JP2004126407A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device which has an easily replaceable developer storage vessel. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming device having at least an image carrier 30, a developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier 30 by a developer, and a developer supply means for supplying the developer to the developing means is provided with a developer storage vessel 67 in which the developer to be supplied to the developer supply means is stored, a vessel support means C which supports the developer storage vessel 67 in a state of being able to move between a replacement position A where the developer storage vessel is replaced and a supply position B where the developer is supplied from the developer storage vessel 67 to the developer supply means, and a vessel moving means D which automatically moves the developer storage vessel 67 supported by the vessel support means C from the replacement position A to the supply position B. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which a developer container can be replaced.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As an image forming apparatus, for example, there is a copying machine, a printer, or the like. For example, there is an apparatus in which a developer accommodating container is mounted and which is rotated by a developer replenishing drive in a state in which the developer accommodating container is mounted to supply the developer.
[0003]
When the developer inside the developer container runs out, the lid provided on the apparatus main body is opened and the developer container is moved from the replenishment position to the replacement position, and is replaced with a new developer storage container at the replacement position. However, the lid is moved from the replacement position to the supply position (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-160363 (pages 2 to 5, FIGS. 1 to 4)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, when replacing the developer storage container, it is necessary to move the developer storage container from the supply position to the replacement position, replace the developer storage container with a new developer storage container at this replacement position, and move the developer storage container from the replacement position to the supply position. In many cases, when setting the developer storage container at the replenishment position, a load is applied to open the opening and closing lid of the developer discharge port with the pushing force. was there.
[0006]
Particularly, in the case where a seal is provided at the developer discharge port of the developer accommodating container, it is necessary to set the replenishing position by pushing the seal by a force that breaks the seal, and a considerable force is required for the operation.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which a developer storage container can be easily replaced.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the present invention is configured as follows.
[0009]
The invention according to claim 1 at least
An image carrier;
Developing means for visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier with a developer,
Developer supply means for supplying a developer to the development means,
An image forming apparatus having
A developer storage container that stores a developer for replenishing the developer supply unit,
Container support means for supporting the developer storage container in a movable state between a replacement position of the developer storage container and a replenishment position for replenishing developer from the developer storage container to the developer supply means;
Container moving means for automatically moving the developer container supported by the container supporting means from the replacement position to the replenishment position;
An image forming apparatus comprising:
[0010]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, by automatically moving the developer storage container supported by the container support means from the replacement position to the replenishment position, even a user without skill can exchange the developer storage container. Is easy.
[0011]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the container moving means moves the developer accommodating container a predetermined distance from the replacement position to the replenishing position, the container moving means automatically moves the developer accommodating container to the replenishing position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is moved.
[0012]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the developer storage container is moved a predetermined distance from the replacement position to the replenishment position, the developer storage container is automatically moved to the replenishment position, thereby reducing the arm strength. The user can easily replace the developer container.
[0013]
The invention according to claim 3 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the container moving means uses a motor as a drive source.
[0014]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the developer container can be automatically and reliably moved to the replenishing position by using the motor as a drive source.
[0015]
The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the motor transmits a driving force to the developer storage container to discharge the developer from the developer storage container. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
[0016]
According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the developer can be discharged from the developer accommodating container by the motor of the driving source of the container moving means, and the driving source can also be used, and the structure is simple.
[0017]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the developer container is replaced, a retreating means is provided for automatically retreating the developer container at the replenishing position toward the replacement position. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
[0018]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the developer accommodating container at the replenishing position is automatically retracted toward the exchanging position, so that the user can easily exchange the developer accommodating container even if the user has no strength. .
[0019]
The invention according to claim 6, wherein a remaining amount detecting unit that detects a remaining amount of the developer in the developer supply unit;
When the remaining amount detecting unit detects that the remaining amount of the developer in the developer supply unit is small, an operation control unit that activates the retraction unit;
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising:
[0020]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the remaining amount of the developer is small, the evacuating means is reliably operated, so that even a user who does not have sufficient strength can easily exchange the developer container.
[0021]
The invention according to claim 7 includes an operation button,
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an operation control unit that operates the retraction unit by pressing the operation button. 7.
[0022]
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, by operating the evacuation means by pressing the operation button, even a user having no strength can easily replace the developer storage container.
[0023]
In the invention according to claim 8, when the developer storage container at the replenishment position is retracted toward the replacement position by the retracting means, a retreat operation is performed when a predetermined load is applied to the developer storage container. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising a save operation stop control unit for stopping the operation.
[0024]
According to the present invention, when the developer storage container is retracted toward the replacement position, if a predetermined load is applied to the developer storage container, the evacuation operation is stopped to prevent malfunction. be able to.
[0025]
The invention according to claim 9 is the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the retraction unit uses a motor as a drive source.
[0026]
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the developer container can be automatically and reliably retracted using the motor as a drive source.
[0027]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view of the image forming apparatus. The laser printer as the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes a printer unit 2, an automatic document reading unit 3, and a recording medium supply unit 4. The image information of the document read by the document automatic reading unit 3 is sent to the printer unit 2, and the printer unit 2 records an image on a recording sheet sent from a recording medium supply unit 4 as a recording medium.
[0028]
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus. In the laser printer as the image forming apparatus 1, a recording medium supply unit 4 is disposed below the printer unit 2, and the recording medium supply unit 4 is provided with a plurality of automatic paper feed cassettes 44, and recording paper of different sizes is provided. Is set. On the side wall of the printer unit 2, a manual paper feed cassette 5 is arranged so as to be openable and closable, and supply conveyance paths 7, 8 for conveying recording paper from the automatic paper feed cassette 44 and the manual paper feed cassette 5 to the transfer unit 6 are formed. ing.
[0029]
The bottom plate 41 provided on the automatic paper feed cassette 44 is urged by a spring 42 so that the set recording paper is always in contact with the delivery roller 43, and the delivery roller 43 drives the recording paper one by one into the supply conveyance path 7. Will be sent out. The recording paper set in the manual paper feed cassette 5 is sent out to the supply conveyance path 8 one by one by driving the delivery roller 50. The supply conveyance paths 7 and 8 are gathered at the transfer section 6 side, and a pair of conveyance rollers 13 and a conveyance guide 14 are arranged in the supply conveyance paths 7 and 8, whereby the recording paper is transferred to the transfer section 6 at a predetermined timing. Conveyed.
[0030]
The transfer unit 6 is disposed at a position facing the image carrier 30, and the images on the peripheral surface of the image carrier 30 are collectively transferred to recording paper. A fixing unit 16 and a discharge roller 17 are arranged in a discharge conveyance path 15 for the recording paper on which the image has been transferred, and the recording paper separated from the transfer unit 6 is conveyed to the fixing unit 16. The fixing unit 16 is composed of two pressure rollers 18 having a heater inside at least one of the rollers, and heat and pressure are applied between the two pressure rollers 18 so that the adhered toner is melted and recorded. After being fixed on paper, the sheet is discharged from the discharge conveyance path 15 to the outside of the apparatus by discharge rollers 17.
[0031]
The printer unit 2 is provided with an image writing unit 20, and the image writing unit 20 performs image exposure on the peripheral surface of the image carrier 30 based on an image signal. The image writing unit 20 is rotated and scanned by a rotary polygon mirror 21 with laser light emitted from a laser light source, passes through an fθ lens 22 and a filter 23, and has an optical path bent by a reflection mirror 24. The image is projected onto the surface, and a latent image is formed on the surface of the image carrier 30.
[0032]
The image carrier 30 is provided for driving rotation in one direction (clockwise in the figure), and a PCL 31, a charger 32, a developing device 33, a cleaning unit 34, and a static eliminator 35 are arranged around the image carrier 30. Have been. After the static electricity is removed by the PCL 31 to remove the charge at the previous printing, the peripheral surface is uniformly charged by the charger 32 to prepare for a new print. After the uniform charging, the image writing unit 20 performs image exposure based on the image signal.
[0033]
A developing device 33 filled with a developer composed of a mixture of a toner and a magnetic carrier is provided on the periphery of the image carrier 30. The developing device 33 includes a stirring screw 36, a transport rotating body 37, and a developing device. An agent carrier 38 is provided. The developer is regulated to a predetermined thickness on the developer carrier 38 by the layer forming rod 39 and is conveyed to the developing area.
[0034]
An AC bias voltage and a DC bias voltage are superimposed and applied between the image carrier 30 and the developer carrier 38, and are visualized by a known method. The developing device 33 constitutes a developing unit that visualizes the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier 30 with a developer.
[0035]
The printer section 2 is provided with a developer supply device 40, and the developer supply device 40 is configured as shown in FIGS. 3 is a side view showing a state in which the developer container is set at the supply position, FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state in which the developer container is moved to the supply position, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the developer hopper, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the stirring screw, FIG. 8 is a side view of the developer storage container with the developer discharge opening closed, and FIG. 9 is a view of the developer discharge opening of the developer storage container. FIG. 10 is a side view of the opened state of the developer container, FIG. 11 is a plan view of the pressed state of the developer container, FIG. 12 is a plan view of the opened state of the developer container. 13 is a view showing a state before the pressure of the developer storage container is pressed, FIG. 14 is a view showing a state during the pressure bonding of the developer storage container, and FIG. 15 is a view showing a state after the pressure of the developer storage container is pressed.
[0036]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an operation unit 61 is arranged on the upper surface of the printer main body 60 of the printer unit 2, and various operation buttons 62 are arranged on the operation unit 61. Front main body doors 63 are provided on the front side of the printer main body 60 so as to open on both sides with the left and right sides of the printer main body 60 as fulcrums, so that jamming of recording paper in the printer unit 2 and maintenance and inspection can be performed. It has become.
[0037]
On the right main body front door 63, a developer supply door 64 is provided so as to be openable and closable about the upper and lower support shafts 65 as fulcrums. The developer supply door 64 is located at a position facing the developer setting section 66 of the developer supply apparatus 40, and closes the main body front door 63 when the developer storage container 67 set in the developer setting section 66 is replaced. The developer supply door 64 can be opened and closed with the door kept open.
[0038]
The developer setting section 66 is provided with an open / close lid holder 68 on the back side and a handle 69 on the front side. A developer container 67 is set in the developer setting section 66. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the developer storage container 67 is integrally formed of resin in a bottle shape, and stores the developer to be supplied to the developer supply unit. The container main body 67a of the developer storage container 67 has a spiral groove 67a1 that moves the developer toward the developer discharge port 67b by rotation. An opening / closing lid 67c for opening and closing the developer discharge port 67b is provided on the developer discharge port 67b side of the container body 67a so as to be slidable in the axial direction. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the developer discharge port 67b is closed. Reference numeral 9 denotes a state where the developer discharge port 67b is opened. A cap 67d for filling the developer is provided on the bottom 67b side of the container body 67a.
[0039]
3 and 4, the lid 67c of the developer container 67 is placed on the lid holder 68, and the cap 67d is placed on the handle 69, as shown in FIGS. The application is set.
[0040]
The developer setting section 66 is pulled out toward the printer main body 60 when the developer container 67 is replaced, stops at the replacement position shown in FIGS. 4 and 12, and can be pushed from the drawn-out state to the back. And stops at the replenishment position of FIGS. 3, 10 and 11.
[0041]
When the developer setting section 66 is stopped at the supply position, the opening / closing lid holder 68 is in contact with the developer discharging section cover 70 and is pushed in the axial direction, and the opening / closing lid 67c of the developer storage container 67 is open. The developer outlet 67 b of the developer container 67 enters the developer outlet cover 70, and the developer outlet 67 b is covered with the developer outlet cover 70. To prevent it from scattering.
[0042]
The rotation of the developer storage container 67 is performed by rotation of a developer storage container rotation motor M1, as shown in FIGS. That is, the driving gear 79 of the developer container rotating motor M1 meshes with the driven gear 78 of the shaft portion 77 rotatably supported by the printer main body 60, and the fitting member 77a connected to the shaft portion 77 forms the developer. It engages with the tip 67 e of the storage container 67. When the developer container rotating motor M1 rotates, the driven gear 78 rotates in conjunction with the drive gear 79, the shaft 77 rotates integrally, and the fitting member 77a rotates the developer container 67, and the developer The developer is discharged from the developer discharge port 67b of the storage container 67.
[0043]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the developer discharged from the developer discharge port 67b is supplied to the inside from a developer inlet 71a of a developer hopper 71 constituting a developer supply unit. As shown in FIG. 7, a pair of stirring screws 72 and 73 are arranged inside the developer hopper 71. The stirring screw 72 is driven by a developer supply motor M2 disposed on the front side of the printer main body 60, and the rotation of the stirring screw 72 is transmitted to the stirring screw 73 by gears 75 and 76 provided on the back side. The developer is supplied to the developing device 33 by the rotation of the stirring screws 72 and 73.
[0044]
The developer hopper 71 is provided with a remaining amount detecting means S1 for detecting the remaining amount of the developer, and the remaining amount detecting means S1 is constituted by, for example, a piezoelectric element. The remaining amount of the agent is detected, but is not limited to this.
[0045]
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the developer setting section 66 supplies the developer from the exchange position A of the developer storage container 67 to the developing device 33 as the developer supply means. A container supporting means C for supporting the developer accommodating container 67 so as to be movable between the replenishing position B and the supply position B is constituted.
[0046]
The printer unit 2 has a container moving unit D for automatically moving the developer container 67 supported by the container supporting unit C from the replacement position A to the replenishment position B. As shown in FIGS. 10 to 15, the container moving means D of this embodiment includes a motor M3 provided in the printer main body 60, a toothless gear 80, a rack 85 provided in the developer setting section 66, and a spring. 86.
[0047]
The drive gear 81 of the motor M3 meshes with the driven gear 80a of the toothless gear 80, and the toothless portion 80b of the toothless gear 80 meshes with the tooth portion 85a of the rack 85. Support pins 87a and 87b are fixed to the rack 85, and the support pins 87a and 87b are slidably engaged with guide grooves 66a formed in the developer setting section 66. One end 86a of the spring 86 is locked in the locking hole 88 of the developer setting section 66, the other end 86b is locked in the locking hole 85c of the rack 85, and the guide groove 66a is always in contact with the support pin 87a. It is energizing.
[0048]
A detecting means S2 for detecting the position of the rack 85 is provided in the vicinity of the toothless gear 80, and moves the developer storage container 67 a predetermined distance from the replacement position A to the replenishment position B, as shown in FIG. When the detecting means S2 detects the rear end 85d of the rack 85, it sends a detection signal to the operation control means E to drive the motor M3. The detection means S2 is constituted by, for example, an optical sensor, but may be constituted by a microswitch or the like.
[0049]
By driving the motor M3, the driving gear 81 meshes with the driven gear 80a of the toothless gear 80, and the toothless portion 80b of the toothless gear 80 meshes with the tooth portion 85a of the rack 85. As shown in FIG. When the rack 85 moves, the guide groove 66a engages with the support pin 87b to move the developer setting section 66 toward the supply position, and stops at the supply position B shown in FIG.
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 15, when the detection means S2 detects the front end portion 85e of the rack 85, the detection signal is sent to the operation control means E, and the drive of the motor M3 is stopped, as shown in FIG. . The timing of stopping at the replenishment position B may not be based on the detection by the detection means S2, but may be stopped by the number of pulses from the start of driving using a stepping motor as the motor M3.
[0051]
As described above, when the developer storage container 67 moves the developer storage container 67 from the replacement position A to the supply position B by a predetermined distance, the developer storage container 67 then automatically moves to the supply position B to the supply position B. By moving, the opening / closing lid holder 68 comes into contact with the developer discharging portion cover 70 and is pushed in the axial direction, the opening / closing lid 67c of the developer storing container 67 is opened, and the developer discharging port 67b of the developer storing container 67 is opened. The developer can enter the developer discharge unit cover 70 and move to the replenishment position B. For this reason, when the developer storage container 67 is set at the replenishment position B, the load is reduced because the opening / closing lid 67c of the developer discharge port 67b is opened by the pushing force for setting the developer storage container 67, or the load is not applied. However, the replacement operation of the developer container 67 is easy.
[0052]
Thus, when the rack 85 is stopped at the replenishment position B, the rack 85 is pulled by the repulsive force of the spring 86 and returned until the guide groove 66a is engaged with the support pin 87a, whereby the pressing load of the motor M3 is set. It is possible to eliminate the possibility that the developer storage container 67 of the portion 66 is involved.
[0053]
Further, the container moving means D uses the motor M3 as a drive source, and by using the motor M3 as a drive source, the developer storage container 67 can be automatically and reliably moved to the replenishment position B in the replenishment position direction. it can.
[0054]
The motor M3 as a drive source of the container moving unit D transmits a driving force to the developer container 67 by a power transmission unit such as a gear and a timing belt, and rotates the developer container 67 to rotate the developer container. The developer may be discharged from 67. In this case, when the developer storage container 67 is rotated by the motor M3, the developer storage container 67 is prevented from moving toward the replenishment position by the clutch mechanism, while the developer storage container 67 is moved toward the replenishment position. In this case, the developer storage container 67 is not rotated by the clutch mechanism, so that the developer storage container 67 can also be used as a drive source, and the developer storage container rotation motor M1 is unnecessary, and the structure is simple.
[0055]
Further, in this embodiment, there is provided a retracting means F for automatically retracting the developer storage container 67 at the supply position B toward the replacement position A, and the retracting means F is provided with the container moving means D. It comprises a motor M3, a toothless gear 80 provided on the printer main body 60, a rack 85 provided on the developer setting section 66, and a spring 86.
[0056]
The remaining amount detecting means S1 detects the remaining amount of the developer inside the developer hopper 71 which is the developer supply means, and when the amount of the developer inside the developer container 67 decreases, this warning is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 61. At 90, decrease information is sent to the operation control means E.
[0057]
When the user replaces the developer container 67, the operation control unit E is operated by opening the developer supply door 64 and pressing the operation button 92 of the operation unit 61, and the motor M3 is driven in the standby direction in the reverse direction. To rotate. Further, the operation control means E rotates the motor M3 in the reverse standby direction when the door opening / closing detection means S6 detects the opening of the developer supply door 64 without relying on the information from the operation button 92. Is also good.
[0058]
By driving the motor M3, the driving gear 81 meshes with the driven gear 80a of the toothless gear 80, and the toothless portion 80b of the toothless gear 80 meshes with the tooth portion 85a of the rack 85. As shown in FIG. When the rack 85 moves, the guide groove 66a engages with the support pin 87a to move the developer setting section 66 toward the retreat position. Thereafter, the user holds the handle 69 to move to the exchange position A. Pull out.
[0059]
In this way, by automatically retracting the developer storage container 67 at the replenishing position B toward the replacement position A by the retracting means F, the user can easily replace the developer storage container 67 even if the user has no strength. . By operating the operation control means E based on the decrease information, it is possible to reliably perform the replacement operation of the developer container 67 when the remaining amount of the developer is small.
[0060]
As shown in FIG. 13, when the detection means S2 detects the far end 85d of the rack 85, a detection signal is sent to the operation control means E and the motor M3 is stopped. Stop driving. This stop timing may be stopped by the number of pulses from the start of driving by using a stepping motor as the motor M3 without depending on the detection by the detection means S2.
[0061]
When the developer storage container 67 at the supply position B is retracted toward the replacement position A by the retracting means F, a predetermined load is applied to the developer storage container 67 because, for example, the slide of the developer setting section 66 is not smooth. Then, the retreat operation stop control means G detects the load of the motor M3 from the driving power, and the retreat operation stop control means G sends a stop command to the operation control means E to stop the retreat operation. As described above, when the developer storage container 67 is retracted toward the replacement position A, if a predetermined load is applied to the developer storage container 67, the evacuation operation is stopped to prevent malfunction. it can.
[0062]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, the developer storage container supported by the container supporter is automatically moved from the replacement position to the replenishment position, so that even a user without arm strength can use the developer storage container. Replacement work is easy.
[0063]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the developer storage container is moved from the replacement position to the replenishment position by a predetermined distance, the developer storage container is automatically moved to the replenishment position. The replacement operation of the developer storage container is easy.
[0064]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the developer container can be automatically and reliably moved to the replenishing position by using the motor as a drive source.
[0065]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the developer can be discharged from the developer accommodating container by the motor of the driving source of the container moving means, and the driving source can also be used, so that the structure is simple.
[0066]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the developer storage container at the replenishment position is automatically retracted toward the replacement position, so that a user without skill can easily replace the developer storage container.
[0067]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the remaining amount of the developer is small, the evacuating means is reliably operated, so that even a user having no strength can easily exchange the developer container.
[0068]
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, by operating the retraction means by pressing the operation button, even a user having no strength can easily exchange the developer container.
[0069]
According to the eighth aspect of the invention, when the developer storage container is retracted toward the replacement position, if a predetermined load is applied to the developer storage container, the evacuation operation is stopped, and malfunction can be prevented. .
[0070]
According to the ninth aspect, the developer container can be automatically and reliably retracted by using the motor as a drive source.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view of an image forming apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating a state in which a developer accommodating container is set at a supply position.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state where the developer accommodating container is moved to a replenishing position.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a developer hopper.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of a developer discharge unit cover.
FIG. 7 is a plan view of a stirring screw.
FIG. 8 is a side view of the developer storage container in a state where a developer discharge port is closed.
FIG. 9 is a side view of the developer storage container in a state where a developer discharge port is opened.
FIG. 10 is a side view of the developer accommodating container in a pressed state.
FIG. 11 is a plan view of the developer accommodating container in a pressed state.
FIG. 12 is a plan view of the developer storage container in an open state.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state before the pressure of the developer accommodating container.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state where the developer accommodating container is being pressed.
FIG. 15 is a view illustrating a state after the developer accommodating container is pressed.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Printer unit 33 Developing unit 60 Printer main body 61 Operation unit 64 Developer supply door 66 Developer setting unit 67 Developer storage container 71 Developer hopper 80 Missing gear 85 Rack 86 Spring 92 Operation button A Replacement position B Replenishment position C Container supporting means D Container moving means E Operation control means F Retraction means M1 Developer container rotating motor M3 Motor S1 Remaining amount detecting means S2 Detecting means

Claims (9)

at least,
An image carrier;
Developing means for visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier with a developer,
Developer supply means for supplying a developer to the development means,
An image forming apparatus having
A developer storage container that stores a developer for replenishing the developer supply unit,
Container support means for supporting the developer storage container in a movable state between a replacement position of the developer storage container and a replenishing position for replenishing developer from the developer storage container to the developer supply means;
Container moving means for automatically moving the developer storage container supported by the container supporting means from the replacement position to the replenishment position;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The container moving means, after moving the developer storage container from the replacement position to the replenishment position by a predetermined distance, thereafter automatically moves the developer storage container to the replenishment position. Item 2. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the container moving unit uses a motor as a driving source. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the motor transmits a driving force to the developer storage container and discharges the developer from the developer storage container. 5. 5. The container according to claim 1, further comprising a retracting unit configured to automatically retract the developer storage container at the replenishing position toward the replacement position when replacing the developer storage container. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. A remaining amount detecting unit that detects a remaining amount of the developer in the developer supply unit;
When the remaining amount detecting unit detects that the remaining amount of the developer in the developer supplying unit is small, an operation control unit that activates the retraction unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Operation buttons,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an operation control unit that operates the retraction unit by pressing the operation button. When retracting the developer container at the replenishment position toward the replacement position by the retracting unit, a retract operation suspending control unit that suspends the retract operation when a predetermined load is applied to the developer container. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the retracting unit uses a motor as a driving source.

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