JPH04141681A - Reservoir tank for toner dispensing part in image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To stabilize the dispensability by making the toner carrying force of a spiral agitator stronger than that of an auger to keep the toner pressure in a reservoir tank approximately constant. CONSTITUTION:A reservoir tank 1013 is provided with a toner storage part 1017 where toner from a toner cartridge is stored and a toner supply part 1024 to which toner is supplied from the toner storage part 1017 and which supplies the toner to a developing device, and a spiral agitator 1031 which carries toner to the toner supply part 1024 is arranged in the toner storage part 1017, and an auger 1038 which carries toner to the developing device is arranged in the toner supply part 1024. The toner carrying force of the spiral agitator 1031 is made stronger than that of the auger 1038. Thus, the toner pressure in the reservoir tank 1013 is kept approximately constant to stabilize the dispensability.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a reserve tank in a toner dispensing section that supplies toner to a developing device.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, in a copying machine, a toner box is provided in the main body of the copying machine as a toner dispensing unit for supplying toner to a developing device. It is supposed to be done. When the toner box runs out of toner, the toner box is pulled out to the toner replenishment position and the toner filled in the spare toner bottle is refilled into the toner box. This replenishment of toner is difficult for the user because the type of toner varies depending on the copying machine model, and is usually performed by a service person to prevent incorrect toner replenishment.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, if the service person replenishes the toner in this manner, the user must contact the service person every time the toner runs out, which is extremely troublesome. Furthermore, due to circumstances such as a service person, toner is not always replenished immediately even if you contact them, which not only takes time, but also makes it impossible to make copies during that time, making it difficult to copy efficiently. I can't.

Additionally, there is a problem that when replenishing toner, toner spills on the floor or stains clothing. To deal with this problem, we used a cartridge filled with toner instead of a toner bottle, and when replenishing toner, after installing this cartridge in the toner box, we removed the cap of the cartridge to replenish the toner, and then refilled the toner. It has been proposed that the cartridge be removed when the process is completed. According to the toner replenishment method using this cartridge, it is possible to reduce toner spillage and staining of clothes etc. due to spilled toner.

However, this toner replenishment method using a cartridge requires three operations: cartridge mounting operation, toner replenishment operation, and cartridge removal operation, which is cumbersome to operate.

Moreover, even with this replenishment method, a service person must perform the toner replenishment work, so it is still necessary to contact the service person as described above, and it takes time for the service person to come and replenish the toner. There is a problem. Furthermore, when removing the cartridge after replenishing toner, toner may spill and stain clothing.

Therefore, in order to deal with such problems, the present applicant has previously proposed an image forming apparatus as described below.

In other words, this image forming apparatus is movable between the inside and outside of the main body, and is provided with a reserve tank that stores toner and supplies this toner to the developer stirring means, and also has a reserve tank that can be moved outside the main body. In this image forming apparatus, the reserve tank is moved into the main body and set in a state in which a toner cartridge containing toner is mounted on the reserve tank. According to this image forming apparatus, the toner cartridge is simply set in the reserve tank, and then the reserve tank is set in the main body, so the toner cartridge remains attached to the main body, making it easy to prevent toner from spilling. You can replenish toner without any trouble.

Incidentally, in such an image forming apparatus, the toner in the toner cartridge is supplied to a reserve tank and is temporarily stored in the reserve tank. The toner stored in the reserve tank is fed to the stirring means of the developing machine through the toner supply port of the reserve tank.

In this way, when toner is fed to the developing machine via an intermediate member called a reserve tank, the amount of toner fed, that is, the dispense amount tends to decrease and become unstable. When the dispense amount decreases, as shown in FIG. 12, the dispense rate decreases, resulting in a possible problem that the copy density decreases.

Also, when you remove the toner cartridge from the reserve tank to replace it,
In order to prevent foreign matter such as dirt and dust from entering the reserve tank, the toner supply port is closed with a shutter, but this shutter must be opened and closed every time the toner cartridge is replaced. Therefore, there may be a problem that the operation is cumbersome.

Furthermore, if toner is to be replenished by the user, there may be problems such as the user mistakenly replenishing toner for a different model, or replenishing imitation toner other than the genuine toner for that model. .

Furthermore, when replacing the toner cartridge, toner may spill and stain the floor and interior of the machine.

The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and its purpose is to provide an image with stable dispensing performance even if a reserve tank is provided as an intermediate for supplying toner to a developing machine. It is an object of the present invention to provide a reserve tank in a toner dispensing section of a forming device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a reserve tank in a toner dispensing section of an image forming apparatus that can improve operability in toner supply and prevent the inside of the machine and the floor from becoming dirty due to toner spillage. It is.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a reserve tank in a toner dispensing section of an image forming apparatus that can prevent erroneous replenishment of various kinds of toners and can also prevent imitation toners from being supplied.

[Means for Solving the Problems and Their Effects] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 provides the following: a toner storage section for storing toner from a toner cartridge in a reserve tank; and a toner storage section for storing toner from a toner cartridge. A toner supply section is provided to which toner is supplied from the developer and a toner supply section which supplies the toner to the developing device. A spiral agitator for conveying toner to a toner supply section is disposed in the toner storage section, and an auger for conveying toner to a developing device is disposed in the toner supply section. The toner conveyance force of the spiral agitator is set to be greater than the toner conveyance force of the auger.

In this way, by making the toner conveyance force of the spiral agitator larger than the toner conveyance force of the auger, the toner pressure in the reserve tank is maintained almost constant, and the dispensing performance is stabilized.

Further, the invention according to claim 2 is provided with a cover that covers the upper part of the reserve tank, and this cover has a holding portion that holds the toner cartridge and an opening that introduces the toner of the toner cartridge into the reserve tank. There is. Furthermore, this cover is provided with a shutter that opens and closes the opening in conjunction with the operation of attaching the toner cartridge to the holding portion.

This makes it possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the reserve tank through the opening, and improves operability since the shutter is automatically opened and closed by mounting the cartridge.

Further, in the third aspect of the invention, the shutter is locked in a predetermined position by a locking mechanism, and the lock is released in conjunction with the mounting operation of a predetermined toner cartridge to the holding portion, thereby enabling the shutter to open and close.

This not only prevents erroneous replenishment of toner of other types, but also reliably prevents replenishment of imitation toner.

Furthermore, the invention according to claim 4 includes a cover that covers the upper part of the reserve tank. This cover has a holding part that holds the toner cartridge, a toner cartridge positioning part, and an opening that introduces the toner of the toner cartridge into the reserve tank. Furthermore, this cover is used as a toner receptacle by integrally forming a holding part and a positioning part.

As a result, when installing the toner cartridge,
Since the toner cartridge is positioned by the positioning section and held by the holding section of the cover, the toner cartridge can be mounted accurately and easily.

Furthermore, the invention according to claim 5 includes a cover that covers the upper part of the reserve tank. This cover has a holding portion for holding the toner cartridge, a toner cartridge positioning portion, and an opening for introducing the toner of the toner cartridge into the reserve tank.

Furthermore, a toner reservoir is provided near the opening of the cover.

This toner reservoir can catch and stop toner leaking from the reserve tank, eliminating shutter malfunction and preventing toner from scattering.

Furthermore, in the sixth aspect of the present invention, a cover member that covers the lower side of the developing device and the toner dispensing section is integrally provided with the reserve tank.

This cover member makes it possible to reliably catch and stop toner spilling from between the developing device and the toner dispensing section. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the inside of the machine, the floor, etc. from getting dirty with toner.

[Example] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a color copying machine to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

As shown in FIG. 1, the color copying machine 1 includes a main body 2, a platen 3 provided on the top side of the main body 2, on which an original (not shown) is placed, and a circular plate provided below the platen 3.
An image information reading section 4 that reads image information of a document, an image forming device 5 that receives signals from the image information reading section 4 and forms a predetermined image, and transfers the image formed by the image forming device 5 to a transfer medium. A transfer unit 7 that transfers the image onto the paper 6, and a paper supply unit 8 and a paper transport unit 9 that supply and transport the paper 6.
, a fixing device 10 that fixes the toner image transferred to the paper by the image forming device 5, and an ejection tray 11 that receives the paper on which the toner image is fixed.

The image forming apparatus 5 includes a photosensitive drum 51 and a first developing means 52 and a second developing means 53 arranged adjacent to the photosensitive drum 51. The first developing means 52 is a developing device having a two-component developer for color, and the second developing means 53 is a developing device having a two-component developer for black.

Both of these developing means 52 and 53 are arranged in correspondence with each other, and are moved toward and away from the photosensitive drum 51 by a tract mechanism (not shown).

Next, the second developing means 53 in which the reserve tank in the toner dispensing section of this embodiment is disposed will be described in more detail.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second developing means 53 includes a photosensitive drum 5
It develops the second latent image formed on the developing roll 1002 (1002), which has a part of its outer peripheral surface exposed outside the housing 1001 through an opening provided at one end of the housing +001. developer stirring means +003 disposed inside the housing 1001 on the back side of the developing roll 1002; and a label attached to the top plate of the housing 1001 above the developing roll 1002; The trimmer plate 1004 (trimmer) regulates the height of the spikes of the magnetic brush of the developer.

Tracking rolls (not shown) are rotatably provided outside both sides of the developing roll 1002, and when the tracking rolls come into contact with the photosensitive drum 51, the gap between the developing roll 1002 and the photosensitive drum 51 is maintained at a predetermined value. It is designed to be maintained.

On the other hand, the stirring means 1003 includes a first auger 1005 and a second auger, which are disposed so as to coincide with the developing roll 1002 in the axial direction.
It consists of an auger 1006 and a partition plate 1007 erected on the housing 1001 to separate these two augers. The rotation directions of the first auger 1005 and the second auger 1006 are determined so that the developer conveyance directions are opposite to each other. Further, at both ends of the partition plate 1007, there is a region where the first auger 1005 is arranged (hereinafter referred to as the first stirring path 1008) and a region where the second auger 1006 is arranged (hereinafter referred to as the second stirring path 1009). A communicating opening is provided so that the developer is circulated in the order of first stirring path 1008 → second stirring path 1009 → first stirring path +008.

Further, a paddle wheel 1010 having a plurality of blades parallel to the axial direction is provided between the developing roll 1002 and the stirring means 1003. This paddle wheel +01
0, the developer peeled off from the developing roll 1002 is forcibly conveyed toward the stirring means 1003, and the developer mixed and stirred by the stirring means 1003 is continuously supplied to the developing roll 1002. It has become.

A toner supply device 1011 of the present invention is disposed above the first auger 1005 in the housing 1001.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, this toner supply device 1011 includes a toner cartridge 1012 filled with toner, and this toner cartridge 101.
2 and a reserve tank 1013 disposed under the tank.

As shown in FIGS. 5(a) to 5(d), the cartridge 10
Reference numeral 12 denotes a cylindrical case body 1014 consisting of a cylindrical portion 1014a made of paper and both side wall portions 1014b made of resin, a spiral agitator 1015 formed by winding a metal wire into a coil, and this spiral agitator. Campling 10 to which 1015 is connected
It consists of 16. If the cylindrical portion 1014a is made of paper, the paper can be freely cut to a predetermined length, so that it can be easily adapted to various models by simply changing the length of the cylindrical portion 1014a. Become. Moreover, since paper is cheap, cartridge 1012
can be formed at extremely low cost.

A cylindrical portion 1014a at one end of the case body 1014 is provided with a toner supply port 1014c for supplying toner to the reserve tank 1013. The toner replenishment port 1014c opens into one toner storage portion 1017a of a tank portion 1017 of a reserve tank 1013, which will be described later.

The spiral agitator 1015 is the toner supply port 10.
The end 1015a on the side 14c is a free end, and the end 015b on the side opposite to the toner replenishment port is the side wall 10.
It is rotatably supported on the inner peripheral surface of 14b. A driving force transmission shaft 1 is provided at the end 1015b on the opposite side to the toner supply port side.
015c are integrally connected, and this driving force transmission shaft +
015c extends toward the toner supply port 1014c along the center of rotation of the spiral agitator 1015, and its end is connected to a coupling 1016 rotatably attached to the center of the right side wall 1014b. There is.

This driving force transmission shaft! 015c toner supply port 1015d
A triangular protrusion-shaped toner crushing portion 10 is provided at a portion facing the
]5d is formed. In this manner, spiral agitator 1015 is supported in a cantilevered manner.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the cartridge 1012 is provided with a shutter 1018 that is slidable in the circumferential direction and closes the toner supply port 1014c when the cartridge 1012 is not installed.

That is, a guide member 1014d is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 1014a of the main body 1014 along the circumferential direction of the toner supply port 1014c.
A guide groove 1014e is formed along the circumferential direction in 14d.

Both ends of the shutter 1018 are bent and engaged with the guide groove 1014e so as to be movable in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, the main body 1014 has a toner supply port 1.
A flexible sealing member (not shown) is attached to each of the shutters 014c, and one end of this sealing member is fixed to the shutter 1018. And shutter 1018
When sliding in the circumferential direction, the sealing member is peeled off as the shutter 1018 moves, and the toner supply port 10]4c is opened. Further, a lock release cam l014f is provided on the right edge of the guide member +014d on the opposite side from the shutter 1018 in the same figure (C).

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10F, a first positioning part 1019 and a second positioning part 1020 are formed on both side walls 014b of the main body 1014, respectively. The first positioning portion 1019 is formed on the periphery of the side wall portion 1014b on the side closer to the toner supply port 1014c so as to protrude outward, and its end surface is flat. Also,
The second positioning portion 1020 is formed on the periphery of the side wall portion 1014b on the side far from the toner replenishing port +014c so as to protrude outward, and similarly has a flat end surface. As shown in (c) and (f) of the same figure, the second alignment section 1020
The second positioning portion 1020 is formed with a clockwise phase shift by a predetermined angle α, and has a plane width a of the second alignment portion 1020.
2 is set larger than the plane width a of the first alignment portion 1019.

In addition, as shown in the same figure (C), the lock release cam +014
f is formed with a phase shift in the clockwise direction by a predetermined angle β with respect to the first positioning portion 019. This predetermined angle change β will also be explained in more detail later.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, this toner cartridge 1012 is removably installed in a predetermined position of a cartridge installation part +021 provided in the main body 2 of the copying machine. 6th
As shown in FIGS. (a) to (C), the cartridge installation section 10
21 is formed on a cover 1022 that closes the upper opening of the reserve tank +013. This cover 1022 consists of a semi-cylindrical main body 1022a that holds the toner cartridge 1012, a side wall 1022b provided at one end of this main body 1022a, and a mounting portion +022n that is fitted onto the upper end of the reserve tank 1013, and these are integrated into one body. It is formed as follows.

A rectangular opening 01 (122c) is bored at approximately the center of the main body 1022a near the side wall 1022b.Toner from the toner cartridge 1012 is supplied to the reserve tank 1013 through this opening 022c as described later. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6(d), near the opening]022c of the main body 1022a,
A lock 1022d is provided. As is clear from the same figure (e), the lock 1022d is formed at the tip of the arm 1022f extending circumferentially from the main body 1022a within the opening 1022e formed in the main body 1022a. It consists of a lock portion 1022g that protrudes inward from the inner circumferential surface. Arm portion 102
2f is elastically deformable, so when a rightward force is applied to the lock portion 1022g in the figure, the cock portion 1022g retracts outward from the inner peripheral surface of the main body 1022a, and the force is released. Then, the elasticity of the arm portion 1022f causes it to protrude inward from the inner peripheral surface of the main body 022a.

An opening 1022c formed in the main body 1022a of the cover 1022 is closed by a shutter 1023. As shown in FIG.
23 is formed in an arc shape, and includes a cartridge support portion 1023a that supports the cylindrical portion 1014a of the toner cartridge 1012, and an opening 1022c that supports the guide member 1014d of the toner cartridge 1012.
and a shutter portion 1023b that closes the shutter. A cutout groove l023C of a predetermined width is formed between the support part 1023a and the shutter part 023b, and as will be described later, the shutter 1023 is connected to the main body 102 of the cover 1022.
When the lock 10 is installed in the predetermined position of 2a,
The lock portion 102b of 22d is fitted into this groove 1023c.

Furthermore, the inner circumferential surfaces of both ends of the shutter portion 1023b are thin portions 1023tl extending along the circumferential direction. Then, as shown in FIG. 8(a), the opening 1 of the main body 1022a is opened.
The thin part 1023d is fitted into the guide groove 1022i of the side wall of the recess 1022i formed along the circumferential direction of the guide member +022h provided near the guide member +022c, so that the shutter 1023 is attached to the main body 1022a in the circumferential direction. Assembled so that it can slide. shutter 1023
When the cover 1022a is assembled to the main body 1022a, the cutout groove 1023c opens to the left with respect to the cover 1022 shown in FIG. 6(a). When the shutter 1023 is at the left limit position where the opening 1022c is completely closed, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3, the lock 022d fits into the notch groove 1023c. As a result, the shutter 1023 becomes unable to slide in the circumferential direction, and the opening 1
022c is held closed. Therefore, foreign matter such as dirt and dust is prevented from entering the reserve tank 1013 through the opening 1022c.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(f), the main body 1022a is provided with a toner reservoir portion 1022p located near the opening +022c. This toner reservoir 10
22p is the shutter 10 when the shutter 1023 is opened and closed.
Due to the toner drawn by the toner 23 and the toner pressure in the reserve tank being maintained at a constant pressure, the thin wall of the guide groove 1022j and the shutter 1023, for example, is drawn from the reserve tank 1013 side as shown by the arrow in FIG. 8(b). Part 10
The receiver is designed to stop toner, etc. leaking through the gap between the cover and the cover 23d. In this way, the toner reservoir 10
22p accommodates the toner that enters the main body 1022a of the cover 1022, toner may scatter into the main body 1022a, and the guide groove 1022j is filled with toner, making it difficult to open and close the shutter 1023. is prevented.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6(c), a circular hole 1022k is formed in the side wall +022b, and when the toner cartridge 1012 is installed, a hole formed in the side wall 1014b of the toner cartridge 1012 is inserted into the circular hole 1022k. The cylindrical protrusion 1014g is fitted into it. The cover 1022 configured in this way has a side wall +0
22b is located on the power transmission mechanism 1039 side (on the right side in Fig. 4), which will be described later.
It is fitted on top of 013. In that case, the main body 1022a that supports the toner cartridge 1012, the side wall portion 10]
4b and attachment part] 022n are integrally formed, the toner cartridge 1012 is attached to the reserve tank 10.
13 and the drive gear 1039a of the power transmission mechanism 1039
It can be positioned and fitted with high precision. Since the toner cartridge 1012 is thus positioned and held in the main body 1022a, the toner cartridge 1012 can be easily installed.

The cover 1022 also includes the main body 1 (122a, side wall +0
By integrally forming the mounting portion 1411 and the mounting portion 1022n, it is shaped like a toner receptacle. That is, the cover 1022 includes a semi-cylindrical main body 1022a and a side wall portion 1.
014b and is formed into a container shape. Therefore, even if toner is spilled due to an operation such as replacing the toner cartridge 1012, the toner will be transferred to this cover 102.
2 will ensure that the receiver is stopped, so it will not fall into the cabin.

Next, the predetermined angle β between the first positioning portion 1019a+ and the lock release cam 1014f will be explained. This angle β is set when the toner cartridge 101 is set with the plane of the first alignment portion 1019 facing upward and horizontally.
The size of the lock release cam 1014f is set to be axially opposed to the notch groove 1023c when the cartridge 2 is placed on the cartridge installation portion 1021. therefore,
Place the toner cartridge 1012 in the cartridge installation section 1.
021, the first positioning portion 1019 al
While maintaining the horizontal position of the toner cartridge]0
12 in the axial direction towards the side wall +022b,
The lock release cam 1014f comes to enter the notch groove 1023c. When the lock release cam 1014f enters the notch groove 1023c, the lock 1022d fitted in the notch groove +023c is released from the lock release cam 101.
4f and escapes from the notch groove 1023c.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 9, the reserve tank 1013 has two toner storage sections 10 as described above.
A toner supply section 1 that supplies toner to the developing means 53 is disposed between a tank section 1017 consisting of 17a, ]0]7b and these toner storage sections 1017a and 1o17b.
024. These toner storage areas +0
17a1017b and the toner supply section 1024,
Partition walls 1025 and 1026 are provided respectively. The left end side of these partition walls 1025 and 1026 in FIG. 9 does not extend to the left wall +013b of the main body 1013a of the reserve tank 1013, so there are openings between the left wall 1013b and the left ends of the partition walls 1025 and 1026, respectively. 1027.1028 are formed. In addition, openings 1029 and +0 are also formed in the partition walls 1025 and 1026 to the left by a predetermined amount from the right ends thereof.
30 are similarly provided. These openings! 027
．． +028,1029.1030 allows the toner storage section 1017a1017b and the toner supply section 1024 to communicate with each other.

Spiral agitators 1031 and 1032 each made of a metal wire such as a spirally wound wire are arranged in parallel to each other in the toner storage portions 1017a and 1017b.

Right end 1031a of one spiral agitator 1031
is connected to the gear shaft 1033 and the left end 1031
b is rotatably supported by the left side wall +013b. The spiral agitator 1031 is wound in one direction, and a blade 1034 is attached to a position facing the opening 1027 near the left end. Both ends of the other spiral agitator 1032 are similarly supported. The spiral agitator 1032 is wound in opposite directions with the opening 1030 as a boundary. That is, the spiral agitator 1032 is wound in the same winding direction as the spiral agitator +031 to the left of the opening 1030, but is wound in the opposite winding direction to the spiral agitator 1031 to the right of the opening 1030.

Spiral agitator 10320 The position where the winding direction changes,
That is, the blade 10 is located at a position facing the opening 1030.
35 is installed.

Further, the right end side of the toner storage section 1017a with respect to the opening 1029 is a toner introduction section 1017c. Also, the main body is located slightly to the left in FIG. 9 from the position where the toner supply port 1014c of the cartridge 1012 faces! 013
An empty detection sensor 1036 is provided on the side wall of a. This empty detection sensor 1036 is connected to the cartridge 1012.
It is designed to detect whether or not there is toner inside.

On the other hand, at a predetermined position at the bottom of the toner supply section 1024,
A supply hole 1037 for supplying toner to the developing means 53 is provided. Furthermore, in the toner supply section 1024, an auger 1038 and two spiral agitators 1031.
It is arranged parallel to 1032. This auger 1038
Similarly to the spiral agitators 1031 and 1032, they are rotatably supported by the main body 1013a. Auger 10
The winding direction of the 38 spirally wound blades is opposite across the supply hole 1037.

In the reserve tank 1013 configured in this way, the cartridge 1012 is located in the cartridge installation section 102.
1, the shutter 101810
23 slides, the toner supply port 1014c automatically opens. Therefore, the toner in the cartridge 1012 passes through the toner supply port 1014c and the opening 1022c to the toner introduction port +017c in the reserve tank 1013.
will be introduced in The introduced toner is sent to the left by the rotation of the spiral agitator 1031 and is detected by the empty detection sensor 1036. When the toner is sent to the left, new toner is further introduced from the cartridge 1012 into the toner introduction section 1036. When the toner reaches the left end of the toner storage section 1017a, the toner is sent toward the toner supply section 1024 through the opening 1027 by the blade 1034. A portion of the toner sent to the toner supply section 1024 is sent toward a supply hole 1037 by an auger 1038, and is supplied toward the developing means 53 through the supply hole 1037. In that case, even if the toner passes through the supply hole 1037, the blades of the auger 1038 are in the opposite direction, so the toner that has passed will flow through the supply hole 1.
037. It is reliably sent to the developing means 53 through the supply hole 1037.

On the other hand, the remainder of the toner sent to the toner supply section 1024 is pushed by new toner sent by the blade 1034, so that it passes through the opening 1028 to the toner storage section 1.
017b. The toner that has flowed into the toner storage portion +017b is sent toward the right opening 1030 by the spiral agitator 1032. The toner that has arrived at the opening +030 is moved to the opening 1030.10 by the blade 1035.
29 and is sent to the toner storage unit 1017a. In this case, even if the toner passes through the opening 1030, the spiral agitator 1032 in the opposite direction returns the toner to the opening 1030.

The toner that has flowed into the toner storage portion +017a is sent to the left again by the spiral agitator +031.

In this case, since the toner is reliably sent to the left by the spiral agitator 1031, the toner flowing from the opening 1029 does not flow toward the toner introducing portion 1017c on the right. Therefore, only the toner from the cartridge 1012 is introduced into the toner introduction section 10I7.

In this way, a predetermined amount of the toner in the reserve tank 1013 is sent to the developing means 53 from the supply hole +037, and the rest circulates between the toner storage parts]017a and 1017b. This circulation prevents the toner in the toner storage portions 1017a, ]017b from solidifying.

By the way, in this embodiment, the spiral agitator 103
The number of turns and rotational speed of the spiral agitator 1031 and the auger 1038 are set so that the toner conveying force of the spiral agitator 1031 and the auger 1038 is greater than the conveying force of the auger 1038. By setting in this way, the spiral agitator 10
Since the amount of toner conveyed by the auger 1038 and the amount of toner sent to the toner supply hole 1037 by the auger 1038 is small, the toner is pushed toward the toner supply section 1024 by the spiral agitator 1031.
Toner pressure increases. When the toner pressure rises to a constant pressure, even if the spiral agitator 1031 tries to feed more toner, the toner that has reached the constant pressure will pass through the hollow part of the spiral agitator 1031, so the toner pressure will no longer be higher than the constant pressure. It will never rise. In this way, the toner pressure sent to the toner supply section 1024 is kept almost constant, and the toner supply hole l03
The amount of toner sent from 7 to the developing device is also approximately constant. As a result, the dispensing becomes stable and the copy density also becomes stable.

Further, the capacity of the toner storage units 1017a and 1017b is set to a size that allows 2000 to 3000 copies to be made even if the cartridge 1042 is empty of toner, until a new cartridge is inserted. There is.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a shutter 104 is provided on the bottom outer peripheral surface of the toner supply section 1024 in the reserve tank 1013 so as to cover the supply hole 1037.
2 is provided. As shown in FIG. 10, this shutter 1042 is formed from a fan-shaped flat plate 1042a, and is rotatably provided on the bottom outer wall surface of the reserve tank 1013 at the center end of the fan-shaped shape by a shaft 1042b. ing. The shutter 1042 is biased to one side by, for example, a spring (not shown). In addition, this fan-shaped flat plate 1042a has a reserve tank 1013.
An opening 1042c having substantially the same shape as the toner supply hole 1037 is provided. And toner cartridge 101
2, reserve tank 101 as described later.
3 pops out from the main body 2, the shutter 10
42 rotates by the biasing force of the spring to close the supply hole 1037, and when the reserve tank 1013 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is attached to the main body 2, the shutter 1042 By engaging with the retaining portion 1044b provided on the member 1044 and rotating against the biasing force of the spring, the opening 1042c is aligned with the toner supply hole 1037 of the reserve tank 1013. has been done. That is, when the reserve tank 1013 is installed, the toner supply hole 1037 is open and communicates with the toner introduction port 1044a of the cylindrical member 1044. This shutter 1042 prevents the toner in the reserve tank 1013 from spilling when replacing the toner cartridge.

Further, a cover member 1043 is integrally provided on the bottom outer surface of the reserve tank 1013. A bottom portion 1043a of this cover member 1043 is located below the reserve tank 1013, and due to this bottom portion 1043a, when the toner cartridge 1012 is replaced, toner may fall out from the joint between the reserve tank 1013 and the cylindrical member 1044 of the stirring means 53. This prevents the inside of the main body 2 and the floor on which the copying machine 1 is placed from being soiled by toner. Furthermore, the lower end 10 of the cover member 1043
By supporting 43b with the main body 2 (not shown),
The vertical position of the reserve tank 1013 can also be regulated. This prevents the weight of the dispensing section 1041 from being applied to the developing device.

As shown in FIG. 11, a dispenser section 1041 consisting of a cartridge 1012, a cartridge installation section 1021, a reserve tank 1013, a power transmission mechanism 1039, and a motor drive means 1040 is located at a use position A of the cartridge 1012 in the left-right direction of the main body 2, as indicated by a broken line. and a cartridge 1012 replacement position B that protrudes from the main body 2 in the front-rear direction of the main body 2 as shown by a solid line.
is supported by Therefore, cartridge 1012
To replace the dispenser part 1041, move it to the replacement position B.
The cartridge +012 is rotated to remove the used cartridge +012, and a new cartridge 1012 is set in the cartridge installation section 1021. Thereafter, the dispenser portion 1041 is rotated to the use position A and fixed at the use position A.

Next, a method for setting the toner cartridge 1012 in the cartridge installation section 1021 will be explained. First, as shown in FIG.
to the replacement position B, and insert the toner cartridge 1012 into the cartridge installation section 10 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
Place it on 21. In that case, toner cartridge 10
12 first positioning portions 1019 are placed upward and horizontally. Next, in this state, toner cartridge 1
012 in the axial direction forward (to the right in FIG. 4).

At this time, assuming that the toner cartridge 1012 is a regular cartridge for this copying machine, the lock release cam l0I4f of the toner cartridge 1012 is a notched groove! 023c, so the lock release cam 10
14f fits into the notch groove 1023c. therefore,
The toner cartridge 1012 has a cylindrical protrusion 1014g.
can be moved to a predetermined position in the axial direction fitted into the circular hole 1022k of the cover 1022. If the toner cartridge 1012 is a cartridge for another copying machine or a copy of the cartridge, the lock release cam 1o14f does not face the notch groove 1023c, so the lock release cam 1014f does not face the notch groove 102.
3c, and the toner cartridge cannot be moved to a predetermined position in the axial direction.

Therefore, such a cartridge cannot be installed in a predetermined position of the cartridge installation section 1021.

This ensures that the toner cartridge is not installed incorrectly.

When the lock release cam 1014f fits into the notched groove +023c, the cam 1014f presses the lock 1022d fitted into the notched groove 1023c, and the notched groove 102
Escape from 3c. Therefore, the shutter 1023 becomes slidable in the circumferential direction. In this state, when the toner cartridge 1012 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 3 (the user's rotational feeling is clockwise),
Since the end 1014h of the guide member 1014d on the side of the unlocking cam 1014f comes into contact with the end 1023e of the shutter portion 023b of the cartridge support portion 1023a, the shutter 1023 rotates together with the toner cartridge 1012. This rotation of the shutter 1023 causes the cover 1022 to
opening 1022c opens. On the other hand, since one end 1018a of the shutter 1018 of the toner cartridge 1012 is engaged with the engagement portion 1022m of the cover 1022, the shutter 1018 does not rotate together with the toner cartridge 1012 even when the toner cartridge 1012 rotates. That is, the shutter 1018 is connected to the l.ner cartridge 101.
toner supply hole 1.
014c opens. In this way, in conjunction with the rotation of the toner cartridge 1012, the rain shutter 1018.1
023 rotates, toner supply hole 1014c and opening 1
022c will both open automatically.

Furthermore, when the toner cartridge 1012 rotates, the portion of the guide member 1014d where the guide groove 1014e is formed becomes the guide member! 022h recess] Fits into 022i. This fitting prevents the toner cartridge 1012 from moving in the axial direction.

Then, when the toner cartridge 1012 is rotated by a predetermined angle α, the second positioning portion 1020 becomes horizontal.

As a result, the toner cartridge 1012 is installed in a predetermined position. When the toner cartridge +012 is installed in a predetermined position, both the toner supply hole 1014c and the opening 1022c are open, so that the toner in the toner cartridge 1012 passes through the toner supply hole +014c and the opening 1022c and enters the toner introducing portion 1017c of the reserve tank 1017. will be introduced in Finally, in this state,
Rotate the dispenser part 1041 to remove the cartridge 101.
2 Set the toner cartridge in use position A to complete the installation of the toner cartridge.

When the toner cartridge 1012 runs out of toner and needs to be replaced, the user rotates the dispenser section 1041 to remove the toner from the cartridge 101.
2 Change to replacement position B. Next, toner cartridge 10
12 in the clockwise direction until the first positioning portion 1019 becomes horizontal in FIG. In this state, the guide member 1014d is inserted into the recess 1022h of the guide member 1022h.
i, the shutter 1023 rotates and closes the opening 1022c. Further, the shutter 1018 moves relative to the cartridge, and the toner supply port 1014c
closes.

In this state, when the toner cartridge 1012 is moved axially to the left in FIG. 4, the toner cartridge 1012 is taken out. toner cartridge 1
Due to this movement of the lock 102, the lock release cam 1014f escapes from the notch groove 1023c, and the lock 102
2d fits into this groove 1023c. As a result, the shutter 1023 becomes immovable in the circumferential direction of the lock tongue. The user discards the empty toner cartridge at a predetermined location and installs a new toner cartridge 1012 filled with toner. Since this installation is exactly the same as described above, the explanation thereof will be omitted.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above description, according to the invention as claimed in claim 1, the toner conveyance force of the spiral agitator is made larger than the toner conveyance force of the auger, so that the toner pressure in the reserve tank is increased. Maintains almost constant dispensing performance.

Further, according to the invention of claim 2, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the reserve tank through the opening of the cover, and since the shutter is automatically opened and closed by installing the cartridge, its operability is improved. improves.

Furthermore, according to the third aspect of the invention, the shutter will not be unlocked unless a predetermined toner cartridge is installed, which not only prevents erroneous replenishment of toner of other types;
Replenishment of counterfeit toner is reliably prevented.

Furthermore, according to the invention of claim 4, when the toner cartridge is installed, the toner cartridge is positioned by the positioning part and held by the holding part of the cover.
Toner cartridges can be installed accurately and easily.

Furthermore, according to the invention of claim 5, the toner reservoir section allows
It is now possible to stop toner leaking from the reserve tank, eliminating shutter malfunctions and preventing toner from scattering.

Further, according to the sixth aspect of the invention, the cover member can reliably catch and stop toner spilling from between the developing device and the toner dispensing section. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the inside of the machine, the floor, etc. from getting dirty with toner.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a color copying machine to which an embodiment of the toner cartridge according to the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the developing means of this color copying machine, and FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the toner dispensing section. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the toner dispensing section, and FIG. 5 shows an example of a toner cartridge, (a) is a front view thereof, (b) is a bottom view thereof,
(c) is a right side view, (d) is its axial cross-sectional view,
(e) is a cross-sectional view along the VE-VE line in (d),
(f) is its perspective view, FIG. 6 shows the cover, (a
) is a plan view, (b) is a front view, (c) is a right side view, (d) is a sectional view along the VID-VID line in (a), (e) is an enlarged view of part A, (f) is a sectional view along the VIP-VIF line in (a), FIG. 7 shows the shutter, (a) is a plan view, (b) is a front view, (c)
is a right side view, Figure 8 (a) is a view corresponding to the cross section along the line ■-■ in Figure 3, and Figure 8 (b) is a view corresponding to B in (a).
Figure 9 is a horizontal sectional view of the reserve tank.
0 is a diagram showing a shutter for opening and closing the toner supply hole of the reserve tank, FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of toner cartridge mounting, and FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between toner pressure and dispensing performance. 1... Color copy maple 5... Image forming device, 51.
...Photosensitive drum, 52...First developing means, 53...
Second developing means, 1011... Toner dispenser 1012... Toner cartridge, 1013...
Reserve tank 1017... 1022 for toner storage.
...Cover 1022 a--Main body (holding part), 1022
b - Side wall, 1022c... Opening, 1022d
...Lotsukyu 1022k...opening, 1022p...
・Toner reservoir, 1023...Shutter, 1o24・
... Toner supply capacity 1031 ... Spiral agitator, 1037 ... Toner supply: L 1038 ...
Auger, 1o41...dispense i 1043
...Cover member patent applicant Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Representative Patent attorney Kenji Aoki (7 others)
1R et al. 3 Figure 2 Section 11 Figure 5 Figure 5 (e) Figure 5 014b Figure 6 (d) (e) Figure 6 (f) M7 Figure 023a Figure 8 (a) (b) 10″z,ia 022a

Claims (6)

[Claims] (1) A reserve tank comprising a toner storage section that stores toner from a toner cartridge, and a toner supply section that supplies toner from the toner storage section and supplies the toner to a developing device, wherein the toner storage section A spiral agitator for conveying the toner to the toner supply section is disposed in the storage section, and an auger for conveying the toner to the developing device is disposed in the toner supply section. A reserve tank in a toner dispensing section of an image forming apparatus, wherein the toner conveyance force of an agitator is set to be greater than the toner conveyance force of the auger. (2) A reserve tank that accommodates the toner introduced from the toner cartridge from above and supplies the toner to the developing device, the upper part of the reserve tank being covered;
and a cover having a holding part for holding the toner cartridge and having an opening for introducing the toner of the toner cartridge into the reserve tank; 1. A reserve tank in a toner dispensing section of an image forming apparatus, characterized in that a shutter is provided for opening and closing the opening in conjunction with a shutter. (3) locking the shutter in a predetermined position;
3. The toner for an image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a locking mechanism that releases the lock in conjunction with the mounting operation of a predetermined toner cartridge in the holding portion and enables opening and closing operations of the shutter. Reserve tank in the dispense section. (4) A reserve tank that accommodates toner introduced from the toner cartridge from above and supplies the toner to a developing device, comprising a holding portion that covers the top of the reserve tank and holds the toner cartridge; a cartridge positioning section;
The cover is provided with an opening for introducing the toner of the toner cartridge into the reserve tank, and furthermore, this cover serves as a toner receptacle by integrally forming the holding portion and the positioning portion. A reserve tank in a toner dispensing section of an image forming apparatus. (5) A reserve tank that accommodates toner introduced from the toner cartridge from above and supplies the toner to the developing device, the reserve tank having a lid on the top;
and a cover having a holding part for holding the toner cartridge and a positioning part for the toner cartridge, and an opening for introducing the toner of the toner cartridge into a reserve tank; A reserve tank in a toner dispensing section of an image forming apparatus, characterized in that a toner reservoir is formed nearby. (6) A reserve tank in a toner dispensing section that accommodates toner introduced from the toner cartridge from above and supplies the toner to a developing device below, the cover covering below the developing device and the toner dispensing section. A reserve tank in a toner dispensing section of an image forming apparatus, characterized in that the members are integrally provided.