JP2011070091A - Color toner replenishing device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a color toner replenishing device achieving a reduction in cost of a toner replenishing device. <P>SOLUTION: The color toner replenishing device includes two motors for driving respective toner replenishing members. In the intermediate position between a first driving shaft on a first motor side and a second driving shaft on the first motor side which are respectively connected to the two toner replenishing members, clutching members, which are driven by respective motors and set on or off in the transmission of rotating force of the respective shafts, are provided. One of the motors is driven to drive the respective clutching members by a single driving means all at once, one of clutching members, two by two, is set to on and the other is set to off, and thereby one of the toner replenishing members is alternatively driven. Both of the two motors are simultaneously driven to drive the clutching members by the single driving means all at one, one of clutching members, two by two, is set to on and the other is set to off, and thereby the two toner replenishing members are simultaneously and alternatively driven. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement in a color toner replenishing device and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a color toner replenishing device and an image forming apparatus which are intended to reduce costs.

In the case of the four-color toner replenishing device as described above, toner storage units such as toner containers are also provided for four colors, and toner is supplied to replenish toner of each color from each toner storage unit to each color developing device. It is necessary to provide a toner replenishing member such as a toner replenishing roller at the toner outlet of the accumulating unit. However, since the consumption amount of each color toner is different, the driving timing of the toner replenishing member must be different for each color toner.
In this way, in the toner replenishing device described in Patent Document 1, which is an example of a conventional color toner replenishing device, a motor is provided for each toner replenishing member. The principle is to connect them and drive each motor independently.
However, such a system in which the motor and the toner replenishing member are in a one-to-one correspondence requires four motors, which is disadvantageous in that it is expensive.

Accordingly, the present invention has been created in view of the above circumstances, and a low-cost color toner replenishing device simplified by reducing the number of expensive driving means such as a motor and a clutch driving unit, and the same are used. The first object is to provide an image forming apparatus.
In addition, as an example of a color toner replenishing device whose price has been reduced, a replenishing device described in Patent Document 2 is known.
In Patent Document 2, four drive systems connected to a toner supply member are connected to one of the two motors, and clutch members are interposed in the four drive systems, respectively. There is disclosed a color toner replenishing device configured so that each of the four toner replenishing members can be independently driven by switching the clutch member with another clutch driving motor.

However, in the color toner replenishing device disclosed in Patent Document 2, in order to drive the clutch member, four cams having different phases are provided on the shaft driven by the clutch driving motor, and the clutch motor is rotated. Thus, the cams for operating the clutch members are switched to drive the four toner replenishing members separately.
Accordingly, in the color toner replenishing device described in Patent Document 2, by providing two motors as actuators, each color toner replenishing member can be driven independently, so that considerable economic efficiency can be expected. Although excellent in this respect, four toner replenishing members are provided by providing four cams with different phases on the shaft driven by the clutch driving motor as described above, and rotating the clutch motor. Since they are driven separately, it is not possible to replenish two colors of toner at the same time.

However, in actual color toner replenishment, there is an empirical rule that a relatively light amount of toner is consumed, so specific toner is consumed quickly, and if two color toners are not replenished at the same time, toner consumption It often happens that we cannot keep up. Therefore, the color toner replenishing device as described in Patent Document 1 that can replenish only one color toner in one time period as described above cannot solve the problem of being unable to cope with continuous printing of a large number of sheets.
Further, even if two color toners can be replenished at the same time, if it can be applied to only one combination of color toners, there is a problem in its practicality.

  Accordingly, a second object of the present invention is to provide a color toner replenishing device that can drive two toner replenishing members at the same time while achieving a reduction in price as described above. An object of the present invention is to provide a color toner replenishing device capable of changing the combination of color toners when replenishing two color toners simultaneously.

JP 2003-255683 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-87770

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is that, as described above, it is possible to drive two toner replenishing members at the same time while reducing the price of the toner replenishing device, and further, It is an object of the present invention to provide a color toner replenishing device that can change the combination of color toners when replenishing.

In order to achieve the first to third objects, the first invention according to the present application is:
Four toner accumulating units for accumulating four color toners, four toner replenishing members for replenishing toner from each toner accumulating unit to each color developing unit, and a motor for driving each toner replenishing member; ,
A drive system for connecting the toner replenishing member and the motor;
A color toner replenishing device comprising:
The motor is composed of first and second motors, one for each of the two colors.
The drive system is
A first motor-side first drive shaft that is driven by the first motor by being connected to the first motor and is connected to two toner replenishing members provided corresponding to the two color toners. And the first motor side second drive shaft,
A second motor side first drive shaft that is driven by the second motor by being connected to the second motor, and is connected to two toner replenishing members provided corresponding to the two color toners. And a second drive shaft on the second motor side,
A first motor side first drive shaft clutch member which is provided in the middle of the first motor side first drive shaft and turns on / off transmission of the drive force of the first motor side first drive shaft; A clutch member for a first motor side second drive shaft that is provided in the middle of the second drive shaft and turns on / off transmission of driving force of the first motor side second drive shaft; and a second motor side first drive shaft Provided between the second motor side second drive shaft and the second motor side first drive shaft clutch member, which is provided in the middle and turns on / off transmission of the driving force of the second motor side first drive shaft. A second motor side second drive shaft clutch member for turning on / off transmission of driving force of the second motor side second drive shaft;
The first motor side first drive shaft clutch member and the second motor side first drive shaft clutch member or the second motor side second drive shaft clutch member are driven simultaneously by one drive means. A clutch that turns on or off and simultaneously turns off or on the first motor side second drive shaft clutch member and the second motor side first drive shaft clutch member or the second motor side second drive shaft clutch member. A member driving unit;
Is configured as a color toner replenishing device.
If this color toner supply device is expressed in another way,
Color toner replenishment for driving first to fourth toner replenishing members for replenishing four color toners from the first to fourth toner accumulating units corresponding to the four colors to the developing tanks. A device,
Comprising two motors, a first motor and a second motor,
The first motor is connected to the first and second toner supply members via a first motor side first drive shaft and a first motor side second drive shaft that are simultaneously driven by the first motor, and a second motor A motor coupled to the third and fourth toner supply members via a second motor side first drive shaft and a second motor side second drive shaft driven simultaneously by the second motor;
The first motor side first and second clutch members that are turned off when one of the first motor side first drive shaft and the first motor side second drive shaft driven simultaneously by the first motor is turned on. And the second motor side first drive shaft and the second motor side second drive shaft that are simultaneously driven by the second motor are turned off when the second motor side second drive shaft is on. And one or both of the first to fourth toner replenishing members are selected by rotating one or both of the motors and operating the clutch member with the second clutch member interposed therebetween. It can also be said that the color toner replenishing device is driven in an automatic manner.
The above-described color toner replenishing device meets all the first to third objects of the present invention. However, if only the first object (simplification of the device) is achieved, the following second toner is supplied. The color toner replenishing device according to the invention may be used.
The second invention is:
A color toner replenishing device for driving first to fourth toner replenishing members for replenishing four color toners from a four color toner accumulating unit to each developing tank.
A single motor,
An upstream first drive shaft and an upstream second drive shaft coupled to the motor and driven simultaneously by the motor;
A downstream first drive shaft and a downstream second drive shaft coupled to the upstream first drive shaft and driven simultaneously by the upstream first drive shaft;
A downstream third drive shaft and a downstream fourth drive shaft connected to the upstream second drive shaft and driven simultaneously by the upstream second drive shaft;
When either of the upstream first drive shaft and the upstream second drive shaft transmits torque of the upstream first drive shaft and the upstream second drive shaft, the other is turned off. An upstream first clutch member and an upstream second clutch member that are controlled to be
When any two of the downstream first drive shaft to the upstream fourth drive shaft are driven in the ON direction by interposing the downstream first drive shaft to the fourth drive shaft, respectively, the other two A first clutch member on the downstream side to a fourth clutch member on the downstream side for turning on / off transmission of rotational force of the first downstream drive shaft to the fourth upstream drive shaft so that the first drive shaft is driven in the off direction;
An upstream clutch drive member for simultaneously driving the upstream first clutch member and the upstream second clutch member;
A downstream clutch drive member that simultaneously drives the downstream first clutch member to the downstream fourth clutch member;
And a color toner replenishing device.

In the first aspect of the present invention, one of the four color toners can be replenished selectively by driving the clutch member driving unit while driving either the first motor or the second motor. In the first aspect of the invention, two motors and one clutch member drive unit such as a solenoid are sufficient as the actuator. Therefore, the first object (simplification of the apparatus and cost reduction) is achieved.
In the first invention, by driving the clutch member driving unit while simultaneously driving both the first motor and the second motor, two of the four color toners can be replenished simultaneously. The second and third objectives are achieved.
Further, according to the second aspect of the invention, only one expensive motor and two clutch member drive units are sufficient, the apparatus is significantly simplified, and the first object is achieved.

1 is a perspective view showing an entire color toner supply device as a background of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a color toner supply device according to an embodiment of the first invention. FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating an example of a configuration of a clutch unit used in the color toner supply device according to the embodiment of the invention. The top view which shows the whole structure of the color toner supply apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of 2nd invention.

Subsequently, an embodiment in which the first invention is embodied will be described for understanding.
As shown in FIG. 1, a cassette type paper feeding unit 3, which is a paper storage unit, is disposed below the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus 1. In the cassette type paper feeding unit 3, sheets P such as cut paper before printing are stacked and accommodated, and are fed one by one from here. In this case, the cassette type paper feed unit 3 is provided with a two-stage paper feed cassette 4.

  A manual paper feeder 5 is provided outside the upper right side of the main body 2. On the manual sheet feeding unit 5, paper P having a size that is not accommodated in the cassette type sheet feeding unit 3 or a sheet to be fed one by one such as an OHP sheet is placed.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes a paper transport unit 6 therein. The paper P delivered from the cassette type paper feed unit 3 is conveyed vertically upward along the side surface of the main body 2 by the paper conveyance unit 6, and the paper P delivered from the manual paper supply unit 5 is conveyed substantially horizontally to the left.

  A registration roller 7 is provided at the downstream end in the sheet conveyance direction of the sheet conveyance unit 6 and immediately upstream of the secondary transfer unit 9. The registration roller 7 feeds the paper P toward the secondary transfer unit 9 in synchronization with the toner image formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 while correcting the oblique feeding of the paper P.

  Above the registration roller 7, the intermediate transfer belt 8, which is an intermediate transfer member used in the form of an endless belt, is provided. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is wound around and supported by a plurality of rollers, and is rotated clockwise in FIG. 1 by a driving device (not shown).

The intermediate transfer belt 8 is wound around each roller so that a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction of each roller supporting the intermediate transfer belt 8 is substantially triangular. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is provided such that the upper surface thereof is substantially horizontal, and a total of four image forming units 20 are provided on the upper surface. The four image forming units 20 are of a so-called tandem system arranged in a line from the upstream side to the downstream side in the rotational direction along the rotational direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8.
The four image forming units 20 have four colors in order from the upstream side. The image forming unit 20M for magenta, the image forming unit 20C for cyan, the image forming unit 20Y for yellow, and the image forming unit for black. 20B. These image forming units 20 are replenished with toner as a developer from four toner storage units 60 (60M to 60B) corresponding to the respective colors. In the following description, the identification symbols “M”, “C”, “Y”, and “B” are generalized and replaced with “a”, “b”, “c”, and “d” unless otherwise limited.

  In each image forming unit 20, an electrostatic latent image of a document image is formed by laser light irradiated by an exposure device (not shown), and a toner image is developed from the electrostatic latent image. A primary transfer portion 30 (30a to 30d) is provided at a location where each image forming portion 20 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 8, and in this primary transfer portion 30, the toner image formed by the image forming portion 20 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt. 8 Primary transfer is performed on the surface. Then, the toner images of the respective image forming units 20 are sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 8 at a predetermined timing along with the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 8, whereby magenta, cyan, yellow, and black are measured on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8. A multiple full color toner image is formed by superimposing four color toner images.

  The secondary transfer unit 9 is disposed at a position where the intermediate transfer belt 8 is suspended on the sheet conveyance path. The color toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is secondarily transferred by the secondary transfer unit 9 onto the paper P sent in synchronization by the registration roller 7.

  After the secondary transfer of the toner image, the toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is cleaned and collected by a belt cleaning device 10 provided downstream of the secondary transfer portion 9 in the belt rotation direction.

  A fixing unit 11 is provided on the downstream side of the secondary transfer unit 9 in the sheet conveyance direction. The paper P carrying the unfixed toner image in the secondary transfer unit 9 is sent to the fixing unit 11 where the toner image is heated and pressed by a heat roller and a pressure roller to be fixed.

  A branching portion 12 is provided on the downstream side of the fixing portion 11 and in the vicinity of the left side surface of the main body 2. The sheet P discharged from the fixing unit 11 is discharged from the branching unit 12 to a sheet receiving tray 13 which is a sheet discharging unit outside the apparatus when double-sided printing is not performed.

  From the four toner storage portions 60 (60a to 60d), toner replenishing members are provided at the toner outlets of the toner storage portions 60 in the developing tanks of the developing devices 20 (20a to 20d) provided below the toner storage portions 60 (60a to 60d). Is provided. The toner replenishing member is embodied by, for example, a toner replenishing roller. In the case of the toner replenishing roller, when the toner accumulation amount in the developing tank decreases to a predetermined amount, the toner replenishing member rotates according to a control signal from the control unit that detects this. As a result, the toner accumulated in the toner accumulation section 60 is gradually dropped into the lower developing tank. This drop is continued until the toner accumulation amount in the developing tank increases to a predetermined amount, so that the density of the image to be printed is calculated while maintaining the toner amount in the developing tank within an appropriate fixed range. It is controlled to become the amount.

Next, a color toner replenishing device which is a driving device for the toner toner replenishing member will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the color toner replenishing device according to this embodiment includes the four toner accumulating units 60a, 60b, 60c, and 60d (see FIG. 1) for accumulating four color toners. Four toner supply members 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d for supplying toner from the toner storage units 60a, 60b, 60c, and 60d to the developing units 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d (see FIG. 1) of the respective colors are basically configured. This is the same as the conventionally known color toner replenishing device.
The motors for driving the toner replenishing members 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d are a first motor M1 and a second motor M2, as shown.
The details of the drive system for driving the toner supply member by the first motor M1 and the second motor M2 are as follows.
The first motor M1 is connected to a first motor side first drive shaft 24a and a first motor side second drive shaft 24b which are driven by the first motor M1.
The first motor side first drive shaft 24a is connected to a toner replenishing member 22a at its end, and the first motor side second drive shaft 24b is connected to a toner replenishing member 22b at its end.
The second motor M2 is connected to a second motor side first drive shaft 24c and a second motor side second drive shaft 24d driven by the second motor M2.
The second motor side first drive shaft 24c is connected to a toner replenishing member 22c at its end, and the second motor side second drive shaft 24d is connected to a toner replenishing member 22d at its end.

In the middle of the first motor side first drive shaft 24a, there is a first motor side first drive shaft clutch member 26a that turns on / off transmission of the drive force of the first motor side first drive shaft 24a. ing.
In the middle of the first motor side second drive shaft 24b, there is a first motor side second drive shaft clutch member 26b that turns on / off transmission of the driving force of the first motor side second drive shaft 24b. ing.
Further, in the middle of the second motor side first drive shaft 24c, a second motor side first drive shaft clutch member 26c for turning on / off transmission of the drive force of the second motor side first drive shaft 24c is interposed. is doing.
Further, a second motor side second drive shaft clutch member 26d for turning on / off transmission of the drive force of the second motor side second drive shaft 24d is interposed in the middle of the second motor side second drive shaft. ing.
In this embodiment, the drive shaft clutch member 26 is separated from or meshed with the two bevel gears 28 and 29 that are spaced apart from each other between the drive shafts 24 and 29. Accordingly, the two bevel gears 28 and 29 are engaged with each other (on) and the engagement bevel gear 32 is released (off).

Specifically, for example, in the case of the first motor side first drive shaft clutch member 26a, as shown in FIG. Two bevel gears (upstream bevel gear 28a and downstream bevel gear 29a) and two bevel gears are separated or engaged with the two bevel gears (upstream bevel gear 28a and downstream bevel gear 29a). A first motor-side first drive shaft bevel gear 32a for meshing (on) and releasing (off) meshing (upstream bevel gear 28a and downstream bevel gear 29a). Yes.
That is, the connecting bevel gear 32 is connected to the first motor side first drive shaft 24a (turned on) or released (off) from the first motor side first drive shaft bevel gear 32a (described above). ), The first motor side second drive shaft bevel gear 32b that connects (turns on) and releases (off) the first motor side second drive shaft 24b, and the second motor side first gear The second motor side first drive shaft bevel gear 32c for connecting (turning on) the drive shaft 24c and releasing (off) the connection and the second motor side second drive shaft 24d are connected (on). The second motor side second drive shaft bevel gear 32d is made up of four bevel gears that release (turn off) the connection.

In this embodiment, all the connecting bevel gears 32 are attached to a reciprocating drive shaft 38 that is reciprocally driven by a solenoid 36, which will be described later, and are attached so as not to move in the axial direction of the reciprocating drive shaft 38.
Further, in this embodiment, the first motor side first drive shaft bevel gear 32a and the first motor side second drive shaft bevel gear 32b are provided in opposite directions, and the second motor side first gear The drive shaft bevel gear 32c and the second motor side second drive shaft bevel gear 32d are provided in opposite directions.
In other words, in the case of this embodiment, the first motor side first drive shaft bevel gear 32a and the second motor side first drive shaft bevel gear 32c are provided in the same direction. The side second drive shaft bevel gear 32b and the second motor side second drive shaft bevel gear 32d are provided in opposite directions to the first motor side first drive shaft bevel gear 32a.
This is an example. For example, the first motor side first drive shaft bevel gear 32a and the second motor side second drive shaft bevel gear 32c are provided in the same direction. The two drive shaft bevel gear 32b and the second motor side first drive shaft bevel gear 32c may be provided in directions opposite to the first motor side first drive shaft bevel gear 32a.

Further, in the state shown in FIG. 2, the first motor-side first drive shaft bevel gear 32a and the second motor-side first drive shaft bevel gear 32c are arranged such that the upstream bevel gear 28a (and 28c) and the downstream side The first motor side second drive shaft bevel gear 32b and the second motor side second drive shaft bevel gear 32d are engaged with the bevel gear 29a (and 29c). The gear 28b (and 28d) and the downstream bevel gear 29b (and 29d) are separated (off).
Note that the distance between the upstream bevel gear 28 and the downstream bevel gear 29 that are separated from the connecting bevel gear 32 is the same.
Further, FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 described later are conceptual diagrams in which a drive member, a rotational transmission member, and the like are displayed by symbols, and therefore various minor components are not shown. For example, in order to transmit the rotation of the motor to the drive shaft, transmission members such as various gears are required on the way, but these are omitted, and when the rotation is transmitted, the rotation direction of the drive shaft is the actual toner supply. In some cases, the rotation direction of the member may be opposite, so a gear for changing the rotation direction is actually necessary. Alternatively, there is a natural configuration in which a bearing is necessary to rotate the shaft without shaking, but these are solved and implemented by a well-known and conventional method by those skilled in the art. Explanation is omitted.

Since this color toner replenishing device X has the structure as described above, when these connecting bevel gears move from the position shown in FIG. 2 in the direction of arrow S in FIG. The first drive shaft bevel gear 32a and the second motor side first drive shaft bevel gear 32c are separated from the opposing upstream bevel gear 28a (and 28c) and downstream bevel gear 29a (and 29c) (off). Thus, the first motor side second drive shaft bevel gear 32b and the second motor side second drive shaft bevel gear 32d are formed of an upstream upstream bevel gear 28b (and 28d) and a downstream bevel gear 29b (and 29d). ) Is engaged (ON).
Thus, the first motor side first drive shaft bevel gear 32a, the second motor side first drive shaft bevel gear 32b, the first motor side second drive shaft bevel gear 32c, and the second motor side second drive shaft. The bevel gears 32d are simultaneously moved in the direction of the arrow S or in the opposite direction so that the connecting bevel gear 32, which is an example of a clutch member, is turned on (engaged) with the upstream bevel gear 28 and the downstream bevel gear 29; The clutch member driving unit 34 (an example of the clutch driving unit) described below fulfills the function of turning off (separating).

  That is, the clutch member drive unit 34 for operating the connecting bevel gear 32 as described above is connected to one solenoid 36 (an example of a drive means) and the solenoid 36, and the arrow 36 or the opposite thereof by the solenoid 36. And the reciprocating drive shaft 38 linearly moved in the direction, and the solenoid 36 moves the reciprocating drive shaft 38 in the direction of arrow S or in the opposite direction, so that the connection as the clutch member of the present invention. The bevel gear 32 can be meshed (on) or separated (off) with the upstream bevel gear 28 and the downstream bevel gear 29 facing each other at the same time.

Since the color toner replenishing device according to this embodiment is configured as described above, for example, when the solenoid 36 is operated in the direction of the arrow S (as shown in FIG. The connecting bevel gear 32a (and 32c) meshes with the upstream bevel gear 28a and the downstream bevel gear 29a (and the upstream bevel gear 28c and the downstream bevel gear 29c). , When the connecting bevel gear 32b (and 32d) is separated from the upstream bevel gear 28b and the downstream bevel gear 29b (and away from the upstream bevel gear 28d and the downstream bevel gear 29d), the first motor The rotation of M1 rotates the toner supply member 22a via the first motor side first drive shaft 24a → the upstream bevel gear 28a → the connecting bevel gear 32a → the downstream bevel gear 29a → the first motor side first drive shaft 24a. Let The toner is replenished to the developing section 20a from over the storage portion 60a.
However, since the connecting bevel gear 32b is disengaged (off state), the rotation of the first motor M1 is not transmitted to the toner supply member 22b.
At this time, if the second motor M2 is not rotating, the toner replenishing members 22c and 22d are not rotated.
Accordingly, when only the first motor M1 rotates and the solenoid 36 operates in the direction of arrow S, only the connecting bevel gear 32a is on, so that only the toner supply member 22a contributes to toner supply. It is understood that
Similarly, when only the first motor M1 is rotating and the solenoid 36 is operating in the direction opposite to the arrow S, only the connecting bevel gear 32b is on, so that only the toner replenishing member 22b is the toner. It is obvious that it contributes to replenishment.
Further, when only the second motor M2 is rotated (the first motor M1 is stopped) and the solenoid 36 is operating in the direction of the arrow S, only the connecting bevel gear 32c is on, so the toner supply member It is also obvious that only 22c contributes to toner replenishment. When only the second motor M2 rotates (the first motor M1 stops) and the solenoid 36 operates in the direction opposite to the arrow S, the connection is established. Since only the bevel gear 32d is on, it is obvious that only the toner replenishing member 22d contributes to the toner replenishment, and there is no need for further explanation.

As described above, in the color toner replenishing device according to this embodiment, only two motors and one clutch driving means (solenoid 36) are used as actuators to replenish four colors of color toners independently. As a result, the system can be dramatically simplified compared to the conventional color toner replenishing device, and the cost can be reduced.
This achieves the first object of the present invention.

Furthermore, it is naturally possible to simultaneously drive the first motor M1 and the second motor M2 to rotate. If the solenoid 36 operates in the direction of arrow S when the first motor M1 and the second motor M2 are simultaneously driven to rotate in this way, the connecting bevel gear 32a is clear from the above description. Since the first motor M1 is rotated, the first motor side first drive shaft 24a → the upstream bevel gear 28a → the connecting bevel gear 32a → the downstream bevel gear 29a → the first motor side. The toner replenishing member 22a is rotated via the first drive shaft 24a, and toner is replenished from the toner accumulating portion 60a to the developing portion 20a. The rotation of the second motor M2 is the second motor side first drive shaft 24c → upstream. The toner supply member 22c is rotated via the side bevel gear 28c → the connecting bevel gear 32c → the downstream bevel gear 29c → the first motor side first drive shaft 24c, and toner is transferred from the toner accumulating unit 60c to the developing unit 20c. It is fed.
Similarly, when the first motor M1 and the second motor M2 are simultaneously driven to rotate, if the solenoid 36 is operated in the direction opposite to the arrow S, the connecting bevel gears 32b and 32d are turned on. Therefore, the rotation of the first motor M1 is performed through the first motor side second drive shaft 24b → the upstream bevel gear 28b → the connecting bevel gear 32b → the downstream bevel gear 29b → the first motor side first drive shaft 24b. The replenishing member 22b is rotated so that toner is replenished from the toner accumulating unit 60b to the developing unit 20b, and the second motor M2 is rotated by the second motor side second drive shaft 24d → the upstream bevel gear 28d → the connecting umbrella. The toner replenishing member 22d is rotated via the gear 32d → the downstream bevel gear 29d → the second motor side second drive shaft 24d, and the toner is replenished from the toner accumulating unit 60d to the developing unit 20d.

That is, in the color toner replenishing device according to this embodiment, two colors of toner can be replenished at the same time with only two motors and one clutch driving means. The toner supply operation can be completed in a short time. This achieves the second object of the present invention.
Further, as described above, in this embodiment, when the two color toners are replenished, the combination of the two color toners to be replenished can be changed by switching the solenoid 36. That is, the third object is achieved.

  A color toner replenishing device Y according to a second embodiment to be described below provides a device for independently replenishing four colors of color toner using one motor and two clutch driving means.

In the color toner replenishing device Y according to the second embodiment, there is one motor as a driving source, which is more economical than the first embodiment, but instead, two clutch driving means are used. .
As shown in FIG. 4, the color toner replenishing device Y according to this embodiment has an upstream driving path (A) when viewed from the driving force transmission path where the motor M as the driving source is the most upstream. ) And a downstream drive path (B).

  As understood from the figure, the downstream drive path (B) is exactly the same as the drive path used in the color toner replenishing device X according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. It is considered unnecessary. Here, since two clutch driving means are provided, the solenoid 36 as an example of the clutch driving means in the first embodiment is displayed here as a downstream solenoid 36b.

In the color toner replenishing device X according to the first embodiment, two motors M1 and M2 are used, but here, instead of one motor M and the motor M, the motor M The upstream first drive shaft 24X and the upstream second drive shaft 24Y, which are driven simultaneously by M, and the upstream first drive shaft 24X and the upstream second drive shaft 24Y, respectively. An upstream first clutch member 26X and an upstream second clutch member 26Y that control the transmission of the rotational force of the first drive shaft 24X and the upstream second drive shaft 24Y to be turned off when one is turned on; An upstream solenoid 36a, which is an example of an upstream clutch drive member that drives the upstream first clutch member 26X and the upstream second clutch member 26Y simultaneously, is provided.
Here, the upstream first drive shaft 24X, the upstream second drive shaft 24Y, the upstream first clutch member 26X, the upstream second clutch member 26Y, and the upstream side constituting the upstream drive path (A). The structure and connection state of the solenoid 36a are the first drive shaft 24a, the second drive shaft 24b, and the first clutch (shown in FIG. 2) used in the color toner supply device X according to the first embodiment. Since there is no difference from the member 26a, the second clutch member 26b, and the solenoid 36, the structural details thereof are omitted.
In FIG. 4, a gear group H that switches the rotation direction of the shaft connected to the motor M to a right angle and a gear group I that switches the rotation direction (clockwise to counterclockwise) are displayed. Since this is not a detailed member, a detailed description is omitted here.

The operation will be described. In this embodiment, since there is one motor, the rotation transmission path from the motor M is switched only by switching between the upstream solenoid 36a and the downstream solenoid 36b.
That is, since the upstream solenoid 36a is operating in the direction indicated by the arrow S, the upstream first clutch member 26X is turned on (engaged) and the upstream second clutch member 26Y is turned off (as shown in the figure). Since the downstream solenoid 36b is operated in the direction indicated by the arrow S, the downstream connecting bevel gears 32a and 32c are turned on, and the downstream connecting bevel gear is maintained. When 32b and 32d are OFF, the rotation of the motor M is transmitted to the downstream drive shaft 24a through the upstream first clutch member 26X, and further downstream that constitutes the downstream clutch member 26a. The first toner replenishing member 22a is rotated through the connecting bevel gear 32a on the side, but the rest of the toner replenishing members are stationary because the rotational force is not transmitted.
In this state, when the downstream solenoid 36b is switched, the connecting bevel gear 32a is turned off and the connecting bevel gear 32b is turned on, the rotation of the motor M passes through the upstream first clutch member 26X and the downstream drive shaft. The second toner replenishing member 22b is rotated through the downstream connecting bevel gear 32b that is transmitted to 24b and constitutes the downstream clutch member 26b. However, the rotational force is applied to the other toner replenishing members. Since it is not transmitted, it stops.

Further, the upstream solenoid 36a operates in the direction opposite to the arrow S, and the upstream first clutch member 26X is turned off (separated state) and the upstream second clutch member 26Y is turned on (engaged state) as shown in the figure. ) And the downstream solenoid 36b is operating in the direction indicated by the arrow S, so that the downstream connecting bevel gears 32a and 32c are turned on, and the downstream connecting bevel gear 32b, When 32d is off, the rotation of the motor M is transmitted to the downstream drive shaft 24c through the upstream second clutch member 26Y, and further downstream of the downstream clutch member 26c. The third toner replenishing member 22c is rotated through the connecting bevel gear 32c, but the rest of the toner replenishing members are stationary because the rotational force is not transmitted.
In this state, when the downstream solenoid 36b is switched, the connecting bevel gear 32c is turned off and the connecting bevel gear 32d is turned on, the rotation of the motor M passes through the upstream second clutch member 26Y and the downstream drive shaft. The fourth toner replenishing member 22d is rotated through the downstream connecting bevel gear 32d constituting the downstream clutch member 26d, and the rotational force is applied to the other toner replenishing members. Since it is not transmitted, it stops.

  As described above, the color toner replenishing device Y according to the second embodiment described above has a remarkable cost reduction effect by using one most expensive motor.

  As described above, the present invention can be applied to a color toner replenishing device and also to an image forming apparatus including such a color toner replenishing device.

60 ... toner accumulating unit 20 ... developing unit 22 ... toner replenishing members M1, M2, M ... motor 24 ... drive shaft 26 ... clutch member 32 ... connecting bevel gear 28 ... upstream bevel gear 29 ... downstream bevel gears 36, 36a 36b ... Solenoid 34 ... Clutch drive unit

Claims (4)

Four toner accumulating units for accumulating four color toners, four toner replenishing members for replenishing toner from each toner accumulating unit to each color developing unit, and a motor for driving each toner replenishing member; ,
A drive system for connecting the toner replenishing member and the motor;
A color toner replenishing device comprising:
The motor is composed of first and second motors, one for each of the two colors.
The drive system is
A first motor-side first drive shaft that is driven by the first motor by being connected to the first motor and is connected to two toner replenishing members provided corresponding to the two color toners. And the first motor side second drive shaft,
A second motor side first drive shaft that is driven by the second motor by being connected to the second motor, and is connected to two toner replenishing members provided corresponding to the two color toners. And a second drive shaft on the second motor side,
A first motor side first drive shaft clutch member which is provided in the middle of the first motor side first drive shaft and turns on / off transmission of the drive force of the first motor side first drive shaft; A clutch member for a first motor side second drive shaft that is provided in the middle of the second drive shaft and turns on / off transmission of driving force of the first motor side second drive shaft; and a second motor side first drive shaft Provided between the second motor side second drive shaft and the second motor side first drive shaft clutch member, which is provided in the middle and turns on / off transmission of the driving force of the second motor side first drive shaft. A second motor side second drive shaft clutch member for turning on / off transmission of driving force of the second motor side second drive shaft;
The first motor side first drive shaft clutch member and the second motor side first drive shaft clutch member or the second motor side second drive shaft clutch member are driven simultaneously by one drive means. A clutch that turns on or off and simultaneously turns off or on the first motor side second drive shaft clutch member and the second motor side first drive shaft clutch member or the second motor side second drive shaft clutch member. A member driving unit;
A color toner replenishing device comprising: Color toner replenishment for driving first to fourth toner replenishing members for replenishing four color toners from the first to fourth toner accumulating units corresponding to the four colors to the developing tanks. A device,
Comprising two motors, a first motor and a second motor,
The first motor is connected to the first and second toner supply members via a first motor side first drive shaft and a first motor side second drive shaft that are simultaneously driven by the first motor, and a second motor A motor coupled to the third and fourth toner supply members via a second motor side first drive shaft and a second motor side second drive shaft driven simultaneously by the second motor;
The first motor side first and second clutch members that are turned off when one of the first motor side first drive shaft and the first motor side second drive shaft driven simultaneously by the first motor is turned on. And the second motor side first drive shaft and the second motor side second drive shaft that are simultaneously driven by the second motor are turned off when the second motor side second drive shaft is on. And one or both of the first to fourth toner replenishing members are selected by rotating one or both of the motors and operating the clutch member with the second clutch member interposed therebetween. Color toner replenishing device designed to be driven in an automatic manner. A color toner replenishing device for driving first to fourth toner replenishing members for replenishing four color toners from a toner storage unit for four colors to each developing tank.
A single motor,
An upstream first drive shaft and an upstream second drive shaft coupled to the motor and driven simultaneously by the motor;
A downstream first drive shaft and a downstream second drive shaft coupled to the upstream first drive shaft and driven simultaneously by the upstream first drive shaft;
A downstream third drive shaft and a downstream fourth drive shaft connected to the upstream second drive shaft and driven simultaneously by the upstream second drive shaft;
When either of the upstream first drive shaft and the upstream second drive shaft transmits torque of the upstream first drive shaft and the upstream second drive shaft, the other is turned off. An upstream first clutch member and an upstream second clutch member that are controlled to be
When any two of the downstream first drive shaft to the upstream fourth drive shaft are driven in the ON direction by interposing the downstream first drive shaft to the fourth drive shaft, respectively, the other two A first clutch member on the downstream side to a fourth clutch member on the downstream side for turning on / off transmission of the rotational force of the first downstream drive shaft to the fourth upstream drive shaft so that the first drive shaft is driven in the off direction;
An upstream clutch drive member for simultaneously driving the upstream first clutch member and the upstream second clutch member;
A downstream clutch drive member that simultaneously drives the downstream first clutch member to the downstream fourth clutch member;
A color toner replenishing device comprising:   An image forming apparatus comprising the color toner replenishing device according to claim 1.

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