JP2010117675A - Waste toner collector and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a waste toner collecting device capable of continuously carrying toner while preventing toner from leaking when a waste toner collecting container is replaced.
SOLUTION: A plurality of recovery containers that are provided inside each of a plurality of opening and closing members and accommodate waste toners that can be taken out by opening the opening and closing members; a transport unit that transports the waste toners to the recovery containers; A container availability detection unit configured to detect whether the container can store waste toner; and an opening / closing detection unit configured to detect opening / closing of the opening / closing member. When one of the opening / closing members is opened, the other opening / closing member is closed. If it is detected that the collection container corresponding to the other opening / closing member can store the waste toner, the waste toner is conveyed to the collection container corresponding to the other opening / closing member.
[Selection] Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a waste toner collecting apparatus and an image forming apparatus that efficiently collect waste toner.

  In a copying machine using toner, after a toner image is formed on a photoreceptor, the toner is transferred onto a transfer sheet. On the other hand, the toner that has not been transferred to the transfer paper adheres as waste toner to the photoreceptor after the toner transfer.

  Such waste toner is scraped off by a brush, a blade, or the like provided in the cleaning device, and is transported to a waste toner recovery container by a spiral transport unit that is rotationally driven and recovered.

  By the way, when the waste toner collecting device is full, the function is restricted so that the waste toner is not further conveyed and overflowed, and continuous copying cannot be performed. Furthermore, copying cannot be performed during container exchange. Therefore, in recent years, there is a demand for reducing this downtime.

  For example, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, two waste toner collection containers are provided, and in the waste toner collection container, a toner amount detection unit and a drive for rotating the waste toner based on the result of the toner amount detection unit are provided. Switching means. With this configuration, when the fullness of one waste toner container is detected, the direction of rotation of the waste toner transport means is switched, and the waste toner can be transported into the other waste toner collection container.

In Patent Document 2, a plurality of waste toner carrying sections, a corresponding waste toner collection container, and a container detection unit are provided, and the inside of the waste toner collection container is based on the result of detecting the presence or absence of the waste toner collection container. By controlling the waste toner conveying unit so that the waste toner is conveyed to the waste toner, it is possible to replace the waste toner corresponding to the waste toner carrying unit that is not used for carrying out without stopping the image forming operation. it can.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-289584 JP 2008-83102 A

  However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, the machine operation stops when the collection container is removed.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, switching of the waste toner conveyance path is to move a shutter member that opens and closes an opening connected to the waste toner carrying-out portion, and by moving the shutter member, there is a gap in the opening portion. The toner leaks to the outside through the gap.

  Further, when the waste toner collection container is taken out, there is a time lag between the detection of the presence of the container and the opening / closing operation of the shutter after the detection, and even after the waste toner collection container is taken out from the apparatus main body, the waste toner is collected. The operation of the conveying means continues and the toner leaks out.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a waste toner collecting apparatus capable of continuously carrying toner while preventing toner from leaking when the waste toner collecting container is replaced. For the purpose.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a waste toner recovery device according to the present invention includes a plurality of recovery containers that are provided inside each of a plurality of opening and closing members and that contain waste toner that can be removed by opening the opening and closing members; One of the opening / closing means comprises a conveying means for conveying the waste toner to the container, a storage availability detection means for detecting whether or not the collection container can store the waste toner, and an opening / closing detection means for detecting opening / closing of the opening / closing member. When the member is opened, the other opening / closing member is closed, and if it is detected that the collection container corresponding to the other opening / closing member can store the waste toner, the waste toner is collected in the collection container corresponding to the other opening / closing member. It is characterized by conveying.

  In addition, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the above-described waste toner collecting device.

  According to the present invention, when replacing the waste toner collection container, it is possible to continuously perform image formation while preventing toner from leaking from the collection container.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a document reading device 2 having an automatic document feeder (ADF) 1 and an image forming device main body 3 having a paper feed tray.

  The document reading operation is performed by irradiating a document set on the document table 4 of the ADF 1 or the document reading glass 5 of the document reading device 2 with a lamp 6 and using a reflected signal as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or CIS (CIS). Read by sensor 7 such as Contact Image Sensor).

  The read signal is converted into a digital signal by a device called AFE (Analog Front End) and transmitted to a controller (not shown) on the scanner or printer side. The transmitted scan signal (image data) is converted into printer image data by image processing by a controller, and transmitted to a PC (display), a printer engine (not shown), or the like. In the case of inkjet, the printer engine performs rendering processing (processing that replaces image data in the order of head transfer).

  In the printing operation on the paper, the printing paper 14 discharged from the paper feed tray 12 is sent to the paper conveying belt 10, the paper edge sensor 9 detects the printing paper, and the carriage 8 equipped with the head starts printing. When moved to the position, the print data subjected to the rendering process is transferred to the head and printing is started. After the printing is completed, the printing paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 11.

  In such an image forming apparatus, when both sides of a document are read simultaneously, reading is performed by a sheet-through method using ADF1. That is, the document set on the document table 4 is irradiated to the lamp 6 stopped at the upstream side in the document transport direction, the reflected light is reflected and converged, and the surface is read by reading with the sensor 7.

  Next, the main part of the image forming apparatus will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a main part of the tandem type image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus sequentially performs transfer for each color of Bk (black), C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow). Since the operation for each color is the same, only Bk will be described.

  The image forming unit includes an image carrier 21, a charging device 22, a developing unit 24, a developer 25, an intermediate transfer device 26, a transfer roller 27, a secondary transfer unit 28, and a fixing device 29.

  First, the surface of the image carrier 21 that can be driven to rotate is uniformly charged by the charging device 22. Next, the laser beam 23 is irradiated by the exposure optical system, and the surface of the image carrier 21 is exposed to form an electrostatic latent image. Thereafter, the developer 25 in the developing unit 24 is moved to the surface of the image carrier 21 to perform development, and a visible image is formed on the surface of the image carrier 21.

  Next, the developer on the surface of the image carrier 21 is transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer device 26 at a contact portion between the transfer roller 27 and the image carrier 21 provided in the intermediate transfer device 26. The transferred developer is transferred onto the paper by the secondary transfer unit 28 and then supplied to the fixing device 29 to fix the toner image on the paper.

  On the other hand, the developer remaining on the surface of the image carrier 21 is cleaned and removed by the cleaning blade 31 in the cleaning device 30 in preparation for the next image formation. The waste toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 31 is conveyed and stored in a waste toner collection container (not shown).

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 50 includes an image forming apparatus 60 including an image carrier, an intermediate transfer body 70 for transferring an image from the image carrier to a printed material, and waste toner scraped by the cleaning device and accommodated. And a recovery device 40.

  Next, the waste toner collecting device will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the waste toner collecting apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The waste toner collection device includes a first conveyance unit 41, a second conveyance unit 42, a shutter 43, a drive motor 44, a first collection container 45, and a second collection container 46. Configured.

  The first transport unit 41 collects waste toner due to transfer residue and the like, and transports it to a second transport unit 42 provided at the lower part of the image forming apparatus. The second transport means 42 is rotated by a drive motor 44 and is driven to rotate in a forward / reverse manner.

  On the other hand, the waste toner that has been transported to the second transport means 42 by the first transport means 41 is changed to the first recovery container 45 or the second recovery container 46 depending on the rotation direction of the second transport means 42. It is transported to and collected. The first collection container 45 and the second collection container 46 are provided below the second conveyance means 42 in parallel with the second conveyance means 42, and the second conveyance means 42 and each collection container are provided. A shutter 43 is provided at the joint portion.

  Further, the shutter 43 has a mechanism that is pushed and opened by the recovery container, and is always closed when the recovery container is not set in the waste toner recovery device, and when the recovery container is not provided. The toner does not scatter in the machine.

  In addition, although the 1st conveyance means and the 2nd conveyance means use the screw in the Example, they are not specified to a screw.

  FIG. 5 is a side view of the waste toner collecting apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the first collection container 45 in the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The second collection container 46 has the same configuration as the first collection container.

  The first collection container 45 can be taken out by being housed inside the collection container replacement door 47 and opening the collection container replacement door 47. In addition, the waste toner collecting device includes a set detection sensor 48 and a full detection sensor 49. Further, the collection container replacement door 47 is provided with an open / close detection sensor (not shown) for detecting an open / closed state.

  The set detection sensor 48 detects that it is set in the waste toner collecting device, and the full detection sensor 49 detects that the waste toner is full in the collection container.

  For example, the set detection sensor 48 detects that the specific position of the waste toner collection device and the specific position of the collection container are in physical contact with each other, and accurately detects that the collection container has been set. The fullness detection sensor 49 is composed of an optical sensor or the like, and detects that the light is full by determining that light has been blocked for a certain period of time. Each sensor is not limited to the above example, and may be detected using other methods.

  Normally, when both of the collection containers are detected by the set detection sensor 48, the waste toner conveyed by the first conveying unit 41 is first rotated by the second conveying unit 42 when the motor 44 rotates forward. It is transported to and accommodated in the transport container 45. When image formation is performed a plurality of times and the recovery container 45 is detected to be full by the full detection sensor 48, the motor 44 reverses and waste toner is accumulated in the second recovery container 46.

  When the second collection container 46 is detected to be full by the full detection sensor like the first collection container 45, and the two collection containers are detected at the same time, the machine will stop. Since there is sufficient time from when one of the collection containers is full until the other collection container is full, the user opens the collection container replacement door 47 provided in front of the collection container, and One collection container 45 can be taken out and replaced with an empty collection container.

  As a result, the toner collection container can be replaced without stopping the machine, leading to a reduction in user downtime.

  In addition, if only one of the collection containers is detected for replacement during replacement or for some reason, the motor rotates so as to send toner to the side where the recovery is detected.

  Next, the collecting operation of the waste toner collecting apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the waste toner recovery device during image formation when the recovery container replacement door 47 provided in front of the recovery container is not opened and closed.

  First, it is determined whether or not waste toner can be stored in the first collection container by using a full detection sensor, a set detection sensor, or the like (step S1). If it is determined that the waste toner can be stored in the first collection container, the motor is rotated in the forward direction to transport the waste toner to the first collection container (step S2).

  At this time, it is detected whether or not waste toner can be stored in the second collection container (step S3), and if it is determined that storage is impossible, the user is notified of this (step S4).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that it cannot be accommodated in the first recovery container, it is determined whether or not it can be accommodated in the second recovery container (step S5). If it is determined here that both the first recovery container and the second recovery container cannot be accommodated, the image forming operation is stopped (step S8).

  If it is determined in step S5 that the second collection container can be accommodated, the motor is rotated in the reverse direction to transport the waste toner to the second collection container (step S6). Further, the user is notified that the first collection container cannot be accommodated (step S7).

  The notification method to the user in step S4 and step S7 is not particularly limited, and may be notified by blinking or lighting with a lamp, or each sensor may be displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus main body. It is also possible to use a method of notifying the abnormality detected by the letter.

  Next, the operation of the waste toner collection device when the collection container replacement door 47 provided in front of the collection container is opened and closed during image formation will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  It is determined whether or not the first collection container replacement door provided in front of the first collection container has been opened (step S9). When the first collection container replacement door is opened, it is determined whether waste toner is being conveyed to the first collection container at that time (step S10).

  If the waste toner is being conveyed to the first collection container, it is confirmed whether or not the second collection container replacement door is closed (step S11). If the second recovery container replacement door is closed, it is determined whether or not waste toner can be stored in the recovery container (step S12), and the second recovery container is in a state capable of storing waste toner. For example, the motor is rotated in the reverse direction so as to be conveyed to the second collection container, and the waste toner is conveyed to the second collection container (step S13).

  On the other hand, if the second recovery container replacement door is open or the recovery container is determined to be unacceptable according to the determinations in steps S11 and S12, the image forming operation is stopped (step S13).

  According to this embodiment, when there is a first recovery container and a second recovery container, and the detection means detects that both recovery containers are installed in the main body, the first recovery container is spiral. When the waste toner is conveyed by the body (not limited to the spiral body) and only one of the collection containers is detected, the waste toner is conveyed by the spiral body to the detected collection container. This makes it possible to exchange the other collection container during machine operation.

  Further, since the collection container for conveying the waste toner is changed when the opening / closing member is opened, the conveyance direction of the waste toner conveyance means can be changed before the collection container is taken out. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the leakage of waste toner into the apparatus due to the continuous operation of the waste toner conveying means when the collection container is taken out from the apparatus main body or after it is taken out. Furthermore, by transporting the waste toner to a recovery container that can store the waste toner, it is possible to replace the recovery container in which the waste toner is not transported while continuing the image forming operation.

  Further, in conjunction with the movement of the collection container, the conveying means rotates to the side where the collection container exists, so that the toner does not leak outside.

  Further, by detecting whether or not the collection container is full, it is possible to prevent toner overflow and damage to the spiral torque increase.

  Further, by determining the presence / absence of the container, it is possible to prevent the waste toner from being carried out from the waste toner carrying-out portion where the collection container is not attached. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent waste toner from being carried out to the full collection container by determining whether the toner is full from the information on the toner amount in the collection container.

  Further, by stopping the image forming operation, it is possible to prevent the waste toner conveying member from being damaged and the waste toner from overflowing from the collection container.

  Further, by having a shutter that closes in conjunction with the recovery container between the recovery container and the transport path including the waste toner transport member, it is possible to prevent the waste toner from scattering into the apparatus.

  The present invention has been described above by the preferred embodiments of the present invention. While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof, various modifications and changes can be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. is there.

1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus. 2 is a configuration diagram of an image forming unit in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram of a waste toner collecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view of the waste toner recovery device according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart figure of the waste toner collection | recovery apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart figure of the waste toner collection | recovery apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

40 Waste toner recovery device 41 First transport means 42 Second transport means 43 Shutter 44 Motor 45 First recovery container 46 Second recovery container 47 Recovery container replacement door 48 Set detection sensor 49 Full detection sensor 50 Image formation Device 60 Developing device 70 Intermediate transfer member

Claims (8)

A plurality of collection containers for storing waste toner provided inside each of the plurality of opening and closing members and provided to be removable by opening the opening and closing members;
Conveying means for conveying the waste toner to the collection container;
A storage availability detection unit that detects whether the recovery container can store the waste toner;
An opening / closing detection means for detecting opening / closing of the opening / closing member,
When one of the opening / closing members is opened, the other opening / closing member is closed, and if it is detected that the collection container corresponding to the other opening / closing member can store the waste toner, the other opening / closing member is detected. A waste toner collecting apparatus for conveying the waste toner to a collecting container corresponding to an opening / closing member.   The waste toner collecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport unit is provided in a spiral shape so as to be rotatable forward and backward, and changes a transport direction of the waste toner by switching a rotation direction.   The waste toner collecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage availability detecting unit makes a judgment based on information on the presence / absence of the collecting container and the toner amount in the collecting container.   4. The waste toner collecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a shielding member between the transport unit and the collecting container. 5.   The collection container includes a first collection container provided with a normal rotation side carry-in port for the waste toner that is conveyed by the conveyance unit being driven in a normal direction, and a waste toner that is conveyed by the conveyance unit being driven in a reverse direction. 5. The waste toner recovery device according to claim 1, further comprising a second recovery container provided with a reverse-side carry-in port. 6.   An image forming apparatus comprising the waste toner collecting device according to claim 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming operation is stopped when it is determined that none of the collection containers can store the waste toner.   8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image forming operation is stopped when all the opening / closing members are open.

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