JP2006171608A - Waste toner collection container and waste toner collection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To break up toner accumulated in a mountain shape in a waste toner collecting container without generating noise and level the toner in the container, improve the toner collecting efficiency, and reduce the replacement frequency of the toner collecting container. Is the purpose.
By rotating a waste toner collecting container, toner in the container can be effectively leveled. Further, it is preferable to provide a cleaning member for cleaning the sensor window of the toner full detection sensor.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a waste toner collection container that collects and stores toner discharged from an image forming unit, and a waste toner collection apparatus using the same.

In image forming apparatuses such as electrophotographic copying machines and laser beam printers,
The used toner or developer is conveyed to a waste toner collection container and stored in the waste toner collection container by gravity. However, since toner accumulates in the vicinity of the container opening, there is a problem that not only the waste toner collecting container is efficiently accommodated but also the toner overflows from the container opening.

  Also, this is due to the contamination of the detection surface of the toner collection container by the toner, and a sensor that detects that the toner is full before the toner collection container is not fully charged causes a false detection. There was also a problem that the capacity could not be utilized.

Therefore, in order to prevent the deterioration of the storage efficiency due to the accumulation of toner in the vicinity of the container mouth, a vibration mechanism is provided in the container for collecting the toner, and the toner can be made uniform by vibrating the collection container. A method of collecting as much as possible is conventionally known. (For example, see Patent Document 1)
In addition, in order to prevent the sensor that detects toner full in the toner recovery container from being erroneously detected and accurately detect the fullness, the rotating body in the container cleans the detection surface of the toner container due to toner. It has been known. (For example, see Patent Document 2)
Here, a configuration in which the toner collection container is provided with a vibration mechanism to level the toner in the container will be described below.

  FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a conventional impact vibration device for a waste toner collecting container. In FIG. 5, 14 is a frame, 14a is a shock generating stop plate formed at the bottom of the frame 14, 1 is a toner collection container, 1a is a toner delivery port formed in the toner collection container 1, and 16 is a biasing member. , 17 is a vibration generating device comprising a cam-like member having a step, 15 is a roller, and T is a toner. Next, the operation will be described.

  The urging member 16 always urges the toner collection container 1 in the B direction. The vibration generator 17 rotates and the toner collection container 1 is pushed in the direction C, and the pushing is suddenly released by the step portion. At this time, the toner collection container 1 disposed on the roller 15 moves in the direction B by the urging force of the urging member 16 and collides with the stop plate 14a. As a result, an impact force is applied to the toner collection container 1, and the toner T dropped from the toner delivery port 1a moves in the B direction and accumulates from a distance from the toner delivery port 1a.

  Next, a configuration for cleaning the full detection surface of the conventional toner container will be described below.

  FIG. 6 shows details of the waste toner container of the image forming apparatus. In FIG. 6, transparent windows 19 are provided at two appropriate locations in the waste toner container 18, an issue diode 10 a is disposed outside one window 19, and a photosensor 10 b is disposed outside the other window 19.

A rotating body 20 is provided inside the waste toner container 18. The rotating body 20 was configured to agitate the contents and simultaneously clean the window 19.
JP 2001-350381 A JP-A-9-325670

  However, in the configuration in which the toner in the container is leveled using a means for giving an impact to the waste toner container, there is a problem that an impact sound (noise) is generated. In addition, there is a problem that the container is vibrated, so that the waste toner conveyance port and the container port are displaced, and the toner leaks outside. Further, in this toner recovery device, since the impact is applied to the toner recovery container by the action of the vibration generating device composed of the biasing member and the cam-like member, the impact noise is loud when the recovered toner is small, and the impact is generated when the recovered toner is large. This reduces the vibration of the waste toner collecting container due to the toner and reduces the effect of breaking the toner flat.

  In addition, in the configuration in which the full detection surface of the toner collection container is cleaned with the rotating body, the detection surface is rubbed with a large amount of toner adhering to the rotating body itself. Toner remains.

  The present invention eliminates the noise accumulated in the vicinity of the container mouth without generating noise, improves the toner recovery efficiency, and provides a sensor detection surface for detecting whether the container is full of toner. The purpose is to clean effectively.

The present invention relates to a waste toner collection container for collecting toner discharged from an image forming unit provided in an image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus includes a rotational force receiving portion that receives rotational force from a rotational driving unit provided in the image forming apparatus.

  According to the present invention, the toner accumulated in a mountain shape in the waste toner collecting container can be effectively leveled with the stored toner by rotating the container. As a result, problems such as noise can be solved as compared with a conventional configuration in which the container is vibrated to level the toner.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described, but the description of the image forming method of the developing device and the mechanism of toner replenishment and recovery will be omitted because they are well known, and the toner leveling method and toner of the toner recovery device, which is a feature of the present invention, will be omitted. A configuration for cleaning the detection surface for detecting the fullness of the collection container will be described.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3b. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration model diagram of an example of the image forming apparatus, and the paper cassette 5 opens and closes in the paper surface direction.

  2A and 2B are side views of the toner collection container 1 and the paper cassette 5 as viewed from the side A in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the paper cassette is set in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram when the paper cassette is opened and closed.

  FIG. 3A is a side view of a configuration for cleaning the detection surface for toner full detection provided on the outer periphery of the toner delivery port 1a of the toner recovery container 1. FIG. FIG. 3B is a top view of a configuration for cleaning the detection surface for toner full detection provided on the outer periphery of the toner delivery port 1a of the toner recovery container 1. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the toner discharged from the photosensitive drum cleaner a and the intermediate transfer belt cleaner 8 of each of the first to fourth image forming units Y, M, C, and Bk passes through the toner conveying tube 7. The toner is collected from the toner delivery port 1a of the toner collection container 1 into the container.

  The toner recovery container 1 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and is set on the container base 2 and can be attached and detached.

  The container pedestal 2 is interlocked with a spur gear 3 by a flexible jig 9, and a spring 4 as an elastic member is attached between the container pedestal 2 and the spur gear 3.

  The spur gear 3 is disposed on the side surface of the paper cassette 5 and is configured to rotate each time the paper cassette 5 is opened and closed by a rack gear 6 attached to the paper cassette 5.

  FIGS. 2a and 2b show a configuration for leveling the toner T accumulated in a mountain shape in the vicinity of the toner delivery port 1a in the toner collecting container 1. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2a, the toner T dropped and stored in the toner collection container 1 from the toner delivery port 1a by its own weight accumulates in a mountain shape in the vicinity of the toner delivery port 1a. Next, when the paper cassette 5 opens and closes, the spur gear 3 meshing with the rack gear 6 attached to the paper cassette 5 rotates as shown in FIG. 2b. When the container base 2 connected to the spur gear 3 rotates, the toner recovery container 1 set on the container base 2 rotates in a substantially horizontal direction, and near the toner delivery port 2 in the toner recovery container 1. Centrifugal force is applied to the toner T accumulated in a mountain shape, the upper portion of the toner T collapses from the center of the toner recovery container 1 toward the outside, and the toner T in the toner recovery container is leveled. Further, the effect of the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the toner recovery container 1 can be kept long by interposing the spring 4 as an elastic member between the spur gear 3 and the container base 2.

  Next, FIGS. 3a and 3b show the configuration of the toner full detection and the detection surface cleaning means in the vicinity of the toner delivery port 1a of the toner recovery container 1. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3a, an issue diode 10a and a photo sensor 10b are provided as toner full detection means near the outer periphery of the toner delivery port 1a of the toner collection container 1, so that light from the issue diode 10a is transmitted. In addition, the entire circumference of the toner T delivery port 1a is an acrylic detection surface so that it can be detected that a certain amount or more of toner has been stored.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3a, a non-woven fabric 11 such as felt is attached to the toner conveying tube 7, and when the toner collecting container 1 is set, the non-woven fabric 11 is placed inside the toner delivery port 1a. Is arranged in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation direction of the toner, and the toner on the detection surface of the toner delivery port 1a is cleaned as the toner collection container 1 rotates. As shown in FIG. 3b, the non-woven fabric 11 attached to the toner transport tube 7 is arranged so as not to overlap the path through which the light emitted from the issuing diode 10a and the photosensor 10b is transmitted. Further, as shown in FIG. 3 a, a sealing material 12 having a high slidability such as a malt plane is attached to the connecting portion with the toner collecting container 1 in the toner conveying tube 7.

  As described above, when the toner collection container 1 rotates in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the paper cassette 5, a centrifugal force is applied to the toner T in the toner collection container 1, and the toner T can be leveled. Further, every time the toner collection container 1 rotates, the toner detection surface of the toner delivery port 1a is cleaned, so that the scattered toner does not adhere to the detection surface and the sensor does not detect it erroneously.

  Accordingly, the dead space generated in the toner recovery container 1 is extremely reduced, the toner can be efficiently stored, and the toner is not fully accumulated in the toner recovery container 1 and is not fully detected. The replacement frequency of the container 1 can be reduced, and the toner collection container can be downsized.

  Another embodiment of the toner recovery apparatus of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b.

  4A is a side view seen from the center of the toner collection container 1, and FIG. 4B is a top view of the toner delivery port 1a.

  In this embodiment, the driving means for rotating the toner collecting container 1 is obtained from other driving such as a motor and a developing device. Accordingly, when the image forming apparatus is in operation, the toner recovery container 1 simultaneously rotates in one direction, and the toner T in the toner recovery container 1 is leveled by centrifugal force.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4a, a blade 13 attached to the toner transport tube 7 is provided as a means for cleaning the detection surface of the toner delivery port 1a. The blade 13 is made of an elastic member such as rubber, and is disposed slightly obliquely with respect to the rotation direction of the toner recovery container 1 from the vertical direction. Due to the oblique arrangement, the toner T swept off by the blade 13 moves downward along the blade surface and falls into the toner recovery container 1 by its own weight. Since the blade 13 is disposed in front of the light emitting diode 10a with respect to the rotation direction of the toner recovery container 1, the scattered toner from the light transmitting surface from the light emitting diode 10a to the photosensor 10b is swept away. There is no detection.

1 is a schematic configuration model diagram of an image forming apparatus of an embodiment. a is a side view of the toner collection container, its rotating means and paper cassette in a state where the paper cassette is set, and b is a side view of the toner collection container, its rotation means and paper cassette in a state where the paper cassette is opened and closed. It is a side block diagram. a is a side view of a configuration for cleaning the detection surface of the toner transfer port of the toner recovery container, and b is a top view of a configuration for cleaning the detection surface of the toner transfer port of the toner recovery container. a is a side view of the toner delivery port viewed from the center of the toner collection container 1, and b is a top view of the toner delivery port. It is explanatory drawing of the prior art which equalizes the toner in a toner collection container. It is explanatory drawing of the prior art which cleans a full detection surface.

Explanation of symbols

S paper T toner 1 toner collection container 1a toner delivery port 2 container base 3 spur gear 4 spring 5 paper cassette 7 toner transfer tube 8 intermediate transfer belt cleaner 9 shaft 10a light emitting diode 10b photo sensor 11 non-woven fabric 12 sealing material 13 cleaning blade 14 Frame 14a Stop plate 15 Roller 16 Biasing member 17 Vibration generator 18 Waste toner container 19 Window 20 Rotating body

Claims (4)

In a waste toner collecting container for collecting toner discharged from an image forming unit provided in an image forming apparatus,
A waste toner collecting container having a rotational force receiving portion that receives rotational force from a rotational driving means provided in the image forming apparatus.   The waste toner collecting container according to claim 1, further comprising a cleaning unit that cleans a sensor window of a toner remaining amount sensor provided in the image forming apparatus with rotation.   3. A waste toner collecting apparatus, comprising: a rotation driving unit that rotates the waste toner collecting container according to claim 1.   The rotation driving unit includes a drive source and a drive transmission unit that transmits a rotational driving force of the drive source to the waste toner collection container, and an elastic body is interposed between the drive source and the drive transmission unit. 4. The waste toner collecting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein

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