JPH04142575A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a seal material from being peeled when a reserve tank is moved at the time of toner replenishing by forming a swell part, which is higher than the end edge of the seal material at a toner guide-in opening, on the cylindrical member of a developer agitating means. CONSTITUTION:When the reserve tank 1013 is mounted at an in-use position, this tank 1013 is positioned right above the cylindrical member 1044 of the agitating means. The seal member 1045 for improving the contactness with the tank 103 is provided at the peripheral edge of the toner guide-in opening 1044a of the cylindrical member 1044. On the top surface of the member 1044, the swell part 1044b is formed surrounding the seal member 1045. thus, when the tank 1013 is rotated toward the in-use position after the replacement of a new toner cartridge, a shutter 1042 abuts on a guide surface 1044c first. Then the shutter 1042 is guided by the guide surface 1044c, so it abuts on a halfway part of Mylar 1046 and never abuts on the end edge of the Mylar 1046. Therefore, the tank 103 rotates to securely prevent the Mylar 1046 from being peeled.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a reserve tank used for supplying toner to a developing device and a cylindrical member of a developer stirring means disposed below the reserve tank. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus equipped with the following, and particularly relates to an image forming apparatus in which a reserve tank is movable between outside and inside the main body.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, in a copying machine, a toner box is provided in the main body of the copying machine as a toner supply device for supplying toner to a developing device, and the toner is transported and supplied from the toner box to the developing device by an auger or the like. It looks like this.

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. In order to deal with this problem, we used a cartridge filled with toner instead of a toner bottle, and when replenishing toner, we installed this cartridge in the toner box and then removed the cap of the cartridge to replenish 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 cylindrical member of the developer stirring means is located below the reserve tank set in use, and there is a connection between the supply port of the reserve tank and the cylindrical member. The toner inlet is almost aligned with the toner inlet. In that case, toner may leak from between the reserve tank and the cylindrical member and stain the inside of the main body. Therefore, a sealing material is attached to the periphery of the toner inlet of the cylindrical member to prevent toner from leaking.

However, since the reserve tank is moved from outside the main body into the main body, there is a possibility that the reserve tank may hit the edge of the sealing material during the movement, causing the sealing material to peel off.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to ensure that the sealing material around the toner inlet port of the cylindrical member does not peel off when the reserve tank is moved during toner replenishment. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can prevent such problems.

[Means for Solving the Problems and Their Effects] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the present invention, a reserve tank is moved into the main body from outside the main body in a cylindrical member of the developer stirring means. A bulge is formed that is higher than the edge of the side sealing material.

Therefore, when the reserve tank moves into the main body from outside the main body, the reserve tank does not hit the edge of the sealing material due to this bulge. Therefore, peeling of the seal material due to movement of the reserve tank is reliably prevented.

In particular, by forming a guide surface on the bulge, when the reserve tank moves from outside the main body into the main body, the reserve tank is guided by this guide surface, so that the reserve tank is guided by the guide surface. It does not come into direct contact with the edge, but comes into contact with a midway portion of the sealing material. Therefore, peeling of the sealing material is more reliably prevented, and since the reserve tank is guided by the guide surface, the reserve tank can be moved smoothly.

[Example code] 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 and on which a document (not shown) is placed, and a platen 3 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.
It is composed of.

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 has a two-component developer for color, and the second developing means 53 has a two-component developer for black.

These image 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 toner cartridge in the toner supply device 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 (roughly speaking, the developing roll 1002 has a part of its outer peripheral surface exposed outside the housing 1001 through an opening provided at one end inside the housing 1001). a developer stirring means 1003 disposed inside the housing 1001 on the back side of the developing roll 1002; trimmer plate 1004 (1-rimer) that regulates the height of the spikes of the magnetic brush of the developer;
It is composed of. Tracking rolls (not shown) are rotatably provided outside both ends of the developing roll 1002, and the tracking rolls are connected to the photosensitive drum 5.
1, the gap between the developing roll 1002 and the photosensitive drum 51 is 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 rotational 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 1008.

Furthermore, 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 10
10, the developing roll 1002 also forcibly transports the peeled developer toward the stirring means 1003 and continuously supplies the developer mixed and stirred by the stirring means 1003 to the developing roll 1002. It has become.

A toner supply device 1011 is disposed above the first auger 1005 in the housing 1001. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, this toner supply device l011
The toner cartridge 1012 includes a toner cartridge 1012 in which toner is stored as a solid mass, and a reserve tank 1013 disposed below the toner cartridge 1012.

Cartridge +012 is a cylindrical part +0 formed from paper.
14a and both side walls 1014b made of resin; a spiral agitator 101 formed by winding a metal wire into a coil;
5 and a coupling 1016 to which the spiral agitator 1015 is connected.

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.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, 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 +014c, and the shutter 1018 is guided by this guide member 1014d and moved in the circumferential direction. It has become so.

This toner cartridge 1012 is removably installed in a predetermined position of a cartridge installation section 1021 provided in the main body 2 of the copying machine.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the reserve tank 1013 has two toner storage sections 101 as described above.
7a and 1017b, and a toner supply section 1024 disposed between these toner storage sections 1017a and 1017b. The toner supply section 1024 supplies toner to the developing means 53. These toner storage areas +
Between 017a1017b and the toner supply unit 1024, partition walls IQ25 and 1026 are provided, respectively. The left end side of these partition walls 1025 and 1026 in FIG. 5 does not extend to the left wall 1013b 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 103 are also provided in the partition walls 1025 and 1026 at a predetermined distance to the left from their right ends.
0 is similarly provided. These openings 1027.
102g, 1029, and 1030 allow the toner storage section 1017a1017b and the toner supply section 1024 to communicate with each other.

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

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 10Hb. 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. The other end of the spiral agitator 1032 is supported in the same manner. 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 1031 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. A blade 103 is provided at a position where the winding direction of the spiral agitator 1032 changes, that is, at a position facing the opening 1030.
5 is attached.

Furthermore, the right end side of the opening 1029 of the toner storage portion 1017a is a toner introduction portion +017c. In addition, the main body 1013 is located slightly to the left in FIG. 5 from the position where the toner replenishment port 1014c of the cartridge
An empty detection sensor 1036 is provided on the side wall of a. This empty detection sensor 1036 is connected to the cartridge +012
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.
When set to 1 for use, the shutter 101810
23 slides, the toner supply port 1014c opens automatically. Therefore, the toner in the cartridge 1012 is transferred to the toner introduction part 1017 in the reserve tank +013 through the toner supply port +014c and the opening 1022c.
introduced in c. 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 then 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 pass through the supply hole 1037.
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 section 1017b is sent toward the right opening 1030 by the spiral agitator 1032. The toner that has come to the opening 1030 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 1017a 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 1017.

In this way, a predetermined amount of the toner in the reserve tank 1013 is sent from the supply hole 1037 to the developing means 53, and the rest circulates between the toner storage sections 1017a and 1017b. This circulation prevents the toner in the toner storage sections 1017a and 1017b from solidifying.

Furthermore, the volumes of the toner storage sections 1017a and 1017b are such that even when the toner in the cartridge 1012 is empty,
2000 until a new cartridge is installed
The size is set so that up to 3,000 copies can be made.

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. 6, this shutter +042 is formed from a fan-shaped flat plate 1042a, and is rotatably provided on the central end side of the fan-shaped shape or on the bottom outer wall surface of the reserve tank 1013 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 +042c having substantially the same shape as the toner supply hole 1037 is provided. And toner cartridge 101
2, reserve tank 10I as described later.
3 pops out from the main body 2, the shutter 10
42 is rotated by the biasing force of the spring to close the supply hole 1037, and when the reserve tank +013 shown in FIGS. By engaging with a retaining portion provided in the member 1044 and rotating against the biasing force of the spring, the opening 1042c opens into the reserve tank 10.
The position is aligned with the toner supply hole 1037 of No. 13. That is, this reserve tank 1013
In the attached state, the toner supply hole 1037 is opened. This shutter 1042 prevents the toner in the reserve tank 1013 from spilling out when replacing the toner cartridge.

Furthermore, a cover member 1043 is integrally provided on the outer surface of the bottom of the reserve tank 1013. This cover member 1
The bottom part 1043a of the 043 is located below the reserve tank 1013, and this bottom part 1043a prevents the toner spilled from the reserve tank 1013 when replacing the toner cartridge 1012, and prevents the inside of the main body 2 or the copying machine 1 from being placed. This prevents the floor, etc., from getting dirty with toner.

As shown in FIG. 7, 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 the broken line. The cartridge 1012 is supported by the main body 2 so as to be rotatable between the cartridge 1012 and the cartridge 1012 replacement position B, which protrudes outward from the main body 2 in the front-rear direction of the main body 2 as shown by a solid line. Therefore, to replace the cartridge 1012, the dispenser section 1041 is rotated to the replacement position B, the used cartridge 1012 is removed, and a new cartridge 1012 is set in the cartridge installation section 1021. After that, dispenser part 1
041 is rotated to the use position A and fixed at the use position A.

When the reserve tank 1013 is installed in the use position A, the reserve tank +013 is located directly above the cylindrical member 1044 of the stirring means 1003. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a toner inlet port +044a is provided at the top of the cylindrical member 1044 and opens into the agitation section in which the first auger 1005 is accommodated. A sealing member 1045 made of urethane foam is provided around the periphery of the toner inlet 1044a to improve adhesion to the reserve tank 1013.

Further, a sealing member 1045 is provided on the upper surface of the cylindrical member 1044.
A U-shaped bulge 1044b is formed so as to surround. The left end of this bulge 1044b in FIG.
That is, the end face of the reserve tank 1013 on the side where it moves from the toner cartridge exchange position B to the use position A is an inclined guide face +044c.

Furthermore, this seal member 1045 and the toner inlet 10
Mylar 1046, which is a sealing member, is attached to the upper surface of the cylindrical member 1044 with an adhesive or the like so as to cover the peripheral edge of the cylindrical member 44a. In that case, in FIG. 8, the left edge of the Mylar 1046 is located between the pair of guide surfaces 1044c.

Then, in FIG. 9, after the new cartridge +012 is installed, when the reserve tank 1013 rotates from the exchange position B toward the use position A, the shutter 1042 also rotates together, and the edge of the shutter 1042 first moves between the pair of guide surfaces. 104
4c. When the reserve tank 1013 further rotates toward the use position A, the shutter +042 is guided by these guide surfaces 1044c, moves to the right, and is placed on the upper surface of the bulge 1044b. In this state, when the reserve tank 1013 further rotates toward the use position, the shutter 1042 comes into contact with the Mylar 1046 and moves along the surface of the Mylar 1046. In this way, shutter 1042 does not abut the left edge of Mylar 1046.

When the reserve tank 1013 further rotates, the shutter 1
042 will be located on the top surface of Mylar 1046.

When the opening 1042c of the shutter 1042 is approximately aligned with the toner inlet 1044a of the cylindrical member 1044, the edge of the shutter +042 is brought into contact with the cylindrical member 1044.
It engages with the engaging portion 1044d of. Therefore, even if the reserve tank 1013 rotates further, the shutter 1o42 does not rotate any further. And reserve tank 1013
further rotates to use position A shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
is set to Reserve tank 1013 is in use position A
, the toner supply hole 1037 of the reserve tank 1013 is connected to the opening 104 of the shutter 1042.
2c and the toner inlet 1044a of the cylindrical member +044, and as a result, the reserve tank +0
The thirteenth toner supply section 1024 is connected to the first toner supply section 1024 of the tubular member 1044.
It communicates with the part where the auger 1005 is installed, and can supply toner.

Conversely, when the reserve tank 1013 rotates toward the replacement position B in order to replace the toner cartridge 1012, the shutter 1042 does not rotate due to the urging force of the spring, so only the reserve tank 1013 rotates.

When the toner supply hole 1037 of the reserve tank 1013 is completely closed by the shutter 1042, the biasing force of the spring disappears, and the shutter 1042 also closes the toner supply hole 1037 of the reserve tank 1013.
and / will both rotate to the exchange position B.

In this way, when the reserve tank 1013 is rotated toward the use position A after replacing a new toner cartridge 1012, the shutter 1042 first moves toward the guide surface 1044.
abuts on c. After that, the shutter 1042 is the guide surface!
044c, it comes into contact with the middle part of Mylar 1046 and does not come into contact with the left edge of Mylar 1046.

Therefore, when replacing the toner cartridge, as the reserve tank 1013 rotates, the mylar 104
6 will be reliably prevented from being peeled off.

As a result, the toner inlet 1044 of the cylindrical member +044
The sealing properties around a are extremely good.

Further, by guiding the shutter 1042 by the guide surface 1044c, the reserve tank 1013 is moved to the use position A.
It will now rotate smoothly towards .

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, the bulge formed in the cylindrical member of the developer stirring means prevents the reserve tank from hitting the edge of the sealing material. , Reliably prevents the reseal material from being peeled off due to movement of the reserve tank.

In particular, by forming a guide surface on the bulge, peeling of the sealing material is more reliably prevented, and
The reserve tank can be moved smoothly.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a color copying machine to which an embodiment of a toner cartridge according to the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a developing means of this color copying machine, and FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a toner supply device. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the toner supply device, FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view of the reserve tank, FIG. 6 is a partial bottom view of the reserve tank, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of toner cartridge installation, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the cylindrical member of the developer stirring means, and FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cylindrical member. 1... Color copy a 5... Image forming device, 51.
...Photosensitive drum, 52...First developing means, 53...
Second developing means, 1003... Stirring means, 1011
... Toner supply device, 1012 ... Toner cartridge, 1013 ... Reserve tank 1042 ... Shutter, 4 ... Cylindrical member, 104 44b ... Swelling part 10 5 ... Seal member , 10 037... Toner supply hole, 042 c... Opening, 104 a... Toner introduction layer, 10 4c... Guide surface, 104 6... Mylar (sealing material)

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A reserve tank that is movable between inside and outside of the main body and stores toner and supplies the toner to the developer stirring means; An image forming apparatus comprising at least a toner inlet into which toner is introduced and a cylindrical member of a developer stirring means for stirring and moving the developer, the image forming apparatus comprising at least a cylindrical member of a developer stirring means for stirring and moving the developer, the cylindrical member having a toner inlet at a peripheral edge of the toner inlet. A sealing material is attached to the cylindrical member, and
An image forming apparatus characterized in that a bulging portion is formed that is higher than an edge of the sealing material on the side where the reserve tank moves from outside the main body into the main body. (2) When the reserve tank is moved from outside the main body into the main body, the reserve tank should not be brought into direct contact with the edge of the seal material, but should be placed in the middle of the seal material. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a guide surface that is brought into contact with the image forming apparatus.