This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-152363 filed on Aug. 7, 2017 to the Japan Patent Office, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.
The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus including a developer container for containing a developer.
Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, there is known an image forming apparatus including a sheet conveying unit that conveys a sheet, an image carrier that carries a developer image transferred to the sheet, a developing device that supplies a developer to the image carrier, and a developer container that contains the developer to be replenished to the developing device.
As a prior art, there is a developer container having a movable wall that conveys a developer toward a developer discharge port by moving the developer along a shaft in an internal space where the developer is contained. In this technique, a detection sensor detects that an amount of the developer contained in the internal space decreases with replenishment to the developing device, and the movable wall is moved according to an output signal of the detection sensor.
An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a developing device, a developer container, a detection sensor, a determination unit, a movable wall driving unit, and a movable wall driving controller.
The developer container is detachably mounted to the developing device, and includes a container main body, a movable wall, and a rotating body. The container main body has an internal space which extends in a first direction and contains a developer, and is formed with a developer discharge port through which the developer is discharged toward the developing device. The movable wall moves in the first direction in the internal space to convey the developer in the internal space toward the developer discharge port. The rotating body is disposed near the developer discharge port in the internal space and rotates around a shaft extending in the first direction.
The detection sensor is disposed so as to face the container main body, and detects the developer. In a plurality of output signals output from the detection sensor at predetermined time intervals during one cycle which is one rotation of the rotating body, the determination unit determines whether or not a number of outputs of a signal indicating that the developer has been detected is less than a reference threshold value. The determination unit outputs first determination information when the number of outputs is less than the reference threshold value and outputs second determination information when the number of outputs is equal to or greater than the reference threshold value. The movable wall driving unit includes a first driving motor that generates a driving force for moving the movable wall and a first driving circuit that controls driving of the first driving motor. The movable wall driving controller is communicably connected to the first driving circuit and includes a signal controller for transmitting a control signal related to drive control of the first driving motor to the first driving circuit.
The signal controller transmits a drive permission signal, which is a control signal for permitting drive control of the first driving motor, when the first determination information is output from the determination unit, and transmits a drive non-permission signal, which is a control signal for not permitting drive control of the first driving motor, when the second determination information is output from the determination unit.
Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes a housing 101 that houses various devices for forming an image on a sheet S. The housing 101 has a top wall 102 that defines a top surface of the housing 101, a bottom wall 103 (
The opening/closing cover 100C is composed of a front wall upper portion 104B which is an upper portion of the main body front wall 104 and a top wall front portion 102B which is a front portion of the top wall 102. Further, the opening/closing cover 100C can be opened and closed in a vertical direction with hinge shafts (not shown) acting as a fulcrum. The hinge shafts are respectively disposed on a pair of arms 108 disposed at both ends in a left and right direction (
A sheet discharge portion 102A is disposed at a center of the top wall 102. The sheet discharge portion 102A is formed by an inclined surface inclined downward from the front portion to a rear portion of the top wall 102. The sheet S, on which an image has been formed in an image forming unit 120 described later, is discharged to the sheet discharge portion 102A. A manual feed tray 104A is disposed in a center of the main body front wall 104 in the vertical direction. The manual feed tray 104A is rotatable up and down with a lower end of the manual feed tray 104A acting as a fulcrum (arrow DT in
Referring to
The cassette 110 contains the sheet S therein. The cassette 110 includes a lift plate 111. The lift plate 111 is inclined so as to push up a leading edge of the sheet S. The cassette 110 can be withdrawn forward from the housing 101.
The pickup roller 112 is disposed on the leading edge of the sheet S pushed up by the lift plate 111. When the pickup roller 112 rotates, the sheet S is pulled out from the cassette 110.
The first sheet feeding roller 113 is disposed downstream of the pickup roller 112, and feeds the sheet S further downstream. The second sheet feeding roller 114 is disposed on an inner side (a rear side) of the fulcrum of the manual feed tray 104A, and pulls the sheet S on the manual feed tray 104A into the housing 101.
The conveying roller 115 is disposed downstream of the first sheet feeding roller 113 and the second sheet feeding roller 114 in the sheet conveying direction. The conveying roller 115 conveys the sheet S delivered by the first sheet feeding roller 113 and the second sheet feeding roller 114 further downstream.
The registration roller pair 116 has a function of correcting oblique conveyance of the sheet S. As a result, a position of the image formed on the sheet S is adjusted. The registration roller pair 116 supplies the sheet S to the image forming unit 120 in accordance with timing of image formation by the image forming unit 120.
The sheet S after a fixing process by the fixing device 130 is conveyed upward by the conveying roller pair 133 and finally discharged from the housing 101 by the discharge roller pair 134. The sheets S discharged from the housing 101 are stacked on the sheet discharge portion 102A.
The image forming unit 120 includes a photosensitive drum 121 (an image carrier), a charger 122, an exposure device 123, a developing device 20, a toner supply device 3, a transfer roller 126, and a cleaning device 127.
The photosensitive drum 121 has a cylindrical shape. The photosensitive drum 121 has a surface on which an electrostatic latent image is formed and also carries a toner image (a developer image) corresponding to the electrostatic latent image on the surface. A predetermined voltage is applied to the charger 122 to charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 substantially uniformly.
The exposure device 123 irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 charged by the charger 122 with laser light. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to image data is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 121.
The developing device 20 supplies a toner (a developer) to the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed. The toner supply device 3 supplies a toner to the developing device 20. When the developing device 20 supplies the toner to the photosensitive drum 121, the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 121 is developed (visualized). As a result, a toner image (a developer image) is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 121.
The transfer roller 126 is disposed below the photosensitive drum 121 so as to face the photosensitive drum 121 across the sheet conveyance passage PP. The transfer roller 126 forms a transfer nip with the photosensitive drum 121, and transfers the toner image to the sheet S.
After the toner image is transferred to the sheet S, the cleaning device 127 removes the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 121.
The fixing device 130 is disposed on the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction of the image forming unit 120 and fixes the toner image on the sheet S. The fixing device 130 includes a heating roller 131 for melting the toner on the sheet S and a pressure roller 132 for bringing the sheet S into close contact with the heating roller 131.
The developing roller 21 has a cylindrical shape extending in a longitudinal direction of the development housing 210, and has a sleeve rotatably driven on an outer periphery. The storage space 220 of the development housing 210 is covered with a top plate (not shown) and is partitioned into a first conveyance passage 221 and a second conveyance passage 222 elongated in the left and right direction by a partition plate 22 extending in the left and right direction. The partition plate 22 is shorter than a width in the left and right direction of the development housing 210, and a first communication passage 223 and a second communication passage 224 for communicating the first conveyance passage 221 and the second conveyance passage 222 are respectively provided at a left end and a right end of the partition plate 22. As a result, in the storage space 220, a circulation path including the first conveyance passage 221, the second communication passage 224, the second conveyance passage 222, and the first communication passage 223 is formed. The toner is conveyed counterclockwise in the circulation path in
The toner supply port 25 is an opening that is opened in the top plate of the development housing 210 and is disposed above a vicinity of a left end of the first conveyance passage 221. The toner supply port 25 is disposed opposite to the above circulation path and supplies a replenishment toner supplied from a toner discharge port 377 (
The first stirring screw 23 is disposed in the first conveyance passage 221. The first stirring screw 23 includes a first rotary shaft 23a and a first spiral blade 23b protruding in a spiral shape on a circumference of this first rotary shaft 23a. The first stirring screw 23 is driven to rotate around the first rotary shaft 23a (arrow r2) to convey the toner in an arrow D1 direction in
The second stirring screw 24 is disposed in the second conveyance passage 222. The second stirring screw 24 includes a second rotary shaft 24a and a second spiral blade 24b protruding in a spiral shape on a circumference of this second rotary shaft 24a. The second stirring screw 24 is driven to rotate around the second rotary shaft 24a (arrow r1) to supply the toner to the developing roller 21 while conveying the toner in an arrow D2 direction in
The toner supply device 3 includes the toner container 30 (the developer container) disposed above the toner supply port 25 of the development housing 210. The toner container 30 has the toner discharge port 377 (a developer discharge port,
Next, a flow of the toner newly replenished from the toner supply port 25 will be described with reference to
A replenishment toner T2 supplied from the toner discharge port 377 of the toner container 30 falls into the first conveyance passage 221 and mixes with an existing toner T1 and is conveyed in the arrow D1 direction by the first stirring screw 23. At this time, the toners T1 and T2 are stirred and charged.
The first stirring screw 23 is provided with a reducing paddle 28 (a conveying ability reducing portion) which partially reduces toner conveying performance on a downstream side in the toner conveying direction of the toner supply port 25. In the present embodiment, the reducing paddle 28 is a plate member disposed between the adjacent first spiral blades 23b of the first stirring screw 23. As the reducing paddle 28 rotates about the first rotary shaft 23a, the toner conveyed from an upstream side of the reducing paddle 28 starts to stay. Then, the stagnation of these toners accumulates to a position immediately upstream of the reducing paddle 28 and where the toner supply port 25 faces the first conveyance passage 221. As a result, near an entrance of the toner supply port 25, a toner accumulation portion 29 is formed. Note that in a region where the toner supply port 25 faces, the first spiral blade 23b is disposed (
When the replenishment toner T2 is replenished from the toner supply port 25 and a toner amount in the storage space 220 increases, the toner staying in this accumulation portion 29 closes (seals) the toner supply port 25, thereby suppressing further toner replenishment. In addition, the first spiral blade 23b pushes the toner in the storage space 220 around the toner supply port 25 upward by being rotated. As a result, sealing action of the toner supply port 25 by the accumulation portion 29 is increased. Thereafter, when the toner in the storage space 220 is consumed by the developing roller 21 and the toner staying in the accumulation portion 29 decreases, the toner closing the toner supply port 25 decreases, and a gap is generated between the accumulation portion 29 and the toner supply port 25. As a result, the replenishment toner T2 again flows into the storage space 220 from the toner supply port 25. As described above, the present embodiment employs a volume replenishment type toner supply method in which an amount of the replenishment toner to be received is adjusted as the amount of toner staying in the accumulation portion 29 decreases. Therefore, it is possible to replenish the toner to the developing device 20 without necessarily including a sensor for detecting a toner amount in the development housing 210 of the developing device 20.
The toner container 30 of the toner supply device 3 is detachably mounted to the developing device 20 in the housing 101.
The toner container 30 includes a lid 31, a container main body 37 (a container main body), a cover 39, and a container shutter 30S (
The container main body 37 is a main body of the toner container 30, and contains a toner therein. The lid 31 closes a left end of the container main body 37. The cover 39 is attached to a right end of the container main body 37.
The container shutter 30S is slidably supported with respect to the container main body 37. The container shutter 30S has a function of sealing and opening the toner discharge port 377 of the container main body 37. The container shutter 30S has a shutter main body 30S1, a shutter lock portion 30S2, and a lock release portion 30S3. The shutter main body 30S1 is a main body of the container shutter 30S and has a function of sealing and opening the toner discharge port 377. The shutter main body 30S1 is slidably supported with respect to the container main body 37. The shutter lock portion 30S2 is swingably supported with respect to the shutter main body 30S1. The shutter lock portion 30S2 has a function of allowing and restricting slide movement of the shutter main body 30S1 relative to the container main body 37. The lock release portion 30S3 is a projecting piece provided in the shutter lock portion 30S2. When the lock release portion 30S3 is pressed, a lock piece (not shown) provided in the shutter lock portion 30S2 is detached from an engagement part formed in the container main body 37, and the shutter main body 30S1 can slide.
With reference to
The left guide groove 201L and the right guide groove 201R are groove portions formed in the housing left wall 210L and the housing right wall 210R, respectively. The left guide groove 201L and the right guide groove 201R guide mounting of the toner container 30 on the container attachment portion 109. Therefore, entrance sides of the left guide groove 201L and the right guide groove 201R are formed so as to extend along a mounting direction of the toner container 30 (an arrow DC direction in
Further, referring to
The movable wall driving motor M1 moves a later-described movable wall 32 of the toner container 30 by rotating a later-described shaft 33 of the toner container 30 via the third transmission gear 213. In other words, the third transmission gear 213 engages with a later-described shaft driving gear 382 of the movable wall driving unit 41 and transmits a driving force of the movable wall driving motor M1 to the shaft driving gear 382. The rotating body driving motor M2 rotates a later-described rotating body 35 of the toner container 30 via the first transmission gear 211 and the second transmission gear 212. Further, the rotating body driving motor M2 rotates the developing roller 21, the first stirring screw 23, and the second stirring screw 24 of the developing device 20 via the first transmission gear 211.
Further, the development housing 200 includes a lock release button 202, the above-described toner supply port 25, a releasing projection 206, a pair of container shutter fixing portions 207, a pair of shutter springs 208, and a housing shutter 210S.
The lock release button 202 is a pressing button slidably supported by the housing right wall 210R. The lock release button 202 has a function of locking a position of the toner container 30 mounted to the container attachment portion 109 or a function of releasing the lock. The lock release button 202 includes a lock engagement piece 202S. The lock engagement piece 202S is a claw formed so as to protrude toward the container attachment portion 109 on a front side of the housing right wall 210R. Further, the developing device 20 is provided with a lock biasing spring (not shown). The lock biasing spring is a coil spring that is disposed inside the housing right wall 210R and urges the lock release button 202 toward the front. The lock engagement piece 202S has a function of locking the position of the toner container 30 mounted to the container attachment portion 109. On the other hand, when the lock release button 202 is pressed against an urging force of the lock biasing spring, the lock engagement piece 202S separates from the toner container 30, and the lock function on the toner container 30 is released.
The above-described toner supply port 25 is an opening which is opened to the top plate of the development housing 200 in a substantially rectangular shape (
The releasing projection 206 is a projection adjacent to the rear of the toner supply port 25 and protruding from the top plate of the development housing 200. The releasing projection 206 has a function of pressing the lock release portion 30S3 (
The pair of container shutter fixing portions 207 is a projection protruding from the top plate of the development housing 200 so as to sandwich the releasing projection 206 in the left and right direction. In a sectional view intersecting the left and right direction, the container shutter fixing portion 207 is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape. Further, a wedge-shaped cutout portion is formed on a front side surface of the container shutter fixing portion 207. When the toner container 30 is mounted to the container attachment portion 109, a part of the container shutter 30S of the toner container 30 is engaged with the cutout portion. As a result, the container shutter fixing portions 207 fix the container shutter 30S and regulate movement (rotation) of the container shutter 30S.
The pair of shutter springs 208 is a pair of spring members disposed on an outer side in the left and right direction of the pair of container shutter fixing portions 207. The shutter springs 208 are disposed so as to extend in a front and rear direction. Rear ends of the pair of shutter springs 208 are engaged with the top plate of the development housing 200. Further, front ends of the pair of shutter springs 208 are respectively engaged with left and right ends of the housing shutter 210S.
The housing shutter 210S is supported by the development housing 200 so as to be slidable with respect to the toner supply port 25. The housing shutter 210S seals or opens the toner supply port 25.
The pair of shutter springs 208 described above urges the housing shutter 210S in a direction in which the housing shutter 210S seals the toner supply port 25. When the toner container 30 is detached from the developing device 20, the housing shutter 210S receives an urging force of the pair of shutter springs 208 and seals the toner supply port 25.
When the toner container 30 is mounted to the container attachment portion 109, the housing shutter 210S can press the container main body 37 of the toner container 30. Therefore, the shutter springs 208 urge, via the housing shutter 210S, the toner container 30 mounted to the container attachment portion 109 toward the direction in which the housing shutter 210S closes the toner supply port 25.
Next, the toner supply device 3 will be described. As described above, the toner supply device 3 is a device that supplies a toner to the developing device 20, and includes the toner container 30 (the developer container) disposed above the toner supply port 25 of the development housing 210. The toner container 30 will be described with reference to
The toner container 30 has a cylindrical shape extending in the left and right direction (a first direction, an arrow DA direction in
The lid 31 is fixed to the container main body 37 and seals an opening of the container main body 37. The lid 31 rotatably supports a second shaft end 332 (
The container main body 37 is a main body of the toner container 30 having a cylindrical shape. The container main body 37 includes a right wall 375 (
As shown in
With reference to
The second guide portion 391 is a projection protruding rightward along the vertical direction on a right side surface of the cover 39. The second guide portion 391 has a function of guiding the toner container 30 to be mounted to the developing device 20 together with the first guide portion 312 of the lid 31. The container engagement portion 392 is a projection protruding from the right side surface of the cover 39 with a space from the second guide portion 391. The lock engagement piece 202S of the lock release button 202 can be engaged with the container engagement portion 392.
The gear opening 39K is an opening in which a lower surface of the cover 39 is opened with a semicircular arc shape. When the cover 39 is attached to the container main body 37, parts of gear teeth of the rotating body driving gear 381 and the shaft driving gear 382 are exposed to the outside of the toner container 30 via the gear opening 39K. As a result, when the toner container 30 is mounted to the development housing 210 of the developing device 20, the rotating body driving gear 381 and the shaft driving gear 382 are respectively engaged with the second transmission gear 212 and the third transmission gear 213 (
The container main body 37 includes the above-described toner discharge port 377 (the developer discharge port) and a main body bearing 37J (
The main body bearing 37J (
The shaft 33 is disposed so as to extend in the first direction DA in the internal space 37H. The shaft 33 is rotatably supported by the right wall 375 of the container main body 37 and the lid 31. The shaft 33 includes the first shaft end 331, the second shaft end 332, a male spiral portion 333, and a movable wall stop portion 334.
Referring to
The male spiral portion 333 is a thread helically formed on an outer peripheral surface of the shaft 33 along the first direction DA in the internal space 37H. In the present embodiment, as shown in
The movable wall stop portion 334 is disposed continuously on a downstream side in the first direction DA of the male spiral portion 333. The movable wall stop portion 334 is a region of only a shaft in which the male spiral portion 333 is partially missing in the shaft 33 in the internal space 37H. The movable wall stop portion 334 is located above the toner discharge port 377 and on an upstream side in the first direction DA of the toner discharge port 377.
The movable wall 32 is inserted through the shaft 33. When the shaft 33 rotates in a first rotating direction R1 (see
The movable wall 32 defines one end surface (a left end surface) of the storage space 37S in the first direction DA in the internal space 37H. Note that another end surface (a right end surface) of the storage space 37S in the first direction DA is defined by the right wall 375. The movable wall 32 moves from an initial position on one end side to a final position on another end side in the first direction DA in the internal space 37H, while conveying the toner in the storage space 37S toward the toner discharge port 377 from a start of use to an end of use of the toner container 30. The initial position of the movable wall 32 is located on a right side (the downstream side in the first direction DA) of the lid 31, and the final position is located on an immediate left side (the upstream side in the first direction DA) of the toner discharge port 377.
With reference to
The movable wall 32 includes a wall plate 321, a seal member 322, and the wall main body 323. In other words, the movable wall 32 is composed of three plate members. Note that outer peripheries of the wall plate 321, the seal member 322, and the wall main body 323 are formed in similar shapes. In other words, a lower end of the movable wall 32 has an arc shape protruding downward, an upper end of the movable wall 32 is formed by a horizontal flat portion, and both sides of the movable wall 32 are formed by inclined portions connecting the arc shape and the flat portion described above.
The wall plate 321 is disposed on the most downstream side in the first direction DA of the movable wall 32. The wall plate 321 is molded by resin molding. The wall plate 321 includes a plate main body 321A, four studs 321B, and four engagement pieces 321C. The plate main body 321A is a main body of the wall plate 321 and is a plate-shaped portion facing in the left and right direction. A plate shaft hole 321H is opened in a center of the plate main body 321A. The shaft 33 is inserted through the plate shaft hole 321H. A right side surface of the plate main body 321A constitutes a conveying surface 320S. The conveying surface 320S defines the storage space 37S in which the toner is contained together with the inner peripheral surface 37K of the container main body 37. As the movable wall 32 moves, the conveying surface 320S conveys the toner in the storage space 37S while pressing.
The four studs 321B are protruded leftward from a left side surface of the plate main body 321A (toward the wall main body 323). The stud 321B has a cylindrical shape, and its distal end is tapered. Two of the four studs 321B are disposed above the plate shaft hole 321H with a space therebetween in the front and rear direction, and the remaining two studs 321B are disposed below the plate shaft hole 321H with a space therebetween in the front and rear direction. The four studs 321B have a function of positioning the wall plate 321 with respect to the wall main body 323.
Similarly to the studs 321B, the four engagement pieces 321C are protruded leftward from the left side surface of the plate main body 321A (toward the wall main body 323). The engagement piece 321C is formed in a hook shape, and has a claw shape at a distal end thereof. The one engagement piece 321C is disposed right above the plate shaft hole 321H, the two engagement pieces 321C are disposed in front of and behind the plate shaft hole 321H, and the one engagement piece 321C is disposed below the plate shaft hole 321H. In other words, the four engagement pieces 321C are respectively disposed between the four studs 321B in a circumferential direction. The four engagement pieces 321C have a function of fixing the wall plate 321 to the wall main body 323.
The seal member 322 is disposed in a center in the first direction DA of the movable wall 32 and sandwiched between the wall plate 321 and the wall main body 323. The seal member 322 is made of a urethane material having a predetermined thickness in the first direction DA. A seal shaft hole 322H is opened in a center of the seal member 322. The shaft 33 is inserted through the seal shaft hole 322H. Further, four stud insertion holes 322B and four engagement piece insertion holes 322C are opened so as to surround the seal shaft hole 322H in the seal member 322. The four stud insertion holes 322B allow the above-described four studs 321B to be inserted therethrough. Similarly, the four engagement piece insertion holes 322C allow the above-described four engagement pieces 321C to be inserted therethrough. As a result, a position of the seal member 322 with respect to the wall plate 321 and the wall main body 323 of the movable wall 32 is restricted. In other words, the seal member 322 is constrained in the vertical direction and the left and right direction. Note that the outer periphery of the seal member 322 constitutes an outer peripheral surface 32K of the movable wall 32 (see
The wall main body 323 is disposed on the upstream side in the first direction DA of the wall plate 321 and the seal member 322, that is, on the most upstream side in the first direction DA of the movable wall 32. The wall main body 323 is molded by resin molding. As shown in
As shown in
With reference to
Referring to
Referring to
Thus, the planar (plate-shaped) seal member 322 is sandwiched between the wall plate 321 and the wall main body 323, whereby detachment of the outer periphery of the seal member 322 is suppressed as the movable wall 32 moves. In other words, compared to a mode in which a tape-shaped seal member is wound around an outer periphery of the movable wall 32, occurrence of seal turning-up is prevented. Further, the small diameter portion 323T is disposed radially inward of the large diameter portion 323S. As a result, when the movable wall 32 moves in the first direction DA, the outer periphery of the seal member 322 is allowed to enter a step between the large diameter portion 323S and the small diameter portion 323T on the upstream side in the first direction DA. Therefore, damage of the outer periphery of the seal member 322 caused by application of an excessive load to the outer periphery is prevented.
Referring to
Next, in addition to
The rotating body 35 is disposed close to the toner discharge port 377 in the internal space 37H of the container main body 37 and rotates about the shaft 33 extending in the first direction DA. Specifically, the rotating body 35 is disposed along the right wall 375 above the toner discharge port 377. The rotating body 35 includes a plate 35A, a stirring blade 35B, a rotating body bearing 35C, a first support projecting piece 35D, and a second support projecting piece 35E.
The plate 35A is a plate-shaped member in which a cutout portion 35AA is formed by cutting a part of an outer peripheral end of a disk-shaped member into an arc shape, and is made rotatable around the shaft 33. The plate 35A is inserted through the first shaft end 331 of the shaft 33, and is prevented from slipping out of the shaft 33 by a pair of retaining members 35F.
The stirring blade 35B is a blade extending from the plate 35A toward the upstream side in the first direction DA, that is, toward the movable wall 32. The stirring blade 35B revolves around the shaft 33 above the toner discharge port 377 as the plate 35A rotates. As a result, the stirring blade 35B stirs the toner in the storage space 37S.
The stirring bearing 35C is a cylinder extending rightward from the plate 35A, and accommodates the shaft 33 therein. Further, a tip of the stirring bearing 35C is engageable with the rotating body driving gear 381.
The first support projecting piece 35D is a projecting piece extending from the plate 35A toward the upstream side in the first direction DA, that is, toward the movable wall 32. The first support projecting piece 35D is disposed in the plate 35A with a space from the stirring blade 35B in the circumferential direction. A cleaning member 361 is attached to this first support projecting piece 35D. The cleaning member 361 is made of a flexible film member extending along a rotating direction (the circumferential direction) of the rotating body 35. The cleaning member 361 is made of a material having electrical insulation properties (for example, polyethylene terephthalate, PET). The cleaning member 361 revolves around the shaft 33 above the toner discharge port 377 as the rotating body 35 (the plate 35A) rotates. When the rotating body 35 rotates, the cleaning member 361 scrapes off the toner adhered to a specific region 37K1 (see
The second support projecting piece 35E is a projecting piece extending from the plate 35A toward the upstream side in the first direction DA, that is, toward the movable wall 32. The second support projecting piece 35E is disposed in the plate 35A with spaces in the circumferential direction with respect to the stirring blade 35B and the first support projecting piece 35D. The second support projecting piece 35E revolves around the shaft 33 above the toner discharge port 377 and the specific region 37K1 as the plate 35A rotates. An attachment detection member 362 is affixed on an outer surface of the second support projecting piece 35E. The attachment detection member 362 is made of, for example, a copper tape member. As will be described in detail later, the attachment detection member 362 is used when attachment of the toner container 30 to the developing device 20 is detected.
The rotating body driving gear 381 constitutes a part of the rotating body driving unit 42 (
As shown in
The container sensor 3S constitutes a part of the toner supply device 3 and is a sensor capable of detecting the toner contained in the storage space 37S of the container main body 37. In the present embodiment, the container sensor 3S is a permeability sensor (a magnetic sensor). The container sensor 3S constituted by the permeability sensor detects a magnetic field in the storage space 37S of the container main body 37, the magnetic field changing at the same cycle as a rotation period of the rotating body 35, and converts the magnetic field into an electric signal. When the container sensor 3S detects the toner (the magnetic toner) contained in the storage space 37S of the container main body 37, the container sensor 3S has such a characteristic that the detected magnetic field is increased. The container sensor 3S outputs a High signal (hereinafter referred to as “H signal”), which is a signal indicating that the toner has been detected, when detecting a magnetic field having a strength equal to or greater than a predetermined value. On the other hand, the container sensor 3S outputs a Low signal (hereinafter referred to as “L signal”) when the container sensor 3S is not in operation or when the strength of the magnetic field in the storage space 37S is less than the predetermined value.
In the toner supply device 3 of the present embodiment, moving operation of the movable wall 32 of the toner container 30 is controlled based on the signal output from the container sensor 3S, and toner supply control to the developing device 20 is executed. Details of the toner supply control for the developing device 20 in the toner supply device 3 will be described later.
Next, in addition to
The shaft driving gear 382 constitutes a part of the movable wall driving unit 41. The shaft driving gear 382 is connected to the first shaft end 331 of the shaft 33, and transmits the driving force of the movable wall driving motor M1 (
With reference to
The ratchet gear 383 has a cylindrical shape, and the shaft 384T of the ratchet shaft 384 can be inserted through the ratchet gear 383. The ratchet gear 383 is disposed between the shaft 33 and the shaft driving gear 382 in the axial direction and is made rotatable around the axis of the shaft 33. The ratchet gear 383 has an engagement portion 383A extending in the axial direction of the ratchet shaft 384 and an inclined portion 383B opposed to the engagement portion 383A in the circumferential direction. Further, the ratchet gear 383 has an engagement portion 383C disposed on a side opposite to the engagement portion 383A and the inclined portion 383B in the axial direction and extending in the axial direction of the ratchet shaft 384, and has an inclined portion 383D opposed to the engagement portion 383C in the circumferential direction.
Further, the ratchet shaft 384 is disposed between the shaft driving gear 382 and the shaft 33 in the axial direction, and is capable of rotating integrally with the shaft 33. The ratchet shaft 384 has a base end 384S and the shaft 384T. The base end 384S is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. An interior of a cylinder of the base end 384S has a pair of D-plane shapes. The first shaft end 331 (see
As illustrated in
Further, the engagement portion 383A contacts the engagement portion 384A to press the engagement portion 384A in the first rotating direction DG1. As a result, the shaft 33 connected to the ratchet shaft 384 rotates in the first rotating direction R1 (see
On the other hand, when the shaft driving gear 382 is rotated in a second rotating direction DG2 (see
As described above, in the present embodiment, the ratchet mechanism RC including the shaft driving gear 382, the ratchet gear 383, and the ratchet shaft 384 transmits the rotational driving force of the shaft driving gear 382 in the first rotating direction DG1 to the shaft 33, and restricts transmission of the rotational driving force of the shaft driving gear 382 in the second rotating direction DG2 to the shaft 33.
Next, a control system of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to a block diagram in
The operation unit 11 is an interface that is connected to the controller 50 so as to enable data communication and receives operation of a user. In the operation unit 11, for example, the user inputs image forming processing information on conditions of image forming processing including information, such as the number of printed sheets of the sheet S, and printing start instruction information indicating a start of printing. The display 12 is connected to the controller 50 so as to enable data communication and displays message information on image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 for notifying the user.
The sheet conveying driving unit 10A is a driving unit that operates the sheet conveying unit 10. The sheet conveying driving unit 10A includes a sheet conveying driving motor MS (a second driving motor) and a sheet conveying driving circuit MS1 (a second driving circuit). The sheet conveying driving motor MS is a driving motor for generating a driving force for operating the sheet conveying unit 10. The sheet conveying driving circuit MS1 is a driving circuit for controlling driving of the sheet conveying driving motor MS, and is connected to the controller 50 so as to enable data communication.
The image forming driving unit 120A is a driving unit for operating the photosensitive drum 121, the charger 122, the exposure device 123, the transfer roller 126, and the cleaning device 127 other than the developing device 20 and the toner supply device 3 in the image forming unit 120. Note that the toner container 30 of the toner supply device 3 is driven by the container driving unit 40. Further, the developing roller 21, the first stirring screw 23, and the second stirring screw 24 of the developing device 20 are driven by the rotating body driving unit 42 of the container driving unit 40 so as to be synchronized with driving of the rotating body 35 of the toner container 30. The image forming driving unit 120A includes an image forming driving motor MG and an image forming driving circuit MG1. The image forming driving motor MG is a driving motor that generates a driving force to operate the photosensitive drum 121, the charger 122, the exposure device 123, the transfer roller 126, and the cleaning device 127 of the image forming unit 120. The image forming driving circuit MG1 is a driving circuit that controls driving of the image forming driving motor MG, and is connected to the controller 50 so as to enable data communication.
The fixing driving unit 130A is a driving unit that operates the fixing device 130. The fixing driving unit 130A includes a fixing driving motor MT and a fixing driving circuit MT1. The fixing driving motor MT is a driving motor that generates a driving force to operate the fixing device 130. The fixing driving circuit MT1 is a driving circuit that controls driving of the fixing driving motor MT, and is connected to the controller 50 so as to enable data communication.
The container driving unit 40 of the toner supply device 3 includes the movable wall driving unit 41 and the rotating body driving unit 42. In addition to the shaft driving gear 382 and the ratchet mechanism RC, the movable wall driving unit 41 includes the movable wall driving motor M1 (the first driving motor) and a movable wall driving circuit M11 (a first driving circuit). The movable wall driving motor M1 is a driving motor that generates a driving force for rotating the shaft 33 of the toner container 30. The driving force generated by the movable wall driving motor M1 is transmitted to the shaft 33 via the third transmission gear 213, the shaft driving gear 382, and the ratchet mechanism RC. As a result, the shaft 33 rotates in the first rotating direction R1. The movable wall 32 moves in the first direction DA along the shaft 33 as the shaft 33 rotates in the first rotating direction R1. The movable wall driving circuit M11 is a driving circuit for controlling driving of the movable wall driving motor M1, and is connected to the controller 50 so as to enable data communication.
In addition to the rotating body driving gear 381, the rotating body driving unit 42 includes the rotating body driving motor M2 and a rotating body driving circuit M21. The rotating body driving motor M2 is a driving motor for generating a driving force for rotating the rotating body 35 of the toner container 30. The driving force generated by the rotating body driving motor M2 is transmitted to the rotating body 35 via the first transmission gear 211, the second transmission gear 212, and the rotating body driving gear 381. As a result, the rotating body 35 rotates around the shaft 33. The rotating body driving circuit M21 is a driving circuit for controlling driving of the rotating body driving motor M2, and is connected to the controller 50 so as to enable data communication. Note that the driving force generated by the rotating body driving motor M2 is also transmitted to the developing roller 21, the first stirring screw 23, and the second stirring screw 24 of the developing device 20 via the first transmission gear 211. Thereby, the developing roller 21, the first stirring screw 23, and the second stirring screw 24 of the developing device 20 rotate.
The controller 50 includes an arithmetic processor 51 that comprehensively controls operation of the image forming apparatus 1, a storage unit 52 that stores an image forming program and the like, a communication unit 53, a sheet conveying controller 54, an image forming controller 55, a fixing controller 56, and a container controller 57.
The arithmetic processor 51 is a computer composed of a CPU and a memory, and is connected to the storage unit 52, the communication unit 53, the sheet conveying controller 54, the image forming controller 55, the fixing controller 56, and the container controller 57 via a bus 50A. The arithmetic processor 51 executes image forming processing based on the image forming program stored in the storage unit 52 and executes various arithmetic processing associated therewith.
In addition to the image forming program, the storage unit 52 stores a reference threshold value relating to the number of outputs of the H signal output from the container sensor 3S used by a determination unit 571 of the container controller 57 to be described later.
The communication unit 53 is an interface for performing data communication with the operation unit 11, the display 12, and the container sensor 3S.
The sheet conveying controller 54 is connected to the sheet conveying driving circuit MS1 so as to enable data communication, and transmits a control signal related to drive control of the sheet conveying driving motor MS to the sheet conveying driving circuit MS1. When the communication unit 53 receives the image forming processing information input to the operation unit 11, the sheet conveying controller 54 transmits a control signal corresponding to the image forming processing information to the sheet conveying driving circuit MS1. Upon receiving the control signal transmitted from the sheet conveying controller 54, the sheet conveying driving circuit MS1 controls driving of the sheet conveying driving motor MS in accordance with the control signal.
The image forming controller 55 is connected to the image forming driving circuit MG1 so as to enable data communication, and transmits a control signal related to drive control of the image forming driving motor MG to the image forming driving circuit MG1. When the communication unit 53 receives the image forming processing information input to the operation unit 11, the image forming controller 55 transmits a control signal corresponding to the image forming processing information to the image forming driving circuit MG1. Upon receiving the control signal transmitted from the image forming controller 55, the image forming driving circuit MG1 controls driving of the image forming driving motor MG according to the control signal.
The fixing controller 56 is connected to the fixing driving circuit MT1 so as to enable data communication, and transmits a control signal related to drive control of the fixing driving motor MT to the fixing driving circuit MT1. When the communication unit 53 receives the image forming processing information input to the operation unit 11, the fixing controller 56 transmits a control signal corresponding to the image forming processing information to the fixing driving circuit MT1. Upon receiving the control signal transmitted from the fixing controller 56, the fixing driving circuit MT1 controls driving of the fixing driving motor MT in accordance with the control signal.
The container controller 57 constitutes a part of the toner supply device 3. The container controller 57 includes the determination unit 571, a movable wall driving controller 572, a rotating body driving controller 573, and an attachment detector 574.
The rotating body driving controller 573 is connected to the rotating body driving circuit M21 so as to enable data communication, and transmits a control signal related to drive control of the rotating body driving motor M2 to the rotating body driving circuit M21. When the communication unit 53 receives the image forming processing information input to the operation unit 11, the rotating body driving controller 573 transmits a control signal corresponding to the image forming processing information to the rotating body driving circuit M21. Upon receiving the control signal transmitted from the rotating body driving controller 573, the rotating body driving circuit M21 controls driving of the rotating body driving motor M2 in accordance with the control signal.
When the rotating body 35 of the toner container 30 rotates by driving of the rotating body driving motor M2, the communication unit 53 receives the output signal output from the container sensor 3S. The output signal of this container sensor 3S will be described with reference to
At predetermined time intervals (for example, 48 msec) during one cycle which is one rotation of the rotating body 35, the container sensor 3S outputs the H signal (the High signal) or the L signal (the Low signal) in accordance with a change in the magnetic field in the storage space 37S of the container main body 37.
Referring to
In a time period TW2 during which the second support projecting piece 35E passes through the specific region 37K1 during rotation of the rotating body 35, the container sensor 3S outputs a plurality of H signals. The attachment detection member 362 is affixed to the second support projecting piece 35E. Therefore, the container sensor 3S outputs the H signal by detecting a magnetic field having a strength equal to or greater than the predetermined value caused by the attachment detection member 362.
In a time period TW3 during which the stirring blade 35B passes through the specific region 37K1 during rotation of the rotating body 35, the container sensor 3S outputs a plurality of H signals. When the draft surface of the toner contained in the storage space 37S of the container main body 37 is located above the specific region 37K1, the toner exists around the stirring blade 35B. Therefore, the container sensor 3S outputs the H signal by detecting a magnetic field having a strength equal to or greater than the predetermined value caused by the toner existing around the stirring blade 35B.
In a time period TW4 during which the cutout portion 35AA of the plate 35A passes through the specific region 37K1 during rotation of the rotating body 35, the container sensor 3S outputs a plurality of H signals. When the draft surface of the toner is located above the specific region 37K1, the toner exists around the cutout portion 35AA of the plate 35A. Therefore, the container sensor 3S outputs the H signal by detecting a magnetic field having a strength equal to or greater than the predetermined value caused by the toner existing around the cutout portion 35AA.
On the other hand, referring to
In the time period TW2 during which the second support projecting piece 35E passes through the specific region 37K1 during rotation of the rotating body 35, the container sensor 3S outputs a plurality of H signals. A reason why the container sensor 3S outputs the H signal despite the fact that the draft surface of the toner contained in the storage space 37S is located below the specific region 37K1 is that the container sensor 3S detects a magnetic field having a strength equal to or greater than the predetermined value caused by the attachment detection member 362 affixed to the second support projecting piece 35E. In other words, regardless of a position of the draft surface of the toner with respect to the specific region 37K1, the container sensor 3S detects the attachment detection member 362, whereby the container sensor 3S outputs the H signal.
In the time period during which the stirring blade 35B passes through the specific region 37K1 during rotation of the rotating body 35, the container sensor 3S outputs an L signal. When the draft surface of the toner contained in the storage space 37S is located below the specific region 37K1, the toner does not exist around the stirring blade 35B. For this reason, a strength of a magnetic field in the storage space 37S is less than the predetermined value, so that the container sensor 3S outputs the L signal.
The container sensor 3S outputs an L signal in the time period during which the cutout portion 35AA of the plate 35A passes through the specific region 37K1 during rotation of the rotating body 35. When the draft surface of the toner contained in the storage space 37S is located below the specific region 37K1, the toner does not exist around the cutout portion 35AA of the plate 35A. For this reason, a strength of a magnetic field in the storage space 37S is less than the predetermined value, so that the container sensor 3S outputs the L signal.
The attachment detector 574 of the container controller 57 detects attachment of the toner container 30 to the developing device 20 based on the output signal output from the container sensor 3S. Specifically, when the rotating body 35 rotates, in the time period TW2 during which the second support projecting piece 35E on which the attachment detection member 362 is affixed passes through the specific region 37K1, the attachment detector 574 detects attachment of the toner container 30 to the developing device 20 based on the H signal output from the container sensor 3S. As described above, regardless of the position of the draft surface of the toner with respect to the specific region 37K1, the container sensor 3S detects the attachment detection member 362, whereby the container sensor 3S outputs the H signal. Therefore, during one rotation of the rotating body 35, when the H signal derived from the attachment detection member 362 is output from the container sensor 3S, the attachment detector 574 can detect that the toner container 30 is mounted to the developing device 20.
Note that in a case where the toner container 30 is not mounted to the developing device 20, even if the rotating body driving motor M2 is driven, the container sensor 3S does not output the H signal derived from the attachment detection member 362. In such a case, the attachment detector 574 transmits message information (container non-attachment message information) indicating that the toner container 30 is not mounted to the developing device 20 to the display 12 via the communication unit 53. Consequently, the container non-attachment message information is displayed on the display 12. A user can confirm that the toner container 30 is not mounted to the developing device 20 by the container non-attachment message information displayed on the display 12.
The determination unit 571 of the container controller 57 refers to the reference threshold value stored in the storage unit 52 and determines the number of outputs of the H signal output from the container sensor 3S. In a plurality of output signals output from the container sensor 3S at predetermined time intervals during one cycle which is one rotation of the rotating body 35, the determination unit 571 determines whether or not the number of outputs of the H signal is less than the reference threshold value. The determination unit 571 outputs first determination information when the number of outputs of the H signal is less than the reference threshold value and outputs second determination information when the number of outputs of the H signal is equal to or greater than the reference threshold value. When the determination unit 571 outputs the first determination information, the draft surface of the toner contained in the storage space 37S is located below the specific region 37K1. On the other hand, when the determination unit 571 outputs the second determination information, the draft surface of the toner is positioned above the specific region 37K1.
The movable wall driving controller 572 of the container controller 57 is connected to the movable wall driving circuit M11 so as to enable data communication, and includes a signal controller 5721 and a monitor 5722.
The signal controller 5721 transmits a control signal related to drive control of the movable wall driving motor M1 to the movable wall driving circuit M11 based on the determination information output from the determination unit 571. When the first determination information is output from the determination unit 571, the signal controller 5721 transmits a drive permission signal, which is a control signal that permits drive control of the movable wall driving motor M1, to the movable wall driving circuit M11. On the other hand, when the second determination information is output from the determination unit 571, the signal controller 5721 transmits a drive non-permission signal, which is a control signal to disable drive control of the movable wall driving motor M1, to the movable wall driving circuit M11. Details regarding the transmission of the control signal to the movable wall driving circuit M11 of the signal controller 5721 will be described later.
The monitor 5722 monitors a driving state of the sheet conveying driving motor MS under the control of the sheet conveying driving circuit MS1. Furthermore, when the signal controller 5721 transmits the drive permission signal to the movable wall driving circuit M11, the monitor 5722 monitors control of the movable wall driving circuit M11 with respect to the movable wall driving motor M1 so as to perform control to drive the movable wall driving motor M1 within a driving time of the sheet conveying driving motor MS. Details of monitoring operation of the monitor 5722 will be described later.
The movable wall driving controller 572 controls movement of the movable wall 32 based on the determination information output from the determination unit 571, whereby the toner supply control (developer supply control), which is control relating to supply of the toner from the toner container 30 to the developing device 20, is executed. Further, the movable wall driving controller 572 controls the movement of the movable wall 32 based on the determination information output from the determination unit 571, whereby toner empty control (developer empty control), which is control in a case where the toner contained in the storage space 37S of the container main body 37 is in the empty state, is executed.
The toner supply control and the toner empty control executed by the movable wall driving controller 572 will be described as follows with reference to
While the first guide portion 312 of the lid 31 and the second guide portion 391 of the cover 39 are guided by the pair of left guide groove 201L and the right guide groove 201R of the developing device 20, the toner container 30 is mounted to the container attachment portion 109 by a user (see
In the present embodiment, as shown in
When the communication unit 53 receives the image forming processing information input to the operation unit 11, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 is started. Specifically, the sheet conveying controller 54 transmits a control signal to the sheet conveying driving circuit MS1, the image forming controller 55 transmits a control signal to the image forming driving circuit MG1, the fixing controller 56 transmits a control signal to the fixing driving circuit MT1, and the rotating body driving controller 573 transmits a control signal to the rotating body driving circuit M21. As a result, driving of each of the sheet conveying driving motor MS, the image forming driving motor MG, the fixing driving motor MT, and the rotating body driving motor M2 is started (time T1 in
When the rotating body driving motor M2 is driven, the rotating body 35 of the toner container 30 rotates around the shaft 33 (step a11 in
During one cycle TWM (see
When the second determination information J2 is output from the determination unit 571, the signal controller 5721 of the movable wall driving controller 572 transmits a drive non-permission signal S2, which does not permit drive control of the movable wall driving motor M1, to the movable wall driving circuit M11 (step a14 in
When the driving of the rotating body driving motor M2 continues and the toner continues to be supplied from the developing roller 21 of the developing device 20 to the photosensitive drum 121, the toner in the accumulation portion 29 on the developing device 20 side decreases. Therefore, the toner contained in the storage space 37S of the container main body 37 flows into the developing device 20 from the toner discharge port 377 via the toner supply port 25. At this time, the rotating body 35 is rotated by the driving of the rotating body driving motor M2. As a result, the stirring blade 35B provided on the rotating body 35 revolves around the shaft 33 above the toner discharge port 377, so that the toner above the toner discharge port 377 is stably stirred. As a result, flowability of the toner in the storage space 37S increases, and the toner falls stably from the toner discharge port 377.
When the toner falls from the toner discharge port 377 in accordance with the reduction of the toner in the accumulation portion 29 on the developing device 20 side, the toner contained in the storage space 37S of the container main body 37 decreases, and the draft surface of the toner is located below the specific region 37K1 (a time period from time T2 to time T3 in
When the first determination information J1 is output from the determination unit 571, the monitor 5722 monitors the driving state of the sheet conveying driving motor MS (step a16 in
When the monitor 5722 determines that the sheet conveying driving motor MS is driven, the signal controller 5721 transmits a drive permission signal S1, which permits drive control of the movable wall driving motor M1, to the movable wall driving circuit M11 (step a18 in
When the movable wall driving circuit M11 receives the drive permission signal S1 transmitted from the signal controller 5721, the movable wall driving circuit M11 drives the movable wall driving motor M1 in accordance with the drive permission signal S. In the present embodiment, upon receiving the drive permission signal S1 transmitted from the signal controller 5721, the movable wall driving circuit M11 drives the movable wall driving motor M1 at a predetermined constant speed and for a fixed time TM1 (a time from time T3 to time T5 in
The driving force generated by the movable wall driving motor M1 is transmitted to the shaft 33 via the third transmission gear 213, the shaft driving gear 382, and the ratchet mechanism RC. As a result, the shaft 33 rotates in the first rotating direction R1. As the shaft 33 rotates in the first rotating direction R1, the movable wall 32 moves in the first direction DA along the shaft 33, and the toner in the storage space 37S of the container main body 37 is conveyed toward the toner discharge port 377. In this manner, the movable wall 32 is moved based on the drive permission signal S1 transmitted from the signal controller 5721 according to the first determination information J1 of the determination unit 571. Therefore, the movement of the movable wall 32 becomes appropriate according to the reduction state of the toner contained in the storage space 37S of the container main body 37.
When the movable wall 32 moves in the first direction DA and conveys the toner toward the toner discharge port 377, a volume of the storage space 37S of the container main body 37 is reduced. Therefore, the draft surface of the toner contained in the storage space 37S of the container main body 37 is located above the specific region 37K1 (a time period from time T3 to time T5 in
While the movable wall driving motor M1 is driven under the control of the movable wall driving circuit M11 in accordance with the drive permission signal S1 of the signal controller 5721, the monitor 5722 determines whether the sheet conveying driving motor MS has stopped (step a20 in
When the monitor 5722 determines that the sheet conveying driving motor MS is not stopped, the driving of the movable wall driving motor M1 is continued under the control of the movable wall driving circuit M11 according to the drive permission signal S1. After the fixed time TM1 elapses, the movable wall driving motor M1 stops driving (step a21 in
In the example shown in
When the monitor 5722 determines that the sheet conveying driving motor MS has stopped (time T9 in
When the limited drive non-permission signal S3 is transmitted from the signal controller 5721 to the movable wall driving circuit M11, the monitor 5722 monitors a driving time TM2 of the movable wall driving motor M1 (a time from time T8 to time T9 in
Further, the monitor 5722 determines whether or not driving of the sheet conveying driving motor MS is started (step a25 in
When the monitor 5722 calculates the re-driving time TM3 and determines that driving of the sheet conveying driving motor MS is started (time T10 in
Upon receiving the limited drive permission signal S4 transmitted from the signal controller 5721, the movable wall driving circuit M11 drives the movable wall driving motor M1 in response to the limited drive permission signal S4 for a time corresponding to the re-driving time TM3 (step a27 in
As described above, the movable wall driving controller 572 performs control to drive the movable wall driving motor M1 within the driving time of the sheet conveying driving motor MS under the control of the sheet conveying driving circuit MS1. This makes it possible to prevent a driving sound of the movable wall driving motor M1 from being generated during a time period when the sheet conveying driving motor MS is stopped and the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 is not being performed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress as much as possible from giving discomfort caused by the driving sound of the movable wall driving motor M1 to a user.
When a toner supply control al is repeated in accordance with the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 and the toner in the storage space 37S of the container main body 37 continues to be replenished to the developing device 20, the movable wall 32 eventually reaches the final position in front of the toner discharge port 377.
When the toner falls from the toner discharge port 377 in accordance with the decrease of the toner in the accumulation portion 29 on the developing device 20 side in a state where the movable wall 32 is disposed at the final position, the draft surface of the toner contained in the storage space 37S is located below the specific region 37K1. In this case, the number of outputs of the H signal output from the container sensor 3S is less than the reference threshold value K, and the determination unit 571 outputs the first determination information J1 (time T13 in
When the first determination information J1 is output from the determination unit 571, the signal controller 5721 transmits the drive permission signal S1 to the movable wall driving circuit M11 (time T13 in
In a state in which the movable wall 32 is disposed at the final position, the female spiral portion 34J of the pressing member 34 is positioned at the movable wall stop portion 334, and the male spiral portion 333 and the female spiral portion 34J are disengaged from each other. For this reason, transmission of a moving force from the shaft 33 to the pressing member 34 is lost. Therefore, in a state in which the movable wall 32 is disposed at the final position, even if the movable wall driving circuit M11 drives the movable wall driving motor M1, the movable wall 32 is stopped at the final position without moving.
After sending the drive permission signal S1 to the movable wall driving circuit M11, the signal controller 5721 determines whether or not the first determination information J1 is continuously output a predetermined number of times from the determination unit 571 (step b11 in
When the first determination information J1 is continuously output the predetermined number of times from the determination unit 571 (time T14, time T15, time T16 in
Upon receiving the drive stop signal S5 transmitted from the signal controller 5721, the movable wall driving circuit M11 stops driving the movable wall driving motor M1 (step b13 in
As described above, when the toner is in the empty state in the storage space 37S of the container main body 37, the movable wall driving controller 572 performs control to stop driving the movable wall driving motor M1. As a result, unnecessary driving of the movable wall driving motor M1 is restricted, and power consumption can be reduced.
When toner empty information is transmitted by the signal controller 5721, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 is temporarily stopped, and driving of the sheet conveying driving motor MS and the rotating body driving motor M2 is stopped (time T17 in
Further, the signal controller 5721 transmits message information (the toner empty information) indicating that the toner is in the empty state in the storage space 37S to the display 12 via the communication unit 53. As a result, the toner empty information is displayed on the display 12. A user can confirm that the toner is in the empty state in the toner container 30 based on the toner empty information displayed on the display 12.
Although the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and various modified embodiments can be adopted.
(1) In the above embodiment, a monochrome printer has been exemplified as the image forming apparatus 1, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In particular, when the image forming apparatus 1 is a tandem-type color printer, after the opening/closing cover 100C (see
(2) Further, in the above embodiment, the movable wall 32 has been described as moving from the lid 31 side to the right wall 375 side, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The toner discharge port 377 may be opened to the lid 31 side, and the movable wall 32 may be moved from the right wall 375 side to the lid 31 side. Further, an opening position of the toner discharge port 377 is not limited to the above-described position. The toner discharge port 377 may be opened in a lowermost surface of the container main body 37 or may be opened at another position.
(3) In addition, the present disclosure is not limited to the one-component developing method, and the developing device 20 may adopt a two-component developing method.
Although the present disclosure has been fully described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, unless otherwise such changes and modifications depart from the scope of the present disclosure hereinafter defined, they should be construed as being included therein.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2017-152363 | Aug 2017 | JP | national |