JP3693467B2 - Toner supply device - Google Patents

Toner supply device Download PDF

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Publication number
JP3693467B2
JP3693467B2 JP18301097A JP18301097A JP3693467B2 JP 3693467 B2 JP3693467 B2 JP 3693467B2 JP 18301097 A JP18301097 A JP 18301097A JP 18301097 A JP18301097 A JP 18301097A JP 3693467 B2 JP3693467 B2 JP 3693467B2
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JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
toner
replenishing
screw
chamber
detection surface
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Expired - Fee Related
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JP18301097A
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Japanese (ja)
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JPH1115250A (en
Inventor
信親 増田
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Katsuragawa Electric Co Ltd
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Katsuragawa Electric Co Ltd
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Priority to JP18301097A priority Critical patent/JP3693467B2/en
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Description

【0001】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、電子写真複写機、プリンター等の画像形成装置のトナー補給装置に関し、特には、トナーの有無を検知する検知手段を備えたトナー補給装置に関する。
【0002】
【従来の技術】
従来、消費されたトナーを現像器に補給するトナー補給装置は、補給用トナーを貯留したトナー補給室と、この補給用トナーを現像器に補給する補給スクリュウと、検知面が振動の違いを検知してトナーの有無を検知する圧電センサ等の検知手段とから構成される。トナーの補給方法として、現像器に設けたトナー濃度センサが現像剤中のトナー濃度が低下したことを検知し、トナー補給室に設けた補給スクリュウを駆動させ、消費された分のトナーを現像器内に補給している。また、このトナー補給室の補給用トナーの残量はトナー補給室内に設けた圧電センサによって検知され、このセンサがトナー無しと検知したときにトナー補給室に連結したトナー供給手段としてのトナーカートリッジから供給スクリュウ等によりトナー補給室にトナー有りと検知されるまで供給される。
【0003】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、上記したトナー補給装置は、補給用トナーの凝集による検知面への付着や、補給用スクリュウ周辺部分のみが空洞化して検知面に補給用トナーが存在するという状態により、検知手段が正常に働かなくなる場合が生じる。このため、トナー補給室内に補給用トナーが存在するという信号であっても、実際には補給用トナーはトナー補給室内に存在せず、現像器内で適切な現像剤濃度を維持することができなくなる。
【0004】
本発明は、上記した問題点に鑑みてなされたものであり、簡単な構成によって検知手段の誤検知を防止することが可能なトナー補給装置を提供することを課題とする。
【0005】
上記課題を解決するため、本発明は、現像器と隣接してまたは連続して設けられ且つトナーを内部に貯留するトナー補給室と、このトナー補給室内部に配置されその回転によりトナーを搬送して前記現像器にトナーを補給する補給スクリュウと、前記補給室内に検知面を面して配置されたトナーの有無を検知する検知手段と、この検知手段がトナー無しを検知したときに前記トナー補給室内部にトナーを供給するトナー供給手段とを有するトナー補給装置において、前記補給スクリュウに設けられ、この補給スクリュウの回転に伴って回動して前記検知手段の検知面を上から下に向かって掃うように接触するトナー掃い落とし部材と、前記検知面の直前において前記回動する掃い落とし部材の先端が接触するようにし且つ前記検知手段の上方位置であってトナー補給室内に供給されるトナーおよび補給スクリュウの回転により飛び散ったトナーが前記検知面に直接かからない位置に前記検知面より突出して設けられたひさし部材とを有し、前記掃い落とし部材に付着したトナーを前記ひさし部材との接触により除去すると共に、この接触によりひさし部材上方に積もったトナーを除去し、次いで前記掃い落とし部材が前記検知面を掃うことを特徴とする。
【0006】
また、前記掃い落とし部材の先端部が櫛歯状に形成されていることを特徴とし、前記掃い落とし部材が薄厚のフィルム材で形成されていることを特徴とする。
【0007】
前記ひさし部材が弾性変形可能な導電性の薄板で形成されていることを特徴とする。
【0008】
このような構成において、現像器のトナー濃度センサが現像剤中のトナー濃度の減少を検知し、トナー補給室内の補給スクリュウを駆動させトナー補給室内のトナーを現像器に補給する。この補給スクリュウの駆動とともに掃い落とし部材が回動し、検知手段の検知面に接触して検知面に付着したトナー補給トナーを掃い落とす。また、補給スクリュウ周辺に形成される空洞も掃い落とし部材の回動により掃い落とされて解消される。更に掃い落とし部材の回動により掃い落とし部材とひさし部材とが接触して、掃い落とし部材に付着したトナーと掃い落とし部材に積もったトナーとが除去され、正常に動作する検知手段の信号に基づいてトナー供給手段からトナー補給装置にトナーが供給される。
【0009】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の好適な実施例を図面に基づいて説明する。
図1は本発明のトナー補給装置の概略断面図を示す。トナー補給装置1は後述する図2に示す現像器のケーシング10の現像剤攪拌室27に連続して設けられており、トナーを貯留するトナー補給室2と、現像器にトナーを補給する補給スクリュウ4と、トナーの有無を検知する検知手段としての圧電センサ5と、圧電センサ5の検知面6に付着したトナーを掃い落とす掃い落とし部材7と、供給されるトナーが直接検知面6にかからないように配置したひさし部材30とを有する。
【0010】
補給スクリュウ4は、回転軸26aによって回転可能となっており、内部に貯留したトナーを後述するトナー濃度センサからの信号に基づいて回転させ、トナー補給室2内のトナーを現像器内に向けて搬送させている。
圧電センサ5はトナー補給室2の内壁の面と同じ位置に面し、あるいはわずかに突出した位置に検知面6を面してトナー補給室内のトナーの有無を検知している。
【0011】
掃い落とし部材7は、薄厚で弾性を有するポリエステルフィルムや絶縁された薄厚で弾性変形可能な金属板などのフィルム材が好適に用いられる。掃い落とし部材7の終端側は回転軸26aに対し接線方向にネジ等により固定され、先端側を補給スクリュウ4の外周面より突出させており、更に、補給スクリュウ4の回転時に検知面6およびひさし部材30とに接触可能に設けている。特に検知面6をなぞるように接触させるため、掃い落とし部材7の先端は直線的に揃えられている。
【0012】
ひさし部材30は、圧電センサ5の検知面6の上方向の位置であって、検知面6より突出するように設けられており、トナー補給室2内に供給されるトナーが検知面6に直接かからないようにしている。あるいは補給スクリュウ4の回転によって飛び散ったり、舞い上がったりしたトナーが検知面6にかからない位置に設けられている。ひさし部材の一端側をトナー補給室2の内壁に接着剤や両面テープやネジなどにより固定している。ひさし部材30は、薄厚で弾性を有するリン青銅板等の金属板が好適に使用されるが、フィルム材であっても良い。
ひさし部材30が掃い落とし部材7との接触によって弾性変形することにより、効果的にひさし部材上に積もったトナーを除去することができる。
【0013】
図2に現像器の概略断面図を示す。
像担持体8を中心に周知の方法により画像形成が行われる。例えば、像担持体8を中心に、像担持体8表面を一様に帯電させるコロナ帯電器と、原稿像を投射して像担持体上に静電潜像を形成させる光学装置と、この潜像を現像する現像器と、転写コロナ放電器と、分離コロナ放電器と、像担持体8表面上に転写後の残留した現像剤を除去するクリーニング装置と、像担持体8表面の表面電位を均一にするためのイレーサランプとが設けられており、画像形成を行うために順次に作用する。
【0014】
現像器3は、像担持体8に近接する位置に略水平方向に延びる開口9を有するケーシング10と、ケーシング10の開口9から一部を露出するように配置された内部に固定配置した磁石11と回転可能なスリーブ12とを含む現像ローラ13と、現像器3内に収容された現像剤を攪拌部で撹拌する撹拌スクリュウ14、15と、現像ローラ13表面上に形成された現像剤層の高さを規制するブレード16とを有する。攪拌スクリュウ14、15はそれぞれ回転軸26a、26bに固定され、不図示の駆動源により回転可能となっている。
【0015】
像担持体8とスリーブ12は互いに向き合う部分において順方向に下方に向かって回転しており、現像剤層を像担持体に対して接触または非接触させて現像を行っている。
【0016】
図3は図1の線I−Iで切断した断面図を示す。実施例においては現像器3のケーシング10を共通としてトナー補給装置1が設けられており、トナー補給装置1の上方側には補給室に供給するための補給用トナーを充填したトナー供給手段としてのトナーカートリッジ17が設けられている。トナーカートリッジ17はトナー補給装置1に設けた開口18とトナーカートリッジ17に設けた開口19との間にスポンジ部材20を介して連通されている。トナーカートリッジ17内にはコイルスプリング等の供給スクリュウ21が不図示の駆動源に連結され駆動可能に設けられており、圧電サンセ5の検知信号に基づいて供給スクリュウ21が作動して補給用トナーをトナー補給室2に供給する。
【0017】
トナー供給手段は、上述したトナーカートリッジ17の他、トナー補給装置1の開口18に連結したホッパーの構成であっても良い。
【0018】
トナー補給装置1のトナー補給室2と現像器3のケーシング10の現像剤攪拌室27とは連通している。現像剤の攪拌は攪拌スクリュウ14、15により行われるため、補給スクリュウ4が作動しない限り補給用トナーが現像剤攪拌室27内に補給されることはない。符号22は現像剤中のトナー濃度を検知するトナー濃度センサを示す。攪拌スクリュウ14は回転軸26aに固定されており、また、補給スクリュウ4は回転軸26aに対して回転可能に設けられている。このため、攪拌スクリュウ14と補給スクリュウ4とはそれぞれ別々の制御により回転可能となっている。
【0019】
上記した構成のトナー補給装置1の動作について説明する。周知の方法により画像形成が行われ、現像器3内の現像剤中のトナーが消費される。消費されたトナーは、例えば磁気センサ等のトナー濃度センサ22により検知され、トナー補給装置1の補給スクリュウ4を不図示のモーター等の駆動源により駆動させ補給用トナーを現像器3内に所定の現像剤濃度となるように補給する。
【0020】
補給スクリュウ4の駆動に伴って回転軸26aに設けられている掃い落とし部材7が回動する。この回動により掃い落とし部材7の先端側がひさし部材30に接触し、掃い落とし部材7に付着したトナーと、供給などによりひさし部材30の上面に積もったトナーとを除去する。
【0021】
更に補給スクリュウ4が回転することにより掃い落とし部材7が回動し、掃い落とし部材7の先端が検知面6に接触して検知面に付着または凝集しているトナーを効率良く掃い落とす。
【0022】
トナー補給装置1からの補給によりト補給供給室2内のトナーは減少し、圧電センサ5の検知面6からトナーが接触しなくなり、トナー無しが検知される。このトナー無しの検知信号に基づいてトナーカートリッジ17の供給スクリュウ21が作動してトナー補給室2にトナーを供給する。供給されたトナーはひさし部材30によって直接検知面6に達することがなく、しだいに堆積されるトナーが検知面6を覆ったときにトナー有りを検知して供給スクリュウ21の動作が停止する。
【0023】
また、別の実施例として櫛歯状に切りそろえた状態の掃い落とし部材7を図4に示す。先端が櫛歯状の掃い落とし部材であっても上述した作用効果と同様のものであった。また、掃い落とし部材7は複数の切れ目を入れることにより複数の弾性状の短冊を作成したような構造としても良い。
【0024】
【発明の効果】
本発明のトナー補給装置は、補給スクリュウの回転軸に設けた掃い落とし部材が検知面の上方向位置に設けたひさし部材に接触して、掃い落とし部材とひさし部材とに付着したトナーを除去し、トナーを除去した掃い落とし部材により検知面をなぞるように接触して検知面に付着したトナーを除去する。これにより常に検知面がクリーンな状態となり、トナーの有無検知をすることができ、安定したトナー補給の制御が行える。また、掃い落とし部材の一端を補給スクリュウに設けたため、別の駆動源を設けることなく掃い落とし部材を回動させてトナーの凝集を解消することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図1】 本発明によるトナー補給装置を示す概略断面図。
【図2】 現像器を示す概略断面図。
【図3】 図1における線I−Iで切断した断面図。
【図4】 掃い落とし部材の形状を示す図。
【符号の説明】
1 トナー補給装置
2 トナー補給室
3 現像器
4 補給スクリュウ
5 圧電センサ
6 検知面
7 掃い落とし部材
8 像担持体
9 開口
10 ケーシング
11 磁石
12 スリーブ
13 現像ローラ
14、15 攪拌スクリュウ
16 ブレード
17 トナーカートリッジ
18 開口
19 開口
20 スポンジ部材
21 供給スクリュウ
22 トナー濃度センサ
26a、b 回転軸
27 現像剤攪拌室
30 ひさし部材
[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a toner replenishing device for an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine and a printer, and more particularly to a toner replenishing device provided with a detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of toner.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a toner replenishing device that replenishes consumed toner to a developing device has a detection surface that detects a difference in vibration between a toner replenishing chamber that stores replenishing toner and a replenishing screw that replenishes the replenishing toner to the developing device. And detecting means such as a piezoelectric sensor for detecting the presence or absence of toner. As a toner replenishing method, a toner concentration sensor provided in the developing device detects that the toner concentration in the developer has decreased, and a replenishing screw provided in the toner replenishing chamber is driven to supply the consumed toner to the developing device. Supplying inside. Further, the remaining amount of toner for replenishment in the toner replenishing chamber is detected by a piezoelectric sensor provided in the toner replenishing chamber, and when this sensor detects no toner, a toner cartridge as a toner supplying means connected to the toner replenishing chamber. The toner is supplied to the toner supply chamber by a supply screw or the like until it is detected that there is toner.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described toner replenishing device, the detecting means is normally operated due to the adhesion of the replenishing toner to the detection surface or the state where only the peripheral portion of the replenishing screw is hollow and the replenishing toner exists on the detection surface. There are cases where it will not work. For this reason, even if the signal indicates that replenishment toner exists in the toner replenishment chamber, the replenishment toner does not actually exist in the toner replenishment chamber, and an appropriate developer concentration can be maintained in the developing device. Disappear.
[0004]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a toner replenishing device capable of preventing erroneous detection of a detection unit with a simple configuration.
[0005]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a toner replenishing chamber that is provided adjacent to or continuously with a developing unit and stores toner therein, and is disposed in the toner replenishing chamber to convey the toner by rotation thereof. A replenishing screw for replenishing toner to the developing device, a detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of toner disposed facing the detection surface in the replenishing chamber, and the toner replenishment when the detecting means detects the absence of toner. In a toner replenishing device having a toner supplying means for supplying toner to an indoor portion, the toner replenishing screw is provided on the replenishing screw, and rotates with the rotation of the replenishing screw so that the detection surface of the detecting means is directed from top to bottom. A toner sweeping member that comes in contact so as to sweep, and a tip of the rotating sweeping member that rotates just before the detection surface are in contact with each other and above the detection means And a eaves member provided projecting from said sensing surface at a position toner scattered by the rotation of the toner and replenishing screw a location supplied to the toner supply chamber is not applied directly to the sensing surface, said sweeping off member The toner adhering to the eaves member is removed by contact with the eaves member, the toner accumulated above the eaves member is removed by this contact, and then the scavenging member sweeps the detection surface.
[0006]
Further, the tip of the sweep-off member is formed in a comb-like shape, and the sweep-off member is formed of a thin film material.
[0007]
The eaves member is formed of a conductive thin plate that can be elastically deformed.
[0008]
In such a configuration, the toner density sensor of the developing device detects a decrease in the toner concentration in the developer, and drives the replenishing screw in the toner replenishing chamber to replenish the developer with the toner in the toner replenishing chamber. As the replenishing screw is driven, the scavenging member rotates to come into contact with the detection surface of the detection means and sweep out the toner replenishment toner adhering to the detection surface. Further, the cavity formed around the replenishing screw is also swept away by the rotation of the sweeping member and eliminated. Further, the sweeping member and the eaves member come into contact with each other by the rotation of the sweeping member, and the toner adhering to the sweeping member and the toner accumulated on the sweeping member are removed, and based on the signal of the detecting unit operating normally. Then, the toner is supplied from the toner supply means to the toner supply device.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a toner replenishing device of the present invention. The toner replenishing device 1 is provided continuously in a developer stirring chamber 27 of a casing 10 of the developing device shown in FIG. 2, which will be described later, and includes a toner replenishing chamber 2 for storing toner and a replenishing screw for replenishing the developing device with toner. 4, a piezoelectric sensor 5 as a detecting means for detecting the presence / absence of toner, a sweeping member 7 for sweeping off the toner adhering to the detection surface 6 of the piezoelectric sensor 5, and the supplied toner so as not to be directly applied to the detection surface 6. And an eaves member 30 disposed on the surface.
[0010]
The replenishing screw 4 is rotatable by a rotating shaft 26a, and rotates the toner stored inside based on a signal from a toner concentration sensor, which will be described later, and directs the toner in the toner replenishing chamber 2 into the developing device. It is transported.
The piezoelectric sensor 5 faces the same position as the surface of the inner wall of the toner supply chamber 2 or faces the detection surface 6 at a slightly protruding position to detect the presence or absence of toner in the toner supply chamber.
[0011]
As the sweep-off member 7, a film material such as a thin and elastic polyester film or an insulated thin and elastic metal plate is preferably used. The end side of the sweep-off member 7 is fixed in a tangential direction with respect to the rotary shaft 26a by a screw or the like, the front end side protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the supply screw 4, and the detection surface 6 and the eaves when the supply screw 4 rotates. It is provided so as to be in contact with the member 30. In particular, the tip of the sweep-off member 7 is linearly aligned so as to trace the detection surface 6.
[0012]
The eaves member 30 is provided above the detection surface 6 of the piezoelectric sensor 5 so as to protrude from the detection surface 6, and the toner supplied into the toner supply chamber 2 is directly applied to the detection surface 6. I do not take it. Alternatively, it is provided at a position where the toner scattered or swollen by the rotation of the replenishing screw 4 does not reach the detection surface 6. One end side of the eaves member is fixed to the inner wall of the toner supply chamber 2 with an adhesive, a double-sided tape, a screw, or the like. The eaves member 30 is preferably a thin metal plate such as a phosphor bronze plate having elasticity, but may be a film material.
As the eaves member 30 is elastically deformed by contact with the scavenging member 7, the toner accumulated on the eaves member can be effectively removed.
[0013]
FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the developing device.
Image formation is performed by a known method centering on the image carrier 8. For example, a corona charger that uniformly charges the surface of the image carrier 8 around the image carrier 8, an optical device that projects an original image to form an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier, and the latent image. A developing device for developing an image, a transfer corona discharge device, a separation corona discharge device, a cleaning device for removing developer remaining on the surface of the image carrier 8 and the surface potential of the surface of the image carrier 8 Eraser lamps for uniforming are provided and act in order to form an image.
[0014]
The developing device 3 includes a casing 10 having an opening 9 extending in a substantially horizontal direction at a position close to the image carrier 8, and a magnet 11 fixedly arranged inside so as to be partially exposed from the opening 9 of the casing 10. And a developing roller 13 including a rotatable sleeve 12, stirring screws 14 and 15 for stirring the developer stored in the developing device 3 by a stirring unit, and a developer layer formed on the surface of the developing roller 13. And a blade 16 for regulating the height. The stirring screws 14 and 15 are fixed to the rotation shafts 26a and 26b, respectively, and can be rotated by a driving source (not shown).
[0015]
The image carrier 8 and the sleeve 12 are rotated downward in the forward direction at the portions facing each other, and development is performed by bringing the developer layer into contact or non-contact with the image carrier.
[0016]
FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. In the embodiment, the toner replenishing device 1 is provided with the casing 10 of the developing device 3 in common, and the toner replenishing device 1 is provided with toner replenishing means filled with replenishing toner to be supplied to the replenishing chamber above the toner replenishing device 1. A toner cartridge 17 is provided. The toner cartridge 17 communicates with an opening 18 provided in the toner replenishing device 1 and an opening 19 provided in the toner cartridge 17 via a sponge member 20. In the toner cartridge 17, a supply screw 21 such as a coil spring is connected to a drive source (not shown) so as to be driven. The supply screw 21 is operated based on a detection signal of the piezoelectric lance 5 to supply replenishment toner. The toner is supplied to the toner supply chamber 2.
[0017]
The toner supply unit may have a hopper configuration connected to the opening 18 of the toner supply device 1 in addition to the toner cartridge 17 described above.
[0018]
The toner supply chamber 2 of the toner supply device 1 and the developer stirring chamber 27 of the casing 10 of the developing device 3 communicate with each other. Since the developer is agitated by the agitation screws 14 and 15, the replenishment toner is not replenished into the developer agitation chamber 27 unless the replenishment screw 4 is operated. Reference numeral 22 denotes a toner density sensor for detecting the toner density in the developer. The stirring screw 14 is fixed to the rotating shaft 26a, and the replenishing screw 4 is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the rotating shaft 26a. For this reason, the stirring screw 14 and the replenishing screw 4 can be rotated by different controls.
[0019]
The operation of the toner replenishing device 1 configured as described above will be described. Image formation is performed by a known method, and the toner in the developer in the developing device 3 is consumed. The consumed toner is detected by a toner concentration sensor 22 such as a magnetic sensor, for example, and the replenishing screw 4 of the toner replenishing device 1 is driven by a driving source such as a motor (not shown) to supply a replenishing toner into the developing device 3. Replenish with developer concentration.
[0020]
As the supply screw 4 is driven, the sweep-off member 7 provided on the rotary shaft 26a rotates. By this rotation, the tip end side of the scavenging member 7 comes into contact with the eaves member 30, and the toner adhering to the scavenging member 7 and the toner accumulated on the upper surface of the eaves member 30 due to supply or the like are removed.
[0021]
Further, when the replenishing screw 4 rotates, the scavenging member 7 rotates, and the tip of the scavenging member 7 comes into contact with the detection surface 6 and the toner adhering to or aggregating on the detection surface is efficiently swept away.
[0022]
Replenishment from the toner replenishing device 1 reduces the amount of toner in the toner replenishing supply chamber 2, so that no toner comes into contact with the detection surface 6 of the piezoelectric sensor 5 and no toner is detected. The supply screw 21 of the toner cartridge 17 is operated based on the detection signal indicating the absence of toner to supply toner to the toner supply chamber 2. The supplied toner does not reach the detection surface 6 directly by the eaves member 30, and when the toner deposited gradually covers the detection surface 6, the presence of toner is detected and the operation of the supply screw 21 is stopped.
[0023]
Further, as another embodiment, a sweep-off member 7 in a state of being cut into comb teeth is shown in FIG. Even if the tip is a comb-like sweep-off member, the same effect as described above was obtained. The sweep-off member 7 may have a structure in which a plurality of elastic strips are created by making a plurality of cuts.
[0024]
【The invention's effect】
In the toner replenishing device of the present invention, the scavenging member provided on the rotation shaft of the replenishing screw contacts the eaves member provided in the upper position of the detection surface, and the toner adhering to the scavenging member and the eaves member is removed. Then, the toner adhering to the detection surface is removed by contacting the detection surface with the scavenging member from which the toner has been removed. As a result, the detection surface is always clean, the presence or absence of toner can be detected, and stable toner replenishment control can be performed. In addition, since one end of the scavenging member is provided in the replenishing screw, it is possible to eliminate toner aggregation by rotating the scavenging member without providing another drive source.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a toner supply device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a developing device.
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the shape of a sweep-off member.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Toner replenishing device 2 Toner replenishing chamber 3 Developer 4 Replenishing screw 5 Piezoelectric sensor 6 Sensing surface 7 Scavenging member 8 Image carrier 9 Opening 10 Casing 11 Magnet 12 Sleeve 13 Developing roller 14, 15 Stirring screw 16 Blade 17 Toner cartridge 18 Opening 19 Opening 20 Sponge member 21 Supply screw 22 Toner concentration sensor 26a, b Rotating shaft 27 Developer stirring chamber 30 Cover member

Claims (4)

現像器と隣接してまたは連続して設けられ且つトナーを内部に貯留するトナー補給室と、このトナー補給室内部に配置されその回転によりトナーを搬送して前記現像器にトナーを補給する補給スクリュウと、前記補給室内に検知面を面して配置されたトナーの有無を検知する検知手段と、この検知手段がトナー無しを検知したときに前記トナー補給室内部にトナーを供給するトナー供給手段とを有するトナー補給装置において、前記補給スクリュウに設けられ、この補給スクリュウの回転に伴って回動して前記検知手段の検知面を上から下に向かって掃うように接触するトナー掃い落とし部材と、前記検知面の直前において前記回動する掃い落とし部材の先端が接触するようにし且つ前記検知手段の上方位置であってトナー補給室内に供給されるトナーおよび補給スクリュウの回転により飛び散ったトナーが前記検知面に直接かからない位置に前記検知面より突出して設けられたひさし部材とを有し、前記掃い落とし部材に付着したトナーを前記ひさし部材との接触により除去すると共に、この接触によりひさし部材上方に積もったトナーを除去し、次いで前記掃い落とし部材が前記検知面を掃うことを特徴とするトナー補給装置。A toner replenishing chamber which is provided adjacent to or continuously with the developing unit and stores toner therein, and a replenishing screw which is disposed in the toner replenishing chamber and conveys the toner by its rotation to replenish the developing unit with toner. Detecting means for detecting presence / absence of toner disposed facing the detection surface in the replenishing chamber; and toner supplying means for supplying toner into the toner replenishing chamber when the detecting means detects no toner. A toner sweeping member provided on the replenishing screw and rotating in accordance with the rotation of the replenishing screw to come in contact so as to sweep the detection surface of the detecting means from top to bottom. , an upper position is supplied to the toner supply chamber and the detection means as the leading end of the sweeping off member the rotation just before the sensing surface is in contact That toner and toner scattered by the rotation of the supply screw has a eaves member provided projecting from said sensing surface at a position not directly exposed to the detection surface, the toner adhering to the sweep down member and said eaves member A toner replenishing device that removes toner by contact, removes toner accumulated above the eaves member by this contact, and then sweeps the detection surface by the scavenging member. 前記掃い落とし部材の先端部が櫛歯状に形成されていることを特徴とする請求項1記載のトナー補給装置。The toner replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein a tip end portion of the sweep-off member is formed in a comb-teeth shape. 前記掃い落とし部材が薄厚のフィルム材で形成されていることを特徴とする請求項1または2記載のトナー補給装置。3. The toner replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein the sweep-off member is formed of a thin film material. 前記ひさし部材が弾性変形可能な薄板で形成されていることを特徴とする請求項1記載のトナー補給装置。2. The toner replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein the eaves member is formed of a thin plate that can be elastically deformed.
JP18301097A 1997-06-24 1997-06-24 Toner supply device Expired - Fee Related JP3693467B2 (en)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2007219437A (en) * 2006-02-20 2007-08-30 Kyocera Mita Corp Image forming apparatus
JP4976910B2 (en) * 2007-04-27 2012-07-18 株式会社リコー Powder container, toner conveying device, and image forming apparatus
JP5327728B2 (en) * 2012-04-12 2013-10-30 株式会社リコー Powder container, toner conveying device, and image forming apparatus

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