JP3872231B2 - Toner transfer device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a toner transfer device and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When an electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the above type employs a two-component developing device, it detects the toner density and the like so as to keep the mixing ratio of toner and carrier in the developing device constant. I have control. For this reason, a toner container such as a toner bottle or a cartridge is provided in or near the unit having the developing device, and toner is replenished to the developing device according to the amount consumed from the toner container. ing. In this case, the transfer and replenishment of toner from the toner container to the developing device is performed by mechanical auger means such as a screw or a paddle.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the toner is replenished by the above-described mechanical auger means, the toner storage unit and the toner replenishing device have to be installed at a position that is integral with or very close to the developing device because the screw is arranged almost linearly. There wasn't.
[0004]
Further, since conventional toner storage containers are made of hard bottles such as cartridges and bottles, there has been a big problem in disposal of used containers accompanying replacement of toner storage containers. In other words, the used toner storage container is collected from the user by the manufacturer, and is recycled, reused, and incinerated. However, the container has a large capacity and requires a high distribution cost until it is recovered.
[0005]
Conventionally, a toner storage container whose volume can be reduced has been proposed, but when replenishing from the container using a toner replenishing device, the replenishment performance cannot be stably maintained, Even when a container capable of reducing the volume only during transportation is used, problems such as toner contamination occur when the toner is transferred, and it has not been put into practical use.
[0006]
An object of the present invention is to provide a toner transfer device and an image forming apparatus which can solve the above-described conventional problems, can store toner in a flexible container, and can be directly transferred from the container to the developing device for toner supply. With the goal.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a toner transfer device for transferring the toner stored in the toner container to a predetermined portion, from the lower side of the toner storage container before the toner discharge from the toner container a means for the inflow of air, the suction type 1 Jikuhenshinkotai pump for unloading the toner is fluidized by flowing after the start of inflow of the air from the toner container, provided above the toner container The present invention proposes a toner transfer device comprising a passage for releasing the air and a filter covering the passage .
[0009]
Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a toner transfer device that transfers toner stored in a toner storage container to a predetermined portion, and in the toner storage container before the toner is discharged from the toner storage container. a means for the inflow of air from below, a suction type 1 Jikuhenshinkotai pump for unloading the toner is fluidized by flowing after the start of inflow of the air from the toner container, above the toner container The present invention proposes a toner transfer device comprising a passage for escaping the air, a filter covering the passage, and a toner moving means for moving the discharged toner to a predetermined portion.
[0010]
In the toner transfer device of the present invention, it is effective that the toner moving means includes an air flow means for flowing in the toner moving direction.
[0013]
In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a toner storage container storing toner, and an inflow of air from below in the toner storage container before the toner is discharged from the toner storage container. a means for the said provided a suction type 1 Jikuhenshinkotai pump for unloading the toner is fluidized from the toner container, above the toner container by flowing after the start of inflow of the air There is proposed an image forming apparatus comprising: a passage for releasing air; a filter covering the passage; and a toner moving means for moving the discharged toner to a developing device.
[0014]
The image forming apparatus of the present invention is effective when it has a toner carry-out nozzle for letting air flow into the toner container and carrying the toner out of the toner container.
[0015]
Further, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is effective that the toner carry-out nozzle is formed of a cylindrical body having substantially two concentric diameters, and the inside is a toner carry-out path and the outside is an air inflow path.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a toner replenishing device that replenishes toner to a developing device as an example of a toner transfer device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the developing device as a destination of the toner.
[0017]
In FIG. 1, the toner replenishing device according to the present embodiment replenishes toner to the developing device 10, and carries out a toner storage container 20 storing toner and the toner stored in the toner storage means from the container. And a means for moving to the developing device 10, and these means comprise a powder pump means 40 as a suction means. The powder pump unit 40 serves as a suction unit for discharging the toner from the toner container 20 and a suction unit for moving the toner transferred from the container to the developing device.
[0018]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the developing device 10 includes a developing sleeve 11 that is disposed to face the photoreceptor 1, a first stirring screw 12, and a second stirring screw 13. The developing toner in the developing device 10 is circulated so as to be conveyed from left to right in FIG. 2 by the first agitating screw 12 and from right to left by the second agitating screw 13. During this circulation, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor 1 is developed with the toner of the developing toner transferred to the developing sleeve 11 in the middle of the conveying path.
[0019]
As clearly shown in FIG. 2, the developing device 10 is provided with a toner receiving port 14 at a position corresponding to the first stirring screw 12 at the front end of the device, and a connecting member 15 is provided in the toner receiving port 14. A tube 16 as a transfer member is detachably connected to the connection member 15. An air filter 17 is provided in a part of the connection member 15, and only the air in the mixture of the toner and the air flow is degassed from the developing device, and toner scattering from the connection member 15 and the developing device 10 during toner replenishment is prevented. It is preventing. The toner replenishment position is not limited to one end of the developing device 10 and is not particularly limited. Further, the developing device 10 is not limited to the illustrated example, and may be various types that require toner replenishment.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 3, the toner storage container 20 is formed in a bag shape, and a support member 21 that supports a cylindrical member 22 in which a toner carry-out path 22a and an air inflow path 22b are formed in the upper center. Are welded by ultrasonic waves or the like and are integrally coupled. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cylindrical member 22 supported by the support member 21 is formed of a cylindrical body that is substantially concentric and has two types of diameters. The lower end of the path 22 b reaches the bottom of the toner storage container 20, and the upper end reaches a position protruding from the toner storage container 20. A screw portion 23 is formed in a portion that appears outside the support member 21, and the base member 24 is detachably screwed to the screw portion 53. The cap member 24 is provided with a toner suction port 27 that can communicate with the toner carry-out path 22 a, and one end of a tube 26 is connected to the toner suction port 27. The other end of the tube 26 is connected to the suction port of the powder pump means 40.
[0021]
The cylindrical member 22 is fitted with a lid member 50 for normally closing the toner carry-out path 22a and the air inflow path 22b. As shown in FIG. 6, the lid member 50 is formed in a cap shape with a slight step in the middle, and a projection 51 is formed on the head, and the periphery of the slightly larger diameter portion is formed. An opening 52 is formed on the surface, and a flange 53 having a predetermined thickness is formed at the lower end. In addition, the said cylindrical member 22 comprises the carrying-out nozzle of this embodiment.
[0022]
The toner container 20 is configured as a separate unit from the developing device 10 and can be disposed at an appropriate position of the image forming apparatus main body. Accordingly, the toner container 20 can be disposed not only inside the image forming apparatus main body but also on the outer wall side of the apparatus main body. The powder pump means 40 provided between the toner container 20 and the developing device 10 is connected to the developing device 10 by a tube 16 as a transfer member, and is transferred to and from the toner container 20. It is connected by a tube 26 as a member.
[0023]
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the powder pump means 40. The powder pump means 40 has a suction type uniaxial eccentric powder pump 41 called a conventionally known commonly known Mono pump. The structure of the powder pump 41 includes a rotor 42 formed in a screw shape eccentrically made of a material having rigidity such as metal, a stator 43 formed in a double thread shape made of an elastic body such as rubber, and the like. And a holder 44 made of a resin material or the like that wraps them and forms a powder conveyance path. The stator 43 is fixedly installed on the holder 44. The rotor 42 is rotationally driven through a gear 45 that is drivingly connected to a driving source (not shown) and a shaft joint 46.
[0024]
In the powder pump 41 configured in this manner, when the rotor 42 is rotated, a strong self-priming force is generated in the pump, and the toner is sucked from the sucking portion at the tip of the holder 44. It can be sent out from the discharge section. Further, air is supplied to the powder pump means 40 from an air pump (not shown) through a pipe 48, fluidization of the toner sent out by the air is promoted, and toner transfer by the powder pump 41 is ensured. Become. The suction type powder pump 41 is actuated by transmitting its drive to the gear 45 via a dedicated motor or a main motor and a clutch (not shown) in the image forming apparatus, and the drive is controlled.
[0025]
This uniaxial eccentric powder pump 41 is known to be capable of continuous quantitative transfer at a high solid-gas ratio and to obtain an accurate toner transfer amount proportional to the rotational speed of the rotor 42. Therefore, the toner transfer amount may be controlled by controlling the driving time of the powder pump. The tube 16 connected to the discharge part of the uniaxial eccentric powder pump 41 and the tube 26 connected to the suction part are flexible tubes having a diameter of 4 to 10 mm, for example, and are rubber materials (for example, polyurethane) having excellent toner resistance. , Nitrile, EPDM, silicon, etc.) is very effective, and if a flexible tube is used, the toner can be freely transferred in a high position or in any direction in the vertical and horizontal directions. Moreover, the powder pump 41 does not apply unnecessary stress to the toner to be transferred, and is extremely advantageous for transferring the toner to be used in the future. The powder pump unit 40 is advantageously unitized, and the unitized powder pump unit 40 facilitates production and machine maintenance.
[0026]
By the way, electrophotographic toner has very poor fluidity. For this reason, the toner container 20 is placed vertically, and is arranged so that the lower end of the cylindrical member 22 reaches a position near the bottom thereof. The toner is sucked from the tip of the toner carry-out path 22 by the powder pump described above. Further, in the present embodiment, the cylindrical member 22 is configured as a double pipe, and the air inflow path 22b is formed so that the central pipe portion surrounds the periphery with the toner carry-out path 22a. When the lid member 50 is moved as will be described later, the air inlet passage 22b communicates with an air inlet 29 formed in the base member 54, and air is supplied to the air inlet 29 from an air pump (not shown). It is configured to be sent. The air promotes fluidization of the toner stored in the toner storage container 20, and the fluidized toner is reliably carried out of the container by the suction action of the powder pump 41. The support member 21 is provided with a passage for releasing the air sent to the toner container 20, and the passage is covered with a filter 54.
[0027]
The toner container 20 configured as described above is made of a resin such as polyethylene or nylon, and is made of a flexible sheet having a thickness of about 80 to 120 μm and having a single layer or a multilayer structure. In addition, it is effective for the static electricity countermeasure to carry out aluminum vapor deposition processing on the surface of these sheets. The cylindrical member 22 can also be made of a resin such as polyethylene or nylon, and if it is set to the same material as the toner container 20, it is convenient for recycling. The toner carry-out path 22a corresponds to a toner suction port, but also serves as a toner filling port in a factory. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the toner container 20 filled with toner at the factory has a cap 25 attached to the screw portion 23 of the support member 21 by screwing instead of the cap member 24. For this reason, the toner container 20 is completely sealed by the cap 25 at the time of shipment from the factory, and the cap 25 is removed at the time of use, and the cap member 24 is loaded into the screw portion 23. Even if the cap 25 is removed, the toner carry-out path 22a and the air inflow path 22b are closed by the lid member, so that the toner will not leak even if the container is tilted after the cap 25 is removed.
[0028]
Next, an operation mode of the toner replenishing device configured as described above will be described.
As described above, when the toner supply is started, the toner carry-out path 22a and the air inflow path 22b are closed by the lid member even if the cap 25 is removed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, an external operation member 60 is provided that moves the lid member 50 by an external operation to connect the toner carry-out path 22a and the air inflow path 22b to the toner suction port 27 and the air inlet 29, respectively.
[0029]
The external operation member 60 includes a holder 61 attached to the base member 24, a slider 62 and a chuck 64 slidably fitted in the holder 61, and a compression spring 63 that urges the slider 62 to elastically downward. And a gripping portion 65 provided integrally with the chuck 64. As shown in FIG. 4, the toner container 20 initially has a lid member 50 that closes the toner carry-out path 22 a and the air inflow path 22 b, and when the handle 65 is pulled upward, the cover 65 is integrated with the handle 65. The fixed chuck 64 and the slider 62 engaged with the chuck 64 also move. At the same time, the slider 62 is pressed downward by the compression spring 63 to close the chuck 64, grip the protrusion 51 of the lid member 50, and lift the lid member 50. further. When the handle 65 is pulled up and twisted by 90 degrees, the locking pin 66 provided integrally with the handle 65 is locked to the upper end portion 67 of the holder 61, whereby the lid member 50 is lifted upward as shown in FIG. Held in position. When the lid member 50 is lifted, an opening 52 provided in a part of the side wall thereof coincides with the toner suction port 27, and the toner suction port 27 and the toner carry-out path 22a communicate with each other. Further, the flange portion 53 provided at the lower portion of the lid member 50 is separated from the air inflow path 22b, and the air inlet 29 and the air inflow path 22b communicate with each other.
[0030]
As described above, since the lid member 50 can be moved to the open position by an external operation, it is possible to prevent the toner from being scattered when the toner is replenished or when the toner container 20 is replaced. Reference numerals 55, 56, and 57 denote rubber seal members. The seals 56 and 57 seal the cap member 24 of the toner storage container 20, and the seal 55 seals the lid member 50. By these seal members 55 to 57, the toner is not scattered outside the apparatus, and the toner can be sucked and transferred efficiently.
[0031]
Further, when the external operation member is removed from the toner storage container 20, the above-described operation process is performed in reverse. That is, when the handle 65 is twisted 90 degrees, the slider 61, the handle 65, and the chuck 64 are moved by the compression spring 63, and the state returns to the state shown in FIG. Thereafter, the toner container 20 rotates the base member 24 to separate them.
Even during the separation, the toner storage container 20 is sealed by the seals 55 to 57 and the lid member 50, so that the toner does not scatter outside the toner storage container 20.
[0032]
The replenishing device using the toner container 20 configured as described above detects a change in the mixing ratio of the toner and the carrier based on a conventionally known magnetic permeability detector (not shown) provided in a part of the developing device 10. If the detected value is not more than a predetermined value, the powder pump 41 and the air pump are driven and transferred to the toner developing device 10 of the toner container 20. Then, toner replenishment by this transfer is stopped when the density of the developing toner exceeds a predetermined value.
[0033]
By these controls, the developing device 10 always stores a developing toner having a constant developing toner density, and a stable developing process is guaranteed. Further, the magnetic permeability detector detects that the developing toner concentration is below a predetermined value, and if this exceeds a predetermined number of times / time, it is determined that there is no toner in the toner container 20 and copying is performed. A warning that can be understood by the operator is issued to an operation unit or a display unit provided in a main body (not shown) such as a machine or a printer. As a result, toner can be supplied to the toner container 20 at an appropriate time.
[0034]
It is also possible to perform similar toner replenishment control by detecting the density of a toner image formed on a conventionally known photosensitive drum instead of the magnetic permeability detector.
Since the toner storage container 20 is flexible, the volume in the bag is reduced as the suction of the toner proceeds. However, the cylindrical member 22 causes toner clogging due to local deformation when the toner storage container 20 is reduced in volume. And the stored toner can be discharged without leaving it in the bag. Further, the bottom of the bag-like toner storage container 20 has an inverted conical shape, so that even if a small amount of toner is stored, it naturally falls due to the weight of the toner and is transferred to the suction port of the toner discharge path 22a. As a result, stable toner transfer is possible regardless of the amount of toner stored.
[0035]
The toner replenishing device is driven and controlled by a power outlet (not shown), a power source, a switch (not shown), and a control circuit for driving and controlling a drive motor and an air pump. For these, a conventionally known technique may be used.
[0036]
Also, to ensure the reliability of toner transfer during toner replenishment, the timing of pump drive and pump air supply is important, and air supply has been running before the pump drive (air supply after drive stoppage) It is important that you do it even better. This prevents the toner from remaining in the transfer member (tube or the like) and ensures stable toner supply.
[0037]
The air supply into the toner container may be the same as the supply timing to the pump, but may be synchronized with the toner replenishment signal or intermittent supply thereof.
Since the toner is transported in a mixed state with air through the toner transport member (pipe, tube), there is almost no mechanical stress on the toner. Furthermore, there is no driving load on the transfer member. As a result, the toner characteristics can be maintained and the toner transfer can be ensured, and the reliability and durability of the toner replenishing device can be sufficiently ensured. In addition, the configuration of the toner replenishing device is simplified, and it is possible to reduce power consumption and cost by reducing driving load.
[0038]
This toner replenishing device only needs to connect a flexible toner transfer pipe to the developing device 10 of the image forming apparatus, and since there is no scattering of toner, there is no dust problem and it is safe. In addition, since there is no restriction on the installation position and location of the toner replenishing device with respect to the developing device, it is possible to provide the toner replenishing device at a place where the operability when the user replaces the toner storage (replenishment) container is most easily performed.
[0039]
Since the toner storage container 20 is flexible, the container is not bulky as compared with conventional hard bottles such as cartridges and bottles, and is easy to handle during transportation and storage, and does not take up storage space. Further, the cylindrical member 22 has an advantage that toner aggregation and breakage due to deformation of the bag-like bag-shaped toner storage container 20 can be prevented. Furthermore, the used toner storage means is collected from the user by the manufacturer, and is recycled, reused, or incinerated. This toner storage container is flexible and can be folded and transported. The ease of handling at the time of storage is good, and the advantage of not taking up storage space during transportation and storage is further increased, and it is possible to greatly reduce the cost of recovered logistics from the user to the manufacturer.
[0040]
Further, according to the developing device 10, since the toner replenishing device is not provided, not only the configuration of the developing device becomes very simple, but also the driving of the developing device only needs to drive the developing sleeve and the toner supply screw. Since it is good, the developing device can be downsized, simplified, cost-reduced, highly reliable, power-saving, and easy to maintain. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the above-described effects can be obtained as a whole of the image forming apparatus.
[0041]
It is obvious that the toner storage means only needs to connect the tube and the electric wire bundle for driving / control to the machine main body, and can be a separate unit independent of the machine main body. In this case, the size restriction on the machine body is reduced, and a large amount of toner can be stored. Therefore, there is an advantage that the replacement interval of the toner storing means can be further extended. .
[0042]
The present invention can also be applied to an apparatus that uses a one-component developing toner that is not a two-component developing toner as in the above-described embodiment.
【The invention's effect】
[0043]
According to the configuration of the first aspect, the toner stored in the toner storage container can be reliably carried out from the container without applying stress.
According to the configuration of the second aspect, the toner stored in the toner storage container can be surely carried out from the container without being stressed, and can be moved even at a position away from the container.
[0044]
According to the configurations of the third and fourth aspects, the toner can be transferred without changing the quality and characteristics of the toner.
[0045]
According to the configuration of the fifth aspect , even if the toner container is installed at a position away from the developing device, the toner can be reliably transferred without changing the quality and characteristics thereof.
According to the configurations of the sixth and seventh aspects, it is possible to allow toner to be carried out and air to flow into one toner carry-out nozzle of the toner storage container.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a toner receiving portion of the developing device.
3A is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which a lid member of the toner container of the present invention is opened, and FIG. 3B is a plan view thereof.
4A is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which the lid member of the toner storage container of the present invention is closed, and FIG. 4B is a plan view thereof.
FIG. 5 is a central sectional view of the toner transfer means of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cap and a lid member.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a state in which the cap member of the present invention is removed.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photosensitive drum 10 Developing apparatus 11 Developing sleeve 20 Toner storage container 21 Support member 22 Cylindrical member 22a Toner carrying-out path 22b Air inflow path 40 Powder pump means 41 Powder pump

Claims (7)

In a toner transfer device for transferring toner stored in a toner storage container to a predetermined portion,
A means for the inflow of air from below of the toner storage container before the toner discharge from the toner container,
A suction type 1 Jikuhenshinkotai pump for unloading the toner is fluidized by flowing after the start of inflow of the air from the toner container,
A passage for releasing the air provided above the toner container;
And a filter that covers the passage . In a toner transfer device for transferring toner stored in a toner storage container to a predetermined portion,
A means for the inflow of air from below of the toner storage container before the toner discharge from the toner container,
A suction type 1 Jikuhenshinkotai pump for unloading the toner is fluidized by flowing after the start of inflow of the air from the toner container,
A passage for releasing the air provided above the toner container;
A filter covering the passage;
A toner transfer device comprising: toner moving means for moving the carried toner to a predetermined portion. 3. The toner transfer device according to claim 2 , wherein the toner moving means includes air flow means for flowing in the toner moving direction. 4. The toner transfer device according to claim 3 , wherein the air flow means allows air to flow immediately after the discharge port of the powder pump. A toner container containing toner, and
A means for the inflow of air from below of the toner storage container before the toner discharge from the toner container,
A suction type 1 Jikuhenshinkotai pump for unloading the toner is fluidized by flowing after the start of inflow of the air from the toner container,
A passage for releasing the air provided above the toner container;
A filter covering the passage;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a toner moving unit configured to move the carried toner to a developing device.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a toner carry-out nozzle that allows air to flow into the toner storage container and discharges the toner from the toner storage container.   7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the toner carry-out nozzle is formed of a cylindrical body having substantially two concentric diameters, and the inside is a toner carry-out path and the outside is an air inflow path. Image forming apparatus.

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