and (d). FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a yellow toner temporary storage unit when a black developing device is at a developing position.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view similar to FIG. 3, partially showing a toner receiving unit according to another example of the embodiment of the present invention;

18 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a part of the toner receiving portion of the example shown in FIG. 17 taken along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing 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, 4c, 5c, 6c, 7c: toner thin layer regulating member, 4d, 5d, 6d, 7d: first auger in the developing device, 4
e, 5e, 6e, 7e: second auger in the developing device, 4f: support member for the thin layer regulating member of yellow toner, 4g: seal member of yellow toner, 4h, 5h, 6h, 7h: inside the developing device Toner storage space, 8 photoreceptor, 9 toner receiving portion, 10 cylindrical portion, 11 flange portion, 12 partition wall,
13: yellow toner movement path, 14: magenta toner movement path, 15: cyan toner movement path, 16: black toner movement path, 17, 17a, 17b, 18, 18a,
18b, 19,19a, 19b, 20,20a, 20b, 21
... partition ribs, 22 ... 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 pipe,
29, 30: Magenta temporary storage section forming member, 31, 32
... Cyan temporary storage part forming member, 33, 34 ... Black temporary storage part forming member, 35 ... Magenta supply pipe, 36
... Cyan supply tube, 37 ... Black supply tube, 42 ... Yellow toner container, 42 ... Yellow toner container, 4
3 ... magenta toner container, 44 ... cyan toner container, 45 ... black toner container, 38, 39, 40, 4
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Connection supply pipe, 46 ... Toner container, 57 ... Container support member, 94 ... Toner detection means, 97, 98, 99, 100 ...
Partition wall, 101: spiral coil, 102: conveying means in toner moving path, 103: first stirring member, 104: second stirring member, 105: discontinuous spiral blade, β ₁ : conveying means in toner moving path Carrying capacity, β ₂ : Carrying capacity of first auger 4d, β ₃ : Carrying capacity of second auger 4e

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Satoru Miyamoto 3-3-5 Yamato, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture Seiko-Epson Corporation F-term (reference) 2H030 AA06 BB24 BB38 2H077 AA03 AA12 AA18 AA25 AA27 AB02 AB07 AC02 AC04 AD06 BA08 CA12 DA15 DA35 DB01 GA13

Claims (6)

[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. A temporary storage unit for temporarily storing toner from the toner storage device is provided on the outer periphery of the toner receiving unit, and the toner storage unit includes a temporary storage unit inside the toner receiving unit. A toner movement path for moving the introduced toner to the developing device is formed, and further, the toner introduction path is introduced into the toner movement path in the toner movement path. A transfer unit for transferring the collected toner to the developing device is provided, and when the pressure of the toner in the toner introduction unit of the developing device into which the toner is introduced from the toner transfer passage is equal to or higher than a set pressure, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said conveying means in said toner moving path does not convey toner to said developing device. 2. The toner transfer path conveying means comprises a spiral coil or discontinuous spiral blades. The spiral coil or the discontinuous spiral blade rotates to transport toner, and a toner level of the developing device. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner is not conveyed to the developing device when the level is the maximum toner level. 3. A developing device first transport means for agitating and transporting the toner transported from the toner moving path in the toner storage space of each developing device is provided in each of the developing devices. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the toner conveying ability of the first conveying means in the developing device is set to be larger than the toner conveying ability of the conveying means in the toner moving path. 4. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein each of the developing devices transports the toner conveyed from the first conveying device in the developing device back to the first conveying device in the developing device. And a toner conveying capability of the second conveying means in the developing device.
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the toner conveying capacity of the conveying unit is set to be larger than that of the conveying unit. 5. A first agitator for moving toner from a terminal end of the first transporter in the developing device to a start end of a second transporter in the developer in the terminal end of the first transporter in the developer. A blade is provided, and at the end of the second transport unit in the developing device, the toner is moved from the end of the second transport unit in the developing device to the start end of the first transport unit in the developing device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a second stirring blade. 6. The developing device includes developing devices for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. These developing devices are mounted on a rotating body, and the toner receiving unit is connected to the rotating body. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the temporary storage section, the toner moving path, and the conveying means in the toner moving path are provided for each color, and are provided coaxially with the rotating body so as to protrude in the axial direction. 6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,