JP6972505B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a printer, a facsimile, or a multifunction device thereof.

Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a printer, a facsimile, or a multifunction device thereof, in addition to a four-color (for YMCB) image forming unit for forming a normal color image, white or transparent. It is widely known that image forming portions for special colors such as colors are arranged side by side (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Specifically, in the image forming apparatus in Patent Document 1, five photoconductor drums (image carriers) are arranged side by side so as to face the intermediate transfer belt, and latent images formed on the five photoconductor drums are respectively. Five developing devices for developing are installed. The five developing devices are a developing device for four colors (for YMCB) for forming a normal color image and a developing device for special colors such as white and transparent colors, and the corresponding photoconductor drums are used. It will form a toner image of the color corresponding to the surface of. Then, the toner images formed on the surfaces of the five photoconductor drums are superimposed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt and primary transferred, and the further superimposed toner images (color images) are secondarily transferred to the sheet. become.

Further, in the image forming apparatus in Patent Document 1, five developer containers (toner containers) are installed corresponding to the five developing apparatus. In addition, five tubes (transport paths) for supplying the developer (toner) contained in the five developer containers to each of the five developing devices are installed.
Specifically, the developer discharged from the developer container is temporarily stored in the storage unit. A flexible tube is connected between the storage unit and the transfer pump installed in the sub hopper (supplied unit). Then, when the transfer pump operates, the developer stored in the storage section is conveyed to the sub hopper (supplied section) via the tube. The developer transported and stored in the sub hopper is discharged from the discharge port of the sub hopper by rotationally driving the transport screw installed in the sub hopper, and is appropriately supplied to the developing apparatus. Then, the latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum is developed by a developing apparatus in which a developing agent is appropriately supplied and an appropriate amount of the developing agent is contained.

On the other hand, in Patent Document 1, when the arrangement of a plurality of developing devices and sub hoppers (supplied parts) is changed in order to change the order of toner colors superimposed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt, a developer is applied to each of the plurality of sub hoppers. Disclosed is a technique for changing the arrangement of a plurality of tubes without changing the arrangement of a plurality of tubes (transportation paths) or a plurality of developer containers connected to replenish the tubing.

Since the conventional image forming apparatus changes the arrangement of a plurality of supplied portions, when changing the arrangement of a plurality of conveyed portions, the transport path is connected to a supplied portion different from the target supplied portion. There was a possibility that it would end up. If such a connection error of the transport path occurs, a developer of a different color is supplied from the developer container to the supplied portion.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and when changing the arrangement of a plurality of transport paths, the transport path is connected to a supply section different from the target supply section. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus which is less likely to cause a problem.

The image forming apparatus in the present invention includes a plurality of developer containers each containing a developer, a plurality of transport paths directly or indirectly connected to the plurality of developer containers, and the plurality of transport paths. Of the plurality of transport path side joint portions connected to the downstream side openings of the above, the joint holding portions in which the plurality of transport path side joint portions are held at different holding positions, and the plurality of transport path side joint portions. It is provided with a plurality of supplied portions, each of which is provided with a supplied portion side joint portion that can be connected to the transport path side joint portion.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that is less likely to cause a problem of connecting a transport path to a supplied section different from the target supplied section when changing the distribution of a plurality of transport paths. Can be done.

It is an overall block diagram which shows the image forming apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the neighborhood of a process cartridge. It is an overall block diagram which shows the developer replenishing apparatus for color color. It is sectional drawing which shows the transfer pump and a sub hopper. It is an overall block diagram which shows the developer replenishing apparatus for spot color and black. (A) A schematic diagram showing a state in which the developer container for color color and black is attached to and detached from the developer replenisher device, and (A) the developer container for special color is attached to the developer replenisher device together with the storage unit. It is a schematic diagram showing a state of being attached and detached. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state which the transfer pump, the sub hopper, and the developing apparatus are attached to and detached from the developer replenishing apparatus, respectively. (A) A schematic diagram showing the arrangement of each member when the toner image is first transferred in the order of spot color, color color, and black from the upstream side in the traveling direction with respect to the intermediate transfer belt, and (B) with respect to the intermediate transfer belt. It is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of each member at the time of primary transfer of a toner image in the order of black, color color, and spot color from the upstream side in the traveling direction. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state which the tube is connected to the sub hopper. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation of the opening / closing member in the transport path side joint part. It is the schematic which shows the state which the transfer pump and the sub hopper, and the developing apparatus are connected as a modification.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and the duplicated description thereof will be appropriately simplified or omitted.

First, FIGS. 1 and 2 will explain the overall configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus 100.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a printer as an image forming apparatus, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a vicinity of the process cartridge 6Y.
As shown in FIG. 1, toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K, and 32S, which are five different types of substantially tubular developer containers, can be attached to and detached from the upper one end side of the image forming apparatus main body 100. The installed developer replenishing devices 90Y, 90M, 90C, 90K, 90S (toner replenishing devices) are installed side by side. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C (developer replenisher 90Y, 90M, 90C) corresponding to the three colors (yellow, magenta, and cyan) for color are the most on the left. From the left, yellow, magenta, and cyan are installed in this order. A toner container 32K (developer replenisher 90K) corresponding to black color is installed on the right side thereof, and a toner container 32S (developer agent replenishment device 90S) corresponding to the spot color is installed on the rightmost side. ing.
In particular, the toner container 32S corresponding to the spot color is often replaced with another type of toner container 32S for the spot color according to the user's application before all the toner contained therein is consumed. Since the replacement frequency is higher than that of other toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K, it is arranged at the rightmost position where the replacement work is easy.
Then, in the present embodiment, the order (arrangement) of each of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K, 32S and the developer replenishing device 90Y, 90M, 90C, 90K, 90S is variable. It is set not to be done.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 3 and the like, the three color developer replenishing devices 90Y, 90M, and 90C are the colors contained in the color toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C (developer container), respectively. The purpose is to replenish the toners (developer) of yellow, magenta, and cyan) to the color developing devices 5Y, 5M, and 5C, respectively.
Further, referring to FIGS. 1, 5 and the like, the black developer replenishing device 90K uses the black toner (developer) contained in the black toner container 32K (developer container) for black. It is for replenishing the developing device 5Y.
Further, the spot color developer replenishing device 90S is for replenishing the spot color toner (developer) contained in the spot color toner container 32S (developer container) to the spot color developer 5S. ..

Known black toners, color toners (yellow toner, magenta toner, cyan toner), and special toners can be used.
In particular, special toners are different from black toners and color toners, and are known as clear toners (transparent toners, colorless toners, achromatic toners, no pigment toners, etc.), white toners, and white toners according to the user's application. Gold toner, silver toner, or the like can be used.

With reference to FIG. 1, five exposure units 7Y, 7M, 7C, 7K, and 7S are installed on the upper part of the image forming apparatus main body 1, respectively, and each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, black, and spot color) is installed below the exposure units 7Y, 7M, 7C, 7K, and 7S, respectively. ) Corresponding process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K, 6S (developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, 5S) are arranged side by side so as to face the intermediate transfer belt unit 15 (intermediate transfer belt 8). There is.
As shown in FIG. 1, the basic order (arrangement) of the five process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K, 6S (developing apparatus 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, 5S) is the running of the intermediate transfer belt 8. From the upstream side in the direction, the special color process cartridge 6S (developer 5S), the yellow process cartridge 6Y (developer 5Y), the magenta process cartridge 6M (developer 5M), and the cyan process cartridge 6C (developer). 5C), a black process cartridge 6K (developer 5K). The order (array) is configured so that it can be appropriately changed according to the user's usage.
In particular, in the present embodiment, with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B, a black process cartridge 6K (developer 5K) and a spot color process cartridge 6S (developer 5S) are used. It is configured so that the arrangement of, can be changed.

The special color toner is not limited to one type, and different types of special color toner containers 32S are often replaced as appropriate according to the user's application. For example, it is a case where the toner container 32S for clear toner is replaced with the toner container 32S for white toner.
Then, in such a case, the arrangement order (arrangement) of the spot color process cartridges 6S (developerable apparatus 5S) is arranged from the most upstream side in the traveling direction to the most downstream in the traveling direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8 according to the type of the spot color toner. It may be better to change to the side. For example, when a clear toner is used as the special color toner, it is desirable that the clear toner is first transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 because it is used for the purpose of improving the glossiness of the image. As shown in A), the special color process cartridge 6S (developer 5S) is arranged at the uppermost stream in the traveling direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8. On the other hand, when white toner is used as the special color toner, it is used for the purpose of forming an image on a non-white colored sheet P, so that it may be secondarily transferred to the bottom layer on the sheet P. Desirably, as shown in FIG. 8B, the special color process cartridge 6S (developer 5S) is arranged at the most downstream of the intermediate transfer belt 8 in the traveling direction. Then, with the change in the arrangement (installation position) of the special color process cartridge 6S (developer 5S), the arrangement of the black process cartridge 6K (developer 5K) is changed so as to be replaced. Become. Further, these replacement operations are manually performed by a user (or a serviceman) based on an operation manual displayed on a display panel installed on the exterior portion of the image forming apparatus 100.
Such a change in the arrangement of the black process cartridge 6K (developer 5K) and the spot color process cartridge 6S (developer 5S) will be described in more detail later.

With reference to FIG. 2, the process cartridge 6Y corresponding to yellow includes a photoconductor drum 1Y as an image carrier, a charging device 4Y, a developing device 5Y, and a cleaning device 2Y arranged around the photoconductor drum 1Y. It is an integrated unit (detachable unit). Then, an image forming process (charging step, exposure step, developing step, transfer step, cleaning step) is performed on the photoconductor drum 1Y, and a yellow image is formed on the photoconductor drum 1Y.

The other four process cartridges 6M, 6C, 6K, and 6S also have almost the same configuration as the process cartridge 6Y corresponding to yellow, except that the color (type) of the toner used is different. An image corresponding to the toner color is formed. Hereinafter, the description of the other four process cartridges 6M, 6C, 6K, and 6S will be appropriately omitted, and only the process cartridge 6Y corresponding to yellow will be described.

With reference to FIG. 2, the photoconductor drum 1Y as an image carrier is rotationally driven counterclockwise by a drive motor. Then, the surface of the photoconductor drum 1Y is uniformly charged at the position of the charging device 4Y (the charging step).
After that, the surface of the photoconductor drum 1Y reaches the irradiation position of the laser beam L emitted from the exposure unit 7Y (writing device), and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to yellow is formed by exposure scanning at this position. (It is an exposure process.).

After that, the surface of the photoconductor drum 1Y reaches a position facing the developing device 5Y, and the electrostatic latent image is developed at this position to form a yellow toner image (a developing step).
After that, the surface of the photoconductor drum 1Y reaches a position facing the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the primary transfer roller 9Y, and at this position, the toner image on the photoconductor drum 1Y is on the intermediate transfer belt 8 as an intermediate transfer body. (It is a primary transfer step). At this time, a small amount of untransferred toner remains on the photoconductor drum 1Y.

After that, the surface of the photoconductor drum 1Y reaches a position facing the cleaning device 2Y, and the untransferred toner remaining on the photoconductor drum 1Y at this position is collected in the cleaning device 2Y by the cleaning blade 2a (cleaning). It is a process.).
Finally, the surface of the photoconductor drum 1Y reaches a position facing the static elimination device, and the residual potential on the photoconductor drum 1 is removed at this position.
In this way, a series of image forming processes performed on the photoconductor drum 1Y is completed.

The image forming process described above is performed on the other process cartridges 6M, 6C, 6K, and 6S in the same manner as the yellow process cartridge 6Y. That is, the laser beam L based on the image information is directed onto the photoconductor drums of the process cartridges 6M, 6C, 6K, and 6S from the exposed units 7M, 7C, 7K, and 7S arranged above the process cartridge. Is irradiated. Specifically, the exposure unit emits a laser beam L from a light source, scans the laser beam L with a rotation-driven polygon mirror, and irradiates the photoconductor drum via a plurality of optical elements.
After that, the toner images of each color formed on each photoconductor drum through the development step are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 and primary transfer is performed. In this way, a desired color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

The intermediate transfer belt unit 15 (intermediate transfer belt device) includes an intermediate transfer belt 8 as an intermediate transfer body, five primary transfer rollers (9Y), a drive roller, a secondary transfer opposed roller, a plurality of tension rollers, and cleaning. It consists of an opposed roller, an intermediate transfer cleaning device, and the like. The intermediate transfer belt 8 (intermediate transfer body) is stretched and supported by a plurality of roller members, and is endlessly moved in the arrow direction (clockwise direction) in FIG. 1 by rotational drive of one roller member (drive roller). ..

Each of the five primary transfer rollers (9Y) has an intermediate transfer belt 8 sandwiched between the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the photoconductor drum (1Y) to form a primary transfer nip. Then, a transfer voltage (primary transfer bias) opposite to the polarity of the toner is applied to the primary transfer roller (9Y).
Then, the intermediate transfer belt 8 travels in the direction of the arrow and sequentially passes through the primary transfer nip of the primary transfer roller (9Y). In this way, the toner images of each color on the photoconductor drum (1Y) are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 and primary transfer is performed.

After that, the intermediate transfer belt 8 on which the toner images of each color are superimposed and transferred reaches the position facing the secondary transfer roller 19. At this position, the secondary transfer facing roller sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 8 with the secondary transfer roller 19 to form a secondary transfer nip. Then, the four-color toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are transferred onto the sheet P of the paper or the like conveyed to the position of the secondary transfer nip. At this time, untransferred toner that has not been transferred to the sheet P remains on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

After that, the intermediate transfer belt 8 reaches the position of the intermediate transfer cleaning device. Then, at this position, the untransferred toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is removed.
In this way, a series of transfer processes performed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is completed.

Here, referring to FIG. 1, the sheet P transported to the position of the secondary transfer nip is transferred from the paper feed unit 26 (paper feed cassette) arranged below the apparatus main body 100 to the paper feed roller 27 and the paper feed roller 27. It is transported via the transport path K1 in which the resist roller pair 28 and the like are arranged.
Specifically, a plurality of sheets P are stacked and stored in the paper feed unit 26. Then, when the paper feed roller 27 is rotationally driven in the counterclockwise direction of FIG. 1, the top sheet P is fed between the rollers of the resist roller vs. 28.

The sheet P conveyed to the resist roller pair 28 (timing roller pair) temporarily stops at the position of the roller nip of the resist roller pair 28 that has stopped the rotational drive. Then, the resist roller pair 28 is rotationally driven in time with the color image on the intermediate transfer belt 8, and the sheet P is conveyed toward the secondary transfer nip. In this way, the desired color image is transferred onto the sheet P.

After that, the sheet P on which the color image is transferred at the position of the secondary transfer nip is conveyed to the position of the fixing device 20. Then, at this position, the color image transferred to the surface is fixed on the sheet P by the heat and pressure of the fixing belt and the pressure roller (the fixing step).
After that, the sheet P is discharged to the outside of the device by the paper discharge roller pair via the discharge path K2. The sheets P discharged to the outside of the device by the paper ejection roller pair are sequentially stacked on the stack portion as an output image.
In this way, a series of image forming processes in the image forming apparatus is completed.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the configuration and operation of the developing apparatus in the process cartridge will be described in more detail.
The developing apparatus 5Y detects the developing roller 51 facing the photoconductor drum 1Y, the doctor blade 52 facing the developing roller 51, the two transport screws 55 arranged in the developing agent accommodating portion, and the toner concentration in the developing agent. It is composed of a concentration detection sensor 56, a unit-side opening 57 for supplying toner (developer) to the developer accommodating portion, and the like. The developing roller 51 is composed of a magnet fixed inside, a sleeve rotating around the magnet, and the like. A two-component developer G composed of a carrier and toner is housed in the developer accommodating portion.

The developing device 5Y configured in this way operates as follows.
The sleeve of the developing roller 51 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Then, the developer G supported on the developing roller 51 by the magnetic field formed by the magnet moves on the developing roller 51 as the sleeve rotates.

Here, the developer G in the developing apparatus 5Y is adjusted so that the ratio of the toner in the developing agent (toner concentration) is within a predetermined range. Specifically, the toner (powder) contained in the toner container 32Y (developer container) is transferred to the developing device 5Y (developer storage unit) by the developer replenishing device 90Y according to the toner consumption in the developing device 5Y. Is replenished to. The configuration and operation of the toner container 32Y and the developer replenishing device 90Y will be described in detail later.

After that, the toner replenished in the developing apparatus 5Y (developing agent accommodating portion) circulates in the two developing agent accommodating portions partitioned by the partition member while being mixed and stirred together with the developing agent G by the two transport screws 55. (Movement in the longitudinal direction in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2). Then, the toner in the two-component developer G is adsorbed on the carrier by triboelectric charging with the carrier, and is supported on the developing roller 51 together with the carrier by the magnetic force formed on the developing roller 51.

The developer G supported on the developing roller 51 is conveyed along the rotation direction of the sleeve and reaches the position of the doctor blade 52. Then, the developer G on the developing roller 51 is conveyed to a position facing the photoconductor drum 1Y (a developing region) after the amount of the developer is adjusted to an appropriate amount at this position. Then, the toner is adsorbed on the latent image formed on the photoconductor drum 1Y by the electric field formed in the developing region. After that, the developer G remaining on the developing roller 51 reaches the upper part of the developing agent accommodating portion as the sleeve rotates, is separated from the developing roller 51 at this position, and is returned to the developing agent accommodating portion.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the configuration and operation of the developer replenishing device 90Y for yellow will be briefly described.
In the present embodiment, the other two color developer replenishing devices (the developer replenishing device 90M for magenta and the developing agent replenishing device 90C for cyan) are also used in the color of the toner (the color of the toner used. Since the configuration is almost the same as that of the developer replenishing device 90Y for yellow except that the type) is different, the description of the developer replenishing devices 90M and 90C for yellow is omitted as appropriate, and the developer replenishing device for yellow is replenished. Only the device 90Y will be described.

The yellow developer replenishing device 90Y rotationally drives the toner container 32Y as a developer container installed in the installation unit 31 in a predetermined direction (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3) and accommodates the toner container 32Y in the toner container 32Y. The toner is discharged to the outside of the container and guided to the developing device 5Y, and a toner replenishment path (toner transfer path) is formed.
Note that FIG. 3 (and FIG. 5 described later) shows the toner container 32Y, the developer replenishing device 90Y, the developing device 5Y in different arrangement directions, and the like for easy understanding. Actually, in FIG. 3, the toner container 32Y and a part of the developer replenishing device 90Y are arranged so that the longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the paper surface (see FIG. 1). Further, the orientation and arrangement of the tube 95Y (transport path) are also shown in a simplified manner.

The toner in the toner container 32Y installed in the installation unit 31 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 is appropriately replenished in the developing device 5Y by the developing agent replenishing device 90Y according to the toner consumption in the developing device 5Y.
Specifically, when the toner container 32Y is set in the installation portion 31 of the apparatus main body 100, the bottle gear 37 of the toner container 32Y meshes with the drive gear 110 of the apparatus main body 100, and the cap opening / closing chuck 92 of the cap receiving portion 91 The cap 34 (a member for closing the toner discharge port C) is removed from the toner container 32Y. As a result, the toner discharge port C (opening) of the toner container 32Y is opened, and the toner contained in the toner container 32Y can be discharged.

On the other hand, in the developer replenishing device 90Y, a storage unit 81Y is provided below the opened toner discharge port C via the drop path unit 82. A suction port 83 is provided at the bottom of the storage portion 81Y, and the suction port 83 is connected to one end of the tube 95Y (transport path) via a nozzle. The tube 95Y is made of a flexible rubber material having low toner resistance, and the other end is connected to the transfer pump 60Y (diaphragm pump). The transfer pump 60Y is connected to the developing device 5Y via the sub hopper 70Y and the transfer tube 98.
In the developer replenishing device 90Y configured in this way, when the drive gear 110 is driven by the drive motor 115, the container body 33 of the toner container 32Y is rotationally driven in a predetermined direction from the toner discharge port C of the toner container 32Y. Toner is ejected. The toner discharged from the toner container 32Y falls down the drop path portion 82 and is stored in the storage portion 81. When the transfer pump 60Y operates, the toner stored in the storage unit 81 is sucked from the suction port 83 and transferred from the transfer pump 60Y to the sub hopper 70Y via the tube 95Y. Then, the toner conveyed (supplied) to the sub hopper 70Y as the supplied portion is supplied into the developing device 5Y via the conveying tube 98 extending in the vertical direction. That is, the toner in the toner container 32Y is conveyed in the direction of the broken line arrow in FIG. In the present embodiment, the transport pipe 98 (convey pipe) that relays the sub hopper 70Y and the developing device 5Y is made of a hard resin material or a metal material that is not easily deformed, unlike the tube 95Y.

Next, FIG. 4 details the transfer pump 60Y and the sub hopper 70Y in the developer replenishing device 90Y.
With reference to FIG. 4, the transfer pump 60Y in the present embodiment is a diaphragm pump (positive displacement pump), and has a diaphragm 61 (rubber member), a case 62, a motor 67, a rotary plate 68, and a check valve 63. It is composed of 64, a seal member 65, 66 (elastic member), and the like. The transfer pump 60Y configured in this way is relatively small and low in cost.

Here, the case 62 and the diaphragm 61 form a pump body.
The case 62 is made of a rigid resin material or a metal material, and functions as a main part (housing) of the pump body. The case 62 (pump main body) is formed with an inlet A for inflowing the developer together with air toward the inside and an outlet B for flowing out the developer together with air from the inside.
The diaphragm 61 is made of a rubber material having low toneriness and elasticity, and the inside of the bowl-shaped portion functions as the volume variable portion W, and the arm portion 61a stands up on the outer peripheral portion thereof. (The eccentric shaft 68a of the rotating plate 68 is fitted in the hole portion.) Is formed. The diaphragm 61 is joined to the case 62 so as not to form a gap, and the variable volume portion W of the diaphragm 61 and the inside of the case 62 are formed as one closed space inside the pump body. Then, the pump bodies 61 and 62 increase or decrease the internal volume by the expansion / contraction operation of the diaphragm 61 accompanying the rotation of the rotating plate 68 (eccentric shaft 68a) described later, and alternately generate positive pressure and negative pressure. Become.

The rotary plate 68 is installed on the motor shaft of the motor 67, and the eccentric shaft 68a is provided so as to stand up at a position eccentric from the motor shaft (rotation center) on the surface thereof. The eccentric shaft 68a of the rotating plate 68 is inserted (fitted) into a hole formed in the tip end portion of the arm portion 61a in the diaphragm 61.
With such a configuration, the rotary plate 68 (eccentric shaft 68a) is rotated by driving the motor 67 under the control of the control unit 120, and the diaphragm 61 periodically changes the volume of the volume variable unit W accordingly. It will expand and contract so as to increase and decrease. As the diaphragm 61 expands and contracts, positive pressure and negative pressure are alternately generated inside the pump bodies 61 and 62.

Here, an inflow side check valve 63 is installed at the inflow port A of the pump body (case 62). The inflow side check valve 63 opens the inflow port A when a negative pressure is generated inside the pump bodies 61 and 62, and the inflow port A when a positive pressure is generated inside the pump bodies 61 and 62. Is to close. The inflow side check valve 63 is arranged so as to face the inflow port A from the inside (inside) of the pump bodies 61 and 62. A storage unit 81 is connected to the inflow port A side of the transfer pump 60Y via a tube 95Y.
On the other hand, an outflow side check valve 64 is installed at the outflow port B of the pump body (case 62). The outflow side check valve 64 closes the outlet B when a negative pressure is generated inside the pump bodies 61 and 62, and the outlet B is when a positive pressure is generated inside the pump bodies 61 and 62. Is to open up. The outflow side check valve 64 is arranged so as to face the outflow port B from the outside of the pump bodies 61 and 62. A sub hopper 70Y is connected to the side of the outlet B of the transfer pump 60Y.
With such a configuration and operation, as described above with reference to FIG. 3, by operating the transfer pump 60Y, the toner stored in the storage unit 81 as the replenishment source is sucked from the suction port 83. After the tube 95Y is conveyed, the toner is conveyed into the sub hopper 70Y via the transfer pump 60Y. Specifically, when the hopper remaining amount sensor 76 of the sub hopper 70Y detects that the amount of toner in the sub hopper 70 is insufficient, the transfer pump 60Y (motor 67) is driven to replenish the toner from the storage unit 81 to the sub hopper 70Y.
The transfer pump 60Y (motor 67) is intermittently driven in a relatively short cycle when the hopper remaining amount sensor 76 detects that the amount of toner in the sub hopper 70 has not reached a predetermined amount and is insufficient. .. As a result, the problem that the toner transfer amount by the transfer screws 71 and 72 in the sub hopper 70Y does not catch up with the toner amount supplied from the transfer pump 60Y and the toner stays in a part of the sub hopper 70Y is prevented.

With reference to FIG. 4, the sub hopper 70Y as the replenished portion is provided with two transport screws 71 and 72, a hopper remaining amount sensor 76, a replenishment motor 121 (see FIG. 3), and the like. Further, a supply port communicating with the outlet B of the transfer pump 60Y is formed above the upstream side of the first transfer path of the sub hopper 70Y (the transfer path in which the first transfer screw 71 is installed). .. A discharge port 74 is formed below the downstream side of the second transport path (the transport path in which the second transport screw 72 is installed) of the sub hopper 70Y, and this discharge port 74 is the transport pipe 98 (convey pipe). ) Is connected to the developing device 5Y. Further, above the second transport path of the sub hopper 70Y, an exhaust port 75 for discharging the air fed together with the toner from the transport pump 60Y is provided.
As described above, the hopper remaining amount sensor 76 functions as a detecting means for detecting a shortage state in which the toner (developer) contained in the sub hopper 70Y does not reach a predetermined amount.

Here, in the sub hopper 70Y, the downstream side of the first transport path and the upstream side of the second transport path communicate with each other at one end side in the longitudinal direction (the vertical direction of the paper in FIGS. 3 and 4). Except for the communication portion, the first transport path and the second transport path are separated by a wall portion.
Then, the toner replenished in the sub hopper 70Y is conveyed in the order of the first transfer path and the second transfer path in the sub hopper 70Y by the transfer screws 71 and 72 rotationally driven by the replenishment motor 121, and then the sub hopper 70Y. Is supplied into the developing device 5Y via the transport tube 98. Specifically, when the concentration detection sensor 56 of the developing device 5Y detects an insufficient toner concentration in the developer accommodating portion (circulation path by the transport screw 55), the transport screws 71 and 72 of the sub hopper 70Y are controlled by the control unit 120. Is driven to rotate to supply toner from the sub hopper 70Y to the developing device 5Y.
As described above, in the present embodiment, the toner transfer path from the storage unit 81Y to the transfer pump 60Y is formed by the flexible tube 95Y. Therefore, even when various members are installed in the space between the storage unit 81Y and the transfer pump 60Y, the tube 95Y is distributed so as to avoid these members to form a toner transfer path. Can be done. Therefore, the installation portion 31 of the toner container 32Y can be laid out relatively freely at a position away from the developing device 5Y.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a description of the toner container 32Y and a description of the developer replenishing device 90Y accompanying the toner container 32Y will be given.
As described above, the toner container 32Y is mainly composed of a container main body 33 and a cap 34 (plug member) detachably provided at the toner discharge port C thereof.
The head of the container body 33 is provided with a bottle gear 37 that rotates integrally with the container body 33, and a toner discharge port C. The bottle gear 37 meshes with the drive gear 110 of the device main body 100 to rotationally drive the container main body 33 in a predetermined direction. Further, the toner discharge port C is for discharging the toner (powder) as a developer contained in the container main body 33 toward the drop path portion 82.
The container body 33 is provided with a spiral protrusion 33a from the outer peripheral surface to the inner peripheral surface. The spiral protrusion 33a is for rotationally driving the container body 33 to discharge toner from the toner discharge port C.
The container body 33 configured in this way can be manufactured by blow molding together with the bottle gear 37.

On the other hand, with reference to FIG. 3, the cap receiving portion 91 of the developer replenishing device 90Y is provided so as to cover the head of the toner container 32Y installed in the installation unit 31 (developer replenishing device 90Y). There is.
The cap receiving portion 91 is provided with a cap opening / closing chuck 92 that opens / closes the cap 34 in conjunction with the attachment / detachment operation of the toner container 32Y, and an opening / closing drive portion that drives the cap opening / closing chuck 92. It is provided as a part of the storage unit 81Y together with the above. Then, the toner container 32Y placed on the installation portion 31 is slid and moved toward the cap receiving portion 91, and when the cap 34 reaches the position of the cap opening / closing chuck 92, the toner container 32Y is further slid and pushed in. In conjunction with the operation, the opening / closing drive unit operates so as to detach the cap 34 from the toner discharge port C with the cap opening / closing chuck 92 sandwiching the cap 34. As a result, the toner discharge port C of the toner container 32Y is opened, and the toner can be discharged from the toner discharge port C. Further, in conjunction with such a mounting operation of the toner container 32Y, the lock mechanism operates and the head side of the toner container 32Y is locked so as not to be removed from the installation portion 31. At this time, the toner container 32Y is rotatably fixed to the developer supply device 90Y (installation unit 31) on the side of the toner discharge port C (head), and the container body 33 rotates on the installation unit 31. Will be retained as possible.
Further, when the toner container 32Y is detached from the installation unit 31 (toner container cradle), the operation opposite to the above-mentioned operation at the time of mounting is performed.

The storage portion 81Y of the developer replenishing device 90Y is formed in a substantially bowl shape so as to store the toner that has fallen in the drop path portion 82, and a toner detection sensor 86 and a stirring member are installed inside the storage portion 81Y. .. The transfer pump 60Y is connected to the suction port 83 of the storage unit 81Y via the tube 95Y as a transfer path, and sucks the toner stored in the storage unit 81Y to convey the toner in the tube 95Y.
As described above, in the present embodiment, the toner discharged from the toner container 32Y is not directly sucked by the transport pump 60Y, but the toner discharged from the toner container 32Y and stored in the storage unit 81Y to some extent. Of these, since the transfer pump 60Y is configured to suck only the required amount, it is possible to reliably reduce the problem that the amount of toner sucked by the transfer pump 60Y is insufficient.

The toner detection sensor 86 is for indirectly detecting a state in which the toner contained in the toner container 32Y is empty (toner end state) or a state close to it (toner near end state). , It is installed near the suction port 83. Then, the toner is discharged from the toner container 32Y based on the detection result of the toner detection sensor 86.
Specifically, as the toner detection sensor 86, a piezoelectric sensor, a transmitted light sensor, or the like can be used. In this embodiment, a piezoelectric sensor is used as the toner detection sensor 86. The height of the detection surface of the toner detection sensor 86 is set so that the amount of toner (deposit height) deposited above the suction port 83 becomes the target value.
Then, based on the detection result of the toner detection sensor 86, the drive timing and drive time of the drive motor 115 that rotationally drives the toner container 32Y (container body 33) are controlled by the control by the control unit 120. Specifically, when the toner detection sensor 86 determines that there is no toner at that position, the drive motor 115 is driven for a predetermined time, and the toner detection sensor 86 determines that there is toner at that position. In that case, the drive of the drive motor 115 will be stopped.

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the developer replenishing device 90S for special colors (and the developing agent replenishing device 90K for black), which is characteristic of the present embodiment, will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and the like.
The special color developer supply device 90S (and the black developer supply device 90K) are different in the color (type) of the toner used, and the tubes 95S and 96S (95K) as a plurality of transport paths. , 96K), and the downstream ends of the tubes 95S, 96S (95K, 96K) are held by the joint holders 151, 152 (see FIG. 8). Since the configuration is almost the same as that of the developer replenishing device 90Y for yellow (and the developing agent replenishing device 90M for magenta and the developing agent replenishing device 90C for cyan) described using 3), both are common. The description of the configuration and operation will be omitted as appropriate.
Further, the developer replenishing device 90K for black has almost the same configuration as the developing agent replenishing device 90S for spot colors except that the color (type) of the toner used is different. By omitting it, only the developer replenishing device 90S for spot colors will be described.

The developer replenishing device 90S for spot colors (or the developer replenishing device 90K for black) is used in the toner container 32S (32K) as a developing agent container in the same manner as the developer replenishing devices 90Y, 90M, 90C for colors. The stored toner (developer) is replenished toward the sub hopper 70S (70K) as a replenishment unit (replenishment destination).

As shown in FIG. 5 (and FIG. 8), the developer replenishing device 90S (90K) includes an installation unit 31 in which the toner container 32S is installed, a storage unit 81S in which the cap receiving unit 91 and the like are installed, and a transfer pump 60S. It is composed of a sub hopper 70S as a supplied portion, a first tube 95S as a first transport path, a second tube 96S as a second transport path, and the like.

Here, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B, in the developer replenishing device 90S for special color, the toner container 32S and the storage unit 81S are integrally used with respect to the developing agent replenishing device 90S. It is configured to be removable. Specifically, the suction port 83 of the unit in which the toner container 32S and the storage portion 81S are integrated is detachably installed in the upstream opening (nozzle portion) of the first tube 95S and the second tube 96S. It will be. By configuring the toner container 32S and the storage unit 81S as an integrated unit in this way, even if the toner container 32S for different types of special color is replaced, the storage unit in which the replaced special color toner should be stored. It is possible to reduce the problem that the special color toner before replacement is mixed with 81S.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6A, in the black developer replenishing device 90K, the toner container 32K is the storage unit 81K (development) in the same manner as the color developer replenishing devices 90Y, 90M, 90C. It is configured so that it can be attached to and detached from the agent supply device 90K). In FIG. 6A, the illustration of the second tube 96K in the developer replenishing device 90K for black is omitted.
Here, in any of the developer replenishing devices 90Y, 90M, 90C, 90K, 90S, the tubes 95Y, 95M, 95C, 95K, 95S (and the second tube 96S, 96K) are as described above. Since various members are distributed in a dense space and it is difficult to replace them, they are fixed so that the user does not have to remove them from the image forming apparatus main body 100 in principle.

The developer replenishing device 90S for special color can be configured in the same manner as the other developing agent replenishing devices 90Y, 90M, 90C, 90K, and the other developing agent replenishing devices 90Y, 90M, 90C, 90K can be used. It can also be configured in the same manner as the developer replenishing device 90S for spot color.
Further, the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K, 32S are connected to the tubes 95Y, 95M, 95C, 95K, 95S (and the second tubes 96S, 96K) via the storage portions 81Y, 81M, 81C, 81K, 81S. Instead, the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K, 32S may be configured to be directly connected to the tubes 95Y, 95M, 95C, 95K, 95S (and the second tubes 96S, 96K). can. In particular, the developer replenishing device 90S for special color is configured in this way, and is a toner container that is attached to and detached from the tubes 95S and 96S via the nozzle portion as described above with reference to FIG. 6B. The unit on the 32S side will be simplified.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, in the developer replenishing device 90S for special color, the transfer pump 60S is integrally attached to and detached from the developer replenishing device 90S together with the sub hopper 70S (supplied portion). It is configured to be possible. Further, a developing device 5S (a state in which the transfer pipe 98 is connected to the process cartridge 6S) is detachably configured for a unit in which the transfer pump 60S and the sub hopper 70S are integrated. Then, when the toner container 32S (and the storage unit 81S) for different types of special color is replaced, the transfer pump 60S and sub hopper 70S for different types of special color are used for different types of special color. Is attached to and detached from the developing device 5S of the above as shown in FIG. As a result, it is possible to reduce the problem that the special color toner before replacement is mixed in the developing device 5S or the sub hopper 70S in which the special color toner after replacement should be stored.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the unit in which the transfer pump 60S and the sub hopper 70S are integrated is provided with a shutter 79 that opens and closes the discharge port 74 in conjunction with the attachment / detachment operation of the developing device 5S. Has been done. As a result, it is possible to prevent a problem that toner leaks from the discharge port 74 of the sub hopper 70S even when the developing device 5S is removed from the unit in which the transfer pump 60S and the sub hopper 70S are integrated. can.
Further, in the present embodiment, the black developer replenishing device 90K is also a unit in which the transfer pump 60K and the sub hopper 70K are integrated as shown in FIG. 7, similarly to the special color developer replenishing device 90S. , And the developing device 5K are configured to be attached and detached separately.

With reference to FIG. 5 and the like, the first tube 95S as the first transport path is for transporting toner (developer) while being connected to the transport pump 60S, and is a developer replenishing device for yellow. It functions similarly to the tube 95Y in 90Y. A transport pump 60S is detachably connected to the downstream opening (one end side) of the first tube 95S via a transport path side joint portion 141S and a supply portion side joint portion 69S (see FIGS. 7 to 10). There is. Further, a storage portion 81S for storing the toner discharged from the toner container 32S is detachably connected to the upstream opening (the other end side) of the first tube 95S. The first tube 95S is made of a flexible rubber material having low toner resistance, similar to the tube 95Y in the developer replenishing device 90Y for yellow.
The second tube 96S as the second transport path is connected to the storage unit 81 together with the first tube 95S. That is, each upstream opening in the plurality of tubes 95S and 96S (transport path) is detachably connected to the storage portion 81.
Like the first tube 95S, the second tube 96S is made of a flexible rubber material having low toner resistance. The second tube 96S is connected to any transfer pump when the first tube 95S is indirectly connected to the sub hopper 70S via the transfer pump 60S in order to supply toner to the sub hopper 70S via the first tube 95S. Is not connected. Then, when the arrangement of the sub hopper 70S and the developing device 5S (process cartridge 6S) is changed, the second tube 96S is connected to the transfer pump at the changed position (see FIG. 8B). Then, in that state, the second tube 96S as the second transport path transports the toner toward the sub hopper 70S via the transport pump 60S.

As described above with reference to FIG. 1 and the like, the image forming apparatus 100 in the present embodiment has an intermediate transfer belt as an intermediate transfer body traveling in a predetermined traveling direction (clockwise in FIG. 1). Photoreceptor drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K, 1S as a plurality of image carriers arranged side by side along the traveling direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8 so as to face the intermediate transfer belt 8 (intermediate transfer body). Is installed. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a plurality of developing apparatus 5Y, 5M, 5C, which develop latent images formed on the plurality of photoconductor drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K, and 1S, respectively. It is housed in a plurality of toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K, 32S (developer container) containing 5K, 5S and toner as a developer, and a plurality of toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K, 32S. A plurality of tubes 95Y, 95M, 95C, 95K, 95S, etc. for replenishing the developed toner to the plurality of developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, and 5S, respectively, are installed.

Then, in the present embodiment, as described above, a plurality of toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K, 32S (developerable agent containers) are arranged (arranged) as necessary without changing the arrangement (arrangement). The arrangement of the developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, and 5S in the traveling direction (the order of arrangement along the traveling direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8) is changed.
Specifically, as described above, the plurality of developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, and 5S have the process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K, respectively, together with the corresponding photoconductor drum among the plurality of photoconductor drums. It constitutes 6S. Therefore, the arrangement of the plurality of toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K, and 32S is changed.

In particular, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the arrangement of the five toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K, 32S (and the five storage portions 81Y, 81M, 81C, 81K, 81S) is changed. The developing device located at the most upstream of the five developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, 5S (process cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K, 6S) and the sub hopper 70Y, 70M, 70C, 70K, 70S. The arrangement of the 5S (process cartridge 6S) and sub hopper 70S (and transfer pump 60S) and the developing device 5K (process cartridge 6K) and sub hopper 70K (and transfer pump 60K) located at the most downstream is changed. .. By performing such an arrangement change work, it is possible to prevent a problem that the black color and the spot color are mixed before and after the arrangement change.

Of the two tubes 95K and 96K in the black developer supply device 90K, the length of the first tube 95K (which is the length in the transport direction) is adjusted to the position of the most downstream transport pump. The length of the second tube 96K is set according to the position of the most upstream transfer pump. Further, of the two tubes 95S and 96S in the developer replenishing device 90S for special color, the length of the first tube 95S (which is the length in the transport direction) is adjusted to the position of the most upstream transport pump. The length of the second tube 96S is set according to the position of the most upstream transfer pump.
As a result, the developing apparatus 5K, 5S (process cartridges 6K, 6S) from the state of FIG. 5 (A) to the state of FIG. 5 (B) (or the state of FIG. 5 (B) to the state of FIG. 5 (A)). ) And sub hoppers 70K, 70S (and transfer pumps 60K, 60S), just switch the connection between the first tube 95K, 95S and the second tube 96K, 96S, and compare the change work. It will be possible to do it easily.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8A, the spot color developing device 5S (process cartridge 6S) and the sub hopper 70S (and the transfer pump 60S) are arranged in the uppermost stream, and the black developing device 5K (process) is arranged. When the cartridge 6K) and the sub hopper 70K (and the transfer pump 60K) are arranged at the most downstream, the first tube 95S for spot color is connected to the most upstream transfer pump 60S, and the first tube 95K for black is the most downstream. It is connected to the transfer pump 60K. At this time, the special color second tube 96S and the black second tube 96K are not connected to any of the transfer pumps. Further, in such a state, since almost no negative pressure is generated in the second tubes 96S and 96K, the toner does not flow in the second tubes 96S and 96K.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, the spot color developing device 5S (process cartridge 6S) and the sub hopper 70S (and the transfer pump 60S) are arranged at the most downstream, and the black developing device 5K ( When the process cartridge 6K) and the sub hopper 70K (and the transfer pump 60K) are arranged in the uppermost stream, the second tube 96S for spot color is connected to the most downstream transfer pump 60S, and the second tube 96K for black is the most. It is connected to the upstream transfer pump 60K. At this time, the special color first tube 95S and the black first tube 95K are not connected to any of the transfer pumps. Further, in such a state, since almost no negative pressure is generated in the first tubes 95S and 95K, the toner does not flow in the first tubes 95S and 95K.

With this configuration, the arrangement (arrangement order) of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K, 32S and the developer replenishing devices 90Y, 90M, 90C, 90K, 90S is not changed, and FIG. Images as shown in B) in the order of the developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, 5S, the sub hoppers 70Y, 70M, 70C, 70K, 70S, and the transfer pumps 60Y, 60M, 60C, 60K, 60S. It becomes possible to carry out the formation process. As described above, when the image forming process is performed in such an arrangement (arrangement order), for example, a white toner is used as the special color toner.

Then, in the present embodiment, the developer replenishing device 90S for spot colors (or the developer replenishing device 90K for black) can be indirectly connected to a plurality of subhoppers 70S and 70K (supplied portion), respectively. Since the two formed tubes 95S and 96S (or tubes 95K and 96K) are provided, when changing the arrangement (arrangement order) between the spot color tube and the black tube tube, the tube or toner container is provided. All that is required is to switch the connection from one of the two tubes 95S, 96S (or tubes 95K, 96K) to the other without changing the arrangement. Therefore, it is possible to relatively easily replace the spot color sub hopper 70S, the transfer pump 60S, and the process cartridge 6S with the black sub hopper 70K, the transfer pump 60K, and the process cartridge 6K.

Here, with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10, and the like, in the present embodiment, the downstream openings of the tubes 95S, 96K (96S, 95K) as the plurality of transport paths have the plurality of transport path side joint portions 141S. 141K (142S, 142K) are connected respectively. The image forming apparatus 100 is provided with joint holding portions 151 (152) in which a plurality of transport path side joint portions 141S and 141K (142S and 142K) are held at different holding positions.
Then, in the sub hoppers 70S and 70K as the plurality of supplied portions, among the plurality of transport path side joint portions 141S and 141K (142S, 142K), the supplied portion side joint portion 69S that can be connected to the corresponding transport path side joint portion. , 69K is provided.

Specifically, the special color first transport path side joint portion 141S is connected to the downstream opening of the special color first tube 95S. Further, a second transport path side joint portion 141K for black is connected to the downstream opening of the second tube 96K for black. The first joint holding portion 151 holds a first transport path side joint portion 141S for spot color and a second transport path side joint portion 141K for black color.
Specifically, in the present embodiment, in the first joint holding portion 151, the first transport path side joint portion 141S for spot color and the second transport path side joint portion 141K for black are displaced in the horizontal direction. They are installed side by side in different holding positions. The first joint holding portion 151 is fixedly installed in the vicinity of the sub hopper (and the transport pump) located on the most upstream side.

On the other hand, a second transport path side joint portion 142S for spot color is connected to the downstream opening of the second tube 96S for spot color. Further, a first transport path side joint portion 142K for black is connected to the downstream opening of the first tube 95K for black. The second joint holding portion 152 holds the second transport path side joint portion 142S for spot color and the first transport path side joint portion 142K for black color.
Specifically, in the present embodiment, in the second joint holding portion 152, the second transport path side joint portion 142S for spot color and the first transport path side joint portion 142K for black are displaced in the horizontal direction. They are installed side by side in different holding positions. The second joint holding portion 152 is fixedly installed in the vicinity of the sub hopper (and the transport pump) located on the most downstream side.

The two joint holding portions 151 and 152 are configured to be substantially the same except that the installation positions are different. Then, the arrangement and positional relationship between the transport path side joint portion 141S for spot color in the first joint holding portion 151 and the transport path side joint portion 142K for black color, and the transport path side joint portion for spot color in the second joint holding portion 151. The arrangement and positional relationship between the 142S and the black transport path side joint portion 142K are configured to match.

The special color sub hopper 70S can be connected to both the special color transfer path side joint portion 141S in the first joint holding portion 151 and the special color transfer path side joint portion 142S in the second joint holding portion 152. A joint portion 69S on the side to be supplied is provided. The joint portion 69S on the supplied portion side of the sub hopper 70S for spot color has both the transport path side joint portion 141K for black in the first joint holding portion 151 and the transport path side joint portion 142K for black in the second joint holding portion 152. However, it will not be possible to connect.
Further, the black sub hopper 70K can be connected to both the black transport path side joint portion 141K in the first joint holding portion 151 and the black transport path side joint portion 142K in the second joint holding portion 152. A joint portion 69K on the side of the supplied portion is provided. The black sub-hopper 70K has a joint portion 69K on the supplied portion side, which is also included in the transport path side joint portion 141S for special color in the first joint holding portion 151 and the transport path side joint portion 142S for special color in the second joint holding portion 152. However, it will not be possible to connect.

That is, in the sub hoppers 70S and 70K as the plurality of supplied portions, the supplied portion side joint portions 69S and 69K are different from the transport path side joint portions 141S and 141K (142S and 142K) in the joint holding portion 151 (152), respectively. It will be formed in different positions according to the holding position.

Further, the joint holding portion 151 (152) is configured so that one subhopper selected from the plurality of subhoppers 70S and 70K (supplied portion) can be positioned at a predetermined position.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8A, the first joint holding portion 151 is at the most upstream position when the spot color sub hopper 70S (and the transport pump 60S) is arranged at the most upstream. The spot color sub hopper 70S is positioned, and the supplied portion side joint portion 69S of the spot color sub hopper 70S is connected to the spot color transport path side joint portion 141S. This makes it possible to replenish the toner from the special color toner container 32S to the special color developing device 5S.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, the first joint holding portion 151 is in the most upstream position when the black sub hopper 70K (and the transport pump 60K) is arranged in the most upstream. The black sub hopper 70K is positioned at the above, and the supplied portion side joint portion 69K of the black sub hopper 70K is connected to the black transport path side joint portion 141K. This makes it possible to replenish the toner from the black toner container 32K to the black developing device 5K.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 8A, the second joint holding portion 152 is black at the most downstream position when the black sub hopper 70K (and the transport pump 60K) is arranged at the most downstream. The sub hopper 70K for black is positioned, and the joint portion 69K on the supplied portion side of the sub hopper 70K for black is connected to the joint portion 142K on the transport path side for black. This makes it possible to replenish the toner from the black toner container 32K to the black developing device 5K.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, the second joint holding portion 152 is located at the most downstream position when the spot color subhopper 70S (and the transfer pump 60S) is arranged at the most downstream. The sub hopper 70S for spot color is positioned in the above step, and the joint portion 69S on the supplied portion side of the sub hopper 70S for spot color is connected to the joint portion 142S on the transport path side for spot color. This makes it possible to replenish the toner from the special color toner container 32S to the special color developing device 5S.

Here, as shown in FIG. 9, the two joint holding portions 151 and 152 are provided with positioning hole portions 151a and 152a, respectively. Further, both the spot color sub hopper 70S (conveyor pump 60S) and the black sub hopper 70K (conveyor pump 60K) are provided with positioning pins 60a.
Then, by fitting the positioning holes 151a and 152a and the positioning pin 60a, the positions of the sub hoppers 70S and 70K in the joint holding portions 151 and 152 are determined, and the supplied portion side joint portions 69S and 69K and the transport path side joint are determined. Units 141S, 141K, 142S, 142K are connected with high accuracy.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the joint holding portions 151 and 152 for holding the transport path side joint portions 141S and 141K (142S and 142K) for two different colors at different holding positions are installed. The positions of the joint portions 69S and 69K on the supplied portion side of the two sub hoppers 70S and 70K having different colors are different from each other according to the positions of the joint portions 141S and 141K (142S and 142K) on the transport path side. Therefore, in order to change the arrangement of the two sub hoppers 70S and 70K (and the process cartridges 6S and 6K), when changing the arrangement of the two tubes 95S and 95K, connect the tube to a sub hopper different from the target sub hopper. It is possible to prevent problems that occur. That is, the same color as the sub hopper and the tube is prevented from the problem that the black tube 95K is connected to the spot color sub hopper 70S or the spot color tube 95S is connected to the black sub hopper 70K. It is possible to guarantee the incompatibility of the combination of. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a problem that toners of different colors are replenished from the toner containers 32S and 32K to the developing devices 5S and 5K due to such a connection error of the tubes 95S and 95K.

Here, in the present embodiment, the corresponding supplied portion side joint portion is interlocked with the attachment / detachment operation of the sub hoppers 70S and 70K (which is one selected supplied portion) to the joint holding portions 151 and 152. The 69S, 69K and the transport path side joint portions 141S, 141K (142S, 142K) are brought into contact with each other.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10 and the like, the unit in which the sub hoppers 70S and 70K and the transfer pumps 60S and 60K are integrated is attached and detached with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 100 with a substantially horizontal direction as an attachment / detachment direction.
Then, in conjunction with the mounting operation of the sub hoppers 70S, 70K (and the transfer pumps 60S, 60K) in the substantially horizontal direction, the joint portions 69S, 69K on the supplied portion side and the joint portions 141S, 141K (142S, 142K) on the transport path side. And are connected. At this time, as described above with reference to FIG. 9, the positioning holes 151a and 152a and the positioning pin 60a are fitted to position the subhoppers 70S and 70K in the joint holding portions 151 and 152. ..
Further, in conjunction with the substantially horizontal detachment operation of the sub hoppers 70S and 70K (and the transport pumps 60S and 60K), the joint portions 69S and 69K on the supplied portion side and the joint portions 141S and 141K (142S and 142K) on the transport path side Is withdrawn.
With this configuration, the work of changing the arrangement of the two sub hoppers 70S and 70K (and the process cartridges 6S and 6K) and the work of changing the distribution of the two tubes 95S and 95K can be performed smoothly. Will be.

Further, at least one of the joint portions 69S, 69K on the supplied portion side and the joint portions 141S, 141K (142S, 142K) on the transport path side is the joint portions 69S, 69K on the supplied portion side and the joint portions 141S, 141K (142S) on the transport path side. , 142K), an opening / closing member 143 that opens / closes the opening is installed in conjunction with the contact / detachment operation.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, in the present embodiment, a substantially columnar opening / closing member 143 is inserted into a hole of the transport path side joint portions 141S, 141K (142S, 142K) so as to be movable in a substantially horizontal direction. ing. The transport path side joint portions 141S, 141K (142S, 142K) have a transport path that communicates with the tubes 95S, 95K (96S, 96K) inside. An opening / closing member 143 is installed so that the opening of the transport path can be opened / closed. A compression spring 144 that urges the opening / closing member 143 in the closing direction (on the left side in FIG. 10) is connected to one end side of the opening / closing member 143. The other end of the compression spring 144 is connected to the joint holding portions 151 and 152.
On the other hand, the joint portions 69S and 69K on the supplied portion side have a transport path (a transport path connected to the transport pumps 60S and 60K) that can communicate with the transport path of the joint portions 141S and 141K (142S and 142K) on the transport path side. It is formed.

With such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 10A, in a state where the subhoppers 70S and 70K are not attached to the image forming apparatus 100, the opening / closing member 143 is urged by the compression spring 144 and the transport path side joint. The portion 141S, 141K (142S, 142K) is moved to a position to close the opening. At this time, the opening / closing member 143 comes into contact with the stopper portions formed on the transport path side joint portions 141S, 141K (142S, 142K), and the movement thereof is restricted. As described above, when the sub hoppers 70S and 70K are not mounted, the openings of the transport path side joint portions 141S and 141K (142S and 142K) are closed by the opening / closing member 143, thereby preventing the problem of toner leaking from the openings. can do.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the subhoppers 70S and 70K are attached to the image forming apparatus 100, the opening / closing member 143 is pushed by the joint portions 69S and 69K on the supplied portion side to open and close. The member 143 moves to a position where the openings of the transport path side joint portions 141S, 141K (142S, 142K) are opened so as to resist the urging force of the compression spring 144. Then, the transport path of the transport path side joint portions 141S, 141K (142S, 142K) and the transport path of the joint portions 69S, 69K on the supplied portion side communicate with each other, and the toner container 32S, 32K is connected to the developing device 5S, 5K. Toner can be replenished.

In the present embodiment, the opening / closing member 143 is provided on the side of the transport path side joint portions 141S and 141K (142S, 142K), but the opening / closing member may be provided on the side of the joint portions 69S and 69K on the supplied portion side. However, an opening / closing member can be provided at both joints.
Further, in the present embodiment, a substantially columnar shutter member is used as the opening / closing member 143, but the opening / closing member is not limited to this, and for example, a valve-shaped member can be used as the opening / closing member.

<Modification example>
FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a state in which the transfer pumps 60S and 60K, the subhoppers 70S and 70K, and the developing devices 5S and 5K are connected as a modification.
As shown in FIG. 11, in the image forming apparatus 100 in the modified example, the spot color subhopper 70S (integrated with the transport pump 60S) is not connected to the black developing apparatus 5K, and the black subhopper 70K is used. The joints between the sub hopper and the developing device are arranged at different height positions so that (the transfer pump 60K is integrated) is not connected to the developing device 5S for spot color.
Specifically, the overall height of the developing device and the sub hopper connected to each other is the same for both the spot color and the black. Then, as shown in FIG. 11A, the connection portion (the portion surrounded by the broken line) between the transport tube 78S of the sub hopper 70S for spot color and the transport tube 98S of the developing device 5S for spot color is formed. It is provided at a position close to the sub hopper 70S. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11B, it is a connection portion (a portion surrounded by a broken line) between the transport tube 78K of the sub hopper 70K for black and the transport tube 98K of the developing device 5K for black. ) Is provided at a position far from the sub hopper 70K.
With this configuration, when changing the arrangement of the two sub hoppers 70S, 70K (and process cartridges 6S, 6K), the black developing device 5K may be connected to the spot color sub hopper 70S. It is possible to prevent a problem that the spot color developing device 5S is connected to the black sub hopper 70K. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a problem that toners of different colors are replenished from the toner containers 32S and 32K to the developing devices 5S and 5K due to a connection error between the sub hopper and the developing device.

As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 in the present embodiment has a plurality of tubes 95S, 96K (conveyance paths) directly or indirectly connected to a plurality of toner containers 32S, 32K (developerable agent containers), respectively. And the joint holding portions 151 in which the plurality of transport path side joint portions 141S and 141K connected to the downstream openings of the plurality of tubes 95S and 96K and the plurality of transport path side joint portions 141S and 141K are held at different holding positions, respectively. And are provided. The plurality of sub hoppers 70S and 70K (supplied portions) are provided with the supplied portion side joint portions 69S and 69K that can be connected to the corresponding transport path side joint portions among the plurality of transport path side joint portions 141S and 141K, respectively. Has been done.
As a result, when changing the arrangement of the plurality of tubes 95S and 95K, it is possible to prevent the problem of connecting the tubes to a sub hopper different from the target sub hopper.

In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a developing device 5Y integrated as a process cartridge 6Y together with a photoconductor drum 1Y (image carrier), a charging device 4Y, and a cleaning device 2Y. .. However, the application of the present invention is not limited to this, and even if the developing device 5Y is configured as a unit that is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body 100 by itself, the present invention is naturally applied. Can be applied.
In the specification of the present application and the like, the "process cartridge" refers to a charging device for charging the image carrier, a developing device for developing a latent image formed on the image carrier, and cleaning for cleaning the image carrier. It is defined as a unit in which at least one of the apparatus and the image carrier are integrated and detachably installed with respect to the image forming apparatus main body.

Further, in the present embodiment, the transfer pump 60S is connected to the sub hopper 70S and integrated. On the other hand, the transfer pump 60S can be connected to the developing device 5S and integrated. That is, it is also possible to supply toner to the developing device 5S as the supplied portion via the transport path and the transport pump 60S without interposing a sub hopper.
Further, in the present embodiment, the first tube 95S (or the second tube 96S) is indirectly connected to the sub hopper 70S arranged at the most upstream (or the most downstream) via the transfer pump 60S. Configured. That is, a plurality of transport paths formed so as to be indirectly connectable to each of the plurality of supplied portions are provided. On the other hand, the first tube (or the second tube) may be configured to be directly connected to the sub hopper arranged in the most upstream (or the most downstream) without using a transfer pump. That is, it is also possible to provide a plurality of transport paths formed so as to be directly connectable to each of the plurality of supplied portions. In that case, the transfer pump can be installed, for example, in the middle of the transfer path.
Further, in the present embodiment, a plurality of tubes (transport paths) are indirectly connected to a plurality of toner containers (developerable agent containers) via storage portions, but the plurality of developer containers are connected to the plurality of toner containers (developerable agent containers). It can also be configured so that a plurality of transport paths are directly connected to each other.
Further, in the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the developer replenishing device 90S in which the toner container 32S in which the substantially tubular container body is rotationally driven is installed, but the toner installed in the developer replenishing device is applied. The form of the container is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to, for example, a developer replenishing device in which a box-shaped toner container is installed.
Further, in the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the developer replenishing device 90S for spot colors and the developer replenishing device 90K for black, but the developer replenishing device 90Y for other colors, Naturally, the present invention can be applied to 90M and 90C.
And even in such a case, almost the same effect as that of this embodiment can be obtained.

It is clear that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and the embodiments may be appropriately modified in addition to those suggested in the present embodiments within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. .. Further, the number, position, shape and the like of the constituent members are not limited to the present embodiment, and the number, position, shape and the like suitable for carrying out the present invention can be used.

5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, 5S developer,
6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K, 6S process cartridge,
8 Intermediate transfer belt (intermediate transfer body),
32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K, 32S toner container (developer container),
60Y, 60M, 60C, 60K, 60S transfer pump,
69K, 69S Joint part on the side to be supplied,
70Y, 70M, 70C, 70K, 70S sub hopper (supplied part),
81Y, 81M, 81C, 81K, 81S reservoir,
90Y, 90M, 90C, 90K, 90S developer replenisher,
95Y, 95M, 95C tube (transport path),
95K, 95S 1st tube (conveyance path, 1st transport path),
96K, 96S 2nd tube (transport path, 2nd transport path),
100 Image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus main body),
141K, 141S, 142K, 142S Transport path side joint part,
143 opening and closing member,
144 compression spring,
151, 152 Joint holder.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-215415

Claims (5)

Multiple developer containers, each containing a developer,
A plurality of transport paths directly or indirectly connected to the plurality of developer containers, respectively.
A plurality of transport path side joints connected to the downstream openings of the plurality of transport paths, respectively.
The joint holding portions in which the plurality of transport path side joint portions are held at different holding positions, and the joint holding portions.
Among the plurality of transport path side joint portions, a plurality of supplied portions having joint portions on the supplied portion side that can be connected to the corresponding transport path side joint portions, and a plurality of supplied portions.
An image forming apparatus characterized by being equipped with. The joint holding portion is configured so that one of the plurality of supplied portions to be supplied can be positioned at a predetermined position.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of supplied portions has a joint portion on the side of the supplied portion formed at a different position corresponding to the different holding position. The second aspect of claim 2, wherein the corresponding joint portion on the side of the supplied portion and the joint portion on the transport path side are brought into contact with each other in conjunction with the operation of attaching and detaching the one supplied portion to the joint holding portion. Image forming device. At least one of the joint portion on the side of the supplied portion and the joint portion on the transport path side is an opening / closing member that opens and closes the opening in conjunction with the contact / separation operation between the joint portion on the supplied portion side and the joint portion on the transport path side. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided. Each of the plurality of transport paths is a tube connected to the developer container via a storage unit.
The supplied portion is a developing device for developing a latent image formed on an image carrier, or a sub-hopper connected to the developing device, and can be attached to and detached from the downstream side of the tube via a transport pump. Connected,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the transfer pump is configured to be integrally detachable from the developer replenishing device together with the developing device or the sub hopper. ..

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