JP6862812B2 - Waste toner recovery device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a waste toner recovery device.

The image forming apparatus includes an image carrier such as a photoconductor and an intermediate transfer belt. In the process of forming or transferring the toner image on the image carrier and the process of transferring the toner image from the image carrier onto the recording medium, the toner not used for image formation is discharged as waste toner. A waste toner recovery device for accommodating waste toner is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus.

As disclosed in JP-A-2006-018329 (Patent Document 1) and JP-A-2011-081297 (Patent Document 2), a waste toner recovery device generally has a storage chamber for accommodating waste toner. And a detection room having a detection window are provided. When the amount of waste toner stored in the containment chamber increases, a part of the waste toner overflows from the containment chamber and flows into the detection chamber.

Light is applied to the detection window of the detection chamber with the waste toner recovery device attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. Light is blocked by the waste toner contained in the detection chamber. Whether the amount of waste toner contained in the containment chamber exceeds a predetermined amount based on whether the light is blocked or not (for example, whether the capacity is full). It becomes possible to grasp.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-018329 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-081297

When waste toner flows into the storage chamber of the waste toner recovery device from the main body of the image forming apparatus, or when the waste toner in the storage chamber receives some external force, the waste toner scatters and floats, and as a result, the waste toner is scattered and floated. Waste toner may adhere to the detection window of the detection room. Even though the amount of waste toner stored in the containment chamber does not exceed the predetermined amount, the light is blocked by the waste toner adhering to the detection window, and the amount of waste toner stored in the containment chamber exceeds the predetermined amount. There is a possibility that false positives will occur.

The present invention provides a waste toner recovery device having a configuration capable of reducing the possibility of false detection that the amount of waste toner stored in the storage chamber exceeds a predetermined amount as compared with the conventional case. The purpose.

The waste toner recovery device based on the present invention is a waste toner recovery device mounted on the device main body of the image forming device, and accommodates waste toner that communicates with the inflow port and flows in from the device main body through the inflow port. It has a chamber, a hollow shape extending with a predetermined length, a connecting pipeline connected to the storage chamber, and a detection window, and can communicate with the storage chamber via the connecting pipeline. The detection chamber and the feeding means arranged in the containment chamber and sending the waste toner in the containment chamber to the detection chamber via the connection pipeline are provided, and the sending means is arranged in the containment chamber. A guide plate that is connected to the connecting pipeline and a spiral member that is arranged on the guide plate and rotates on the guide plate to move the waste toner toward the connecting pipeline. With the waste toner collecting device mounted on the main body of the device, light for detecting whether or not the amount of the waste toner contained in the storage chamber exceeds a predetermined amount is emitted to the detection window. Irradiated so that a powder pool blocks the connecting pipeline between the inlet opening located on the accommodation chamber side of the connecting pipeline and the outlet opening located on the detection chamber side of the connecting pipeline. The presence of the toner in the containment chamber blocks the communication between the containment chamber and the detection chamber by the powder pool, and the waste toner in the containment chamber floats and moves into the detection chamber. The portion of the spiral blade that is located on the most downstream side in the direction in which the waste toner is conveyed is arranged so as to match the position of the inlet opening, or is to be prevented. It is assumed that the blade that is arranged between the position of the inlet opening and the position of the outlet opening and is located on the most downstream side of the spiral blades in the direction in which the waste toner is conveyed is the most downstream blade. The height position of the upper end of the locus formed by the rotation of the outer peripheral portion of the most downstream blade is arranged below the height position of the lower end of the outlet opening of the connection pipeline.

In the waste toner recovery device, preferably, the feeding means is arranged in the accommodation chamber, is arranged on the guide plate connected to the connection pipeline, and rotates on the guide plate. This includes a spiral member that moves the waste toner toward the connecting pipeline.

In the waste toner recovery device, the spiral member preferably includes a rotating shaft and spiral blades provided around the rotating shaft, and the most of the spiral blades in the direction in which the waste toner is conveyed. The portion located on the downstream side is arranged so as to match the position of the entrance opening, or is arranged between the position of the entrance opening and the position of the exit opening.

In the waste toner recovery device, preferably, if the blade located on the most downstream side of the spiral blades in the direction in which the waste toner is conveyed is the most downstream blade, the outer peripheral portion of the most downstream blade rotates. The height position of the upper end of the formed locus is arranged below the height position of the lower end of the outlet opening of the connecting pipeline.

In the waste toner recovery device, preferably, the spiral member includes a rotating shaft and first spiral blades and second spiral blades provided around the rotating shaft, and the first spiral blade and the second spiral blade are provided. The spiral blades are arranged apart from each other in the direction in which the waste toner is conveyed, and the spiral member is a spiral blade between the first spiral blade and the second spiral blade of the spiral members. Is arranged so as to be located between the position of the entrance opening and the position of the exit opening.

In the waste toner recovery device, preferably, the spiral member feeds the waste toner in the accommodation chamber into the connection pipe, so that a powder puddle is formed in the connection pipe and the waste toner is discharged. A part of the powder pool containing the powder is extruded into the detection chamber.

In the waste toner recovery device, preferably, the guide plate is formed with a gutter-shaped portion having an opening on the upper side in the direction of gravity, and the guide plate has the gutter-shaped portion below the inflow port. Arranged to be located.

In the waste toner recovery device, preferably, the spiral member receives the waste toner flowing in from the inflow port and rotates on the guide plate to move the waste toner toward the connection pipeline.

In the waste toner recovery device, preferably, when a straight line is drawn from the inflow port to directly below in the direction of gravity, the guide plate is arranged so as to intersect the straight line.

In the waste toner collecting device, preferably, the feeding means has an endless belt, and when the belt rotates, the waste toner in the storage chamber is fed to the connecting pipe, and the waste is discharged. The powder puddle containing the toner is formed in the connecting pipeline, and a part of the powder puddle containing the waste toner is extruded into the detection chamber.

In the waste toner recovery device, preferably, the height position of the upper end of the inlet opening of the connection pipe is arranged below the height position of the lower end of the outlet opening of the connection pipe. ..

In the waste toner recovery device, the connection pipeline is preferably arranged above the intermediate portion in the height direction of the accommodation chamber.

In the waste toner collecting device, preferably, the end portion of the feeding means located on the opposite side of the connecting pipeline is arranged below the intermediate portion in the height direction of the accommodation chamber.

In the waste toner collecting device, preferably, the connection pipeline includes a lower extending portion, and the downstream end of the lower extending portion in the direction in which the waste toner is conveyed by the feeding means is set. The lower portion of the outlet opening is formed, and the lower extending portion of the outlet opening is formed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the direction in which the waste toner is conveyed by the feeding means. It has a shape extending in a flat, curved surface, or curved surface shape from a position lower than the height position of the lower end to the position of the lower end of the outlet opening located above the lower end. ..

In the waste toner collecting device, preferably, the connection pipeline includes a downstream portion having a tubular shape, and the downstream end of the downstream portion in the direction in which the waste toner is conveyed by the feeding means is set. The outlet opening is formed, and the downstream portion has a shape in which the cross-sectional area of the passage decreases from the upstream side toward the outlet opening.

In the waste toner collecting device, preferably, the connection pipeline includes an upper extending portion, and the upstream end of the upper extending portion in the direction in which the waste toner is conveyed by the feeding means is the inlet. The upper portion of the opening is formed, the downstream end in the same direction forms the upper portion of the outlet opening, and the middle portion of the upper extending portion in the extending direction is on the upper side. A recessed portion having a shape that is recessed downward from the surface is formed.

According to the above configuration, the communication between the containment chamber and the detection chamber is blocked by the presence of powder puddle, so that waste toner in the containment chamber is prevented from floating and moving into the detection chamber, and the containment chamber is prevented from moving. It is possible to reduce the possibility of erroneous detection that the amount of waste toner contained in the toner exceeds a predetermined amount as compared with the conventional case.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the image forming apparatus 100 in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the waste toner recovery apparatus 30 in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a top view which shows the waste toner recovery apparatus 30 in Embodiment 1, and shows the state seen from the arrow III in FIG. It is a front view which shows the waste toner recovery apparatus 30 in Embodiment 1, and shows the state seen from the arrow IV in FIG. It is a left side view which shows the waste toner recovery apparatus 30 in Embodiment 1, and shows the state seen from the arrow V in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the waste toner recovery apparatus 30 in Embodiment 1, and shows the sectional shape along the VI-VI line in FIG. It is another cross-sectional view which shows the waste toner recovery apparatus 30 in Embodiment 1, and shows the cross-sectional shape along the line VII-VII in FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a region surrounded by VIII line in FIG. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the operation state of the waste toner recovery apparatus 30 in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the waste toner recovery device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the waste toner recovery device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the waste toner recovery device according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the waste toner recovery device according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the waste toner recovery device according to the sixth embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the waste toner recovery apparatus in Embodiment 7. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the waste toner recovery apparatus in Embodiment 8. FIG.

The embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same parts and equivalent parts may be given the same reference number and duplicate explanations may not be repeated.

[Embodiment 1]
(Image forming apparatus 100)
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 includes an apparatus main body 10 and a waste toner collecting device 30 that is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 10.

The apparatus main body 10 includes an image forming unit 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K, an intermediate transfer belt 16, a support roller 17, a secondary transfer roller 18, a cassette 19, a transport roller 20, a fixing device 21, a paper ejection unit 22, and an image reading unit. 23 is included. Each of the image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K has a photoconductor 11, a charging device 12, an exposure device 13, a developing device 14, and a primary transfer roller 15.

The surface of the photoconductor 11 is uniformly charged by the charging device 12. The exposure apparatus 13 is controlled by a control unit (not shown) and exposes the surface of the photoconductor 11 based on the image information from the image reading unit 23 and the image information received from the outside of the apparatus. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 11. When the developing device 14 develops the electrostatic latent image, a toner image corresponding to the image information is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 11 (development process).

The toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 16 at the primary transfer section between the photoconductor 11 and the primary transfer roller 15 (primary transfer process). The intermediate transfer belt 16 is stretched by a plurality of support rollers 17, and travels by receiving a driving force. The toner images formed by each of the image forming portions 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K are superposed on the intermediate transfer belt 16. A secondary transfer portion is formed between the support roller 17 (intermediate transfer belt 16) and the secondary transfer roller 18.

The transport roller 20 forms a paper transport path, and the recording paper P housed in the cassette 19 is fed to the secondary transfer unit through this paper transport path. The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 16 is transferred onto the recording paper P at the secondary transfer section (secondary transfer process). The toner image on the recording paper P is heated and pressurized by the fixing device 21 and fixed on the recording paper P. After that, the recording paper P is discharged to the paper ejection unit 22.

Toner is used in both the development process, the primary transfer process, and the secondary transfer process described above. A part of the toner is discharged as waste toner without being directly used for image formation. The waste toner discharged in at least one of these processes is transported to the waste toner recovery device 30 through a transport means (not shown), and is recovered by the waste toner recovery device 30.

(Waste toner recovery device 30)
The overall configuration of the waste toner recovery device 30 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the waste toner collecting device 30. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the waste toner recovery device 30, and shows a state seen from arrow III in FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view showing the waste toner collecting device 30, and shows the state seen from the arrow IV in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a left side view showing the waste toner collecting device 30, and shows the state seen from the arrow V in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the waste toner recovery device 30, and shows a cross-sectional shape along the VI-VI line in FIG. FIG. 7 is another cross-sectional view showing the waste toner recovery device 30, and shows a cross-sectional shape along the line VII-VII in FIG.

With reference to FIGS. 2 to 8 (mainly FIG. 6), the waste toner collecting device 30 includes a container body having a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole. The container body constitutes the outer shell of the waste toner collecting device 30, and a storage chamber 40, a connecting pipe line 50, a detection chamber 60, and a feeding means 70 are provided in the container body.

The container body of the waste toner collecting device 30 of the present embodiment includes bottom surface portions 41, 61, top surface portions 42, 62, side wall portions 43, 63, front portions 45, 65, and back surface portions 46, 46. A partition wall 44 is provided inside.

(Accommodation room 40 and detection room 60)
The storage chamber 40 is partitioned inside the bottom surface portion 41, the top surface portion 42, the side wall portion 43, the partition wall 44, the front portion 45, and the back surface portion 46. Similarly, the detection chamber 60 is partitioned inside the bottom surface portion 61, the top surface portion 62, the side wall portion 63, the partition wall 44, the front portion 65, and the back surface portion 66. The accommodation chamber 40 and the detection chamber 60 both exhibit a substantially rectangular parallelepiped space, and a partition wall 44 and a connection pipeline 50, which will be described later, are provided between them.

An inflow port 42H (FIG. 3) is provided in a portion of the top surface portion 42 near the side wall portion 43. The accommodation chamber 40 is located below the inflow port 42H and communicates with the inflow port 42H. The storage chamber 40 stores the waste toner (waste toner 80 in FIG. 9) that has flowed in from the device main body 10 of the image forming apparatus 100 (FIG. 1) through the inflow port 42H.

The detection room 60 is provided with a detection window 64. The detection window 64 is formed so as to bulge outward from the side wall portion 63, and the inside of the detection window 64 and the inside of the detection chamber 60 communicate with each other (see FIG. 6). Although the details will be described later, the detection chamber 60 is configured to be able to communicate with the storage chamber 40 via the connection pipe 50, and a part of the waste toner in the storage chamber 40 flows into the detection chamber 60 through the connection pipe 50. To do.

A sensor 24 (FIGS. 3 and 5) is provided on the apparatus main body 10 of the image forming apparatus 100 (FIG. 1). The sensor 24 has a light emitting unit 25 and a light receiving unit 26. When the waste toner collecting device 30 is attached to the device main body 10 (FIG. 1), the detection window 64 of the waste toner collecting device 30 is arranged between the light emitting unit 25 and the light receiving unit 26 (FIG. 3, FIG. 3). FIG. 5).

The detection window 64 is composed of a member capable of transmitting light from the light emitting unit 25 to the light receiving unit 26. When the light is emitted from the light projecting unit 25 toward the light receiving unit 26, the waste toner existing in the detection window 64 blocks the light from the light emitting unit 25 toward the light receiving unit 26. A signal based on the fact that the light is blocked or the light is not blocked is transmitted from the sensor 24 to the main control unit of the image forming apparatus 100 or the like.

Based on the signal received from the sensor 24, the main control unit of the image forming apparatus 100 determines whether or not the amount of waste toner contained in the waste toner collecting device 30 (mainly the accommodation chamber 40) exceeds a predetermined amount. Can be detected. The main control unit shall grasp whether or not the waste toner can be further stored in the waste toner recovery device 30, or whether it is time to replace the waste toner recovery device 30 with a new one. And, if necessary, a message requesting the replacement of the waste toner collecting device 30 may be displayed to the user.

(Connecting pipeline 50)
The connecting pipeline 50 has a hollow shape extending from the inlet opening 57 toward the outlet opening 58 by a predetermined length. The inlet opening 57 of the connecting pipeline 50 is located in the containment chamber 40, and the outlet opening 58 of the connecting pipeline 50 is located in the detection chamber 60. The connection pipeline 50 is provided so as to connect the accommodation chamber 40 and the detection chamber 60, and the detection chamber 60 is configured to be able to communicate with the accommodation chamber 40 via the connection pipeline 50.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a region surrounded by the line VIII in FIG. The connecting pipeline 50 of the present embodiment includes an upstream portion 51 and a downstream portion 52. The upstream portion 51 and the downstream portion 52 both have a tubular shape as a whole. The upstream portion 51 is located on the side of the accommodation chamber 40 when viewed from the partition wall 44, and the end portion of the upstream portion 51 located on the side opposite to the partition wall 44 forms the entrance opening 57. The downstream portion 52 is located on the side of the detection chamber 60 when viewed from the partition wall 44, and the end portion of the downstream portion 52 located on the side opposite to the partition wall 44 forms the outlet opening 58.

The upstream portion 51 includes an upper extending portion 51U and a lower extending portion 51D as its components. The upper extending portion 51U and the lower extending portion 51D both have a half-divided cylindrical shape, and the upper extending portion 51U constitutes the upper half portion of the upstream portion 51 and forms the lower extending portion. The 51D constitutes a portion of the lower half of the upstream portion 51.

The downstream portion 52 also includes an upper extending portion 52U and a lower extending portion 52D as its components. The upper extending portion 52U and the lower extending portion 52D both have a half-divided cylindrical shape, and the upper extending portion 52U constitutes the upper half portion of the downstream portion 52 and forms the lower extending portion. The 52D constitutes a portion of the lower half of the downstream portion 52.

When the waste toner collecting device 30 is attached to the device main body 10 (FIG. 1), the upstream portion 51 is arranged so as to extend slightly upward from the horizontal direction as it approaches the partition wall 44 from the side of the storage chamber 40. Toner. On the other hand, the downstream portion 52 is arranged so as to extend along a direction parallel to the horizontal direction as the distance from the partition wall 44 increases.

(Sending means 70)
With reference mainly to FIG. 6, the feeding means 70 is arranged in the accommodation chamber 40, and waste toner (waste toner 80 in FIG. 9) in the accommodation chamber 40 is detected in the detection chamber 60 via the connection pipeline 50. Send to.

The feeding means 70 of the present embodiment includes a guide plate 71 and a spiral member 72. The guide plate 71 is arranged in the accommodation chamber 40 and is continuously provided in the connecting pipeline 50 (lower extending portion 51D of the upstream portion 51). When a straight line LT is drawn from the inflow port 42H directly below in the direction of gravity, the guide plate 71 is arranged so as to intersect the straight line LT.

The guide plate 71 (FIG. 7) of the present embodiment has a gutter-shaped portion 71A and flange portions 71B and 71C (see also FIG. 3). The gutter-shaped portion 71A is formed in a half-divided cylindrical shape, and is arranged so that the upper side in the direction of gravity opens. When a straight line LT is drawn from the inflow port 42H directly below in the direction of gravity, the gutter-shaped portion 71A is arranged so as to intersect the straight line LT.

The gutter-shaped portion 71A extends diagonally from a position connected to the connecting pipeline 50 (lower extending portion 51D of the upstream portion 51) toward a position between the bottom surface portion 41 and the side wall portion 43. (Fig. 6). The end portion 71T of the gutter-shaped portion 71A located on the side opposite to the connecting pipe line 50 is arranged below the intermediate portion in the height direction in the accommodation chamber 40.

The flange portion 71B has a plate-like shape and is formed so as to extend outward from one upper end of the gutter-shaped portion 71A. The flange portion 71C also has a plate-like shape and is formed so as to extend outward from the other upper end of the gutter-shaped portion 71A.

The gutter-shaped portion 71A and the connecting pipeline 50 (lower extending portion 51D of the upstream portion 51) may be joined to each other after being manufactured from different members, or may be integrally formed in advance. Similarly, for the flange portions 71B and 71C and the connecting pipeline 50, these portions may be joined to each other after being manufactured from different members, or may be integrally formed in advance.

The spiral member 72 is arranged on the gutter-shaped portion 71A of the guide plate 71. The end portion of the spiral member 72 located on the side opposite to the side of the connecting pipeline 50 is also arranged below the intermediate portion in the height direction in the accommodation chamber 40. The spiral member 72 includes a rotating shaft 73 and spiral blades 74 provided around the rotating shaft 73.

The rotating shaft 73 is rotatably supported by a bearing 43V or the like, and rotates by receiving a rotational force from a drive source (not shown). As the spiral blade 74 rotates on the gutter-shaped portion 71A with the rotation of the rotating shaft 73, the spiral member 72 moves the waste toner existing on the gutter-shaped portion 71A toward the connecting pipe line 50 (arrow AR). reference).

With reference to FIG. 9, as described above, the waste toner generated in the apparatus main body 10 of the image forming apparatus 100 (FIG. 1) is conveyed to the waste toner collecting apparatus 30 through a conveying means (not shown) and accommodated through the inflow port 42H. It flows into the room 40. Most of the waste toner 80 dropped into the storage chamber 40 is gradually accumulated so as to form a mountain just below the inflow port 42H.

In the waste toner collecting device 30 of the present embodiment, a powder pool 82 is formed inside the connecting pipeline 50. In the present embodiment, the powder pool 82 is formed inside the connecting pipe line 50 by the feeding means 70. Specifically, the spiral member 72 feeds the waste toner 80 into the connecting pipe 50, so that the powder pool 82 is formed in the connecting pipe 50.

In the present embodiment, the guide plate 71 of the feeding means 70 is arranged so that the gutter-shaped portion 71A is located below the inflow port 42H. When a straight line LT (FIG. 6) is drawn from the inflow port 42H directly below in the direction of gravity, the guide plate 71 (gutter-shaped portion 71A) is arranged so as to intersect the straight line LT.

A part of the waste toner 80 dropped into the storage chamber 40 is loaded on the gutter-shaped portion 71A. The spiral member 72 receives the waste toner 80 loaded on the gutter-shaped portion 71A and the waste toner 80 flowing in from the inflow port 42H, and rotates on the guide plate 71 (gutter-shaped portion 71A) to rotate the waste toner 80. Is moved toward the connecting line 50 in the direction indicated by the arrow AR.

The most downstream portion 74T (conveyance end) of the spiral blade 74 in the direction in which the waste toner 80 is conveyed (arrow AR) is between the position of the inlet opening 57 and the position of the outlet opening 58. Have been placed. Assuming that the blade located on the most downstream side in the direction in which the waste toner of the spiral blades 74 is conveyed (arrow AR) is the most downstream blade 74M, the portion 74T referred to here is the waste toner of the most downstream blades 74M. It is the end located on the most downstream side in the direction in which 80 is conveyed (arrow AR).

The spiral member 72 (spiral blade 74) conveys the waste toner 80 to a place beyond the inlet opening 57 in the connecting pipeline 50. The waste toner 80 that has reached the inside of the connecting line 50 and no longer receives the conveying force from the spiral blade 74 stays in the connecting line 50 and is gradually loaded, gradually becomes larger, and finally becomes larger. A powder puddle 82 is formed.

As mentioned at the beginning, when the waste toner 80 flows into the storage chamber 40 or when the waste toner 80 in the storage chamber 40 receives some external force, the waste toner 80 will be generated unless special measures are taken. As a result, the waste toner 80 may adhere to the detection window 64 of the detection chamber 60 due to scattering and floating. Although the amount of waste toner 80 contained in the storage chamber 40 does not exceed a predetermined amount, the light is blocked by the waste toner 80 adhering to the detection window 64, and the waste toner stored in the storage chamber 40 is blocked. False positives may occur that 80 exceeds a predetermined amount.

On the other hand, the powder pool 82 has a connecting pipe between the inlet opening 57 located on the accommodation chamber 40 side of the connecting pipe 50 and the outlet opening 58 located on the detection chamber 60 side of the connecting pipe 50. It exists so as to block the road 50. The presence of the powder pool 82 blocks communication between the storage chamber 40 and the detection chamber 60, and prevents waste toner in the storage chamber 40 from floating and moving into the detection chamber 60.

Therefore, even if the waste toner 80 scatters and floats when the waste toner 80 flows into the storage chamber 40 or when the waste toner 80 in the storage chamber 40 receives some external force, the detection window of the detection chamber 60 Adhesion of the waste toner 80 to 64 is effectively suppressed. Even though the amount of waste toner 80 contained in the storage chamber 40 does not exceed a predetermined amount, a false detection that the amount of waste toner 80 stored in the storage chamber 40 exceeds a predetermined amount may occur. There is almost no sex.

The feeding means 70 (spiral member 72) of the present embodiment has a function of feeding waste toner 80 toward the inside of the connecting pipeline 50 to form a powder puddle 82, and waste in the storage chamber 40. When the toner 80 becomes a pile and reaches the position of the spiral member 72, it also has a function of breaking the pile of the waste toner 80 and spreading it evenly, and stores the waste toner 80 in the storage chamber 40. The rate (space usage rate) is being improved. Further, the feeding means 70 (spiral member 72) also has a function of forming a mountain in the accommodating chamber 40 and transporting the waste toner 80 that has reached the position of the spiral member 72 to the connecting pipeline 50. ..

When the waste toner 80 is further fed into the connecting pipe 50 by the feeding means 70 (spiral member 72) in a state where the powder pool 82 is formed in the connecting pipe 50, the powder containing the waste toner 80 is contained. A part of the body pool 82 is pushed into the detection chamber 60 by the waste toner 80 sent later. The powder pool 82 of the present embodiment is formed so that the waste toner 80 in the storage chamber 40 is pushed into the connecting pipe line 50 by the spiral member 72.

Therefore, inside the connecting pipeline 50, the waste toner 80 is formed in a compressed state (a state in which the waste toner 80 is compacted and the fluidity is reduced) to form a powder pool 82. When a part of the powder puddle 82 containing the waste toner 80 is extruded into the detection chamber 60, a part of the powder puddle 82 containing the waste toner 80 is compressed as a lump having a certain size. It flows into the detection chamber 60 in the same state as it is. Compared to the case where the waste toner 80 falls into the detection chamber 60 with high fluidity, the waste toner 80 is suppressed from scattering and floating in the detection chamber 60, and the detection window of the detection chamber 60 is suppressed. The possibility that the waste toner 80 adheres to 64 is further reduced. Further, by accommodating the waste toner 80 in the detection chamber 60 in a compressed state, it is possible to improve the accommodating rate (space usage rate) of the waste toner 80 in the detection chamber 60.

(Modification example)
In the first embodiment described above, the spiral member 72 feeds the waste toner 80 in the storage chamber 40 into the connecting pipe 50, so that the powder pool 82 is formed in the connecting pipe 50. The powder pool 82 may be one in which the waste toner collecting device 30 is already formed in the inside of the connecting pipe line 50 in a so-called new state.

In the first embodiment described above, the guide plate 71 of the feeding means 70 is formed with a gutter-shaped portion 71A having an opening on the upper side in the direction of gravity, and the guide plate 71 has a gutter-shaped portion 71A. It is arranged so as to be located below the inflow port 42H. If the spiral member 72 can convey the waste toner 80 to the connecting pipeline 50, the gutter-shaped portion 71A of the guide plate 71 does not necessarily have to be formed or arranged so as to be located below the inflow port 42H.

In the first embodiment described above, the spiral member 72 receives the waste toner 80 flowing in from the inflow port 42H and rotates on the guide plate 71 to move the waste toner 80 toward the connecting pipe line 50. If the spiral member 72 can convey the waste toner 80 toward the connecting line 50, the spiral member 72 does not necessarily directly receive the waste toner 80 flowing in from the inflow port 42H and move toward the connecting line 50. For example, the waste toner 80 once accumulated in the storage chamber 40 may be moved toward the connecting pipe 50.

In the first embodiment described above, when a straight line LT is drawn from the inflow port 42H directly below in the direction of gravity, the guide plate 71 is arranged so as to intersect the straight line LT. If the spiral member 72 can convey the waste toner 80 to the connecting pipeline 50, the guide plate 71 does not necessarily have to be arranged so as to intersect the straight line LT.

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the waste toner recovery device according to the second embodiment. Embodiments 1 and 2 differ in the following points. In the first embodiment (FIG. 8), the portion 74T (conveyance end) located on the most downstream side in the direction in which the waste toner 80 of the spiral blades 74 is conveyed (arrow AR) is the position of the inlet opening 57. It is arranged between the position of the exit opening 58 and the position of the exit opening 58.

In the second embodiment (FIG. 10), the portion 74T (conveyance end) located on the most downstream side in the direction in which the waste toner 80 of the spiral blades 74 is conveyed (arrow AR) is the position of the inlet opening 57. It is arranged to match. According to this configuration, the spiral member 72 (spiral blade 74) conveys the waste toner 80 to the inlet opening 57 in the connecting pipeline 50.

The waste toner 80 that has reached the inlet opening 57 and no longer receives the conveying force from the spiral blade 74 stays inside the connecting pipeline 50 immediately ahead (downstream side) of the inlet opening 57 and is gradually loaded. It gradually grows and finally forms a powder puddle 82. Therefore, even with this configuration, it is possible to obtain the same actions and effects as those in the first embodiment described above.

The configuration of the second embodiment can be implemented in combination with various technical ideas disclosed in the first embodiment.

[Embodiment 3]
FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the waste toner recovery device according to the third embodiment. The first and third embodiments differ in the following points.

The uppermost portion of the outlet opening 58 of the connecting pipeline 50 is defined as the upper end 58U, and the lowermost portion of the outlet opening 58 of the connecting pipeline 50 is defined as the lower end 58D. The uppermost portion of the inlet opening 57 of the connecting pipeline 50 is defined as the upper end 57U, and the lowermost portion of the inlet opening 57 of the connecting pipeline 50 is defined as the lower end 57D. To do.

(Structure 1)
In the present embodiment, assuming that the locus E is formed by rotating the outer peripheral portion of the most downstream blade 74M of the spiral blade 74, the height position of the upper end EU of the locus E is the outlet opening of the connecting pipeline 50. It is arranged below the height position of the lower end 58D of the portion 58. According to this configuration, when the waste toner 80 advances toward the detection chamber 60 in the connection pipeline 50, the presence of the lower extending portion 52D acts as a large resistance, so that the powder pool 82 is connected. It can be easily formed inside the pipeline 50.

(Structure 2)
Further, in the present embodiment, the height position of the upper end 57U of the inlet opening 57 of the connecting pipe 50 is arranged below the height position of the lower end 58D of the outlet opening 58 of the connecting pipe 50. ing. Even with this configuration, when the waste toner 80 advances toward the detection chamber 60 in the connecting pipe 50, the presence of the lower extending portion 52D acts as a large resistance, so that the powder pool 82 is connected to the connecting pipe. It can be easily formed inside the road 50.

(Structure 3)
Further, in the present embodiment, the downstream end of the lower extending portion 52D of the connecting pipeline 50 in the direction (arrow AR) in which the waste toner 80 is conveyed by the feeding means 70 (spiral member 72) is The lower portion of the outlet opening 58 is formed, and the lower extending portion 52D is from the upstream side to the downstream side in the direction (arrow AR) in which the waste toner 80 is conveyed by the feeding means 70 (spiral member 72). It has a shape extending in a plane from a position lower than the height position of the lower end 58D of the outlet opening 58 toward the position of the lower end 58D of the exit opening located above it. ing. Even with this configuration, when the waste toner 80 advances toward the detection chamber 60 in the connecting pipe 50, the presence of the lower extending portion 52D acts as a large resistance, so that the powder pool 82 is connected to the connecting pipe. It can be easily formed inside the road 50. The lower extending portion 52D has a height of the lower end 58D of the outlet opening 58 as the waste toner 80 is conveyed by the feeding means 70 (spiral member 72) from the upstream side to the downstream side (arrow AR). It may have a shape extending in a curved surface shape from a position lower than the position toward the position of the lower end 58D of the outlet opening located above the position.

In the above configurations 1, 2 and 3, one of these may be implemented independently, or two of these may be implemented in combination. The above configurations 1, 2 and 3 can also be implemented in combination with various technical ideas disclosed in the first and second embodiments.

[Embodiment 4]
FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the waste toner recovery device according to the fourth embodiment. Embodiments 3 and 4 differ in the following points.

In the present embodiment, the connecting pipeline 50 includes a downstream portion 52 having a tubular shape, and of the downstream portion 52, the waste toner 80 is conveyed by the feeding means 70 (spiral member 72). The downstream end in the direction (arrow AR) forms the outlet opening 58, and the downstream portion 52 has a shape in which the passage cross-sectional area decreases from the upstream side toward the exit opening 58. Even with this configuration, when the waste toner 80 advances toward the detection chamber 60 in the connection pipeline 50, the presence of a shape having a small passage cross-sectional area acts as a large resistance, so that the powder pool 82 is connected. It can be easily formed inside the pipeline 50. The configuration can also be implemented in combination with various technical ideas disclosed in the first to third embodiments.

[Embodiment 5]
FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the waste toner recovery device according to the fifth embodiment. Embodiments 3 and 5 differ in the following points.

In the present embodiment, the lower extending portion 52D has an outlet opening as the waste toner 80 is conveyed by the feeding means 70 (spiral member 72) from the upstream side to the downstream side (arrow AR). It has a shape extending in a bent surface shape from a position lower than the height position of the lower end 58D of 58 toward the position of the lower end 58D of the outlet opening located above it, and extends downward. A vertical wall 52W is provided on the existing portion 52D. When the waste toner 80 advances toward the detection chamber 60 in the connecting pipe 50, the presence of the vertical wall 52W acts as a large resistance. Therefore, even with this configuration, the powder pool 82 is placed inside the connecting pipe 50. Can be easily formed. The configuration can also be implemented in combination with the various technical ideas disclosed in Embodiments 1-4.

[Embodiment 6]
FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the waste toner recovery device according to the sixth embodiment. Embodiments 4 and 6 differ in the following points.

In the present embodiment, the connecting pipeline 50 includes the upper extending portions 51U and 52U, and of the upper extending portions 51U and 52U, the waste toner 80 is conveyed by the feeding means 70 (spiral member 72). The upstream end in the direction (arrow AR) forms the upper portion of the inlet opening 57, the downstream end in the same direction forms the upper portion of the exit opening 58, and the upper extending portion 51U. , 52U, a recessed portion 58J having a shape of recessing from the upper side to the lower side is formed in the middle portion in the extending direction. The passage cross-sectional area of the connecting pipe 50 is locally narrowed due to the presence of the recessed portion 58J, and the powder pool 82 can be easily formed inside the connecting pipe 50 even with this configuration. The configuration can also be implemented in combination with the various technical ideas disclosed in Embodiments 1-5.

[Embodiment 7]
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the waste toner recovery device according to the seventh embodiment. Embodiments 1 and 7 differ in the following points.

(Structure A)
In the present embodiment, the spiral member 72 as the feeding means 70 includes the rotating shaft 73, and the first spiral blade 74A and the second spiral blade 74B provided around the rotating shaft 73. The first spiral blade 74A and the second spiral blade 74B are arranged apart from each other in the direction in which the waste toner is conveyed (arrow AR). In the spiral member 72, the portion of the spiral member 72 where the spiral blade is not provided between the first spiral blade 74A and the second spiral blade 74B is the position of the inlet opening 57 and the outlet opening of the connecting pipeline 50. It is arranged so as to be located between the position of the portion 58 and the position of the portion 58.

Even with this configuration, the spiral member 72 (first spiral blade 74A) conveys the waste toner to a place beyond the inlet opening 57 in the connecting pipeline 50. The waste toner that has reached the connection line 50 and no longer receives the conveying force from the spiral blade 74 stays in the connection line 50 (between the first spiral blade 74A and the second spiral blade 74B). Then, it is gradually loaded, gradually becomes larger, and finally forms a powder puddle 82.

The presence of the powder pool 82 blocks communication between the storage chamber 40 and the detection chamber 60, and prevents waste toner in the storage chamber 40 from floating and moving into the detection chamber 60. Therefore, it is possible to obtain substantially the same actions and effects as those of the above-described embodiment. When the waste toner is further fed into the connection pipe 50 by the feeding means 70 (first spiral blade 74A) in the state where the powder pool 82 is formed in the connection pipe 50, the powder containing the waste toner is powder. A part of the body pool 82 is pushed to the position of the second spiral blade 74B by the waste toner sent later, and is pushed out into the detection chamber 60 by receiving the conveying force from the second spiral blade 74B.

(Structure B)
Further, in the present embodiment, the connecting pipeline 50 is arranged above the intermediate portion in the height direction in the accommodation chamber 40. With this configuration, substantially the same actions and effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

(Structure C)
Further, in the present embodiment, the gutter-shaped portion 71A of the guide plate 71 extends substantially horizontally from the position connected to the connecting pipeline 50 (the lower extending portion 51D of the upstream portion 51). The spiral member 72 also extends in a substantially horizontal direction. With this configuration, substantially the same actions and effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

In the above-described configurations A, B, and C, one of these may be implemented independently, or two of these may be implemented in combination. The above configurations A, B, and C can also be implemented in combination with various technical ideas disclosed in the first to sixth embodiments.

[Embodiment 8]
FIG. 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the waste toner recovery device according to the eighth embodiment. Embodiments 1 and 8 differ in the following points.

In the present embodiment, the feeding means 70 has an endless belt 76 and a pair of rollers 77 on which the belt 76 is stretched, instead of the spiral member 72 in the above-described first embodiment. When the belt 76 rotates, the waste toner in the storage chamber 40 is sent to the connecting pipe 50, and a powder pool 82 containing the waste toner is formed in the connecting pipe 50, and the powder containing the waste toner is formed. A part of the body pool 82 is pushed into the detection chamber 60.

That is, instead of using the spiral member 72, or in addition to using the spiral member 72, an endless belt 76 may be used as the feeding means 70 for feeding the waste toner to the connecting pipe line 50. With this configuration, substantially the same actions and effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained. The ideas disclosed in the present embodiment can also be implemented in combination with various technical ideas disclosed in the first to seventh embodiments.

Although the embodiments and modifications have been described above, the above disclosure contents are examples in all respects and are not restrictive. The technical scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

The present invention is industrially applicable to waste toner recovery devices.

10 Device body, 10C, 10K, 10M, 10Y Image forming unit, 11 Photoreceptor, 12 Charging device, 13 Exposure device, 14 Developer, 15 Primary transfer roller, 16 Intermediate transfer belt, 17 Support roller, 18 Secondary transfer Roller, 19 cassette, 20 transport roller, 21 fixing device, 22 paper ejection part, 23 image reading part, 24 sensor, 25 light emitting part, 26 light receiving part, 30 waste toner collecting device, 40 storage chamber, 41, 61 bottom part , 42,62 Top surface, 42H inlet, 43,63 Side wall, 43V bearing, 44 partition wall, 45,65 front, 46,66 back, 50 pipeline, 51 upstream, 51D, 52D downward extension Current part, 51U, 52U Upper extension part, 52 downstream part, 52W bearing wall, 57 entrance opening, 57D, 58D lower end, 57U, 58U, EU upper end, 58 exit opening, 58J recess, 60 detection chamber, 64 detection Window, 70 Feeding means, 71 Guide plate, 71A Gutter-shaped part, 71B, 71C Flange part, 71T end part, 72 Spiral member, 73 Rotating shaft, 74 Spiral blade, 74A 1st spiral blade, 74B 2nd spiral blade, 74M most downstream blade, 74T part, 76 belt, 77 roller, 80 waste toner, 82 powder pool, 100 image forming device, AR, III, IV, V arrow, E trajectory, LT straight line, P recording paper.

Claims (13)

A waste toner recovery device mounted on the main body of an image forming device.
A storage chamber that communicates with the inflow port and stores waste toner that has flowed in from the device body through the inflow port.
A connecting pipeline having a hollow shape extending with a predetermined length and connected to the storage chamber,
A detection chamber having a detection window and being able to communicate with the accommodation chamber via the connection pipe,
It is provided with a feeding means which is arranged in the containment chamber and sends the waste toner in the containment chamber into the detection chamber via the connection pipeline.
The feeding means is arranged in the accommodation chamber and is arranged on the guide plate connected to the connection pipe, and is arranged on the guide plate and rotates on the guide plate to transfer the waste toner to the connection pipe. Has a spiral member that moves towards the road,
The spiral member includes a rotating shaft and spiral blades provided around the rotating shaft.
With the waste toner collecting device mounted on the device main body, the detection window is irradiated with light for detecting whether or not the amount of waste toner contained in the storage chamber exceeds a predetermined amount.
A powder puddle exists between the inlet opening located on the accommodation chamber side of the connecting pipe and the outlet opening located on the detection chamber side of the connecting pipe so as to block the connecting pipe. By doing so, the communication between the accommodation chamber and the detection chamber is blocked by the powder pool, and the waste toner in the accommodation chamber is prevented from floating and moving into the detection chamber. It ’s a thing,
The portion of the spiral blade located on the most downstream side in the direction in which the waste toner is conveyed is arranged so as to match the position of the inlet opening, or the position of the inlet opening and the said. It is located between the position of the exit opening and
Assuming that the blade located on the most downstream side of the spiral blades in the direction in which the waste toner is conveyed is the most downstream blade,
The height position of the upper end of the locus formed by the rotation of the outer peripheral portion of the most downstream blade is arranged below the height position of the lower end of the outlet opening of the connection pipeline.
Waste toner collection device. The spiral member includes a rotation shaft and a first spiral blade and a second spiral blade provided around the rotation shaft.
The first spiral blade and the second spiral blade are arranged apart from each other in the direction in which the waste toner is conveyed.
In the spiral member, the portion of the spiral member in which the spiral blade is not provided between the first spiral blade and the second spiral blade is the position of the inlet opening and the position of the outlet opening. Arranged to be located between,
The waste toner collecting device according to claim 1. When the spiral member feeds the waste toner in the accommodation chamber into the connecting pipeline, the powder pool is formed in the connecting pipeline, and a part of the powder pool containing the waste toner is formed. Extruded into the detection chamber,
The waste toner recovery device according to claim 1 or 2. The guide plate is formed with a gutter-shaped portion having a shape in which the upper side in the direction of gravity is open.
The waste toner collecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the guide plate is arranged so that the gutter-shaped portion is located below the inflow port. The spiral member receives the waste toner flowing in from the inflow port and rotates on the guide plate to move the waste toner toward the connection pipeline.
The waste toner collecting device according to claim 4. When a straight line is drawn from the inlet to directly below in the direction of gravity, the guide plate is arranged so as to intersect the straight line.
The waste toner collecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The feeding means has an endless belt and has an endless belt.
When the belt rotates, the waste toner in the storage chamber is sent to the connection pipeline, a powder pool containing the waste toner is formed in the connection pipeline, and the waste toner is transferred. A part of the powder pool containing the powder is extruded into the detection chamber.
The waste toner collecting device according to claim 1. A waste toner recovery device mounted on the main body of an image forming device.
A storage chamber that communicates with the inflow port and stores waste toner that has flowed in from the device body through the inflow port.
A connecting pipeline having a hollow shape extending with a predetermined length and connected to the storage chamber,
A detection chamber having a detection window and being able to communicate with the accommodation chamber via the connection pipe,
It is provided with a feeding means which is arranged in the containment chamber and sends the waste toner in the containment chamber into the detection chamber via the connection pipeline.
With the waste toner collecting device mounted on the device main body, the detection window is irradiated with light for detecting whether or not the amount of waste toner contained in the storage chamber exceeds a predetermined amount.
Present as accumulate powder between the outlet opening located in the detection chamber side of the inlet opening located in the housing chamber side of the front Symbol connecting pipeline the connection conduit is closed the connection conduit By doing so, the communication between the accommodation chamber and the detection chamber is blocked by the powder pool, and the waste toner in the accommodation chamber is prevented from floating and moving into the detection chamber. It ’s a thing,
The height position of the upper end of the inlet opening of the connecting pipe is arranged below the height position of the lower end of the outlet opening of the connecting pipe .
Waste toner collection device. The connecting pipeline is arranged above the intermediate portion in the height direction of the accommodation chamber.
The waste toner collecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The end of the feeding means located on the opposite side of the connecting pipeline is arranged below the intermediate portion in the height direction of the accommodation chamber.
The waste toner collecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. The connecting line includes a lower extension
Of the lower extending portion, the downstream end in the direction in which the waste toner is conveyed by the feeding means forms the lower portion of the outlet opening.
The lower extending portion is higher than the height position of the lower end of the outlet opening as the waste toner is conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side by the feeding means. It has a shape extending in a plane shape, a bent surface shape, or a curved surface shape toward the position of the lower end of the outlet opening located at.
The waste toner collecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 10. The connecting pipeline includes a downstream portion having a tubular shape and includes a downstream portion.
Of the downstream portion, the downstream end in the direction in which the waste toner is conveyed by the feeding means forms the outlet opening.
The downstream portion has a shape in which the cross-sectional area of the passage decreases from the upstream side toward the outlet opening.
The waste toner collecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 11. A waste toner recovery device mounted on the main body of an image forming device.
A storage chamber that communicates with the inflow port and stores waste toner that has flowed in from the device body through the inflow port.
A connecting pipeline having a hollow shape extending with a predetermined length and connected to the storage chamber,
A detection chamber having a detection window and being able to communicate with the accommodation chamber via the connection pipe,
It is provided with a feeding means which is arranged in the containment chamber and sends the waste toner in the containment chamber into the detection chamber via the connection pipeline.
With the waste toner collecting device mounted on the device main body, the detection window is irradiated with light for detecting whether or not the amount of waste toner contained in the storage chamber exceeds a predetermined amount.
Present as accumulate powder between the outlet opening located in the detection chamber side of the inlet opening located in the housing chamber side of the front Symbol connecting pipeline the connection conduit is closed the connection conduit By doing so, the communication between the accommodation chamber and the detection chamber is blocked by the powder pool, and the waste toner in the accommodation chamber is prevented from floating and moving into the detection chamber. It ’s a thing,
The connecting line includes an upper extension and includes an upper extension.
Of the upper extending portion, the upstream end in the direction in which the waste toner is conveyed by the feeding means forms the upper portion of the inlet opening, and the downstream end in the same direction is the outlet opening. Forming the upper part of
A recess having a shape of denting from the upper side to the lower side is formed in the middle portion of the upper extending portion in the extending direction .
Waste toner collection device.

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