JPH049082A - Toner replenishing device - Google Patents
Toner replenishing deviceInfo
- Publication number
- JPH049082A JPH049082A JP2110946A JP11094690A JPH049082A JP H049082 A JPH049082 A JP H049082A JP 2110946 A JP2110946 A JP 2110946A JP 11094690 A JP11094690 A JP 11094690A JP H049082 A JPH049082 A JP H049082A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- toner
- air suction
- suction means
- toner container
- switching valve
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 abstract description 5
- 238000009423 ventilation Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000011148 porous material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000010792 warming Methods 0.000 description 2
- WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Lithium Chemical compound [Li] WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052744 lithium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004745 nonwoven fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- 108091008695 photoreceptors Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 238000003756 stirring Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000032258 transport Effects 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Dry Development In Electrophotography (AREA)
Abstract
Description
【発明の詳細な説明】
〔産業上の利用分野〕
本発明は、静電写真複写機やプリンタ等の画像形成装置
に装備されるトナー補給装置に関し、詳しくは、吸気手
段を備えた吸引パイプによりトナー容器内のトナーを吸
引して現像装置のトナー補給ホッパーに補給するトナー
補給装置に関するものである。[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a toner replenishing device installed in an image forming apparatus such as an electrostatographic copying machine or a printer. The present invention relates to a toner replenishing device that sucks toner in a toner container and replenishes it to a toner replenishing hopper of a developing device.
吸気手段を備えた吸引パイプによりトナー容器内の１−
ナーを吸引して現像装置のトナー補給ホッパーに補給す
るトナー補給装置は、特開昭６１．−５９４６５号公報
等によって既に知られている。1- in the toner container by a suction pipe equipped with suction means.
A toner replenishing device that sucks toner and replenishes it to a toner replenishing hopper of a developing device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-198. This is already known from Publication No.-59465 and the like.
このＩ・ナー補給装置は、吸気手段によって吸弓した空
気と共にトナーをトナー容器からトナー補給ホンパーへ
と搬送するものであるから、１・す補給ポツパー上部に
着脱するＩ・ナーカートリソジが不要になるばかりでな
く、トナー容器とトナー補給ホッパーがどのような位置
関係にあっても吸引パイプによるトナー補給が可能であ
って、トナー容器の設置位置の制約がなく、それ故、画
像形成装置本体の余分なスペースを利用して大容量のト
ナー容器を設置することが可能であり、また、トナー容
器として容量の大なるものを使用することにより、トナ
ー補給ホッパーの小型化とそれによる現像装置の小型化
を図ることができる等々の利点を有している。This I/toner replenishing device transports toner from the toner container to the toner replenishing pumper along with the air sucked in by the suction means, thus eliminating the need for an I/ner cartridge lithium that is attached and detached from the top of the replenishing popper. Instead, it is possible to replenish toner using the suction pipe regardless of the positional relationship between the toner container and the toner replenishment hopper, and there are no restrictions on the installation position of the toner container. It is possible to install a large-capacity toner container using space, and by using a large-capacity toner container, it is possible to downsize the toner supply hopper and thereby downsize the developing device. It has the following advantages:
本発明は、上記の利点を有しているトナー補給装置をさ
らに改良・発展せしめたものであって、上述したトナー
補給装置の構成部材を利用した簡単な構造によってトナ
ーや紙粉の飛散による機内の汚れを防止できるようにす
ることを目的としている。The present invention further improves and develops the toner replenishing device that has the above-mentioned advantages, and has a simple structure that utilizes the components of the toner replenishing device described above. The purpose is to prevent contamination.
上記の目的を達成するために、本発明が講じた技術的手
段は、次の通りである。即ち、本発明の特徴は、吸気手
段を備えた吸引パイプによりトナー容器内のトナーを吸
引して現像装置のトナー補給ホッパーに補給するように
したトナー補給装置において、前記吸引パイプの負圧域
部分に、フィルターを介して画像形成装置の本体内に開
口する吸気路を接続し、該吸気路と前記トナー容器とを
前記吸気手段に対して択一的に連通させる切換え弁を設
けたことにある。The technical means taken by the present invention to achieve the above object are as follows. That is, a feature of the present invention is that in a toner replenishing device in which a suction pipe equipped with suction means sucks toner in a toner container and supplies the toner to a toner replenishing hopper of a developing device, a negative pressure area portion of the suction pipe Further, a switching valve is provided which connects an air intake path opening into the main body of the image forming apparatus through a filter and selectively communicates the air intake path and the toner container with the air intake means. .
上記の構成によれば、トナー容器を前記吸気手段に連通
させた状態においては、トナー容器内のトナーが吸気手
段により吸引され、現像装置のトナー補給ホッパーに補
給される。According to the above configuration, when the toner container is in communication with the suction means, the toner in the toner container is sucked by the suction means and replenished into the toner replenishment hopper of the developing device.
吸気路を吸気手段に連通させた状態においては、トナー
補給は停止し、画像形成装置本体内の空気が、フィルタ
ーを介して吸気手段により吸引され、画像形成装置本体
内に飛散していた］・ナーや紙粉がフィルターによって
除去されることになる。When the air intake path was in communication with the air intake means, toner replenishment was stopped and the air inside the image forming apparatus main body was sucked by the air intake means through the filter and was scattered inside the image forming apparatus main body]- The filter removes the powder and paper powder.
以下、本発明の実施例を図面に基づいて説明する。 Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.
第１図は、画像形成装置の一例である静電写真複写機を
示し、１は複写機の本体、２はト′ラム状の感光体、３
は現像装置、４はトナー補給装置である。FIG. 1 shows an electrophotographic copying machine which is an example of an image forming apparatus, in which 1 is the main body of the copying machine, 2 is a drum-shaped photosensitive member, and 3 is a photosensitive member in the form of a drum.
4 is a developing device, and 4 is a toner replenishing device.
現像装Ｗ３は、既知構造のもので、現像スリブ５、トナ
ーを攪拌して現像スリーブ５に搬送供給する攪拌具６等
を備えた現像ケース７、現像ケース７の上部に連設され
たトナー補給ホッパー８、トナー補給ホッパー８内の空
気のみを外に逃がす通気部材９等によって構成されてい
る。The developing device W3 has a known structure, and includes a developing sleeve 5, a developing case 7 equipped with an agitating tool 6 that stirs the toner and conveys it to the developing sleeve 5, and a toner replenishment unit connected to the upper part of the developing case 7. It is composed of a hopper 8, a ventilation member 9 that allows only the air inside the toner replenishment hopper 8 to escape to the outside, and the like.
前記トナー補給装置４は、次の通りに構成されている。The toner replenishing device 4 is configured as follows.
即ち、第２図に示すように、本体１の内部に着脱自在に
設置された大容量のトナー容器１０と前記トナー補給ホ
ッパー８とを、中間部に吸気手段１１を備えた吸引パイ
プ１２で接続し、当該吸引パイプ１２によりトナー容器
１０内のトナーを吸引してトナー補給ホッパー８に補給
するように構成すると共に、前記吸引パイプ１２の負圧
域部分（吸引手段１１よりも上流側の吸引パイプ部分）
１２ａに、着脱交換自在なフィルター１３を介して複写
機の本体１内に開口する吸気路１４を接続し、この接続
位置に、吸気路Ｉ４と前記トナー容器１０とを前記吸気
手段１１に対して択一的に連通させる切換え弁１５を設
けたものである。１６は切換え弁１５を切り換え動作す
るソレノイドであり、トナー補給ホッパー８に設けたレ
ベルセンサー１７の検出信号に基づいて制御される。That is, as shown in FIG. 2, a large-capacity toner container 10 detachably installed inside the main body 1 and the toner supply hopper 8 are connected by a suction pipe 12 having a suction means 11 in the middle. The suction pipe 12 is configured to suction the toner in the toner container 10 and replenish it to the toner replenishment hopper 8. part)
12a, an air intake passage 14 opening into the main body 1 of the copying machine is connected via a detachable and replaceable filter 13, and at this connection position, the air intake passage I4 and the toner container 10 are connected to the air intake means 11. A switching valve 15 is provided for selectively communicating. A solenoid 16 switches the switching valve 15 and is controlled based on a detection signal from a level sensor 17 provided in the toner supply hopper 8.
尚、吸引手段１１の発停は、複写機のメインスイッチや
複写スイッチのＯＮ・ＯＦＦによって行ってもよいが、
この実施例では、複写機のウオームアツプが終了するこ
とによって吸引手段１１が作動し、プレヒートキーを押
してブレヒート状態（節電用の待機状態）とすることに
よって吸引手段１１の作動が停止するように構成しであ
る。吸引手段１１としては、真空ポンプであってもよい
が、図示の実施例では、モーター１１ａにより駆動され
るファンｌｌｂによって吸引手段１１を構成しである。Incidentally, the suction means 11 may be turned on and off by turning on and off the main switch or copying switch of the copying machine.
In this embodiment, the suction means 11 is activated when the copying machine finishes warming up, and the suction means 11 is deactivated when the preheat key is pressed to enter the preheat state (standby state for power saving). It is. The suction means 11 may be a vacuum pump, but in the illustrated embodiment, the suction means 11 is constituted by a fan Ilb driven by a motor 11a.
吸気路１４の長さは適宜設定でき、例えば、吸気路１４
を延長してその開口端を感光体２近傍に望ませて配置し
てもよい。フィルター１３は、吸気路１４の開口端に着
脱自在に取り付けてもよく、吸気路１４の途中に着脱自
在に取り付けてもよい。通気部材９やフィルター１３と
しては、スポンジ等の多孔質材料、不織布等が好適であ
る。The length of the intake passage 14 can be set as appropriate, for example, the length of the intake passage 14
It is also possible to extend the opening end and place it near the photoreceptor 2. The filter 13 may be detachably attached to the open end of the intake passage 14, or may be detachably attached to the middle of the intake passage 14. As the ventilation member 9 and the filter 13, porous materials such as sponge, nonwoven fabrics, etc. are suitable.
上記の実施例によれば、複写機のウオームアツプが終了
した複写可能な状態にあるときには、吸引手段１１が作
動する。トナー補給ホッパー８内にトナーが所定量以上
ある場合には、レベルセンサー１７が検出動作しないの
で、切換え弁１５は、吸気ｌ１４を吸引二丁−段１１に
連通さ−ｌ目つｌ・ナー容器１０を吸引手段１１に対し
、て遮断した状態に維持されている。According to the embodiment described above, when the copying machine has finished warming up and is ready for copying, the suction means 11 is activated. When there is more than a predetermined amount of toner in the toner replenishment hopper 8, the level sensor 17 does not detect it, so the switching valve 15 communicates the intake air 14 with the suction stage 11. 10 is maintained in a state where it is cut off from the suction means 11.
従っ−Ｃ１本体１内の空気が吸引手段１１によりフィル
ター刊３、吸気路１４を経て吸引され、本体１内Ｃに飛
散り、でいたトナーや紙粉がフィルター１３によ−、て
除去される。Therefore, the air inside the main body 1 of C1 is sucked by the suction means 11 through the filter 3 and the intake passage 14, and is scattered into the inside of the main body 1 C, and the generated toner and paper powder are removed by the filter 13. .
１・十−補給ポノペー８内のトナーが所定楢以トーに減
少すると、レー＼ルセン」ｌ−１７がこれを検出して、
切換え弁１５を切り換えΦ＋Ｊ作させて、吸気路１４を
遮断り訃つトナー容器１０を吸引手段１１に連通さセる
ので、トナー容器ＩＯ内の１−ナーが吸引され、トナー
補給ポ・７・バー８に補給される。1.10 - When the toner in the replenishment ponope 8 decreases to a predetermined amount, the laser 17 detects this and
The switching valve 15 is switched to operate Φ+J to block the air intake path 14 and communicate the toner container 10 with the suction means 11, so that the 1-toner in the toner container IO is sucked and the toner replenishment port 7. Bar 8 is replenished.
いずれの状態においても、トナー補給ホッパ８の通気部
材９がら空気が逃げるため、ｌ・ナー補給ポア・・マー
８の圧力増加はなく、トナー漏れが防１）−される。In either state, air escapes through the ventilation member 9 of the toner replenishment hopper 8, so there is no pressure increase in the toner replenishment pore 8, and toner leakage is prevented.
本発明は、−ト述した構成よりなるため、１〜すを吸引
して補給するだめの吸引手段や吸引パイプを利用した簡
単な構造によってトナーや紙粉の飛散による機内の汚れ
を防止できる効果がある。Since the present invention has the above-mentioned configuration, it has the effect of preventing the inside of the machine from becoming dirty due to scattering of toner and paper dust, with a simple structure that uses a suction means and a suction pipe for suctioning and replenishing the liquid. There is.
図面は本発明の一実施例を示し、第１し］ｉ：ｊ：ｌ−
す補給装置を装備した複写機の概略断面図、第２図は要
部の構成図である。
１・・画像形成装置（複写機）の本体、４・・・トナ補
給装置、８・・・ｔナー補給ホッパー、１０・・・１・
す容器、１１・・・吸引手段、１２・・・吸引パイプ、
１２ａ・負圧域部分、１３・・・フィルター、１４・・
・吸気路、１５・・・切換え弁。
Ｉ（１願大 三田Ｔ業株式会社The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention, and the drawings show an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a copying machine equipped with a replenishing device. 1... Main body of image forming apparatus (copying machine), 4... Toner supply device, 8... Toner supply hopper, 10... 1.
11... suction means, 12... suction pipe,
12a・Negative pressure area part, 13... Filter, 14...
・Intake path, 15... switching valve. I (1 Gandai Mita T-gyo Co., Ltd.
Claims (1)
ーを吸引して現像装置のトナー補給ホッパーに補給する
ようにしたトナー補給装置において、前記吸引パイプの
負圧域部分に、フィルターを介して画像形成装置の本体
内に開口する吸気路を接続し、該吸気路と前記トナー容
器とを前記吸気手段に対して択一的に連通させる切換え
弁を設けたことを特徴とするトナー補給装置。In a toner replenishing device in which toner in a toner container is sucked by a suction pipe equipped with a suction means and replenished into a toner replenishment hopper of a developing device, an image is formed in a negative pressure region of the suction pipe via a filter. 1. A toner replenishing device, comprising: a switching valve that connects an air intake path opening into a main body of the device and selectively communicates the air intake path and the toner container with the air intake means.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2110946A JPH049082A (en) | 1990-04-26 | 1990-04-26 | Toner replenishing device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2110946A JPH049082A (en) | 1990-04-26 | 1990-04-26 | Toner replenishing device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH049082A true JPH049082A (en) | 1992-01-13 |
Family
ID=14548558
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2110946A Pending JPH049082A (en) | 1990-04-26 | 1990-04-26 | Toner replenishing device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH049082A (en) |
Cited By (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5797074A (en) * | 1995-04-14 | 1998-08-18 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Image forming system |
| US5848326A (en) * | 1996-10-18 | 1998-12-08 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Toner conveying method and device for an image forming apparatus |
| US6304739B1 (en) * | 1998-10-19 | 2001-10-16 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Toner container and image forming apparatus using the same |
| US6567637B2 (en) | 2000-02-17 | 2003-05-20 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Apparatus and method for replenishing a developing device with toner while suppressing toner remaining |
| US6813460B2 (en) | 2001-01-31 | 2004-11-02 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Toner container and image forming apparatus using the same |
| US7039346B2 (en) | 1998-12-22 | 2006-05-02 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Flexible toner container and toner delivery apparatus |
| US7088945B2 (en) | 2000-09-28 | 2006-08-08 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Toner supply unit and image forming apparatus |
-
1990
- 1990-04-26 JP JP2110946A patent/JPH049082A/en active Pending
Cited By (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5797074A (en) * | 1995-04-14 | 1998-08-18 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Image forming system |
| US5848326A (en) * | 1996-10-18 | 1998-12-08 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Toner conveying method and device for an image forming apparatus |
| US6304739B1 (en) * | 1998-10-19 | 2001-10-16 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Toner container and image forming apparatus using the same |
| US7039346B2 (en) | 1998-12-22 | 2006-05-02 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Flexible toner container and toner delivery apparatus |
| US7277665B2 (en) | 1998-12-22 | 2007-10-02 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Toner container configured for toner replenishment through blow system |
| US6567637B2 (en) | 2000-02-17 | 2003-05-20 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Apparatus and method for replenishing a developing device with toner while suppressing toner remaining |
| US6748190B2 (en) | 2000-02-17 | 2004-06-08 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Apparatus and method for replenishing a developing device with toner while suppressing toner remaining |
| US7088945B2 (en) | 2000-09-28 | 2006-08-08 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Toner supply unit and image forming apparatus |
| US6813460B2 (en) | 2001-01-31 | 2004-11-02 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Toner container and image forming apparatus using the same |
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