Patent Application
20240231258
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material.
Generally, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus ultimately transfers a toner image formed on a surface of a photosensitive drum to a recording material, to form an image on the recording material. A configuration in which the image forming apparatus is replenished with toner from outside the image forming apparatus is widely employed. Patent literature (PTL) 1 discusses an image forming apparatus in which a toner container storing toner is attached to an attachment portion of the image forming apparatus, and a user softens the toner container to replenish the image forming apparatus with toner from the toner container.
The present invention is directed to further improving usability related to toner replenishment in the image forming apparatus in patent literature.
An image forming apparatus to which a toner container is attachable, the toner container storing toner and including an opening portion for toner replenishment and a shutter movable between a closed position where the opening portion is closed and an opened position where the opening portion is opened, the image forming apparatus includes an attachment portion configured to receive attachment of the toner container, a storage portion configured to store toner supplied from the opening portion of the toner container attached to the attachment portion, an agitation member configured to agitate toner in the storage portion, an actuator configured to drive the agitation member; and, a control unit configured to control the actuator, wherein the attachment portion includes an operation portion, including an engagement portion configured to be engaged with the shutter in a state where the toner container is attached to the attachment portion, configured to move with the shutter by the engagement portion being engaged with the shutter, the operation portion being movable between a first position where the shutter is at the closed position and a second position where the shutter is at the opened position, and a detection unit configured to detect a movement of the operation portion, and wherein the control unit controls the actuator in such a manner that driving of the agitation member is started based on detection by the detection unit detecting a movement of the operation portion from the second position to the first position.
Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.
Exemplary embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
In the following description, the height direction of the image forming apparatus 1 (a direction opposite to the vertical direction) in a case where the image forming apparatus 1 is installed on a horizontal surface is a Z-direction. A direction intersecting the Z-direction and parallel to a rotational axis direction (a main scanning direction) of a photosensitive drum 11 is an X-direction. A direction intersecting the X-direction and the Z-direction is a Y-direction. It is desirable that the X-direction, the Y-direction, and the Z-direction should perpendicularly intersect each other. For convenience, the positive side in the X-direction is referred to as a right side, and the negative side in the X-direction is referred to as a left side. The positive side in the Y-direction is referred to as a front side or a front surface side, and the negative side in the Y-direction is referred to as a back side or a back surface side. The positive side in the Z-direction is referred to as an upper side, and the negative side in the Z-direction is referred to as a lower side.
With reference to
The image forming unit 20 includes a scanner unit 50, an electrophotographic process unit 40, and a transfer roller 7 that transfers a toner image formed on a photosensitive drum 11 of the process unit 40 to the recording material P. The process unit 40 includes the photosensitive drum 11 and a cleaning unit 13, a charging roller 17, a development roller 12, and a containing unit 18 that contains toner, which are placed around the photosensitive drum 11. The process unit 40 may be screwed to a housing 72 of the image forming apparatus 1. A process unit that is removed by a serviceman is also included in the process unit 40.
The photosensitive drum 11 as an image bearing member is a photosensitive member molded into a cylindrical shape. The photosensitive drum 11 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a photosensitive layer formed of a negatively charged organic photosensitive member on a drum-like base molded from aluminum. The photosensitive drum 11 as the image bearing member is rotationally driven at a predetermined process speed in a predetermined direction (a direction R in
The charging roller 17 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 11 with a predetermined pressure contact force and forms a charging portion. An application of a desired charging voltage to the charging roller 17 by a charging high-voltage power supply uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 to a predetermined potential. In the present exemplary embodiment, the photosensitive drum 11 is charged to a negative polarity by the charging roller 17.
The scanner unit 50 emits laser light corresponding to image information, which has been input from the external device to the photosensitive drum 11, by using a polygon mirror to scan and expose the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. As a result of the exposure, an electrostatic latent image according to the image information is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. The scanner unit 50 is not limited to a laser scanner device, and for example, a light-emitting diode (LED) exposure device including an LED array in which a plurality of LEDs is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 11 may be employed.
The development roller 12 is rotatably supported by the containing unit 18. The development roller 12 is disposed in an opening portion of a development container 230 (see
The process unit 40 according to the present exemplary embodiment uses a contact development method as a development method. That is, a toner layer borne on the development roller 12 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 11 in a development portion (a development area) where the photosensitive drum 11 and the development roller 12 face each other. A development voltage is applied to the development roller 12 by a development high-voltage power supply. Because of the development voltage, the toner borne on the development roller 12 is transferred from the development roller 12 to the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 according to the potential distribution of the drum surface, whereby the electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image.
The toner according to the present exemplary embodiment is a nonmagnetic one-component developer, which is toner that does not contain a magnetic component and is borne on the development roller 12 mainly by an intermolecular force or an electrostatic force (an image force). Alternatively, a one-component developer containing a magnetic component may be used. Some types of the one-component developer include an additive (e.g., wax or silica microparticles) for adjusting the fluidity or the charging performance of toner in addition to toner particles. Alternatively, a two-component developer composed of nonmagnetic toner and a magnetic carrier may be used as a developer. In a case where a magnetic developer is used, for example, a cylindrical development sleeve inside which a magnet is placed is used as a developer bearing member.
The fixing unit 9 uses a heat fixing method in which the process of fixing an image is performed by heating and fusing the toner on the recording material. The fixing unit 9 includes a heating roller 9a including a fixing heater, and a pressure roller 9b that is in pressure contact with the heating roller 9a.
The feeding unit 30 includes a cassette 4 in which the recording material P is stacked, and a pickup roller 3, a feeding roller 5a, and a separation roller 5b, which serve as a conveyance unit. In a part of the end surface on the front surface of the image forming apparatus 1, a front cover 70 is disposed. The front cover 70 covers a circuit substrate 100. The housing 72 includes the front cover 70, a discharge tray 14, and an exterior cover 71 forming the exterior of the image forming apparatus 1 except for the front cover 70 and the discharge tray 14. In the housing 72, a discharge opening 15 through which the sheet to be discharged to the discharge tray 14 passes is formed.
As illustrated in
The circuit substrate 100 is disposed in such a direction that the surface of the wiring board 101 on which the electronic components 111 and 121 are mounted intersects a discharge direction. Further, the wiring board 101 is disposed between the front cover 70 and the scanner unit 50 in the discharge direction. The electronic components 111 and 121 are disposed on the surface of the wiring board 101 on the side facing the scanner unit 50.
Next, an image forming mode of the image forming apparatus 1 is described. In an image forming mode according to the present exemplary embodiment, an image is formed on the recording material in the state where the discharge tray 14 is at a closed position as illustrated in
Simultaneously with the above-described image forming process, the pickup roller 3 of the feeding unit 30 feeds the recording material P supported by the cassette 4. Recording materials P are separated one by one by the feeding roller 5a and the separation roller 5b, and each recording material P is conveyed to a conveyance roller pair 5c. Then, the conveyance roller pair 5c conveys the recording material P to a transfer nip formed between the transfer roller 7 and the photosensitive drum 11.
A transfer voltage is applied to the transfer roller 7 by a transfer high-voltage power supply, and the toner image borne on the photosensitive drum 11 is transferred to the recording material P conveyed by the conveyance roller pair 5c. The recording material P to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 9. When the recording material P passes through a nip portion between the heating roller 9a and the pressure roller 9b of the fixing unit 9, the toner image is heated and pressurized. This fuses toner particles, and the toner particles firmly adhere, whereby the toner image is fixed to the recording material P. The recording material P passed through the fixing unit 9 is discharged through the discharge opening 15 to outside the image forming apparatus 1 (outside the apparatus) by the discharge roller pair 10 and stacked on the discharge tray 14.
In a case where images are formed on both sides of the recording material P, the discharge roller pair 10 conveys the recording material P, on a first surface of which an image has been formed, in a backward direction to guide the recording material P to a two-sided conveyance path 16. The recording material P guided to the two-sided conveyance path 16 is conveyed toward the transfer roller 7 again by a two-sided conveyance roller pair 5d. After an image is formed on a second surface of the recording material P by the transfer roller 7, the recording material P is discharged to outside the apparatus by the discharge roller pair 10. After the transfer of the toner image to the recording material P, toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 11 is cleaned by the cleaning unit 13.
Next, with reference to
As illustrated in
In the passage portion 202, an extending portion 202b extending to the containing unit 18 and a side surface opening 202a connected to the extending portion 202b are formed. The replenishment pack 210 is attached to the replenishment portion 200, and toner discharged from the replenishment pack 210 is supplied to the containing unit 18 via an opening 206a on the main body shutter 206 and the side surface opening 202a on the passage portion 202 and the extending portion 202b.
The extending portion 202b is connected to one end of the containing unit 18 in the longitudinal direction of the development container 230, i.e., the X-direction. Inside the containing unit 18, as illustrated in
The agitation member 60 has the function of circulating toner, which has not been used in development and has been scraped off from the development roller 12, in the containing unit 18 and uniformizing toner in the containing unit 18. The agitation member 60 is not limited to a form in which the agitation member 60 rotates. For example, an agitation member in a form in which the agitation member swings may be employed. Another agitation member may also be further disposed in addition to the agitation member 60.
On a side surface 18a of the containing unit 18 which is opposite to a side with the development roller 12, a remaining amount detection unit 312 (a toner remaining amount detection unit) for detecting the amount of toner in the containing unit 18 is disposed. The remaining amount detection unit 312 includes a light-emitting unit 312a and a light-receiving unit 312b. The light-emitting unit 312a and the light-receiving unit 312b are disposed next to each other in the X-direction. Light emitted from the light-emitting unit 312a passes through the inside of the containing unit 18 and is received by the light-receiving unit 312b. That is, the light-emitting unit 312a and the light-receiving unit 312b form an optical path Q1 inside the containing unit 18. The optical path Q1 extends in the X-direction. As the light-emitting unit 312a and the light-receiving unit 312b, a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, respectively, may be placed inside the containing unit 18, or the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element, respectively, may be placed outside the containing unit 18, and a light-guiding portion may guide light to the inside and outside of the containing unit 18.
Further, the light-emitting unit 312a and the light-receiving unit 312b are disposed in a center portion of the containing unit 18 in the X-direction. More specifically, the light-emitting unit 312a and the light-receiving unit 312b are disposed within an area corresponding to a laser passing space in the X-direction. Disposing the light-emitting unit 312a and the light-receiving unit 312b in this way in the center portion of the containing unit 18 allows the remaining amount of toner in the containing unit 18 to be excellently detected. More specifically, because a developer (toner) may unevenly gather at end portions of the containing unit 18 in the X-direction while the developer less unevenly gathers at the center portion of the containing unit 18, the actual remaining amount of toner can be detected.
While, in the present exemplary embodiment, an LED is used as the light-emitting unit 312a, and a phototransistor that enters an on state by light from the LED is used as the light-receiving unit 312b, the configuration is not limited to this. For example, a halogen lamp or a fluorescent light may be applied to the light-emitting unit 312a, and a photodiode or an avalanche photodiode may be applied to the light-receiving unit 312b.
The light-receiving unit 312b that is a phototransistor receives light emitted from the light-emitting unit 312a and outputs a signal (a current) according to the amount of the received light. The signal is converted into a voltage, and the voltage is input to a control unit 302 (see
Based on the level of the input voltage, the control unit 302 determines whether the light-receiving unit 312b has received light from the light-emitting unit 312a. Based on lengths of time in which the light-receiving unit 312b has detected beams of light when the agitation member 60 agitates toner in the containing unit 18 for a certain time, the control unit 302 calculates the amount of toner (the amount of developer) in the containing unit 18. More specifically, a read-only memory (ROM) 302b of the control unit 302 in
More specifically, as illustrated in
More specifically, when the remaining amount of toner is great, the optical path Q1 is likely to be blocked by toner, and consequently, the time in which the light-receiving unit 312b receives light is short. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of toner is small, conversely, the time in which the light-receiving unit 312b receives light is long. Thus, based on the light reception time of the light-receiving unit 312b as described above, the control unit 302 can determine the level of the remaining amount of toner in the containing unit 18.
The method for detecting and estimating the remaining amount of toner is not limited to the above method, and various known methods for detecting and estimating the remaining amount of toner can be employed. For example, the remaining amount of toner may be detected and estimated in such a manner that two or more metal plates or conductive resin sheets extending in the longitudinal direction of the development roller are disposed on an inner wall of the containing unit 18, and the capacitance between two of the metal plates or conductive resin sheets are measured. Alternatively, a load cell may be disposed to support the development container 230 from below, and the remaining amount of toner may be calculated based on a weight measured by the load cell.
A description is given of the detailed configuration of the replenishment portion 200 to which the replenishment pack 210 is attached.
As illustrated in
The main body shutter 206 is configured to be rotatable about a rotational axis RA with respect to the passage portion 202. The main body shutter 206 is disposed inside the passage portion 202 having a tubular form. In the main body shutter 206, the main body shutter opening 206a is provided. The main body shutter 206 also includes a main body shutter engagement portion 206b configured to be engaged with a main body shutter engaged portion 214b of a container shutter 214. If a virtual circle centered on the rotational axis RA is a virtual circle VC, the main body shutter engagement portion 206b is a protruding portion protruding inward in a radial direction r of a virtual circle VC.
In a case where the main body shutter 206 is at a closed position (a second closed position) illustrated in
Although the details will be described below, the main body shutter 206 moves (rotates) between the closed position and the opened position by the lever 201 being rotated in the state where the replenishment pack 210 is attached to the replenishment portion 200. That is, the main body shutter 206 moves from the closed position illustrated in
The sealing portion 243 is stuck to the periphery of the main body shutter opening 206a on the inner peripheral surface of the main body shutter 206. The sealing portion 243 has a seal opening 243a, and the sealing portion 243 is attached to the main body shutter 206 in such a manner that the seal opening 243a overlaps (communicates with) the main body shutter opening 206a. In a case where the main body shutter 206 is at the opened position, the sealing portion 243 seals a gap between the periphery of an insertion portion opening 212a of an insertion portion 212 of the replenishment pack 210 and the main body shutter 206.
The rotation restriction portion 247 is disposed inside the main body shutter 206 in the radial direction r of the virtual circle VC. The rotation restriction portion 247 includes a rotation restriction portion 247a that restricts the rotation of the insertion portion 212 of the replenishment pack 210 about the rotational axis RA in engagement with a rotation restricted portion 212b of the insertion portion 212.
The lever 201 includes a ring portion 201a (an annular portion) having an insertion opening 202e into which the insertion portion 212 of the replenishment pack 210 is inserted, and a holding portion 201b disposed integrally with the ring portion 201a. The holding portion 201b is a protruding portion protruding outward in the radial direction r of the virtual circle VC from the ring portion 201a. The lever 201 includes a lever engagement portion 201d protruding inward in the radial direction r of the virtual circle VC from the inner peripheral surface forming the insertion opening 202e. As illustrated in
As illustrated in
In image formation on the recording material P, the agitation member 60 (see
Turning on and off of the switch 208 is used to detect whether the lever 201 is at the operation position or the replenishment position. That is, in response to the switch 208 switching from the off state to the on state, it can be detected that the lever 201 moves from the operation position to the replenishment position. In response to the switch 208 switching from the off state to the on state, it can be detected that the lever 201 moves from the replenishment position to the operation position.
With reference to
As illustrated in
The pouch 211 is a container obtained by pouching a polypropylene sheet into a bag and stores toner inside. The pouch 211 is formed such that the thickness tapers down toward the opposite side of the insertion portion 212. The pouch 211 includes a pouch end portion 211a extending in a direction orthogonal to the rotational axis RA at its end. Although a pouch is used as a toner storage portion of the replenishment pack 210 in the present exemplary embodiment, a resin bottle or a paper or vinyl container may be used.
The insertion portion 212 is a tubular portion capable of being inserted into the insertion opening 201e of the lever 201. The side surface of the insertion portion 212 extending in the direction of the rotational axis RA has an insertion portion opening 212a. The insertion portion 212 is a portion disposed in an end portion of the pouch 211 in the direction of the rotational axis RA and for discharging toner in the pouch 211 to outside the replenishment pack 210 through the insertion portion opening 212a. The insertion portion 212 further includes a rotation restricted portion 212b. The rotation restricted portion 212b is engaged with the rotation restriction portion 247a of the rotation restriction portion 247 of the replenishment portion 200, to restrict the rotation of the insertion portion 212 about the rotational axis RA.
The container shutter 214 is a cylindrical member configured to be concentric with the insertion portion 212. The container shutter 214 is disposed to be rotatable about the rotational axis RA with respect to the insertion portion 212 outside the insertion portion 212 in the radial direction r of the virtual circle VC and is configured to move (rotate) between a closed position (first closed position) where the insertion portion opening 212a is closed and an opened position (first opened position) where the insertion portion opening 212a is opened. In the container shutter 214, a container shutter opening 214c (opening portion) is formed. When the container shutter 214 is at the opened position, the container shutter opening 214c and the insertion portion opening 212a overlap (communicate with) each other. In this state, toner can be discharged from the replenishment pack 210 to outside the replenishment pack 210 through the container shutter opening 214c and the insertion portion opening 212a. When the container shutter 214 is at the closed position, the insertion portion opening 212a is closed by the container shutter 214. In this state, toner is not discharged from the replenishment pack 210 to outside the replenishment pack 210. When the replenishment pack 210 is not attached to the image forming apparatus 1, the container shutter 214 is at the closed position. When the container shutter 214 is at the closed position, the rotation restricted portion 212b of the insertion portion 212 is exposed through the container shutter opening 214c. This will be described below.
On the outer peripheral surface of the container shutter 214, the main body shutter engaged portion 214b is disposed and is engaged with the lever engagement portion 201d of the lever 201 and the main body shutter engagement portion 206b of the main body shutter 206 when the replenishment pack 210 is attached to the replenishment portion 200. The main body shutter engaged portion 214b is a recessed portion recessed inward in the radial direction r of the virtual circle VC from the outer peripheral surface of the container shutter 214 and extends to the end of the container shutter 214 on the side far from the pouch 211 in the direction of the rotational axis RA. In response to the main body shutter engaged portion 214b receiving a force in a rotational direction about the rotational axis RA from the lever engagement portion 201d of the lever 201, the container shutter 214 is rotated with respect to the insertion portion 212. The main body shutter engaged portion 214b does not need to be a recessed portion as long as the container shutter 214 is configured to be rotatable by the rotation of the lever 201 in engagement with the lever 201.
The container shutter seal 231 is stuck to the inner peripheral surface of the container shutter 214. When the container shutter 214 is at the closed position, the container shutter seal 231 seals a portion between the periphery of the insertion portion opening 212a of the insertion portion 212 and the container shutter 214.
A description is given of a method for attaching the replenishment pack 210 to the replenishment portion 200 and a method for toner replenishment using the replenishment pack 210.
In the state where the attachment of the replenishment pack 210 to the replenishment portion 200 is completed, the main body shutter engaged portion 214b is engaged with the lever engagement portion 201d and also engaged with the main body shutter engagement portion 206b of the main body shutter 206. The rotation restricted portion 212b of the insertion portion 212 is engaged with the rotation restriction portion 247a. In this state, as illustrated in
When the lever 201 is at the second position in the state where the replenishment pack 210 is attached to the replenishment portion 200, the container shutter 214 and the main body shutter 206 are both at the opened positions, and the container shutter opening 214c and the main body shutter opening 206a communicate with each other. In this state, the user softens the pouch 211 using their hands as illustrated in
In a case where the replenishment pack 210 is to be detached from the replenishment portion 200 after completion of the toner replenishment, then as illustrated in
To the input side of the control unit 302, the switch 208, a temperature sensor 9d, and the remaining amount detection unit 312 are connected. The temperature sensor 9d detects the temperature of the fixing nip of the fixing unit 9. To the output side of the control unit 302, the motor 311 serving as an actuator and a display unit 415 are connected. To the control unit 302, an input/output (I/O) controller 313 serving as an input/output port connected to an external device is also connected.
The motor 311 drives the agitation member 60 and various rollers (including the photosensitive drum 11, the development roller 12, and various conveyance rollers) in the image forming apparatus 1. While, in the present exemplary embodiment, all the rollers in the image forming apparatus 1 and the agitation member 60 are driven by a single motor 311, the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the agitation member 60 and some of the rollers in the image forming apparatus 1 may be driven by the motor 311, and the other rollers may be driven by another motor. Alternatively, a configuration in which the motor 311 is directly connected to all the rollers via drive transmission members such as gears, and an electromagnetic clutch is disposed between the motor 311 and the agitation member 60 may be employed. In this case, an actuator that turns on and off the driving of the agitation member 60 is the electromagnetic clutch. Alternatively, the actuator may be a solenoid that turns on and off a mechanical clutch disposed between the motor 311 and the agitation member 60.
Based on the state of the image forming apparatus 1, a driving permission determination unit 314 determines whether to permit driving of the motor 311. For example, in a jam state where the recording material P is jammed in the image forming apparatus 1 or in a breakdown state, the driving permission determination unit 314 does not permit driving of the motor 311. Based on the determination of the driving permission determination unit 314, the driving control unit 304 drives the motor 311.
Based on a remaining amount detection signal 309 output from the remaining amount detection unit 312 disposed in the containing unit 18, the remaining amount calculation unit 306 calculates the amount of toner stored in the containing unit 18. The transmission/reception unit 305 transmits and receives information to and from the I/O controller 313 that receives image information from a host, such as a personal computer (PC) (not illustrated). In the present exemplary embodiment, the transmission/reception unit 305 transmits particularly the remaining amount of toner stored in the containing unit 18 as remaining amount information 308.
The remaining amount of toner is transmitted in percentage representation where, for example, the amount of toner that can be stored in the containing unit 18 is 100%. Although depending on the configuration of the remaining amount detection unit 312, the remaining amount detection signal 309 is, for example, an analog signal based on the voltage which changes based on the remaining amount of development, or for example, a pulse signal based on a pulse which is output at constant periods and the H/L pulse width of which changes according to the remaining amount of toner.
The display of the remaining amount of toner according to the present exemplary embodiment is described. As illustrated in
The display unit 415 is not limited to a liquid crystal panel, and may include a light source, such as an LED or an incandescent light and a diffusion lens. Alternatively, a configuration in which the display unit 415 is not separately provided may be employed, and the remaining amount of toner may be displayed using graduations as described in the present exemplary embodiment on a display of an operation unit. While the display unit 415 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes three graduations, the number of graduations is not limited to this, and may be appropriately set according to the configuration of the image forming apparatus.
A description is given of the changing of the display of the display unit 415 according to the present exemplary embodiment. A schematic diagram illustrates thresholds for changing the display of the display unit 415 in accordance with a detection result of the remaining amount of toner in the containing unit 18 of the development container 230 and the display patterns of the display unit 415.
As illustrated in
In a case where the result of detecting the remaining amount of toner in the containing unit 18 by the remaining amount detection unit 312 is less than a threshold C (2.5 k in the present exemplary embodiment), the control unit 302 sets the display of the display unit 415 to the low level (third state or third display) where the single graduation is turned on. In a case where the result of detecting the remaining amount of toner in the containing unit 18 by the remaining amount detection unit 312 is less than a threshold B (0.5 k in the present exemplary embodiment), the control unit 302 sets the display of the display unit 415 to the nearly out level (fourth state or fourth display) where the single lower graduation blinks. Then, in a case where the result of detecting the remaining amount of toner in the containing unit 18 by the remaining amount detection unit 312 is less than a threshold A (0 k in the present exemplary embodiment), the control unit 302 determines that the toner in the containing unit 18 runs out, and then sets the display of the display unit 415 to a toner out state where all the three graduations are turned off.
That is, in a case where the result of detecting the remaining amount of toner in the containing unit 18 by the remaining amount detection unit 312 is more than or equal to 2.5 k and less than 5.0 k, the control unit 302 sets the display of the display unit 415 to the second state. In a case where the result of detecting the remaining amount of toner in the containing unit 18 by the remaining amount detection unit 312 is more than or equal to 0.5 k and less than 2.5 k, the control unit 302 sets the display of the display unit 415 to the third state. In a case where the result of detecting the remaining amount of toner in the containing unit 18 by the remaining amount detection unit 312 is more than or equal to 0 k and less than 0.5 k, the control unit 302 sets the display of the display unit 415 to the fourth state. If it is determined that there is no remaining amount of toner, the control unit 302 sets the display of the display unit 415 to the state where all the graduations are turned off.
The interval (the difference) between the amount of toner corresponding to the threshold D and the amount of toner corresponding to the threshold C, i.e., the interval (the difference) between the amounts of toner corresponding to thresholds related to the changing of the display of the top graduation, according to the present exemplary embodiment is set to the replenishment amount corresponding to a single replenishment pack 210. Similarly, the interval (the difference) between the amount of toner corresponding to the threshold C and the amount of toner corresponding to the threshold A, i.e., the interval between the amounts of toner corresponding to thresholds related to the changing of the display of the middle graduation, according to the present exemplary embodiment is also set to the replenishment amount corresponding to a single replenishment pack 210. Setting the intervals between the amounts of toner corresponding to thresholds related to the changing of the display of a graduation in the above-described way helps the user to easily identify the number of replenishment packs 210 to be usable for replenishment. This improves the visibility of the status whether the user performs toner replenishment.
With reference to a control flowchart in
The display of the replenishment mode on the display unit 415 in step S102 is described.
The description returns to the control flowchart in
In a case where the determination is YES in step S104, in step S105, the control unit 302 starts the driving of the motor 311. In the driving, the agitation member 60 disposed in the containing unit 18 is driven. In step S106, the control unit 302 determines whether a first predetermined time has elapsed from when the driving of the motor 311 has been started. In the present exemplary embodiment, the first predetermined time is set to three seconds. Toner in the containing unit 18 is leveled in three seconds. The leveling of the toner in the containing unit 18 by the agitation member 60 is executed to prepare for the detection of the remaining amount of toner to be executed in the subsequent steps, but may be omitted.
In a case where the determination is YES in step S106, in step S107, the control unit 302 causes the remaining amount detection unit 312 to start the detection of the remaining amount of toner in the containing unit 18. In step S108, the detection of the remaining amount of toner ends, and in step S109, the control unit 302 stops the driving of the motor 311. In step S110, the control unit 302 changes the display of the replenishment mode on the display unit 415 to the display of the remaining amount of toner. The display of the remaining amount of toner is display reflecting the result of the detection of the remaining amount of toner that has been executed by the remaining amount detection unit 312 between steps S107 and S108. The display method according to the detection of the remaining amount of toner is as described above. The detection of the remaining amount of toner in step S108 and the driving of the motor 311 in step S109 may be ended at the same time. The above-described steps are executed, and the replenishment mode ends.
In a case of using the replenishment pack 210 according to the present exemplary embodiment, to replenish the containing unit 18 of the development container 230 with toner from the replenishment pack 210, the user may need to perform replenishment work including softening the pouch 211. In the replenishment mode according to the present exemplary embodiment, driving sounds are not generated from the motor 311 and gears for driving the agitation member 60 while the user performs the replenishment work, which is effective at preventing the user from hesitating to perform the replenishment work.
In the present exemplary embodiment, the replenishment pack 210 including the pouch 211 is used. The present invention, however, is not limited to this. For example, the effects of the present exemplary embodiment can also be obtained by a resin container that pushes toner to outside by the user pushing a plunger into the resin container, or a resin container that discharges toner to outside by the user tapping or squeezing the resin container.
A second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described. In the second exemplary embodiment, the control in the replenishment mode according to the first exemplary embodiment is modified. The configurations of an image forming apparatus 1 and a replenishment pack 210 are similar to those according to the first exemplary embodiment, and the redundant descriptions are omitted.
With reference to a control flowchart in
In step S203, the control unit 302 determines whether a second predetermined time has elapsed after it has been detected that the lever 201 is at the replenishment position. In the present exemplary embodiment, the second predetermined time is 60 seconds. The second predetermined time is not limited to 60 seconds. The second predetermined time can be any seconds as long as the time is sufficient for detection of movement of the lever 201 from the operation position to the replenishment position, finishing of the replenishment work by the user softening the pouch 211 of the replenishment pack 210 as illustrated in
In a case where the determination is YES in step S203, the control unit 302 executes steps S204 to S210. Steps S204 to S210 are similar to steps S104 to S110 in the first exemplary embodiment, and the redundant descriptions are omitted.
In the replenishment mode according to the present exemplary embodiment, the driving of the motor 311 in which driving sounds are generated from the motor 311 and the gears is started after a sufficient time to move the lever 201 from the replenishment position to the operation position after the user has ended the replenishment work has elapsed. This is effective at preventing the user from hesitating to perform the replenishment work.
While, in the present exemplary embodiment, the replenishment pack 210 including the pouch 211 is used, similarly to the first exemplary embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. In a case where a toner container that discharges toner by a plunger being pushed into the toner container is used instead of the replenishment pack 210, the second predetermined time may be set to a time sufficient for pushing the plunger into the toner container and rotating the toner container to rotate the container shutter from the opened position to the closed position.
A third exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described. In the third exemplary embodiment, the control in the replenishment mode according to the first exemplary embodiment is modified. The configurations of an image forming apparatus 1 and a replenishment pack 210 are similar to those according to the first exemplary embodiment, and the redundant descriptions are omitted.
With reference to a control flowchart in
In step S303, the control unit 302 determines whether the motor 311 can be driven.
In a case where the determination is YES in step S303, in step S304, the control unit 302 starts the driving of the motor 311 at a first rotational speed. The first rotational speed is a speed that is two-thirds of the rotational speed (a second rotational speed) of the motor 311 in printing on plain paper by the image forming apparatus. The rotational speed of the agitation member 60 in rotation of the motor 311 at the first rotational speed is a rotational speed that is two-thirds of rotation speed of the motor 311 rotating at the second rotational speed.
In step S305, the control unit 302 determines whether the lever 201 is at the operation position, based on the detection result of the switch 208. That is, the control unit 302 determines whether the lever 201 is at the operation position. In a case where it is determined that the lever 201 is at the operation position, in step S306, the control unit 302 changes the rotational speed of the motor 311 from the first rotational speed to the second rotational speed faster than the first rotational speed. In step S307, the control unit 302 determines whether a third predetermined time has elapsed from when the rotational speed of the motor 311 has been changed from the first rotational speed to the second rotational speed in step S306. In the present exemplary embodiment, the third predetermined time is set to two seconds. Toner in the containing unit 18 is leveled in two seconds. Then, the control unit 302 executes steps S308 to S311. Steps S308 to S311 are similar to steps S107 to S110 in the first exemplary embodiment, and the redundant descriptions are omitted.
In the control in the replenishment mode according to the present exemplary embodiment, the motor 311 is driven at the first rotational speed lower than the second rotational speed from when the lever 201 is moved from the operation position to the replenishment position to when the lever 201 is moved from the replenishment position to the operation position. Since driving sounds generated from the motor 311 and the gears for driving the agitation member 60 while the user performs the replenishment work on the replenishment pack 210 are small, this configuration is effective at preventing the user from hesitating to perform the replenishment work. Further, since the rotational speed of the motor 311 is increased during a period after the lever 201 on which the user has completed the replenishment work has been moved to the operation position, downtime can be reduced.
While, in the present exemplary embodiment, the replenishment pack 210 including the pouch 211 is used, similarly to the first exemplary embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. The first rotational speed may be any rotational speed as long as the speed is slower than the second rotational speed.
In each of the first to third exemplary embodiments, the lever 201 is operated in the state where the replenishment pack 210 is attached to the replenishment portion 200, which allows transition between the state where replenishment is possible and the state where replenishment is impossible. The present invention, however, is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which the transition between the state where replenishment is possible and the state where replenishment is impossible is performed by rotation of the replenishment pack 210 itself instead of operation on the lever 201 may be employed. More specifically, a configuration in which the container shutter 214 and the main body shutter 206 rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the replenishment pack 210 may be employed.
The image forming apparatus according to each of the first to third exemplary embodiments includes the main body shutter. Alternatively, a removable cap may be used instead of the main body shutter. A configuration in which the user removes or moves the cap and then attaches the replenishment pack 210 to the replenishment portion 200 may be employed.
The present invention is not limited to the above exemplary embodiments, and can be changed and modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention. Thus, the following claims are appended to publicize the scope of the present invention.
According to the present invention, it is possible to further improve usability related to toner replenishment.
While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-124190 | Jul 2021 | JP | national |
This application is a Continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2022/028514, filed Jul. 22, 2022, which claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-124190, filed Jul. 29, 2021, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/JP22/28514 | Jul 2022 | WO |
| Child | 18424489 | US |
