JP2000089568A - Toner supply device, developing device using that, and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a toner supply device which enables decrease in consumption of electric power by providing the device with a controlling means which operates plural toner carry means while inhibiting at least operation of all of the toner carry means at one time. SOLUTION: When operation of a toner supply motor 96 to supply a toner in a reserve tank 87 to a developing device 18 is required while a cartridge motor 84 which drives an agitator 82 in a toner cartridge 81 is operated, the cartridge motor 84 is stopped and the toner supply motor 96 to supply the toner in the reserve tank 87 to the developing device 18 is operated. When the toner supply motor 96 stops, the cartridge motor 84 is operated for only the updated time in the memory, and then stopped. Thereby, both of the cartridge motor 84 and toner supply motor 96 provided in one toner supply device 80 are not driven at one time, and therefore, the power consumption can be decreased to the half compared to a conventional device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toner supply device for supplying toner to a developing device used in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a printer, a developing device using the same, and an image forming apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to a toner supply device capable of greatly reducing power consumption of a toner supply device and the like, a developing device using the toner supply device, and an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a developing device used in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a printer develops an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive drum with toner. The toner is consumed in the developing process. Therefore, the developing device is provided with a toner supply device that supplies toner from a toner cartridge or the like, and is configured to appropriately supply the toner consumed in the development process from the toner supply device.

[0003] As a technique relating to the supply of toner to such a developing device, for example, there is a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-141681. This Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-14168
The reserve tank in the toner dispense section of the image forming apparatus according to Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 1-2004-177686 includes a toner storage section that stores toner from a toner cartridge, and toner supplied from the toner storage section and supplies the toner to a developing device. And a spiral agitator that conveys the toner to the toner supply unit is provided in the toner storage unit, and the toner supply unit supplies the toner to the toner storage unit. An auger for transporting the toner to the developing device is provided, and the spiral agitator is configured such that the toner transporting power is larger than the toner transporting power of the auger.

An agitator for agitating toner contained in a toner cartridge and supplying the toner contained in the toner cartridge to a toner containing section is provided in a toner supply device having a reserve tank constructed as described above. And a spiral agitator for conveying toner from the toner storage unit to the toner supply unit, and an auger for conveying toner from the toner supply unit to the developing device. The toner supply device includes a drive motor that drives an agitator provided in the toner cartridge and a drive motor that drives a spiral agitator and an auger provided in a reserve tank. These two drive motors are driven independently of each other, and the drive motor for driving the agitator in the toner cartridge is driven for a predetermined time when a toner sensor provided at a predetermined position in the reserve tank detects a toner shortage. Then, the toner in the toner cartridge is supplied to the toner storage section of the reserve tank. On the other hand, the drive motor for driving the spiral agitator and the auger in the reserve tank is driven for a predetermined time when a developer density sensor provided at a predetermined position in the developing device detects a decrease in toner density, and is driven by the spiral agitator. The toner is conveyed from the toner storage section in the reserve tank to the toner supply section, and the toner is conveyed from the toner supply section to the developing device by the auger.

[0005]

However, the prior art described above has the following problems. That is, in the case of the toner supply device having the reserve tank according to the above proposal, a drive motor for driving an agitator provided in the toner cartridge and a spiral agitator and auger provided in the reserve tank are driven. Drive motors that are driven independently of each other, it is inevitable that two drive motors are driven at the same time. Therefore, in the case of the toner supply device provided with the reserve tank according to the above proposal, the power required by the toner supply device needs to be sufficient to simultaneously drive the two drive motors, increasing power consumption. Had the problem of doing so. Although the power consumed by the two drive motors is not so large, a developing device having the toner supply device,
When viewed as an entire image forming apparatus including the developing device, the power consumption of the entire image forming apparatus is, for example,
Since the power is limited to 1.5 kW, it is desirable that all the devices constituting the image forming apparatus including the toner supply device consume less power even at 1 W.

In particular, since an image forming apparatus such as a full-color copying machine is provided with four developing devices of cyan, magenta, yellow, black, etc., a toner for supplying toner of each color to these four developing devices is provided. 4 feeding devices
You need one. When two drive motors are required for each toner supply device, eight drive motors are required only for the toner supply device, and the power consumption of the toner supply device itself is reduced. It is a major technical problem in the forming apparatus.

The problem is that the agitator provided in the toner cartridge of the toner supply device and the spiral agitator and auger provided in the reserve tank are driven by separately provided drive motors. Not limited to the case, the toner configured to drive the agitator provided in these toner cartridges and the spiral agitator and auger provided in the reserve tank with one drive motor via an electromagnetic clutch At the same time, even if it is a feeding device,
Since it is necessary to use a drive motor having a large capacity capable of driving the agitator provided in the toner cartridge and the spiral agitator and auger provided in the reserve tank, the power consumption increases accordingly. Occurs similarly.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a toner supply device capable of reducing power consumption.
And a developing device using the same, and an image forming apparatus.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner supply device for supplying toner stored in a toner storage container to a developing device via a plurality of toner conveying means. And a control means for operating at least all of the toner conveying means while prohibiting simultaneous operation of all of the toner conveying means.

The toner conveying means is, for example, 2
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and three or more toner conveying units may be provided. In this case, basically, 3
It is prohibited that all of the three or more toner conveying units operate simultaneously. For example, two or more of the three or more toner conveying units may be configured to operate simultaneously.

Further, according to the present invention, the first toner conveying means for conveying the toner in the toner container to a supply port of the toner container, and a supply port of the toner container. Second to transport toner to developing unit
And a control unit for operating the first and second toner conveying units while prohibiting simultaneous operation of the two toner conveying units. Is a toner supply device.

Furthermore, in the invention described in claim 3, the first toner conveying means and the second toner conveying means are driven by different driving sources. Is a toner supply device.

The present invention is not limited to the case where the first toner conveying means and the second toner conveying means are driven by different driving sources. The present invention can be similarly applied to a case in which a single drive motor is used to drive the motor.

Still further, the invention described in claim 4 is:
4. The toner supply device according to claim 2, wherein the toner transport capability of the first toner transport unit is set to be larger than the toner transport capability of the second toner transport unit. 5.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner supply device for supplying the toner contained in the toner container via a plurality of toner conveying means, and supplies the toner from the toner supply device. A developing unit that performs a developing operation by performing a developing operation, wherein a control unit that operates the plurality of toner conveying units of the toner supply device while prohibiting at least all of the toner conveying units from operating simultaneously is provided. It is a developing device.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a developing device for supplying the toner contained in the toner containing container through a plurality of toner conveying means, and the developing device carries an image. In an image forming apparatus that forms an image by developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a body, a plurality of toner conveying units of the developing device are controlled while at least all of the toner conveying units are simultaneously operated. An image forming apparatus comprising a control unit for operating the image forming apparatus.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image carrier on which electrostatic latent images corresponding to a plurality of colors are sequentially formed in accordance with image information, and sequentially formed on the image carrier. A plurality of developing devices for developing the electrostatic latent image with toner of a predetermined color are rotatably arranged around a rotation axis, and the desired developing device is rotated to a developing position facing the image carrier to perform development. And a plurality of toner supply devices for supplying the toner in the toner container via a plurality of toner conveying means to each of the developing devices of the developing device. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that operates a plurality of toner conveying units of a toner supply device only when a black-and-white image is formed, while prohibiting at least all of the toner conveying units from operating simultaneously. .

Still further, the invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that:
An image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image of a predetermined color is formed, a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier with a toner of a predetermined color, and a toner container in the developing device A plurality of image forming units for forming toner images of different colors from each other, and a plurality of image forming units for forming toner images of different colors from each other. In a color image forming apparatus for forming a color image by sequentially transferring toner images of different colors sequentially formed by the units onto a transfer material or an intermediate transfer material, the toner provided in each of the image forming units An image characterized by comprising a control means for operating a plurality of toner conveying means of a supply device only at the time of forming a color image while inhibiting at least all of the toner conveying means from operating simultaneously. It is formed apparatus.

[0019]

In the toner supply device, the developing device and the image forming apparatus using the toner supply device according to the present invention, a plurality of toner transporting units and at least all of the toner transporting units are basically operated simultaneously by the control unit. In the toner supply device or the like, a plurality of toner conveying units are provided.
At least all of the toner conveying units do not operate at the same time, and power consumption can be reduced accordingly.

[0020]

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

Embodiment 1 FIG. 2 shows a digital color copying machine of a multiple transfer system as an image forming apparatus to which a toner supply device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body of a digital color copying machine, and an upper part of the main body 1 of the digital color copying machine automatically feeds originals 2 onto a platen glass 3 automatically. Document feeder 4 (Auto D
document feeder) is provided. Also, at the upper end of the digital color copier main body 1,
An image reading device 5 (Image) for reading an image of the original 2
Input Terminal). The image reading device 5 illuminates the image of the original 2 placed on the platen glass 3 with the light source 6 and also reflects the reflected light image of the original 2 on the first and second scanning mirrors 7 and 8 and the imaging lens. 9 to scan and expose the CCD sensor 10 via
The CCD sensor 10 is configured to read the color material reflected light image of the document 2 at a predetermined dot density (for example, 16 dots / mm).

The color material reflected light image of the original 2 read by the image reading device 5 is, for example, original reflectance data of three colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) (8 bits each). As an image processing device 11 (Image Process)
The image processing apparatus 11 transmits the reflectance data of the document 2 to the predetermined data such as shading correction, positional deviation correction, lightness / color space conversion, gamma correction, frame erasure, color / movement editing, and the like. Image processing is performed.

The image data subjected to the predetermined image processing by the image processing device 11 as described above is composed of four data of black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) (each of 8 bits). ROS12 (Raster Output S)
The ROS 12 performs image exposure using a laser beam LB in accordance with original color material gradation data.

In the ROS 12, as shown in FIG.
By modulating the semiconductor laser 13 in accordance with the original color material gradation data, a laser beam LB is emitted from the semiconductor laser 13 in accordance with the gradation data. The laser beam LB emitted from the semiconductor laser 13 is deflected and scanned by a rotary polygon mirror 14 and is scanned and exposed on a photosensitive drum 16 via a reflection mirror 15.

The photosensitive drum 16 on which the laser beam LB is scanned and exposed by the ROS 12 is driven to rotate at a predetermined speed in a direction indicated by an arrow by driving means (not shown). The surface of the photosensitive drum 16 is
After being charged to a predetermined potential by the charging scorotron 17 in advance, the laser light L
An electrostatic latent image is formed by scanning and exposing B. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 16 is
Black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) four color developing units 18K, 18Y, 18M, 1
The toner image is sequentially developed by a rotary type developing device 18 provided with an 8C, and a toner image of a predetermined color is obtained.

The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 16 is transferred onto a transfer material 21 such as a transfer sheet held on a transfer drum 20 disposed adjacent to the photosensitive drum 16 by a transfer corotron. Due to the charging of 22, the images are sequentially transferred in multiple layers. The transfer material 21 is, as shown in FIG.
Paper is fed from one of a plurality of paper feed cassettes 23 to 27 stored in the lower part of the copying machine main body 1 by a paper feeding roll 28 or from a manual feed tray 29 arranged on a side surface outside the copying machine main body 1. The transfer material 21 is fed by a feed roll 30, and the fed transfer material 21
1 and the resist roll 32 are transported to the surface of the transfer drum 20 at a predetermined timing. And
The transfer material 21 is held on the surface of the transfer drum 20 in a state where the transfer material 21 is electrostatically attracted to the surface of the transfer drum 20 by charging of the electrostatic attraction corotron 33 and pressing of the attraction roll 34. In addition to the non-standard-size transfer paper such as a postcard, a transparent OHP sheet or the like for an overhead projector can be fed from the manual feed tray 29, and an image can be formed on the OHP sheet or the like. ing.

The transfer material 21 onto which the toner images of a predetermined number of colors are sequentially transferred from the photosensitive drum 16 is separated from the surface of the transfer drum 23 by discharging the corotron 35 for separation, and then the transfer belt 21 is moved. 36, fixing device 3
The toner image is fixed on the transfer material 21 by heat and pressure by the fixing device 37, and is discharged onto a discharge tray 39 by a discharge roll 38, thereby completing the color image copying process.

Further, when a color image is formed on both sides of the transfer material 21, the transfer material 21 having the color image fixed on one side is not discharged onto the discharge tray 39 as it is, The transfer direction of the transfer material 21 is changed by the provided switching plate 40 to the lower double-sided conveyance path 4.
Switch to 1. Then, the transfer material 21 conveyed to the two-sided conveyance path 41 is temporarily put on the intermediate tray 45 in a state where the transfer material 21 is turned upside down by the conveyance rolls 42 and the switching plates 43 and 44 provided in the two-sided conveyance path 41. The transfer material 21 is transferred from the intermediate tray 45 to the transfer drum 23 by the paper feed roll 46 and the transport roll 31.
, The color image is copied on both sides of the transfer material 21.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 47 denotes a cleaner for cleaning the surface of the photosensitive drum 16, reference numeral 48 denotes a pair of discharging corotrons for removing the charge of the transfer drum 20, and reference numeral 49 denotes a cleaner for cleaning the surface of the transfer drum 20. Are respectively shown.

FIG. 3 shows a developing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This developing device is used, for example, as a rotary developing device 18 of a digital color copying machine configured as described above.

As shown in FIG. 3, the rotary type developing device 18 has the same configuration and includes four developing devices 18K, 18Y, 18M,
18C, these four developing units 18K, 1
The developing units 8Y, 18M, and 18C are attached to the developing device holder 51 formed of a substantially cylindrical frame at symmetric positions different from each other by 90 degrees about the rotation shaft 50.
The four developing units 18K, 18Y, 18M, and 18C are:
As described above, black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) developers are stored, respectively. The four developing devices 18K, 18Y, 18
Needless to say, the order of the colors M and 18C and the colors of the developer to be contained may be different from the above order and colors.

The rotary type developing device 1
Reference numeral 8 denotes four developing units 18 by a driving mechanism (not shown).
Developing device holder 5 holding K, 18Y, 18M, 18C
1 are rotatable in the direction of the arrow, and the developing devices 18K, 18Y, 18M and 18C containing toner of a predetermined color to be developed by this driving mechanism are moved to the photosensitive drum as shown in FIG. By sequentially rotating and moving to a development position facing 16, development of a predetermined color is possible. Further, the four developing units 18K, 18Y, 1
8M and 18C can be moved to a predetermined position such as a home position besides the developing position by a driving mechanism and stopped.

As shown in FIG. 4, the developing devices 18K, 18Y, 18M, and 18C of the developing device 18 of the rotary type have photosensitive drums 1 at openings of the developing device housing 52 as shown in FIG.
6, a first screw auger 55 as a stirring and conveying member provided along a partition wall 54 at the lower rear side of the developing roll 53, and The second screw auger 56 and the first and second screw augers 5
5 and 56, the toner T is agitated while being sequentially conveyed.
And a carrier C, and a toner supply member disposed at an intermediate portion on the back side of the developing device housing 52 and serving as a connecting / conveying member for conveying toner T supplied from a toner supply device described later. The main part of the screw auger 59 is formed. Each of the developing units 18K, 1
8Y, 18M, and 18C, inside the developing device housing 52, a developer tank 61 in which a two-component developer 57 including a toner T of a predetermined color and a carrier C which is a magnetic particle is stored.
It has become.

As shown in FIG. 4, the developing roller 53 has a cylindrical developing sleeve 62 which rotates in the direction of the arrow.
And a magnet roll 63 fixedly disposed therein, and a surplus developer 57 is scraped off by a spike restricting member 64 disposed above the developing sleeve 62 so that the outer peripheral surface is A fixed amount of magnetic brush is formed. Then, the developing roller 53 having a predetermined amount of magnetic brush formed on the surface thereof transports the developer 57 to the developing area where the photosensitive drum 16 is opposed to the photosensitive drum 16 with the rotation of the developing sleeve 62, and the developer 57 is placed on the photosensitive drum 16. The formed electrostatic latent image is developed with toner of a predetermined color. In addition,
The magnet roll 63 disposed inside the developing sleeve 62 has a plurality of magnetic poles having a predetermined polarity at predetermined positions on the outer periphery thereof in order to obtain predetermined developing characteristics and developer transport characteristics.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the first and second screw augers 55 and 56 have rotary shafts 65 and 66 which are driven at low speed by a drive motor via a drive gear (not shown). It is composed of conveying blades 67 and 68 formed spirally in the longitudinal direction of the rotating shafts 65 and 66. The transfer blades 67, 68 of the first and second screw augers 55, 56 have transfer blades 67 for receiving the developer 57 at one end thereof.
a, 68a are provided short. The first screw auger 55 has its transport blade 67 made of a non-magnetic stainless steel material (non-magnetic SUS304) or a synthetic resin member (a material to which toner does not easily adhere, such as polycarbonate). It is not affected. Then, the first and second screw augers 55 and 56 transport the developer 57 in the developer tank 61 while stirring the developer 57 in the direction of the arrow, as shown in FIGS. In a state where the developer 57 has been transported to the ends of the second screw augers 55 and 56, an opening 69 provided in the partition wall 54,
The transfer of the developer 57 is carried out via 70, and the developer 57 is circulated and conveyed while being stirred.

As shown in FIG. 4, the toner supply screw auger 59 is disposed in the middle portion on the rear side of the developing device housing 52. As shown in FIG. 5, the screw auger 59 for supplying toner is provided with a second screw auger 5 from outside the one end of the developing device housing 52.
Along the longitudinal direction of the second screw auger 5
6 is arranged to the vicinity of the other end. A return screw auger 59a formed at a fine pitch in the opposite direction is formed short at the downstream end of the toner supply screw auger 59 in the transport direction, and is conveyed by the toner supply screw auger 59. The supplied toner T is reliably supplied into the developing device housing 52. As shown in FIG. 5, the screw auger 59 for supplying toner is driven to rotate by a gear 72 provided at an end of a rotating shaft 71 meshing with a driving gear 74 attached to a driving motor 73. It has become so. The drive motor 73 is fixedly mounted on a support frame 75 of a digital color copying machine, corresponding to a developing position where a developing unit faces the photosensitive drum 16. Further, a gear 7 attached to the end of the rotating shaft 71 of the screw auger 59 for supplying toner is used.
2 is provided in each of the developing devices 18K, 18Y, 18M, and 18C, and is provided in each of the developing devices 18K, 18Y, 18M, and 1C.
The gear 72 is configured to mesh with a drive gear 74 attached to a drive motor 73 when the 8C moves to the developing position.

The screw auger 59 for supplying toner described above.
4 and 5, is covered by a cylindrical member 76. An opening 77 is provided at one end of the cylindrical member 76 so that toner can be supplied from a toner supply device 80 described later. And at the other end,
Second screw auger 56 in developer housing 52
A large opening 78 for supplying toner is provided at the top of the printer.

By the way, the toner supply device according to the first embodiment uses the toner stored in the toner storage container to
In a toner supply device for supplying to a developing device via a plurality of toner conveying units, a control unit is provided for operating the plurality of toner conveying units while inhibiting at least all of the toner conveying units from operating simultaneously. Have been.

FIG. 1 shows a toner supply device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

The toner supply device 80 is provided for each of the developing devices 18K, 18Y, 18M, and 18C from the upper portion of the rotary type developing device 18 to the rear side.
Each toner supply device 80K, 80Y, 80M, 80C
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the corresponding black (K),
The toner cartridges 81K, 81Y, 81M, and 81C are provided as toner storage containers that store toner of each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). These toner cartridges 81K, 81Y, and 81C are provided.
M and 81C are accommodated in the upper part of the rotary multicolor developing device 18 in the digital copying machine main body 1, as shown in FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 6, the toner cartridge 81 is formed in a cylindrical shape and contains a predetermined amount of toner T of a predetermined color. Further, inside the toner cartridge 81, a toner transport agitator 82 for stirring and transporting the toner T is provided. As shown in FIGS. The cartridge 80 is rotatably driven by a cartridge motor 84, which is a drive motor including a synchronous motor and the like attached to a frame 83 on the back side of 80. The toner cartridge 81 includes:
As shown in FIG. 7, the digital color copier main body 1 is mounted by being inserted into a predetermined position from the near side. When the toner cartridge 81 is inserted to a predetermined position of the digital color copying machine main body 1 by rotating the handle 85 provided on the front surface of the toner cartridge 81 by a predetermined angle, The shutter (not shown) of the toner cartridge 81 is opened so that the toner T can be supplied from a toner supply opening 86 provided at a lower part on the back side. The toner cartridge 81
The toner transport agitator 82 disposed therein has a large toner transport capability, and if toner is present in the toner cartridge 81, the toner transport agitator 82 is driven for a predetermined time to provide a sufficient amount of toner. The amount of toner can always be supplied from the toner supply opening 86.

As shown in FIG. 1, a reserve tank 87 for transporting the toner supplied from the toner cartridge 81 to the developing device 18 is provided below the rear end of the toner cartridge 81. I have. As shown in FIGS. 1, 8, and 9, two toner storage portions 88a, 88 having a U-shaped cross section are provided at the bottom of the reserve tank 87.
b and one toner supply unit 88c having a U-shaped cross section located between the two toner storage units 88a and 88b. The two toner storage sections 88a, 88
b, rotatable spiral agitators 89a and 89b for transporting the toner while agitating the toner, and a screw for transporting the toner while agitating are provided inside one toner supply unit 88c. Auger 89c is provided. Among the spiral agitators 89a and 89b and the screw auger 89c, the spiral agitators 89a and 89b are set to have a larger toner transfer capacity than the screw auger 89c. Then, the reserve tank 87
Inside the toner T supplied from the toner cartridge 81
While the toner is conveyed so as to be circulated while being stirred by spiral agitators 89a and 89b provided in the two toner storage portions 88a and 88b, a part thereof is provided in the toner supply portion 88c. The developer 18 is conveyed by a screw-shaped auger 89c, and from a toner discharge port 90 provided on the bottom surface of the toner supply unit 88c via a toner supply tubular member 91 as shown in FIG.
Is supplied with toner.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, on the side wall of the area 92 of the reserve tank 87 where the toner T is supplied from the toner cartridge 81, as shown in FIGS. Is attached.

The cylindrical member 91 for supplying toner is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
7 is located below the toner outlet 90,
The other end provided with the opening 94 facing downward is arranged so as to supply the toner T to the developing device 18 (not shown). A screw-shaped auger 9 for transporting the toner T is provided inside the toner-supplying tubular member 91.
5 are provided.

Incidentally, two spiral agitators 89a and 89b provided in a reserve tank 87 of the toner supply device 80 and one screw auger 8 are provided.
9c and a screw-shaped auger 95 provided in the toner-supplying tubular member 91, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, are driven by a toner-supply motor 96 which is a drive motor composed of a synchronous motor or the like. Each gear 97
a to 97d and a gear (not shown).

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a control circuit for controlling the operation of the toner supply device according to the first embodiment.

In FIG. 10, reference numeral 98 denotes the toner supply device 8.
CPU 99 as a control means for controlling the operation of the entire digital color copying machine including 0, a memory 99 such as a RAM for storing data to be controlled by the CPU 98 as needed;
Reference numeral 4 denotes the above-described cartridge motor for driving an agitator 82 in the toner cartridge 81, reference numeral 96 denotes two spiral agitators 89a and 89b provided in a reserve tank 87, and one screw auger 89c.
And the above-described toner supply motor for driving a screw-shaped auger 95 provided in a cylindrical member 91 for supplying toner.

In the above configuration, in the case of the toner supply device according to the first embodiment, the developing device using the same, and the image forming device, the power consumption can be reduced as follows. ing.

That is, in the digital color copying machine according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) are formed on the photosensitive drum 16. Are sequentially formed on the photosensitive drum 16, and the electrostatic latent images of the respective colors sequentially formed on the photosensitive drum 16 are developed by the developing devices 18K, 18Y, Developed sequentially by 18M and 18C. Then, the toner image of each color of black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) sequentially formed on the photosensitive drum 16 is transferred to the transfer material 12 held on the transfer drum 20. The transfer material 12 on which the toner images of each of these colors are transferred in a multiplexed manner on the transfer drum 12 is separated from the transfer drum 20 and the fixing device 3
7, and is subjected to a fixing process to copy a color image.

At this time, the rotary type developing device 1
In each of the eight developing units 18K, 18Y, 18M, and 18C, toner is consumed when the electrostatic latent image of the corresponding color is developed. Therefore, the toner is supplied by the toner supply device 80 at a predetermined timing.

The toner supply device 8 according to the first embodiment
In the case of 0, as shown in FIG. 11, the CPU 98 determines whether the toner in the reserve tank 87 is insufficient based on the output of the toner sensor 92 (step 10).
1). Then, when the CPU 98 determines that the toner in the reserve tank 87 is not insufficient, the operation of supplying the toner T from the toner cartridge 81 ends.

On the other hand, the CPU 98
When it is determined that the toner in the toner cartridge is insufficient, the remaining time for driving the agitator 82 in the toner cartridge 81 is set with reference to the data stored in the memory 99 in advance (step 102). This toner cartridge 8
The remaining time for driving the agitator 82 in 1 is usually 10
Set to about seconds. Next, a toner supply motor 96 for conveying the toner in the reserve tank 87 to the developing device 18 is provided.
Is off, that is, whether or not the toner supply motor 96 is stopped (step 103). If the toner supply motor 96 is on, that is, it is operating, the process waits until the toner supply motor 96 stops.

Here, the toner supply motor 96 is
When a developer concentration sensor (not shown) provided in the developing unit 18 detects a shortage of toner, the developing unit 18 is preferentially driven for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 sec) to remove the toner in the reserve tank 87 from the developing unit 18. It is set to supply to.

Then, the CPU 98 controls the reserve tank 8
If it is determined that the toner supply motor 96 that conveys the toner in the toner cartridge 7 to the developing device 18 is in the off state, that is, has stopped, the agitator 82 in the toner cartridge 81
Is turned on, the cartridge motor 84 is turned on, and the cartridge motor 84 is driven (step 104). Next, CPU
98 determines whether the remaining time is longer than 0 sec (step 105), and if the remaining time is longer than 0 sec, determines whether the toner supply motor 96 is on (step 106). The toner supply motor 96 is
When the state becomes n, the cartridge motor 84 is turned off (step 107), and the toner supply motor 9 is turned off.
6 is not in the on state, the cartridge motor 8
4 is subtracted from the remaining time, and the remaining time is 0 s.
It is determined whether it is longer than ec (step 106).
Then, when the remaining time becomes 0 sec, the CPU 98 turns off the cartridge motor 84 and ends the toner supply operation.

On the other hand, the CPU 98 determines that the remaining time is 0 seconds.
If the toner supply motor 96 is turned on during this period, the cartridge motor 84 is turned off as described above (step 107), and the time for driving the cartridge motor 84 is subtracted from the remaining time. Then, the remaining time is reset (step 108), and it is determined whether the remaining time has reached 0 sec (step 10).
5). Thereafter, if the remaining time is not 0 sec, the CPU 98 determines again whether or not the toner supply motor 96 is on (step 106). If the toner supply motor 96 is off, the remaining time is determined. 0se
It is determined whether or not c has reached c (step 105). If the remaining time is not 0 sec, the cartridge motor 84 is driven only during the remaining time, as shown in FIG.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the toner sensor 93 for detecting the toner shortage is provided in the reserve tank 87 of the toner supply device 80, and when the toner sensor 93 detects the toner shortage, the toner cartridge 8
The cartridge motor 84 for driving the agitator 82 in the drive 1 is driven for a predetermined remaining time.

Also, two spiral agitators 89a and 89b and one screw auger 89c provided in the reserve tank 87 and a screw auger 89c provided in the cylindrical member 91 for supplying toner. The toner supply motor 96 that drives the auger 95 operates to supply toner to the developing device 18 according to the image forming operation.

Here, two spiral agitators 89a and 89b and one screw auger 89c provided in a reserve tank 87 for supplying toner to the developing device 18 and a cylindrical member for supplying toner are provided. Even if the toner in the reserve tank 87 is reduced by driving the toner supply motor 96 for driving the screw-shaped auger 95 provided in the toner supply 91, and the toner sensor 93 detects the toner shortage, the toner supply motor 96 is While driving,
Instead of driving the cartridge motor 84, after the toner supply motor 96 is stopped, the cartridge motor 84 is operated for the remaining time. Even if such an operation is performed, since the agitator 82 in the toner cartridge 81 driven by the cartridge motor 84 has a large toner conveying force, the toner in the reserve tank 87 does not run short.

Further, when the cartridge motor 84 for driving the agitator 82 in the toner cartridge 81 is operating, and it becomes necessary to operate the toner supply motor 96 for supplying the toner in the reserve tank 87 to the developing device 18 again. Stops the cartridge motor 84,
The toner supply motor 96 that supplies the toner in the reserve tank 87 to the developing device 18 is operated. for that reason,
The toner supply to the developing device 18 becomes insufficient, and the developing device 18
Therefore, the density of the developed toner image does not decrease. At this time, a value obtained by subtracting the operation time from the time when the cartridge motor 84 should be operated is stored in the memory 99. When the toner supply motor 96 for supplying the toner in the reserve tank 87 to the developing device 18 stops again, the cartridge motor 8
4 is stopped after operating for the updated remaining time stored previously.

By doing so, the two drive motors, which are the cartridge motor 84 and the toner supply motor 96 provided in one toner supply device 80, are not driven at the same time. Allocated power consumption is only for one drive motor, and when drive motors of the same capacity are used for the cartridge motor 84 and the toner supply motor 96, the power consumption can be reduced by half compared to the conventional case.

As described above, in the digital color copying machine using the rotary type developing device 18, it is not necessary to switch the rotary type developing device 18 at the time of black-and-white copying. About twice as fast. Therefore, in a digital color copying machine using the rotary type developing device 18, the power consumption is maximized at the time of black and white copying, but at this time, the power consumption of the drive motor used in the toner supply device 80 can be reduced by half. . Therefore, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the developing device 18 using the toner supply device 80 and the entire digital color copying machine.

Second Embodiment FIG. 13 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and described. An image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image of a predetermined color is formed; a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier with a toner of a predetermined color; A toner supply device for supplying toner in a container via a plurality of toner conveying means, and a plurality of image forming units that form toner images of different colors are arranged in parallel, and In a color image forming apparatus for forming a color image by sequentially transferring toner images of different colors sequentially formed by a forming unit onto a transfer material or an intermediate transfer material, the toner image is provided in each of the image forming units. Duplicate toner supply device The image forming apparatus is configured to include a control unit that operates the number of toner conveying units while prohibiting at least all of the toner conveying units from operating at the same time only when a color image is formed.

FIG. 13 shows a tandem-type digital color copying machine according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 13, this digital color copying machine has an image forming unit 105 for each color of black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C).
K, 105Y, 105M, and 105C. Image forming units 105K, 105Y, 105 of each color described above
M, 105C ROS (Raster OutputS)
canner) 108K, 108Y, 108M, 108
C sequentially outputs image data of each color.
Laser beams LB emitted according to image data from 108K, 108Y, 108M, and 108C are applied to respective photosensitive drums 106K, 106Y, 106M, and 106.
The surface of C is scanned and exposed to form an electrostatic latent image. Each of the photosensitive drums 106K, 106Y, 106M, 106
The electrostatic latent image formed on C is developed by developing units 109K and 109K.
By Y, 109M and 109C, black (K),
The toner images are developed as yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) toner images.

Each of the photosensitive drums 106K, 106Y,
As shown in FIG. 12, transfer paper 114 as a sheet for transferring the toner image of each color formed on 106M and 106C has a predetermined size from one of a plurality of paper feed cassettes 115, 116 and 117. Thing is paper feed roller 1
18 and a pair of rollers 119, 120, 121 for conveying the paper
The paper is conveyed via a paper conveyance path 122 composed of The transfer paper 114 supplied from any one of the paper feed cassettes 115, 116, and 117 is sent out onto a transfer belt 124 as an endless carrier by a registration roll 123 that is driven to rotate at a predetermined timing. The transfer belt 124 is endlessly wound around the drive roll 125, the stripping roll 126, the tension roll 127, and the idle roll 128 with a constant tension, and has excellent constant speed (not shown). Drive roll 12 rotated and driven by a dedicated drive motor
5, the circulating drive is performed at a predetermined speed in the direction of the arrow. As the transfer belt 124, for example, an endless belt is formed by forming a synthetic resin film such as PET having flexibility in a belt shape and connecting both ends of the synthetic resin film formed in a belt shape by means such as welding. What was formed in the shape is used.

The leading end of the transfer sheet 114 conveyed by the transfer belt 124 and the first image forming unit 10
The paper feed timing and the image writing timing are determined such that the leading end of the image formed on the first photosensitive drum 106K formed at 5K coincides with the lowest transfer point of the photosensitive drum 106K. I have. The transfer paper 114 that has reached the transfer point is a corotron 111K for transfer.
As a result, the visible image on the photosensitive drum 106K is transferred, and reaches the transfer point immediately below the photosensitive drum 106Y. On the transfer sheet 114 that has reached the transfer point immediately below the photosensitive drum 106Y, a visible image on the photosensitive drum 106Y is transferred in the same manner as the transfer image transferred on the photosensitive drum 106K. Transfer paper 1 after all transfer is completed
The stripping roll 14 is further conveyed by the transfer belt 124 and reaches the vicinity of the stripping roll 126. When the stripping roll 14 reaches the vicinity of the stripping roll 126, the stripping charge is removed by the stripping discharge corotron 129, and the stripping roll 1 having a small radius of curvature is set.
The transfer belt 124 is separated from the transfer belt 124 by the stripper 26 and the separation claw 130. Thereafter, the transfer paper 114 onto which the four color toner images have been transferred is heated by the fixing device 131 to the heating roll 13.
2a and the fixing roller 132b, the image is fixed onto the discharge tray 134 shown in FIG. 2 by the discharge roller pair 133, and a color image is copied. In this embodiment, four color toner images are transferred. Transfer paper 114
Is not directly discharged onto the discharge tray 134, but the transfer paper 114 discharged from the digital copying machine.
As shown in FIG. 11, a post-processing device that performs post-processing such as stapling is connected in place of the discharge tray 134.

When copying a full-color image on both sides of the transfer sheet 114, as shown in FIG.
The transfer sheet 114 on which the color image is formed on one side is not discharged as it is by the discharge roll pair 133, but the transfer direction of the transfer paper 114 is switched downward by the switching plate 135, and the paper transfer roll pair 136, 137, 1
38, 139, etc., via a paper transport path 140,
The transfer sheet 114 is conveyed onto the transfer belt 124 again through the sheet conveyance path 122 in a state where the transfer sheet 114 is turned upside down, and a color image is formed on the back surface of the transfer sheet 114 by the same process as described above.

The four black, yellow, magenta and cyan image forming units 105K, 105Y,
As shown in FIG. 12, all of the four image forming units 105M and 105C have the same configuration.
In 05K, 105Y, 105M, and 105C, as described above, black, yellow, magenta, and cyan toner images are sequentially formed at a predetermined timing. Image forming unit 1 for each of the above colors
05K, 105Y, 105M, and 105C denote photosensitive drums 106K, 106Y, 106M, and 1 as image carriers.
06C, and these photosensitive drums 106K,
The surfaces of 106Y, 106M, and 106C are provided with scorotrons 107K, 107Y, 107M, and 107C for primary charging.
ROS 108K, 108
The image forming laser beam LB emitted from Y, 108M, 108C in accordance with the image data is scanned and exposed,
An electrostatic latent image corresponding to each color is formed. The electrostatic latent images formed on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 106K, 106Y, 106M, and 106C are stored in the respective image forming units 105K, 105K,
05Y, 105M, 105C developing units 109K, 109
Y, 109M, and 109C respectively develop black, yellow, magenta, and cyan toners to form visible toner images. These visible toner images are
Pre-transfer charger 110K, 110Y, 110M, 110C
After the transfer, the transfer chargers 111K, 1K
The transfer belt 1 is charged by charging of 11Y, 111M, and 111C.
The image is sequentially transferred to a transfer sheet 114 held on the sheet 24.
The transfer paper 114 on which the toner images of the black, yellow, magenta, and cyan colors are transferred is a transfer belt 1
After being separated from the fixing device 131, the fixing device 131
, And a color image is formed.

Further, as described above, the transfer paper 114 is supplied from any one of the plurality of paper feed cassettes 115, 116 and 117, and is conveyed onto the transfer belt 124 at a predetermined timing by the registration roll 123. , Paper holding charger 141 and charging roll 142
Is held and conveyed on the transfer belt 124.

The photosensitive drums 106K and 106K
As shown in FIG. 12, Y, 106M, and 106C deactivate the pre-cleaning static eliminator 112K after the toner image transfer process is completed.
The charges are removed by 112Y, 112M, 112C and cleaners 113K, 113Y, 113M, 11C.
3C removes residual toner and the like, and prepares for the next image forming process.

After the transfer sheet 114 is peeled off, the transfer belt 124 is neutralized by a pair of static elimination corotrons 143 and 144 for the transfer belt in a circling orbit, and the surface of the transfer belt 124 is A cleaning device 147 including a rotating brush 145 and a blade 146 removes toner, paper dust, and the like.

FIG. 14 shows a developing device used in the tandem type digital color copying machine.

As shown in FIG. 14, this developing device 109 is formed by a developing device having a two-component developer 156 composed of a toner of a predetermined color and a carrier. A developing roll 153 disposed on the photosensitive drum 106 side of the apparatus housing 152, a developer transport paddle 157 disposed on the rear side of the developing roll 153, and a developer transport paddle 157 disposed on the rear side of the developer transport paddle 157. Augers 154 and 155 for developer conveyance and stirring provided,
And a blade 160 for regulating the thickness of the developer 156 conveyed by the developing roll 153. In this case, the developing roll 153 includes a developing sleeve 158 made of a non-magnetic conductive member such as an aluminum alloy or stainless steel, and a magnet roll 159 fixed inside the developing sleeve 158.

As shown in FIG. 15, a toner box 81 of a toner supply device 80 which is formed separately from the developing device 109 is provided inside the developing device 109.
The toner is supplied.

As shown in FIG. 15, the toner supply device 80 has the same configuration as the device according to the first embodiment. However, in the device according to the second embodiment, a toner Without using the supply screw auger 59, the developer transfer / stirring auger 155 protruding laterally outside the developing device housing 152 from the toner discharge port 90 provided on the bottom surface of the toner supply unit 88 c of the reserve tank 87. Is configured to supply toner directly to the end of the. In addition, the cartridge motor 84 and the toner supply motor 96 provided in one toner supply device 80
And the two drive motors are not driven simultaneously.

By doing so, the two drive motors including the cartridge motor 84 and the toner supply motor 96 provided in one toner supply device 80 are not driven at the same time. Allocated power consumption is only for one drive motor, and when drive motors of the same capacity are used for the cartridge motor 84 and the toner supply motor 96, the power consumption can be reduced by half compared to the conventional case.

As described above, in the tandem-type digital color copying machine, all of the image forming units 105K and the image forming units 105K in the color copy are compared with those in the black and white copy.
Since 105Y, 105M, and 105C operate, power consumption is large. Therefore, if the above-described control is not performed, each color image forming unit 105 can be used during color image formation.
It is necessary to set the eight drive motors of the toner supply devices 80 provided in the K, 105Y, 105M, and 105C so that they can be driven simultaneously. It is sufficient to set a total of four drive motors one by one so that they can be driven simultaneously, and the power consumption of the drive motors used in each toner supply device 80 can be halved. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the developing device 109 using the toner supply device 80 and the entire digital color copying machine. In the case of a black-and-white copy, at most two of the black toner supply device 80 can be used without performing the above control.
Since it is only necessary to drive only one drive motor, there is no need to perform the above control.

The other configuration and operation are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

[0080]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A toner supply device capable of reducing power consumption, a developing device using the same, and an image forming device can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

 .

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a toner supply device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a digital color copying machine to which the toner supply device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a rotary developing device to which the toner supply device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied;

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram illustrating a developing device of a rotary developing device to which the toner supply device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied;

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing the developing device.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a toner cartridge.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram illustrating a mounted state of a toner cartridge of the digital color copying machine.

FIG. 8 is a sectional configuration diagram showing a toner supply device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional configuration diagram showing a reserve tank of the toner supply device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of a digital color copying machine to which the toner supply device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation of the toner supply device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing an operation of the toner supply device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram showing a digital color copying machine to which the toner supply device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram showing a developing device to which the toner supply device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a toner supply device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[Description of sign]

16: photosensitive drum, 18: developing device, 18K, 18
Y, 18M, 18C: developing device, 80: toner supply device,
81: toner cartridge (toner container), 82:
Toner transport agitator (toner transport means), 84: cartridge motor (drive source), 86: toner supply opening, 87: reserve tank, 88a, 88b: toner storage, 88c: toner supply, 89a, 89b: spiral Agitator (toner conveying means), 89c: screw-shaped auger (toner conveying means), 90: toner outlet, 93: toner sensor, 96: toner supply motor (drive source), 98: CPU (control means).

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Akira Yukita 2274 Hongo, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shigemi Murata 2274 Hongo, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Mutsumi Kikuchi 2274 Hongo, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Ryuji Hattori 2274 Hongo, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yokoyama Shino Kanagawa Prefecture Ebina 2274, Hongo Ichi, Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A toner supply device for supplying toner stored in a toner storage container to a developing device via a plurality of toner transporting means, wherein at least all of the plurality of toner transporting means are simultaneously operated. A toner supply device comprising a control unit that operates while prohibiting operation. 2. A toner conveying means for conveying toner in the toner container to a supply port of the toner container, and a second toner conveying means for conveying toner from the supply port of the toner container to a developing device. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a toner conveying unit, and a control unit that operates the first and second toner conveying units while prohibiting both toner conveying units from operating at the same time. Toner supply device. 3. The toner supply device according to claim 2, wherein the first toner conveying unit and the second toner conveying unit are driven by different driving sources. 4. The toner conveying capacity of the first toner conveying means is set to be larger than the toner conveying ability of the second toner conveying means.
3. The toner supply device according to 1. 5. A developing device comprising a toner supply device for supplying toner contained in a toner container via a plurality of toner conveying means, and performing a developing operation by supplying toner from the toner supply device. And a control unit for operating the plurality of toner conveying units of the toner supply device while prohibiting at least all of the toner conveying units from operating at the same time. 6. An electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier by a developing device to which toner stored in a toner storage container is supplied with toner via a plurality of toner conveying means. An image forming apparatus for forming an image by developing a plurality of toner transport units, wherein a control unit that operates the plurality of toner transport units of the developing device while prohibiting at least all of the toner transport units from operating simultaneously is provided. Image forming apparatus. 7. An image carrier on which electrostatic latent images corresponding to a plurality of colors are sequentially formed in accordance with image information, and a toner of a predetermined color formed by sequentially forming the electrostatic latent images on the image carrier. A developing device that rotatably arranges a plurality of developing devices around the rotation axis, rotates a desired developing device to a developing position facing the image carrier, and performs development. In a color image forming apparatus, comprising: a plurality of toner supply devices that supply toner in a toner container via a plurality of toner conveyance units to each of the developing devices; An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls at least all of the toner conveying units to operate at the same time only when a black and white image is formed. 8. An image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image of a predetermined color is formed, a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier with a toner of a predetermined color, and the developing device And a toner supply device that supplies the toner in the toner container via the plurality of toner conveying means to the container, and a plurality of image forming units that form toner images of different colors are arranged in parallel, In the color image forming apparatus for forming a color image by sequentially transferring toner images of different colors sequentially formed by the plurality of image forming units onto a transfer material or an intermediate transfer material, A plurality of toner conveying units of the toner supply device provided in the unit are used only when a color image is formed.
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that operates while at least all of the toner conveying units are inhibited from operating at the same time.