JP2019128552A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An image forming apparatus capable of determining whether or not a developer container is incorrectly attached to a developing device. In a toner container that is detachably attached to a developing device, a moving wall moves along a shaft in the container body to convey the toner, and the toner is discharged from the toner discharge port to the developing device. The The moving wall 34 is driven by the first drive unit M1. The driving amount of the first driving unit M1 is monitored by the driving amount monitoring unit 57. The drive amount monitoring unit 57 calculates the cumulative drive amount of the first drive unit M1 after the toner container is mounted on the developing device. Then, when the cumulative drive amount of the first drive unit M1 exceeds the assumed total drive amount, the drive amount monitoring unit 57 determines that there is a possibility that the toner container is erroneously attached to the developing device, and the determination Outputs incorrect mounting information indicating the result. [Selection] Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a developer container that contains a developer.

  Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, an image carrier that carries a developer image for forming an image on a sheet, a developing device that supplies a developer to the image carrier, and a developer are supplied There is known a developer container that contains a developer container.

  The developer storage container stores a developer, a container main body in which a discharge port for discharging the developer to the developing device is formed, and a developer transport that transports the developer toward the discharge port in the container main body. It has a department. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a developer storage container provided with a stirring member as a developer transport unit. In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the developer is transported by rotation of the stirring member in the container main body, and the developer is discharged from the discharge port to the developing device. Patent Document 2 discloses a developer container including a shaft disposed in a container main body and a moving wall provided movably along the shaft as a developer transport unit. . In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, the moving wall moves along the shaft in the container main body to transport the developer, and the developer is discharged from the discharge port to the developing device.

JP 2003-280344 A JP, 2015-125334, A

  Incidentally, the developer container is detachably attached to the developing device. At this time, an inappropriate developer storage container that is not suitable for mounting on the developing device or a used developer storage container may be erroneously mounted. If the developer container is incorrectly installed in the developing device and the developer transport unit continues to be driven by the drive motor in that state, the components of the developer container may be damaged or noise may occur. There is also a possibility that the image forming apparatus may break down.

  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 capable of determining whether or not the mounting of the developer container to the developing device is erroneous mounting. It is to provide.

  An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes an apparatus main body, a developing apparatus disposed in the apparatus main body, which supplies a developer for forming an image, and an internal space capable of containing the developer. A container main body in which a discharge port of the developer for replenishing the developing device is formed; and a developer conveying portion for conveying the developer toward the discharge port in the container main body; A developer storage container that is detachably mounted, a drive unit that drives the developer transport unit, a detection unit that detects a drive amount of the drive unit, and a history relating to the drive amount detected by the detection unit. Cumulative drive indicating a cumulative value of the drive amount of the drive unit after the developer container is mounted on the developing device based on a first history storage unit storing first history information, and the first history information The amount of accumulated drive is calculated in advance And a driving amount monitoring unit that monitors whether belonging to the order obtained control range. The management range is assumed to be necessary for discharging the entire amount of developer accommodated in the container main body to the developing device in an initial state before the developer accommodating container is attached to the developing device. The assumed total driving amount of the driving unit is set to a range that makes the minimum value. The driving amount monitoring unit may erroneously mount the developer container with the developing device when the accumulated driving amount exceeds the estimated total driving amount as the minimum value in the management range. It is determined that there is an error, and erroneous attachment information indicating the determination result is output.

  According to this image forming apparatus, the developer container is detachably attached to the developing device. In the developer container, the developer transport unit transports the developer in the container main body, and the developer is discharged from the discharge port to the developing device. The developer transport unit is driven by the drive unit, and the drive amount of the drive unit is detected by the detection unit. In the image forming apparatus, the drive amount monitoring unit is configured to cumulatively drive the drive unit after the developer container is mounted on the developing device, based on the first history information indicating the history related to the drive amount detected by the detection unit. Calculate the amount. Furthermore, when the cumulative driving amount of the driving unit exceeds the estimated total driving amount, the driving amount monitoring unit determines that the mounting of the developer container with respect to the developing device has a possibility of erroneous mounting, and indicates the determination result Output incorrect mounting information. As described above, the driving amount monitoring unit monitors the driving amount of the driving unit that drives the developer conveying unit, thereby making it possible to determine whether or not the mounting of the developer container to the developing device is erroneous mounting. . The user of the image forming apparatus can recognize whether or not the mounting of the developer container with respect to the developing device is erroneous mounting by referring to the erroneous mounting information output from the drive amount monitoring unit.

  In the above-described image forming apparatus, the driving amount monitoring unit may add the erroneous mounting information to the developing device when the cumulative driving amount exceeds an intermediate value in the management range. It may be configured to output selection request information that requests selection of whether to continue using the agent container.

  The assumed total driving amount referred to when the driving amount monitoring unit determines erroneous mounting of the developer container is assumed to be necessary for discharging the entire amount of developer contained in the container body to the developing device. Total driving amount of the driving unit, which is the minimum value of the management range. The developer transport unit continues to be driven by the drive unit while the developer container is mismounted, and the cumulative drive amount of the drive unit exceeds the intermediate value within the management range, which indicates a larger value than the assumed total drive amount. In this case, there is an increased possibility that the components of the developer container are damaged and noise is generated, and the possibility that the image forming apparatus is broken is also increased. Therefore, the drive amount monitoring unit outputs selection request information in addition to the erroneous attachment information when the accumulated drive amount of the drive unit exceeds the intermediate value in the management range. This selection request information is information requesting the user to select whether or not to continue using the developer container mounted on the developing device. By referring to the selection request information output from the drive amount monitoring unit, the user can make a selection as to whether or not to continue using the developer accommodating container that is erroneously mounted to the developing device.

  In the above-described image forming apparatus, the driving amount monitoring unit may add the erroneous mounting information to the developing device when the cumulative driving amount exceeds a maximum value in the management range. The configuration may be such that operation stop information for stopping the operation of the image forming apparatus is output while disallowing the use of the agent container.

  If the developer transport unit continues to be driven by the drive unit when the developer storage container is incorrectly installed, and the cumulative drive amount of the drive unit exceeds the maximum value within the control range, the components of the developer storage container are damaged. And the possibility of noise being generated is extremely high, and furthermore, the possibility of the image forming apparatus being broken is also extremely high. Therefore, the drive amount monitoring unit outputs the operation stop information in addition to the erroneous attachment information when the accumulated drive amount of the drive unit exceeds the maximum value in the management range. This operation stop information is information for notifying the user that the use of the developer container mounted on the developing device is not permitted and the operation of the image forming apparatus is stopped. The user can recognize the operation stop of the image forming apparatus by referring to the operation stop information output from the drive amount monitoring unit.

  The image forming apparatus described above may further include an electronic tag attached to the outer peripheral surface of the container main body and including the first history storage unit as a part of the configuration.

  In this aspect, the first history storage unit storing the first history information to be referred to when the drive amount monitoring unit calculates the cumulative drive amount of the drive unit is configured of the electronic tag attached to the outer peripheral surface of the container main body It can be realized as a part.

  The image forming apparatus described above is disposed in the apparatus main body, and stores the second history information representing the history regarding the driving amount of the driving unit after the selection request information is output by the driving amount monitoring unit, the developer containing the developer. It may be configured to further include a second history storage unit that stores in association with identification information for identifying a container.

  By mounting an electronic tag storing the first history information to be referred to when the drive amount monitoring unit calculates the cumulative drive amount of the drive unit to the outer peripheral surface of the container body, the developer container and the first Correspondence with history information becomes easy. Further, in the case of using a developer container having a different developer storage amount, it is possible to easily cope by changing the first history information stored in the electronic tag in accordance with the developer storage amount. However, the electronic tag attached to the outer peripheral surface of the container body may fall off the container body. When the electronic tag drops out of the container main body, the drive amount monitoring unit can not calculate the cumulative drive amount of the drive unit, and it becomes impossible to determine erroneous mounting of the developer container.

  Therefore, the second history information representing the history regarding the drive amount of the drive unit after the selection request information is output by the drive amount monitoring unit to the second history storage unit arranged in the apparatus body identifies the developer container. Stored in association with the identification information. At the timing when the selection request information is output from the drive amount monitoring unit, the cumulative drive amount of the drive unit exceeds the intermediate value in the management range indicating a value larger than the assumed total drive amount, and the developer container is not in error. There is an increased possibility of component damage and noise due to the mounting, and there is also an increased possibility of failure of the image forming apparatus. By storing the second history information at least after the selection request information is output in association with the identification information of the developer storage container in the second history storage unit disposed in the device main body, the electronic tag from the container main body Even in the case where the drive force monitor is dropped, the drive amount monitoring unit can calculate the cumulative drive amount of the drive unit based on the second history information. As a result, it is possible to determine whether or not the developer container is erroneously mounted, and the user can recognize the erroneous mounting of the developer container based on the erroneous mounting information indicating the determination result, thereby preventing the developer container from being erroneously mounted. It is possible to suppress as much as possible damage to component parts, noise, and failure of the image forming apparatus.

  In the above-described image forming apparatus, the developer transport unit is inserted into the shaft disposed in the container body and the shaft, and moves along the shaft to move the developer in the container body. And a moving wall that conveys toward the discharge port.

  In this aspect, the drive amount monitoring unit monitors the drive amount of the drive unit that moves the moving wall along the shaft. If the cumulative drive amount of the drive unit that moves the moving wall exceeds the estimated total drive amount, and the moving wall continues to be moved by the drive unit in a state where the wrong mounting of the developer container is determined, the moving wall runs idle on the shaft. As a result, noise is generated and damage due to collision of the moving wall with the inner wall of the container body is caused. Therefore, the drive amount monitoring unit determines erroneous mounting of the developer container, and the user recognizes the erroneous mounting of the developer container based on the erroneous mounting information indicating the determination result. It is possible to prevent as much as possible the damage and noise around the moving wall caused by the failure and the failure of the image forming apparatus.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of determining whether or not mounting of the developer container with respect to the developing device is erroneous mounting.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a state where a part of the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus is opened. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an internal structure of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing an internal structure of a developing device attached to the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing how the developer is replenished to the developing device by a volume replenishment system. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a developer container installed in the image forming apparatus. It is an exploded perspective view of a developer storage container. It is the VIII-VIII sectional view taken on the line of FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the image forming apparatus.

[Entire configuration of image forming apparatus]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a printer 100 (image forming apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a state in which a part of the apparatus main body 101 of the printer 100 is opened, 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the printer 100. FIG. The printer 100 shown as an example of the image forming apparatus here is a so-called monochrome printer. However, in other embodiments, the image forming apparatus is a color printer, a facsimile machine, a multifunction machine having these functions, or a toner image as a sheet. It may be another device for forming it. It should be noted that the terms used to indicate directions such as “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “rear”, “left” and “right” used in the following description are merely for the purpose of clarifying the explanation. There is no limitation on the principle of the image forming apparatus.

  The printer 100 includes an apparatus main body 101 that houses various apparatuses for forming an image on the sheet S. The apparatus main body 101 includes an upper wall 102 defining the upper surface of the apparatus main body 101, a bottom wall 103 defining the bottom surface of the apparatus main body 101, and a main body rear wall 105 erected between the upper wall 102 and the bottom wall 103. And a front cover 104 positioned in front of the main body rear wall 105. The apparatus main body 101 includes a main body internal space 106 in which various apparatuses are arranged. In the main body internal space 106, a sheet conveyance path PP in which the sheet S is conveyed in a predetermined conveyance direction is extended.

  A paper discharge unit 102 </ b> A is disposed at the center of the upper wall 102. The paper discharge unit 102 </ b> A includes an inclined surface that is inclined downward from the front portion to the rear portion of the upper wall 102. The sheet S on which an image is formed is discharged to the sheet discharge unit 102A in an image forming unit 120 described later. A manual feed tray 104 </ b> A is disposed on the front cover 104. The front side of the sheet discharge unit 102A is configured by an upper cover 102B that can be opened upward. The manual feed tray 104A is pivotable up and down with the lower end as a fulcrum (arrow DT in FIG. 3). When the upper cover 102B of the upper wall 102 is opened in addition to the manual feed tray 104A, the toner container 30 mounted in the main body internal space 106 is exposed as shown in FIG. 2, and the toner container 30 can be attached and detached. Become.

  The internal structure of the printer 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The printer 100 includes a sheet feeding cassette 110, a pickup roller 112, a first sheet feeding roller 113, a second sheet feeding roller 114, a conveyance roller 115, a pair of registration rollers 116, an image forming unit 120, and a fixing device 130.

  The sheet feeding cassette 110 can be pulled forward with respect to the apparatus main body 101, and accommodates the sheet S therein. The cassette 110 includes a lift plate 111 that pushes up the leading edge of the sheet S. The pickup roller 112 is disposed on the leading edge of the sheet S pushed up by the lift plate 111. When the pickup roller 112 rotates, the sheet S is pulled out of the sheet feeding cassette 110. The first paper feed roller 113 is disposed downstream of the pickup roller 112 and sends the sheet S further downstream. The second paper feed roller 114 is disposed on the inner side (rear side) of the fulcrum of the manual feed tray 104A, and draws the sheet S on the manual feed tray 104A into the housing 101.

  The transport roller 115 is disposed downstream of the first paper feed roller 113 and the second paper feed roller 114 in the sheet transport direction, and transports the sheet S further downstream. The registration roller pair 116 has a function of correcting the oblique conveyance of the sheet S. Thereby, the position of the image formed on the sheet S is adjusted. The registration roller pair 116 supplies the sheet S to the image forming unit 120 in accordance with the timing of image formation by the image forming unit 120.

  The image forming unit 120 includes a photosensitive drum 121 (image carrier), a charger 122, an exposure device 123, a developing device 20, a toner container 30 (developer container), a transfer roller 124, and a cleaning device 125.

  The photosensitive drum 121 has an electrostatic latent image and a circumferential surface carrying a toner image (developer image) corresponding to the electrostatic latent image. A predetermined charging bias is applied to the charging device 122 to charge the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121 substantially uniformly. The exposure device 123 scans the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 121 charged by the charger 122 with laser light modulated with image data. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data is formed on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 121 by this scanning. The exposure device 123 is supported by a support frame disposed inside the housing 101.

  The developing device 20 supplies toner (developer) to the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 121 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed. The toner container 30 supplies toner to the developing device 20. The toner container 30 is detachably disposed with respect to the developing device 20. When the developing device 20 supplies the toner to the photosensitive drum 121, the electrostatic latent image formed on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 121 is developed (visualized). As a result, a toner image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121.

  The transfer roller 124 forms a transfer nip portion with the photosensitive drum 121 and transfers the toner image carried on the circumferential surface of the drum to the sheet S. The cleaning device 125 removes toner remaining on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 121 after the toner image is transferred to the sheet S.

  The fixing device 130 is disposed downstream of the image forming unit 120 in the conveyance direction, and fixes the toner image on the sheet S. The fixing device 130 includes a heating roller 131 for melting the toner on the sheet S and a pressure roller 132 for bringing the sheet S into close contact with the heating roller 131.

  The printer 100 further includes a transport roller pair 133 disposed downstream of the fixing device 130 and a discharge roller pair 134 disposed downstream of the transport roller pair 133. The sheet S is conveyed upward by the conveyance roller pair 133 and finally discharged from the apparatus main body 101 by the discharge roller pair 134. The sheets S discharged from the apparatus main body 101 are stacked on the paper discharge unit 102A.

<About development device>
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the developing device 20. As shown in FIG. The developing device 20 includes a developing roller 21, a developing housing 200, first and second stirring screws 23 and 24 accommodated in the developing housing 200, and a toner supply port 25 opened in the developing housing 200. ing.

  The developing roller 21 has a cylindrical shape, and includes a roller shaft extending in the left-right direction and a sleeve portion that is disposed on the outer peripheral portion and is driven to rotate. The developing housing 200 has a box-like shape elongated in the axial direction of the developing roller 21, and includes the developer conveyance path 26 and the partition plate 22 in the inner space thereof. The developer transport path 26 is a path through which the developer is filled and the developer is circulated and transported. In the present embodiment, a one-component developing method is applied, and the developer conveyance path 26 is filled with toner as a developer. In another embodiment to which the two-component development method is applied, the developer conveyance path 26 is filled with a mixture of toner and a magnetic carrier as a developer. The toner is agitated and conveyed in the developer conveyance path 26 and is sequentially supplied from the developing roller 21 to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed in order to develop the electrostatic latent image.

  The developer transport path 26 includes a first transport path 261 and a second transport path 262. In the first conveyance path 261, the developer is conveyed in the direction of the arrow D1 along the axial direction of the developing roller 21. The second conveyance path 262 is disposed between the developing roller 21 and the first conveyance path 261. In the second conveyance path 262, the developer is conveyed in the arrow D2 direction opposite to the first conveyance direction. The upper part of the developer conveyance path 26 is covered with a housing top plate (not shown).

  The partition plate 22 is disposed in the developing housing 200 so as to extend in the left-right direction. The partition plate 22 connects the first conveyance passage 261 and the second conveyance passage 262 along the axial direction of the developing roller 21 so as to connect the first conveyance passage 261 and the second conveyance passage 262 at both left and right ends. I am divided. Therefore, the partition plate 22 is set shorter than the width of the developing housing 200 in the left-right direction. As a result, as shown by arrows D 1, D 2, D 3 and D 4, the developer transport path 26 is a circulation path leading to the first transport path 261, the first communication path 263, the second transport path 262 and the second communication path 264 Has been.

  The toner supply port 25 is an opening portion opened in the top plate of the developing housing 200. The toner replenishing port 25 is disposed above the right end of the first transport path 261 so as to face the above-described circulation path, and supplies the replenishment toner (supplement developer) replenished from the toner container 30 to the developer transport path 26. It is an opening that accepts (inflows).

  The first stirring screw 23 is disposed in the first conveyance path 261, and includes a first screw shaft 23A and a spiral blade 23B protruding in a spiral shape on the periphery of the first screw shaft 23A. The first screw shaft 23A extends in the left-right direction parallel to the developing roller 21. The first agitating screw 23 is rotated about the first screw shaft 23A as an axis of rotation (arrow R2), and conveys toner in the direction of arrow D1 in FIG. The first agitation screw 23 conveys the toner in the first conveyance path 261 so as to pass below the toner supply port 25. As a result, the first stirring screw 23 conveys the new toner flowing from the toner supply port 25 and the toner carried from the second conveyance path 262 side to the first conveyance path 261 while mixing each other.

  A paddle 23C is disposed on the downstream side of the first stirring screw 23 in the toner conveyance direction (D1 direction). The paddle 23C is a plate-like member disposed on the first screw shaft 23A. The paddle 23C is rotated together with the first screw shaft 23A and delivers the toner from the first conveyance path 261 to the second conveyance path 262 through the first communication path 263 in the direction of arrow D4 in FIG.

  The second stirring screw 24 is disposed in the second conveying path 262, and extends in the left-right direction. The second screw shaft 24A and the spiral blade 24B projecting in a spiral shape on the periphery of the second screw shaft 24A Including. The second stirring screw 24 is rotated with the second screw shaft 24A as a rotation axis (arrow R1), and supplies the toner to the developing roller 21 while conveying the toner in the direction of the arrow D2 in FIG. A paddle 24C is disposed downstream of the second stirring screw 24 in the toner conveyance direction (D2 direction). The paddle 24C is rotated together with the second screw shaft 24A, and delivers the toner from the second conveyance path 262 to the first conveyance path 261 through the second communication path 264 in the direction of arrow D3 in FIG.

  The toner container 30 is disposed above the toner supply port 25 of the developing housing 200 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The toner container 30 is provided with a toner discharge port 30P (FIG. 4). The toner discharge port 30 P is disposed at the bottom of the toner container 30 so as to face the toner supply port 25 of the developing device 20. The toner dropped from the toner discharge port 30P is supplied to the developing device 20 from the toner supply port 25.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the printer 100 of this embodiment detects a toner contained in the toner container 30, that is, a predetermined amount of toner in an accommodation space 31 </ b> S described later of the toner container 30. A toner sensor 60 is provided for detecting whether or not the toner exists. The toner sensor 60 is a magnetic permeability sensor that detects the magnetic permeability of the detection target. The toner sensor 60 is attached to the inner wall side of the front cover 104. When the front cover 104 is closed with respect to the apparatus main body 101, the toner sensor 60 contacts the sensor contact surface 30A set on the outer periphery of the toner container 30. It will be in a state of

<About toner supply>
Next, the flow of toner newly supplied from the toner supply port 25 will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the toner supply port 25 disposed in the developing device 20 and the toner discharge port 30 </ b> P disposed in the toner container 30. The replenishing toner T2 supplied from the toner discharge port 30P to the toner replenishing port 25 falls to the first conveying path 261 and is mixed with the existing toner T1, and is conveyed by the first agitating screw 23 in the direction of arrow D1. At this time, the toners T1 and T2 are agitated and charged.

  The first stirring screw 23 is provided downstream of the toner supply port 25 with a conveyance capability suppressing portion 28 for partially suppressing the conveyance capability of the first agitation screw 23 with respect to the toner conveyance direction. In the present embodiment, the transport capacity suppressing portion 28 exemplifies a plate-like paddle arranged between the adjacent spiral blades 23B of the first stirring screw 23. As the conveyance capability suppression unit 28 rotates around the first screw shaft 23A, the toner conveyed from the upstream side of the conveyance capability suppression unit 28 starts to stay. Then, the stagnation of these toners accumulates to a position immediately upstream of the transport capacity suppressing portion 28 and at a position where the toner supply port 25 faces the first transport path 261. As a result, a toner retention portion 29 is formed in a region where the toner supply port 25 faces.

  When the replenishing toner T2 is replenished from the toner replenishing port 25 and the amount of toner in the developer conveyance path 26 increases, the toner staying in the retention portion 29 seals the toner replenishing port 25 from the lower side, Suppress replenishment. Thereafter, when the toner in the developer conveyance path 26 is consumed from the developing roller 21 and the amount of toner retained in the retention portion 29 decreases, the toner which has blocked the toner replenishment port 25 decreases, and the retention portion 29 and the toner replenishment port 25 There is a gap between the As a result, the replenishment toner T2 flows again from the toner replenishment port 25 into the developer transport path 26 (first transport path 261). As described above, in the present embodiment, in accordance with the decrease of the toner staying in the retention portion 29, the toner replenishment form of the volume replenishment system is adopted in which the amount of acceptance of the replenishment toner amount is adjusted.

[Toner container structure]
Next, the structure of the toner container 30 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 is a plan view of the toner container 30, FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the toner container 30, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG.

  The toner container 30 is a cylindrical body extending in a direction from left to right (arrow DA direction in FIG. 8, hereinafter referred to as “first direction DA” in this specification), and supplies toner (developer) therein. Accommodate. The toner container 30 includes a container main body 31 (container main body), a container shutter 32, a shaft 33, a moving wall 34, a drive member 344, a rotating body 35, a first gear member 36 and a second gear member 37.

  The toner container 30 is detachable from the developing device 20 in the apparatus main body 101 and includes a container main body 31 and a container shutter 32. The container main body 31 is a cylindrical portion that constitutes the main body of the toner container 30, and contains toner inside. The container shutter 32 is mounted on the circumference of the container body 31 near the right end.

  The left end side of the container main body 31 is an open end, and a lid 311 is attached to the left end side in order to close it. A drive input unit including a first gear member 36 and a second gear member 37, which will be described later, is disposed on the right end side of the container main body 31, and a cover portion 313 is attached to the right end side to cover it. In order to guide the mounting of the toner container 30 to the developing device 20, a left guide portion 312 is provided on the left side surface of the lid portion 311, and a right guide portion 314 is provided on the right side surface of the cover portion 313. .

  The container main body 31 is opened on the wall surface of the container main body 31 so as to be in communication with the inner peripheral surface 31A (FIG. 8) defining the internal space 31H extending in a cylindrical shape along the first direction DA. Toner outlet 30P (FIGS. 6 and 8). The lid 311 (first side wall) described above is disposed at the left end side (upstream side in the first direction DA) of the container main body 31, and the right wall 316 (second side) is disposed at the right end side (downstream side in the first direction DA). Side walls are arranged. That is, the internal space 31H is a space closed by the inner circumferential surface 31A, the lid 311 and the right wall 316.

  The right wall 316 is an integral part of the container body 31. The right wall 316 is formed with a main body bearing portion 31J for pivotally supporting the right end side of the shaft portion 33. On the inner side surface of the lid portion 311, a shaft support portion 311A for supporting the left end side of the shaft 33 is provided. The lid 311 is welded so as to close the left opening of the container main body 31 by ultrasonic welding after the shaft 33, the moving wall 34, the drive member 344, and the rotating body 35 are assembled in the internal space 31H. The toner discharge port 30P has a rectangular shape with a predetermined length along the first direction DA at a position close to the right wall 316, and with a predetermined width in the circumferential direction along the arc shape of the bottom of the container body 31. It is open to the

  The container shutter 32 is supported so as to be slidable in the circumferential direction with respect to the container main body 31, and has a function of sealing and opening the toner discharge port 30P of the container main body 31. The container shutter 32 has a shutter main body 321, a lock portion 322 and a lock release portion 323 (FIG. 6). The shutter body 321 is a plate having a function of sealing and opening the toner discharge port 30P. The lock portion 322 is supported so as to be swingable with respect to the shutter body 321, and has a function of permitting or restricting the sliding movement of the shutter body 321 relative to the container body 31. The lock release part 323 is a protruding piece provided in the lock part 322. When the lock release portion 323 is pressed, a lock piece (not shown) provided on the lock portion 322 is disengaged from the engaging portion formed on the container main body 31, and the slide movement of the shutter main body 321 is permitted.

  The shaft 33 is disposed to extend in the first direction DA in the internal space 31H, and is a shaft serving as a movement axis of the moving wall 34 and the drive member 344 and a rotation axis of the rotating body 35. The shaft 33 includes a first end 331, a second end 332, a male spiral portion 333, a final position defining portion 334 of the moving wall 34, a support ring portion 335 and a flange portion 336. The first end portion 331 is a right end portion of the shaft 33 that protrudes to the right side through the main body bearing portion 31J. A pair of D-cut surfaces are formed on the peripheral surface of the first end 331. The second end portion 332 is a left end portion of the shaft 33 and is pivotally supported by a pivotally supporting portion 311A of the lid portion 311.

  The male spiral portion 333 is a screw portion spirally extending in the first direction DA on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 33. The male spiral portion 333 is formed from a region adjacent to the lid portion 311 in the shaft 33 to a region upstream of the toner discharge port 30P in the first direction DA. The final position defining portion 334 is a region of the shaft 33, which is disposed continuously on the downstream side of the male spiral portion 333 in the first direction DA, and is a region of only the axial portion where the circumferential protrusion does not exist. The final position defining portion 334 is an area for defining the final position of the movement of the movable wall 34 in the shaft 33. The support ring portion 335 is disposed adjacent to the right side of the final position defining portion 334, and a plurality of ring-shaped protrusions having substantially the same radial outer diameter as the male spiral portion 333 are provided in the first direction DA. It is a continuous area. The flange portion 336 is a disc-shaped portion disposed between the first end portion 331 and the support ring portion 335.

  The moving wall 34 is a wall portion disposed facing the first direction DA in the inside (the internal space 31H) of the container main body 31. The movable wall 34 includes an outer peripheral surface 34R disposed to face the inner peripheral surface 31A of the container body 31, and a transport surface 34S which defines a storage space 31S for storing the replenishment toner together with the inner peripheral surface 31A. That is, in the internal space 31H, a region between the inner surface of the right wall 375 and the conveyance surface 34S which is the inner surface of the movable wall 34 is the housing space 31S in which the toner is actually stored.

  The moving wall 34 has an insertion hole 34A through which the shaft 33 is inserted, and a cylindrical tubular portion 343A extending in the first direction DA at the outer peripheral portion of the insertion hole 34A. The insertion hole 34A of the moving wall 34 is formed near the center in the radial direction. Further, the cylindrical portion 343A of the moving wall 34 extends toward the upstream side (left side) in the first direction DA at the outer peripheral portion of the insertion hole 34A. With the drive member 344 assembled to the shaft 33 inserted into the cylindrical portion 343A, the movable wall 34 is moved in the internal space 31H in the first direction DA along with the movement of the drive member 344. In other words, the movable wall 34 moves integrally with the drive member 344 in the first direction DA in a state where the drive member 344 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 343A, and transfers the toner in the storage space 31S to the toner discharge port 30P. Transport toward.

  Referring to FIG. 8, the movable wall 34 is composed of an assembly of three plate-like members aligned in the left-right direction of the wall plate 341, the seal member 342 and the wall main body portion 343. The assembly is pressed by the drive member 344 and moves in the first direction DA, as will be described in detail later. The wall plate 341 is a plate disposed downstream of the moving wall 34 in the first direction DA and formed by resin molding. The right side surface of the wall plate 341 is the above-described transport surface 34S. The transport surface 34S transports the toner in the accommodation space 31S while pressing the toner in the first direction DA as the moving wall 34 moves in the first direction DA.

  The seal member 342 is a member that is disposed at a position sandwiched between the wall plate 341 and the wall main body 343 and is formed of a urethane material having a predetermined thickness in the first direction DA. The outer peripheral portion of the seal member 342 constitutes the outer peripheral surface 34R of the moving wall 34 described above. The wall main body 343 is a plate that is disposed on the most upstream side in the first direction DA in the moving wall 34 and is formed by resin molding. The tubular portion 343A described above extends from the upstream surface of the wall main body portion 343 in the first direction DA. When the wall plate 341, the seal member 342, and the wall main portion 343 are integrally assembled, the outer peripheral portion of the seal member 342 is disposed radially outward. As a result, the outer peripheral portion (the outer peripheral surface 34R of the moving wall 34) of the seal member 342 is compressed and deformed by the inner peripheral surface 31A of the container main body 31. As a result, the toner in the storage space 31S is prevented from flowing out between the inner circumferential surface 31A and the outer circumferential surface 34R upstream of the moving wall 34 in the first direction DA.

  The driving member 344 is disposed on the upstream side of the moving wall 34 in the first direction DA, moves along the shaft portion 33 in the first direction DA, and moves the moving wall 34. The drive member 344 is configured to be assembled to the shaft portion 33 at an arbitrary position with respect to the first direction DA so as to cover at least a part of the shaft 33 in the circumferential direction. The moving wall 34 is positioned with respect to the drive member 344 by inserting the drive member 344 assembled to the shaft 33 into the cylindrical portion 343A. The driving member 344 inserted into the cylindrical portion 343A of the moving wall 34 is in a state of being disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 343A and the shaft portion 33. The drive member 344 in a state of being disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 343A and the shaft 33 is restricted from integrally rotating with the rotation around the axis of the shaft 33.

  The rotary body 35 is disposed above the toner discharge port 30P and adjacent to the right wall 316 in the accommodation space 31S. The rotating body 35 is supported by the shaft 33 so as to be rotatable about the axis of the shaft 33. The rotating body 35 includes an engaging portion 351 that receives an input of a rotational driving force on the right end side. Although the detailed description is omitted, the rotating body 35 has the following three functions. The first function of the rotator 35 is a part of the inner peripheral surface 31A that partitions the accommodation space 31S of the container main body 31, and is a toner detection surface (sensor contact surface 30A in FIG. Of the inner side of). The second function of the rotating body 35 is a function of stirring the toner in the storage space 31S. The third function of the rotating body 35 is a function for detecting that the container main body 31 (toner container 30) is present in the apparatus main body 101.

  The rotary body 35 includes a flat plate portion 35A, a cylindrical boss portion 35B protruding leftward from near the radial center of the flat plate portion 35A, and a rear surface boss portion 35C protruding rightward. In the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge of the flat plate portion 35A, a cleaning film for performing the first function, a stirring rib for performing the second function, and a metal tape support plate for performing the third function Is arranged. A hollow portion is provided inside the cylindrical boss portion 35 B, and the cylindrical boss portion 44 is externally fitted to the shaft 33 such that the vicinity of the first end portion 331 of the shaft 33 penetrates the hollow portion. The shaft 33 also penetrates the back surface boss 35C. The right end portion of the rear surface boss 35C is an engaging portion 351 engaged with a connecting portion 373 of a second gear member 37 described later. A first seal 352 and a second seal 353 are accommodated in the cylindrical boss portion 35B and the rear surface boss portion 35C, respectively, to prevent toner leakage.

  The first gear member 36 transmits a rotational driving force to the shaft portion 33. The first gear member 36 includes a gear portion 361 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the disk-like member, and a cylindrical portion 362 provided to the left from the radial center of the disk-like member. At the left end of the cylindrical portion 362, an engaging portion 362A is provided in a protruding manner. A ratchet mechanism composed of a ratchet gear 363 and a ratchet shaft 364 is assembled to the first gear member 36 in order to transmit only a rotational force in one direction to the shaft 33. The left end portion of the ratchet shaft 364 is provided with a connecting portion 365 having a D-shape inside. The first end 331 having the D-cut surface of the shaft 33 is fitted to the connecting portion 365. On the other hand, the central portion of the ratchet shaft 364 is inserted into the ratchet gear 363, and the right end thereof is inserted into the cylindrical portion 362 of the first gear member 36.

  The rotational drive force of the first drive unit M1 (FIG. 6, first drive motor) is input to the gear unit 361 via the transmission gear of the developing device 20. Due to this rotational driving force, the first gear member 36 is rotated in a predetermined rotation direction, and the shaft 33 is rotated around the axis through the ratchet mechanism. The rotation of the shaft 33 moves the drive member 344 in the first direction DA, and moves the movable wall 34 in the first direction DA. Although the rotation direction of the first gear member 36 depends on the spiral direction of the male spiral portion 333 of the shaft 33, it is the rotation direction in which the moving wall 34 is moved in the first direction DA. When a rotational driving force reverse to this is applied to the gear portion 361, the reverse rotational driving force is not transmitted to the shaft 33 by the ratchet mechanism (the ratchet gear 363 idles).

  The second gear member 37 transmits a rotational driving force to the rotating body 35. The second gear member 37 includes a gear portion 371 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the disk-like member, and a cylindrical portion 372 protruding leftward from the radial center of the disk-like member. The left end of the cylindrical portion 372 is a connecting portion 373 having a recess that engages with the engaging portion 351 of the rotating body 35. A rotational driving force of the second driving unit M2 (FIG. 6, second driving motor) is input to the gear unit 371 via a transmission gear included in the developing device 20. In the present embodiment, the second gear member 37 is rotationally driven in synchronization with the developing roller 21 and the first and second stirring screws 23 and 24 of the developing device 20. When the second gear member 37 is rotationally driven, a rotational driving force is transmitted to the rotating body 35 through the engaging portion between the connecting portion 373 and the engaging portion 351, and the rotating body 35 rotates around the shaft 33. Is done.

  The cover 313 is attached to the right end side of the container body 31. The cover part 313 is provided with the opening part 315 which exposes a part of circumferential direction of the 1st, 2nd gear members 36 and 37 outside. When the toner container 30 is attached to the developing device 20, the gear portion 361 of the first gear member 36, the gear portion 371 of the second gear member 37, and the transmission gear of the developing device 20 (not shown) And the teeth are engaged.

  A closing lid 317 is attached to the right wall 316 of the container main body 31 to subsequently close the toner filling hole for filling the storage space 31S with the toner. When the toner is filled into the storage space 31S, the toner is filled into the storage space 31S by the filling nozzle through the toner filling hole in a state where the cover portion 313 is not attached. After filling, the closing lid 317 is fitted and welded to the toner filling hole, and the cover portion 313 is attached to the right end side of the container body 31.

<About the movement of the moving wall>
The toner container 30 is mounted on the developing device 20 by the user. During this mounting, the container shutter 32 is rotated and the toner discharge port 30P is opened. As a result, the toner discharge port 30P is arranged above the toner supply port 25 (FIGS. 4 and 5). As described above, when the new toner container 30 is attached to the printer 100, the container control unit 53 (FIG. 9 described later) of the control unit 50 described later drives the first drive unit M1 to set the first gear member 36. The shaft 33 is driven to rotate. As a result, due to the engagement between the male spiral portion 333 of the shaft 33 and the female spiral portion 347 of the drive member 344, the drive member 344 moves in the first direction DA. With the movement of the driving member 344, the moving wall 34 is pressed, and the moving wall 34 moves toward the toner discharge port 30 P, thereby conveying the toner toward the toner discharge port 30 P in the container body 31. The structure configured to include the shaft 33 and the moving wall 34 moving along the shaft 33 functions as a developer transport unit that transports the toner toward the toner discharge port 30P in the container body 31. When the moving wall 34 moves toward the toner discharge port 30P, the conveyance surface 34S pushes the toner and increases the draft level of the toner in the accommodation space 31S.

  Eventually, when the moving wall 34 moves rightward from the initial position by a predetermined distance, the draft level of the toner exceeds the height position of the toner detection surface (sensor contact surface 30A; FIG. 2). Then, the toner sensor 60 detects the toner and outputs a predetermined detection signal (for example, a HIGH signal). The container control unit 53 receives the HIGH signal output from the toner sensor 60, stops the rotation of the shaft 33, and stops the movement of the moving wall 34.

  As described based on FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, a volume replenishment type toner replenishment type is adopted. For this reason, when the toner retention part 29 (FIG. 5) on the developing device 20 side seals the toner replenishing port 25 from below, the replenishing toner T2 does not fall from the toner container 30. On the other hand, when the toner is supplied from the developing roller 21 to the photosensitive drum 121 and the toner in the staying portion 29 decreases, the toner flows into the developing device 20 from the toner discharge port 30P through the toner supply port 25. As a result, in the storage space 31S of the toner container 30, the toner around the toner detection surface disappears, so the toner sensor 60 outputs a predetermined non-detection signal (for example, a LOW signal). In response to the LOW signal, the container control unit 53 drives the first drive unit M1 until the toner sensor 60 outputs the HIGH signal, and further moves the moving wall 34 toward the toner discharge port 30P.

  In accordance with the developing operation in the developing device 20, the container control unit 53 drives the second driving unit M2 to rotationally drive the developing roller 21 and the like. In conjunction with this rotation operation, the rotating body 35 is rotated around the shaft portion 33 via the second gear member 37. The rotating body 35 is disposed corresponding to the position where the toner discharge port 30P and the toner detection surface exist in the housing space 31S. By the rotation of the rotating body 35, the toner detection surface is cleaned, the toner in the vicinity of the toner discharge port 30P is loosened by agitation, and an operation of pushing the toner into the toner discharge port 30P is executed. As a result, the toner detection by the toner sensor 60 is accurately executed, the fluidity of the toner is increased, and the toner is stably dropped from the toner discharge port 30P.

  When the printing operation is repeated and the toner in the accommodation space 31S of the toner container 30 continues to be used, the moving wall 34 eventually reaches the final position before the toner discharge port 30P. As described above, the moving wall 34 gradually moves in the first direction DA, whereby the toner in the accommodation space 31S is conveyed to the toner discharge port 30P while being pressed by the moving wall 34. The accommodation space 31S is gradually reduced until the moving wall 34 reaches the final position. That is, in the inside of the toner container 30, the space itself in which the toner is present is gradually dissipated. As a result, compared with the conventional toner container in which the volume of the accommodation space 31S does not change, the amount of toner remaining in the container body 31 can be reduced at the end of use.

  In this embodiment, the moving wall 34 stops at a final position slightly upstream of the toner discharge port 30P in the first direction DA. Specifically, when the female spiral portion 345 of the drive member 344 reaches the final position defining portion 334 as the moving wall 34 moves, the engagement between the male spiral portion 333 and the female spiral portion 345 is released. As a result, the transfer of the moving force from the shaft 33 to the drive member 344 is lost, and the moving wall 34 stops at the final position. At this time, the moving wall 34 reaches the support ring portion 335 on the shaft 33, and is stably supported by the support ring portion 33.

[Printer control system]
Next, the control system of the printer 100 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The printer 100 further includes an operation unit 11, a display unit 12, an image formation drive unit 120A, an electronic tag 3T, a tag access unit 3T3, a drive amount detection unit 61, and a control unit 50.

  The drive amount detection unit 61 detects the drive amount of the first drive unit M1 for moving the moving wall 34. As a drive amount of the first drive unit M1, a drive time, a drive rotation speed, and the like of the first drive unit M1 can be mentioned.

  The electronic tag 3T is attached to the outer peripheral surface 34R of the container main body 31, as shown in FIG. The electronic tag 3T is, for example, an RF (Radio Frequency) tag. The electronic tag 3T includes a first history storage unit 3T1 and a wireless communication unit 3T2. The first history storage unit 3T1 of the electronic tag 3T stores first history information representing a history related to the drive amount of the first drive unit M1 detected by the drive amount detection unit 61.

  The tag access unit 3T3 is disposed in the device main body 101 so as to face the electronic tag 3T. The tag access unit 3T3 is a device capable of performing access processing to the first history storage unit 3T1 of the electronic tag 3T by performing near field communication with the wireless communication unit 3T2 of the electronic tag 3T. The access process performed by the tag access unit 3T3 includes a read process for reading the first history information stored in the first history storage unit 3T1, and a write process for writing the first history information in the first history storage unit 3T1.

  The operation unit 11 is connected to the control unit 50 so as to be able to perform data communication, and is an interface that receives user operations and information from external devices. For example, information such as the number of sheets S to be printed, the size of the sheet S, the type of the sheet S, the print start command information indicating the start of printing, and the image forming process information regarding the conditions of the image forming process are input to the operation unit 11. . The display unit 12 is connected to the control unit 50 so as to be capable of data communication, and displays message information on an image forming operation of the printer 100 and message information on mounting of the toner container 30 for notifying a user.

  The image forming drive unit 120A is a drive unit that operates the photosensitive drum 121, the charger 122, the exposure device 123, the transfer roller 124, and the cleaning device 125 other than the developing device 20 and the toner container 30 in the image forming unit 120. is there.

  The control unit 50 is disposed in the apparatus main body 101, and performs overall control of the operation of the printer 100, the image formation control unit 52, the container control unit 53, the communication unit 54, and the second It includes a history storage unit 55, a history information management unit 56, and a drive amount monitoring unit 57.

  The arithmetic processing unit 51 is a computer including a CPU and a memory, and the image formation control unit 52, the container control unit 53, the communication unit 54, the second history storage unit 55, the history information management unit 56, and the like via the bus 50A. And the driving amount monitoring unit 57. The arithmetic processing unit 51 executes an image forming process based on the image forming program, and executes various arithmetic processes associated therewith.

  The communication unit 54 is an interface for data communication with the operation unit 11, the display unit 12, the container sensor 60, and the drive amount detection unit 61. The history information management unit 56 controls access processing to the first history storage unit 3T1 of the electronic tag 3T in the tag access unit 3T3 that performs near field communication with the wireless communication unit 3T2 of the electronic tag 3T. That is, the history information management unit 56 causes the tag access unit 3T3 to read the first history information stored in the first history storage unit 3T1, and the tag access unit 3T3 stores the first history information in the first history storage unit 3T1. Control the writing process.

  The image formation control unit 52 is connected to the image formation drive unit 120A so as to be capable of data communication, and transmits a control signal related to the control of the image formation operation of the image formation unit 120 to the image formation drive unit 120A. When the communication unit 54 receives the image formation processing information input to the operation unit 11, the image formation control unit 52 transmits a control signal corresponding to the image formation processing information to the image formation drive unit 120A. When receiving the control signal transmitted from the image forming control unit 52, the image forming driving unit 120A controls the image forming operation of the image forming unit 120 according to the control signal.

  The container control unit 53 is connected to the first drive unit M1 so as to be capable of data communication, and transmits, to the first drive unit M1, a control signal related to control of the movement of the movable wall 34 along the shaft 33. Further, the container control unit 53 is connected to the second drive unit M2 so as to be able to perform data communication, and transmits a control signal related to the rotation control of the rotating body 35 to the second drive unit M2.

  Here, as described above, the toner container 30 is detachably mounted to the developing device 20. At this time, an inappropriate toner container 30 which is incompatible with the mounting on the developing device 20 or a used toner container 30 may be erroneously mounted. If the toner container 30 is erroneously attached to the developing device 20 and the moving wall 34 continues to be moved by the first drive unit M1 in this state, the moving wall 34 is idled at the final position defining unit 334 on the shaft 33 and noise is generated. May occur, the inner wall of the container body 31 or the moving wall 34 may collide with the rotating body 35, and the printer 100 may break down.

  Therefore, the drive amount monitoring unit 57 controls the toner container 30 to be a developing device based on the first history information representing the history regarding the drive amount of the first drive unit M1 stored in the first history storage unit 3T1 of the electronic tag 3T. An accumulated drive amount representing an accumulated value of the drive amount of the first drive unit M1 after being mounted on the drive unit 20 is calculated. Furthermore, the drive amount monitoring unit 57 monitors whether the calculated cumulative drive amount falls within a predetermined management range. The first drive assumed to be necessary for discharging the entire amount of toner stored in the container body 31 to the developing device 20 in an initial state before the toner container 30 is attached to the developing device 20. The assumed total drive amount of the part M1 is set to a range that makes the minimum value. The management range is set to, for example, a range from the assumed total drive amount to 120% of the assumed total drive amount. In this case, the intermediate value in the management range is set to a value of 110% of the assumed total drive amount, and the maximum value in the management range is set to a value of 120% of the assumed total drive amount. Further, the estimated total drive amount as the minimum value, the intermediate value, and the maximum value in the management range are stored in advance in the first history storage unit 3T1 of the electronic tag 3T.

  When the calculated cumulative drive amount exceeds the assumed total drive amount as the minimum value within the management range, the drive amount monitoring unit 57 indicates that there is a possibility that the toner container 30 is erroneously attached to the developing device 20. A determination is made and erroneous mounting information representing the determination result is output. The erroneous mounting information output from the drive amount monitoring unit 57 is input to the display unit 12, and the erroneous mounting information is displayed on the display unit 12. The erroneous mounting information displayed on the display unit 12 is, for example, message information such as “possibility of erroneous mounting of toner container and possibility of damage to toner container”. As described above, the driving amount monitoring unit 57 monitors the driving amount of the first driving unit M1 that moves the moving wall 34, so that it is determined whether the mounting of the toner container 30 to the developing device 20 is erroneous mounting. It becomes possible. The user of the printer 100 recognizes whether or not the attachment of the toner container 30 to the developing device 20 is an erroneous attachment by referring to the incorrect attachment information output from the drive amount monitoring unit 57 and displayed on the display unit 12 can do. As a result, damage and noise around the moving wall 34 due to erroneous mounting of the toner container 30, and failure of the printer 100 can be suppressed as much as possible.

  The moving wall 34 continues to be driven by the first driving unit M1 in a state where the toner container 30 is erroneously mounted, and the cumulative driving amount of the first driving unit M1 indicates a value larger than the estimated total driving amount in the management range When the intermediate value is exceeded, there is a high possibility that the components of the toner container 30 will be damaged or noisy, and the possibility that the printer 100 will break down is also increased.

  Therefore, in the case where the cumulative driving amount of the first drive unit M1 exceeds the intermediate value in the management range, the driving amount monitoring unit 57 adds the toner to the developing device 20 in addition to the erroneous mounting information. The selection request information for requesting selection of whether or not to continue using is output. The erroneous mounting information and the selection request information output from the drive amount monitoring unit 57 when the cumulative drive amount of the first drive unit M1 exceeds the intermediate value in the management range is input to the display unit 12, and the display unit 12 shows mismounting information and selection request information. The incorrect mounting information and selection request information displayed on the display section 12 indicate, for example, that “disposal of the toner container is likely to occur, and damage to the toner container may occur. Therefore, it is recommended to discontinue use of the toner container. Do you want to continue using the toner container? The user continues to use the toner container 30 erroneously attached to the developing device 20 by referring to the erroneous attachment information and the selection request information output from the drive amount monitoring unit 57 and displayed on the display unit 12. The selection as to whether or not can be made via the operation unit 11.

  When the moving wall 34 continues to be driven by the first driving unit M1 in a state where the toner container 30 is erroneously mounted, and the cumulative driving amount of the first driving unit M1 exceeds the maximum value within the management range, The possibility of component damage and noise is extremely high, and the possibility of the printer 100 failing is also very high.

  Therefore, when the cumulative driving amount of the first drive unit M1 exceeds the maximum value in the management range, the driving amount monitoring unit 57 adds the toner to the developing device 20 in addition to the erroneous mounting information. Discontinue use of the printer 100, and output operation stop information for stopping the operation of the printer 100. The erroneous mounting information and the operation stop information output from the drive amount monitoring unit 57 when the accumulated drive amount of the first drive unit M1 exceeds the maximum value in the management range is input to the display unit 12, and the display unit 12, mismounting information and operation stop information are displayed. The erroneous mounting information and operation stop information displayed on the display unit 12 are, for example, “the printer is stopped because there is a risk of serious damage to the printer due to erroneous mounting of the toner container”. Message information. The user can recognize the operation stop of the printer 100 by referring to the erroneous mounting information and the operation stop information output from the drive amount monitoring unit 57 and displayed on the display unit 12.

  Here, the electronic tag 3T storing the first history information to be referred to when the drive amount monitoring unit 57 calculates the cumulative drive amount of the first drive unit M1 is configured to be attached to the outer peripheral surface 34R of the container main body 31. This facilitates the association between the toner container 30 and the first history information. When toner containers 30 having different toner capacities are used, this can be easily coped with by changing the first history information stored in the electronic tag 3T according to the toner capacity. However, the electronic tag 3T attached to the outer peripheral surface 34R of the container body 31 may fall off the container body 31. When the electronic tag 3T drops out of the container main body 31, the drive amount monitoring unit 57 can not calculate the cumulative drive amount of the first drive unit M1, and the erroneous attachment of the toner container 30 can not be determined.

  Therefore, the toner container 30 is identified with the same information as the first history information stored in the first history storage unit 3T1 of the electronic tag 3T in the second history storage unit 55 of the control unit 50 disposed in the device main body 101. In association with the identification information to be stored. Among the first history information, the second history storage unit 55 stores, in particular, second history information representing a history related to the driving amount of the first driving unit M1 after the selection request information is output by the driving amount monitoring unit 57. It is stored in association with the identification information of the toner container 30.

  At the timing when the selection request information is output from the drive amount monitoring unit 57, the cumulative drive amount of the first drive unit M1 exceeds an intermediate value within the management range, which indicates a value larger than the estimated total drive amount, There is an increased possibility of component damage and noise due to erroneous mounting of the container 30, and there is an increased possibility that the printer 100 will break down. By storing the second history information at least after the selection request information is output in association with the identification information of the toner container 30 in the second history storage unit 55 of the control unit 50 disposed in the apparatus main body 101, Even when the electronic tag 3T is dropped from the container main body 31, the drive amount monitoring unit 57 can calculate the cumulative drive amount of the first drive unit M1 based on the second history information. Accordingly, it is possible to determine whether the toner container 30 is erroneously mounted, and the configuration resulting from the erroneous mounting of the toner container 30 by the user recognizing the erroneous mounting of the toner container 30 based on the erroneous mounting information representing the determination result. Damage to parts and noise, and breakdown of the printer 100 can be suppressed as much as possible.

  The drive amount monitoring unit 57 also calculates the assumed total drive amount of the first drive unit M1 stored in advance in the first history storage unit 3T1 or the second history storage unit 55 and the calculated cumulative drive of the first drive unit M1. The remaining capacity ratio (%) of the toner contained in the toner container 30 may be calculated based on the amount. The remaining capacity ratio (%) of the toner is the remaining capacity of the toner when the total amount of toner stored in the toner container 30 is 100 (%) in the initial state before the toner container 30 is attached to the developing device 20. Indicates the percentage. Specifically, the drive amount monitoring unit 57 calculates the remaining capacity ratio (%) of the toner based on the following formula (1).

Toner remaining volume ratio (%) = (MA-MB) × 100 / MA (1)
[In Expression (1), “MA” represents the assumed total drive amount of the first drive unit M1, and “MB” represents the cumulative drive amount of the first drive unit M1. ]

  Then, the driving amount monitoring unit 57 outputs toner remaining amount information indicating the calculated remaining amount ratio (%) of toner. The toner remaining amount information output from the drive amount monitoring unit 57 is input to the display unit 12, and the toner remaining amount information is displayed on the display unit 12. Further, the drive amount monitoring unit 57 outputs near-empty information indicating that the amount of toner stored in the toner container 30 is low when the calculated remaining toner ratio (%) is equal to or less than a predetermined value. . The near empty information output from the drive amount monitoring unit 57 is input to the display unit 12, and the near empty information is displayed on the display unit 12. The user recognizes the state regarding the remaining capacity of the toner contained in the toner container 30 by referring to the toner remaining amount information and the near empty information which are output from the drive amount monitoring unit 57 and displayed on the display unit 12. Can do.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to this, A various deformation | transformation embodiment can be taken. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a shaft 33 disposed in the container body 31 and a movable wall 34 provided movably along the shaft 33 as a developer conveyance unit for conveying the toner in the container body 31 The configuration of the toner container 30 having the above is shown. The toner container 30 may be configured to include a stirring member as a developer conveyance unit. In this case, the stirring member is rotated by the driving force of the first drive unit M1 in the container main body 31 to transport the toner toward the toner discharge port 30P. Even when the toner container 30 includes a stirring member, the driving amount monitoring unit 57 monitors the driving amount of the first driving unit M1 that drives the stirring member, so that the toner container 30 is attached to the developing device 20. It is possible to determine whether or not is a wrong mounting.

100 Printer (image forming device)
101 Apparatus Body 20 Developing Device 30 Toner Container (Developer Storage Container)
30P Toner discharge port (discharge port)
31 Container body (container body)
33 Shaft (Developer Conveyor)
34 Moving wall (Developer transport unit)
3T electronic tag 3T1 first history storage unit 3T2 wireless communication unit 3T3 tag access unit 50 control unit 55 second history storage unit 56 history information management unit 57 drive amount monitoring unit 60 container sensor 61 drive amount detection unit M1 first drive unit

Claims (6)

The device body,
A developing device disposed in the apparatus main body and supplying a developer for forming an image;
A container body having an internal space capable of containing a developer and having a discharge port for the developer to be supplied to the developing device, and a developer for conveying the developer toward the discharge port in the container body A developer storage container that is detachably attached to the developing device;
A driving unit for driving the developer conveyance unit;
A detection unit that detects a drive amount of the drive unit;
A first history storage unit that stores first history information representing a history of the drive amount detected by the detection unit;
Based on the first history information, an accumulated drive amount representing an accumulated value of the drive amount of the drive unit after the developer container is attached to the developing device is calculated, and the accumulated drive amount is determined in advance. A driving amount monitoring unit that monitors whether or not it belongs to the management range;
The management range is assumed to be necessary for discharging the entire amount of developer stored in the container body to the developing device in an initial state before the developer storage container is attached to the developing device. It is set in a range in which the assumed total drive amount of the drive unit is a minimum value,
The driving amount monitoring unit may erroneously mount the developer accommodating container on the developing device when the accumulated driving amount exceeds the estimated total driving amount as the minimum value in the management range. An image forming apparatus that determines that an image exists and outputs incorrect mounting information indicating the determination result.   The driving amount monitoring unit continues the use of the developer container mounted on the developing device in addition to the erroneous mounting information when the accumulated driving amount exceeds the intermediate value in the management range. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein selection request information for requesting selection of whether or not to perform is output.   The driving amount monitoring unit does not use the developer container installed in the developing device in addition to the erroneous mounting information when the cumulative driving amount exceeds the maximum value in the management range. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: operation stop information for permitting operation and stopping an operation of the image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an electronic tag attached to an outer peripheral surface of the container main body and including the first history storage unit as a part of the configuration.   Identification for identifying the developer container, second history information that is arranged in the apparatus main body and that represents history relating to the drive amount of the drive unit after the selection request information is output by the drive amount monitoring unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a second history storage unit that stores the information in association with the information. The developer conveying section is
A shaft disposed within the container body;
The moving wall for conveying the developer toward the discharge port in the container main body by being inserted into the shaft and moving along the shaft. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

Images