Powder accommodation height detection device and powder supply device

Abstract

A powder accommodation height detection device and a powder supply device are provided. The powder accommodation height detection device includes: a main body having a transfer path for transferring powder; a powder transfer unit configured to rotate within the transfer path and having a transfer portion spirally disposed around a rotation axis; a swing unit that contacts the surface of the powder transferred within the transfer path and swings at least following the accommodation height of the surface; and a detection unit that detects the swing state of the swing unit. The transfer unit has a non-transfer portion where the transfer portion does not exist, the swing unit is configured to swing while existing in the non-transfer portion, and an upper portion located above a contact portion that contacts the powder is formed of a curved surface protruding upward.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for detecting the accommodation height of powder and a powder supply apparatus. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a technique for detecting the height (accommodation height) of the surface of powder accommodated in a container, for example, the techniques described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-151634 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-48359 are known.

[0003] The Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-151634 discloses the following technique: In a sub-hopper (toner storage unit), a floating member for detecting the level of the upper surface of toner is provided so as to be swingable about an axis. On the other hand, a light shielding plate is provided, which is attached to the axis and swings up and down along with the swing of the floating member, and is detected by a transmissive optical sensor. The sub-hopper is disposed below a toner bottle that is detachably assembled, accommodates the developer supplied from the toner bottle, and supplies the accommodated developer to the developing device by driving a supply roller.

[0004] In addition, the Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-151634 discloses the following: The floating member swings up and down by a cam that rotates together with a stirring shaft disposed below it, and swings up and down in such a manner that it does not collide with a stirring plate provided on the stirring shaft for leveling the upper surface of the toner even when the toner in the sub-hopper decreases. Further, the Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-151634 also discloses the following: The state in which the toner in the sub-hopper decreases and the floating member swings downward is detected by the transmissive optical sensor via the light shielding plate.

[0005] The Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-48359 discloses a technique for detecting the amount of toner, which has a structure substantially the same as that described in the Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-151634 except for the above light shielding plate and transmissive optical sensor.

[0006] In addition, the Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-48359 discloses the following: A magnet is provided on the upper surface of the free end side of the floating member that swings upward to the limit in the sub-hopper, and an empty sensor that operates according to the position of the magnet is attached to the outer side surface of the sub-hopper. The state in which the toner in the sub-hopper decreases and the floating member swings downward is detected by the empty sensor via the magnet. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present disclosure provides a powder accommodation height detection device and a powder supply device using the powder accommodation height detection device, which can detect the powder accommodation height without causing a decrease in detection accuracy due to powder accumulation. The powder is in a transfer path configured to rotate a powder transfer unit having a spiral transfer portion around a rotation axis.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a powder accommodation height detection device, wherein the powder accommodation height detection device includes: a main body having a transfer path for transferring powder; a powder transfer unit configured to rotate within the transfer path and having a transfer portion spirally provided around a rotation axis; a swing unit that contacts the surface of the powder transferred within the transfer path and swings at least following the accommodation height of the surface; and a detection unit that detects the swinging state of the swing unit. The transfer unit has a non-transfer portion where the transfer portion does not exist, the swing unit is configured to swing while existing in the non-transfer portion, and an upper portion located above a contact portion that contacts the powder is formed of a curved surface protruding upward.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, the contact portion is formed of a curved surface protruding downward.

[0010] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, at least a portion of the swing unit including the contact portion has a cylindrical outer shape.

[0011] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, at least a portion of the swing unit including the contact portion has a spherical outer shape.

[0012] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, at least a portion of the swing unit including the contact portion is configured to have a hollow structure.

[0013] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a portion including the contact portion is configured to be rotatable to follow the movement of the powder transferred within the transfer path.

[0014] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a portion including the contact portion is mounted in a manner rotatable relative to an axis, and the shape of a cross-section orthogonal to the axis is circular.

[0015] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, a portion including the contact portion is formed in a shape having a protrusion that promotes rotation following the transfer flow of the powder.

[0016] According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, the rotation axis of the non-transfer portion is configured as an eccentric axis with an offset center.

[0017] According to the tenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a powder supply device, which includes: a main body having a receiving port for receiving powder supplied from a powder container, a transfer path for transferring the powder, and a discharge port for discharging the powder in the transfer path to a supply destination; a powder transfer unit configured to rotate within the transfer path and having a transfer portion spirally disposed around a rotation axis; a discharge unit for discharging the powder in the transfer path to the discharge port; and a storage height detection device for detecting the storage height of the surface of the powder transferred within the transfer path. The storage height detection device is constituted by the above-described powder storage height detection device.

[0018] Effect of the Invention

[0019] According to the first aspect, it is possible to detect the storage height of the powder in the transfer path without causing a decrease in detection accuracy due to powder accumulation, wherein a powder transfer unit having a spiral transfer portion around a rotation axis is configured to rotate within the transfer path.

[0020] According to the second aspect, compared with the case where the contact portion of the swing unit is not constituted by a downwardly protruding curved surface, it is possible to perform detection while accurately following the surface of the powder in a state where the contact portion of the swing unit is difficult to be buried.

[0021] According to the third aspect, compared with the case where at least a part of the swing unit including the contact portion is not configured to be cylindrical, it is possible to perform detection with a simpler structure.

[0022] According to the fourth aspect, compared with the case where at least a part of the swing unit including the contact portion is not configured to be spherical, it is possible to perform detection while accurately following the surface of the powder while further reducing the resistance to the transfer flow of the powder in the transfer path.

[0023] According to the fifth aspect, compared with the case where at least a part of the swing unit including the contact portion is not constituted by a hollow structure, it is possible to perform detection while accurately following the surface of the powder in a situation where the contact portion of the swing unit is even more difficult to be buried.

[0024] According to the sixth aspect, compared with the case where the part of the swing unit including the contact portion is not configured to be rotatable by the movement of the powder transferred in the transfer path, it is possible to perform detection while removing the powder that is about to accumulate above the swing unit.

[0025] According to the seventh aspect, compared with a configuration in which a portion of the swing unit including the contact portion is not mounted in a rotatable manner relative to the shaft and the shape of a cross-section orthogonal to its shaft is not formed as a circular shape, the conveyance flow of the powder in the conveyance path is not obstructed, and it is possible to perform detection while removing the powder that is about to accumulate on the upper portion of the swing unit.

[0026] According to the eighth aspect, compared with a case where a portion of the swing unit including the contact portion is not formed in a shape having a protrusion that promotes rotation following the conveyance flow of the powder, the conveyance flow of the powder in the conveyance path is not obstructed, and it is possible to perform detection while accurately following the surface of the powder with the swing unit.

[0027] According to the ninth aspect, compared with a case where the rotation shaft of the non-conveying portion of the conveyance unit is not formed as an eccentric shaft, it is possible to suppress the periodic contact of a portion of the swing unit with the eccentric shaft at the non-conveying portion of the conveyance unit and the accumulation of powder at the upper portion of the swing unit.

[0028] The powder supply device according to the tenth aspect can detect the accommodation height of the powder in the conveyance path without causing a decrease in detection accuracy due to the accumulation of powder. In the main body of the powder supply device, a powder conveyance unit having a spiral conveyance portion around the rotation shaft is configured to rotate within the conveyance path. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall structure of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1.

[0030] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing Figure 1 a partial structure of the image forming apparatus.

[0031] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the developer supply device (in a state where the upper panel is removed) and the accommodation height detection device.

[0032] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing Figure 3 the supply device and the accommodation height detection device in a top view.

[0033] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a magnified view of a part of Figure 4 the accommodation height detection device.

[0034] Figure 6 is Figure 4Profile schematic diagram of the supply device and the housing height detection device cut along the Q-Q line. (A) is a profile schematic diagram showing the state when the swing unit swings to the highest position, and (B) is a profile schematic diagram showing the state when the swing unit swings to the lowest position.

[0035] Figure 7 Shows Figure 3 Top view of the developer transfer unit at the housing height detection position of

[0036] Figure 8 Shows Figure 6 Another state profile schematic diagram of the supply device and the housing height detection device of

[0037] Figure 9 Conceptual diagram showing an example of the detection output of the detection unit in Embodiment 1.

[0038] Figure 10 In, (A) shows Figure 3 Schematic perspective view of the structure of the swing unit at the housing height detection position of , and (B) is a schematic diagram showing the contact part of the swing unit in (A) enlarged.

[0039] Figure 11 Diagram showing a part of the housing height detection device in Embodiment 2. (A) is a schematic perspective view of the structure of the swing unit at the housing height detection position, and (B) is a schematic diagram showing the contact part of the swing unit in (A) enlarged.

[0040] Figure 12 Diagram showing a part of a modified example of the housing height detection device in Embodiment 2. (A) is a schematic perspective view of the structure of the swing unit at the housing height detection position, and (B) is a schematic diagram showing the contact part of the swing unit in (A) enlarged.

[0041] Figure 13 Profile schematic diagram of the supply device and the housing height detection device in Embodiment 3. (A) is a profile schematic diagram showing the state when the swing unit swings to the highest position, and (B) is a profile schematic diagram showing the state when the swing unit swings to the lowest position.

[0042] Figure 14 Shows Figure 13 Top view of the developer transfer unit at the housing height detection position of

[0043] Figure 15 Conceptual diagram showing an example of the detection output of the detection unit in Embodiment 3. Detailed embodiments

[0044] Hereinafter, embodiments for implementing the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0045] [Embodiment 1]

[0046] Figure 1 and Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an image forming apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Figure 1 shows the overall structure of the image forming apparatus 1, Figure 2 shows the structure of a part of the image forming apparatus 1 (mainly an image forming apparatus and a developer supply apparatus).

[0047] Figure 1 Arrows indicated by reference numerals X, Y, and Z in FIGS. 1 and 2 represent the respective directions of the width, height, and depth of the three-dimensional space assumed in each figure. In addition, in each figure, a circular mark at the intersection of the arrows in the X and Y directions indicates that the direction of Z is vertically downward in the figure.

[0048] <Structure of Image Forming Apparatus>

[0049] The image forming apparatus 1 is an apparatus that forms an image composed of toner as a developer on a sheet of paper 9 as an example of a recording medium. The image forming apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 is configured as a printer, for example, which forms an image corresponding to image information input from an external connection device such as an information terminal.

[0050] As Figure 1 shown, the image forming apparatus 1 has a housing 10 having a required external shape, and in the internal space of the housing 10, there are provided: an image forming apparatus 2 that forms a toner image based on image information; an intermediate transfer apparatus 3 that temporarily holds and transfers the toner image formed by the image forming apparatus 2 and then secondarily transfers it to the sheet of paper 9; a paper feed apparatus 4 that houses and sends out the sheet of paper 9 to be supplied to the position for secondary transfer to the intermediate transfer apparatus 3; and a fixing apparatus 5 that fixes the toner image secondarily transferred by the intermediate transfer apparatus 3 to the sheet of paper 9, etc.

[0051] Here, the image information is, for example, information related to an image such as characters, graphics, photographs, patterns, etc. In addition, the housing 10 is a structure formed into a required shape by various support members, exterior materials, etc. Figure 1 The dashed-dotted line with an arrow in FIGS. 1 and 2 represents the main transfer path when the sheet of paper 9 is transferred inside the housing 10.

[0052] The image forming apparatus 2 is composed of four image forming apparatuses 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K that respectively and specifically form toner images of four colors: yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K).

[0053] Each of the four image forming devices 2 (Y, M, C, K) has a photosensitive drum 21 which rotates in the direction shown by arrow A and is an example of an image holding unit. Around the photosensitive drum 21, devices such as a charging device 22, an exposure device 23, developing devices 24 (Y, M, C, K), a primary transfer device 25, and a drum cleaning device 26 are arranged to form a structure. In Figure 1 only the reference numerals 21 to 26 are all described in the black (K) image forming device 2K, and only a part of the reference numerals 21 to 26 are described in the image forming devices 2 (Y, M, C) of other colors.

[0054] Among them, the charging device 22 is a device that charges the outer peripheral surface (image-forming surface) of the photosensitive drum 21 to a required surface potential. The exposure device 23 is a device that forms an electrostatic latent image of required color components (Y, M, C, K) by performing exposure based on image information on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21. The developing devices 24 (Y, M, C, K) are devices that develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 using dry powder (toner) composed of corresponding specified colors (Y, M, C, K) to respectively form toner images of four specified colors.

[0055] In addition, the primary transfer device 25 is a device that electrostatically transfers the toner images of various colors formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 to the intermediate transfer device 3 (intermediate transfer belt 31). The drum cleaning device 26 is a device that cleans the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 by scraping off unnecessary substances such as unnecessary toner and paper powder attached to the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21.

[0056] In these image forming devices 2 (Y, M, C, K), each part where the photosensitive drum 21 (strictly speaking, the intermediate transfer belt 31 of the intermediate transfer device 3) faces the primary transfer device 25 becomes a primary transfer position TP1 for performing primary transfer of the toner image.

[0057] In these four image forming devices 2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K, for example, when receiving an instruction for an image forming operation to form a multicolor image, that is, a so-called full-color image, composed of toner images combining the above four colors (Y, M, C, K), for each photosensitive drum 21 that rotates in the direction shown by arrow A in the image forming device 2 (Y, M, C, K), charging operation based on the charging device 22, exposure operation based on the exposure device 23, developing operation based on the developing devices 24 (Y, M, C, K), etc. are respectively performed.

[0058] Thus, on each photosensitive drum 21 in the image forming devices 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K, toner images of four colors decomposed into components of four colors (Y, M, C, K) are independently formed. Then, the toner images of four colors formed on each photosensitive drum 21 are transferred to the primary transfer position TP1 by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 21.

[0059] The intermediate transfer device 3 is a device configured as follows: after holding toner images of various colors formed by the image forming devices 2 (Y, M, C, K) through primary transfer, it transfers them to the position of secondary transfer onto the paper 9. The intermediate transfer device 3 is disposed inside the housing 10 on the lower side of the image forming devices 2 (Y, M, C, K).

[0060] In addition, the intermediate transfer device 3 includes an intermediate transfer belt 31, and the intermediate transfer belt 31 is primary transferred with toner images from each photosensitive drum 21 in the image forming devices 2 (Y, M, C, K) and holds the toner images. The intermediate transfer belt 31 is supported by a plurality of support rollers 32a to 32f disposed inside thereof, and is supported to sequentially pass through the primary transfer positions of the image forming devices 2 (Y, M, C, K) and rotate (circumferentially move) in the direction shown by the arrow B.

[0061] Among them, the support roller 32a is configured as a drive roller that receives rotational power from a drive device (not shown) and rotates, the support roller 32b is configured as a surface roller that cooperates with the support roller 32a to hold the belt position (surface) of the primary transfer position that is about to pass through or has just passed through the intermediate transfer belt 31, and the support roller 32c is configured as a tension roller.

[0062] In addition, the support roller 32d is configured as a surface roller before secondary transfer of the intermediate transfer belt 31, the support roller 32f is configured as a secondary transfer back roller, and the support roller 32e is configured as a surface roller after passing through the secondary transfer position of the intermediate transfer belt 31. When the support roller 32e is configured as a roller for supplying a secondary transfer voltage, a secondary transfer voltage is supplied from a power supply device (not shown).

[0063] In addition, primary transfer devices 25 in each of the image forming devices 2 (Y, M, C, K) are disposed inside the intermediate transfer belt 31. The primary transfer device 25 also forms a part of the intermediate transfer device 3. The primary transfer device 25 is composed of a primary transfer roller and the like, and a primary transfer current is supplied to the primary transfer roller from a power supply device (not shown).

[0064] In addition, a secondary transfer device 35 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the portion of the intermediate transfer belt 31 supported by the support roller 32e. The secondary transfer device 35 allows the paper 9 to pass through and transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 31 to the paper 9 by secondary transfer. The secondary transfer device 35 is composed of a secondary transfer roller and the like.

[0065] In addition, a belt cleaning device 36 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the portion of the intermediate transfer belt 31 supported by the support roller 32a. The belt cleaning device 36 removes unnecessary substances such as unnecessary toner remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31 after secondary transfer and cleans the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31.

[0066] In this intermediate transfer device 3, the portion of the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31 that contacts the secondary transfer device 35 becomes the secondary transfer position TP2 where the toner image is secondarily transferred.

[0067] The paper feeding device 4 is a device configured to house and send out the paper 9 to be supplied to the secondary transfer position TP2 of the intermediate transfer device 3. The paper feeding device 4 is disposed inside the housing 10 at a position lower than the image forming devices 2 (Y, M, C, K).

[0068] In addition, the paper feeding device 4 is constituted by equipment such as a housing 41 for housing the paper and a sending device 43.

[0069] The housing 41 is a housing member that has a loading plate 42 for loading and housing a plurality of sheets of paper 9 in a required direction and is mounted so as to be able to be pulled out to the outside of the housing 10 for operations such as replenishing the paper 9. The sending device 43 is a device that repeatedly sends out one by one the paper 9 loaded on the loading plate 42 of the housing 41 through sending equipment such as a plurality of rollers.

[0070] The paper 9 can be an ordinary paper, coated paper, thick paper, or other recording media that can be conveyed inside the housing 10 and on which toner images can be transferred and fixed. There are no particular restrictions on its material, method, etc.

[0071] A paper feeding conveyance path Rt1 is provided between the paper feeding device 4 and the secondary transfer position TP2 of the intermediate transfer device 3. The paper feeding conveyance path Rt1 conveys and supplies the paper 9 located in the paper feeding device 4 to the secondary transfer position TP2. The paper feeding conveyance path Rt1 is constituted by arranging a plurality of conveyance rollers 44a to 44c that sandwich and convey the paper 9 and a plurality of guiding members (not shown) that guide the conveyance of the paper 9 in a manner that ensures the conveyance space of the paper 9.

[0072] In the intermediate transfer device 3, the four-color toner images formed on the respective photosensitive drums 21 in the image forming devices 2 (Y, M, C, K) are subjected to primary transfer by the primary transfer device 25 and are respectively primarily transferred so as to sequentially coincide with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31 rotating in the direction shown by the arrow B, and then are conveyed to the secondary transfer position TP2. On the other hand, after sending out the required paper 9 from the paper feeding device 4, the paper 9 is conveyed to the secondary transfer position TP2 via the paper feeding conveyance path Rt1 in synchronization with the timing of the formation and conveyance of the toner image.

[0073] Thus, the toner image transferred once by the intermediate transfer belt 31 is transferred by the secondary transfer device 35 at the secondary transfer position TP2 in the intermediate transfer device 3, and is uniformly secondarily transferred to one side of the sheet 9.

[0074] The fixing device 5 is configured to fix the toner image secondarily transferred by the intermediate transfer device 3 to the sheet 9. The fixing device 5 is disposed inside the housing 10 at a position below the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheet 9 from the secondary transfer position TP2 of the intermediate transfer device 3.

[0075] In addition, the fixing device 5 is configured by disposing devices such as the heating rotating body 51 and the pressing rotating body 52 in the internal space of the housing 50 provided with the inlet and outlet of the sheet 9.

[0076] The heating rotating body 51 is a rotating body configured by a roll method, a belt-push rod method, etc., which rotates in the direction shown by the arrow, and is heated by a heating unit (not shown) so that the outer surface maintains a required temperature. The pressing rotating body 52 is a rotating body configured by a roll method, a belt-push rod method, etc., which rotates in a manner of contacting and following the heating rotating body 51 under a required pressure. The pressing rotating body 52 may also be heated by the heating unit.

[0077] In this fixing device 5, the portion where the heating rotating body 51 contacts the pressing rotating body 52 is configured as a clamping portion (fixing processing portion) FN that performs processes such as heating and pressing for fixing the unfixed toner image to the sheet 9.

[0078] A relay conveyance path Rt2 is provided between the secondary transfer position TP2 of the intermediate transfer device 3 and the fixing device 5. The relay conveyance path Rt2 is configured to relay the conveyance of the sheet 9 after the secondary transfer and make it reach the fixing device 5. The relay conveyance path Rt2 is configured, for example, by disposing a suction type belt conveyance device 46 or the like.

[0079] In addition, a discharge conveyance path Rt3 is provided between the fixing device 5 and the discharge port 13. The discharge conveyance path Rt3 conveys the sheet 9 after fixing to the discharge port 13 of the sheet 9 in the housing 10 and discharges it to a paper discharge storage portion (not shown). The discharge conveyance path Rt3 is configured by disposing a pair of conveyance rollers (not shown), discharge rollers (not shown), and a plurality of guide members (not shown) for guiding the conveyance of the sheet 9.

[0080] In the fixing device 5, the sheet 9 after the secondary transfer is completed in the secondary transfer device 35 is introduced into the fixing processing portion in the fixing device 5 via the relay conveyance path Rt2.

[0081] Thus, the sheet 9 is subjected to a fixing process by the fixing device 5 to fix the toner image, and a full-color image is formed on one side thereof.

[0082] Finally, the sheet 9 after the fixing is discharged to a paper discharge storage unit (not shown) via the discharge conveyance path Rt3.

[0083] In this image forming apparatus 1, by the above operations, one sheet 9 on which a full-color image is formed is output. In addition, according to the image forming apparatus 1, for example, other types of images including monochromatic images such as black images can also be formed.

[0084] <Structure of Developer Supply Device etc.>

[0085] In addition, in the image forming apparatus 1, as Figure 1 , Figure 2 shown, for each developing device 24 (Y, M, C, K) in the image forming devices 2 (Y, M, C, K), the required amount of the corresponding color developer is supplied from the developer containers 18Y, 18M, 18C, 18K that store developers of different colors via the developer supply device 7.

[0086] The developer containers 18 (Y, M, C, K) are replaceable cassette-type storage containers and are used by being detachably attached to the attachment device 17. When the developing device 24 uses a two-component developer, in the developer containers 18 (Y, M, C, K), toner of any one of the four colors (Y, M, C, K) or toner including a small amount of carrier is separately stored as the developer by color.

[0087] The developer stored in the developer containers 18 (Y, M, C, K) is separately supplied from the supply device 7 disposed separately below the attachment device 17 to the developing devices 24 (Y, M, C, K). Figure 1 , Figure 2 The reference numeral 78 in

[0088] is a transfer pipe provided in such a manner that the developer supplied from each supply device 7 is transferred to each developing device 24 (Y, M, C, K). Figure 2 As shown by the double-dot chain line in Figure 2 , a drive device 192 for driving a unit that discharges the developer in the developer container 18 is provided in the attachment device 17. In addition, as shown by the dotted line in

[0089] As Figures 2 to 4As shown in the figures, the replenishing device 7 includes: a main body 70 having a receiving port 71 for receiving developer supplied from the developer containers 18 (Y, M, C, K), transfer paths 72A and 72B for transferring the developer, and a discharge port 73 for discharging the developer in the transfer paths 72A and 72B to a replenishment destination such as the developing device 24; transfer units 74 and 75 of the developer, which are separately arranged to rotate in the transfer paths 72A and 72B; a discharge unit 76 for discharging the developer in the transfer paths 72A and 72B to the discharge port 73; and a developer accommodation height detection device 6 for detecting the accommodation height of the surface of the developer transferred in the transfer path 72A.

[0090] The main body 70 is a container-shaped structure that is long in one direction (e.g., the depth direction or the long side direction indicated by the arrow Z), and two rows of transfer paths 72A and 72B extending parallel to the long side direction are provided at its lower part. Figure 3 、 Figure 4 In the figures, etc., a state in which an upper panel (cover body) not shown of the main body 70 is removed is shown with respect to the replenishing device 7.

[0091] The transfer path 72A is the first transfer path 72A, and the second transfer path 72B is the second transfer path 72B.

[0092] As Figure 4 、, Figure 5 shown in the figures, etc., both the first transfer path 72A and the second transfer path 72B are formed as grooves having a U-shaped cross-sectional shape and extending linearly.

[0093] In addition, the first transfer path 72A and the second transfer path 72B are separated by a plate-shaped partition wall 70b along the long side direction. On the other hand, at both ends in their long side direction, they are connected to each other via a first communication path 72C and a second communication path 72D where the partition wall 70b does not exist, and thus, they are configured as one continuous transfer path.

[0094] As Figure 2 、 Figure 4 shown, the receiving port 71 is provided at a position above the front of the end on the upstream side in the transfer direction (D1) of the developer in the first transfer path 72A in the main body 70. The receiving port 71 is formed in the upper panel not shown of the main body 70. In addition, the receiving port 71 is connected to face the discharge port 19a of the developer in the assembling device 17 of the developer container 18 ( Figure 2 ).

[0095] As Figure 2 、 Figure 4 shown, the discharge port 73 is provided at a portion (one end portion in the long side direction of the main body 70) deviating outward from the second communication path 72D.

[0096] The transfer unit 74 for the developer is the first transfer unit disposed within the first transfer path 72A. The transfer unit 75 for the developer is the second transfer unit disposed within the second transfer path 72B.

[0097] As Figures 3 to 5 shown, etc., the first transfer unit 74 is constituted by a transfer member having a configuration of a transfer portion 742, and is rotatably disposed within the first transfer path 72A. The transfer portion 742 is spirally provided at a prescribed pitch with a gap around a rotation shaft 741. The second transfer unit 75 is constituted by a transfer member having a configuration of a transfer portion 752, and is rotatably disposed within the second transfer path 72B. The transfer portion 752 is provided to extend spirally from a rotation shaft portion 751 at one end toward the other end with a prescribed gap in a shaftless manner.

[0098] In addition, the first transfer unit 74 and the second transfer unit 75 for the developer are rotated in a prescribed direction by rotational power transmitted from a drive input shaft 77a via a gear train mechanism 77b.

[0099] Accordingly, within the first transfer path 72A, the developer is transferred in the direction indicated by an arrow D1 by the rotation of the first transfer unit 74. In addition, within the second transfer path 72B, the developer is transferred in the direction indicated by an arrow D2 by the rotation of the second transfer unit 75. The drive input shaft 77a is transmitted with rotational power output from a drive device 712 for supplying the developer ( Figure 2 ) via an input gear 77c.

[0100] The delivery unit 76 is disposed to be present within the second communication path 72D. The delivery unit 76 is constituted by a rotation shaft 761, a spiral transfer portion 762, and a plate-shaped feed blade portion 763. The rotation shaft 761 is rotatably disposed within the main body 70 so as to pass through between partition walls 70b and pass through the first communication path 72C and the second communication path 72D. The spiral transfer portion 762 is continuously and spirally protrudingly provided on a portion of the rotation shaft 761 from the second communication path 72D to the discharge port 73. The plate-shaped feed blade portion 763 is axially provided on a portion of the rotation shaft 761 present within the first communication path 72C.

[0101] Similar to the case of the first transfer unit 74 and the second transfer unit 75 for the developer, the delivery unit 76 is rotated in a prescribed direction by rotational power transmitted from the drive input shaft 77a via the gear train mechanism 77b to the rotation shaft 761.

[0102] Accordingly, in the delivery unit 76, the developer located in the second communication path 72D is delivered toward the delivery port 73 by the spiral conveyor 762, and the developer located in the first communication path 72C is delivered toward the second transfer path 72B by the feed vane unit 763.

[0103] In addition, the delivery unit 76 is rotationally driven simultaneously with the rotational driving of the first transfer unit 74 and the second transfer unit 75 of the developer.

[0104] <Structure of the developer accommodation height detection device>

[0105] Next, the developer accommodation height detection device 6 will be described.

[0106] First, regarding the accommodation height detection device 6, as Figure 3 , Figure 4 etc. show, as an example of an object to which the accommodation height detection device 6 is applied, a part of the main body 70 provided with the first transfer path 72A in the supply device 7 is configured as the main body 61, and includes: a first transfer unit 74 of the developer, which is disposed in the first transfer path 72A and configured to rotate within the first transfer path 72A; a swing unit 64, which contacts the surface of the developer conveyed in the first transfer path 72A and swings at least following the accommodation height of the surface; and a detection unit 65, which detects the swing state of the swing unit 64.

[0107] The main body 61 becomes at least a part of the main body 70 in the supply device 7 where the first transfer path 72A is provided. As Figures 3 to 6 shown, the main body 61 in Embodiment 1 has a structure provided with a protruding portion that protrudes outward from a part of the first transfer path 72A in the main body 70 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the developer transfer direction D1 and has a recessed space. The recessed space in the protruding portion is used as a space for disposing a part of the swing unit 64.

[0108] As described above, the first transfer unit 74 is configured to rotate within the first transfer path 72A and is composed of a transfer member having a structure in which transfer portions 742 are spirally provided at intervals around the rotation shaft 741.

[0109] The swing unit 64 is composed of a member having a cylindrical outer shape. As Figures 3 to 5As shown in etc., one end in the long side direction of the swing unit 64 is fixedly installed on the swing support shaft 66. The swing support shaft 66 is disposed in a recessed space of the protruding portion of the main body 61 in a swingable manner. The other end in the long side direction of the swing unit 64 is provided to contact the agent surface (S) which is the surface of the developing agent accommodated in the first transfer path 72A. In addition, the swing unit 64 is configured such that its long side direction is in a state along a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis 741 of the first transfer unit 74.

[0110] The swing support shaft 66 that supports the swing unit 64 is provided to be rotatable in a state along a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis 741 of the first transfer unit 74 and in a state of cutting across the recessed space of the protruding portion of the main body 61. In addition, one end portion of the swing support shaft 66 is provided to protrude outward from the side surface of the protruding portion of the main body 61.

[0111] As Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 6 As shown in etc., on the end portion of the protruding portion of the swing support shaft 66, a detection plate 67 is fixedly installed as an example of the detected unit actually detected by the detection unit 65. The detection plate 67 is formed of, for example, a fan-shaped member. In addition, the detection plate 67 swings in linkage with the swing unit 64 by being transmitted the swing of the swing unit 64 via the swing support shaft 66.

[0112] As Figure 6 (A) shows, the swing unit 64 is fixedly installed on the swing support shaft 66, and thus swings in the direction indicated by the double arrow with the swing support shaft 66 as the fulcrum. Thus, as Figure 6 (B), Figure 8 shows, the swing front end portion which is the other end portion of the swing unit 64 can contact the agent surface (S) of the developing agent existing in the first transfer path 72A, and the swing unit 64 swings at least following the accommodation height of the agent surface (S).

[0113] Here, the accommodation height is the dimension of the agent surface (S) of the developing agent existing in the first transfer path 72A from the bottom surface of the first transfer path 72A, and is also a dimension that is substantially determined according to the amount (volume) accommodated and accumulated in the first transfer path 72A.

[0114] The detection unit 65 is used to detect the swing state of the swing unit 64, but in the first embodiment, it is a unit for detecting the state of the detection plate 67 that swings in linkage with the swing unit 64.

[0115] The detection unit 65 is constituted by, for example, a transmissive or reflective optical sensor. In the detection unit 65 constituted by the optical sensor, there is a detection unit 65a for detecting whether the light receiving unit receives the detection light emitted from the light emitting unit. The detection unit 65 constituted by the optical sensor in Embodiment 1 is of a type having one detection unit 65a.

[0116] The detection unit 65 is constituted by, for example, a transmissive or reflective optical sensor. In the detection unit 65 constituted by the optical sensor, there is a detection unit 65a for detecting whether the light receiving unit receives the detection light emitted from the light emitting unit. The detection unit 65 constituted by the optical sensor in Embodiment 1 is of a type having one detection unit 65a.

[0117] On the other hand, when the detection unit 65 is a transmissive optical sensor, the detected plate 67 is constituted by a light-shielding member. Further, as Figure 6 (B) illustrates, the detected plate 67 is configured such that the detection unit 65 detects a state when the swing unit 64 swings corresponding to a case where the accommodation height of the developer surface (S) of the developer present in the first transfer path 72A becomes lower (a case approaching the minimum detection height Mlow).

[0118] Further, as Figure 3 etc. show, the detection unit 65 is provided in a portion 61d on the outer side of the main body 61 (the main body 70 of the supply device 7) that becomes the first transfer path 72A.

[0119] The portion 61d on the outer side where the detection unit 65 is provided in Embodiment 1 is configured to be a portion adjacent to one side of the protruding portion of the recessed space in the main body 61 that has the base end of the swing unit 64 disposed therein. Thus, the portion where the detection unit 65 is provided becomes a portion isolated from the first transfer path 72A.

[0120] Further, in this accommodation height detection device 6, as Figures 3 to 5 and Figure 10 etc. show, as the first transfer unit 74, a first transfer unit 74(A) having a non-transfer portion 68 where the transfer portion 742 does not exist is applied, and the swing unit 64 is configured to swing in a state where it exists in the non-transfer portion 68 in the first transfer unit 74(A), and an upper portion 64k formed of a curved surface protruding upward exists at a position above the contact portion 64j that contacts the developer in the first transfer path 72A.

[0121] As Figure 4 , Figure 6As shown, the first transfer unit 74(A) has a structure in which the spiral transfer section 742 is interrupted at a portion corresponding to the area of the swing unit 64 where the accommodation height detection device 6 is present, and the portion where the transfer section 742 is interrupted and does not exist (the portion where only the rotating shaft 741 is present, and in this example, the portion where the eccentric shaft 743 described later is present) is configured as a non-transfer portion 68.

[0122] In this case, as Figure 4 , Figure 6 (A) etc. show, the swing unit 64 is in a state of being at least present on the upper side of the non-transfer portion 68 (the rotating shaft 741 in the non-transfer portion 68. Actually, the eccentric shaft 743 described later). In addition, it is configured such that the free end on the side opposite to the base end supported by the swing support shaft 66, that is, the swing front end portion 64a, exists in the first transfer path 72A across the eccentric shaft 743 of the non-transfer portion 68 described later.

[0123] In addition, in this case, in the first transfer path 72A, at the portion where the non-transfer portion 68 exists, the developer cannot directly receive the transfer force of the transfer section 742 of the first transfer unit 74(A), so it is in a temporarily staying state. However, the staying developer is squeezed by the developer being transferred from the upstream side in the transfer direction D1 of the developer, so it is sequentially transferred and passes through the portion where the non-transfer portion 68 exists.

[0124] In addition, as Figure 7 etc. show, the eccentric shaft 743 which is offset from the axis of the rotating shaft 741 at a portion other than the non-transfer portion 68 is applied as the rotating shaft in the non-transfer portion 68 of the first transfer unit 74(A).

[0125] As Figure 6 (B) shows, the eccentric shaft 743 is configured in a shape eccentric by a specified eccentric amount α such that in a state where the swing unit 64 is in contact with the eccentric shaft 743, the swing front end portion 64a can reach the lowest detection height (MLow) of the agent surface (S) of the developer.

[0126] As Figure 7 etc. show, the eccentric shaft 743 in the first embodiment has the following shape (crank shape): After rising by the height of the eccentric amount α vertically from the rotating shafts 741 on both sides of the non-transfer portion 68, it has a linear shaft portion parallel to the axial direction of the rotating shaft 741 within the range of the non-transfer portion 68.

[0127] In this accommodation height detection device 6, since the eccentric shaft 743 is applied as the rotating shaft in the non-transfer portion 68, the swing unit 64, for example, when there is no developer in the first transfer path 72A or when the amount of developer becomes less, as Figure 6As shown, it sometimes becomes the following state: its lower surface portion periodically contacts and swings with the outermost peripheral portion 743a or the innermost peripheral portion 743b of the eccentric shaft 743 in the non-conveying portion 68 of the rotating first conveying unit 74(A).

[0128] Thus, as described above, the swinging unit 64 in the housing height detection device 6 sometimes swings following the housing height of the developer surface (S), and also sometimes swings up and down periodically by contacting the rotating eccentric shaft 743.

[0129] In addition, the above-mentioned outermost peripheral portion 743a is the portion located on the outermost side with respect to the axis of the rotation axis 741 of the eccentric shaft 743. Further, the above-mentioned innermost peripheral portion 743b is the portion located on the innermost side with respect to the axis of the rotation axis 741 of the eccentric shaft 743.

[0130] In addition, as Figure 5 , Figure 10 and so on show, the swinging unit 64 is composed of the above-mentioned member having a cylindrical outer shape, but it is sufficient that at least the upper portion 64k is composed of a curved surface protruding upward. The upper portion 64k exists at a position above the contact portion 64j that contacts the developer surface (S) in the first conveying path 72A.

[0131] As Figure 10 (B) shows, the upper portion 64k literally exists above with the contact portion 64j as the boundary. In addition, the upper portion 64k can also be said to be at least a portion where the developer may accumulate. Therefore, it is not limited to the portion directly above the contact portion 64j, and may also include the portions existing around it.

[0132] The curved surface protruding upward only needs to be a curved surface that is difficult to accumulate the developer. As a representative example, it is the circumferential surface of a cylinder or a prism, the spherical surface of a sphere, etc. In addition, the curved surface protruding upward is not limited to being adopted in the upper portion directly above the contact portion 64j of the swinging unit 64, and can also be similarly applied to the upper portions existing around it.

[0133] In addition, as Figure 10 and so on show, the contact portion 64j of the swinging unit 64 is composed of a curved surface protruding downward.

[0134] The curved surface protruding downward only needs to be a curved surface having a shape that reduces the resistance when contacting the developer surface (S) that moves while being conveyed in the first conveying path 72A. As a representative example, it is the circumferential surface of a cylinder or a prism, the spherical surface of a sphere, a trapezoidal curved surface including a plane in part, etc. In addition, the curved surface protruding downward is preferably the same type of curved surface that is vertically symmetric with the curved surface of the upper portion 64k, but it can also be a curved surface different from the curved surface of the upper portion 64k.

[0135] In Embodiment 1, the entire swing unit 64 is composed of a member having a cylindrical outer shape. Therefore, the upwardly convex curved surface of the upper portion 64k is formed by the circumferential surface of a cylinder, and the downwardly convex curved surface of the contact portion 64j is formed by the circumferential surface of a cylinder. In addition, the curved surface of the contact portion 64j is a surface that is vertically symmetric to the curved surface of the upper portion 64k.

[0136] In addition, more specifically, the swing unit 64 in Embodiment 1 is composed of a member that is cylindrical as a whole. That is, the swing unit 64 is configured to have a hollow structure as a whole. In addition, the swing unit 64 is not limited to having a hollow structure as a whole, and may also be configured such that at least a portion including the contact portion 64j (for example, the front-end side portion including the swing front end portion 64a) has a hollow structure. By adopting this hollow structure, the swing unit 64 can be made lighter in weight compared to the case where it does not have a hollow structure, and can more accurately follow the surface level (S) of the developer.

[0137] In addition, in this accommodation height detection device 6, as Figure 6 (B) shows, the swing support shaft 66 that serves as the fulcrum during swinging is disposed at a position above the uppermost portion 742t of the transfer portion 742 that is the uppermost portion of the first transfer unit 74(A).

[0138] And, in this accommodation height detection device 6, as Figure 4 and so on show, it is disposed at a position on the downstream side of the receiving port 71 in the first transfer path 72A in the transfer direction D1 of the developer and close to the receiving port 71.

[0139] More specifically, the accommodation height detection device 6 is configured such that its swing unit 64 exists at a position deviated from the position directly below the receiving port 71 in the first transfer path 72A (a position on the downstream side of the receiving port 71 in the transfer direction D1 of the developer).

[0140] <Action of the Developer Supply Device>

[0141] Next, the operation of the developer supply device 7 having the above-described structure will be described. At this time, as Figure 2 shown, the supply device 7 operates under the control of the control unit 15.

[0142] That is, in this image forming apparatus 1, as Figure 2As shown, the amount of developer accommodated in the developing device 24 (Y, M, C, K) (for example, the amount of toner in the case of a two-component developer: concentration) is detected by the detection unit 28 respectively, and this detection information is sent to the control unit 15 for management. Then, when the control unit 15 determines that the toner in one of the developing devices 24 (Y, M, C, K) is in a shortage state, control is performed so that the supply driving device 712 drives for the required time, where the supply driving device 712 rotates the delivery unit 76 of the supply device 7 connected to the developing device 24 of the color determined to be toner-deficient. In this way, the supply device 7 operates.

[0143] At this time, in the supply device 7, the rotational power of the supply driving device 712 is also transmitted to the first transfer unit 74(A) and the second transfer unit 75, and they are rotationally driven in the specified directions respectively.

[0144] As a result, the developer accommodated in the first transfer path 72A and the second transfer path 72B is respectively transmitted along the specified transfer directions D1, D2 ( Figure 4 ) by the transfer force of the first transfer unit 74(A) and the transfer force of the second transfer unit 75.

[0145] That is, the developer in the supply device 7 is transmitted in a manner of reciprocating between the first transfer path 72A and the second transfer path 72B while passing through the first communication path 72C and the second communication path 72D, and is transmitted in a cyclic manner as a whole. In addition, when a part of the developer at this time is transmitted and moves in the second communication path 72D, it is transmitted toward the discharge port 73 by the transfer force of the spiral transfer part 762 of the delivery unit 76.

[0146] In this way, in the supply device 7, the developer accommodated in the first transfer path 72A and the second transfer path 72B of the main body 70 is sent out from the discharge port 73 via the second communication path 72D, and the sent developer is then sent to the developing device 24 of the color determined to be toner-deficient in the transfer tube 78, thereby replenishing the developer.

[0147] In addition, as Figure 2 shown, the supply device 7 detects the accommodation height of the agent surface (S) of the developer in the first transfer path 72A in the main body 70 by the developer accommodation height detection device 6, and in addition, this detection result is sent to the control unit 15 for management.

[0148] Then, when it is determined in the control unit 15 that the storage height of the developer in the first transfer path 72A has become low and the state of the developer stored in the main body 70 is insufficient, control is performed so that the drive device 192 of the assembling device 17 is driven for a required time, where the assembling device 17 is connected to the supply device 7 determined to have insufficient developer.

[0149] Thereby, the unit in the assembling device 17 that discharges the developer in the developer container 18 operates, and the developer in the developer container 18 is supplied to the supply device 7 via the assembling device 17 for replenishment. At this time, after the developer in the developer container 18 is discharged from the discharge port 19a in the assembling device 17, it falls through the receiving port 71 of the supply device 7 to the first transfer path 72A for supply.

[0150] <Operation of the Developer Storage Height Detection Device>

[0151] Next, the operation of the developer storage height detection device 6 will be described. At this time, when the supply device 7 is operating, the storage height detection device 6 detects the storage height of the developer existing in the first transfer path 72A in the main body 70.

[0152] In the storage height detection device 6, the swing unit 64 swings at least following the storage height of the liquid surface (S) of the developer stored in the portion (hereinafter simply referred to as the "detection area") existing in the non-transfer portion 68 in the first transfer unit 74(A) in the first transfer path 72A, and the detection unit 65 detects the swing state of the swing unit 64.

[0153] In this storage height detection device 6, in the above detection area, the eccentric shaft 743 of the non-transfer portion 68 in the first transfer unit 74(A) rotates around the rotation shaft 741, so the eccentric shaft 743 moves in a manner passing below the swing unit 64.

[0154] Here, assuming the stage where a sufficient amount of developer is stored in the above detection area in the first transfer path 72A, in this stage, the swing unit 64 operates as follows to detect the storage height of the developer.

[0155] That is, in the stage with the sufficient amount of developer, the swing unit 64 may be in a state as follows: as Figure 6 (A) shows, it is in a state of contacting the outermost peripheral portion 743a of the eccentric shaft 743 of the non-transfer portion 68 in the first transfer unit 74(A) rotating in the above detection area and swinging in the direction of raising (lifting) the swing front end 64a; and as Figure 8As shown, regardless of the position of the eccentric shaft 743 without the conveying portion 68 in the rotating first conveying unit 74 (A), the front end portion 64a of the swing does not contact the eccentric shaft 743 and swings to a state where it contacts the agent surface (S) of the developer.

[0156] At this time, the detected plate 67 that is swung in conjunction with the swing unit 64 is in any of the above-mentioned swing states, such as Figure 6 (A) and Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , the detection unit 65a is swung to a position where the detection light of the detection unit 65a is blocked. Figure 9 As illustrated, the detection output of the detection unit 65 at this time is obtained as a predetermined first output value (V1).

[0157] Then, in the storage height detection device 6 (or the control unit 15 ), it is set to process the detection output of the detection unit 65 at this time as the detection information of “the developer is present”.

[0158] On the other hand, assuming that the developer stored in the detection area of ​​the first conveying path 72A gradually decreases due to the replenishment operation, the swing unit 64 is in the following state at this stage to detect the storage height of the developer.

[0159] That is, at the stage when the developer is reduced, the storage height of the developer surface (S) begins to become relatively low, and therefore, the swing unit 64 whose swing front end portion 64a is in contact with the developer surface (S) begins to swing in a direction in which the swing front end portion 64a gradually descends.

[0160] At this time, when the developer is reduced to a height close to the minimum detection height MLow, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown in (B), the detection plate 67 that swings in conjunction with the swing unit 64 may swing to a position where it does not block the detection light of the detection portion 65a in the detection unit 65. Figure 9 As illustrated, the detection output of the detection unit 65 at this time is obtained as a predetermined second output value (V2) determined in advance.

[0161] The second output value (V2) is a value different from the first output value (V1). Figure 6 As shown in (B), the second output value (V2) is obtained as an output value of a relatively short time T1 in the period just before the swing unit 64 contacts the innermost circumference 743b of the eccentric shaft 743 without the transmission portion 68 and swings, but is obtained as an output value of a fixed relatively long time T2 (> T1) when the swing unit 64 contacts the innermost circumference 743b of the eccentric shaft 743 without the transmission portion 68 and swings ( Figure 9)。

[0162] In addition, at this time, the swing unit 64 contacts the outermost peripheral portion 743a of the eccentric shaft 743 of the non-conveying portion 68 in the rotating first conveying unit 74(A) in the above-described detection area, and also enters a state of swinging in the direction of rising toward the swing front end portion 64a. Such a swinging state continues during the rotation of the first conveying unit 74(A).

[0163] As Figure 6 (A) shows, the detection plate 67 at this time swings to a position where it blocks the detection light of the detection portion 65a in the detection unit 65. In addition, as Figure 9 illustrated, the detection output of the detection unit 65 at this time becomes the first output value (V1) again.

[0164] Moreover, in the accommodation height detection device 6 (or the control unit 15), it is set that, for example, as Figure 9 shown, when the time point (Ta) when the second output value (V2) at the above-described time T2 in the detection output of the detection unit 65 at this time exceeds a specified number of times is obtained, it is processed as detection information of "insufficient developer or no developer".

[0165] And, in this accommodation height detection device 6, as Figures 3 to 6 , Figure 8 , Figure 10 etc. show, the swing unit 64 is constituted by a member having a cylindrical outer shape, and the upper portion 64k existing above the contact portion 64j in contact with the surface level (S) of the developer is constituted by a curved surface protruding upward. Therefore, compared with the case where the upper portion 64k is not constituted by a curved surface protruding upward (for example, a horizontal plane, a smooth inclined surface, a curved surface protruding downward, etc.), even if the developer is sometimes placed on the upper portion 64k, the developer is difficult to stay. Thus, at least on the upper portion 64k of the swing unit 64, the developer does not accumulate.

[0166] Moreover, in this accommodation height detection device 6, the contact portion 64j of the swing unit 64 is constituted by a curved surface protruding downward. Therefore, compared with the case where the contact portion 64j is not constituted by a curved surface protruding downward (for example, a plane, a curved surface protruding upward, etc.), the swing unit 64 is more likely to obtain buoyancy with respect to the surface level (S) of the developer moving in the conveying direction D1 by being conveyed in the first conveying path 72A and is not easily buried, and moreover, it becomes easy to contact in a state with less resistance. Thus, the swing unit 64 swings while accurately following the surface level (S) of the developer.

[0167] Therefore, according to the accommodation height detection device 6, the accommodation height of the developer in the first transfer path 72A in the main body 70 of the developer supply device 7 is detected, without causing a decrease in detection accuracy due to the accumulation of the developer. Moreover, the detection can be performed while the at least contact portion 64j of the swing unit 64 accurately follows the surface (S) of the developer, thereby also preventing a decrease in detection accuracy.

[0168] In addition, according to the accommodation height detection device 6, for example, there is no need to provide a space for storing and detecting a developer different from the first transfer path 72A, and there is no need to expand the first transfer path 72A for arranging the swing unit 64, and the accommodation height of the developer in the first transfer path 72A can be detected.

[0169] Furthermore, according to the accommodation height detection device 6, the eccentric shaft 743 is applied to the non-transfer portion 68 in the first transfer unit 74(A). Therefore, compared with the case where the eccentric shaft 743 is not applied, it is easier to increase the width (amplitude) of the swing unit 64 in the swing direction (especially the downward direction) in the first transfer path 72A. Moreover, by appropriately setting the eccentricity α of the eccentric shaft 743, etc., it is also easier to reliably detect the accommodation height, especially when the developer becomes less (especially the state close to the lowest detection height Mlow).

[0170] In addition, the accommodation height detection device 6 arranges the swing support shaft 66 that becomes the fulcrum during the swing of the swing unit 64 at a position above the uppermost part 742t of the first transfer unit 74(A). Therefore, compared with the case where it is not arranged at such a position, the swing front end portion 64a of the swing unit 64 can easily detect the accommodation height where the developer in the first transfer path 72A becomes less. In addition, since the detection unit 65 is arranged at the portion 61d that is outside the first transfer path 72A, compared with the case where it is not arranged at such an outside portion 61d, the detection unit 65 will not be contaminated by the developer, and stable detection can be achieved.

[0171] In addition, in the accommodation height detection device 6, especially the swing unit 64 is arranged at a position on the downstream side of the receiving port 71 in the first transfer path 72A in the supply device 7 in the developer transfer direction D1 and close to the receiving port 71 ( Figure 4 ), so compared with the case where it is not arranged at such a position (for example, the position at the end portion on the downstream side of the developer transfer direction D1 in the first transfer path 72A, a certain position in the second transfer path 72B, etc.), since it is close to the receiving port 71 that reflects the state of the amount of the developer supplied from the developer container 18, the accommodation height where the developer becomes less can be detected efficiently and quickly.

[0172] Moreover, since the swing unit 64 is configured to be present at a position deviated from directly below the receiving port 71, it is possible to prevent the developer received from the receiving port 71 in the supply device 7 from easily accumulating above the swing unit 64, which would otherwise make the swing of the swing unit 64 unstable, and it is also possible to prevent a decrease in detection accuracy.

[0173] [Embodiment 2]

[0174] Figure 11 FIG. is a view showing a part of a developer supply device 7 including a developer accommodation height detection device 6 according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure.

[0175] The developer accommodation height detection device 6 and the supply device 7 according to Embodiment 2 are configured with the same structure as the developer accommodation height detection device 6 and the supply device 7 according to Embodiment 1, except that the swing unit 64 in the accommodation height detection device 6 is changed to a swing unit 64(B) with a partially different structure.

[0176] As Figure 11 shown, the swing unit 64(B) in the accommodation height detection device 6 according to Embodiment 2 is configured to be rotatable so that a part including the contact portion 64j follows the movement of the surface (S) of the developer conveyed in the first conveyance path 72A (a movement that moves substantially along the conveyance direction D1).

[0177] Specifically, in the swing unit 64(B), one end portion of the support portion 64c is fixedly attached to the swing support shaft 66, and a rotatable rotating portion 641 is provided at the other end portion of the support portion 64c.

[0178] The rotating portion 641 is formed of, for example, a cylindrical or tubular member and is rotatably mounted on a rotation support shaft 642 that extends from the other end portion of the support portion 64c in a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation shaft 741 in the first conveyance unit 74(A) and in a state substantially parallel to the surface (S) of the developer. The rotation support shaft 642 is mounted on the other end portion of the support portion 64c via a connection portion 643 formed of a spherical joint or the like.

[0179] In addition, as Figure 11 (B) shows, the rotating portion 641 is a part including the contact portion 64j and an upper portion 64k existing above the contact portion 64j, and is formed of, for example, a cylindrical or tubular member. Therefore, the rotating portion 641 is constructed to be rotatably mounted on the rotation support shaft 642, and is configured such that the shape of a cross section orthogonal to the rotation support shaft 642 is circular.

[0180] Moreover, in the accommodation height detection device 6 of the second embodiment, when it operates, as shown in Figure 11 (A), the rotating part 641 of the swing unit 64 (B) follows the movement of the surface (S) of the developer existing in the detection area of the first transfer path 72A and rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow, and follows the accommodation height of the surface (S) of the developer. Thereby, the swing unit 64 (B) operates in such a manner as to swing according to the state of the rotating part 641.

[0181] In addition, in the swing unit 64 (B), the upper part 64k existing in the rotating part 641 above the contact part 64j in contact with the surface (S) of the developer is formed of a curved surface protruding upward. And, since the rotating part 641 follows the movement of the surface (S) of the developer and rotates, compared with the case where the upper part 64k thereof is not formed of a curved surface protruding upward and the part including the contact part 64j is not formed in a rotatable manner, even if the upper part 64k sometimes carries the developer, it is difficult for the developer to further stay. Moreover, even if the developer is to be accumulated, it falls off by rotation and is easily removed. Thus, in the swing unit 64 (B), the developer is not accumulated at least in the upper part 64k (the upper surface part of the rotating part 641).

[0182] In addition, when the rotating support shaft 642 and the connecting part 643 of the swing unit 64 (B) are arranged close to the surface (S) of the developer and are formed in an elongated cylindrical shape or a spherical shape as in the second embodiment, the developer is not accumulated on the upper surface parts of the rotating support shaft 642 and the connecting part 643 either.

[0183] And, in the accommodation height detection device 6, the rotating part 641 including the contact part 64j of the swing unit 64 (B) is formed of a curved surface protruding downward and also rotates. Therefore, compared with the case where the contact part 64j is not formed of a curved surface protruding downward and is not formed to be rotatable, the swing unit 64 is likely to come into contact with the surface (S) of the developer moving in the transfer direction D1 by transfer in the first transfer path 72A in a state where the resistance is further reduced, and it is difficult to be buried. Thus, the swing unit 64 (B) does not hinder the transfer flow of the developer in the first transfer path 72A and swings while more accurately following the surface (S) of the developer.

[0184] Therefore, according to the accommodation height detection device 6, it is possible to detect the accommodation height of the developer in the first transfer path 72A in the main body 70 of the developer supply device 7 without causing a decrease in detection accuracy due to the accumulation of the developer.

[0185] Moreover, the rotating part 641 of the swing unit 64(B) in the accommodation height detection device 6, which includes the contact part 64j, does not obstruct the transfer flow of the developer in the first transfer path 72A. Also, while removing the developer that is about to accumulate on the upper part 64k by rotation and following the surface (S) of the developer more accurately, detection is performed. Thus, a decrease in detection accuracy is not caused either.

[0186] <Modification Example of Embodiment 2>

[0187] Regarding the above-described swing unit 64(B) in the accommodation height detection device 6, as Figure 12 shown, it may be changed to a swing unit 64(C). The rotating part 641 of the swing unit 64(C), which includes the contact part 64j, is formed in a shape having a protrusion 645, and the protrusion 645 follows the transfer flow of the developer to promote rotation.

[0188] The protrusion 645 in the swing unit 64(C) is a plate-shaped structural part that extends in a state substantially parallel to the rotation support shaft 642 and protrudes radially from a plurality of parts of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating part 641. In the Figure 12 illustrated swing unit 64(C), eight plate-shaped protrusions 645 are arranged at equal intervals. However, regarding the number and shape of the protrusion 645, etc., there are no particular limitations as long as the transfer flow of the developer is not obstructed and no excessive swing is caused by the protrusion 645 of the swing unit 64(C).

[0189] In the accommodation height detection device 6 to which the swing unit 64(C) is applied, compared with the case where the rotating part 641 of the swing unit 64, which includes the contact part, is not formed in a shape having a protrusion 645 that follows the transfer flow of the developer to promote rotation, the rotating part 641 receives the movement of the moving developer through the protrusion 645, thereby promoting auxiliary rotation.

[0190] Thus, in this accommodation height detection device 6, the same above-described effects as those of the accommodation height detection device 6 of Embodiment 2 are obtained. In particular, the transfer flow of the developer in the first transfer path 72A is not obstructed, and detection can be performed while making the swing unit 64(C) follow the surface of the developer more accurately.

[0191] [Embodiment 3]

[0192] Figure 13 FIG. is a view showing a developer supply device 7 including the accommodation height detection device 6 for the developer according to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure.

[0193] The developing agent housing height detection device 6 and the replenishing device 7 of Embodiment 3 are configured with the same structure as the developing agent housing height detection device 6 and the replenishing device 7 of Embodiment 1, except that the first transfer unit 74(A) related to the housing height detection device 6 is changed to a first transfer unit 74(B) with a partially different structure, and the swing unit 64 is changed to a swing unit 64(D) with a partially different structure.

[0194] As Figure 14 shown, in the first transfer unit 74(B) of the housing height detection device 6, the same axis 744 whose axis does not deviate from the rotation axis 741 outside the non-transfer portion 68 is applied as the rotation axis of the non-transfer portion 68 instead of the above-mentioned eccentric shaft 743.

[0195] In addition, as Figure 13 shown, the swing unit 64(D) in the housing height detection device 6 is formed in a shape that bends so as to reach the position of the lowest detection height MLow of the agent surface (S) of the developing agent across the same axis 744 in the non-transfer portion 68.

[0196] The swing unit 64(D) in Embodiment 3 has a shape having the following parts: a first part 64d between the swing support shaft 66 and the same axis 744; a second part 64m of the swing front end 64a exceeding the same axis 744; and a bent part 64h provided between the first part 64d and the second part 64m. Both the first part 64d and the second part 64m are formed of members having an outer shape in a cylindrical shape. The bent part 64h is formed of a member in an inverted U-shaped shape so as to bypass and cross the same axis 744.

[0197] In the case where the swing unit 64(D) of this shape is applied, as Figure 13 (B) shown, when the developing agent in the first transfer path 72A is reduced to a level close to the lowest detection height Mlow and the swing unit 64(D) swings in the downward direction of the swing front end 64a following the housing height of the agent surface (S) of the developing agent, the bent part 64h does not contact the same axis 744 of the non-transfer portion 68 of the first transfer unit 74(B), and the swing front end 64a of the second part 64m contacts the agent surface (S) of the developing agent reduced to a level close to the lowest detection height Mlow, and the housing height thereof can be detected.

[0198] Moreover, in the storage height detection device 6, the swinging unit 64 (D) having a shape bent in a manner crossing the same axis 744 swings to at least follow the storage height of the developer surface (S) stored in the portion where the non-transporting portion 68 exists in the first transport unit 74 (B) in the first transport path 72A (hereinafter also referred to as the "detection area"), and the detection unit 65 detects the swinging state of the swinging unit 64 (D).

[0199] In addition, in the storage height detection device 6, the same shaft 744 is used as the rotation axis at the non-transporting portion 68. Therefore, when, for example, there is no developer in the first transport path 72A or the developer is reduced, as shown in FIG. Figure 13 As shown in FIG. 2B , the lower portion of the curved portion 64h of the swing unit 64(D) may also swing in contact with the outermost portion of the same shaft 744 without the conveying portion 68 in the rotating first conveying unit 74(B).

[0200] For example, when a sufficient amount of developer is stored in the detection area in the first conveying path 72A, the swing unit 64 (D) operates as follows to detect the storage height of the developer.

[0201] That is, at the stage where there is a sufficient amount of developer, such as Figure 13 As shown in (A), the swinging unit 64 (D) is independent of the position of the same axis 744 of the non-transmitting portion 68 in the first conveying unit 74 (B) rotating in the above-mentioned detection area, and is in a state where the swinging front end portion 64a in the second portion 64m swings toward a position in contact with the agent surface (S) of the developer.

[0202] In addition, at this stage, before the storage height of the developer reaches a certain fixed low height, the lower part of the curved portion 64h of the swing unit 64(D) does not contact the same axis 744 of the non-transporting portion 68 in the rotating first transport unit 74(B).

[0203] At this time, if Figure 13 As shown in (A), the detection plate 67 that swings in conjunction with the swing unit 64 (D) swings to a position where it blocks the detection light of the detection unit 65a in the detection unit 65. Figure 15 As illustrated, the detection output of the detection unit 65 at this time is obtained as a predetermined first output value (V1).

[0204] Then, in the storage height detection device 6 (or the control unit 15 ), it is set to process the detection output of the detection unit 65 at this time as the detection information of “the developer is present”.

[0205] On the other hand, when the developer stored in the detection area of ​​the first conveying path 72A gradually decreases due to the replenishment operation, the swing unit 64 (D) is in the following state.

[0206] That is, in the stage of reducing the developer, the storage height of the developer surface (S) begins to become relatively low, and therefore, the swinging unit 64 (D) in which the swinging front end 64a contacts the developer surface (S) begins to swing in a direction that gradually lowers the swinging front end 64a.

[0207] At this time, when the developer is reduced to a storage height close to the minimum detection height Mlow, Figure 13 As shown in (B), the detection plate 67 that swings in conjunction with the swing unit 64 (D) swings to a position where it does not block the detection light of the detection portion 65a in the detection unit 65. Figure 15 As illustrated, the detection output of the detection unit 65 at this time is obtained as a predetermined second output value (V2) determined in advance.

[0208] In addition, at this time, the swing unit 64 (D) is sometimes constructed so that the lower part of its bent part 64h contacts the outermost part of the same axis 744 of the non-transmission part 68 in the first transmission unit 74 (B) rotating in the above-mentioned detection area and swings.

[0209] However, even in the case of the swinging state, the swing unit 64 (D) hardly swings in such a manner that its swing front end portion 64a moves in the upward direction. Figure 13 As shown in (B), the detected plate 67 at this time is in a state where it does not block the detection light of the detection part 65a in the detection unit 65. Figure 15 As illustrated, the detection output of the detection unit 65 at this time changes while maintaining the second output value (V2).

[0210] Moreover, in the storage height detection device 6 (or the control unit 15), for example, Figure 15 As shown, the detection output of the detection unit 65 at this time is set to be processed as the detection information of "insufficient developer or no developer" when it changes from the first output value (V1) to the second output value (V2) and becomes a time point (Tb) after a specified time has passed.

[0211] Therefore, according to the storage height detection device 6, the above-mentioned effect similar to that of the storage height detection device 6 of embodiment 1 is obtained, but in particular, in the detection area where the non-transmitting part 68 of the first conveying unit 74 (B) in the first conveying path 72A exists, detection is performed in a state where the same axis 744 does not hinder the passage of the developer.

[0212] [Modification Example]

[0213] The present disclosure is not limited to any of the contents exemplified in the above-described Embodiments 1 to 3, etc. For example, it also includes the modification examples given below.

[0214] In Embodiments 1 to 3, a structural example is shown in which the developing agent housing height detection device 6 is applied as the housing height detection device in the developing agent supply device 7 in the image forming apparatus 1. However, the housing height detection device 6 of the present disclosure can also be applied to other device parts that convey and process the developing agent.

[0215] For example, in an image forming apparatus that forms an image composed of a developing agent, when having the following structural parts, the housing height detection device of the present disclosure can constitute the housing height detection device. The structural parts include: a main body having a conveyance path for conveying the developing agent; a developing agent conveyance unit configured to rotate within the conveyance path and having a conveyance part spirally provided around a rotation axis; and a housing height detection device that detects the housing height of the surface of the developing agent conveyed within the conveyance path.

[0216] In Embodiment 1, as the swing unit 64, an example is shown in which the entire shape including the contact part 64 is formed in a cylindrical outer shape. However, as the swing unit 64, it can also be configured such that the outer shape of the part including the contact part 64j (including the upper part 64k) is spherical.

[0217] The housing height detection device 6 employing such a swing unit 64 in which the outer shape of the part including the contact part 64j is spherical can detect the housing height while accurately following the surface (S) of the developing agent with the swing unit 64 while further reducing the resistance to the conveyance flow of the developing agent in the first conveyance path 72A.

[0218] In Embodiment 2, it is shown that the rotating part 641 is constituted by a member having a cylindrical outer shape and the shape of a cross section orthogonal to the rotation support shaft 642 is circular. However, regarding the rotating part 641, for example, it can also be constituted by members such as a sphere or a cylinder so that the shape of the above cross section is circular.

[0219] In addition, in Embodiment 3, an example is shown in which the second portion 64m including the swing front end portion 64a of the swing unit 64(D) is configured as a rotating portion 641 having a cylindrical outer shape. However, as the swing unit 64(D), a swing unit having a rotating portion 641 can also be applied, and the rotating portion 641 is formed of members such as a sphere or a cylinder, for example, so that the shape of a cross section orthogonal to the rotation support shaft 642 is circular.

[0220] Moreover, in Embodiment 3, regarding the second portion 64m in the swing unit 64(D), it can also be configured to be changed to the rotating portion 641 ( Figure 11 ) in Embodiment 2 or the rotating portion 641 having the protrusion 645 ( Figure 12 ) in Embodiment 3.

[0221] Regarding the image forming apparatus 1, other forms and types of image forming apparatuses can also be adopted.

[0222] In addition, the "developer" in each of the above embodiments is an example of the "powder" in the present disclosure, and powders other than the developer can also be applied to the present disclosure. Moreover, in each of the above embodiments, an example of an image forming apparatus applied to form an electrostatic charge pattern on a photoreceptor is shown, but it can also be applied to an apparatus that does not form an electrostatic charge pattern.

[0223] For example, a powder coating apparatus can also be configured by using the developer in each of the embodiments as a powder for coating. Specifically, the developing device 24 in each of the embodiments can also be used as a powder coating head in an electrostatic powder coating method, and a conductive sheet-like medium is conveyed close to the powder coating head. By applying a bias voltage between the powder coating head and the conductive sheet-like medium, the charged powder for coating (for example, a thermosetting toner) is applied to the sheet-like medium. After that, if the sheet-like medium is heated, the surface of the sheet-like medium is coated.

[0224] In addition, it can also be applied to other manufacturing apparatuses that use powders, etc. For example, in a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an electrode body of a secondary battery, it can also be applied as a device for detecting the accommodation height of powders such as carbon black used for manufacturing or a supply device for carbon black.

[0225] Moreover, the uses of powders such as powders for pharmaceuticals or foods are not limited. In addition, as long as it is a device that uses powders such as a manufacturing device, a processing device, and an inspection device, the form of the device is not limited.

Claims

1. A powder accommodation height detection device, wherein, The powder accommodation height detection device includes: A main body having a conveying path for conveying powder; A powder conveying unit configured to rotate within the conveying path and having a conveying portion spirally arranged around a rotating shaft; A swinging unit that contacts the surface of the powder conveyed within the conveying path and swings at least following the accommodation height of the surface; and A detection unit that detects the swinging state of the swinging unit, The conveying unit conveys the powder in the axial direction of the rotating shaft and has a non-conveying portion where the conveying portion is interrupted midway and does not exist, The swinging unit is configured to swing in a portion corresponding to the non-conveying portion within the conveying path, and an upper portion above the contact portion in contact with the powder is formed by a curved surface protruding upward.

2. The powder accommodation height detection device according to claim 1, wherein, The contact portion is formed by a curved surface protruding downward.

3. The powder accommodation height detection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, At least a portion of the swinging unit including the contact portion has a cylindrical shape.

4. The powder accommodation height detection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, At least a portion of the swinging unit including the contact portion has a spherical shape.

5. The powder accommodation height detection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, At least a portion of the swinging unit including the contact portion is configured to have a hollow structure.

6. The powder accommodation height detection device according to claim 1, wherein, The portion including the contact portion is configured to be rotatable to follow the movement of the powder conveyed within the conveying path.

7. The powder accommodation height detection device according to claim 6, wherein, The portion including the contact portion is mounted in a manner rotatable relative to the shaft, and the shape of the cross-section orthogonal to the shaft is circular.

8. The powder accommodation height detection device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein, The portion including the contact portion is formed in a shape having a protruding portion that promotes rotation following the conveying flow of the powder.

9. The powder accommodation height detection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The non-conveying portion is configured as an eccentric shaft offset from the axis of the rotating shaft.

10. A powder supply device, wherein, The powder supply device includes: A main body having a receiving port for receiving powder supplied from a powder container, a conveying path for conveying powder, and a sending port for sending the powder within the conveying path to a supply destination; A powder conveying unit configured to rotate within the conveying path and having a conveying portion spirally arranged around a rotating shaft; A sending unit that sends the powder within the conveying path to the sending port; And An accommodation height detection device that detects the accommodation height of the surface of the powder conveyed within the conveying path, The accommodation height detection device is constituted by the powder accommodation height detection device described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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