JP2019211707A - Toner recovery container and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce erroneous detection of the amount of toner, while avoiding an increase in pressure on the toner.SOLUTION: A toner recovery container (10) comprises: a container body (10A) that has a toner receiving port (10a); detection means (12) that detects that the toner is accumulated to a detection height or more; and a conveying member (15) that can convey the toner in a first direction (D1). In the first direction, a first partition wall (20a) extending upward from a bottom part (10b) of the container body is provided between the receiving port and detection means. Within a range where the conveying member and first partition wall at least overlap when viewed from above, an upper end part of the first partition wall is located below the conveying member, and the space between the conveying member and a ceiling part (10c) of the container body is opened.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner collection container for collecting toner and an image forming apparatus provided with the same.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an electrostatic latent image carried on an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum is developed as a toner image, and the toner image is directly or indirectly transferred from the image carrier to a recording material. Thus, an image is formed on the recording material. After being carried on the image carrier, the toner that has not been transferred to the recording material is removed by a cleaning blade or the like and collected in a toner collection container. Such a toner collection container is usually provided with a sensor for detecting that the amount of toner collected in the container exceeds a predetermined threshold.

  If the sensor erroneously detects the amount of toner due to the inclination of the container or the like even though there is a free space in the collection container, an unnecessary loss of the toner collection container or the like is performed, resulting in an economic loss. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, a conveying screw is provided so as to penetrate a shielding body by separating a space where a waste toner receiving port is provided and a space where a toner amount detection unit is provided by a shielding body provided in a container. We propose a waste toner container with According to this document, even if the waste toner container is tilted, the toner in the container is dammed up by the shield, so that erroneous detection of the toner amount is prevented.

JP 2006-243771 A

  However, in the configuration described in the above document, the toner pressure in the vicinity of the through hole provided in the shield is likely to increase. As a result, there is a possibility that the toner is clogged, or the rotational load of the conveying screw is increased to increase the power consumption.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a toner collection container and an image forming apparatus including the toner collection container that can reduce erroneous detection of the toner amount while avoiding an increase in toner pressure.

  One aspect of the present invention is a container main body having a receiving port for receiving toner, detection means for detecting that toner stored in the container main body has accumulated more than a detection height, and a container main body that is stored in the container main body. And a conveying member capable of conveying toner in a first direction from the receiving port to the detecting unit, and provided between the receiving port and the detecting unit in the first direction, and from above the bottom of the container body An upper end of the first partition wall is located below the transport member in a range where the transport member and the first partition wall overlap at least when viewed from above, and The toner collection container is characterized in that a space between the transport member and the ceiling of the container body is open.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce erroneous detection of the toner amount while avoiding an increase in toner pressure.

1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. Schematic (a) of the drum cleaner which concerns on Example 1, and schematic (b) of a belt cleaner. 3 is a perspective view of a toner collection container according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a toner recovery container according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a toner recovery container according to Embodiment 1. FIGS. 9A to 9G are diagrams for explaining a toner accumulation process in a toner recovery container according to Embodiment 1. FIGS. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a toner recovery container according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a toner recovery container according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a toner recovery container according to Embodiment 4. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 is a full-color printer including a so-called tandem type intermediate transfer type image forming engine 102 in which four image forming portions PY, PM, PC, and PK are arranged in a straight section of the intermediate transfer belt 8. The image forming engine 102 is an image forming unit in this embodiment.

  Each of the image forming units PY to PK includes photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K as image carriers, charging devices 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K, developing devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K, and a drum cleaner 6Y. , 6M, 6C, 6K. Further, a laser scanner 3 for performing exposure of the photosensitive drums 1Y to 1K of the image forming units is disposed below the image forming units PY to PK.

  The image forming units PY to PK form yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images, respectively, by executing an electrophotographic process. That is, the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 1Y to 1K are uniformly charged by the charging devices 2Y to 2K, and the photosensitive drums 1Y to 1K are exposed by the laser light emitted by the laser scanner 3. At this time, the laser beam is modulated and output in accordance with the image to be output divided into a single color image, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the single color image on the surface of the photosensitive drums 1Y to 1K. . The electrostatic latent image is developed with toner supplied from the developing devices 4Y to 4K and visualized as a toner image. The toner images carried on the photosensitive drums 1Y to 1K are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 so as to overlap each other by the primary transfer roller 5 disposed corresponding to each drum. Deposits such as the primary transfer residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drums 1Y to 1K without being transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 8 are removed by the drum cleaners 6Y to 6K, and collected as a collected toner in a collection container 10 described later.

  The intermediate transfer belt 8 is wound around a tension roller 8a, a secondary transfer inner roller 8b, and a tension roller 8c, and is driven to rotate counterclockwise in the drawing. A secondary transfer roller 8e that forms a secondary transfer portion T2 is disposed at a position facing the secondary transfer inner roller 8b. The recording material P fed one by one from the cassette 32 by the feeding unit 33 is subjected to skew correction in the registration unit 34, and then at a timing matched with the toner image forming operation by the image forming units PY to PK. It is conveyed to the next transfer portion T2. At the secondary transfer portion T2, the toner image is secondarily transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 8 to the recording material P. Deposits such as secondary transfer residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 8 without being transferred to the recording material P are removed by the belt cleaner 13 and collected as a collected toner in a collection container 10 described later.

  The recording material P to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 35. The fixing device 35 includes a pair of rollers that sandwich and convey the recording material P, and a heat source such as a halogen lamp, and applies heat and pressure to the toner image. As a result, the toner melts and mixes and adheres to the recording material P, whereby a fixed image fixed on the recording material P is obtained. The recording material P that has passed through the fixing device 35 is discharged to a discharge tray 37 by a discharge roller pair 36. When images are formed on both sides of the recording material P, the recording material P is conveyed again toward the secondary transfer portion T2 in the state where the front surface and the back surface are reversed by the reverse conveyance of the discharge roller pair 36, and the image is formed on the back surface. After being formed, it is discharged to a discharge tray 37.

  It should be noted that toner bottles 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K are detachably mounted on the apparatus main body 101 of the image forming apparatus 100 as toner storage portions that store replenishment toner. The toner bottles 9Y to 9K store toners of colors corresponding to the image forming units PY to PK, respectively, and supply the toner consumed by the development to the developing devices 4Y to 4K.

[Toner collection configuration]
A configuration for collecting toner discharged from the image forming engine 102 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2A is a schematic view showing the drum cleaner 6 that can be used as the drum cleaners 6Y to 6K and the periphery thereof. FIG. 2B is a schematic view showing the belt cleaner 13 and its periphery.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the drum cleaner 6 includes a cleaning container 6a, a cleaning blade 6b, and a toner conveying screw 6c. The cleaning blade 6b and the toner conveying screw 6c extend along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 1, and the toner conveying screw 6c is accommodated in the cleaning container 6a. The cleaning blade 6 b is an elastic member such as urethane rubber that extends against the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum 1 (clockwise in the drawing) and contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 at the edge portion. At the same time, the toner on the drum surface is scraped off. The toner scraped off to the cleaning container 6a by the cleaning blade 6b is conveyed to one side (front side in FIG. 1) of the photosensitive drum 1 by the rotation of the toner conveying screw 6c. And it is discharged | emitted from the discharge port provided in the edge part of the cleaning container 6a to the below-mentioned collection pipe 14 connected to the collection container 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the belt cleaner 13 has a cleaning container 13 a, a cleaning blade 13 b, and a toner conveying screw 13 c, as with the drum cleaner 6. The cleaning blade 13b and the toner conveying screw 13c extend along the width direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8, and the toner conveying screw 13c is accommodated in the cleaning container 13a. The cleaning blade 13 b is an elastic member such as urethane rubber that extends against the rotation direction (clockwise direction in the drawing) of the intermediate transfer belt 8 and abuts against the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 at the edge portion. As the roller rotates, the toner on the belt surface is scraped off. The toner scraped off to the cleaning container 13a by the cleaning blade 13b is transported to one side (front side in FIG. 1) in the width direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8 by the rotation of the toner transport screw 13c. And it is discharged | emitted by the collection pipe 14 from the discharge port provided in the edge part of the cleaning container 13a.

  A conveying screw is arranged inside the recovery pipe 14 (see FIG. 1). The collected toner discharged from the drum cleaners 6Y to 6K and the belt cleaner 13 is conveyed toward the collection container 10 by the rotation of the conveyance screw.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a collection container 10 that is a toner collection container of the present embodiment. The container body 10A of the collection container 10 is a rectangular parallelepiped sealed container formed by, for example, soft plastic by air blow molding. An example of the size of the container body 10A is a length of 480 mm, a width of 200 mm, and a height of 70 mm. The collection container 10 is detachably attached to a storage unit 50 (FIG. 1) provided in the apparatus main body 101 of the image forming apparatus 100, and can be inserted and removed in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. The collection container 10 has, on one end side of the ceiling portion 10c, an upward opening 10a through which the collected toner flows from the collection pipe 14 as a receiving port for receiving toner. In addition, the opening 10 a is provided with a shutter 41 that opens and closes in conjunction with the attaching and detaching operation of the collection container 10.

  A toner detection unit 12 that can detect that the recovery toner in the container has exceeded a predetermined detection height is provided at the end of the recovery container 10 opposite to the opening 10a. The toner detection unit 12 has a transparent convex portion 12b protruding from the side wall 10d, and detects the toner that has entered the convex portion 12b with sensors (45, 46). The detection height of the toner detection unit 12 is defined by the height of an opening 12a (FIG. 5) described later that is formed on the side wall 10d and allows the toner to enter the toner detection unit 12. In this embodiment, a photo interrupter is used as a sensor, and the light receiving unit 46 detects that the optical path of light emitted from the light emitting unit 45 is shielded by the toner of the convex portion 12b. The toner detection unit 12 is an example of a detection unit, and a detection unit using another detection method such as a sensor using a piezo element may be used.

  Since the toner detection unit 12 according to the present exemplary embodiment is provided on the side opposite to the opening 10a, even if the collected toner falling from the opening 10a rises inside the collection container 10, the toner detection unit 12 reaches the convex portion 12b. The possibility is small. That is, it is possible to reduce erroneous detection of the toner detection unit 12 due to the rising toner adhering to the inner surface of the convex portion 12b.

  When the toner is detected by the toner detection unit 12, the image forming apparatus 100 determines that the collection container 10 is in a state where it can no longer collect the collected toner (full state). In this case, for example, a message indicating that the collection container 10 needs to be replaced is displayed on the display included in the image forming apparatus 100, or a notification requesting delivery of the collection container 10 is made to the service center.

  The toner detection unit 12 is detachably attached to the side wall 10d of the collection container 10. Therefore, when the collection container 10 is full, the collection container 10 can be reused by discharging the collection toner from the inside of the container and replacing the toner detection unit 12.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a screw 15 is disposed inside the collection container 10. The screw 15 is a conveying member capable of conveying the toner received into the container through the opening 10a toward the toner detecting unit 12 while filling the container as will be described later. The screw 15 is rotatably held by bearings provided on the side walls 10d, 10d facing each other of the collection container 10.

  The screw 15 includes a shaft 18 that is a shaft member, and spiral blade portions 16a, 16b, 16c, 17a, 17b, and 17c formed on the shaft 18. These blades include first blade portions 16a to 16c and second blade portions 17a to 17c whose winding directions are opposite to those of the first blade portion, and the first blade portions 16a to 16c and the second blade in the axial direction. The parts 17a to 17c are alternately arranged. The first blade portions 16a to 16c and the second blade portions 17a to 17c are set to have an outer diameter of 20 mm and a pitch of 20 mm, for example.

  Each of the first blade portions 16a to 16c is a forward conveyance portion of the present embodiment, and conveys the toner in a direction (first direction D1) approaching the toner detection portion 12 as the shaft 18 rotates. The second blade portions 17a to 17c are all reverse transport portions of the present embodiment, and transport the toner in a direction away from the toner detection portion 12 (second direction D2) as the shaft 18 rotates. In addition, when the axial length of the second blade portion 17c closest to the toner detection unit 12 among the plurality of second blade portions 17a to 17c is longer than the other second blade portions 17a and 17b, the recovery container This is effective in increasing the toner filling efficiency with respect to 10.

  The end portion of the shaft 18 (see FIG. 3) penetrates the side wall 10d and is exposed to the outside of the collection container 10, and the drive connecting portion 42 is fixed to the end portion. When the collection container 10 is mounted on the apparatus main body 101, the drive connecting portion 42 engages with a drive member on the apparatus main body side. Thereby, the screw 15 is rotationally driven by the drive source of the apparatus main body 101. For engagement between the drive connecting portion 42 and the drive member on the apparatus main body side, a known engagement method capable of transmitting gear meshing, dog clutch, and other rotations can be used.

[Partition wall]
Here, the partition provided in the collection container 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the collection container 10 is provided with a plurality of partition walls 20a and 20b extending upward from the bottom 10b of the container body 10A. Each of the partition walls 20a and 20b is a rib-like member (plate-like member) that extends substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the screw 15 (and therefore substantially perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction of the collection container 10 with respect to the apparatus main body 101). is there. The partition 20a is a first partition in the present embodiment, and the partition 20b is a second partition in the present embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the partition walls 20 a and 20 b are arranged at two locations in the axial direction of the screw 15. The partition walls 20a and 20b are disposed at switching positions P1 and P3 where the toner transport direction by the screw 15 is switched. That is, the partition wall 20a closer to the opening 10a is disposed at the switching position P1, which is the boundary between the first blade portion 16a and the second blade portion 17a that are the most upstream in the first direction D1. Further, the partition wall 20b farther from the opening 10a is disposed at a switching position P3 that is a boundary between the second first blade portion 16b and the second blade portion 17b in the first direction D1.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the maximum height h <b> 1 of the upper end portion 21 of the partition wall 20 a of this embodiment is set to be lower than the height h <b> 2 of the rotation center of the screw 15. The upper side of the upper end portion 21 is open to the ceiling portion 10c of the container body 10A, and one section A1 and the other section A2 of the partition wall 20a in the axial direction of the screw 15 communicate with each other through the open portion. (See FIG. 4). Such an arrangement is the same for the partition wall 20b. The partition wall 20b is positioned below the screw 15, and the sections A2 and A3 are communicated with each other through an open portion above the partition wall 20b.

  The side wall 10d of the container main body 10A is provided with an opening 12a, and through the opening 12a, the collected toner storage area (sections A1 to A3) and the detection area where the toner detection unit 12 detects the collected toner. And communicate with each other. In the present embodiment, the height of the lower end of the opening 12a is set to be higher than the maximum height h1 of the partition walls 20a and 20b. Further, the opening 12 a is disposed at a position away from the screw 15 when viewed from the axial direction of the screw 15. With such an arrangement, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the toner splashed by the screw 15 will inadvertently enter the opening 12a.

[Accumulation process of collected toner]
Each drawing in FIG. 6 shows a process in which the collected toner is accumulated in the collection container 10 of the present embodiment. As described above, the toner recovered by the drum cleaners 6Y to 6K or the belt cleaner 13 is joined by the recovery pipe 14 (see FIG. 1). The toner discharged from the collection pipe 14 falls freely into the container through the opening 10a provided in the ceiling of the collection container 10 and accumulates. As long as the height of the accumulated toner does not reach the screw 15, the toner is not conveyed even if the screw 15 rotates, and accumulates in a mountain shape immediately below the opening 10 a. After the toner has accumulated to reach the screw 15, the toner accumulates inside the container until the toner is finally full through the states shown in FIGS. 6 (a) to 6 (g).

  As shown in FIG. 6A, when the accumulated toner reaches the screw 15, conveyance by the screw 15 starts. The screw 15 conveys the toner in the first direction D1, and evenly disperses the toner accumulated by free fall in the axial direction of the screw 15. As a result, the top portion of the toner accumulated in a mountain shape is cut by the screw 15, and the toner ridge grows in the first direction D1.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the ridge of the toner conveyed by the first blade portion 16a of the screw 15 reaches the seventh blade portion 17a whose conveyance direction is reverse (second direction D2). In the region of the second blade portion 17a, the toner stays due to the reverse of the transport direction, preventing the subsequent toner transported by the first blade portion 16a. As a result, the toner is prevented from being conveyed in the first direction D1 beyond the second blade portion 17a, and in the vicinity of the switching position between the first blade portion 16a and the second blade portion 17a (that is, in the vicinity of the partition wall 20a). ) Accumulate in a mountain shape. Specifically, the toner conveyed in the first direction D1 by the first blade portion 16a and the toner conveyed in the second direction D2 by the second blade portion 17a collide and are pushed out in the radial direction from the screw 15. As a result, the recovery container 10 spreads over the entire cross section and accumulates. Then, the subsequent toner that is prevented from being transported by the toner accumulated by the second blade portion 17 a reaches the side surface and the upper surface of the collection container 10.

  As shown in FIG. 6C, when the subsequent toner further falls from the state of FIG. 6B, toner accumulation in the vicinity of the partition wall 20 a grows on both sides in the axial direction of the screw 15. That is, as the screw 15 rotates, the toner pushed in the radial direction by the first blade portion 16a grows toner accumulation upstream (in the second direction) in the first direction D1. Further, as the screw 15 rotates, the first blade portion 16a generates a pressure to push the toner accumulation in the first direction D1, so that a part of the toner exceeds the second blade portion 17a and reaches the second position. Move in one direction D1. When such toner reaches the second first blade portion 16b in the first direction D1, the toner is transported in the first direction D1 by the first blade portion 16b.

  As shown in FIG. 6D, when the toner transported in the first direction D1 by the first blade portion 16b reaches the second second blade portion 17b, the transport direction is reversed, and thus again. The toner stays. Therefore, the toner conveyed in the first direction D1 by the first blade portion 16b and the toner conveyed in the second direction D2 by the second blade portion 17b collide, and are pushed out from the screw 15 in the radial direction and accumulated. .

  As shown in FIG. 6E, when the subsequent toner further falls from the state of FIG. 6D, toner deposits in the vicinity of the partition wall 20a grow on both sides of the screw 15 in the axial direction. When a part of the toner moves in the first direction D1 beyond the second blade portion 17b and reaches the third first blade portion 16c, the toner is further conveyed in the first direction D1 by the first blade portion 16c. The

  As shown in FIG. 6 (f), when the toner transported in the first direction D1 by the first blade portion 16c reaches the third second blade portion 17c, the transport direction is reversed, and thus again. The toner stays. Accordingly, the toner conveyed in the first direction D1 by the first blade portion 16c and the toner conveyed in the second direction D2 by the second blade portion 17c collide, and are pushed out from the screw 15 in the radial direction and accumulated. .

  As shown in FIG. 6G, when the space on the upstream side in the first direction D1 from the second blade portion 17c is filled, the toner deposits on the downstream side against the conveying force of the second blade portion 17c. grow up. When toner reaches the side wall 10d on the downstream side in the first direction D1 and reaches the height of the opening 12a (see FIG. 5), the toner enters the toner detection unit 12 through the opening 12a. As a result, the toner detection unit 12 detects toner, and the image forming apparatus 100 determines that the collection container 10 is full.

  If toner accumulation reaches the side wall 10d and the screw 15 is further rotated and the toner is continuously conveyed to the downstream side in a state where there is no toner escape, the pressure of the toner around the screw 15 increases and the screw 15 The rotational load will increase. If the rotational load of the screw 15 continues to rise, the screw 15 will eventually stop. Therefore, the toner amount threshold (height of the opening 12a) at which the toner detection unit 12 detects toner prompts the replacement of the collection container 10 before the inside of the collection container 10 is literally densely filled with toner. Is set to be possible.

[Effect of Example 1]
After the collection container 10 is mounted on the apparatus main body 101 of the image forming apparatus 100, the collection container 10 may be temporarily removed before it becomes full for the purpose of maintaining the periphery of the collection container 10 or the like. In addition, it is conceivable that the user accidentally removes the collection container 10 or the collection container 10 is inclined due to the inclination of the image forming apparatus 100 itself.

  In such a case, since the collection container 10 of the present embodiment is provided with the partition walls 20a and 20b, for example, even if the collection container 10 is tilted in the direction of the arrow H in FIG. Is blocked by the partition walls 20a and 20b. Therefore, compared with the case where no partition wall is provided, the toner is less likely to enter the toner detection unit 12, and the possibility of being erroneously detected as a full state even though there is a sufficient free space in the collection container 10 can be reduced. The height of the lower end portion of the opening 12a communicating with the toner detection unit 12 being higher than the maximum height h1 of the partition walls 20a and 20b also contributes to reducing erroneous detection by the toner detection unit 12.

  Further, the partition walls 20a and 20b of the present embodiment are disposed below the screw 15 in a range where the screw 15 and the partition walls 20a and 20b overlap at least when viewed from above, and the ceiling portion 10c of the screw 15 and the container body 10A. It is open between. Therefore, compared with a configuration in which a partition wall extending from the bottom 10b of the container body 10A to the ceiling portion 10c is provided and the screw 15 is passed through a through hole formed in the partition wall, the toner pressure around the screw 15 is less likely to increase. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility of toner clogging as compared with such a configuration and to suppress an increase in the rotational load of the screw 15.

  Instead of providing the plate-like partition walls 20a and 20b, a convex shape in which a part of the bottom portion 10b of the container body 10A protrudes toward the ceiling portion 10c (a concave shape in which the bottom portion 10b is recessed when viewed from below). It is also conceivable to provide However, in this configuration, the volume of the collection container 10 is reduced by the amount of the convex shape as compared with the present embodiment.

  Here, the partition walls 20a and 20b of the present embodiment are disposed at switching positions P1 and P3 where the toner conveying direction is switched by the first blade portions 16a to 16c or the second blade portions 17a to 17c of the screw 15 (FIG. 4). In the process of filling the collection container 10 with toner, the toner stays in the vicinity of the switching positions P1 and P3 and is spread in the radial direction of the screw 15 as described in the “collection process of collected toner”. Therefore, 20a and 20b arranged at the switching positions P1 and P3 can minimize the influence on the toner conveyance by the first blade portions 16a to 16c or the second blade portions 17a to 17c. If the partition wall 20a is at the center position of the first blade portion 16a in the first direction D1, the movement of the toner in the first direction D1 by the first blade portion 16a is hindered, thereby reducing the toner filling efficiency. There is a concern that the rotational load of the screw 15 may increase. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to exert the toner damming action when the collection container 10 is tilted while avoiding such inconvenience.

  Further, in the collection container 10 of the present embodiment, the toner flows from the upstream section in the first direction D1 by the action of the first blade portions 16a to 16c and the second blade portions 17a to 17c provided alternately on the screw 15. It will be filled. That is, comparing each figure of FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, after the toner is filled in the section A1 upstream of the partition wall 20a (FIG. 6C), the toner is stored in the section A2 between the partition wall 20a and the partition wall 20b. It is filled (FIG. 6 (e)). Thereafter, the toner is filled in the section A3 on the downstream side of the partition wall 20b (FIG. 6G). Therefore, for example, even when the collection container 10 is tilted in the state shown in FIGS. 6C and 6E, the toner filled in the sections A1 and A2 is in a state where it is difficult for the toner to flow. The possibility of toner inflow is further reduced.

(Modification)
The positions and the number of the partition walls 20a and 20b are not limited to those described in this embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate. At least one partition wall is provided between the opening 10a and the toner detection unit 12 in the axial direction of the screw 15. Should just be arranged. For example, only the partition 20b of the above embodiment may be disposed as the first partition.

  When changing the position of the partition wall, it is preferable that the position is within a predetermined range from any one of the switching positions P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5 (see FIG. 4) at which the toner conveyance direction by the screw 15 is switched. For example, as indicated by broken lines in FIG. 4, partition walls 20a and 20b may be arranged at the switching positions P2 and P4. This is because by arranging the partition wall at a position close to the switching position, as described in the above embodiment, the influence on the toner conveyance by the first blade portions 16a to 16c or the second blade portions 17a to 17c can be reduced. The “predetermined range” is a length corresponding to one pitch of the blades of the first blade portions 16a to 16c and the second blade portions 17a to 17c adjacent to the switching position. It is more preferable to arrange the partition wall within a range corresponding to a half pitch of the blades of the first blade portions 16a to 16c and the second blade portions 17a to 17c from the switching position.

  Moreover, although the upper end part 21 of the partition walls 20a and 20b of this embodiment extends linearly (see FIG. 5), a notch part 21a in which the upper end part 21 is curved in a concave shape along the outer periphery of the screw 15 is provided. May be. As a result, the increase in toner pressure due to the provision of the partition walls 20a and 20b can be further reduced.

  FIG. 7 illustrates a collection container 10X that is a toner collection container according to the second embodiment. In the first embodiment, the toner is retained by the second blade portions 17a to 17c whose winding direction is opposite to that of the first blade portions 16a to 16c. In the present embodiment, the conveying force of the second blade portions 17d and 17e is used. The toner is retained by weakening the toner. Other elements having the same configuration and operation as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The second blade portions 17d and 17e have the same winding direction and a smaller pitch than the first blade portions 16a to 16c. The second blade portions 17d and 17e have a lower conveying force than the first blade portions 16a to 16c, which are forward conveying portions, and are retention portions in this embodiment that retain toner movement in the first direction D1. Since the conveying force in the first direction D1 received by the toner from the second blade portions 17d and 17e is smaller than the conveying force received from the first blade portions 16a to 16c, the toner stays in the vicinity of the second blade portions 17d and 17e and follows. The toner is pushed out in the radial direction as the screw 15 rotates.

  The partition walls 20a and 20b of the present embodiment are within the range where the second blade portions 17d and 17e are provided (that is, at least a part of the partition walls in the first direction D1 overlaps the range of the second blade portions 17d and 17e). Arranged). Similar to the first embodiment, the partition walls 20a and 20b reduce erroneous detection of the toner amount when the collection container 10 is tilted. Further, by arranging the partition walls 20a and 20b in the range where the second blade portions 17d and 17e are provided, the second blade portions 17d and 17e increase the toner charging efficiency, and the partition walls 20a and 20b can transport the toner. The influence can be reduced.

  FIG. 8 illustrates a collection container 10Y that is a toner collection container according to the third embodiment. In this embodiment, as another example of the staying portion, notched portions 17f and 17g in which the blades of the screw 15 are notched are provided. Other elements having the same configuration and operation as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The notches 17f and 17g are not provided with spiral blades like the first blade portions 16a to 16c, and have only the shaft 18. Since the notches 17 f and 17 g do not exert a conveying force on the toner, the toner stays in the vicinity of the notches 17 f and 17 g, and the subsequent toner is pushed out in the radial direction as the screw 15 rotates.

  In the present embodiment, the partition walls 20a and 20b are arranged in a range where the notches 17f and 17g are provided. Similar to the first embodiment, the partition walls 20a and 20b reduce erroneous detection of the toner amount when the collection container 10 is tilted. In addition, by arranging the partition walls 20a and 20b in the range where the notches 17f and 17g are provided, the notch portions 17f and 17g increase the toner filling efficiency, and the influence of the partition walls 20a and 20b on the toner conveyance is affected. Can be reduced.

  In addition, even if it is except the form demonstrated in Example 2, 3, the retention part provided in the conveyance member should just be a structure whose conveyance force is lower than a forward conveyance part. For example, in the second embodiment, instead of changing the pitch, the outer diameters of the second blade portions 17d and 17e may be smaller than those of the first blade portions 16a to 16c. In the third embodiment, a paddle-like protrusion that does not give the toner a conveying force in the first direction D1 is provided at the positions of the notches 17f and 17g, and the toner is pushed out in the radial direction. Good.

  FIG. 9 illustrates a collection container 10Z that is a toner collection container according to the fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, as another shape of the partition wall, the partition wall is extended to the ceiling portion 10c of the container body as long as the conveyance of the toner by the screw 15 is not hindered. Other elements having the same configuration and operation as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The upper end portion 21 of the partition wall 20c of this embodiment is connected to the ceiling portion 10c of the container body on both sides of the screw 15 as viewed from the axial direction of the screw 15 and bent downward so as to pass below the screw 15. It has a trapezoidal outline. That is, a portion 211 of the upper end portion 21 that overlaps with the screw 15 when viewed from above is located below the screw 15 and is open between the screw 15 and the ceiling portion 10c.

  Even in such a configuration, an increase in the toner pressure due to the provision of the partition wall 20c is suppressed, and the influence on the toner conveyance is suppressed, and the erroneous detection of the toner amount when the collection container 10 is tilted by the partition wall 20c. It is possible to reduce.

10, 10X, 10Y, 10Z ... toner collection container / 10A ... container body / 10a ... reception port (opening) / 10b ... bottom / 10c ... ceiling part / 10d ... side wall / 12 ... detecting means (toner detection part / 12a ... Opening part / 15 ... Conveying member (screw) / 16a, 16b, 16c ... Forward conveying part (first blade part) / 17a, 17b, 17c ... Reverse conveying part (second blade part) / 17d, 17e, 17f, 17g ... Studging portion (second blade portion, notch portion) / 18 ... shaft member (shaft) / 20a, 20c ... first partition (partition) / 20b ... second partition (partition) / 21 ... upper end of partition / 100 ... Image forming apparatus / D1 ... First direction / D2 ... Second direction

Claims (10)

A container body having a receiving port for receiving toner;
Detection means for detecting that the toner contained in the container body has accumulated more than a detection height;
A transport member capable of transporting toner contained in the container body in a first direction from the receiving port toward the detection unit;
A first partition wall provided between the receiving port and the detection means in the first direction and extending upward from the bottom of the container body,
The upper end portion of the first partition wall is located below the transport member in a range where the transport member and the first partition wall overlap at least when viewed from above, and the ceiling portion of the transport member and the container body Is open to the
A toner recovery container. A second partition provided between the first partition and the detection means in the first direction and extending upward from the bottom of the container body;
The upper end portion of the second partition wall is located below the transport member in a range where the transport member and the second partition wall overlap at least when viewed from above, and the ceiling portion of the transport member and the container body Is open to the
The toner recovery container according to claim 1. The conveying member is a member that conveys toner by rotating;
The maximum height of the first partition is lower than the rotation center of the transport member;
The toner recovery container according to claim 1, wherein the toner recovery container is a toner recovery container. An opening provided in a downstream side wall of the container main body in the first direction, and in a region where toner is detected by the detection unit when the height of the toner is equal to or higher than the detection height. An opening that allows toner to enter;
When viewed from the first direction, the lower end of the opening is located above the upper end of the first partition wall.
The toner recovery container according to claim 1, wherein the toner recovery container is a toner recovery container. The opening is at a position away from the transport member when viewed from the first direction.
The toner recovery container according to claim 4. The transport member is disposed between a plurality of forward transport units that transport toner in the first direction and the plurality of forward transport units, and reversely transports toner in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A transport unit,
The first partition wall is provided within a predetermined range from a position where a toner transport direction by the transport member is switched in the first direction and the second direction.
The toner recovery container according to claim 1, wherein the toner recovery container is a toner recovery container. The conveying member is a screw;
The plurality of forward conveying portions are portions where spiral blades are formed,
The reverse conveying part is a part in which spiral blades are formed in a winding direction opposite to the plurality of forward conveying parts.
The toner recovery container according to claim 6. The transport member includes a plurality of forward transport units that transport toner in the first direction, and a stay unit that is disposed between the plurality of forward transport units and retains movement of the toner in the first direction. Have
The first partition is disposed in a range where the staying portion is provided in the first direction.
The toner recovery container according to claim 1, wherein the toner recovery container is a toner recovery container. The conveying member is a screw;
The plurality of forward conveying portions are portions in which spiral blades are formed on the shaft member,
The staying part is a part where a spiral blade is not formed on the shaft member.
The toner recovery container according to claim 8. An apparatus main body provided with image forming means for forming an image on a recording material;
A toner collection container according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The toner collection container is accommodated so as to be insertable / removable with respect to an accommodating portion provided in the apparatus main body.
An image forming apparatus.

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