JP2000321872A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a carrier collection mechanism for preventing carrier scattering when a collection device is attached or detached. A developer collecting device for collecting a developer discharged from a developing device is detachable from an image forming apparatus main body, and the developing device and the developer collecting device are attached to the image forming apparatus main body. In the mounted state, the receiving port 68 provided in the developer collecting device 69 is located below the discharge port 60 provided in the developing device 6, and the developer collecting device 69 is provided from the image forming apparatus main body.
An image forming apparatus that opens and closes the discharge port 60 in a direction that is non-parallel to the direction in which the developer recovery unit 69 is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a developer collecting mechanism, such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the above-mentioned image forming apparatus, a developing device for developing an image carrier such as a latent image carrier using a developer comprising a toner and a carrier is generally used. An image forming apparatus having a developing device using a two-component developer generally includes a toner cartridge or the like. The toner is supplied to the developing device every time an image is formed, for example, on the order of several thousand sheets in accordance with the consumption amount. In such an image forming apparatus, it is not necessary to consider the deterioration because the toner is consumed sequentially, but the carrier is not consumed. There is a problem that the charging characteristics are deteriorated due to sticking of the toner and the quality of the formed image is deteriorated. Therefore, it is necessary to replace the carrier.

Conventionally, replenishment of a new toner to a developing device is performed by
The user has to replace the toner cartridge with a new one. However, since the replacement of the carrier requires skill, a service person has performed the replacement. However, in recent years, in laser printers and the like, replacement of consumables and deteriorated parts is generally performed by the user himself, and the deteriorated carrier is simply replaced with a new carrier so that the user can also replace the carrier. Various techniques have been proposed for this.

In the exchange of the carrier, it is difficult to remove only the carrier because the two-component developer is a mixture of the toner and the carrier. Therefore, various techniques have been proposed for supplying a two-component developer having a higher toner concentration than usual to a developing device to supply the toner, and for collecting the overflowing developer to sequentially collect the deteriorated carrier. . Since the deteriorated carrier gradually increases as it is collected, it is necessary to discard the deteriorated carrier.In order to facilitate the disposal, the recovering device for collecting the deteriorated carrier is a cartridge type that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus. A mechanism has been proposed in which the image forming apparatus is removed from the image forming apparatus and discarded.

[0005] In the developer collecting mechanism having such a cartridge type collecting device, when the collecting device is attached or detached, the carrier is discharged to the collecting device. There is a problem that the carrier leaks from a receiving port provided in the collecting device for receiving the carrier, thereby contaminating the inside and outside of the image forming apparatus. A technique for solving this problem is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-28950.
No. 5, JP-A-7-44015 and the like. The technology described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-289505 discloses a method of attaching and detaching a collecting device, in which a receiving port and a discharging port are provided.
It is opened and closed by shutters provided at the receiving port and the discharging port, and the technology described in JP-A-7-44015 is disclosed in
The discharge port is opened and closed by a shutter provided at the discharge port when the collection device is attached or detached.

[0006]

However, in any of the above techniques, the receiving port and the discharging port are arranged in a horizontal direction with respect to each other, and the shutter opens and closes in a direction parallel to the attaching / detaching direction of the collecting device. However, the carrier remains in the communicating portion between the receiving port and the discharging port, or enters the guide portion of the shutter, and the movement of the shutter is reduced. The problem described above occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an image forming apparatus having a carrier collecting mechanism for preventing carrier scattering when a collecting unit is attached and detached.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A developing device for developing the image carrier using a developer including a toner and a carrier, and a developer collecting device for collecting a developer discharged from the developing device, wherein the developing device includes the developer A discharge port for discharging the developer to the collection device, the developer collection device having a receiving port for receiving the developer discharged from the discharge port, and at least one of the developing device and the developer collection device; In the image forming apparatus in which the developer collecting device is detachable with respect to the image forming apparatus main body, the receiving port is the discharge port in a state where the developing device and the developer collecting device are mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. It is characterized by being located below.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developing device for developing an image carrier using a developer comprising a toner and a carrier, and a developer collecting device for collecting the developer discharged from the developing device. Wherein the developing device has a discharge port for discharging the developer to the developer collecting device, and the developer collecting device has a receiving port for receiving the developer discharged from the discharge port; An image forming apparatus in which at least the developer collecting device is detachable from the image forming device main body of the apparatus and the developer collecting device, in a state where the developer collecting device or the developing device is detached from the image forming device main body; And a discharge port shutter member for closing the discharge port. The discharge port shutter member opens and closes the discharge port in a direction non-parallel to a direction in which the developer collecting device is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. Characterized by .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the receiving port is provided with the discharge port in a state where the developing device and the developer collecting device are mounted on the main body of the image forming device. It is characterized by being located below.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the second and third aspects, the developing device is arranged such that the developing device extends from the developing device main body toward the discharging device. A developer discharge member having a passage through which the developer passes.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect, the developer discharging member is a cylindrical member protruding from the developing device main body, and has a peripheral surface provided with the developer discharging member. A discharge port, the discharge port shutter member having a first hole communicable with the discharge port on a peripheral surface thereof, and a second hole communicable with the pass port; It is a cylindrical member provided inside the developer discharge member so as to be rotatable with respect to the developer discharge member.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect, the developer discharging member is provided on a peripheral surface thereof in a direction non-parallel to a direction in which the developer collecting device is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus. The discharge shutter member includes a first elongated hole formed therein, and the discharge port shutter member includes a sliding member slidable on the first elongated hole and protruding from the peripheral surface of the developer discharge member. The developer collecting device has a first engagement member engageable with the sliding member, and the developer collecting device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the developing device is mounted. and when,
Alternatively, when the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body with the developer collecting device mounted thereon, the sliding member is engaged with the first engaging member, and the discharge port shutter member is rotated. Then, in a state where the developing device and the developer collecting device are both attached to the image forming apparatus main body, the discharge port communicates with the first hole, and the passage port communicates with the second hole. It is characterized by the following.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the first elongated hole is spirally formed on a peripheral surface of the developer discharging member.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the sixth or seventh aspect, the sliding member is a ridge formed spirally on a peripheral surface of the discharge port shutter member. And

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect, the developer discharging member has a circumferential surface on a peripheral surface thereof, the direction being non-parallel to a direction in which the developer collecting unit is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. The discharge shutter member has an engaging hole on its peripheral surface at least partially communicating with the first long hole. A first engaging member engageable with the engaging hole communicating with the first elongated hole, and the developer collecting device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body with the developing device mounted thereon. When the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body with the developer collecting device mounted thereon, the first engaging member engages with the hole, and the discharge port shutter member rotates. Then, in a state where the developing device and the developer collecting device are both attached to the image forming apparatus main body, The discharge port and the first hole is communicated,
The passage port and the second hole communicate with each other.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the ninth aspect, the first elongated hole is spirally formed on a peripheral surface of the developer discharging member.

The invention according to claim 11 is the invention according to claim 4 or 5.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a receiving shutter member that closes the receiving port when the developer collecting device or the developing device is detached from the image forming apparatus main body. Are opened and closed in a direction non-parallel to the direction in which the developer collecting device is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the eleventh aspect, the developer discharging member has a circumferential surface on a peripheral surface thereof, the direction being non-parallel to a direction in which the developer collecting unit is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus body. The discharge port shutter member has an engaging member slidable in the long hole and protruding from a peripheral surface of the developer discharge member. When the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body with the developing device mounted thereon, or when the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body with the developer collecting device mounted thereon, Are engaged with the receiving shutter member, and the discharge port and the receiving port communicate with each other when the developing device and the developer collecting device are both mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. .

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the sixth to tenth aspects, the developer collecting device or the developing device is detached from the image forming apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus further includes a receiving shutter member for closing the inlet, and the receiving shutter member opens and closes in a direction non-parallel to a direction in which the developer collecting device is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, the developer discharge member has a circumferential surface on a peripheral surface thereof, the direction being non-parallel to a direction in which the developer collecting device is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. The discharge port shutter member has a second engagement member slidable in the second long hole and protruding from a peripheral surface of the developer discharge member. When the developer collecting device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body with the developing device mounted thereon, or when the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body with the developer collecting device mounted thereon When the second engaging member is engaged with the receiving shutter member, and the developing device and the developer collecting device are both attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, the discharging port is connected to the receiving port. It is characterized in that it communicates with the entrance.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fourteenth aspect, when the developer collecting device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the developing device is mounted, or when the developing device is mounted. Is attached to the image forming apparatus main body with the developer collecting device attached, after the receiving shutter member opens the receiving port, the discharge port communicates with the first hole, and the The passage port and the second hole communicate with each other.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fourteenth or fifteenth aspect, when the developer collecting device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the developing device is mounted, or When the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the developer collecting device is mounted,
After the discharge port communicates with the first hole, the passage port communicates with the second hole.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the fourteenth to sixteenth aspects, the second slot is the discharge port.

[0025] The invention described in claim 18 is directed to any one of claims 6 to 10 or any one of claims 13 to 17.
In the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the first engagement member includes:
With respect to the receiving port, the discharge port is disposed on a side opposite to a side on which the discharge port relatively moves with respect to the receiving port.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to eighteenth aspects, there is provided a developer supply device for supplying a developer to the developing device. The apparatus has a supply port through which the developer is supplied from the developer supply device, and the supply port is disposed higher than the passage port.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the nineteenth aspect, the developer supply device and the developer collection device are integrated.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to twentieth aspects, there is provided a cleaning device for removing the toner remaining on the image carrier, and a cleaning device for removing the toner. And a toner collecting device for collecting the collected toner, wherein the toner collecting device and the developer collecting device are integrated.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to twenty-first aspects, the image forming apparatus has a plurality of the developing devices, and uses a different color toner for each of the developing devices. It is characterized in that a plurality of color images are formed.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the twenty-second aspect, one developer recovery device is provided for each of the developing devices.

[0031]

FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The image forming apparatus 100 is a tandem type full color electrophotographic apparatus, and includes a driving roller 11, a driven roller 12
And a transport belt 10 driven in the direction of arrow B by the rotation of the drive roller 11 and transporting the sheet 17A as a sheet, and a transport belt 10 downstream of the driven roller 12 and upstream of the drive roller 11 in the B direction. And an image forming unit 101 which forms a toner image on a sheet 17A conveyed by the conveyance belt 10 and is provided at a lower portion of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 and accommodates the sheet 17A. Paper feeder 17 and paper feeder 1
7 and a pair of registration rollers 20 for conveying the sheet 17A conveyed by the sheet feeding roller 18 toward the conveying belt 10 at a predetermined timing. A separating claw 19 for separating the sheet 17A on which the toner image has been transferred from the conveyance belt 10, a fixing device 50 for fixing the toner image on the sheet 17A separated from the conveyance belt 10 by the separation claw 19, A discharge tray 52 serving as a discharge stack unit on which the sheet 17A on which the image is fixed is stacked;
A cleaning blade 51 as a cleaning unit for cleaning 0, an operation panel (not shown) for giving an instruction such as the number of images to be formed in the image forming apparatus 100, and a control unit for performing various controls according to an operation on the operation panel and the like. , A charging unit (not shown) for electrostatically attracting the sheet 17A to the conveyor belt 10, a fan (not shown) for exhausting the inside of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 to prevent an excessive rise in temperature, etc. have.

The image forming means 101 is provided from the upstream side in the B direction.
An image forming unit 21Y for forming a yellow toner image on the sheet 17A, an image forming unit 21M for forming a magenta toner image on the sheet 17A, and an image forming unit for forming a cyan toner image on the sheet 17A. Unit 21C and an image forming unit 21 for forming a black toner image on paper 17A
B. Each imaging unit 21Y, M, C, B
Are yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. However, since the configurations themselves are the same, hereinafter, when there is no need to particularly distinguish them, they are simply referred to as the image forming unit 21. , Y, M, C, and B are also omitted from the description of the reference numerals of the respective elements constituting the image forming unit.

The image forming unit 21 includes an OPC photosensitive member (hereinafter, referred to as a "photosensitive member") 1 as an electrostatic latent image carrier, which is an image carrier driven by the rotation of a driving source (not shown) in the direction of arrow A. A charging device 4 as charging means for charging the photoconductor 1, which is arranged around the photoconductor 1 in order in the direction A.
A laser writing unit 5 that emits a laser beam 9 for performing optical writing in an optical writing unit 55 on the photoreceptor 1 charged by the charging device 4, and an image formed by the laser writing unit 5 as a toner image. A developing device 6 as a developing means for forming an image; and a photoconductive member 1 opposed to the photoreceptor 1 via a conveyor belt 10 for transferring a toner image formed on the photoreceptor 1 by the developing device 6 onto a sheet 17A. Transfer roller 7, a cleaning device 88 that removes the toner remaining on the photoconductor 1 after the transfer, and a developer that is disposed on the opposite side of the transport belt 10 with respect to the developing device 6 and supplies the developing device 6 with the developer. FIG. 2 is a diagram including a developer supply device 8 that is a developer supply device as a developer supply unit and a charge removal lamp that removes electricity from the photoconductor 1 cleaned by the cleaning device 32. And a charge removing device which does not.

Although not shown, the laser writing unit 5 includes a laser light source, a polygon mirror for reflecting a laser beam 9 emitted from the laser light source, a motor for rotating the polygon mirror, and a laser reflected on the polygon mirror. It has an fθ lens that transmits the light 9 and a mirror that reflects the laser light 9 transmitted through the fθ lens toward the photoconductor 1. The laser light source emits one of a plurality of pieces of position information provided on the conveyor belt 10 in synchronization with a signal detected by a detection unit (not shown), so that the latent image to be formed is not shifted. 1 is written on.

The photoreceptor 1 and the conveyor belt 10 are in contact with each other at the position where the transfer roller 7 is disposed, and the transfer roller 7 disposed inside the transfer belt 10 and opposed to the photoreceptor 1 is applied. The voltage causes the toner image on the photoconductor 1 to be transferred onto the sheet 17 </ b> A conveyed on the conveyor belt 10. This transfer is performed by the photoconductors 1Y, 1M,
Each time a toner image is formed on each of C and B, the transfer is performed in order. In the case of performing overlap transfer for forming a color image, the toner images on the photoconductors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1B The toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are transferred to a predetermined position of the paper 17A conveyed above in the order of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. Is a so-called one-pass type in which the toner image is transferred in an overlapping manner. The sheet that can be used for the image forming apparatus 100 is not limited to a normal sheet, but may be a recording medium such as a cardboard or a plastic.

As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, or FIG. 4, the developing device 6 is disposed below the photoreceptor 1 and uses a developer called a two-component developer composed of a toner and a carrier. A developing roller 31 for developing the photoreceptor 1, which has a magnet (not shown) therein and is disposed to face the photoreceptor 1 and supplies toner to a latent image on the photoreceptor 1;
Transport screw 32 for supplying the developer to the developer, and a developer transport screw disposed in parallel with the developer transport screw 32 to agitate and circulate the developer in the developing device 6 together with the developer transport screw 32. 33, and a partition plate 34 for partitioning the developer conveying screws 32, 33
A doctor 96 for regulating the developer on the developing roller 31 to a thickness suitable for development, and a hollow cylindrical developer discharging member 36 protruding from the casing 35 of the developing device 6.

The developer conveying screws 32, 33 are respectively provided with bearings 37, 3 provided on both side walls of the casing 35.
8, shafts 39 and 40 supported at both ends, and screws 41 and 4 formed on the shafts 39 and 40 by a spiral having a predetermined pitch.
2 and gears 43 and 44 provided at one ends of the shafts 39 and 40 so as to be engaged with each other.
Are driven to rotate in opposite directions to each other, and as shown by arrow C,
The developer circulates through the developing device 6 while being stirred. The developer conveying screws 32 and 33 have their shafts 39 and 40, respectively.
At the downstream side in the C direction has spiral screws 45 and 46 having a smaller pitch than the screws 41 and 42 and opposite to the screws 41 and 42, and the shafts 39 and 40
The transport direction of the developer transported in the direction parallel to the direction is changed so as to pass the developer to the developer transport screws 33 and 32, and the developer stays at the downstream ends of the developer transport screws 33 and 32 in the C direction. I have never been. In order not to hinder such delivery of the developer, the partition plate 3 corresponding to the screws 45, 46
4 is notched.

As shown in FIG. 4, the space inside the developer discharging member 36 and the space inside the developing device 6 main body are formed at predetermined heights on the casing 35 and the peripheral surface of the developer discharging member 36. Are communicated with each other through the passage 47. A supply port to which the developer is supplied as shown in FIG. 3 is provided on the downstream side of the passage port 47 in the direction C of the casing 35 and at a position higher than the passage port 47, that is, above (on the front side in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the developer supplied from the supply port 48 is provided at the developer supply position 4 on the downstream side of the passage port 47 in the direction C as shown by a two-dot chain line.
9 fall. As a result, the newly supplied developer does not immediately pass through the passage 47, and is agitated and mixed with the existing developer in the main body of the developing device 6 by the developer conveying screws 33 and 32. A discharge port 60 is formed at the bottom of the peripheral surface of the developer discharge member 36.
The passing port 47 is a port through which excess developer overflows as indicated by an arrow I when new developer is supplied from the supply port 48, and passes from the main body of the developing device 6 toward the discharge port 60. .

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the developer discharging member 3
6, a hollow cylindrical discharge port shutter member 61 capable of closing the discharge port 60 is provided to the developer discharge member 36 through a sponge seal member 62 in FIG. It is provided so as to be rotatable in a plane parallel to the paper surface and to be slidable in the direction of the rotation axis of this rotation, that is, in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. The discharge port shutter member 61 is provided with a hole 63 that can communicate with the discharge port 60 and a hole 64 that can communicate with the passage port 47 on its peripheral surface, and the holes 63 and 64 exist inside the hole 63. There is a partition wall 97 that separates the space from the other space and prevents the developer flowing from the hole 64 from entering the other space when moving toward the hole 63. As shown in FIG. 7, the outlet shutter member 61 is
Is slidable in a long hole 65 spirally formed in a direction non-parallel to the rotation axis direction on the peripheral surface of the developer discharging member 36 shown in FIG. The sliding member 66 is a slidable member, and the discharge member 60 is slidable in a discharge hole 60 as a long hole formed in a peripheral surface of the developer discharge member 36 in a direction non-parallel to the rotation axis direction. 36, and a plate-shaped engagement member 67 protruding from the peripheral surface. Sliding member 6
6 is provided on the axial side of the hole 63, and the engaging member 67 is provided on the upstream side of the hole 63 in the direction D of the rotation directions D and E of the outlet shutter member 61. A long hole corresponding to the long hole 65 and the discharge port 60 is formed in the seal member 62.

The developing device 6 can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 100 in the directions indicated by arrows F and G in FIG. In the state of being inserted into the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 by being inserted into the main body in the direction shown in FIG.
And the like, and a developer supply / recovery unit 70 integrally including a developer recovery unit 69 as a developer recovery unit for recovering the developer discharged from the developing device 6.
Are located in a receiving space 71 provided in the unit 70 in a state where both are mounted on the image forming apparatus 100. The developer supply / recovery unit 70 can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 100 in the directions indicated by arrows G and F in FIG. Image forming apparatus 1
It is attached to the main body by inserting it into the main body. A detection member (not shown) that detects whether the developing device 6 and the developer supply / recovery unit 70 are mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 is provided on the main body side of the image forming apparatus 100.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the developer collecting device 6
9 is an upper surface 77 which is a surface forming the receiving space 71.
The image forming apparatus 100 further includes a receiving port 68 for receiving the developer discharged from the discharging port 60. The receiving port 68 is provided with the developing device 6 and the developer collecting device 69 mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. It is located below. The receiving port 68 is connected to the developer collecting device 69 from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100.
Alternatively, with the developing device 6 detached, the receiving shutter member 72 closes the inside of the developer collecting device 69. The reception shutter member 72 is provided on the upper surface of the inner wall of the developer collection device 69 with a sponge sealing member 95 attached around the reception port 68 on the inner wall of the developer collection device 69 therebetween. The support member 73 formed on the inner wall surface of the image forming apparatus 69 allows the developer collecting device 69 to slide in the H direction non-parallel to the attaching / detaching directions G, F to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, that is, the horizontal direction perpendicular to the directions F, G. The receiving port 68 is released when the hole 74 and the receiving port 68 communicate with each other. However, the urging of the pressing spring 90 shown in FIG. In a state where the developing device 6 is detached, FIG.
The entrance 68 is closed as shown in FIG.

The receiving shutter member 72 is formed on the downstream side of the hole 74 in the direction of releasing the receiving port 68 in the H direction so as to cut and raise the hole 74, and is slidable in the receiving port 68. It has a plate-shaped engaged member 75 protruding above the receiving port 68 and capable of engaging with the engaging member 67. The developer collecting device 69 is associated with the sliding member 66 on the upstream side in the direction G, which is the mounting direction of the developer supply and collecting unit 70, that is, on the downstream side in the direction F, which is the mounting direction of the developing device 6, with respect to the receiving port 68. It has a mating engagement member 76. The engaging member 76 is a pair of members protruding from the upper surface 77 of the developer collecting device 69 so as to oppose in the H direction.
The chamfers 78 are formed so as to face each other on the downstream side in the G direction, which is the mounting direction, ie, on the upstream side in the F direction, which is the mounting direction of the developing device 6, so that the sliding member 66 can be smoothly received. I have.

The discharge port 60 is formed downstream of the sliding member 66 in the direction G in which the developer supply / recovery unit 70 is mounted, that is, upstream of the direction F in which the developing device 6 is mounted. The outlet 60 relatively moves with respect to the receiving port 68 on the upstream side in the direction G, which is the mounting direction of the developer supply / recovery unit 70, that is, on the downstream side in the direction F, which is the mounting direction of the developing device 6. Therefore, the engagement member 76 is disposed on the opposite side of the receiving port 68 from the side on which the discharge port 60 relatively moves with respect to the receiving port 68. The rotation directions D and E of the outlet shutter member 61 open and close the outlet 60 non-parallel to, specifically, perpendicular to, the attaching and detaching directions G and F of the developer supply / collection unit 70. When the developing device 6 or the developer supply / collection unit 70 is separated from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the discharge shutter member 61
11 occupies the position shown in FIG. 11, closes the discharge port 60 and the passage port 47 to prevent the developer from leaking from the developing device 6, and the receiving shutter member 72 occupies the position shown in FIG. 68 is closed to prevent the developer from leaking from the developer collecting device 69. In the developer collecting device 69, a collected developer amount detecting sensor (not shown) is provided. When the amount of the developer in the developer collecting device 69 reaches a certain amount or more, this is detected and displayed on the operation panel. It has become.

The developer discharging member 36, the discharging port shutter member 61, the receiving port shutter member 72, and the like constitute a developer collecting mechanism of the present embodiment. Since the developer collecting mechanism of the present embodiment has the above-described configuration, when the developing device 6 is moved in the F direction in a state where the developing device 6 is detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 and mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, Alternatively, when the developer supply / recovery unit 70 is detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 and is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 by moving the developer supply / recovery unit 70 in the G direction, the sliding member 66 in the direction F The downstream end is engaged with the engaging member 76, and as the developing device 6 or the developer supply / recovery unit 70 is mounted, the sliding member 66 is guided by the engaging member 76, and the outlet shutter member 61 rotates in the D direction. I do. During this rotation, the discharge port shutter member 61 moves in the F direction with respect to the developer discharge member 36.

When the outlet shutter member 61 rotates in the direction D, the engaging member 67 is engaged with the engaged member 75, and slides the receiving shutter member 72 against the urging force of the pressing spring 90. Developing device 6 and developer supply and recovery unit 7
5, the hole 63, the discharge port 60, the receiving port 68, and the hole 74 communicate with each other, and
7 and the hole 64 communicate with each other, and the developing device 6
The developer can be discharged through the communication port 47 and the discharge port 60.

The developer supply device 8 is a substantially cylindrical member, and a portion facing the supply port 48 provided in the developer 6 has a planar shape. An opening 79 that communicates with the developer in the developer supply device 8 and supplies the developer into the development device 6 through the supply port 48 is provided. The developer supply device 8 has a shaft 80 inserted into the main body of the developer supply device 8 from the end face on the downstream side in the G direction. Axis 80
Has a spiral (not shown) formed in a spiral shape inside the main body of the developer supply device 8, and a gear 81 formed at an end outside the main body of the developer supply device 8 is rotationally driven by a drive source (not shown). The rotation of the spiral causes the developer in the developer supply device 8 to overflow from the opening 79, and supplies the developer to the development device 6.
Normally, the developer used for the development, that is, the developer in the developing device 6 contains several percent of toner in the carrier, but the developer in the developer supply device 8 has the carrier with respect to the toner. The weight ratio is 20 to 30%, and the amount of toner consumed in the developing device 6 is taken into consideration. A new developer amount detection sensor (not shown) is provided in the developer supply device 8, and when the amount of developer in the device 8 decreases, this is detected and displayed on the operation panel.

As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 or FIG. 9 or FIG. 10, the cleaning device 88 is located on the downstream side of the position where the photosensitive member 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 10 face each other in the direction A. The photoconductor 1 is disposed upstream of the charging position of the photoconductor 1 by the charging device 4 so as to face the photoconductor 1 at an upper position. The cleaning device 88
A casing 82 having an opening on the photoconductor 1 side;
A cleaning blade 83 that slides on the photosensitive member 1 to scrape residual toner; a blade holder 94 formed of urethane rubber for supporting the cleaning blade 83 on the casing 82;
And a toner conveyor screw 85 which is a screw conveyor for guiding the residual toner scraped by the cleaning blade 83 to the toner collecting device 84, and rotationally drives the toner conveying screw 85 provided at one end of the toner conveying screw 85. And a gear 86 provided outside the casing 82 to perform the operation. Toner recovery unit 84
Constitutes a developer supply / collection unit 70 integrally with the developer supply device 8 and the developer collection device 69. The cleaning device 32 and the toner collection device 84 are connected to a pipe 87 through which a toner conveying screw 85 is inserted. Are linked by A collected toner amount detection sensor (not shown) is provided in the toner collecting device 84.
When the amount of the developer in 4 becomes more than a certain amount, this is detected and displayed on the operation panel.

Since the image forming apparatus 100 in this embodiment has the above-described configuration, the developing devices 6Y, M, C,
B, in a state where the developer supply / recovery units 70Y, M, C, and B are all mounted on the image forming apparatus 100,
When the operator specifies an image to be formed and the number of images to be formed on the operation panel and instructs the start of image formation, the image forming means 101 operates. Note that it is assumed that the detection member has detected that any one of the developing devices 6Y, M, C, and B and the developer supply / recovery units 70Y, M, C, and B has detached from the image forming apparatus 100. Is displayed on the operation panel, and image formation is prohibited. When the image to be formed consists only of black, only the image forming unit 21B of the image forming means 101 operates, and when the image to be formed consists of a plurality of colors, the image forming units 21Y and 21Y constituting the image forming means 101, M, C, B
The image forming unit corresponding thereto operates.

In the image forming unit 21 that has started operation, the charging device 4 uniformly charges the photosensitive member 1 rotating in the direction A, and then the laser writing unit 5 forms a latent image corresponding to the image to be formed. Is formed on the photoreceptor 1 and the developing device 6
Develops the latent image on the photoreceptor 1, and the toner image formed by the development is transferred onto the sheet 17 </ b> A conveyed on the conveyer belt 10 by the operation of the transfer roller 7, and the toner remaining on the photoreceptor 1 is It is removed from the photoconductor 1 by the cleaning device 88. Paper 17A conveyed on conveyor belt 10
Is a sheet that has been stored in the sheet feeding device 17, is unloaded by the sheet feeding roller 18, and sent out to the conveyor belt 10 by the registration roller pair 20 in synchronization with the image forming timing of the image forming unit 101. Then, after the toner images corresponding to the image to be formed are transferred and formed in the order of the image forming units Y, M, C, and B, the toner images are separated from the transport belt 10 by the separation claws 19 and sent to the fixing device 50. After the toner image is fixed, the toner image is stacked on the paper discharge tray 52. The transport belt is driven and transported at a constant tension by a drive roller 11 and a driven roller 12, and electrostatically attracts and transports the sheet 17A by a charger. Here, when the image forming apparatus 100 is a copying machine, the image to be formed is based on an image read by image reading means (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 100 or data input from the outside. When the image forming apparatus 100 is a printer, a facsimile, or the like, it is based on data input from the outside.

When the image forming unit 21 is operating, the cleaning device 88 removes the toner remaining on the photosensitive member 1 after transferring the toner image onto the sheet 17A in the direction A of the photosensitive member 1. The cleaning blade 83 scrapes off the photoreceptor 1 with the rotation of. The toner scraped from the photoreceptor 1 is supplied to the cleaning blade 8
3, the pipe 87 is conveyed by a toner conveying screw 85 which is rotationally driven by a gear 86.
And is further conveyed by the toner conveying screw 85, guided into the toner collecting device 84, and discarded.

In a state where the image forming unit 21 is operating, in the developing device 6, the developer circulating in the casing 35 is rotated by the developer conveying screws 32 and 33 driven by the gears 43 and 44. , Pumped by the developing roller 31 by the action of the internal magnet,
After regulation by the doctor 96, only the toner in the developer is supplied to the latent image on the photoconductor 1 to form a toner image on the photoconductor 1. Since only the toner is consumed in the developing device 6, the toner concentration in the developer is reduced by forming an image, and the carrier deteriorates with time. The toner consumption is detected by counting the number of sheets on which the image has been formed. When a predetermined number of images have been formed, the gear 81 of the developer supply device 8 is driven to rotate, and the spiral in the device 8 is rotated. Is rotationally driven to supply the developer in the device 8 to the developing device 6 through the opening 79 and the supply port 48.

The developer supplied to the developing device 6 falls to a developer supply position 49, and the developer conveying screws 32, 3
The developer 3 is stirred and mixed with the developer originally present in the developing device 6. However, since the developer supply position 49 is located downstream of the passage 47 in the direction C, the developer supplied from the developer supply device 8 The mixture is sufficiently mixed before passing through the passage opening 47. Since the developer in the developer supply device 8 has a higher toner concentration than the developer suitable for development, the toner concentration of the developer in the developing device 6 in which the toner has been consumed and the toner concentration has decreased by development is used for development. Restore to an appropriate concentration.

Further, by supplying the developer from the developer supply device 8, the amount of the developer in the developing device 6 is larger than that in the developing device 6. As a result, the bulk of the developer becomes higher than the height of the passage 47, and the surplus developer overflows outside the developing device 6 through the passage 47 as shown by an arrow I (FIG. 4). Moving. As a result, since the deteriorated carrier is discharged from the developing device 6, the supply of the developer from the developer supply device 8 results in the toner replenishment and the carrier exchange.

The density ratio between the carrier and the toner in the developer supply unit 8, the amount of developer supplied from the developer supply unit 8 at one time, and the setting of how many images are to be supplied. Is set so that the toner concentration in the developing device 6 can be maintained within a range suitable for development, and the performance of the carrier can be maintained in a state suitable for development. Therefore, the supply of the developer is not limited to being performed every time a predetermined number of images are formed, and may be constantly performed when the developing device 6 is operated. At the time of development, since the developing device 6 and the developer supply / recovery unit 70 are both attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the holes 63 and the discharge ports 60 are provided.
And the receiving port 68 and the hole 74 communicate with each other, and the passing port 47 and the hole 64 communicate with each other. .

When the number of images specified by the operator on the operation panel has been formed, the image formation is terminated. However, during or after the image formation, the amount of the developer in the developer supply device 8 is reduced on the operation panel. When it is displayed that the amount of the developer in the developer collecting device 6 has become equal to or more than a predetermined amount, and that the amount of the toner in the toner collecting device 84 has become equal to or more than a predetermined amount, some inconvenience has occurred in the developing device 6. In such a case, the developer supply / collection unit 70 or the developing device 6 is detached from the image forming apparatus 100 main body.

When the developer supply / collection unit 70 or the developing device 6 is detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the sliding member 66 moves relative to the engaging member 76 in the direction of arrow G, and the sliding member 66 moves. By being guided by the engaging member 76, the discharge port shutter member 61 rotates in the E direction, and as shown in FIG.
And the hole 74 communicate with each other.
11, the communication port 47 and the discharge port 60 are shut off by the discharge port shutter member 61 and the receiving port 68 is closed by the receiving port shutter member 72, as shown in FIG. The developer supply / collection unit 70 is replaced with a new one, or the developer supply / recovery unit 8
Replenish the developer, discard the developer in the developer collection device 6,
When the developer supply / collection unit 70 or the developing device 6 is attached to the main body of the image forming device 100 by disposing of the toner in the toner collecting device 84 or performing maintenance of the developing device 6 or the image forming device 100, Is changed from the state shown in FIG. 11 to the state shown in FIG. 12 by the reverse operation and action as described above.

In this embodiment, the communication between the passage port 47 and the hole 64, the communication between the hole 63 and the discharge port 60, the reception port 68 and the hole 7
And the developer supply / collection unit 70 or the developing device 6 is connected to the image forming apparatus 1.
In consideration of cutting off the developer discharged from the developing device 6 when attaching / detaching to / from the main body, that is, preventing the developer from leaking, the order of these communication is as follows. FIG. 13 shows a state in which the communication port 47 and the discharge port 60 are closed by the discharge port shutter member 61 and the receiving port 68 is closed by the receiving port shutter member 72 when the apparatus is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. 14, the receiving shutter member 72
15, through the state in which the receiving port 68 is opened and the receiving port 68 communicates with the hole 74, as shown in FIG. 15, the state in which the passing port 47 communicates with the hole 64, and the state in which the hole 63 communicates with the discharging port 60. It is desirable that

In this case, the developer supply and recovery unit 70
Alternatively, when the developing device 6 is detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the passage 47 and the hole 64 shown in FIG.
And the hole 63 and the discharge port 60 communicate with each other.
From the state in which the opening 8 communicates with the hole 74, the state in which the discharge port shutter member 61 closes the passage port 47 and the discharge port 60 shown in FIG. Since the inlet 68 is closed, the receiving opening 68 is not closed in a state where the developer can be discharged from the developing device 6, and the developer discharged from the developing device 6 is surely collected by the developer collecting device 69. And the image forming apparatus 100
It does not fly into or out of the body.

Further, when the discharge shutter member 61 closes the discharge port 60 after the developer passing through the communication port 47 passes through the hole 64 and before passing through the hole 63 or the discharge port 60, the developer is discharged. Inconveniences such as intrusion into the sliding portion of the exit shutter member 61 to cause the opening / closing failure thereof, and the developer being squeezed between the exit shutter member 61 and the edge of the ejection portion 60 and being scattered by a subsequent impact. Other
Since the developer remains in the space inside the discharge port shutter member 61, when the hole 63 and the discharge port 60 subsequently communicate with each other, there is a possibility that the remaining developer may be scattered. Communication between the mouth 47 and the hole 64, the hole 6
The order of communication between the developer supply unit 3 and the discharge port 60 is as follows.
When mounted on the main body, the receiving port 68 and the hole 74 communicate with each other, and the communication port 47 and the discharge port 60 are blocked by the discharge port shutter member 61 from the state shown in FIG. Through the state in which the hole 63 communicates with the discharge port 60 as shown in FIG.
It is preferable that the hole 7 communicates with the hole 64.

In this case, the developer supply and recovery unit 70
Alternatively, when the developing device 6 is detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the passing port 47 and the hole 64 shown in FIG.
And the hole 63 and the discharge port 60 communicate with each other.
From the state in which the hole 8 communicates with the hole 74, the state in which the discharge port shutter member 61 closes only the passage port 47 shown in FIG. Since the state is set, the discharge port 60 is closed after the developer entering the discharge port shutter member 61 is discharged from the discharge port 60, so that the above-described problem is prevented. The cases shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 and the cases shown in FIGS.
Is formed in the outlet shutter member 61. 13 to 17.
, The illustration of the engaging member 67 is omitted.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show another embodiment of the configuration for obtaining the states shown in FIGS. FIG. 18, 1
The configuration other than that shown in FIG. 9 is the same as the configuration in the above-described embodiment, so that illustration and description are omitted. In this embodiment,
As shown in FIG. 18, instead of the plate-shaped engaging member 67 of the above embodiment, a pin-shaped engaging member 67 'is used as the engaging member,
As shown in FIG. 19, a bent portion 98 bent toward the downstream in the direction D is provided on the downstream side in the direction F instead of the plate-shaped engaged member 75 of the above embodiment. The member to be engaged 75 'is provided. In addition, F
On the downstream side in the direction D and on the downstream side in the direction D,
A spiral cutout 99 is provided for sliding the 7 '.

Thus, the developer supply / recovery unit 70
Alternatively, when the developing device 6 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the sliding member 66 is engaged with the engaging member 76 to cause the discharge shutter member 61 to move to the D position as in the above-described embodiment.
To the developer discharging member 36 and
Displace in the direction. At this time, the engaging member 67 ′ is engaged with the engaged member 75 ′, and the receiving shutter member 72 is slid against the pressing spring 90 so that the receiving port 68 communicates with the hole 74. Even if the receiving port 68 and the hole 74 communicate with each other, the outlet shutter member 61 continues to rotate in the D direction, and the engaging member 6
7 'enters into the notch 99 and engages with the bent portion 98, so that the receiving shutter member 72 is pressed by the pressing spring 90.
The discharge port shutter member 61 can continue to rotate in the D direction while maintaining the communication state between the receiving port 68 and the hole section 74 against the hole, and thereafter, in the case shown in FIGS. The outlet port 60 communicates with the passage port 47 and the hole 64, and in the case shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the hole 63 communicates with the outlet port 60, and then the passage port 47 communicates with the hole 64. I do. When the developer supply / collection unit 70 or the developing device 6 is detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the process proceeds in the opposite direction to when the developer supply / collection unit 70 or the developing device 6 is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. .

As still another embodiment, although not shown, a structure for rotating the discharge port shutter member with respect to the developer discharge member is provided by replacing the sliding member 66 with the discharge port shutter member. An engaging hole that can communicate with the long hole 65 is provided, and an engaging member that can engage with the engaging hole that communicates with the long hole 65 is provided in the developer collecting device 69 instead of the engaging member 76. When the agent supply / recovery unit 70 or the developing device 6 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the engaging member can be engaged with the elongated hole and the engaging hole.

The three embodiments have been described above.
5, the engaging member that can communicate with the sliding member 66 and the elongated hole 65 can be used for a developer collecting device or a developing device if the discharge shutter member can be rotated with respect to the developer discharging member. The opening / closing direction of the inlet shutter member may be set in the opening / closing direction of the developer inlet / outlet shutter member in the direction not parallel to the attaching / detaching direction to / from the image forming apparatus main body. If the direction is not parallel to the direction, the direction may not be perpendicular to this direction but may be an oblique direction. The engaging member 67 may not necessarily be provided on the discharge shutter member. The elongated holes may be provided separately from the outlet, not the outlet, and the developer collecting device, the toner collecting device, and the developer supplying device 8 do not necessarily need to be all integrated, but may be formed separately as appropriate. It may be detachable from the main body of the device 100. The same structure as that of the developer collecting mechanism may be adopted in a connection portion between the developer supply device and the developing device to prevent leakage of new developer, or a developer discharging member and a discharging shutter member. A structure similar to that described above may be provided on the developer collecting device side, and the member protruding from the developer collecting device side may enter a concave space provided on the developing device side. It may be disposed outside the container, or a tension spring may be used instead of the pressing spring as a means for urging the reception shutter member to close the reception port, or instead of the developer supply device, A device for separately supplying the toner and the carrier to the developing device may be provided.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, instead of providing the notch 99 and the bent portion 98, the engaging member is made to be an elastic body, and the receiving shutter member keeps the receiving port open. Alternatively, the discharge port shutter member may be configured to be rotatable. Even when the rotation of the discharge port shutter member is not performed by the long hole 65, the sliding member, and the like, but is performed by another mechanism such as a motor, the discharge port shutter member includes the receiving port shutter member and the receiving port shutter member. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which an engaging member to be engaged is provided, and the receiving shutter member is displaced.

Further, the image forming apparatus to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to one having a plurality of developing devices and forming images of a plurality of colors using toners of different colors for each of the developing devices. May be used to form a single-color image. Alternatively, as in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is not limited to one having one developer recovery unit for each developing device, but may be applied to a plurality of developing devices. On the other hand, one having one developer collecting device may be used, as long as at least the developer collecting device of the developing device and the developer collecting device is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. Alternatively, the developing device may not be removable from the image forming apparatus main body. In the case where a plurality of developing devices are provided and a developer collecting device is provided for each of the developing devices, if the frequency of use of the developing device differs depending on the color of the toner, the developing device is provided corresponding to the developing device which is frequently used. If the capacity of the developer collecting device is increased, all the developer collecting devices can be filled almost at the same time, thereby further improving the maintainability.

[0067]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developing device for developing an image carrier using a developer including a toner and a carrier, and a developing device for recovering the developer discharged from the developing device. The developing device has a discharge port for discharging the developer to the developer collecting device, and the developer collecting device has a receiving port for receiving the developer discharged from the discharging port. An image forming apparatus in which at least the developer collecting device of the developing device and the developer collecting device is detachable from an image forming device main body, wherein the developing device and the developer collecting device are connected to the image forming device. Since the receiving port is located below the discharge port when mounted on the main body, the developer remains in a communication portion between the receiving port and the discharge port when the receiving port and the discharge port are horizontally arranged. The developer collection device and developing device To prevent problems that cause scattering of the developer when disengaged, it is possible to prevent contamination by developer with deteriorated developer can readily disposed to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving the user's reliability.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a developing device for developing an image carrier using a developer including a toner and a carrier, and a developer collecting device for collecting the developer discharged from the developing device Having a discharge port for discharging the developer to the developer collection device, the developer collection device having a receiving port for receiving the developer discharged from the discharge port, In the image forming apparatus in which at least the developer collecting device of the developing device and the developer collecting device is detachable from the image forming device main body, the developer collecting device or the developing device is detached from the image forming device main body. A discharge shutter member that closes the discharge port in a state in which the discharge port is closed, and the discharge port shutter member opens and closes the discharge port in a direction non-parallel to a direction in which the developer recovery unit is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. So inferior The developer can be easily discarded, and the discharge port can be closed while detached from the image forming apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus that can improve the reliability of the image forming apparatus can be provided.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the receiving port is connected to the discharge port when the developing device and the developer collecting device are mounted on the main body of the image forming device. Since the developer is located below the outlet, the developer remains in the communication portion between the receiver and the outlet when the receiver and the outlet are arranged in a horizontal direction, and when the developer collecting device or the developing device is attached / detached. In addition, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can prevent the problem that the developer is scattered, can easily discard the deteriorated developer, prevent the developer from being contaminated, and improve the reliability of the user.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the second and third aspects, the developing device is connected to the discharge port and the developing device main body to the discharge port. An image forming apparatus having a developing device having a space for discharging the deteriorated developer can be provided because the developer discharging member has a passage port through which the developer passes.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect, the developer discharging member is a cylindrical member protruding from the developing device main body, and has a peripheral surface. The discharge port shutter member has a first hole that can communicate with the discharge port and a second hole that can communicate with the passage port on a peripheral surface of the shutter member. Since the cylindrical member is provided inside the developer discharging member so as to be rotatable with respect to the developer discharging member, the discharging port is rotatably provided in a space for discharging the deteriorated developer. The shutter can be closed by the outlet shutter member, and the outlet is more securely closed than when a conventionally used flat shutter member is used, so that the developer is scattered when the developer collecting device or the developing device is attached or detached. Developer by preventing the problem of The by contamination and prevents it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving the user's reliability.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect, the developer discharging member has a peripheral surface which is non-parallel to a direction in which the developer collecting device is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus. A first elongated hole formed in the first direction, and the discharge port shutter member has a peripheral surface on which the first elongated hole is slidable and protrudes from the peripheral surface of the developer discharge member. An image forming apparatus main body in which the developer collecting device has a first engaging member capable of engaging with the sliding member, and the developer collecting device is mounted with the developing device. When the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body with the developer collecting device mounted, the sliding member is engaged with the first engaging member, and The outlet shutter member rotates, and the developing device and the developer collecting device are both in the image forming apparatus main body In the mounted state, the discharge port communicates with the first hole, and the passage port communicates with the second hole, so that the developer collecting device or the developing device can be attached and detached with a relatively simple configuration. The rotating outlet shutter member rotates
The outlet and the first hole, and the passage and the second hole,
Communication and non-communication states can be set reliably, preventing the problem of developer scattering when attaching or detaching the developer collection device or developing device, thereby preventing developer contamination and improving user reliability. An image forming apparatus that can be provided.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the first elongated hole is formed in a spiral shape on the peripheral surface of the developer discharging member. An image forming apparatus capable of smoothly rotating a member can be provided.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth or seventh aspect, the sliding member is a ridge formed spirally on the peripheral surface of the discharge port shutter member. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of smoothly rotating the discharge shutter member.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the developer discharge member is provided on a peripheral surface thereof in a non-parallel direction in a direction in which the developer collecting device is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. And the discharge port shutter member has an engagement hole on a peripheral surface thereof at least partially communicating with the first long hole, and the developer recovery member has a first elongate hole formed in a predetermined direction. The container has a first engageable hole that can be engaged with the engagement hole communicating with the first long hole.
When the developer collecting device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body with the developing device mounted thereon, or when the developing device is mounted with the developer collecting device mounted thereon. When mounted on the forming apparatus body, the first engagement member engages with the hole, the discharge port shutter member rotates,
In a state where the developing device and the developer collecting device are both mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, the discharge port communicates with the first hole, and the passage port communicates with the second hole. By a discharge port shutter member that rotates in conjunction with the attachment / detachment of the developer collection device or the developing device in another relatively simple configuration, the discharge port and the first hole, and the passage port and the second hole are connected to each other. Communication and non-communication states can be set reliably, preventing the problem of developer scattering when attaching or detaching the developer collection device or developing device, thereby preventing contamination by the developer and improving user reliability. An image forming apparatus that can be provided.

According to the tenth aspect, the ninth aspect is provided.
In the image forming apparatus described above, the first elongated hole is spirally formed on the peripheral surface of the developer discharging member, so that the image forming apparatus can smoothly rotate the discharge port shutter member. be able to.

According to the eleventh aspect, according to the fourth aspect,
Or the image forming apparatus according to 5, further comprising a receiving shutter member that closes the receiving port in a state where the developer collecting device or the developing device is detached from the image forming apparatus main body. Since the receiving port is opened and closed in a direction non-parallel to the direction in which the developer collecting device is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus, the opening and closing direction of the receiving port of the receiving shutter member and the opening and closing direction of the discharge port of the discharge shutter member are changed. An image forming apparatus that can be made parallel can be provided.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the first aspect is provided.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developer discharging member has a long hole formed on a peripheral surface thereof in a direction non-parallel to a direction in which the developer collecting device is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. The shutter member has an engaging member slidable in the elongated hole and protruding from a peripheral surface of the developer discharging member, and the developer collecting device is attached to the image forming apparatus in a state where the developing device is mounted. When the developing device is mounted on the main body, or when the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body with the developer collecting device mounted thereon, the engaging member engages with the receiving shutter member, and The discharge port and the receiving port communicate with each other when the apparatus and the developer collecting device are both attached to the image forming apparatus main body. By rotating the discharge shutter member, By driving the inlet shutter member, communication and non-communication between the discharge port and the receiving port, and between the discharge port and the receiving port can be set, so that the developer is scattered when the developer collecting device or the developing device is attached or detached. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can prevent the developer from being contaminated by preventing the problem of causing the problem and improve the reliability of the user.

According to the thirteenth aspect, according to the sixth aspect,
11. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 10 to 10, further comprising a receiving shutter member for closing the receiving opening when the developer collecting device or the developing device is detached from the image forming device main body. Since the inlet shutter member opens and closes in a direction non-parallel to the direction in which the developer collecting device is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body, the opening and closing direction of the receiving opening of the receiving shutter member and the opening and closing direction of the discharge opening of the discharge shutter member. Can be provided in parallel.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the first aspect
3. The image forming apparatus according to 3, wherein the developer discharging member has a second elongated hole formed in a peripheral surface thereof in a direction non-parallel to a direction in which the developer collecting device is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body.
The discharge port shutter member has a second engagement member slidable in a second elongated hole and protruding from a peripheral surface of the developer discharge member. When the image forming apparatus is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body in the mounted state, or when the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body in the state in which the developer collecting device is mounted, the second engagement member is connected to the receiving member. The discharge port communicates with the receiving port when the developing device and the developer collecting device are both attached to the image forming apparatus main body while being engaged with the inlet shutter member. An outlet shutter member is driven by an outlet shutter member that rotates in conjunction with the attachment / detachment of the agent recovery device or the developing device, and a communication state and a non-communication state between the discharge port and the reception port, and between these and the passage port. Can be set, so a developer collection device and To prevent contamination by developer by preventing a problem that results in a scattering of the developer can be provided an image forming apparatus capable of improving user confidence in disengaged.

According to the invention of claim 15, claim 1 is
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the developer collecting device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body with the developing device mounted thereon, or the developing device is mounted on the image with the developer collecting device mounted thereon. Since the discharge port communicates with the first hole and the second hole communicates after the receiving shutter member opens the receiving port when mounted on the forming apparatus main body, The receiving port is not closed in a state where the developer can be discharged from the developing device, the developer discharged from the developing device is reliably collected in the developer collecting device, and the developer collecting device and the developing device are attached and detached. An image forming apparatus capable of preventing contamination by the developer by preventing a problem that the developer is scattered at this time and further improving the reliability of the user can be provided.

According to the invention of claim 16, claim 1 is
16. The image forming apparatus according to 4 or 15, wherein the developer collecting device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body with the developing device mounted thereon, or the developing device is mounted with the developer collecting device mounted thereon. When the image forming apparatus is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, after the discharge port communicates with the first hole, the passage port communicates with the second hole. Can be closed after the developer is discharged from the discharge port toward the developer collecting device, thereby preventing the developer from entering the sliding portion when the shutter member closes the discharge port shutter member. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can prevent the opening and closing failure of the discharge port by the discharge port shutter member, and can prevent the developer from scattering when the discharge port is opened.

According to the seventeenth aspect, in the first aspect,
In the image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 4 to 16, since the second slot is the discharge port, the second slot and the discharge port are shared, and the developer discharge with a simpler configuration is performed. An image forming apparatus capable of obtaining a mechanism can be provided.

According to the eighteenth aspect, the sixth aspect is provided.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the first engagement member is related to the receiving port, and the discharge port is positioned relative to the receiving port. Since it is arranged on the side opposite to the moving side, when the developer collecting device or the developing device is attached / detached, the discharge port is set to the first position.
Does not move on the first engaging member, the developer adheres to the first engaging member to deteriorate the operation of the discharge port shutter member, lowering the sealing property of the developer, Provided is a long-life image forming apparatus capable of preventing the developer from being scattered by preventing the developer from being scattered by preventing the developer from penetrating into the printer and reducing the durability, thereby improving the reliability of the user. Can be.

According to the nineteenth aspect, according to the first aspect,
20. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 19, further comprising a developer supply device that supplies a developer to the development device, wherein the development device is configured to supply a developer from the developer supply device. Since the supply port is disposed at a higher position than the above-mentioned passage port, the excess developer is supplied from the supply port, and the excess developer is discharged from the passage port to the outside of the developing device by overflow. The image forming apparatus can be provided.

According to the twentieth aspect, according to the first aspect,
9. In the image forming apparatus according to Item 9, since the developer supply unit and the developer collection unit are integrated, the developer supply unit and the developer collection unit are integrally attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. The amount of new developer that can be stored in the developer supply device, the speed at which the developer supply device supplies new developer to the developing device, the amount of degraded developer that can be stored in the developer collection device, and the amount of degraded development that the developing device degrades. By adjusting the speed at which the developer is discharged to the developer collection device, the time until the developer supply device becomes empty and the time until the developer collection device becomes full are almost the same. The replenishment of the developer and the disposal of the deteriorated developer can be performed at the same time, the maintenance property can be improved, and an image forming apparatus that is easy to use for the user can be provided.

According to the twenty-first aspect, the first aspect is provided.
20. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 20, further comprising: a cleaning device that removes toner remaining on the image carrier; and a toner collection device that collects the toner removed by the cleaning device. Since the toner recovery device and the developer recovery device are integrated, the toner recovery device and the developer recovery device can be integrally attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body, and the residual toner that can be stored in the toner recovery device. The amount of toner remaining on the image carrier, the amount of deteriorated developer that can be stored in the developer collecting device, and the speed at which the developing device discharges the deteriorated developer to the developer collecting device are adjusted. If the time until the developer is full and the time until the developer collection device become full are almost the same, it is possible to simultaneously discard the residual toner and the deteriorated developer. It is possible to improve maintainability, it is possible to provide a user-friendly image forming apparatus for users.

According to the twenty-second aspect, the first aspect is provided.
22. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 21 to 21, wherein a plurality of developing devices are provided, and a plurality of color images are formed using toners of different colors for each of the developing devices, so that a color image is formed. And an image forming apparatus capable of performing the above-described operations.

According to the twenty-third aspect, the second aspect is provided.
In the image forming apparatus described in Item 2, since one developer collecting device is provided for each developing device, the developing device becomes full even when the frequency of use of each developing device is different and the collected amount of the deteriorated developer is different. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus which can take out only the developer collecting device and discard the deteriorated developer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing one of the image forming units shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the developing device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan sectional view of the developing device.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing a developer collecting mechanism to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a part of an outlet shutter member.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a developer supply / recovery unit.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a part of the image forming unit.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a part of the cleaning device.

FIG. 11 is a side sectional view showing a state where a communication port, a discharge port, and a reception port are closed in the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a side sectional view showing a state in which a communication port, a discharge port, and a reception port are opened in the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a side sectional view showing a state where a communication port, a discharge port, and a reception port are closed in the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a side sectional view showing a state where only a receiving port is opened in the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a side sectional view showing a state where a communication port, a discharge port, and a reception port are opened in the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a side sectional view showing a state where a communication port is closed and a discharge port and a reception port are opened in the third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a side sectional view showing a state where a communication port, a discharge port, and a reception port are opened in the third embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a part of an outlet shutter member in the second and third embodiments.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a receiving shutter member in the second and third embodiments.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 (Y, M, C, B) Image carrier 6 (Y, M, C, B) Developing device 8 (Y, M, C, B) Developer supply device 36 (Y, M, C, B) Development Agent discharging member 47 (Y, M, C, B) Passing port 48 (Y, M, C, B) Supply port 60 (Y, M, C, B) Slot 61 (Y, M M, C, B) Outlet shutter member 63 (Y, M, C, B) Hole 64 that can communicate with the outlet 64 (Y, M, C, B) Hole 65 that can communicate with the through hole 65 (Y, M, B) C, B) Slots 66 (Y, M, C, B) formed on the peripheral surface of the developer discharging member Sliding members 67, 67 '(Y, M, C, B) are provided on the discharging shutter member. Engaging member 68 (Y, M, C, B) that can be engaged with the receiving shutter member Receiving port 69 (Y, M, C, B) Developer collecting device 72 (Y, M, C, B) Receiving port Shutter member 76 (Y, , C, B) Engaging member 84 (Y, M, C, B) provided in developer collecting device and engageable with sliding member Toner collecting device 88 (Y, M, C, B) Cleaning device 100 Forming device D, E The direction in which the outlet shutter member opens and closes the outlet H The direction in which the inlet shutter member opens and closes the inlet

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masami Hiramatsu 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Ugitsu 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Equity Inside Ricoh Company (72) Inventor Masayuki Ueda 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Ricoh Company (reference) 2H077 AB02 AB14 AC02 AC16 AD06 AD13 AD32 BA08 BA09 CA19 EA03 GA04 GA13

Claims (23)

[Claims] A developing device for developing an image carrier using a developer comprising a toner and a carrier; and a developer collecting device for collecting a developer discharged from the developing device. The apparatus has an outlet for discharging the developer to the developer collecting device, the developer collecting device has a receiving port for receiving the developer discharged from the discharging port, the developing device and the developer collecting device. An image forming apparatus in which at least the developer collecting device is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, wherein the developing device and the developer collecting device are mounted on the image forming apparatus main body and the receiving port Is located below the outlet. A developing device for developing the image carrier using a developer comprising a toner and a carrier; and a developer collecting device for collecting a developer discharged from the developing device. The apparatus has a discharge port for discharging the developer to the developer collecting device, the developer collecting device has a receiving port for receiving the developer discharged from the discharge port, the developing device and the developer collecting device. An image forming apparatus in which at least the developer collecting device is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, wherein the discharge port is closed when the developer collecting device or the developing device is detached from the image forming apparatus main body. Image forming apparatus, wherein the discharging port shutter member opens and closes the discharging port in a direction non-parallel to a direction in which the developer collecting device is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. apparatus. 3. An image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said receiving port is located below said discharge port in a state where said developing device and said developer collecting device are mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. Characteristic image forming apparatus. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said developing device is provided with a passage through which said developer passes from said discharge port to said discharge port from said developing device main body. An image forming apparatus comprising a developer discharge member having a mouth. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the developer discharging member is a cylindrical member protruding from the developing device main body, and the discharging port and the passing port are formed on a peripheral surface thereof. The discharge port shutter member has a first hole that can communicate with the discharge port and a second hole that can communicate with the passage port on a peripheral surface of the discharge port shutter member. An image forming apparatus comprising: a cylindrical member provided rotatably with respect to the developer discharge member. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said developer discharging member is formed on a peripheral surface thereof in a direction non-parallel to a direction in which said developer collecting device is attached to and detached from said image forming apparatus.
Has a long hole, the discharge port shutter member has a peripheral surface,
The developer collecting device includes a sliding member slidable in the first long hole and protruding from a peripheral surface of the developer discharging member.
A first engaging member capable of engaging with the sliding member, wherein the developer collecting device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body in a state in which the developing device is mounted, or When the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the developer collecting device is mounted, the sliding member is engaged with the first engaging member, the discharge port shutter member is rotated, and the developing device and the developing device are connected to each other. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharge port and the first hole communicate with each other and the passage port and the second hole communicate with each other in a state where the developer collecting device is attached to the image forming apparatus main body. apparatus. 7. An image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said first elongated hole is spirally formed on a peripheral surface of said developer discharging member. 8. An image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said sliding member is a helical ridge formed on a peripheral surface of said outlet shutter member. 9. An image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said developer discharging member is formed on a peripheral surface thereof in a direction not parallel to a direction in which said developer collecting device is attached to and detached from said image forming apparatus main body. And the discharge port shutter member has, on a peripheral surface thereof, an engagement hole that can be at least partially communicated with the first long hole, and the developer collecting device has a first long hole. A first engaging member engageable with the engaging hole communicating with the developing device, the developer collecting device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body with the developing device mounted, or When the apparatus is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the developer collecting device is mounted, a first engagement member is engaged with the hole, the discharge port shutter member is rotated, and the developing device is connected to the developing device. In a state where both the developer collecting device and the developer collecting device are mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, the discharge port and the first hole are formed. But communicates, the image forming apparatus in which the passage openings and the second hole is equal to or communicating. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
An image forming apparatus, wherein the first elongated hole is formed in a spiral shape on the peripheral surface of the developer discharging member. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a receiving shutter member for closing the receiving opening when the developer collecting device or the developing device is detached from the image forming device main body, The image forming apparatus, wherein the receiving shutter member opens and closes the receiving opening in a direction non-parallel to a direction in which the developer collecting device is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus. 12. An image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said developer discharging member has a peripheral hole formed in a direction non-parallel to a mounting / removing direction of said developer collecting device to / from the image forming apparatus main body. The discharge shutter member has an engaging member slidable in the elongated hole and protruding from a peripheral surface of the developer discharge member, and the developer recovery device is mounted on the developing device. When the mounting member is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the developing device is mounted, or when the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the developer collecting device is mounted, the engagement member is provided with the receiving shutter member. Wherein the discharge port and the receiving port communicate with each other when the developing device and the developer collecting device are both attached to the image forming apparatus main body. 13. An image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said receiving port is closed when said developer collecting device or said developing device is detached from said image forming apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus, comprising a shutter member, wherein the receiving shutter member opens and closes in a direction non-parallel to a direction in which the developer collecting device is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. 14. An image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said developer discharging member is formed on a peripheral surface thereof in a direction non-parallel to a mounting / removing direction of said developer collecting device to / from the image forming apparatus main body. The discharge port shutter member has a long hole of
An image forming apparatus having a second engaging member slidable in a second elongated hole and protruding from a peripheral surface of the developer discharging member, wherein the developer collecting device is attached to the developing device; The second engaging member engages with the receiving shutter member when the developing device is mounted on the main assembly of the image forming apparatus or when the developing device is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus with the developer collecting device mounted thereon. An image forming apparatus, wherein the discharge port and the receiving port communicate with each other in a state where the developing device and the developer collecting device are both attached to the image forming apparatus main body. 15. An image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said developer collecting device is mounted on an image forming apparatus main body with said developing device mounted thereon, or said developing device is mounted on said developer collecting device. When the printer is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the printer is mounted, after the receiving shutter member opens the receiving port, the discharge port communicates with the first hole, and the passing port communicates with the second port. An image forming apparatus characterized by communicating with a hole. 16. An image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said developer collecting device is mounted on an image forming apparatus main body in a state where said developing device is mounted, or said developing device is mounted on said developer. An image characterized in that, when the image forming apparatus is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the collection device is mounted, after the discharge port communicates with the first hole, the passage port communicates with the second hole. Forming equipment. 17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein a second slot is the discharge port. 18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first engaging member is related to the receiving port, and the first engaging member is connected to the receiving port. An image forming apparatus, wherein the discharge port is disposed on a side opposite to a side to which the discharge port relatively moves. 19. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a developer supply device for supplying a developer to said developing device, wherein said developing device is connected to said developer supply device. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a supply port through which a developer is supplied; and the supply port is disposed higher than the passage port. 20. An image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said developer supply device and said developer recovery device are integrated. 21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning device removes toner remaining on the image carrier, and collects the toner removed by the cleaning device. An image forming apparatus comprising: a toner collecting device; wherein the toner collecting device and the developer collecting device are integrated. 22. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of said developing devices, wherein each of said developing devices forms an image of a plurality of colors by using toner of a different color. An image forming apparatus, comprising: 23. An image forming apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising one developer collecting device for each of said developing devices.