JPS6255679A - Rotary developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To replenish enough a developer, and to make the titled device small in size and light in weight by providing a closed space for containing temporarily a developer between a replenishing mechanism and a developing device, driving the replenishing mechanism even when the developing device is not in a replenishing position, and replenishing the developer of a prescribed quantity to the closed space. CONSTITUTION:When a rotary developing device 4 moves in the direction as indicated with an arrow, and moves to a toner replenishing position of a developing device 40, as for a shutter 41 which has closed a window 52, a shutter lever 42 works on a cam 18 which is fixed to a center hollow shaft 4b, the shutter lever 42 is rotated, the shutter 41 which has closed the window 52 rotates around a pivot, and the window 52 is opened. Accordingly, a developer D which is replenished from a toner replenishing hole 14 before the developing device reaches the replenishing position remains in a space part in a state that it is stored temporarily in a space, and when the developing device 40 reaches the replenishing position by a rotation of the rotary developing device 4, a shutter opening/closing lever 42 which is interlocked with the shutter 41 is depressed by a shutter opening/closing cam 18 which is fixed to the hollow center shaft 4b, and moved to an open position.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】 −上の１　） 本発明は、カラー電子写真複写機やファクシミリ、プリ
ンタ等の出力部となるカラー記録装置に用いられる回転
現像装置に関する。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (1) The present invention relates to a rotary developing device used in a color recording device serving as an output section of a color electrophotographic copying machine, facsimile machine, printer, or the like.

【Ｘ立丑ｊ 従来、カラー複写機用の現像装置として種々の手段が提
案されているが、大別すると二つに分けられる。その一
つは、像担持体１例えば感光体の表面に沿って各色の現
像剤を有した複数の現像器を並列に配置した披首式現像
装置である。[X Standing] Various means have been proposed as developing devices for color copying machines in the past, but they can be roughly divided into two types. One of them is an arch-type developing device in which a plurality of developing devices each having a developer of each color are arranged in parallel along the surface of an image carrier 1, for example, a photoreceptor.

該並置式現像装置は、感光体の回りに複数の現像器を配
置しなくてはならず、感光体は必然的に大きくなり、複
写機全体の大型化は避けられなかった。更に、感光体上
への各色の潜像形成位置は一定であるにも拘らず、各色
の現像器による現像位置は異なり、従って各色の潜像が
現像されるまでの時間が相違し、潜像の時間減衰の補正
が必要とされる。斯る補正作業は技術的に簡単なもので
はなく、現像装置及び複写機全体の制御を複雑にした。In the side-by-side developing device, a plurality of developing units must be arranged around the photoreceptor, which inevitably increases the size of the photoreceptor, making it inevitable that the entire copying machine will become larger. Furthermore, although the position where the latent image of each color is formed on the photoreceptor is constant, the developing position of each color by the developing device is different, and therefore the time required for the latent image of each color to be developed is different, and the latent image is A correction for the time decay of is required. Such correction work is not technically simple and complicates the control of the developing device and the copying machine as a whole.

現像装置の他の一つは、上記並置式現像装置に対し各色
の現像器を現像器支持体に着脱可能に保持し、現像器支
持体をその中心軸に関して回転移動させることによって
所要の現像器を感光体に対向する現像位置に配置する回
転現像装置である。Another type of developing device is the above-described side-by-side developing device in which the developing devices of each color are removably held on a developing device support, and the required developing device is moved by rotationally moving the developing device support about its central axis. This is a rotary developing device in which the photoreceptor is placed at a developing position facing the photoreceptor.

該回転現像装置は、所望する現像器のみを感光体に対向
させ現像を行なわしめるものであるために、感光体の小
型化、延いてはカラー複写機の小型化を図ることができ
、又各色の潜像の時間減衰の補正も必要ないという利益
を有しており、現在盛んに利用される傾向にある。Since the rotary developing device allows only the desired developing device to face the photoreceptor and performs development, it is possible to downsize the photoreceptor and, by extension, the size of the color copying machine. This method has the advantage that it does not require correction of the time decay of the latent image, and is currently being widely used.

第５図にこの回転現像装置を採用したフルカラー複写装
置の一例を示す、第５図において、潜像担持体である円
筒状感光体、即ち、感光ドラム１は図示矢印方向に回転
し、その周囲には帯電器２、露光光学系３、回転現像装
ｄ４、転写系５、そしてクリーニング器６が配設される
。光学系３は原稿走査部３ａと色分解フィルタ部３ｂを
有する。又、現像装置４はイエロートナーを用いるイエ
ロー現像器４Ｙ、マゼンタトナーを用いるマゼンタ現像
器４Ｍ、シアントナーを用いるシアン現像器４Ｃ１そし
てブラックトナーを用いるブラック現像器４ＢをＡ罰す
る。各現像器は、本願出願人による特公昭５５−２０５
７９号公報に開示がある如く、磁界の作用でトナーの飛
散を防止し、図示の如く支持体４ａに着脱可能に保持さ
れ、該支持体４ａが中心軸４ｂの回りに回転することに
より各現像器は感光ドラム１に対向した現像位置（第５
図にてイエロー現像器４Ｙの位Ｍ）に位置せしめられる
。一方、転写部５はグリッパ５ａを有したドラム５ｂと
、その内側の転写用放電器５Ｃを有している。Fig. 5 shows an example of a full-color copying apparatus employing this rotary developing device. A charger 2, an exposure optical system 3, a rotary developing device d4, a transfer system 5, and a cleaning device 6 are provided. The optical system 3 includes a document scanning section 3a and a color separation filter section 3b. Further, the developing device 4 assigns A to the yellow developing device 4Y using yellow toner, the magenta developing device 4M using magenta toner, the cyan developing device 4C1 using cyan toner, and the black developing device 4B using black toner. Each developing device is manufactured by the applicant of the present application in Japanese Patent Publication No. 55-205.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 79, toner scattering is prevented by the action of a magnetic field, and as shown in the figure, the toner is removably held on a support 4a, and as the support 4a rotates around a central axis 4b, each development The device is located at the developing position (fifth
In the figure, it is located at the position M) of the yellow developing device 4Y. On the other hand, the transfer section 5 includes a drum 5b having a gripper 5a and a transfer discharger 5C inside the drum 5b.

フルカラー画像の形成は従来の複写機と同様に、上記転
写ドラム５ｂ上に支持した転写材上に順次色トナーを転
写することで形成する。この転写材はカセット７から供
給され、転写工程を終了した転写材は分離手段８により
分離され、定着器９を介してトレイ１０上に至る。A full-color image is formed by sequentially transferring color toners onto a transfer material supported on the transfer drum 5b, as in conventional copying machines. This transfer material is supplied from a cassette 7 , and the transfer material that has completed the transfer process is separated by a separating means 8 and reaches onto a tray 10 via a fixing device 9 .

このような複写装置においては、上述のように現像器支
持体４ａを回転駆動して所要の現像器を順次感光ドラム
に対向させて現像を行なう場合に、現像位置にある１つ
の現像器が移動を開始した抜法の他の現像器が高速で且
つ円滑に現像位置に到達する必要がある。このため、現
像器支持体及び各現像器は極力小さいことが要求され、
そのために現像器自体には十分な量の現像剤を内蔵する
ことができない、従って、特に第５図〜第７図に図示さ
れるように、現像器支持体４ａの外部に現像剤を収納す
るホッパー１１（ＩＩＹ、１１Ｍ、ＩＩＧ、１１Ｂ）と
、該ホッパー１１から現像器に現像剤を補給する補給機
構、例えばホッパー　ｊｌから現像器へと現像剤を案内
するパイプ１２（１２Ｙ、１２Ｍ、１２Ｃ，１２Ｂ）、
該パイプ内に設けられたスクリュー１３（１３Ｙ、１３
Ｍ、１３ｃ、１３Ｂ）、現像剤をバイブ内で移動せしめ
るべく前記スクリューを駆動する駆動モータ１５（１５
Ｙ、１５Ｍ、１５Ｃ，１５Ｂ）等が必要となる。In such a copying apparatus, when developing is performed by rotationally driving the developing device support 4a to sequentially bring the required developing devices to face the photosensitive drum as described above, one developing device located at the developing position is moved. It is necessary for the other developing device that started the process to reach the developing position quickly and smoothly. For this reason, the developer support and each developer are required to be as small as possible.
For this reason, the developing device itself cannot contain a sufficient amount of developer. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the developer is stored outside the developing device support 4a. A hopper 11 (IIY, 11M, IIG, 11B) and a replenishment mechanism that supplies developer from the hopper 11 to the developing device, such as a pipe 12 (12Y, 12M, 12C, 12B),
Screws 13 (13Y, 13
M, 13c, 13B), a drive motor 15 (15
Y, 15M, 15C, 15B), etc. are required.

更に詳しく説明すると、第６図及び第７図において、例
えばイエロートナーについて説明すると、イエロートナ
ーはイエローホッパー１１Ｙ内に収納されている。パイ
プ１２Ｙはホッパー１１Ｙの出口から回転現像装置４の
中空の回転中心軸４ｂの内部を通って中心軸４ｂの一部
に設けられたトナー補給孔１４Ｙまで延在しており、パ
イプ１２Ｙ内のトナー搬送用スクリュー１３Ｙの回転に
よりイエロートナーを搬送し、トナー補給孔１４Ｙまで
搬送されたトナーは重力により鉛直方向下方に落下し、
現像器４Ｙ内に供給される。一方、スクリュー１３Ｙの
駆動はモータ１５Ｙによっておこなわれる。スクリュー
１３Ｙの駆動は別個に設置したトナー濃度検出器の信号
により所定位置で所定時間行なわれる。上述の一連の動
作はマゼンタトナーの補給やその他のトナーの補給の場
合にも同様に適用される。More specifically, in FIGS. 6 and 7, for example, yellow toner is stored in a yellow hopper 11Y. The pipe 12Y extends from the outlet of the hopper 11Y through the hollow rotation center shaft 4b of the rotary developing device 4 to the toner replenishment hole 14Y provided in a part of the center shaft 4b. Yellow toner is conveyed by the rotation of the conveyance screw 13Y, and the toner conveyed to the toner supply hole 14Y falls vertically downward due to gravity.
It is supplied into the developing device 4Y. On the other hand, the screw 13Y is driven by a motor 15Y. The screw 13Y is driven at a predetermined position for a predetermined time based on a signal from a separately installed toner concentration detector. The above series of operations is similarly applied to magenta toner replenishment and other toner replenishment.

回転現像装置４の回転中心である中空の中心軸４ｂは、
第６図の断面図から明瞭なように、複写機本体の前後の
両側板１００．ｌｏｔに取付は具１０２．１０３にて固
定されており、中空中心軸４ｂには両端のベアリング１
０４，１０５により現像器支持体４ａが回動可能に支持
されている。The hollow central shaft 4b, which is the center of rotation of the rotary developing device 4, is
As is clear from the sectional view of FIG. 6, both the front and rear side plates 100 of the copying machine main body. The mounting is fixed to the lot using tools 102 and 103, and the hollow central shaft 4b has bearings 1 at both ends.
04 and 105 rotatably support the developing device support 4a.

中間パイプ１６は支持体４ａと中空中心軸４ｂとの間に
あって仕切シール２０を介して中心軸４ｂと所定の隙間
を有して配置されており、複数の空間１７（１７Ｙ、１
７Ｍ、１７Ｇ、１７Ｂ）を画成する。該冬空間１７はイ
エロートナー中継口１６Ｙ、マゼンタトナー中継口１６
Ｍ（図示せず）、°シアントナー中継ロ１６Ｃ、ブラッ
クトナー中継口１６Ｂ（図示せず）を介して支持体４ａ
に担持された各現像器と一体的に結合される。各中継口
の位置は中心軸４ｂの軸方向にそれぞれ異なった位置に
設けられた各色のトナー補給孔１４（１４Ｙ、１４Ｍ、
１４Ｃ，１４Ｂ）と対向しており、また中間パイプ゛１
６の周方向に関しては９００づつずれて形成される。従
って、各現像器が補給位置である無端移動経路中の最下
点に位置したときのみ、補給経路が成立する。又、上述
したように、中心軸４ｂと中間パイプ１６との間に軸線
方向に所定の間隙をもって設けられたシール部材２０は
各色トナーごとに補給経路を区切っており、従って外部
へのトナーの飛散及び混色を防止する。The intermediate pipe 16 is located between the support body 4a and the hollow central shaft 4b, and is arranged with a predetermined gap from the central shaft 4b via the partition seal 20.
7M, 17G, 17B). The winter space 17 has a yellow toner relay port 16Y and a magenta toner relay port 16Y.
M (not shown), Cyan toner relay port 16C, black toner relay port 16B (not shown) to support body 4a.
It is integrally combined with each developing device carried by the developer. The position of each relay port is the toner supply hole 14 (14Y, 14M, 14M,
14C, 14B), and the intermediate pipe 1
In the circumferential direction of 6, they are formed shifted by 900. Therefore, the replenishment path is established only when each developing device is located at the lowest point in the endless movement path, which is the replenishment position. Further, as described above, the sealing member 20 provided with a predetermined gap in the axial direction between the central shaft 4b and the intermediate pipe 16 separates the supply path for each color toner, thus preventing toner from scattering to the outside. and prevent color mixing.

］が　　しよラ　　る、１　へ 上記構成において、現像条件が最とも厳しくなるのはフ
ルカラ一連続モードの場合であり、このときには転写ド
ラム５ｂの一回転毎に現像が行なわれる。すなわち、こ
れは転写ドラム５ｂが一回転する間に回転現像波２１４
の現像器ｌの割出しと現像が行なわれるということであ
り、同時に回転現像装置４の補給位置の割出しと現像剤
の補給が行なわれることを意味する。] In the above configuration, the developing conditions are most severe in the full color continuous mode, in which development is performed every rotation of the transfer drum 5b. That is, this means that the rotational development wave 214 is generated during one rotation of the transfer drum 5b.
This means that the developing device 1 is indexed and development is performed, and at the same time, the replenishment position of the rotary developing device 4 is determined and the developer is replenished.

従って、第８図に示すように、現像後に回転現像波ｆｆ
１４の補給位置の割出しが行なわれて現像剤の補給が行
なわれるシーケンスにおいては十分な補給時間が得られ
ず、現像器内部の現像剤の濃度の低下をまねき、画質を
劣化させる欠点がある。Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, after development, the rotational development wave ff
In the sequence in which the 14 replenishment positions are indexed and the developer is replenished, sufficient replenishment time is not obtained, leading to a decrease in the concentration of the developer inside the developing device, resulting in a deterioration of image quality. .

一方、短時間内に十分な補給量を得る手段として、スク
リュー１３の形状、ピッチ等の変更、モータ１５の高速
化などが考えられるが、これは負荷の増大、騒音等の問
題を発生させる欠点がある。On the other hand, as a means to obtain a sufficient amount of replenishment within a short time, it is possible to change the shape, pitch, etc. of the screw 13, increase the speed of the motor 15, etc., but this has the disadvantage of causing problems such as increased load and noise. There is.

ヱ」Ｌの」Ｌ依 従って、本発明の目的は各現像器が補給位置にないとき
にも補給機構なＷＩＡ動じて現像剤を十分に補給できる
ようにした小型、軽量の回転現像装置を提供することで
ある。Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a small, lightweight rotary developing device that is capable of sufficiently replenishing developer by moving the replenishing mechanism WIA even when each developing device is not at the replenishing position. It is to be.

［，１占　　　　るための 上記目的は本発明に係る回転現像装置によって完全に達
成される０本発明を要約すると、本発明は、複数の現像
器を搭載し、各現像器を潜像担持体に対向する現像位置
及び現像剤の補給を行なう補給位置に無端移動させ得る
現像器支持体と、各現像器に対応した現像剤を貯蔵する
貯蔵手段と、該貯蔵手段内の現像剤を現像器に補給する
補給機構とを具備する回転現像装置であって、前記補給
機構と前記現像器との間に現像剤を一旦収納する閉空間
を有し、前記現像器が前記補給位置にない間にも前記補
給機構を駆動し、前記閉空間に所定量の現像剤を補給す
ることを特徴とする回転現像波こである。[,1 The above object to occupy is completely achieved by the rotary developing device according to the present invention.To summarize the present invention, the present invention has a plurality of developing devices, and each developing device is connected to a latent image carrier. a developing device support member that can be moved endlessly between a developing position facing the developer and a replenishing position for replenishing the developer; a storage means for storing developer corresponding to each developing device; and a storage means for storing the developer corresponding to each developing device; A rotary developing device comprising a replenishing mechanism for replenishing the developer, the rotary developing device having a closed space between the replenishing mechanism and the developing device to temporarily store the developer, while the developing device is not at the replenishing position. The rotary development wave is also characterized in that it drives the replenishment mechanism to replenish a predetermined amount of developer into the closed space.

以下、本発明の一実施例につき添付図面を参照して詳細
に説明する。Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

第１図〜第３図は本発明に係る回転現像装置４の一実施
例を示す断面図であり、第１図は各現像器の各作動位ｔ
における状態を示し、イエロー現像器４Ｙが現像位置に
あり、マゼンタ現像器４Ｍが補給位置に位置している。1 to 3 are cross-sectional views showing one embodiment of the rotary developing device 4 according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 shows each operating position t of each developing device.
The yellow developing device 4Y is in the developing position, and the magenta developing device 4M is in the replenishing position.

第２図及び第３図は、回転現像装置４の特定の１つの現
像器４０、つまりイエロー現像器４Ｙ、マゼンタ現像器
４Ｍ、シアン現像器４Ｃ及びブラック現像器４Ｂの打の
一つを示しく他の現像器は図面を分り易くするために省
略）、又第２図の該現像器は補給位置にない場合を示し
、第３図は回転現像装置４の図示矢印方向の回転により
この特定の現像器４０が補給位置に到達した場合を示す
。2 and 3 show one particular development device 40 of the rotary development device 4, that is, a yellow development device 4Y, a magenta development device 4M, a cyan development device 4C, and a black development device 4B. (Other developing devices are omitted for clarity of drawing), and the developing device in FIG. 2 is not in the replenishment position, and FIG. A case is shown in which the developing device 40 has reached the replenishment position.

第１図及び第４図を参照すると、本実施例では、中空中
心軸４ｂの外周シャッター開閉カム１８が設けられ、各
現像器には該シャッター開閉カム１８に係合し開閉され
るシャッター手段４１．４２が設けられる。Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, in this embodiment, an outer shutter opening/closing cam 18 of a hollow central shaft 4b is provided, and each developing unit has a shutter means 41 that engages with the shutter opening/closing cam 18 and opens/closes. .42 is provided.

第４図を参照すると、現像器の上記シャツ・タ一手段、
即ち、シャッター４１及びシャッタ開閉レバー４２の一
構成例が詳しく図示される。Referring to FIG. 4, the shirt tag means of the developing device;
That is, an example of the configuration of the shutter 41 and the shutter opening/closing lever 42 is illustrated in detail.

上述したように、中間パイプ１６には各現像器４０に対
応する位ｌに中継口１６Ｙ、Ｍ、Ｃ，Ｂが設けられ、該
中継口と、各現像器の開口５０とは連結管路５１にて連
通される（第１図）、該管路５１の中間パイプ１６側の
開口端部、即ち、窓５２にシャッタ手段が配置される。As described above, the intermediate pipe 16 is provided with relay ports 16Y, M, C, and B at positions corresponding to the respective developing devices 40, and the relay ports and the openings 50 of each developing device are connected to the connecting pipe 51. A shutter means is disposed at the open end of the pipe line 51 on the intermediate pipe 16 side, that is, at the window 52, which communicates with the pipe line 51 (FIG. 1).

該シャッタ手段は第４図に最も明瞭に図示されるように
、シャッター４１と、該シャッター４１を窓５２、本実
施例では管路５１の開口部５２に枢着するための枢軸５
３と、シャッター４１を作動せしめるためのシャッター
レバ−４２とを一体的に有する。The shutter means, as best shown in FIG.
3 and a shutter lever 42 for operating the shutter 41.

枢軸５３は、その一端が管路の開口端部に形成された軸
受孔５４に嵌合され、他端は管路５１の側部にネジ５５
．５６にて取付けられる取付は板５７の軸受孔５８に嵌
合される。更に、コイルバネ５９がコイル部を枢軸５３
に巻きつけ、コイルの一端５９ａをシャッターレバー４
２に引掛けるようにしてシャッターに設けられ、従って
シャッター４１はコイルバネ５９により常に開口を閉鎖
する方向に力が加えられる。The pivot shaft 53 has one end fitted into a bearing hole 54 formed at the open end of the conduit, and the other end fitted with a screw 55 on the side of the conduit 51.
．． The mounting at 56 is fitted into a bearing hole 58 of plate 57. Further, the coil spring 59 pivots the coil portion to the pivot 53.
one end 59a of the coil to the shutter lever 4.
The shutter 41 is provided on the shutter 41 so as to be hooked on the shutter 41, so that a force is always applied to the shutter 41 by the coil spring 59 in the direction of closing the opening.

本発明に従うと、現像剤補給機構は、第９図に図示され
るように、現像器が補給位置に達する前においても作動
し所定量の現像剤、即ち、トナーをホッパー１１から現
像器２１４へと供給する。現像器４０が補給位置にない
場合には、第２図に示すように、トナー補給孔１４から
補給された現像剤りは回転現像？＜２１４の中空中心軸
４ｂと中間パイプ１６との間に画成された空間１７に達
する。According to the present invention, the developer replenishment mechanism operates even before the developer reaches the replenishment position, as shown in FIG. and supply. When the developing device 40 is not at the replenishment position, as shown in FIG. The space 17 defined between the hollow central shaft 4b of <214 and the intermediate pipe 16 is reached.

現像器４０が未だ補給位置にないために、中空中心軸４
ｂの外周に設けられたシャッター開閉カム１８と、シャ
ッター開閉レバー４２とが係合せず、シャッター４１は
閉じた状態に保持されている。Since the developing device 40 is not yet in the replenishment position, the hollow central shaft 4
The shutter opening/closing cam 18 provided on the outer periphery of b does not engage with the shutter opening/closing lever 42, and the shutter 41 is held in a closed state.

回転現像装置４が矢印方向にＪｉ！！動じ、現像器４０
が第２図から第３図の状態へと、即ち、トナー補給位置
へと移動すると、窓５２を閉鎖していたシャッター４１
は、中心中空軸４ｂに固定されたカム１８にシャッター
レバー４２が作用し、該シャッターレバー４２は回転せ
られ、それにより窓５２を閉鎖していたシャッター４１
が枢軸５３の回りに回転し、窓５２を開放する（第３図
）。The rotary developing device 4 moves in the direction of the arrow Ji! ! Move, developer 40
When the shutter moves from the state shown in FIG. 2 to the state shown in FIG. 3, that is, to the toner supply position, the shutter 41 that had closed the window 52
The shutter lever 42 acts on the cam 18 fixed to the central hollow shaft 4b, and the shutter lever 42 is rotated, thereby closing the shutter 41 that closes the window 52.
rotates around the pivot 53, opening the window 52 (FIG. 3).

従って、現像器が補給位置に到達するまでにトナー補給
孔１４から補給された現像剤りは前記空間内に一時貯蔵
された状態にて該空間部に滞留しており（第２図）、回
転現像装置４の回転により現像器４０が第３図に示す補
給位置に達すると、シャッター４１と連動するシャッタ
ー開閉レバー４２が中空中心軸４ｂに固定されたシャッ
ター開閉カム１８によって押し下げられ、開位置に移動
する。これによってシャッター４１が開き、更に中空中
心軸４ｂに取付けられたスクレーパ１９によってトナー
補給孔１４の下部に一時貯蔵された現像剤りが窓５２を
通って現像器４０の内部、つまり管路５１内に落下し、
十分な量の現像剤が該現像器４０に補給されることにな
る。Therefore, by the time the developing device reaches the replenishment position, the developer replenished from the toner replenishment hole 14 remains in the space in a state where it is temporarily stored in the space (Fig. 2) and rotates. When the developing device 40 reaches the replenishment position shown in FIG. 3 due to the rotation of the developing device 4, the shutter opening/closing lever 42 interlocked with the shutter 41 is pushed down by the shutter opening/closing cam 18 fixed to the hollow central shaft 4b, and is moved to the open position. Moving. This opens the shutter 41, and the scraper 19 attached to the hollow central shaft 4b allows the developer temporarily stored in the lower part of the toner supply hole 14 to pass through the window 52 and into the inside of the developing device 40, that is, into the conduit 51. fell into
A sufficient amount of developer is replenished into the developing device 40.

勿論、第３図の補給位置にあるときには、−Ｉ＋）貯蔵
されていた現像剤りの他に通常の補給工程によってスク
リュー１３Ｙ、Ｍ、Ｃ，Ｂを駆動し、短時間の現像剤の
補給を更に行なうことができる０回転現像装置４が回転
して現像器４０が補給位置から感光ドラムｌに対向した
現像位置へと移動すると、シャッター開閉レバー４２と
カム１８との係合は解除され、シャッター開閉レバー４
２が再び閉器ｌに戻り、シャッター４１は閉じ、その後
に現像剤が中心中空軸４ｂと中間パイプ１６との間の空
間に一時的に貯蔵されるのを可爺にする準備が完了する
。一方、該現像器の管路５１内に補給された現像剤は、
第１図に図示されるように、現像器が現像位置に移動す
るにつれて、開口５０を閉鎖している開閉板５０ａが重
力により開き、該管路内の補給トナーは現像器内へと落
下し補給される。Of course, when in the replenishment position shown in FIG. Further, when the 0-rotation developing device 4 rotates and the developing device 40 moves from the replenishing position to the developing position facing the photosensitive drum 1, the engagement between the shutter opening/closing lever 42 and the cam 18 is released, and the shutter is opened. Open/close lever 4
2 returns to the closure l again, the shutter 41 is closed, and preparations are then completed to allow the developer to be temporarily stored in the space between the central hollow shaft 4b and the intermediate pipe 16. On the other hand, the developer replenished into the pipe line 51 of the developing device is
As shown in FIG. 1, as the developing device moves to the developing position, the opening/closing plate 50a that closes the opening 50 opens due to gravity, and the replenishment toner in the conduit falls into the developing device. will be replenished.

本発明に従えば、補給装置は第８図に示すように現像器
が補給位置に位置した時に作動する外に、第９図に図示
されるように補給装置は現像器が補給位置にない時にも
作動し、補給されたトナーは中心中空軸４ｂと中間パイ
プ１６との間の空間に一時的に貯蔵され、現像器が補給
位置に位ａした時に該現像器に補給される。According to the present invention, the replenishing device operates when the developer is in the replenishing position as shown in FIG. 8, and also operates when the developer is not in the replenishing position as shown in FIG. The replenishing toner is temporarily stored in the space between the central hollow shaft 4b and the intermediate pipe 16, and is replenished to the developing device when the developing device is at the replenishing position a.

上記実施例では、現像器支持体は円形状の回転運動する
ものとして説明したが、非円形の、例えば楕円状のよう
な無端循環Ｍ動するものであってもよい。In the above embodiments, the developing device support is described as having a circular rotational motion, but it may also be non-circular, for example, an elliptical shape that moves in an endless circulation.

え」ｊと汰」 本発明では上述のように構成したので、第７図に示すよ
うに、対応する現像器が補給位置にない場合にも補給機
構を駆動させて現像剤を補給することが可能であり、従
って補給時間を十分に取ることができるので従来のよう
に現像剤の補給量不足による画質の劣化等の問題は完全
に解消される。又、モータ１５の回転数は従来と同様あ
るいはさらに低速化することが可能であり、従ってモー
ター１５に対しる負荷も軽減されるためモータの小型軽
量化、更に低騒音化を計ることができる。かくして、フ
ルカラー複写機全体の小型化、低騒音化が５（能になる
等の著るしい作用効果がある。Since the present invention is constructed as described above, the replenishment mechanism can be driven to replenish developer even when the corresponding developing device is not at the replenishment position, as shown in FIG. Therefore, since sufficient replenishment time can be taken, the conventional problems such as deterioration of image quality due to insufficient replenishment of developer can be completely solved. Further, the rotational speed of the motor 15 can be the same as the conventional one or even lower, and the load on the motor 15 is therefore reduced, making it possible to reduce the size and weight of the motor and further reduce noise. As a result, there are significant effects such as miniaturization and noise reduction of the entire full-color copying machine.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief explanation of the drawing]

第１図は、本発明に係る回転現像装置の一実施例の断面
図である。 第２図及び第３図は、第１図の回転現像装置の作動を説
明する概略断面図である。 第４図は、第１図の回転現像装置のシャッター手段を示
す斜視図である。 第５図は、本発明に係る回転現像装置を適用し得るフル
カラー複写機の一例を示す概略断面図である。 第６図及び第７図は、現像剤補給機構を示す一部断面図
及び切欠斜視図である。 第８図及び第９図は、従来の回転現像装置と本発明の回
転現像装置の位置割出しと現像、補給のシーケンスを示
すタイミングチャートである。 １：Ｗｉ像相持体 ４：回転現ｆｉｌ装置 ４ｂ＝中空の回転中心軸 １４：トナー補給孔 １６二中間パイプ １８：シャッター開閉カム １９：スクレーパ ４０：現像器 ４１：シャッター ４２：シャッター開閉レバー 代理人　　弁理士　　倉　橘　　暎　１□９１．：’、
’−’＋Ｊ’　、、、、ｔ−７ 第２図 第３図 第Ｑ　ｉＮ ｉ　； ８　梢封　　　、　　　１FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an embodiment of a rotary developing device according to the present invention. 2 and 3 are schematic sectional views illustrating the operation of the rotary developing device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the shutter means of the rotary developing device of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a full-color copying machine to which the rotary developing device according to the present invention can be applied. 6 and 7 are a partially sectional view and a cutaway perspective view showing the developer replenishment mechanism. 8 and 9 are timing charts showing the sequence of position indexing, development, and replenishment of the conventional rotary developing device and the rotary developing device of the present invention. 1: Wi image carrier 4: Rotating developing film device 4b = Hollow rotating central shaft 14: Toner supply hole 16 2 intermediate pipes 18: Shutter opening/closing cam 19: Scraper 40: Developing device 41: Shutter 42: Shutter opening/closing lever agent Patent Attorney Akira Kura Tachibana 1□91. :',
'-'+J' ,,,,t-7 Figure 2 Figure 3 Q iN i; 8 Kozue seal, 1

Claims (1)

【特許請求の範囲】 １）複数の現像器を搭載し、各現像器を潜像担持体に対
向する現像位置及び現像剤の補給を行なう補給位置に無
端移動させ得る現像器支持体と、各現像器に対応した現
像剤を貯蔵する貯蔵手段と、該貯蔵手段内の現像剤を現
像器に補給する補給機構とを具備する回転現像装置であ
つて、前記補給機構と前記現像器との間に現像剤を一旦
収納する閉空間を有し、前記現像器が前記補給位置にな
い間にも前記補給機構を駆動し、前記閉空間に所定量の
現像剤を補給することを特徴とする回転現像装置。 ２）閉空間と現像器との間にシャッター手段及びシャッ
ター開閉機構を設け、現像器が補給位置に位置せしめら
れた時、前記シャッター開閉機構により前記シャッター
手段を作動せしめ、前記閉空間内に収納された現像剤を
前記現像器内部に取り入れるようにした特許請求の範囲
第１項記載の回転現像装置。[Scope of Claims] 1) A developing device support body on which a plurality of developing devices are mounted and capable of endlessly moving each developing device to a developing position facing a latent image carrier and a replenishment position for replenishing developer; A rotary developing device comprising a storage means for storing a developer corresponding to a developing device, and a replenishment mechanism for replenishing the developer in the storage means to the developing device, wherein the replenishment mechanism and the developing device are provided with a replenishing mechanism. The rotating device has a closed space in which the developer is temporarily stored, and the replenishment mechanism is driven to replenish the closed space with a predetermined amount of developer even when the developer is not at the replenishment position. Developing device. 2) A shutter means and a shutter opening/closing mechanism are provided between the closed space and the developing device, and when the developing device is positioned at the replenishment position, the shutter opening/closing mechanism operates the shutter means and the developing device is stored in the closed space. 2. The rotary developing device according to claim 1, wherein the developed developer is taken into the developing device.