JP4883620B2 - Powder supply apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a powder supply apparatus for supplying powder such as toner to a supply destination, and an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a composite machine including the same. , About.

  Conventionally, in image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and printers, powder supply apparatuses such as a toner bank for storing a large amount of toner and a toner replenishing apparatus are known (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). reference.).

  Patent Document 1 discloses a powder supply device (toner bank) in which a plurality of bottle-shaped toner containers can be installed. Specifically, one of the plurality of toner containers is opened, and the toner contained therein is supplied to the hopper of the toner bank. The toner in the hopper of the toner bank is conveyed toward the developing device as the supply destination by the gas flow transfer means. When the toner in the opened toner container is emptied, another toner container is opened and toner is supplied from there.

  Patent Document 2 and the like disclose a powder supply device (toner supply device) including a hopper (toner hopper) larger than the capacity of the toner container. Specifically, a plurality of toner containers are accommodated in a large capacity hopper. A stirring member is installed in the hopper, and the toner inside the hopper is stirred. The toner in the hopper is discharged from below the hopper, and is conveyed toward the developing device as a supply destination by the fluid conveying means.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 3 discloses a powder supply device (filling device) for filling a toner container (powder container) with toner (powder). Specifically, the toner contained in the filling device is discharged from the powder lead-out tube by flowing air into the filling device to increase the pressure in the device, and the toner container as the supply destination is filled with the toner. To do.

Japanese Patent No. 3534159 JP 2005-24622 A Japanese Patent No. 3549051

  Since the powder supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the like described above is provided with a plurality of toner containers, the toner capacity can be increased. However, after all of the toner contained in the plurality of toner containers is emptied, the setting operation of the toner containers is performed by the number of toner containers. Therefore, there is a problem that the workability at the end of the toner is not improved while the toner capacity is increased.

  In addition, the powder supply apparatus of Patent Document 2 and the like increases the volume of the toner by increasing the volume of the hopper. However, since the toner in the hopper is mechanically agitated by the agitating member in order to prevent the toner contained in the hopper from being cross-linked, there is a possibility that mechanical stress is generated in the toner. When a mechanical stress occurs in the toner, the additive added to the toner is buried in the toner surface or peeled off from the toner surface, resulting in a deteriorated state even though it is a new toner, causing deterioration in image quality. End up. In addition, since the powder supply device disclosed in Patent Document 2 discharges toner from below the hopper, the amount of scattered toner from the powder supply device is large when the sealing performance near the discharge port is reduced. There was also the possibility of becoming.

In addition, the powder supply device disclosed in Patent Document 3 and the like discharges toner from the inside of the container by positively applying pressure to the container that contains the toner. Therefore, it is necessary to set the mechanical strength of the housing part sufficiently strong so that the housing part does not burst due to pressure. Therefore, even if it can be used as a manufacturing apparatus for filling a toner container with toner, it has been difficult to use as a powder supply apparatus for an image forming apparatus that supplies toner to a developing device.
In addition, the method of ejecting toner from the housing portion by positively applying pressure to the housing portion that accommodates the toner greatly varies depending on the amount of toner remaining in the housing portion, and also adjusts a small amount of toner discharge amount. It was difficult. Therefore, even if it can be used as a manufacturing apparatus for filling a toner container with toner, it has been difficult to use as a powder supply apparatus for an image forming apparatus that supplies toner to a developing device.

The above-mentioned various problems are not limited to the powder supply device installed in the image forming apparatus for supplying the toner, and a small amount of powder supply can be adjusted without damaging the powder. This is common to all necessary powder supply apparatuses.
In all of these powder supply devices, it is necessary to efficiently and surely supply the powder contained in the powder container to the supply destination without scattering.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and it is possible to increase the capacity of the powder with little replacement work without damaging the powder, and to adjust a small amount of powder supply. It is an object of the present invention to provide a powder supply apparatus and an image forming apparatus that can transfer powder to a supply destination efficiently and reliably without scattering of the powder.

The powder supply apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is a powder supply apparatus that supplies powder to a supply destination, and stores the powder in the interior and ejects gas toward the interior. A powder container having a gas ejection part at the bottom; and a conveying means for sucking and conveying the powder contained in the powder container toward the supply destination. The portion includes gas discharge means for discharging the internal gas to the outside, and the gas discharge means is disposed on a lid that is detachably provided on a part or all of the ceiling portion of the powder container, The lid is fastened to the ceiling portion with a knob screw through a sealing material formed of silicon sponge. The male screw portion projects from the inside to the outside of the powder accommodating portion, and the female screw portion It is installed so as to be screwed onto .

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the powder supply apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the gas discharge means is configured to perform the operation when the toner is accommodated at the maximum in the powder container. The toner is disposed above the waterline of the toner.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the powder supply apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the gas discharge means includes an opening formed in the powder container, and the opening. And a filter for covering.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the powder supply apparatus according to the third aspect, the filter is formed of a porous member.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the powder supply apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the gas ejection portion is formed with a gas ejection port formed of a porous member, and the porous member of the filter. The total area of the holes in the gas ejection part is formed to be larger than the total area of the holes in the porous member of the gas ejection part.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the powder supply apparatus according to the third aspect, the filter is formed of a nonwoven fabric made of polyester.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the powder supply device according to the third aspect, the filter is formed in a bellows shape or a wave shape.

The powder supply apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the invention according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the male screw portion of the knob screw has a caulking agent interposed in the ceiling portion. The female screw portion of the knob screw is screwed into the male screw portion protruding from the through hole of the lid and has a gripping portion.

A powder supply apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the invention is the powder supply apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the powder container is detachable from the powder supply apparatus main body. It is composed of.

Moreover, the powder supply apparatus according to the invention of claim 10 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein the bottom of the powder container is at its lowest position in the vicinity of the center. It is formed with the inclined surface which inclines so that it may become.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the powder supply apparatus according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the suction port of the suction pipe for sucking the powder stored in the powder storage portion is provided on the inclined surface. It is arranged above the lowest position.

In addition, in the powder supply device according to the invention of claim 12, in the invention of claim 10 or claim 11, the gas ejection part is a unit per unit area in the vicinity of the lowest position of the inclined surface. The gas ejection amount per unit time is configured to be larger than the gas ejection amount per unit area per unit area at other positions.

A powder supply apparatus according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the powder supply apparatus according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects of the present invention, wherein the conveying means is a powder housed in the powder housing section. A suction means for sucking the body upward is provided.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the powder supply apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, the suction means is a pump, and the pump includes the powder container and the supply destination. The powder is disposed above and discharges the powder sucked from the powder container toward the supply destination.

A powder supply apparatus according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention is the powder supply apparatus according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, wherein a part or all of the powder suction path from the powder container to the pump and the pump A part or all of the powder discharge path reaching the supply destination is formed by a tube.

A powder supply apparatus according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the invention according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects, further comprising an air pump for sending gas to the gas ejection portion. .

The powder supply device according to the invention of claim 17 is the powder supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 16 , wherein the gas ejection portion is formed of a porous member with a gas ejection port. It is a thing.

A powder supply apparatus according to an invention of claim 18 is the suction pipe for sucking the powder stored in the powder storage part in the invention of any one of claims 1 to 17 . A second gas ejection part that ejects gas toward the suction port is provided.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the eighteenth aspect, the powder supply apparatus includes an air pump that sends gas to the second gas ejection portion.

In addition, in the powder supply device according to the invention described in claim 20, in the invention described in claim 18 or claim 19, the second gas jetting portion is such that the gas jetting port is formed of a porous member. Is.

A powder supply apparatus according to a twenty-first aspect of the invention is the powder supply device according to any one of the first to twentieth aspects, wherein the powder is a toner.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, in the powder supply apparatus according to the twenty-first aspect , the powder is a two-component developer comprising a toner and a carrier. Is.

An image forming apparatus according to a twenty-third aspect of the invention includes the powder supply apparatus according to any one of the first to twenty-second aspects.

  The present invention sucks and conveys powder to a supply destination while ejecting gas from the bottom of the powder container by the gas ejection unit, and discharges only the gas in the powder container to discharge the powder. Since the increase in the internal pressure of the powder is suppressed, there is little replacement work and the powder can be increased in volume without damaging the powder. Therefore, it is possible to provide a powder supply apparatus and an image forming apparatus in which the powder is efficiently and reliably transferred to the supply destination.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is the same or it corresponds, The duplication description is simplified or abbreviate | omitted suitably.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
First, the configuration and operation of the entire image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is an external view showing an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the image forming apparatus main body and the powder supply apparatus.

In FIG. 1, 1 is an image forming apparatus main body (copying unit) that is a main part of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, 2 is a large-capacity paper feeding bank (paper feeding unit), 3 is after sorting and stapling, etc. A processing unit 20 is a powder supply device (toner supply unit).
The powder supply device 20 is installed below the wing 2 a of the paper feed tray disposed above the large capacity paper feed bank 2.

  In FIG. 2, 1 is an image forming apparatus main body, 4 is a photosensitive drum as an image carrier, 5 is a developing unit (developing device) for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 4, and 6 is a photosensitive unit. A transfer unit that transfers a toner image formed on the drum 4 to a recording medium such as transfer paper; 7 a fixing unit that fixes unfixed toner on the recording medium; and 8 a toner that has not transferred toner on the photosensitive drum 4. A cleaning unit 16 to be collected, an exposure unit 16 for irradiating the photosensitive drum 4 with exposure light based on image information read by the document reading unit, a charging unit 17 for charging the photosensitive drum 4, and a transfer paper 18 The sheet feeding unit in which the recording medium is stored is shown.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a toner hopper (toner receiving unit) as a supply destination to which toner is supplied from the powder supply device 20, and reference numeral 11 denotes a toner conveyance path for conveying the toner in the toner hopper 9 toward the toner replenishing unit 5a of the developing unit 5. , 19 indicates a toner container (toner bottle) as a second powder container provided to supplement the toner into the toner hopper 9 (supply destination) separately from the powder supply device 20.
Reference numeral 75 denotes a supply path (recycle path) for transporting the untransferred toner collected by the cleaning unit 8 to the toner hopper 9 as recycled toner. The supply path 75 can be a path using a conveying screw or a path using a pump such as a diaphragm type air pump.

With reference to FIG. 2, an operation during normal image formation in the image forming apparatus will be described.
First, the document is transported from the document table by the transport rollers of the document transport unit and passes over the document reading unit. At this time, the document reading unit optically reads the image information of the document passing above.
Then, the optical image information read by the document reading unit is converted into an electric signal and then transmitted to the exposure unit 16. Then, exposure light such as laser light based on the image information of the electrical signal is emitted from the exposure unit 16 toward the photosensitive drum 4.

  On the other hand, the photosensitive drum 4 rotates in the clockwise direction in the figure. First, the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is uniformly charged at a position facing the charging unit 17. Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 charged by the charging unit 17 reaches the exposure light irradiation position. At this position, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information of the document is formed.

Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 on which the latent image is formed reaches a portion facing the developing unit 5. Then, the latent image on the photosensitive drum 4 is developed by the developing unit 5.
Here, the toner in the developing unit 80 is mixed with the carrier by a paddle roller or the like together with the toner supplied from the toner replenishing unit 5a. Then, the frictionally charged toner is supplied together with the carrier onto a developing roller facing the photosensitive drum 4.

  Here, the toner in the toner replenishing unit 5 a is appropriately supplied into the developing unit 5 as the toner in the developing unit 5 is consumed. Consumption of toner in the developing unit 5 is detected by a photo sensor facing the photosensitive drum 4 and a magnetic permeability sensor installed in the developing unit 5. The toner in the toner replenishing section 5a is appropriately replenished from the toner hopper 9 via a toner transport path 11 constituted by a toner transport coil or a powder pump. Further, the toner in the toner hopper 9 is conveyed by the conveying means 37, 40, 22, 41 from the powder supply apparatus 20 installed outside the apparatus main body 1.

The first embodiment is configured such that a plurality of toner containers 19 can be installed in the toner hopper 9 in a replaceable manner. The toner can also be supplied from the toner container 19 toward the toner hopper 9. In particular, when the powder container 31 of the powder supply device 20 is being replaced, the toner is supplied to the toner hopper 9 using the toner container 19, thereby causing downtime in the image forming apparatus. It can be completely deterred.
Here, the toner container 19 in the first embodiment is a bottle-shaped container, and a spiral protrusion is formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof. Then, when the toner container 19 is driven to rotate, the toner is discharged from the opening of the toner container 19, and the toner is supplied into the toner hopper 9.

  Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 developed by the developing unit 5 reaches a portion facing the transfer unit 6. At this position, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 4 is transferred onto the recording medium. At this time, a small amount of untransferred toner that is not transferred to the recording medium remains on the photosensitive drum 4.

Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 having untransferred toner that has passed through the transfer unit 6 reaches a portion facing the cleaning unit 8. Then, the untransferred toner is collected in the cleaning unit 8 by the cleaning blade in contact with the photosensitive drum 4. The untransferred toner collected by the cleaning unit 8 is transported as a recycled toner toward the toner hopper 9 through the supply path 75, and together with the fresh toner supplied from the powder supply device 20 and the toner container 19, the developing unit 5 (toner The replenishment part 5a) will be replenished. Thereby, an image forming apparatus with high recyclability of toner can be provided.
Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 that has passed through the cleaning unit 8 reaches a static elimination unit (not shown). Then, the potential on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is eliminated, and a series of image forming processes is completed.

On the other hand, the recording medium conveyed to the transfer unit 6 operates as follows.
First, one of the plurality of paper feeding units is automatically or manually selected (for example, it is assumed that the paper feeding unit 18 is selected).
Then, one of the recording media stored in the paper supply unit 18 moves along the conveyance path indicated by the one-dot chain line in the drawing.

Thereafter, the recording medium fed from the paper feeding unit 18 reaches the position of the registration roller. Then, the recording medium that has reached the position of the registration roller is conveyed toward the transfer unit 6 in synchronization with the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 4 in order to be aligned.
The recording medium after the transfer process passes through the position of the transfer unit 6 and then reaches the fixing unit 7 through the conveyance path. At this position, the unfixed toner image on the recording medium is fixed by heat and pressure. Thereafter, the recording medium after the fixing process is discharged from the apparatus main body as an output image, and is discharged after the post-processing by the post-processing unit 3.
Thus, a series of image forming processes is completed.

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the powder supply apparatus 20 will be described in detail.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a state in which the powder container is attached to and detached from the powder supply device. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram illustrating the powder supply apparatus. FIG. 5 is a top view showing the powder supply apparatus. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram illustrating a powder container of the powder supply apparatus.

2 to 5, a powder supply device 20 (toner supply unit) includes a powder supply device main body 21 (fixed unit) fixed to an image forming apparatus (large-capacity paper supply bank 2), an internal And a powder container 31 (through toner tank unit) for containing toner (powder).
Referring to FIG. 3, the powder container 31 is configured to be detachable from the powder supply apparatus main body 21. Specifically, in the powder container 31, casters 31a for erecting so as to be movable with respect to the installation surface are respectively installed at the four corners of the bottom surface. Further, a grip portion 55 is installed above the powder container 31. With such a configuration, an operator such as a user or a serviceman can easily move the powder container 31 on the installation surface using the casters 31a while gripping the grip 55 (in the direction of the white arrow). Move.).

  The powder supply device main body 21 is provided with a door 21b having a handle 21a (see FIG. 5). The door 21b is opened and closed, and the powder container 31 is attached to and detached from the supply device main body 21. Is done. At that time, the connecting member 50 on the powder container 31 side, the second connecting members 53a and 53b, the third connecting member (fifth connecting member) 53c, the fourth connecting member 57, and the connecting member 51 on the supply device main body 21 side. The second connecting members 54a and 54b, the third connecting member (fifth connecting member) 54c, and the fourth connecting member 58 are brought into contact with and separated from each other (see also FIG. 4).

  In the first embodiment, referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, since the caster 31 a is installed in the vicinity of the uppermost position of the inclined surface (V-shaped surface) of the powder container 31, the caster 31 a is included. The height of the powder container 31 can be made relatively low. In addition, the installation position and the number of casters 31a are not limited to those of the first embodiment, and may be any position or number that allows the installation surface to move without the powder container 31 falling down. Further, the installation position and shape of the holding unit 55 are not limited to those in the first embodiment, and may be any position and shape that facilitates the operation of moving the powder container 31 relative to the installation surface.

  As described above, the powder supply device 20 according to the first embodiment can move the powder storage unit 31 in which the toner is stored by removing the powder storage unit 31 from the powder supply device main body 21. When the toner becomes almost empty, the toner can be continuously supplied to the image forming apparatus 1 simply by replacing the powder container 31 with another powder container 31 filled with toner. Since the power supply unit 60 is provided in the powder supply device 20 separately from the power supply of the image forming apparatus main body 1, the powder container 31 is replaced without turning off the power of the image forming apparatus 1. be able to. That is, the powder container 31 can be replaced without causing downtime in the image forming apparatus 1.

Referring to FIG. 4, the powder supply device main body 21 sucks the toner T accommodated in the powder container 31 and discharges (sends) the toner T toward the supply destination (toner hopper 9). A suction means), an air pump 24 for supplying air toward the gas ejection section 33, a power supply section 60, and the like. In the first embodiment, a diaphragm type air pump is used as the pump 22 as the suction means.
In the first embodiment, the toner supply destination from the powder supply device 20 is the toner hopper 9 of the image forming apparatus main body 1, but the toner supply destination from the powder supply device 20 is the toner of the developing unit 5. It can also be set as the supply part 5a.

  Referring to FIG. 6, in the powder container 31, the suction pipe 37, the gas ejection parts 33 </ b> A, 33 </ b> B, 33 </ b> C <b> 1 to 33 </ b> C <b> 4, four tubes 40, 44 a to 44 c formed of flexible silicon rubber, Toner remaining amount sensor 38 (near-end sensor) as a detection means for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the gas ejection portion 62, the second gas ejection portion 62 and the suction pipe 37, and the toner remaining amount in the powder containing portion 31. A cable 47 (harness wire) electrically connected to the toner remaining amount sensor 38, a toner remaining amount sensor 38, a holding member 65, a support 61 for supporting the cable 47, and the like are installed. In the powder container 31, toner T as a powder (volume average particle diameter is in the range of 3 to 15 μm) is stored. The powder container 31 is formed to have a rectangular cross-sectional shape in the horizontal plane, and accommodates toner by making the maximum use of the volume.

The bottom of the powder container 31 is formed with an inclined surface that is inclined so that the vicinity of the center is the lowest position. In other words, the bottom of the powder container 31 is formed in a V shape. And gas ejection part 33A, 33B, 33C1-33C4 is arrange | positioned at the bottom part of the powder accommodating part 31 so that the inclined surface may be followed.
The inclined surface at the bottom of the powder container 31 is set to an angle smaller than the angle of repose with respect to the toner T stored (the angle at which the toner slides down). Specifically, while the repose angle of the toner T is about 40 degrees, the inclination angle of the inclined surface is set to about 20 degrees. By gently setting the inclination angle of the inclined surface in this way, the dead space due to the inclination can be reduced, and toner deposits only at the lowest position of the inclined surface, and the bulk density at that position becomes too high. Can be prevented.

The gas ejection part includes a relay part 33A, a porous member 33B, four chambers 33C1 to 33C4, and the like, and ejects air (gas) into the powder container 31. The cross-sectional shape of the gas ejection part (the cross-section perpendicular to the air ejection direction) is substantially rectangular.
The porous member 33B of the gas ejection part (fluidized bed) is formed so that the hole diameter thereof is equal to or smaller than the particle diameter of the toner T, and is disposed on the bottom surface in direct contact with the toner T in the powder container 31. Has been. Air sent from the air pump 24 of the powder supply apparatus main body 21 is sent to the porous member 33B through the tubes 44a and 44b and the chambers 33C1 to 33C4, so that the porous member 33B enters the powder container 31. It becomes an air spout.

Here, the porous member 33B is made of a fine porous material that allows air to pass through, and is formed to have an opening ratio of 5 to 40% (preferably 10 to 20%), and an average opening diameter thereof. Is 0.3 to 20 μm (preferably 5 to 15 μm), and the average pore diameter of the pores is 0.1 to 5 times the volume average particle diameter of the toner (preferably, 0.5-3 times larger)).
Examples of the porous material include porous resin materials such as glass, a sintered body of resin particles, a photo-etched resin, a thermally perforated resin; a metal sintered body, and a perforated metal plate By heating the copper plate prepared by depositing metallic copper around the surrounding material, net laminate, and easily fusible metal yarn bundle by an electrochemical method and through which the easily fusible metal yarn bundle is implanted, A metal material having a selective melt trace hole having a trace hole part from which the easily meltable metal yarn part has been selectively removed can be used.

  By ejecting air toward the toner T in the powder container 31 through the porous member 33B configured in this way, the bulk density of the toner is constantly reduced, and the toner is fluidized. Crosslinking of the toner can be prevented. Since the weight per toner particle is very small and the air pressure applied to the porous member 33B is strong to some extent, even if the toner enters the hole of the porous member 33B, the toner may enter the chamber as it is. The hole is not blocked.

Here, the chamber disposed below the porous member 33B includes four independent chambers 33C1 to 33C4.
The first chamber 33C1 and the second chamber 33C2 are adjacent to the relay portion 33A disposed at the lowest position of the bottom surface (inclined surface). The air that has branched off at the relay portion 33A from the air pump 24 via the second connection members 53b and 54b (relay pipes) and the second tube 44b is sent from the discharge port 44b1 to the first chamber 33C1. The air branched from the relay portion 33A from the air pump 24 through the second connecting members 53b and 54b and the second tube 44b is sent from the discharge port 44b2 to the second chamber 33C2. The air discharged to the first chamber 33C1 and the second chamber 33C2 is ejected to the vicinity of the lowest position of the bottom surface (inclined surface) through the porous member 33B.
The third chamber 33C3 and the fourth chamber 33C4 are adjacent to the first chamber 33C1 and the second chamber 33C2, respectively. The air that has branched at the relay portion 33A from the air pump 24 via the second connection members 53a and 54a (relay pipes) and the first tube 44a is sent from the discharge port 44a1 to the third chamber 33C3. Air that has branched at the relay portion 33A from the air pump 24 through the second connection members 53a and 54a and the first tube 44a is sent from the discharge port 44a2 to the fourth chamber 33C4. The air discharged to the third chamber 33C3 and the fourth chamber 33C4 is ejected to a position other than the vicinity of the lowest position of the bottom surface (inclined surface) through the porous member 33B.

  Thus, the second connecting members 53 a and 53 b are installed in the powder container 31, and the second connecting members 54 a and 54 b are also installed in the powder supply apparatus main body 21. These second connection members 53a, 53b, 54a, 54b are used for gas conveyance from the air pump 24 to the gas ejection parts 33A, 33B, 33C1-33C4 when the powder container 31 is mounted on the powder supply apparatus main body 21. When the powder container 31 is detached from the powder supply device main body 21 through the route, the above-described gas conveyance route is separated. Thereby, the powder container 31 is easily attached to and detached from the powder supply apparatus main body 21.

Here, the area (the area of the contact surface in contact with the porous member 33B) or volume of the first chamber 33C1 and the second chamber 33C2 is smaller than the area or volume of the third chamber 33C3 and the fourth chamber 33C4. Is set to
By configuring the gas ejection portion in this way, the gas ejection per unit area in the vicinity of the lowest position of the inclined surface (the position where the first chamber 33C1 and the second chamber 33C2 are disposed). The amount is larger than the gas ejection amount per unit area per unit area at the other positions (the positions where the third chamber 33C3 and the fourth chamber 33C4 are disposed). In the vicinity of the lowermost position of the inclined surface, the bulk density of the toner is likely to be higher than other positions (the upper position including the uppermost position). Therefore, the amount of gas ejection at the gas ejection portion depends on the position of the inclined surface. By providing the difference, the fluidity of the toner can be made uniform efficiently over the entire inclined surface.

As described above, in the first embodiment, a plurality of chambers (the first chamber 33C1 and the second chamber 33C2, the third chamber 33C3 and the fourth chamber 33C4) are provided in the gas ejection portion. A gas is separately sent from the air pump 24 to the plurality of chambers, and a difference in gas ejection amount is formed depending on the position of the inclined surface. The difference in the gas ejection amount is formed by providing a difference in the area of the gas ejection portion from which the gas is ejected (area or volume of the chambers 33C1 to 33C4).
In addition, in order to form the difference in gas ejection amount, in addition to the above-described method, for example, different porous members (having different hole diameters, numbers of holes, etc.) at positions where a difference in gas ejection amount is desired. It is also possible to use a method of installing or a method of providing a difference in air pressure sent from the air pump 24.

  Moreover, in order to ensure the above-mentioned effect, the gas ejection per unit area per unit area in the vicinity of the lowest position of the inclined surface (the position where the first chamber 33C1 and the second chamber 33C2 are disposed). The amount may be set to 1.1 to 2 times the gas ejection amount per unit area at other positions (the positions where the third chamber 33C3 and the fourth chamber 33C4 are disposed). preferable.

  Here, the suction pipe 37 (suction port) is connected to the relay portion 33A (the lowest position of the inclined surface) so that the toner T can be efficiently sucked even when the remaining amount of the toner T in the powder containing portion 31 decreases. ) Above. The suction pipe 37 is connected to one end (suction port) of the pump 22 via the suction tube 40 and connection members 50 and 51 (relay pipe). Further, the other end (discharge port) of the pump 22 is connected to the toner hopper 9 of the image forming apparatus main body via the discharge tube 41. That is, the powder discharge path from the powder container 31 to the pump 22 is formed by the suction tube 37, the suction tube 40, and the connection members 50 and 51, and the powder discharge path from the pump 22 to the toner hopper 9 is formed by the discharge tube 41. Is formed. When the pump 22 is operated, the toner T in the powder container 31 is sucked from the suction port 37 a of the suction tube 37 and transferred to the toner hopper 9 (supply destination) via the pump 22.

  As described above, the connecting member 50 is installed in the powder container 31, and the connecting member 51 is also installed in the powder supply apparatus main body 21. These connecting members 50 and 51 relay a powder suction path (a path from the suction port 37a to the pump 22) when the powder container 31 is attached to the powder supply apparatus main body 21, and thereby powder. When the body accommodating portion 31 is detached from the powder supply apparatus main body 21, the above-described powder suction path is separated. Thereby, the powder container 31 is easily attached to and detached from the powder supply apparatus main body 21.

Note that since the suction tube 40 and the discharge tube 41 are formed of silicon rubber having low toner affinity, a problem that the toner is fixed in the tube and the toner transportability is reduced is suppressed.
Furthermore, by forming part or all of the powder suction path and the powder discharge path with the flexible tubes 40 and 41, the degree of freedom in the layout of the powder container 31, the pump 22, and the toner hopper 9 is increased. .

Here, referring to FIG. 2, the pump 22 is disposed above the toner hopper 9 as a supply destination. Therefore, the toner T sucked by the pump 22 is discharged toward the toner hopper 9 disposed at a lower position. Therefore, even when the distance from the pump 22 to the toner hopper 9 is long, the toner can be reliably transferred even with a small discharge force due to the difference in height between the two.
The powder discharge path formed by the discharge tube 41 is disposed so that the inclination angle θ is in the range of 20 to 90 ° (more preferably in the range of 25 to 45 °). Is preferred. Thereby, in addition to the discharge force of the pump 22, the drop force in the gravity direction applied to the toner acts efficiently, and the toner moves in the powder discharge path.

  The suction port 37 a (suction tube 37) of the powder suction path is disposed below the pump 22. That is, the toner T in the powder container 31 is sucked upward from a suction tube 37 (with an inner diameter of about 6 to 8 mm) disposed in the vicinity of the lowest position of the powder container 31. Become. In the first embodiment, since the distance between the pump 22 and the suction pipe 37 is set shorter than the distance between the pump 22 and the toner hopper 9, even if the suction is in the direction against gravity, the pump 22. The toner T in the powder container 31 can be efficiently sucked and transferred without increasing the suction force of the toner. Further, since the powder suction path is directed upward, even if the suction tube 40 or the like is damaged or detached, a large amount of toner in the powder container 31 is not scattered. Thus, only a small amount of toner that has passed through the suction tube 40 is scattered.

  In the first embodiment, the vertical distance H1 between the suction port 37a of the suction pipe 37 and the pump 22 is 1.5 to 2 times the vertical distance H2 between the toner hopper 9 and the pump 22. It is set to be. As a result, the balance of the entire conveying path from the suction port 37a of the suction tube 37 to the toner hopper 9 via the pump 22 is maintained.

  In the first embodiment, since the pump 22 (powder supply device main body 21) and the powder container 31 are disposed outside the image forming apparatus main body 1, the layout of the image forming apparatus main body 1 can be reduced. Regardless, the powder supply apparatus 20 can be configured. For example, the pump 22 can be disposed at a higher position regardless of the height of the image forming apparatus main body 1. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus main body 1 can be installed in the office, and the powder supply apparatus 20 that can be contaminated with toner can be installed outside the office.

  Referring to FIG. 7, the suction tube 37 is fixed to a holding member 65 supported by the support column 61. Further, a second gas ejection part 62 held by the holding member 65 is disposed below the suction pipe 37. The holding member 65 (and the support column 61) determines the position of the suction pipe 37 in the powder container 31 and also determines the position of the second gas ejection part 62 with respect to the suction pipe 37.

  Here, the second gas ejection part 62 directly ejects the air sent from the air pump 24 toward the suction port 37a of the suction pipe 37 via the third connection members 53c and 54c and the third tube 44c. And is formed of a porous member (can also be provided through a chamber). In the first embodiment, the second gas ejection unit 62 also functions as a third gas ejection unit that ejects air toward the vicinity of the toner remaining amount sensor 38.

  The porous member of the 2nd gas ejection part 62 is formed with the material similar to the porous member 33B of the gas ejection part mentioned above. Thereby, the bulk density of the toner in the vicinity of the suction port 37a of the suction tube 37 is lowered and the toner is fluidized, and the toner transportability is improved without causing the transporting means 22, 37, 40, and 41 to be clogged. Further, the toner in the vicinity of the toner remaining amount sensor 38 is fluidized, and the detection performance of the toner remaining amount sensor 38 is stabilized.

  Thus, the third connecting member (or fifth connecting member) 53c is installed in the powder container 31, and the third connecting member (or fifth connecting member) 54c is also installed in the powder supply apparatus main body 21. ing. These third connecting members (or fifth connecting members) 53c and 54c are arranged such that when the powder container 31 is mounted on the powder supply apparatus main body 21, the second gas ejection portion (or the third gas ejection) from the air pump 24. When the powder container 31 is detached from the powder supply apparatus main body 21 by relaying the gas conveyance path reaching the part 62), the above-described gas conveyance path is separated. Thereby, the powder container 31 is easily attached to and detached from the powder supply apparatus main body 21.

  In the first embodiment, air is ejected toward the vicinity of the suction port 37a of the suction pipe 37 and the vicinity of the remaining toner sensor 38 using the second gas ejection portion 62. On the other hand, a gas ejection part that ejects air toward the vicinity of the suction port 37 a of the suction pipe 37 (second gas ejection part), and a gas ejection part that ejects air toward the vicinity of the toner remaining amount sensor 38. (Third gas ejection part) can be provided separately and independently. Furthermore, the second gas ejection part 62 can be provided integrally with the gas ejection part provided at the bottom of the powder container 31.

  In the first embodiment, referring to FIG. 7, a rectifying member 39 is installed in the suction port 37 a of the suction pipe 37. The rectifying member 39 is a funnel-shaped member formed so as to increase the opening area of the suction port, and increases the suction force at the suction port 37a.

  Here, in the powder supply apparatus 20 according to the first embodiment, referring to the timing chart of FIG. 8, before the suction (suction from the suction pipe 37) by the pump 22 is started, the second gas ejection section. Control is performed so that operation of 62 (a jet of air toward the suction port 37a) is started. Accordingly, when the toner is sucked from the suction pipe 37, the fluidization of the toner is surely promoted by the second gas ejection portion 62, so that the toner is smoothly conveyed by the conveying means 22, 37, 40, and 41. It is.

  Further, before the suction by the pump 22 (suction from the suction pipe 37) is terminated, the operation of the second gas ejection portion 62 (ejection of air toward the suction port 37a) is controlled to be terminated. Yes. This is because if the fluidity of the toner is improved by the second ejection part 61 immediately before the suction of the toner from the suction pipe 37 is started, the conveying means 22, even if the operation of the second gas ejection part 62 is not continued. This is because toner is conveyed smoothly by 37, 40, and 41. Therefore, in the first embodiment, in order to reduce the duty of the second gas ejection part 62, the operation of the second gas ejection part 62 is stopped after a certain time has elapsed since the operation of the pump 22 was started. .

  As shown in FIG. 8, the operation of the gas ejection units 33 </ b> A, 33 </ b> B, 33 </ b> C <b> 1 to 33 </ b> C <b> 4 (fluidized bed) is performed at a timing independent of the operation of the second gas ejection unit 62. The operation of the gas ejection parts 33A, 33B, 33C1 to 33C4 can be performed continuously, intermittently, or in accordance with a decrease in toner fluidity in the powder container 31 (for example, It can also be done at regular intervals). In addition, the timing of sending air to the first chamber 33C1 and the second chamber 33C2 and the timing of sending air to the third chamber 33C3 and the fourth chamber 33C4 in the gas jetting portion are shifted to shift the powder peripheral portion 31. It is also possible to efficiently uniformize the entire toner fluidity.

In addition to the control described above, the second gas ejection unit 62 can be intermittently operated while the pump 22 is operating. By performing such control, toner transportability can be improved when the pump 22 is continuously operated for a long time.
Further, the second gas ejection part 62 can be operated intermittently when the pump 22 has not been operated for a long time (when it is left). By performing such control, the toner can be smoothly conveyed even if the pump 22 is started to operate after being left for a long time.
It is also possible to forcibly operate the second gas ejection unit 62 for a predetermined time after the main switch of the image forming apparatus main body 1 is turned on. By performing such control, the powder supply device 20 is also warmed up in accordance with the warming up performed in the image forming apparatus main body 1, and the toner can be smoothly conveyed immediately after the start of operation.

  In the first embodiment, the three tubes 44a to 44c are used to individually separate the air toward the third chamber 33C3 and the fourth chamber 33C4, the first chamber 33C1 and the second chamber 33C2, and the second gas ejection part 62. Therefore, adjustment control of air flow rate and air pressure can be easily performed according to each function.

  With reference to FIG.5 and FIG.6, the opening and the filter 35 (air bleeding member) which cover the opening are installed in the ceiling part of the powder accommodating part 31. FIG. The filter 35 prevents the toner in the powder container 31 from leaking to the outside and prevents the internal pressure of the powder container 31 from increasing. That is, the filter 35 and the opening function as gas discharge means (pressure reduction means) that discharges only the gas in the powder container 31 and prevents the internal pressure from increasing. The filter 35 and the opening prevent the internal pressure of the powder container 31 from increasing due to the gas ejected from the gas ejection parts 33A, 33B, 33C1 to 33C4 and the second gas ejection part 62.

  As a material of the filter 35, a porous member is preferably used. Specifically, the material of the filter 35 can be the same as the porous member 33B described above, or “Gore-Tex” (registered trademark, Japan Gore-Tex), which is a continuous porous structure made of fluororesin. Can also be used. Thus, by forming the filter 35 with a porous member, clogging of the filter 35 is reduced, and the function of the filter is stably maintained over time.

Here, the total area of the holes in the porous member forming the filter 35 is preferably set to be larger than the total area of the holes in the porous members of the gas ejection parts 33A, 33B, 33C1 to 33C4. . Thereby, the internal pressure rise in the powder accommodating part 31 can be suppressed reliably.
In the first embodiment, as described above with reference to FIG. 8, the second gas ejection part 62 has a lower operation rate than the gas ejection parts 33 </ b> A, 33 </ b> B, 33 </ b> C <b> 1 to 33 </ b> C <b> 4. The total area of the holes of the porous member forming the ejection part 62 is not included in the relationship of the total area of the holes described above. Therefore, when the operation rate of the second gas ejection part 62 is high, it is preferable to include the total area of the holes of the porous member forming the second gas ejection part 62 in the relationship of the total area of the holes. . That is, the total area of the holes of the porous member forming the filter 35 is formed to be larger than the total area of the holes of the gas ejection parts 33A, 33B, 33C1 to 33C4 and the second gas ejection part 62. become.

  If the filter 35 (gas discharge means) is disposed above the draft line of the toner in the powder container 31 where the toner is full, the position of the filter 35 (gas discharge means) is a position other than the upper surface of the powder container 31 (for example, , The side.) Thereby, the filter 35 is not buried in the toner, and it is possible to prevent the filter function from deteriorating.

Further, the filter 35 and the opening (gas discharge means) are disposed on a lid 31 b that is detachably provided on a part of the ceiling of the powder container 31. The lid 31b is provided to fill the powder container 31 with toner in the production process.
By installing the filter 35 on the lid 31b configured to be detachable in this manner, even when the filter 35 is clogged, the cleaning operation becomes easy. Specifically, it is efficient to clean the filter 35 by sucking the side facing the inside of the powder container 31 with a vacuum cleaner or the like, but such work is also performed by the lid 31b taken out from the powder container 31. It can be done simply by turning over.
The lid 31b is fastened to the main body of the powder container 31 with a plurality of bolts with a sealing material 36 made of rubber, polyurethane foam or the like interposed therebetween (crushed). With such a configuration, the sealing performance of the entire powder container 31 is ensured, and the occurrence of toner scattering to the outside is suppressed.

  Referring to FIG. 9, the toner remaining amount sensor 38 includes three piezoelectric sensors 71 to 73 that are arranged side by side in the vertical direction. The three piezoelectric sensors 71 to 73 are held by the case 70 supported by the support 61. The three cables 47a to 47c electrically connected to the three piezoelectric sensors 71 to 73, respectively, are bundled in the case 70 and supported by the support column 47 as a bundle of cables 47, and the fourth connecting member 57, 58 (connector) and the cable 48 are electrically connected to the control unit of the image forming apparatus main body 1. In the present application, “cable” is defined as a general term for various electric wires.

  Thus, the fourth connecting member 57 is installed in the powder container 31, and the fourth connecting member 58 is also installed in the powder supply apparatus main body 21. These fourth connecting members 57 and 58 relay a cable 47 (electrical path) from the toner remaining amount sensor 38 to the powder supply apparatus main body 21 when the powder container 31 is mounted on the powder supply apparatus main body 21. Then, when the powder container 31 is detached from the powder supply apparatus main body 21, the above-described cable 47 is separated. Thereby, the powder container 31 is easily attached to and detached from the powder supply apparatus main body 21.

Here, the remaining toner sensor 38 is for informing the user of the remaining amount of toner in the powder container 31 in three stages.
Specifically, when the piezoelectric sensor 71 installed on the upper stage of the toner remaining amount sensor 38 detects that there is no toner at that position (height), the powder is contained in the display unit of the image forming apparatus main body 1. A message indicating that the remaining amount of toner in the unit 31 is low is displayed (“pre-near end” display). Next, when the piezoelectric sensor 72 installed in the middle of the toner remaining amount sensor 38 detects that there is no toner at that position (height), a powder container is displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus main body 1. A message indicating that the toner in the toner 31 is almost exhausted is displayed (“near end” is displayed). Finally, when the piezoelectric sensor 73 installed at the lower stage of the toner remaining amount sensor 38 detects that there is no toner at the position (height), the powder storage portion is displayed on the display portion of the image forming apparatus main body 1. A message indicating that the toner remaining in the toner 31 is exhausted is displayed (“toner end” is displayed), and toner suction by the pump 22 is stopped until the replacement of the powder container 31 is completed. To control.

Since the toner remaining amount sensor 38 is disposed outside the suction tube 37, a problem that a toner lump is generated inside the suction tube 37 is suppressed.
Further, since the toner remaining amount sensor 38 is disposed above the suction port 37a of the suction tube 37, it is possible to suppress a problem that only air is sucked from the suction tube 37. That is, the toner remaining amount sensor 38 is used to stop the toner suction by the pump 22 by transmitting a toner end signal in a state where the toner is present above the suction port 37a. This prevents only air from being sucked from the suction pipe 37 (or sucked in a state where the mixing ratio of toner to air is low).

Further, since the toner remaining amount sensor 38 is disposed above the gas ejection portion 33, it is possible to improve the detection accuracy of the toner remaining amount. That is, by detecting the toner fluidized by the gas ejection unit 33, the remaining amount of toner can be detected stably and accurately.
Further, since the toner remaining amount sensor 38 is disposed above the lowermost position of the gas ejection portion 33 (inclined surface), the toner remaining amount sensor 38 is efficiently and efficiently provided by the suction pipe 37 disposed above the lowermost position. It is possible to accurately detect the remaining amount of toner in the powder container 31 that is attracted economically.

The position of the toner remaining amount sensor 38 in the powder container 31 is accurately determined by the support 61 and the holder 70.
Further, as described above, since the second gas ejection part 62 is installed below the toner remaining amount sensor 38, the toner in the vicinity of the toner remaining amount sensor 38 is fluidized and is detected by the toner remaining amount sensor 38. Detection accuracy is stabilized.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the gas ejection unit 33 sucks the toner T while ejecting air from the bottom of the powder container 31 and conveys the toner T toward the toner hopper 9, and the gas discharge unit 35. Is provided to suppress an increase in the internal pressure of the powder container 31. Thus, the toner T can be increased in capacity without damaging the toner T, the toner T can be increased in capacity, the amount of toner supply can be adjusted, the toner T is not scattered, and the toner T is transferred to the toner hopper 9. It can be transferred efficiently and reliably.

  In the first embodiment, the air pump 24 for sending air to the gas ejection parts 33A, 33B, 33C1 to 33C4 and the second gas ejection part 62 is provided above the powder container 31 in the powder supply apparatus main body 21. However, it can also be arranged at a position below the inclined surface of the powder container 31 in the powder supply apparatus main body 21. In that case, the gas conveyance path from the air pump 24 to the gas ejection parts 33A, 33B, 33C1 to 33C4 and the second gas ejection part 62 can be shortened. Therefore, a gas conveyance path can be formed using a pipe instead of a tube.

  In the first embodiment, the powder supply apparatus main body 21 is independently installed outside the image forming apparatus main body 1. However, the powder supply apparatus main body 21 is integrally provided inside the image forming apparatus main body 1. You can also That is, the pump 22, the air pump 24, the power supply unit 60, and the like are arranged in the image forming apparatus main body 1, and the powder container 31 can be directly attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body 1. it can.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus main body and a powder supply apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which the powder container is attached to and detached from the powder supply device. FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram illustrating the powder supply apparatus and the image forming apparatus main body. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a monitoring system for monitoring the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment on a network.
In the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment, a collection container 90 for storing waste toner is mainly installed in the powder container 31, and is connected to a monitoring system via a LAN. Is different from that of the first embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 10, the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment is also composed of an image forming apparatus main body 1, a powder supply device 20, and the like, similar to the first embodiment. Furthermore, referring to FIGS. 10 to 12, a filter 35 and an opening as gas discharge means are formed in the ceiling of the powder container 31.

  The image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the untransferred toner collected by the cleaning unit 8 is stored in the collection container 90 as waste toner. The untransferred toner collected by the cleaning unit 8 is transported toward the recovery container 90 by the second transport means 81, 80, 92, 91. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, a transfer belt 6 and a belt cleaning 10 that collects foreign matters such as toner adhering to the transfer belt 6 are provided as transfer portions. The toner collected by the belt cleaning 10 is also transported by the second transport means and stored in the recovery container 90.

In a conventional image forming apparatus, a collection container for storing untransferred toner collected by a cleaning unit or the like as waste toner is installed in the image forming apparatus main body. When the collection container is full, the operation of the apparatus main body is stopped. It was replaced with a new collection container.
In the second embodiment, 30 to 40 kg of toner is stored in the powder container 31. If the transfer rate in the transfer process performed on the photosensitive drum 4 is about 90%, about 10% (3 to 4 kg) of the toner in the powder container 31 is used as untransferred toner (waste toner) in the cleaning unit. It will be collected. Therefore, if there is a user who consumes about 30 kg of toner per month, even if the capacity of the collection container is about 10 kg which is a large size, it must be replaced every two to three months, and the work becomes troublesome. End up. Although it is conceivable to increase the capacity of the collection container to reduce the replacement frequency, it is difficult to install such a large collection container in the apparatus main body 1 as in the conventional image forming apparatus.

  In the second embodiment, since the collection container 90 is installed in the powder container 31 of the powder supply device 20, a large capacity powder container without increasing the size of the image forming apparatus main body 1. The capacity of the collection container according to 31 can be increased. The toner collected by the cleaning unit 8 and the belt cleaning 10 of the image forming apparatus main body 1 is stored in a collection container 90 in the powder container 31 and is replaced at the same time when the powder container 31 is replaced. (Refer to the attaching / detaching operation of the powder container 31 shown in FIG. 11).

Hereinafter, an operation of collecting waste toner in the collection container 90 will be described.
Referring to FIG. 10, the untransferred toner collected by the cleaning unit 8 is once collected in the collection unit 80 via the conveyance path 81. Similarly, the toner collected by the belt cleaning 10 is once collected in the collecting unit 80 via the conveyance path 82.
Referring to FIG. 12, a third gas ejection part (fluidized bed) having a porous member 85 is provided at the bottom of the recovery part 80. And the air sent out from the air pump 95 of the powder supply apparatus 20 is sent into this 3rd gas ejection part through the tube 96. FIG. With such a configuration, air is ejected from the porous member 85, the toner collected in the collection unit 80 is fluidized, and the toner is sucked through the tube 92 by the suction of the pump 91 and is collected. It will be conveyed well toward the.

  Here, the collection container 90 provided in the powder container 31 only needs to store a collection amount calculated from the amount of toner in the powder container 31. It will not be that big. Moreover, since the collection container 90 is installed in the powder container 31, it is not necessary to consider external impacts and the like, and therefore it can be formed with the minimum necessary strength.

  In the second embodiment, a flexible bag-like member (for example, a plastic bag or a plastic bag) made of a resin material is used as the collection container 90. The collection container 90 is attached to the set part 99 with a rubber band or the like. The set unit 99 is provided with a pipe 97 having a discharge port through which waste toner is discharged, and a filter 98 as a deaeration mechanism for discharging the air fed into the interior. As described above, the pipe 97 and the filter 98 can be attached to the collection container 90 by one operation by providing the pipe 97 (discharge port) and the filter 98 in the set part 99.

Here, the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment is connected to a LAN and is monitored on the network by a monitoring system (toner management system).
FIG. 13 is a diagram conceptually showing the monitoring system.
By constructing such a monitoring system, the service person confirms the usage status of the user's image forming apparatus and grasps in advance the replacement timing of the powder container and the abnormality of the image forming apparatus.

Specifically, the monitoring system is provided with a monitoring device that monitors the usage status of the powder in the powder supply device 20. In the monitoring device, information of a toner remaining amount sensor 38 (detection means) that detects the remaining amount of the powder stored in the powder storage unit 20 is acquired. The monitoring device has a transmission function for transmitting the monitoring result via the LAN.
Then, the monitoring result (monitoring data) of the monitoring device is transmitted to the manufacturing department, the service department, and the sales department, and utilized in the production plan, service plan, and sales plan. That is, by grasping the toner consumption status for each user, the replacement timing of the powder container 31 is predicted, and the powder container 31 is replaced without causing the toner to run out (the recovery container 90 is also replaced). Do it at the same time.) This simplifies the user's toner end operation and waste toner processing operation.

The inventor of the present application uses the monitoring system using the collection container 90 having a capacity of 3 liters in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment and does not install the powder supply apparatus 20 (and the collection container 90) ( And a conventional image forming apparatus). At that time, 10,000 prints were made every day for one week.
As a result, when the conventional image forming apparatus is used, the service person processes the waste toner once every three days, and the frequency of replacing the toner container increases. In total, the downtime is about one day. Has occurred.
On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus and the monitoring system according to the second embodiment are used, the image forming apparatus has no downtime, and the service person can store the powder container 31 (and the collection container 90). The replacement work was performed in a timely and efficient manner.

  As described above, in the second embodiment as well, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the toner T is sucked from the bottom of the powder container 31 by the gas ejection section 33 and directed toward the toner hopper 9. And a gas discharge means 35 are provided to prevent an increase in the internal pressure of the powder container 31. Thus, the toner T can be increased in capacity without damaging the toner T, the toner T can be increased in capacity, the amount of toner supply can be adjusted, the toner T is not scattered, and the toner T is transferred to the toner hopper 9. It can be transferred efficiently and reliably.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
14 and 15, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.
FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram illustrating a powder container of the powder supply apparatus according to the third embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 6 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 15 is a partially enlarged view showing a state in which the lid of the powder container in FIG. 14 is fastened with a knob screw (knob nut). The powder supply apparatus according to the third embodiment is different from that according to the first embodiment mainly in the configuration of the filter and the sealing material and the point that the lid is fastened with a knob screw.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the powder supply device according to the third embodiment also sucks the toner T stored in the powder storage unit 31 into the powder supply device main body 21 and thereby the toner hopper 9. An air pump 24 that supplies air toward the pump 22 that discharges toward the gas, the gas ejection portion 33, and the second gas ejection portion 62, a power source portion 60, and the like are installed. Referring to FIG. 14, in the powder container 31, the suction tube 37, the gas ejection parts 33 </ b> A, 33 </ b> B, 33 </ b> C <b> 1 to 33 </ b> C4, the four tubes 40, 44 a to 44 c, the second gas ejection part 62 are retained. A member 65, a toner remaining amount sensor 38, a cable 47, a support 61, and the like are installed.

Further, referring to FIG. 14, an opening and a filter 35 (gas discharge means) covering the opening are installed in the ceiling portion of the powder container 31. The filter 35 and the opening prevent the internal pressure of the powder container 31 from increasing due to the gas ejected from the gas ejection parts 33A, 33B, 33C1 to 33C4 and the second gas ejection part 62.
Here, in Embodiment 3, a non-woven fabric made of polyester (for example, “Acstar” (manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc.)) is used as the material of the filter 35. Such a nonwoven fabric is relatively inexpensive, and can effectively prevent an increase in internal pressure of the powder container 31.

Furthermore, referring to FIG. 14, in the third embodiment, filter 35 is formed in a bellows shape (in a state where it is folded in an accordion shape). Thereby, compared with the case where the filter 35 is formed in a planar shape (the shape of the filter shown in FIG. 6), the surface area of the filter 35 is increased, so that the efficiency of the filter can be increased.
In the third embodiment, the filter 35 is formed in a bellows shape. However, even when the filter 35 is formed in a wave shape, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

Further, the filter 35 and the opening (gas discharge means) are disposed on a lid 31b that is detachably provided on a part of the ceiling portion of the powder container 31 as in the first embodiment. . The lid 31b is fastened to the main body of the powder container 31 with a plurality of knob screws with the sealing material 36 interposed therebetween. Here, in the third embodiment, a silicon sponge that is soft and elastic and has excellent sealing properties is used as the material of the sealing material 36.
With such a configuration, even when the lid 31b is repeatedly attached and detached, the sealing material 36 has little stickiness, the sealing performance of the entire powder container 31 is ensured, and the occurrence of toner scattering to the outside is suppressed. The

With reference to FIG. 15, a method for fixing (fastening) the lid 31 b to the ceiling of the powder container 31 will be described.
As described above, the lid 31 b is fixed by the knob screws 76 that are installed around the opening formed in the ceiling of the powder container 31.

  Specifically, a plurality of screw holes are formed around an opening formed in the ceiling portion of the powder container 31, and male screw portions 77 of knob screws 76 are screwed into the screw holes from the bottom side. The That is, the screw head of the male screw portion 77 faces the lower side of the ceiling portion. The male screw part 77 is fixed to the main body of the powder container 31 by spot welding, and also prevents toner scattering from the gap between the screw thread of the male screw part 77 and the screw thread of the screw hole. The male screw portion 77 is fixed to the ceiling portion via a caulking agent 79.

  The lid 31b and the sealing material 36 (both through holes through which the male screw portion 77 protrudes are formed in the main body of the powder container 31 in a state where the male screw portion 77 protrudes upward in this way. Is removed). That is, the sealing material 36 and the lid 31b are placed so as to match with the male screw portion 77 protruding upward. Then, a female threaded portion 78 (knob nut) of the knob screw 76 is screwed into the male threaded portion 77 from above the lid 31 b, and the lid 31 b is fixed to the main body of the powder container 31 via the sealing material 36. Here, since the female screw portion 78 (knob nut) is provided with a grip portion, the operator can screw the female screw portion 78 to the male screw portion 77 without using a tool. The sealing material 36 can be attached to the lid 31b side or can be attached to the main body side of the powder container 31.

  With such a configuration, the attaching / detaching operation of the lid 31b is relatively simplified. That is, since the knob screw 76 can be fastened (or fastened) without using a tool, the work time for attaching and detaching the lid 31b is shortened. In particular, when the area of the lid 31b is increased in order to improve the workability of toner replenishment to the powder container 31, the fastening member (screw) is used to ensure the sealing performance between the lid 31b and the main body. ) To some extent, it is useful to use a knob screw as the fastening member.

  Further, by installing the male screw portion 77 so that the screw portion protrudes toward the outside of the powder containing portion 31, the screw portion is generated by screwing between the female screw portion 78 (knob nut) and the male screw portion 77. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of a problem that a small amount of metal debris mixed into the toner in the powder container 31 occurs. That is, when a configuration is adopted in which a female screw portion is provided in the ceiling portion of the powder containing portion 31 and a male screw is screwed inwardly from the outside to the inside of the powder containing portion 31, the screw portion is generated. Such a small amount of metal debris is mixed in the toner in the powder container 31 and causes an abnormal image. On the other hand, the third embodiment is configured such that metal debris generated at the screw portion does not fall into the powder container 31.

Further, after the male screw part 77 is welded to the ceiling part, a caulking agent 79 is applied to the gap between the ceiling part (caulking process) to improve the sealing performance between the male screw part 77 and the ceiling part. It is possible to suppress a problem that the toner in the powder container 31 in the pressure state is ejected from the gap between the male screw part 77 and the ceiling part. Here, since the male screw portion 77 is fixed so as to protrude toward the outside of the powder containing portion 31, the application of the caulking agent 79 to the gap between the male screw portion 77 and the ceiling portion is performed on the lid 31b. There is no need to perform the opening / closing operation every time the opening / closing operation is performed, and the efficiency of the opening / closing operation of the lid 31b is improved. Further, since the male screw part 77 to be subjected to the caulking process is installed so as to protrude toward the outside of the powder container 31, the caulking agent 79 is peeled off and mixed into the toner in the powder container 31. It is also possible to suppress the occurrence of defects.
In the third embodiment, the caulking agent 79 is applied to the gap between the male screw part 77 and the ceiling part. However, even if solder is poured into the gap between the male screw part 77 and the ceiling part (soldering). The same effect as in the third embodiment can be obtained.

  In the third embodiment, the lid 31b is fixed to the ceiling of the powder container 31 using the knob screw 76 (knob nut 78), but the ceiling of the powder container 31 using a clamp (Patchon lock). It is also possible to fix the lid 31b. Even in this case, since the attachment / detachment operation of the lid 31b can be performed without using a tool, the attachment / detachment operation time can be shortened. Further, when a clamp (patch-on tablet) is used, there is no occurrence of metal debris and no application of a caulking agent, which causes a problem that foreign matter is mixed into the toner in the powder container 31. Can also be suppressed.

  As described above, also in the third embodiment, the toner T is sucked from the bottom of the powder container 31 by the gas ejection portion 33 and directed toward the toner hopper 9 in the same manner as the above-described embodiments. And a gas discharge means 35 are provided to prevent an increase in the internal pressure of the powder container 31. Thus, the toner T can be increased in capacity without damaging the toner T, the toner T can be increased in capacity, the amount of toner supply can be adjusted, the toner T is not scattered, and the toner T is transferred to the toner hopper 9. It can be transferred efficiently and reliably.

In each of the above embodiments, the present invention is applied to the powder supply device 20 that supplies toner to the supply destination. However, the powder supply that supplies the two-component developer composed of toner and carrier to the supply destination. Of course, the present invention can also be applied to an apparatus. In that case, a magnetic permeability sensor can also be used as detection means for detecting the remaining amount of the two-component developer in the powder container.
Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to the following powder supply apparatus.
(1) Powder supply device (replenisher) for replenishing molding material (pellets) to a resin molding machine
(2) Powder supply device for transferring wheat flour, fertilizer, livestock feed, etc. (3) Powder supply device for use in manufacturing sites that transports powdered or liquid chemicals or tablets (4) Powder for transferring cement Body supply device (5) Powder supply device for industrial paint that transports by reducing the viscosity by dispersing air in industrial paint (6) Industrial glass used for road coating components, air bed fillers, etc. Powder supply device for conveying beads In addition, when a powder having high hardness such as a two-component developer or glass beads is used, if the gas ejection part 33 (fluidized bed) is formed of a resin material such as PE or PC, the time passes. May cause damage to the pores of the porous member. Therefore, in such a case, it is preferable to form the gas ejection part with a sintered member of copper or iron or a fine metal mesh filter.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, a diaphragm type air pump is used as the pump 22 that sucks the toner in the powder container 31 and discharges the toner toward the toner hopper 9, but other pumps (for example, screw pumps (Mono pumps) are used. )) Can also be used. Even in this case, the same effects as those of the above embodiments can be obtained.

  In each of the above embodiments, the powder supply device 20 is independently installed outside the image forming apparatus main body 1. However, the powder supply device 20 may be integrally provided inside the image forming apparatus main body 1. it can.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, the embodiments can be modified as appropriate in addition to those suggested in the embodiments. Is clear. In addition, the number, position, shape, and the like of the constituent members are not limited to the above embodiments, and can be set to a number, position, shape, and the like that are suitable for carrying out the present invention.

1 is an external view illustrating an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is the schematic which shows an image forming apparatus main body and a powder supply apparatus. It is the schematic which shows the state by which the powder accommodating part is attached or detached to a powder supply apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows a powder supply apparatus. It is a top view which shows a powder supply apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the powder accommodating part of a powder supply apparatus. It is the elements on larger scale which show the vicinity of a suction tube. It is a timing chart which shows control of the 2nd gas ejection part. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a toner remaining amount sensor. It is the schematic which shows the image forming apparatus main body and powder supply apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state by which the powder accommodating part is attached or detached to a powder supply apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows a powder supply apparatus and an image forming apparatus main body. It is a conceptual diagram which shows a monitoring system. It is a block diagram which shows the powder accommodating part of the powder supply apparatus in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is the elements on larger scale which show the state which fastened the lid | cover of the powder accommodating part of FIG. 14 with the knob screw.

Explanation of symbols

1 image forming device (device main body), 5 developing section (developing device),
9 toner hopper (supplier), 19 toner container (second powder container),
20 Powder supply device,
21 powder feeder main body (fixed unit), 21a handle,
22 pump (suction means), 24 air pump,
31 Powder container (through toner tank unit),
31a casters, 31b lids,
33 Gas ejection part,
33A relay part, 33B porous member (spout),
33C1 first chamber, 33C2 second chamber,
33C3 third chamber, 33C4 fourth chamber,
35 filter (gas discharge means), 36 sealing material,
37 Suction tube, 37a Suction port,
38 toner remaining amount sensor (detection means), 39 rectifying member,
40 suction tube (powder supply path), 41 discharge tube (powder discharge path),
44 tube, 44a first tube,
44b second tube, 44c third tube,
47, 47a-47c cable,
50, 51 connecting member, 53a, 53b, 54a, 54b second connecting member,
53c, 54c third connection member (fifth connection member),
55 gripping part, 57, 58 fourth connecting member, 61 strut,
62 second gas ejection part, 65 holding member,
70 cases, 71-73 piezoelectric sensors, 75 supply paths,
76 Knob screw, 77 Male thread,
78 female thread (knob nut), 79 caulking agent,
80 collection unit, 81, 82 transport path, 85 porous member,
90 collection container, 91 pump, 95 air pump,
97 piping, 98 filter (deaeration mechanism), 99 sets.

Claims (23)

A powder supply device for supplying powder to a supply destination,
A powder container containing a powder inside and containing a gas jetting part at the bottom for jetting gas toward the inside;
Conveying means for sucking and conveying the powder contained in the powder containing portion toward the supply destination;
With
The powder container includes gas discharge means for discharging an internal gas to the outside ,
The gas discharge means is disposed on a lid provided detachably on a part or all of the ceiling of the powder container,
The lid is fastened with a knob screw to the ceiling through a sealing material formed of silicon sponge,
The powder supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the knob screw is installed such that a male screw portion protrudes from the inside to the outside of the powder accommodating portion and is screwed into the female screw portion .   The powder supply device according to claim 1, wherein the gas discharge unit is disposed above a water line of the toner when the toner is stored in the powder storage unit. .   3. The powder supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gas discharge unit includes an opening formed in the powder container and a filter that covers the opening.   The powder supply apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the filter is formed of a porous member. The gas ejection part has a gas ejection port formed of a porous member,
The powder supply according to claim 4, wherein the total area of the pores in the porous member of the filter is formed to be larger than the total area of the pores in the porous member of the gas ejection part. apparatus.   The powder supply apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the filter is formed of a nonwoven fabric made of polyester.   The powder supply apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the filter is formed in a bellows shape or a wave shape. The male screw portion of the knob screw is fixed to the ceiling portion via a caulking agent,
The powder according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the female screw portion of the knob screw is screwed into the male screw portion protruding from the through hole of the lid and has a gripping portion. Feeding device. The powder supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the powder container is configured to be detachable from the powder supply apparatus main body. The powder supply according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the bottom of the powder container is formed by an inclined surface that is inclined so that the vicinity of the center is at the lowest position. apparatus. The powder supply apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a suction port of a suction pipe for sucking powder stored in the powder storage unit is disposed above a lowermost position of the inclined surface. The gas ejection portion is configured such that a gas ejection amount per unit area per unit area in the vicinity of the lowermost position of the inclined surface is larger than a gas ejection amount per unit area per unit area at other positions. The powder supply apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the powder supply apparatus is characterized. The powder supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the transport unit includes a suction unit that sucks upward the powder stored in the powder storage unit. . The suction means is a pump,
14. The pump according to claim 13, wherein the pump is disposed above the powder container and the supply destination, and discharges the powder sucked from the powder container toward the supply destination. The powder supply apparatus described. A part or all of a powder suction path from the powder container to the pump and a part or all of a powder discharge path from the pump to the supply destination are formed by a tube. The powder supply apparatus according to claim 14. The powder supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising an air pump for sending gas to the gas ejection part. The powder supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the gas ejection portion has a gas ejection port formed of a porous member. 18. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second gas ejection unit that ejects gas toward a suction port of a suction pipe that sucks the powder stored in the powder storage unit. The powder supply apparatus described. The powder supply apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising an air pump that sends gas to the second gas ejection portion. 20. The powder supply device according to claim 18, wherein the second gas ejection portion has a gas ejection port formed of a porous member. 21. The powder supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the powder is toner. 21. The powder supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the powder is a two-component developer including a toner and a carrier. An image forming apparatus comprising the powder supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 22.

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