JPS6345599B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Technical Field) The present invention generally relates to an image forming apparatus, and more specifically relates to an image forming apparatus having a toner collecting means.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus, after a developing means develops a latent image on an image carrier, the developed image is transferred to a transfer material by a transfer means, and the untransferred image is transferred thereto. Residual toner on the body is adapted to be removed by cleaning means. However, when the toner removed by the cleaning means is collected by the toner collecting means, the toner may adhere, stay, or become clogged in the toner collecting means.

(Object of the Invention) An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that prevents toner from adhering, staying, or clogging in a toner collecting means by applying vibration to the toner removed and collected from an image carrier by a cleaning means. It is about providing.

(Summary of the Invention) The present invention achieves the above objects by providing a cleaning means for cleaning the image bearing member by scraping off residual toner on the image bearing member, a toner collecting means for collecting the scraped toner, and a toner collecting means for collecting the scraped toner. It has an elastic member that applies vibration to the means, and a moving member that moves together with the image carrier.The elastic member causes elastic deformation in response to the movement of the moving member, and its restoring force causes the toner collecting means to vibrate. It is characterized by giving.

(Example) Examples of the present invention will be described in detail below using the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory diagram showing an example in which the present invention is applied to a transfer type electrophotographic copying machine. In the figure, 9
is a drum-type electrophotographic photoreceptor having an insulating layer, a photoconductive layer, and a conductive support layer. The simultaneous image exposure device 11 performs image exposure simultaneously with DC corona discharge or AC corona discharge of opposite polarity to the primary charge polarity. Then, if necessary, the entire surface is exposed by the entire surface exposure device 12, and a high-contrast electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor. The electrostatic latent image is then visualized by the developing device 13, and the developed image is
After being transferred onto a transfer material P under the action of a transfer electric field by a transfer corona charger 14 and separated from a photosensitive drum, it is heated and fixed by a fixing roller 15.

The untransferred toner powder in the transfer process is scraped off from the top of the photosensitive drum by a cleaning blade 17 in a cleaning device 16 and then transferred to a conveying screw 18.
The toner is conveyed to the longitudinal end of the photosensitive drum and collected into the developing device 13 through a duct 19 as a toner collection means provided in contact with the end.
Subject to reuse. In order to prevent toner crosslinking within the duct 19, a duct striking member (elastic member) 20 is attached to the duct member.

Further, a drive pin 21 is attached to the end of the photosensitive drum, and this drive pin moves together with the photosensitive drum and hits the elastic member, causing the elastic member to undergo elastic deformation in accordance with the movement of the drive pin. When the drive pin moves further and comes off the elastic member, the restoring force of the elastic member hits the duct, causing the duct to vibrate. The vibration action prevents the toner from clogging in the duct and ensures that the toner is transported into the developing device.

The developing device is equipped with a
A toner concentration detection device in the developer is provided using a carrier toner breakdown voltage change detection method, and concrete developer is replenished from the hopper 22 at appropriate times based on a detection signal from the concentration detection device. The concrete developer contains carriers in a weight ratio of 40 to 50%, and the carriers that have increased in the developing device due to replenishment of the concrete developer overflow from the developing device and are discharged. In this method, the new carrier in the replenisher and the old carrier in the developing device are always present in a mixed state, and image reproduction continues in a stable state over a long period of time.

Next, Figures 2, 3, and 4 show the overflow hole 38,
3 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between a toner collection section 39 and a concrete developer replenishment hole 40. FIG. Reference numeral 41 denotes a guide plate for overflow developer, and also serves as a regulating plate for the amount of developer to be transported. The developer whose volume has increased in the developer container is conveyed to the vicinity of the drop opening by the conveyance screw 26, and the amount of developer conveyed beyond the guide plate is regulated.
The transported developer in an amount exceeding the regulation amount is effectively caused to fall from the overflow port 38 into the overflow collection container 42 along the guide plate 41.

The toner reuse section is located downstream of the overflow port 38 and the guide plate 41, and a concrete agent replenishment port is located at this location.With this configuration, the amount of falling toner in the overflow developer that is wasted is minimized. After the reused toner and concrete replenisher are sufficiently stirred over the entire length of the screw 27, the screw 26 allows the reused toner and the concrete replenisher to be circulated to the developing section.

FIG. 2 shows an external view of the aforementioned developer circulation system. What should be noted here is that the duct 19 is swingably supported, and the drive pin 21 installed at the end of the drum strikes the duct via a spring 44 as the drum rotates, causing the duct to A forced means is provided to prevent the toner that falls due to vibration from adhering to and staying on the inner wall of the duct.

FIG. 3 shows the flow (circulation system) of the developer. The developing agent returns to arrow A and is separated into _A1 and _A2 , with _A1 falling out of the device as surplus agent and stored in a bucket (not shown) below. A ₂ receives the reused developer from the cleaner at arrow B, then receives replenishment toner from the hopper at arrow C, and is then moved as shown by arrow D by the feed screw 27 to be used for development again. After being transported into the developing device and reaching the deepest part of the developing device, the sleeve side feed screw 2
Develop in step 6.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, the present invention causes an elastic member to undergo elastic deformation by a member that moves together with the image carrier,
Since the restoring force causes vibration to be applied to the toner collecting means, it is possible to prevent toner from adhering to, staying in, and clogging the toner collecting means with a simple structure, thereby improving the toner conveyance state within the toner collecting means. It is possible.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram in which the present invention is applied to a transfer type electrophotographic copying machine. FIGS. 2 to 4 are diagrams showing the flow of developer in the developing device. In the figure, 9 is a photosensitive drum, 13 is a developing device, 16 is a cleaner, 18 is a conveyance screw, 19
is a duct, 20 is an elastic member, and 21 is a drive pin.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A cleaning device that cleans the image carrier by scraping off residual toner on the image carrier, a toner recovery device that collects the scraped toner, an elastic member that vibrates the toner recovery device, and an image carrier. a moving member that moves together with the moving member and causes an elastic member to undergo elastic deformation in accordance with the movement of the moving member; and a restoring force caused by the elastic deformation of the elastic member to apply vibration to the toner collecting means. An image forming apparatus characterized by: