Image forming apparatus

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes a toner supply port and an introduction port capable of communicating with the supply port, at least a portion of the introduction port being located within a first quadrant or a second quadrant of a two-dimensional coordinate system constituted by a first virtual line extending in a horizontal direction and a second virtual line extending in a gravitational direction, and the control portion controls the stirring member to stop rotating in a state in which at least a portion of the second end portion of the sheet is located in a quadrant different from a quadrant in which the introduction port is located before a timing at which the toner passes through the introduction port when the toner is replenished from the toner container to the accommodating chamber.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material. Background Art

[0002] Typically, an imaging device of an electrophotographic system forms an image on a recording material by transferring a toner image formed on the surface of a photosensitive drum to the recording material. As a method of replenishing the developer consumed by imaging, for example, a process cartridge scheme and a toner replenishment scheme are known. The process cartridge scheme is a scheme in which a photosensitive drum and a developer container are integrated into a process cartridge and the process cartridge is replaced with a new one when the developer runs out. On the other hand, a toner replenishment scheme is a scheme in which, once the toner runs out, the toner is replenished into the developer container without replacing components as in the process cartridge scheme. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-27631 discloses a construction of a toner replenishment scheme (hereinafter referred to as a direct toner replenishment scheme), in which a toner pack is attached to a developer container so that a portion of the toner container is exposed to the outside and the toner contained in the toner pack is replenished into the developer container at one time, instead of replacing the process cartridge. The configuration in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-27631 can detect the remaining amount of toner being consumed and the remaining amount of toner after replenishment using an optical toner remaining amount detection unit, and notify the user of these amounts. The optical toner remaining amount detection unit is installed in the same chamber as the toner in the developer container to identify the amount of toner in the developer container based on the time when the light path is blocked by the toner in the developer container and the time when the light path is not blocked. Summary of the invention

[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide a new aspect of an image forming apparatus of the toner replenishment scheme in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-27631.

[0004] In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus capable of mounting a toner container according to the present invention includes:

[0005] Photosensitive drum;

[0006] a developing roller that supplies toner to the photosensitive drum;

[0007] a mounting portion on which the toner container can be mounted so that a portion of the toner container is exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus, the mounting portion being provided with a replenishment port for replenishing the toner in the toner container;

[0008] a frame member including: a developing chamber in which a developing roller is disposed; and a receiving chamber which communicates with the developing chamber and receives toner, the receiving chamber being provided with a receiving chamber opening capable of communicating with a replenishing port;

[0009] a stirring member disposed in the accommodation chamber, the stirring member comprising: a rotating shaft that rotates around a rotation axis; and a sheet having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion being one end portion in a direction perpendicularly intersecting the rotation axis and fixed to the rotating shaft, the second end portion being the other end portion and capable of contacting an inner wall of the accommodation chamber, the stirring member being configured to stir the toner accommodated in the accommodation chamber while rotating; and

[0010] a control portion that controls the rotation of the stirring member,

[0011] wherein, when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, a two-dimensional coordinate system is composed of a first virtual line passing through the rotation axis and extending in the horizontal direction and a second virtual line passing through the rotation axis and extending in the gravity direction, and in the two-dimensional coordinate system, at least a portion of the opening of the receiving chamber is arranged in the first quadrant or the second quadrant, and

[0012] Wherein, when the colorant is replenished from the colorant container to the storage chamber, before the colorant passes through the opening of the storage chamber, the control part controls the stirring member to stop rotating in a state where at least a part of the second end portion of the sheet is located in a quadrant different from the quadrant in which the opening of the storage chamber is located in the coordinate system.

[0013] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an image forming apparatus capable of mounting a toner container according to the present invention includes:

[0014] Photosensitive drum;

[0015] a developing roller for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum;

[0016] a mounting portion on which the toner container can be mounted so that a portion of the toner container is exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus, the mounting portion being provided with a replenishment port for replenishing the toner in the toner container;

[0017] a frame member including: a developing chamber in which the developing roller is disposed; and a receiving chamber which communicates with the developing chamber and receives toner, the receiving chamber being provided with a receiving chamber opening capable of communicating with the replenishing port;

[0018] a stirring member provided in the accommodation chamber, the stirring member comprising: a rotating shaft that rotates around a rotating axis; and a sheet having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion being one end portion in a direction perpendicularly intersecting the rotating axis and fixed to the rotating shaft, the second end portion being the other end portion and capable of contacting an inner wall of the accommodation chamber, the stirring member being configured to stir the toner accommodated in the accommodation chamber while rotating;

[0019] a control portion that controls the rotation of the stirring member;

[0020] an opening / closing member capable of being positioned at an open position in which the mounting portion is exposed to the outside of the imaging device and a closed position in which the mounting portion is not exposed; and

[0021] a sensor for detecting the open / closed state of the opening / closing member,

[0022] Wherein, when colorant is replenished from the colorant container to the storage chamber in response to the sensor detecting that the opening / closing member is in the open position, before the colorant passes through the opening of the storage chamber, the control part controls the stirring member to stop rotating in a state where the second end portion of the sheet is located in a predetermined position.

[0023] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an image forming apparatus capable of mounting a toner container according to the present invention includes:

[0024] Photosensitive drum;

[0025] a developing roller for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum;

[0026] a mounting portion on which the toner container can be mounted so that a portion of the toner container is exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus, the mounting portion being provided with a replenishment port for replenishing the toner in the toner container;

[0027] a frame member including: a developing chamber in which the developing roller is disposed; and a receiving chamber which communicates with the developing chamber and receives toner, the receiving chamber being provided with a receiving chamber opening capable of communicating with the replenishing port;

[0028] a stirring member disposed in the accommodation chamber, the stirring member comprising: a rotating shaft that rotates around a rotating axis; and a sheet having: a first end portion that is one end portion in a direction perpendicularly intersecting the rotating axis and fixed to the rotating shaft; and a second end portion that is the other end portion and can contact an inner wall of the accommodation chamber, the stirring member being configured to stir the toner accommodated in the accommodation chamber while rotating;

[0029] a sensor for detecting whether the toner container is mounted on the replenishment port; and

[0030] a control portion that controls the rotation of the stirring member;

[0031] Wherein, in a case where colorant is replenished from the colorant container to the storage chamber in response to the sensor detecting that the colorant container has been installed on the replenishment port, before the colorant passes through the opening of the storage chamber, the control part controls the stirring member to stop rotating in a state where the second end portion of the sheet is located at a predetermined position.

[0032] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an image forming apparatus capable of mounting a toner container according to the present invention includes:

[0033] A rotating photosensitive drum;

[0034] a charging roller that contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum and rotates;

[0035] a charging bias applying portion for applying a charging bias to the charging roller;

[0036] a developing roller that carries a developer and rotates to supply a toner to the photosensitive drum;

[0037] a developing bias applying portion that applies a developing bias to the developing roller;

[0038] a mounting portion on which the toner container can be mounted so that a portion of the toner container is exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus, the mounting portion being provided with a replenishment port for replenishing the toner in the toner container;

[0039] a frame member including: a developing chamber in which the developing roller is disposed; and a receiving chamber which communicates with the developing chamber and receives toner, the receiving chamber being provided with a receiving chamber opening capable of communicating with the replenishing port;

[0040] a stirring member disposed in the accommodation chamber, the stirring member comprising: a rotating shaft that rotates about a rotation axis; and a sheet having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion being one end portion in a direction perpendicularly intersecting the rotation axis and fixed to the rotating shaft, the second end portion being the other end portion and capable of contacting an inner wall of the accommodation chamber, the stirring member being adapted to stir the toner accommodated in the accommodation chamber while rotating;

[0041] a phase detection unit that detects a rotation phase of the stirring member;

[0042] a single motor that supplies a driving force to rotate each of the photosensitive drum, the charging roller, the developing roller, and the stirring member; and

[0043] a control section that controls each of the charging bias applying section, the developing bias applying section, and the motor,

[0044] wherein the image forming apparatus performs a first stop control for stopping the rotation of the motor after the image forming operation is finished, and a second stop control for stopping bias application of each of the charging bias applying portion and the developing bias applying portion according to a stop timing at which the rotation of the motor is stopped by the first stop control, and

[0045] In which, the control part starts the second stop control after a standby time has passed since the detection moment based on the rotation phase of the stirring member detected at the detection moment after the imaging operation is completed and the time required for the second stop control, so that the rotation phase of the stirring member at the stop moment is a rotation phase within a predetermined range.

[0046] In addition, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the imaging device according to the present invention includes:

[0047] an image bearing member;

[0048] a developer carrying member that carries a developer for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the image bearing member;

[0049] a frame member including: a developing chamber in which the developer carrying member is disposed; and a containing chamber which communicates with the developing chamber and contains the developer;

[0050] a stirring member disposed inside the accommodating chamber, the stirring member including: a rotating shaft rotating around a rotating axis; and a blade having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion being one end portion in the direction of the rotating axis and being fixed to the rotating shaft, the second end portion being the other end portion and being a free end, the stirring member being configured to stir the developer by the blade rotating together with the rotating shaft; and

[0051] a sensor comprising: a light emitting element that emits light toward the interior of the storage chamber; and a light receiving element that receives light emitted by the light emitting element that has passed through the interior of the storage chamber and has been output to the outside of the storage chamber, the sensor emitting a signal having an intensity obtained according to the amount of light received by the light receiving element,

[0052] wherein the sheet of the stirring member is configured to block the optical path of the light emitted by the light emitting element in the interior of the accommodation chamber once within one cycle of one rotation of the stirring member around the rotation axis, and

[0053] The imaging device includes a phase detection unit that detects the rotation phase of the stirring member with reference to a period of time during which the intensity of the signal continues to be lower than a threshold value for a longest time in the one cycle.

[0054] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a new aspect of an image forming apparatus of a toner replenishing scheme of replenishing toner at a time.

[0055] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] Figure 1A and Figure 1B are a sectional view and a perspective view of an imaging device 1 according to a first embodiment;

[0057] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the stirring member 34;

[0058] Figure 3 is a flow chart of the imaging process;

[0059] Figure 4A and 4B is a perspective view and a front view of the process cartridge 20 and the toner pack 40;

[0060] FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D is a diagram showing the phase of the stirring member 34 during replenishment and the toner mixing state achieved by the subsequent stirring;

[0061] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D is a diagram showing the phase of the stirring member 34 during replenishment and the toner mixing state achieved by the subsequent stirring;

[0062] FIG. 7A to FIG. 7D is a diagram showing the phase of the stirring member 34 during replenishment in another case;

[0063] FIG. 8A to FIG. 8D is a diagram showing the phase of the stirring member 34 during replenishment in another case;

[0064] 9A to 9C is a diagram showing the phase of the stirring member 34 at the time of replenishment according to the second embodiment;

[0065] Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B is a sectional view of a process cartridge according to a third embodiment;

[0066] Fig.11A and Fig. 11B is a sectional view of a process cartridge according to a third embodiment;

[0067] FIG. 12A to FIG. 12C is a diagram showing a toner remaining amount detection sensor 50 according to a third embodiment;

[0068] FIG. 13A to FIG. 13D is a diagram showing the phase of the stirring member 34 and the toner mixing state at the time of replenishment according to the third embodiment;

[0069] FIG. 14A to FIG. 14D is a diagram showing the phase of the stirring member 34 and the toner mixing state at the time of replenishment according to the third embodiment;

[0070] Fig.15 is a schematic plan view showing the optical path of laser light of an exposure unit;

[0071] Fig.16 is a block diagram showing a control system of the imaging device 1;

[0072] Fig.17 is a control block diagram according to a fourth embodiment;

[0073] Fig.18 is a flow chart of a phase adjustment process according to a fourth embodiment;

[0074] Fig.19 is the sequence of the phase adjustment process according to the fourth embodiment;

[0075] Fig. 20 is a flow chart of a phase adjustment process according to a fifth embodiment;

[0076] Fig.21is the sequence of the phase adjustment process according to the fifth embodiment;

[0077] Fig. 22 is a flow chart of a phase adjustment process according to a sixth embodiment;

[0078] Fig.23 is the sequence of the phase adjustment process according to the sixth embodiment;

[0079] Fig.24 is a control block diagram according to a seventh embodiment;

[0080] Fig.25 is a flow chart of a phase adjustment process according to a seventh embodiment;

[0081] Fig.26 is the sequence of the phase adjustment process according to the seventh embodiment;

[0082] Fig. 27 is a timing chart showing control timings in a phase determination process and a phase adjustment process according to an eighth embodiment;

[0083] Fig.28 is a diagram showing the positional relationship of various parts for controlling the potential of the photosensitive drum 21 according to the eighth embodiment;

[0084] Fig.29 is a block diagram of a main control section 100 according to an eighth embodiment;

[0085] Fig.30 is a timing chart for stop control of the photosensitive drum 21 according to the eighth embodiment;

[0086] Fig.31 is a timing chart showing the relationship between phase adjustment and stop processing according to the eighth embodiment;

[0087] Fig.32 is a timing chart of the stop control of the second photosensitive drum 21 according to the ninth embodiment;

[0088] Fig.33 is a control flow chart of the selection of stop control and the phase adjustment process according to the ninth embodiment;

[0089] Fig.34 is a timing chart showing the relationship between extension, phase adjustment, and stop processing of post-processing according to the tenth embodiment;

[0090] Fig.35 is a control flow chart of the extension, phase adjustment and stop processing of the post-processing according to the tenth embodiment;

[0091] Fig.36 is a perspective view of the stirring member 34;

[0092] Fig.37 is a diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50;

[0093] Fig.38 is a block diagram showing a control system of the imaging device 1;

[0094] Fig.39A and Fig.39B is a diagram showing voltage waveforms at a toner level FULL and a toner level Low;

[0095] FIG. 40A to FIG. 40E is a cross-sectional view showing a voltage waveform at a toner level Low and a phase of a stirring member at each time;

[0096] FIG. 41A to FIG. 41D is a diagram showing voltage waveforms at various toner levels;

[0097] Fig.42 is a flow chart of phase detection;

[0098] FIG. 43A to FIG. 43D is a diagram showing the phase of the stirring member 34 during replenishment and the toner mixing state achieved by the subsequent stirring;

[0099] FIG. 44A to FIG. 44D is a diagram showing the phase of the stirring member 34 during replenishment and the toner mixing state achieved by the subsequent stirring;

[0100] FIG. 45A to FIG. 45C is a sectional view of a developer container 32 according to a twelfth embodiment;

[0101] Fig.46A and Fig.46B is a diagram showing a voltage waveform according to a twelfth embodiment;

[0102] Fig.47 is a perspective view of a stirring member 34 according to a thirteenth embodiment;

[0103] FIG. 48A to FIG. 48C is a diagram showing a voltage waveform according to a thirteenth embodiment;

[0104] Fig.49 is a diagram showing a voltage waveform according to another embodiment; and

[0105] FIG. 50A to FIG. 50C is a sectional view of a developer container 32 according to the thirteenth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0106] The embodiments of the present disclosure will be explained in the following embodiments. However, the configurations disclosed in the following embodiments, such as the functions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components, illustrate exemplary modes related to the claims, and the claims are not intended to be limited to the configurations disclosed in the embodiments. In addition, the problems solved by the configurations disclosed in the following embodiments or the effects or advantages obtained from the disclosed configurations are not intended to limit the claims.

[0107] First embodiment

[0108] Figure 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of an imaging apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1B is a perspective view of the imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0109] Figure 2 : is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a stirring member. The image forming apparatus 1 is a monochrome printer that forms an image on a recording material based on image information input from an external device.

[0110] Note that, Figure 1A A state in which the imaging device 1 is mounted on a horizontal surface is shown as a generally assumed mounting state of the imaging device 1, and the various directions on the paper in the figure are defined as follows. The up and down directions on the paper are vertical directions (gravity directions), and the upward direction on the paper and the downward direction on the paper will be referred to as the upward direction and the downward direction, respectively. The leftward direction on the paper and the rightward direction on the paper will be referred to as the backward direction (the direction from the front surface side of the device toward the back surface side) and the forward direction (the direction from the back surface side of the device toward the front surface side), respectively. In addition, the forward direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface and from the rear side of the paper surface toward the front side of the paper surface) and the backward direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface and from the front side of the paper surface toward the rear side of the paper surface) from the paper will be referred to as the leftward direction and the rightward direction, respectively.

[0111] The image forming portion 10 includes a scanner unit 11, a process cartridge 20 of an electrophotographic system, and a transfer roller 12 that transfers a toner image formed on a photosensitive drum (image bearing member) 21 of the process cartridge 20 onto a recording material.

[0112] The process cartridge 20 includes a photosensitive drum 21 , a charging roller (charging member) 22 and a pre-exposure device (static eliminating unit) 23 provided around the photosensitive drum 21 , and a developing apparatus 30 including a developing roller (developer carrying member) 31 .

[0113] The photosensitive drum 21 is a photosensitive member molded into a cylindrical shape. The photosensitive drum 21 in this embodiment includes a photosensitive layer formed of a negatively charged organic photosensitive member, which is located on a drum-shaped base molded using aluminum. In addition, the photosensitive drum 21 is driven and rotated in a predetermined direction (clockwise in the figure) at a predetermined process speed under the driving force provided by the motor.

[0114] The charging roller 22 contacts the photosensitive drum 21 with a predetermined pressure contact force and forms a charging portion. In addition, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is uniformly charged at a predetermined potential by applying a charging high voltage power supply of a desired charging voltage. In this embodiment, the charging roller 22 makes the photosensitive drum 21 negatively charged. The pre-exposure device 23 eliminates the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 21 before the photosensitive drum 21 enters the charging portion, thereby allowing stable discharge at the charging portion.

[0115] The scanner unit (exposure unit) 11 scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 by irradiating the photosensitive drum 21 with laser light corresponding to image information input from an external device using a polygon mirror. An electrostatic latent image according to the image information is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 by exposure. It is to be noted that the scanner unit 11 is not limited to a laser scanner device, but an LED exposure device including an LED array in which a plurality of LEDs are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 21 may be employed, for example.

[0116] The developing device 30 includes a developer container 32 (developer frame member) that contains a developer, a developing roller 31 that serves as a developer carrying member that carries the developer, and a supply roller 33 that can supply the developer to the developing roller 31. The toner as the developer contained in the developer container 32 is applied to the surface of the developing roller 31 by the supply roller 33. The developer container 32 includes the developing roller 31, a developing chamber 32e provided with the supply roller 33, and a toner containing chamber (developer containing chamber) 32d that communicates with the developing chamber 32e and contains the toner to be supplied to the developing chamber 32e. In the developer container 32, the developing chamber 32e is provided with a protruding portion ( Figure 1A A) in the figure is provided to hold the toner to be supplied to the developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33. The boundary portion between the toner containing chamber 32d and the developing chamber 32e at the position corresponding to the protruding portion A will be referred to as a developing opening portion 39. Note that the supply roller 33 is not necessarily required as long as the toner can be sufficiently supplied to the developing roller 31 with such a configuration.

[0117] The developing device 30 in this embodiment adopts a contact developing system as a developing system. In other words, the toner layer carried by the developing roller 31 contacts the photosensitive drum 21 at a developing portion where the photosensitive drum 21 and the developing roller 31 face each other.

[0118] The development high voltage power source applies a development voltage to the development roller 31. Under the development voltage, the electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image due to the toner carried by the development roller 31 moving from the development roller 31 to the photosensitive drum surface according to the potential distribution on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. Note that the reversal development system is adopted in this embodiment. In other words, the toner image is formed by the toner adhering to the surface area of ​​the photosensitive drum 21 where the charge amount is attenuated by exposure in the exposure process after being charged in the charging process.

[0119] In addition, a toner with a conventional negative charge polarity having a particle size of about 6 μm is used in this embodiment. As the toner in this embodiment, a polymerized toner generated by a polymerization method is used in the example. In addition, the toner in this embodiment does not contain any magnetic component, but a so-called non-magnetic single-component developer is used, in which the developing roller 31 mainly carries the toner by intermolecular force or electrostatic force (mirror force). However, a single-component developer containing a magnetic component can also be used. In addition, in addition to the toner particles, the single-component developer can also contain additives (for example, wax and fine silica particles) to adjust the fluidity and charge properties of the toner in some cases. In addition, a two-component developer consisting of a non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier can be used as a developer. In the case of using a magnetic developer, a cylindrical developing sleeve with a built-in magnet is used as a developer carrying member.

[0120] The developing blade 35 limits the amount of toner to be carried by the developing roller 31. As the developing roller 31 rotates, the toner supplied to the surface of the developing roller 31 is uniformly thinned into a layer by passing through the portion facing the developing blade 35 and is negatively charged by friction.

[0121] In addition, the stirring member 34 is rotatably provided in the toner containing chamber 32d of the developer container 32. Figure 2 As shown, the stirring member 34 includes a stirring shaft (rotation shaft) 34a extending in the longitudinal direction and a blade portion (blade) 34b extending more outward than the stirring shaft 34a in the radial direction. The blade portion 34b is attached to the stirring shaft 34a so that the attachment portion 34b11 as a part of the blade portion 34b contacts the attachment surface 34a1 of the stirring shaft 34a, and the attachment surface extends in the rotation axis direction of the stirring shaft 34a. The blade portion 34b is configured so that the first end portion 34be1 is fixed to the stirring shaft 34a as a part of the attachment portion 34b11 and the second end portion 34b2 can contact the inner wall of the toner receiving chamber 32d, the first end portion is an end portion along the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, and the second end portion is another end portion. The stirring member 34 is driven by a motor to rotate around the stirring shaft 34a at the center via the gear 34c.

[0122] The blade portion 34b of the stirring member 34 in this embodiment is made of polycarbonate having a thickness of 180 μm and flexibility. The blade portion 34b stirs the toner in the developer container 32 while bending or restoring according to the shape of the inner wall of the developer container 32. In addition, the width W of the blade portion 34b of the stirring member 34 in the longitudinal direction is set to be narrower than the width of the development opening portion 39 in the longitudinal direction so that the blade portion 34b can enter the development opening portion 39. The blade portion 34b plays a role in feeding the toner into the development chamber 32e provided with the development roller 31 and the supply roller 33 via the development opening portion 39.

[0123] In the present embodiment, the pin 34 d is provided at a position in the gear 34 c of the stirring member 34 corresponding to the blade portion 34 b of the stirring member 34 . Figure 2 34c has been removed from the stirring member 34. The phase detection sensor 51 is a reflective photointerrupter, and the control section of the imaging device 1 can determine the phase of the stirring member 34 by detecting the presence / absence of the pin 34d. In other words, the phase detection sensor 51 includes a light emitting portion (light emitting element) and a light receiving portion (light receiving element) and is configured to be able to identify the position (phase) of the pin 34d by detecting light output from the light emitting portion, reflected by the pin 34d, and received by the light receiving portion. It should be noted that the configuration of the phase detection sensor 51 is not limited to the reflective type, and a transmissive sensor can be used.

[0124] Imaging Operation

[0125] Will use Figure 1A , 1B and Figure 3 The imaging operation of the imaging device 1 will be explained. Figure 3 is a flow chart of the imaging process.

[0126] like Figure 3 As shown, once a command is input to the image forming apparatus 1, a print job is started. The image forming process P2 of the image forming portion 10 is performed based on image information input from an external computer or the like connected to the image forming apparatus 1. Before and after the image forming process P2, a pre-rotation process P1 as an image forming preparation process and a post-rotation process P3 as a post-processing process are generally provided.

[0127] In the pre-rotation process P1, the scanner unit 11, various high voltage power supplies and the fixing part 70 are enabled and stabilized. Once each unit is enabled, that is, when each unit can form an image or each unit is expected to form an image, the pre-rotation process P1 ends and the imaging process P2 begins.

[0128] In the imaging process P2, the scanner unit 11 uses the laser light L (see FIG. Figure 1A ) irradiates the photosensitive drum 21. At this time, the photosensitive drum 21 is charged in advance by the charging roller 22 and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 21 by irradiating with the laser light L. Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing roller 31, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 21.

[0129] In parallel with the image forming process, the feeding section 60 conveys the recording material P to the transfer nip formed by the transfer roller 12 and the photosensitive drum 21. The transfer roller 12 is supplied with a transfer voltage from a transfer high voltage power source, and the toner image carried by the photosensitive drum 21 is transferred onto the recording material P.

[0130] The recording material P to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing portion 70, and the toner image is heated and pressurized when passing through the nip between the fixing film 71 and the pressure roller 72 of the fixing portion 70. In this way, the toner particles are melted and then adhered, so that the toner image is fixed on the recording material P.

[0131] The recording material P that has passed through the fixing portion 70 is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 (outside the machine) by a discharge roller pair 80 as a discharge unit and is placed on a discharge tray 81 as a placement portion formed at an upper portion of the image forming apparatus 1. After all the recording materials designated by the command are discharged to the discharge tray 81, the image forming apparatus 1 proceeds to the post-rotation process P3.

[0132] In the post-rotation process P3, various high voltage power supplies are enabled, and the fixing portion 70 rotates at a temperature lower than that adjusted when paper passes or in a state where temperature adjustment is turned off, thereby making the temperature difference between the paper passing portion and the paper non-passing portion uniform.

[0133] In the present embodiment, after the post-rotation process P3, a phase determination process P4 is implemented, which performs phase determination on the blade portion 34b of the stirring member 34b provided in the developer container 32 to prepare for replenishing the toner. After the phase determination process P4, at the moment when the position of the blade portion 34b of the stirring member 34 becomes a predetermined position, a phase adjustment process P5 of stopping the motor drive is implemented, and then the image forming operation is ended. The configurations related to the toner replenishment, the phase determination process P4, and the phase adjustment process P5 will be described in detail later.

[0134] Cleaner-less toner collection

[0135] The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 21 that has not been transferred onto the recording material P in the transfer process (transfer residual toner) is removed from the photosensitive drum 21 as follows.

[0136] After the pre-exposure device 23 performs static elimination so that the surface potential becomes 0 V, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 after the transfer process is inserted into the charging portion. Positively charged toner and negatively charged but insufficiently charged toner exist together in the transfer residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 21. The transfer residual toner is negatively charged by discharge at the charging portion.

[0137] As the photosensitive drum 21 rotates, the transfer residual toner negatively charged at the charging portion reaches a position facing the developing roller 31. Here, an electrostatic latent image according to the image information is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 that has reached the position facing the developing roller 31. The transfer residual toner of the unexposed portion (non-image portion) adhered to the photosensitive drum 21 moves from the photosensitive drum 21 to the developing roller 31 at the portion facing the developing roller 31 by using the potential difference between the pre-exposure potential on the photosensitive drum 21 and the developing voltage, and is then collected by the developing chamber 32e of the developer container 32. Note that the toner collected by the developing chamber 32e is used again to form an image.

[0138] On the other hand, the transfer residual toner of the exposed portion (image portion) adhered to the photosensitive drum 21 does not move from the photosensitive drum 21 to the developing roller 31, but constitutes a toner image together with the toner that has moved from the developing roller 31 to the photosensitive drum 21. In addition, the toner is partially transferred onto the recording material P and then removed from the photosensitive drum 21.

[0139] Control systems for imaging equipment

[0140] Fig.16 is a block diagram showing a control system of the imaging device 1. A control section 90 as a control unit of the imaging device 1 includes a CPU 91 as an arithmetic operation device, a RAM 92 used as a work area of ​​the CPU 91, and a ROM 93 storing various programs. In addition, the control section 90 includes an I / O interface 94 as an input / output port connected to an external device, and an A / D conversion section 95 that converts an analog signal into a digital signal.

[0141] The phase detection sensor 51 , the mounting sensor 53 , and the opening / closing sensor 54 are connected to the input side of the control portion 90 .

[0142] The phase detection sensor 51 is adapted to detect the phase of the stirring member 34 and is constituted by a reflective type photo interrupter in the present embodiment as described above. The installation sensor 53 detects that the toner pack 40 has been installed on the replenishment port (developer receiving port) 32a of the developer container 32. For example, the installation sensor 53 is provided at the replenishment port 32a and is constituted by a pressure-sensitive switch that outputs a detection signal in response to the pressurization of the toner pack 40. In addition, the opening / closing sensor 54 detects the opening / closing state of the opening / closing member 83, that is, whether the opening / closing member 83 has been opened to the discharge tray 81. For example, the opening / closing sensor 54 is constituted by a pressure-sensitive switch and a magnetic sensor.

[0143] In addition, the operation part 300 and the imaging part 10 are connected to the control part 90, and the operation part 300 includes a display part 301 capable of displaying various setting screens, physical keys, etc. The display part 301 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel. The imaging part 10 includes a motor M1 as a driving source, which drives the photosensitive drum 21, the developing roller 31, the supply roller 33, the stirring member 34, etc. It should be noted that a configuration in which each of the photosensitive drum 21, the developing roller 31, the supply roller 33, and the stirring member 34 is driven by a separate member may also be adopted.

[0144] Structure related to toner replenishment

[0145] like Figure 1B As shown, in the present embodiment based on the direct toner replenishment system, an opening / closing member 83 for replenishing toner using a toner pack 40 (developer replenishment container) is provided in the discharge tray 81 so that the opening / closing member 83 can be opened and closed. A main body side replenishment opening portion 82 opening upward is formed in the discharge tray 81. The opening / closing member 83 is configured to be movable between a closed position, where the replenishment port 32a (developer receiving port) is covered so that the toner pack 40 cannot be mounted on the developer container 32, and an open position, where the replenishment port 32a is exposed so that the toner pack 40 can be mounted on the developer container 32. The opening / closing member 83 serves as a part of the discharge tray 81 at the closed position. The opening / closing member 83 and the main body side replenishment opening portion 82 are formed on the left side of the discharge tray 81.

[0146] The construction of the developer container 32 and the toner pack 40 will be described with reference to Figure 4A and 4B Provide explanation. Figure 4A is a perspective view showing the developer container 32 and the toner pack 40, Figure 4B 3 is a front view showing the developer container 32 and the toner package 40 .

[0147] The developer container 32 includes a projection 38, which extends upward from one end in the longitudinal direction on the near side of the device. A mounting portion 57 on which the toner pack 40 can be mounted is provided at the upper end portion (distal end portion) of the projection 38, and a replenishment port 32a for replenishing the developer from the toner pack 40 to the inside of the developer container 32 is formed in the mounting portion 57. The replenishment port 32a opens to the outside of the developer container 32 and is continuous with an introduction port 32c (accommodation chamber opening), which opens in the inner wall of the toner accommodation chamber 32d of the developer container 32. In other words, a toner replenishment path extending from the replenishment port 32a to the introduction port 32c is formed inside the projection 38, and the replenishment port 32a and the introduction port 32c are configured to be able to communicate with each other. In other words, in the present embodiment, the mounting portion 57 including the replenishment port 32a is provided on the near side of the device of the imaging device 1, which facilitates the work of the user replenishing the toner to the developer container 32.

[0148] The toner pack 40 is configured to be attachable to the mounting portion 57 provided at the distal end portion of the protruding portion 38 of the developer container 32. Further, the toner pack 40 includes: a shutter member 41 provided at the opening portion and capable of opening and closing; and a plurality of protrusions 42 formed corresponding to the plurality of groove portions 32b formed in the mounting portion 57. The shutter member 41 is configured to be movable between an open position at which the opening portion is opened (i.e., the interior of the toner pack 40 is continuous with the replenishment port 32a) and a closed position at which the opening portion is closed (i.e., the interior of the toner pack 40 is discontinuous with the replenishment port 32a).

[0149] In the case of replenishing the toner to the developer container 32, the user performs positioning so that the protrusion 42 of the toner pack 40 passes through the groove portion 32b of the mounting portion 57 and the toner pack 40 is coupled to the mounting portion 57. Then, once the toner pack 40 is rotated 180 degrees in this state, the shutter member 41 of the toner pack 40 is rotated relative to the main body of the toner pack 40 by abutting against the abutment portion (not shown) of the mounting portion 57, and the shutter member 41 is opened. In this way, the toner contained in the toner pack 40 falls from the toner pack 40, and the fallen toner enters the developer container 32 via the replenishment port 32a. It is to be noted that the shutter member 41 may be provided on one side of the replenishment port 32a.

[0150] The toner replenished from the replenishment port 32a is sent to the developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33 by the rotation of the stirring member 34 in the developer container 32. The replenishment port 32a and the extended portion 38 are provided at one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the developer container 32, and the toner reaches the entire area of ​​the developer container 32 by repeated rotation of the stirring member 34.

[0151] Will refer to Fig.15 The positional relationship between the toner replenishment path of the developer container 32 and the scanner unit 11 will be explained. Fig.15 1 is a schematic plan view for explaining the positional relationship between the scanner unit 11 and the replenishment port 32 a and the introduction port 32 c of the developer container 32 , and is a plan view of the scanning optical path of the laser light L along the scanner unit 11 .

[0152] The scanner unit 11 includes a light source 110, an aperture 111, an incident optical element 112, a deflector 113, and an imaging optical element 114. The light source 110 is, for example, a semiconductor laser. The aperture 111 has an elliptical opening portion and limits the diameter of the light flux emitted from the light source 110 in each of the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. The incident optical element 112 has a positive refractive power in the main scanning section and converts the light flux passing through the aperture 111 into a parallel light flux in the main scanning section. By converting the light flux passing through the aperture 111 into a weakly convergent light flux, the scanner unit 11 reduces the refractive power required for the imaging optical element 114. In addition, the incident optical element 112 has a positive refractive power in the sub-scanning section and forms a long line image in the main scanning direction by collecting the light flux passing through the aperture 111 near the deflection surface 113a of the deflector 113 in the sub-scanning section.

[0153] The imaging optical element 114 has a positive refractive power in each of the main scanning section and the sub-scanning section and forms a dot-shaped image near the scanned surface of the photosensitive drum 21 by collecting the light flux deflected by the deflector 113 in each of the main scanning section and the sub-scanning section. Specifically, the imaging optical element 114 includes two optical surfaces (lens surfaces) (i.e., an incident surface and an exit surface) and is configured so that the light flux deflected by the deflection surface 113a of the deflector 113 scans the scanned surface of the photosensitive drum 21 with desired scanning characteristics in the main scanning section. In addition, the imaging optical element 114 implements surface drop compensation (i.e., reduces the scanning position deviation on the scanned surface of the photosensitive drum 21 in the sub-scanning direction when the deflection surface 113a drops) by maintaining the vicinity of the deflection surface 113a of the deflector 113 and the vicinity of the scanned surface of the photosensitive drum 21 in a conjugate relationship with each other in the sub-scanning section.

[0154] In this manner, the light flux emitted from the light source 110 passes through the aperture 111 and the incident optical element 112, and then is incident on the deflection surface 113a of the deflector 113. Then, the light flux reflected and deflected by the deflection surface 113a of the deflector 113 is introduced to the scanned surface of the photosensitive drum 21 by the imaging optical element 114. The deflector 113 is rotated at a constant speed by a driving portion not shown, and optically scans the scanned surface of the photosensitive drum 21 in the main scanning direction indicated by the arrow D, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the scanned surface of the photosensitive drum 21.

[0155] like Fig.15 and Figure 1A As shown, the extended portion 38 of the developer container 32 (toner replenishment path from the replenishment port 32a to the introduction port 32c) extends above and below the scanning light path of the laser light L of the scanner unit 11 at a position avoiding the scanning light path. In other words, when viewed from the left-right direction of the apparatus, the replenishment port 32a is located above the scanning light path of the laser light L, and the introduction port 32c is located below the scanning light path of the laser light L. Note that the left-right direction of the apparatus is a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the rotation axis of the rotating members (e.g., the photosensitive drum 21, the developing roller 31, the supply roller 33, and the stirring member 34).

[0156] In addition, if Fig.15 As shown, the toner replenishing path from the replenishing port 32a to the introducing port 32c is located at a position included on the inner side (the center side of the photosensitive drum 21) than the end portion of the photosensitive drum 21 in the left-right direction of the apparatus. In addition, the toner replenishing path is located at a position included between the photosensitive drum 21 and the scanner unit 11 in the front-rear direction of the apparatus. In other words, the extending portion 38 of the developer container 32 is provided to prevent the apparatus size in the left-right direction of the apparatus and the apparatus size in the front-rear direction of the apparatus from increasing while avoiding the scanning light path of the laser light L emitted from the imaging optical element 114.

[0157] Regarding the phase of the blade portion 34b during the state of replenishment and mixing of new and old toners

[0158] The toner (hereinafter referred to as new toner) replenished from the replenishment port 32a by the toner pack 40 is introduced into the toner accommodating chamber 32d via the introduction port 32c, and reaches the entire longitudinal area inside the toner accommodating chamber 32d by the rotation of the stirring member 34 in the toner accommodating chamber 32d. In addition, the new toner is gradually mixed with the toner (hereinafter referred to as old toner) originally present in the developer container 32.

[0159] Here, it has been found that the stopping phase of the blade portion 34b of the stirring member 34 before the starting position when replenishing new toner causes the extent to which the new toner enters the toner containing chamber 32d to be different. Specifically, it has been found that there are cases where the new toner is instantly diffused to the entire area in the toner containing chamber 32d in the longitudinal direction and cases where the new toner remains in the vicinity of the introduction port 32c in the toner containing chamber 32d in the longitudinal direction. It has also been found that after replenishing the new toner by the toner pack 40, the time required to uniformly mix the new toner and the old toner by the rotation of the stirring member 34 is significantly different in each case.

[0160] Figures 5A to 5D and Figures 6A to 6D 2 is a schematic diagram showing the state of new toner (hatched portion) replenished from the toner pack 40 and old toner (solid line portion) in the developer container 32 . Figure 5A and 6A 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the developer container 32 as viewed from the side (left side). Figures 5B to 5D and Figures 6B to 6D It is a schematic diagram of the interior of the developer container 32 as viewed from the front surface side. Figures 5A to 5D and Figures 6A to 6D 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining how to actually mix new toner with old toner by preparing the transparent developer container 32 and using yellow toner as new toner of the toner pack 40 and black toner as old toner in the transparent developer container 32 . Figures 5B to 5D and Figures 6B to 6D The diagram shows a state where a plane range including the stirring shaft 34 a of the stirring member 34 is viewed from the front surface side.

[0161] The expression "immediately after replenishment" described here indicates the time before the stirring member 34 rotates. In addition, the image view seen from the front surface side also shows the state of the toner immediately after replenishment, 10 seconds after the stirring member 34 starts to rotate (after the stirring member 34 rotates 10 times), and 30 seconds after (after the stirring member 34 rotates 30 times). The solid line portion indicates a portion where the old toner ratio is high, the shaded portion indicates a portion where the new toner ratio is high, and the dot portion indicates a portion where the new toner and the old toner are mixed satisfactorily.

[0162] Figures 5A to 5D A case where new toner is replenished when the distal end position of the blade portion 34 b of the stirring member 34 is at the farthest position from the introduction port 32 c at the time of replenishment is shown. FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D A case where new toner is replenished when the distal end position of the blade portion 34 b of the stirring member 34 at the time of replenishment is located at a position on the side of the introduction port 32 c is shown.

[0163] Here, the farthest position from the introduction port 32c is defined as follows. The introduction port 32c is located in the first quadrant of a two-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system divided by an axis in the direction of gravity (second dotted line) and an axis in a direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity (horizontal direction) (first dotted line) around the rotation axis (rotation center) of the stirring shaft 34a of the stirring member 34. With respect to the introduction port 32c located in the first quadrant as one quadrant, the developing part such as the photosensitive drum 21 and the developing roller 31 is located in the second quadrant as another quadrant. At this time, the state in which the far end of the blade portion 34b of the stirring member 34 is located in the third quadrant before replenishment is defined as the farthest position from the introduction port 32c. In other words, the predetermined stop position where the far end of the blade portion 34b of the stirring member 34 is located before replenishment is set at a position in the third quadrant, which is the farthest position from the introduction port 32c. On the other hand, the moment when the distal end position of the blade portion 34b of the stirring member 34 is located on the side of the introduction port 32c during replenishment corresponds to the state where the distal end of the blade portion 34b of the stirring member 34 before replenishment is located in the first quadrant, which is the same quadrant as the quadrant where the introduction port 32c is located.

[0164] It is noted that the positional relationship of each configuration of the device using the above-mentioned coordinate system does not require the device layout to strictly allocate the configuration in each quadrant. In other words, an arrangement in which a part of the introduction port 32c (the main part of the introduction port 32c) is included in the first quadrant and another part extends to another quadrant can be adopted. Similarly, the blade portion 34b of the stirring member 34 can also be arranged in such a way that a part of the blade portion 34b including at least the far end (the second end portion 34be2) of the blade portion 34b is included in the third quadrant, and another part extends to another quadrant. Other positional relationships using the above-mentioned coordinate system described below can also be considered similarly.

[0165] like Figures 5A to 5D As shown, when the distal end position of the blade portion 34b is located at the farthest position from the introduction port 32c when replenishing new toner, the new toner is ejected to a sufficiently wide space. Then, the new toner also spreads in the longitudinal direction like a landslide, and at the same time falls to the bottom surface in the developer container 32. In other words, the replenished new toner reaches the entire area in the longitudinal direction. This is because in this state, the old toner in the developer container 32 has been pushed to one side of the development opening portion 39, so there is basically no old toner on the bottom surface of the developer container 32, and when viewed from the introduction port 32c, a state of a wide open space has been achieved.

[0166] However, on the other hand, Figures 6A to 6DAs shown, when the distal end position of the blade portion 34b is located on the side of the introduction port 32c when replenishing the new toner, the new toner is left just below the replenishment port 32a of the toner replenishment path, which is from the replenishment port 32a in the extension portion 38 to the introduction port 32c. The reason for achieving this state is considered as follows. One reason is that at this time, the blade portion 34b is in a state before the old toner is sent to the developing opening portion 39 provided with the developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33, and the bottom portion of the developer container 32 is filled with the old toner. In addition, the blade portion 34b blocks the ejection space of the new toner. In this way, a state in which the new toner is ejected into a narrow space at a time is achieved, and a state in which the new toner is left in the above-mentioned extension portion 38 occurs. Due to the pressure of the toner itself and its friction with each side when ejected into the narrow space, the powdery toner further enters a blocked state. Therefore, the new toner is less likely to spread in the longitudinal direction inside the developer container 32.

[0167] One object of the present embodiment is to achieve a state in which new toner and old toner are mixed in an almost uniform state in the longitudinal direction within a short period of time in the developer container 32. Although the blade portion 34b is adapted to stir the toner in the rotation direction, the toner is gradually mixed in the longitudinal direction as well by continuous rotation.

[0168] like Figures 6A to 6D As shown, if the stirring member 34 is driven in a state where the new toner remains near the introduction port 32 in the longitudinal direction within the developer container 32, more than 30 seconds (30 rotations of the stirring member 34) are required for the new toner to reach the entire longitudinal area.

[0169] However, if FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D As shown, by making the distal end position of the blade portion 34b located at the farthest position from the introduction port 32c, the new colorant can be uniformly distributed in the longitudinal direction within about 10 seconds (the stirring member 34 rotates 10 times) when it enters the developer container 32 immediately after replenishment.

[0170] About the mixing state of new and old toner and image failure

[0171] In the case where the image forming process is started before the old toner and the new toner are completely mixed, an image failure may occur due to a transfer failure. If the toner is continuously stirred in the developer container 32 or through repeated image forming processes, especially in the case of a cleaner-less configuration as in the present embodiment, a variation of the toner or filling of additives may occur. Therefore, the charge performance of the old toner may be reduced compared to the new toner.

[0172] When the charge performance of the toner is high, the potential distribution of the developing roller 31 and the photosensitive drum 21 is more likely to be traced, and the toner image is more easily developed on the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 21. Therefore, in the case where the old toner and the new toner are uniformly mixed, the new toner in the mixed toner is more preferentially used to form an image. However, if the mixing of the toner is not uniform, there may be a case where an image is formed using the new toner having a high charge performance or a case where an image is formed using the old toner having a low charge performance.

[0173] In addition, when the charge performance of the toner is high, a stronger bias is required to transfer the toner image on the photosensitive drum 21 to the recording material P. On the other hand, if a high transfer bias is applied to a toner with a low charge performance, a rough image failure called a severe defect may occur. In other words, if the transfer bias is set according to a new toner with a high charge performance, an image failure such as a severe defect may occur in the presence of an area where an image is formed using an old toner with a low charge performance. Therefore, if the mixing of the old toner and the new toner remains uneven, or if the new toner does not reach the entire area in the longitudinal direction and there is an area with only the old toner, a severe defect may occur in the area where the image is formed using the old toner.

[0174] In this way, since the mixed state of the new and old toners changes after replenishment, the setting of the transfer bias voltage required after replenishment may become difficult, and a transfer failure in the longitudinal direction may not be avoided. Therefore, the mixed state of the new and old toners is desirably a mixed state in which the new toner is as uniformly distributed as possible in the longitudinal direction.

[0175] Phase determination process P4 and phase adjustment process P5

[0176] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control section 90 controls the stirring member 34 so that the stirring member 34 stops rotating at a predetermined rotation phase at the latest before the moment when the toner passes through the introduction port 32c of the developer container 32 when the toner is replenished from the toner pack 40 to the developer container 32. In other words, the control section 90 controls the rotation of the stirring shaft 34a so that it stops rotating in a state where the distal end (the second end portion 34be2) of the blade portion 34b is located in a quadrant different from the quadrant where the introduction port 32c is located in the above-mentioned coordinate system. More specifically, the motor driving time is adjusted so that when the motor stops after the printing job, the phase of the blade portion 34b of the stirring member 34 is located at the position farthest from the introduction port 32c. The phase determination process P4 and the phase adjustment process P5 are added after the post-rotation process P3 after the imaging process P2, and then the printing job is ended.

[0177] In the present embodiment, the pin 34d and the sensor 51 provided at the gear 34c of the stirring member 34 determine the phase of the blade portion 34b of the stirring member 34 in the phase determination process P4. After the phase determination, the process proceeds to the phase adjustment process P5. In the phase adjustment process P5, a command of the motor stop time is provided to the control part of the imaging device 1 so that the position of the blade portion 34b of the stirring member 34 becomes the position farthest from the desired replenishment port 32a. Depending on the motor, inertia may occur for several milliseconds after the stop command is provided to the control part until the motor drive is actually turned off. In the imaging device of the present embodiment, a brushed motor is used as a motor as a drive source, and even after the current stops, it takes time for the motor to completely stop rotating due to inertia. Therefore, it is desirable to adjust the stop command moment in consideration of inertia.

[0178] In addition, when the blade portion 34b contacts the inner wall of the toner receiving chamber 32d, the blade portion 34b is deformed considerably. The degree of deformation may vary according to the phase change of the stirring shaft 34a. In other words, the shape of the inner wall surface of the toner receiving chamber 32d is not a uniform shape relative to the rotation center of the stirring shaft 34a, and it is considered that when the contact position with the inner wall surface of the toner receiving chamber 32d changes, the magnitude of the reaction force received by the distal end of the blade portion 34b from the inner wall surface of the toner receiving chamber 32d also changes, and the deformation mode also changes. The shape of the inner wall of the toner receiving chamber 32d is not a cylindrical surface around the rotation center of the stirring member 34, and due to the change in the deformation mode of the blade portion 34b, the position change of the distal end of the blade portion 34b during the rotation of the stirring member 34 is not constant relative to the phase change of the stirring shaft 34a. In other words, it is considered that the position of the rotation phase of the stirring shaft 34a and the distal end position of the blade portion 34b do not necessarily have a one-to-one correspondence. It is considered that the deformation mode of the blade portion 34b also changes due to the change in the amount of toner remaining in the toner storage chamber 32d. Therefore, it is desirable to identify the corresponding relationship between the rotation phase of the stirring shaft 34a and the distal end position of the blade portion 34b in advance through experiments, etc., and reflect the corresponding relationship on the control amount of the rotation control of the stirring shaft 34a.

[0179] Effects and advantages of this embodiment

[0180] According to the present embodiment, it is possible to always keep the distal end position of the blade portion 34b at the farthest position from the introduction port 32c when the motor stops after the printing job, so as to be constantly ready for replenishment. At this time, the old toner in the developer container 32 is pushed to one side of the development opening portion 39, so that there is a space on the bottom surface of the developer container 32. The new toner in the toner pack is ejected while spreading to the entire longitudinal area of ​​the developer container 32 without being blocked by the space. Thereafter, once the rotation of the stirring member 34 is started, the mixed state of the new toner and the old toner is uniformed in a shorter period of time than the configuration of the related art (a configuration in which the stirring member 34 is not phase-controlled).

[0181] As described above, a situation in which new toner is uniformly present in the entire longitudinal area of ​​the developer container 32 is achieved in a shorter period of time than in the related art, and thus the possibility of occurrence of image failure can be reduced.

[0182] Note that, although the motor is stopped during the phase adjustment process of the present embodiment so that the distal end of the blade portion 34b is located in the third quadrant in the orthogonal coordinate system around the rotation center of the stirring shaft 34a of the stirring member 34, the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present embodiment, in the case where the distal end of the blade portion 34b of the stirring member 34 is stopped in the third quadrant, the space for the new toner in the toner pack 40 to be ejected is the widest. However, even if, for example, Figures 7A to 7D Even if the motor shown in FIGS. 8A to 8D stops in the second quadrant or the fourth quadrant, the same effect as described above can be exhibited if the new toner in the toner pack 40 is ejected to a sufficiently wide space and advances in a diffuse manner along the longitudinal direction of the developer container 32 .

[0183] Furthermore, although the phase determination and the phase adjustment are performed after the post-rotation process P3 in the present embodiment, the time required for all the processes of the print job can be shortened by implementing the position determination in parallel with the post-rotation process P3.

[0184] In addition, it is only necessary to perform phase adjustment in time before toner replenishment, and a configuration can be adopted in which phase adjustment is performed before the user actually replenishes the toner. In other words, the opening / closing sensor 54 is included as a configuration capable of detecting the opening / closing of the opening / closing member 83 provided in the top cover, and once the opening of the opening / closing member 83 is detected, the motor can be driven to implement the phase determination process P4 and the phase adjustment process P5. Alternatively, the installation sensor 53 is included as a configuration capable of detecting the installation of the toner pack 40 on the installation portion 57, and once the installation of the toner pack 40 on the installation portion 57 is detected, the motor can be driven and the phase determination process P4 and the phase adjustment process P5 can be implemented. In other words, a configuration in which the fact that the user has started to prepare for toner replenishment is detected as a trigger to start the phase adjustment of the stirring member 34 can be used as a configuration capable of detecting that the user is in the process of preparing for toner replenishment (or the possibility of it is high).

[0185] In addition, when the motor driving speed (processing speed) for position adjustment is reduced, the influence of inertia in position adjustment is reduced. Therefore, the processing speed in the phase determination process or the phase adjustment process can be lower than the processing speed in the imaging process. Therefore, position adjustment can be performed with high precision.

[0186] other

[0187] Figures 5A to 5D The positional relationship of each structure in the coordinate system shown in FIGS. 8A to 8D (the quadrant in which each structure is located) is the positional relationship when the imaging device is viewed from the left to the right. Therefore, when viewed from the right to the left in the opposite way, the quadrant in which each structure is located is reversed in the left-right direction on the paper. In other words, for example, when viewed from the right to the left, in the positional relationship of each structure, the quadrant in which the introduction port 32c is located is located in the second quadrant, and the quadrant in which the distal end of the blade portion 34b stops is the fourth quadrant, the first quadrant, or the second quadrant.

[0188] Furthermore, since it takes time for the new toner to mix with the old toner, it is also possible to imagine a relationship with the width of the toner accommodating chamber 32d of the developer container 32 and the width of the toner path of the extended portion 38 (the width of the opening of the introduction port 32c at the inner wall surface of the toner accommodating chamber 32d). It can be said that this problem may occur when the width of the extended portion 38 (introduction port 32c) is small relative to the entire longitudinal length of the toner accommodating chamber 32d.

[0189] In this embodiment, the structure in which the introduction port 32c opens at a position located on one longitudinal end side of the toner holding chamber 32d as described above is adopted in consideration of availability as a structure capable of replenishing toner from the upper surface of the device and as a structure in which the replenishment port does not block the exposure laser. In this embodiment, the longitudinal length of the toner holding chamber 32d is 230mm, the longitudinal width (inner diameter) of the introduction port 32c is 40mm, and the length from the longitudinal center of the toner holding chamber 32d to the width center of the introduction port 32c is 86mm. Regarding the longitudinal position of the introduction port 32c relative to the toner holding chamber 32d, there is a concern that, for example, even in a structure in which the introduction port 32c opens at the longitudinal center of the toner holding chamber 32d, it is difficult for new toner to reach the two longitudinal end portions depending on the phase of the stirring member 34. In other words, the structure that may cause the problem of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned structure shown in this embodiment.

[0190] In addition, when the vertical width (height direction) of the colorant holding chamber 32d is wide enough and even if the distal end of the blade portion 34b is located in the first quadrant, it is possible to ensure that there is enough distance between the distal end of the blade portion 34b and the introduction port 32c, that is, when there is a space that the new colorant can enter in a diffuse manner in the longitudinal direction on the outer side of the trajectory along which the stirring member 34 (the distal end of the blade portion 34b) rotates, it is unlikely that the above-mentioned problem about the time required for the new colorant and the old colorant to mix will occur. However, in order to provide such a space, the colorant holding chamber 32d must have a wider vertical width, and there is a problem of increasing the size of the device body. The developer container 32 in this embodiment is configured so that the introduction port 32c opens at the same height as the area on the upper surface of the inner wall surface of the colorant holding chamber 32d where the distal end of the blade portion 34b can contact, so as to prevent the size of the device body from increasing in the device up and down direction. In other words, according to the present embodiment, the time required for mixing new colorant and old colorant can be shortened in the construction of a small developer container 32 in which a sufficient distance cannot be ensured between the distal end of the blade portion 34b of the stirring member 34 located in the first quadrant and the introduction port 32c.

[0191] Second embodiment

[0192] Will refer to Figures 9A to 9C A second embodiment of the present invention will be explained. Figures 9A to 9C is a sectional view of a developer container 32 according to the second embodiment.

[0193] In the second embodiment, the stirring member 34 includes a plurality of blade portions, thereby uniformizing the mixture of new and old toners earlier when replenishing. Except for the blade portions of the stirring member 34, the construction of the imaging device according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the imaging device explained in the first embodiment, and the explanation thereof is omitted.

[0194] In this embodiment, the stirring member 34 includes a first blade portion 34b1 and a second blade portion 34b2. The first blade portion 34b1 and the second blade portion 34b2 are members having the same shape made of polycarbonate. The second blade portion 34b2 is installed at a position deviated by 90° on the downstream side of the rotation direction of the first blade portion 34b1.

[0195] Specifically, the stirring shaft 34a includes a first attachment surface 34a1 extending in the direction of the rotation axis and a second attachment surface 34a2 extending in the direction of the rotation axis around the rotation axis, and the position of the second attachment surface is different from the position of the first attachment surface 34a1. The first attachment surface 34a1 and the second attachment surface 34a2 are two surfaces adjacent to each other among the four surfaces of the stirring shaft 34a with a rectangular cross section arranged in the rotation direction, and are surfaces having a vertical line (normal line) extending in directions perpendicular to each other. The first blade portion (first piece) 34b1 includes a first attachment portion 34b11 in contact with the first attachment surface 34a1. The first blade portion 34b1 has: one end portion (first end portion) 34b1e1 in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, which is fixed to the stirring shaft 34a as a part of the attachment portion 34b11; and the other end portion (second end portion) 34b1e2 capable of contacting the inner wall surface of the toner accommodating chamber 32d. The second blade portion (second piece) 34b2 includes an attachment portion (second attachment portion) 34b21 in contact with the second attachment surface 34a2. The second blade portion 34b2 has: one end portion (third end portion) 34b2e1 in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, which is fixed to the stirring shaft 34a as a part of the attachment portion 34b21; and another end portion (fourth end portion) 34b2e2 capable of contacting the toner storage chamber 32d.

[0196] In the case where the amount of toner in the developer container 32 is large, the first blade portion 34b1 may be significantly bent because the toner acts as resistance. If the first blade portion 34b1 is bent, the toner (Y in the figure) may stay even after passing through the bottom portion in the developer container 32. Although the toner Y at the bottom portion is mixed with the falling toner at the moment when the toner scraped off by the first blade portion 34b1 falls to the bottom, it may take longer to achieve a uniform mixed state of the new toner and the old toner after replenishing the new toner than in the case where the toner Y does not stay at the bottom portion.

[0197] In the present embodiment, the second blade portion 34b2 provided at 90° downstream of the first blade portion 34b1 can scrape off the toner Y remaining at the bottom portion after the first blade portion 34b1 passes. In other words, in the present embodiment, the toner Y is also sent to the developing opening portion 39. Since the developing opening portion 39 actively promotes the mixing of the toner Y, the stirring of the toner as a whole in the developer container 32 is rapidly performed. Since the second blade portion 34b2 is provided, the time required for uniformly mixing the replenished new toner and the old toner in the developer container 32 even immediately after replenishment is shortened.

[0198] Phase of the blade portion and the mixed state of new and old toner during replenishment in the second embodiment

[0199] Even in the configuration including two blade portions as in the second embodiment, the control portion 90 controls the rotation of the stirring shaft 34a so that both end portions of the two blade portions are located in a quadrant different from the quadrant in which the introduction port 32c is located in the above-mentioned coordinate system similarly to the first embodiment. In other words, by adjusting the phase so that replenishment is performed when the positions of the two distal ends of the blade portions 34b1 and 34b2 are away from the introduction port 32c at the time of replenishment, an effect similar to that described in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0200] Fig.9A A state in which new toner is replenished when the distal end positions of the two blade portions 34b1 and 34b2 are away from the introduction port 32c is shown. Fig. 9B 34b1 is shown when the distal end of the first blade portion 34b1 is located on the side of the introduction port 32c and the new toner is replenished. Fig. 9C A state in which new toner is replenished when the distal end of the second blade portion 34b2 is located on the side of the introduction port 32c is shown.

[0201] like Fig.9AAs shown, in the case of replenishing new toner when the distal end positions of the blade portions 34b1 and 34b2 are away from the introduction port 32c, the new toner cannot enter the bottom surface of the developer container 32 due to the presence of the second blade portion 34b2. However, since both the blade portions 34b1 and 34b2 do not block the space inside the developer container 32 to which the new toner from the toner pack 40 is replenished, the new toner is ejected into a sufficiently wide space. In this way, the new toner enters the entire area along the longitudinal direction in the developer container 32 in a diffused manner.

[0202] However, in the case where supplementation is performed when the distal end position of the blade portion 34b1 or the blade portion 34b2 is located on the side of the introduction port 32c, as shown in FIG. Fig. 9B As shown in FIG. 9C , the blade portion 34 b 1 or the blade portion 34 b 2 blocks the space where the new toner enters. Therefore, the new toner is ejected into the narrow space, and the ejected new toner may be blocked, and the new toner may stay near the protruding portion 38 in the developer container 32 in the longitudinal direction.

[0203] In the second embodiment, once Fig.9A As shown, the stirring member 34 is driven in a state where the new toner is instantly spread in the longitudinal direction immediately after replenishment, and the toner is homogenized after 5 seconds (after the stirring member 34 rotates 5 times). In addition, it can be confirmed that no transfer failure occurs after replenishment in this state.

[0204] Third embodiment

[0205] Will use Fig. 10A , 10B 11A and 11B illustrate an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment. Although in the second embodiment, the shapes and materials of the two blade portions 34b1 and 34b2 are identical to each other, the present invention is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, as a configuration of the developer container 32, a preferred configuration in the case where a toner remaining amount sensor (developer remaining amount detecting portion) 50 is installed will be explained, the toner remaining amount sensor being an optical detecting unit for optically detecting the remaining amount in the developer container 32. Fig. 10A and 10B 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a developer container 32 in a comparative example in which a toner remaining amount detection sensor 50 is provided in a configuration in which a stirring member 34 includes a single blade portion 34 b similarly to the first embodiment. Fig.11A and 11B 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a developer container 32 according to a third embodiment, in which a toner remaining amount detection sensor 50 is provided in a configuration in which a stirring member 34 includes two blade portions 34 b 3 and 34 b 4 similarly to the second embodiment.

[0206] Note that, unlike the two blade portions 34b1 and 34b2 in the second embodiment, the two blade portions 34b3 and 34b4 in the third embodiment are attached to an attachment surface of the stirring shaft 34a so that the blade portions 34b3 and 34b4 partially overlap each other. Specifically, the stirring shaft 34a includes an attachment surface 34a1 extending in the direction of the rotation axis, and the blade portion (fourth piece) 34b4 includes an attachment portion 34b41 (fourth attachment portion) in contact with the attachment surface 34a1. The blade portion 34b4 has: an end portion (seventh end portion) 34b4e1 in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, which is fixed to the stirring shaft 34a as a part of the attachment portion 34b41; and another end portion (eighth end portion) 34b4e2 capable of contacting the inner wall surface of the toner storage chamber 32d. In addition, the blade portion (third piece) 34b3 includes an attachment portion 34b31 (third attachment portion) attached to the attachment portion 34b41 of the blade portion 34b4 in an overlapping manner. The blade portion 34b3 has: one end portion (fifth end portion) 34b3e1 in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, which is fixed to the stirring shaft 34a as a part of the attachment portion 34b31; and the other end portion (sixth end portion) 34b3e2 capable of contacting the inner wall surface of the toner accommodating chamber 32d.

[0207] The short side length of the blade portion 34b (the length of the blade portion 34b from the fixed end fixed to the stirring shaft 34a to the free end on the opposite side) is generally set to a length required to enter the developing opening portion 39 and supply the toner in the developer container 32 to the developing opening portion 39. However, the blade portion 34b may be in a state in which the blade portion 34b is caught on the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50, as shown in FIG. Fig. 10A As soon as the rotation proceeds further, although Fig. 10B The distal end shown passes through (over) the colorant remaining amount detection sensor 50, but the distal end of the blade portion 34b may not be able to penetrate into the lower portion of the colorant remaining amount detection sensor 50, and the colorant (Yx in the figure) below the colorant remaining amount detection sensor 50 may not be stirred.

[0208] In such a case, the short side length (dashed line) of the first blade portion 34b3 is shortened to a level at which the first blade portion 34b3 can dive into the portion below the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50, such as Fig.11A shown.

[0209] The length (third length) of the blade portion 34b3 from the attachment portion 34b31 to the distal end (third end portion) in contact with the inner wall surface of the toner containing chamber 32d is shorter than the length (fourth length) from the attachment portion 34b41 of the blade portion 34b4 to the distal end (fourth end portion). Here, the above-mentioned length of each blade portion is the length of the blade portion in the short side direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the length is the length when the distance from the attachment portion to the distal end is measured along the direction in which the blade portion extends.

[0210] The toner remaining amount detection sensor 50 is located in the quadrant below the quadrant where the introduction port 32c is located in the above-mentioned coordinate system and is arranged to extend from the inner wall of the toner storage chamber 32d. The control section 90 controls the rotation of the stirring shaft 34a so that the end portion of the blade portion 34b3 is located in the quadrant where the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50 is located in the above-mentioned coordinate system. The length from the attachment portion 34b31 of the blade portion 34b3 to the distal end (third end portion) is a length that allows the distal end of the blade portion 34b3 to enter the recessed portion 32d5 ( Fig. 11B The length of the dotted circle area in the figure.

[0211] After the first blade portion 34b3 scrapes the toner below the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50 and sends the toner to the bottom portion of the developer container 32, the second blade portion 34b4 stirs the toner at the bottom portion. This configuration makes it possible to stir the entire toner and supply the toner to the development opening portion 39.

[0212] In this way, each of the plurality of blade portions 34b can have a different effect. By adjusting the phase, an effect similar to that described in the first embodiment can be obtained so that the replenishment of new toner is performed when both distal ends of the blade portion are away from the introduction port 32c. Depending on the configuration of the developer container 32, the number, shape and material of the blade portions different from those in the third embodiment can be appropriately selected.

[0213] Other Effects of the Third Embodiment

[0214] Other effects obtained in the third embodiment will be explained below. By quickly and uniformly mixing the old toner in the developer container 32 and the new toner after the new toner is replenished from the toner pack 40, in addition to improving image failure, an effect of improving the accuracy of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50 in detecting the replenished toner amount can be obtained.

[0215] The remaining toner amount sensor 50 for detecting the remaining amount of toner is composed of a light emitting portion 50 a , a light receiving portion 50 b , and a light guide 600 for guiding the light from the light emitting portion 50 a . Fig. 12A is based on Fig.11A and 11B The illustrated third embodiment is a cross-sectional view when plane B-Bx is viewed from the back surface side of the developer container 32. The light guide 600 is installed in the longitudinal center portion of the developer container 32. In this embodiment, the light guide 600 made of amorphous and highly transparent polystyrene is used.

[0216] The CPU 91 of the control section 90 determines whether the light receiving section (light receiving element) 50b has received the light from the light emitting section (light emitting element) 50a based on the voltage level input to the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50. Then, the CPU 91 calculates the length of time for which the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50 detects the light when the stirring member 34 is caused to stir the toner in the developer container 32 for a certain period of time. The ROM 93 stores in advance as a table 96 the toner remaining amount determination threshold value for determining the toner remaining amount from the light detection time of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50. The CPU 91 calculates (predicts) the toner remaining amount in the developer container 32 based on the light detection time of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50 and the threshold value stored in the table 96.

[0217] Toner remaining amount detection method

[0218] Fig. 12B and 12C : is a perspective view of the light guide 600. A toner amount detection method implemented by the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50 will be explained using the drawings. Fig. 12B 1 is a diagram seen from the outside of the developer container 32, wherein a sensor including a light emitting portion 50a and a light receiving portion 50b is attached. Light from the light emitting portion 50a is obtained from the light entering portion 611, and light that passes through the inside of the developer container 32 and leaves the light exiting portion 621 is received by the light receiving portion 50b. Fig. 12C is a diagram viewed from the inside of the developer container 32 , in which light taken from the light entrance portion 611 is reflected by the surfaces 612 and 622 along the light path Q and is caused to exit to the light exit portion 621 .

[0219] When the stirring member 34 rotates one turn, the optical path Q is blocked by the toner conveyed by the stirring member 34. The time when the light is blocked, that is, the time when the light receiving portion 50b does not detect the light from the light emitting portion 50a varies according to the remaining toner amount.

[0220] In other words, when the remaining amount of toner is large, the optical path Q may be blocked by the toner, so the time for which the light receiving portion 50b receives light becomes shorter and the intensity of the received light received by the light receiving portion 50b becomes lower.

[0221] On the other hand, when the remaining amount of toner is small, the time for the light receiving portion 50b to receive light becomes longer, and the intensity of the received light received by the light receiving portion 50b becomes higher. Therefore, the CPU 91 of the control portion 90 can determine the remaining amount level of toner based on the light receiving time of the light receiving portion 50b and the intensity of the received light. The remaining amount determination threshold of toner for determining the remaining amount of toner from the light receiving time of the light receiving portion 50b is pre-stored as a table, for example, pre-stored in the ROM 93.

[0222] Detection of the remaining amount of toner when new toner is replenished from the toner pack 40

[0223] Here, when detecting the remaining toner amount when new toner is replenished from the toner pack 40 , the remaining toner amount detection accuracy may be reduced depending on the mixed state of the replenished new toner and the old toner in the developer container 32 .

[0224] As described above, the charge property of new toner is higher than that of old toner. On the other hand, the surfaces 612 and 622 of the light guide 600 on the inner side of the developer container 32 are charged by repeated friction with the toner and the stirring member 34. Therefore, since the toner having a higher charge property is more likely to adhere to the surfaces 612 and 622 of the light guide 600, a state in which the surfaces 612 and 622 of the light guide 600 are constantly blocked by the toner is achieved, and the toner remaining amount detection accuracy may be reduced.

[0225] Therefore, in the case where the mixing state of the old colorant and the replenished new colorant in the developer container 32 is uneven, since a large amount of new colorant exists locally, the colorant is likely to adhere to the surfaces 612 and 622 of the light guide 600, and the remaining amount detection accuracy may be reduced.

[0226] On the other hand, in the case where the mixing state of the old toner in the developer container 32 and the replenished new toner becomes uniform, there is no portion where a large amount of toner exists locally, and a state where the concentration of the new toner is low as a whole relative to the total amount of toner can be achieved. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the new toner from adhering to the surfaces 612 and 622 of the light guide 600.

[0227] In other words, if a state in which the replenished new toner is uniformly mixed with the old toner in the developer container is achieved, a decrease in the accuracy of remaining amount detection can be suppressed.

[0228] Mixed state of new and old toner after replenishment in this embodiment

[0229] Figures 13A to 13D and Figures 14A to 14D The new toner (hatched portion) replenished from the toner pack 40 and the old toner (solid line portion) in the developer container 32 according to the present embodiment are shown in an image seen from the cross-sectional side and an image seen from the front surface side. These show actual entry of the new toner confirmed from the front surface side by preparing a transparent developer container and using yellow toner as the new toner of the toner pack 40 and black toner as the old toner in the transparent developer container 32.

[0230] The expression "immediately after replenishment" described here refers to the time before the stirring member 34 rotates. In addition, the image view seen from the front surface side also shows the state immediately after replenishment, 5 seconds after the stirring member 34 starts to rotate (after the stirring member 34 rotates 5 times) and 20 seconds after (after the stirring member 34 rotates 20 times). The solid line portion indicates a portion where the old toner ratio is high, the shaded portion indicates a portion where the new toner ratio is high, and the dot portion indicates a portion where the new toner and the old toner are mixed satisfactorily.

[0231] Figures 13A to 13D FIG. 2 shows a case where supplementation is performed when the distal end of the blade portion 34b is located at the farthest position from the introduction port 32c during supplementation. Figures 14A to 14D The case where replenishment is performed when the distal end position of the blade portion 34b is located on the side of the introduction port 32c at the time of replenishment is shown.

[0232] like FIG. 13A to FIG. 13D As shown, when replenishment is implemented when the distal end position of the blade portion 34b is located at the farthest position from the introduction port 32c, the new colorant is ejected into a sufficiently wide space and spreads in the longitudinal direction like a landslide, while falling to the bottom surface of the developer container 32.

[0233] However, on the other hand, Figures 14A to 14D As shown, when replenishment is performed when the distal end position of the blade portion 34b is located on one side of the introduction port 32c, the new colorant is ejected into the narrow space at a time, so the new colorant stays at the portion corresponding to the protruding portion 38 just below the replenishment port 32a.

[0234] like Figures 14A to 14D As shown, even if replenishment is carried out when the distal end position of the blade portion 34b is located on the side of the introduction port 32c and the stirring member 34 is driven in a state where the new colorant is retained near the introduction port 32c in the longitudinal direction within the developer container 32, once the stirring member 34 is driven, it takes 20 seconds (the stirring member 34 rotates 20 times) or more for the new colorant to reach the entire longitudinal area.

[0235] In other words, Figures 14A to 14D In the case of , the state in which the new toner stays on the side of the introduction port 32c is not resolved until the moment after 5 seconds (the stirring member 34 rotates 5 times), and there is a portion (wavy line portion) with a high proportion of the new toner. In this way, a state is achieved in which the portion with a high proportion of the new toner exists in the central portion where the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50 is located, the new toner adheres to the surfaces 612 and 622 of the light guide 600 on the inner side of the developer container 32, and the remaining amount detection accuracy is reduced. It is necessary to detect the remaining amount after 20 seconds or more required for the new toner to reach the entire longitudinal area, and the user is made to wait after replenishing the new toner until a state in which the image forming apparatus 1 can be used is reached.

[0236] Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the replenishment can be performed when the distal end position of the blade portion 34b is located at the position farthest from the introduction port 32c, such as Figures 13A to 13D As shown. Since the new toner instantly enters the space in the longitudinal direction in the developer container 32 in a diffused manner immediately after replenishment, the new toner and the old toner are uniformed within about 5 seconds (5 rotations of the stirring member 34). Even at the moment of 5 seconds, the phenomenon that the new toner adheres to the light guide 600 can be suppressed, and the remaining amount detection accuracy is unlikely to decrease, so the waiting time of the user after replenishment can be shortened.

[0237] Note that, although only the configuration in which the blade portion 34 b is installed in the stirring shaft 34 a of the stirring member 34 has been explained as the configuration explained in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0238] For example, there is a configuration in which a cleaning member is installed at the center portion in the longitudinal direction so as to clean the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50. The cleaning member provided only at the center portion in the longitudinal direction does not significantly block the space into which new toner is ejected when toner is replenished. Therefore, even with a configuration including the cleaning member, as long as the distal end of the blade portion 34b is away from the introduction port 32c before replenishment, new toner of the toner pack 40 is ejected to a sufficiently wide space and enters the developer container 32 in a diffused manner along the longitudinal direction when replenishing, so that the same effect as the above-mentioned effect can be exhibited.

[0239] In addition, there is a configuration in which a T-shaped seal for covering the developer opening portion 39 and sealing the toner in the toner containing chamber rotates together with the stirring shaft 34a to prevent the toner from leaking during the logistics of the unused image forming apparatus 1. For example, a T-shaped seal obtained by laminating an easy-peeling film made of a multilayer polystyrene on a PET sheet having a thickness of about 45 um is used. For example, AE300 manufactured by Sumika Plastech Co., Ltd. can be used as the easy-peeling film. The T-shaped seal has a width in the longitudinal direction wider than the developer opening portion 39, completely covers the developer opening portion 39 on the surface of the easy-peeling side in the unused image forming apparatus 1, and prevents the toner in the developer container 32 from leaking to the side of the developer roller 31 and the supply roller 33.

[0240] Furthermore, when the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on for the first time at the user's location and the motor starts to rotate, the T-shaped seal is attached to the stirring shaft 34a of the stirring member 34 and is peeled off from the developing opening portion 39 in a winding manner by the rotation of the stirring shaft 34a. There is a configuration in which the T-shaped seal rotates together with the blade portion 34b while following the rotation of the stirring shaft 34a of the stirring member 34.

[0241] However, since the T-seal is thinner than the blade portion 34b and has a lower elastic force, unlike the blade portion 34b, the T-seal is not suitable for stirring the toner or sending the toner to the developing opening portion 39. Even if the distal end of the T-seal is located at the introduction port 32c and the T-seal exists in the path through which the new toner enters the developer container 32 when the new toner is replenished, the T-seal falls due to the momentum of the new toner falling without interrupting the entry of the new toner. In other words, even if the distal end of the T-seal is located at the introduction port 32c, the new toner can enter the developer container 32 in a manner that is diffused over the entire area along the longitudinal direction. In other words, even for a structure in which the T-seal rotates together with the stirring shaft 34a, as long as the distal end of the blade portion 34b is away from the introduction port 32c before replenishment, the new colorant of the colorant bag 40 will be ejected into a sufficiently wide space during replenishment and enter the developer container 32 in a diffuse manner in the longitudinal direction, so that the same effect as described above can be exhibited.

[0242] Although components having various functions can be installed at the stirring member 34, the same effect as the above-mentioned effect can be exhibited by positioning the distal end of a component having a high elastic force like the blade portion 34b and having the function of stirring the colorant and delivering the colorant to the developing opening portion 39 away from the introduction port 32c during replenishment.

[0243] The fourth embodiment will be explained. Note that description of the configuration common to the first to third embodiments will be omitted.

[0244] The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a locking mechanism (not shown) that switches between a state in which the toner pack 40 can rotate and a state in which the toner pack 40 cannot rotate. In this way, even when the toner pack 40 is inserted, it is possible to control whether toner can actually be replenished (whether replenishment is allowed).

[0245] As the configuration of the locking mechanism, a configuration known in the related art may be appropriately adopted. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a restricted portion is provided on one side of the toner pack 40, and a restricting member (locking member) may be provided on one side of the apparatus body, and the restricting member may be in a locked position (restricted state not allowing toner to be replenished) and an unlocked position (non-restricted state allowing toner to be replenished) that restricts the restricted portion. The restricting member may be configured to be able to advance and retreat on a motion track followed by the restricted portion of the toner pack 40 when the toner pack 40 rotates. A configuration may be adopted in which, unless the restricting member is evacuated from the motion track of the restricted portion after the toner pack 40 is coupled to the mounting portion 57, the rotation of the toner pack 40 is restricted by restricting the movement of the restricted portion by the restricting member (lock release operation), and the rotation causes the shutter member 41 to move to the open position. For example, the restricting member may be configured to be located on the motion track of the restricted portion due to the biasing force of the spring and may be configured to be able to move in a direction resisting the biasing force of the biasing member and evacuate from the motion track, for example, under the action of an electromagnetic attractive force.

[0246] Control block diagram

[0247] Fig.17 601, which controls the image forming apparatus, includes various control parts, such as a drive control part 605, a high voltage control part 604, a fixing control part 602, and a locking mechanism control part 606. The drive control part 605, which drives the drive part 2611 to rotate, the high voltage control part 604, which controls each high voltage circuit 610, and the fixing control part 602, which controls the fixing device 607, are used to implement the above-mentioned printing operation.

[0248] In addition, the control section 601 acquires detection information of various sensors such as the replenishment port opening / closing sensor 608, the jam processing door opening / closing sensor 609, and the phase detection sensor 51 via the sensor detection section 603. The replenishment port opening / closing sensor (opening / closing detection unit) 608 detects the opening / closing state of the opening / closing member (whether in the open state or the closed state). The jam processing door opening / closing sensor (opening / closing detection unit) 609 detects whether the jam processing door 291 (see Figure 1A ) is opened / closed by the user to access the conveying path, thereby removing the sheet stopped inside the imaging device due to a jam during printing. The jam processing door 291 is an opening / closing member, which constitutes a part of the exterior of the device body on the back surface side of the main frame member 290, and is configured to be able to be located around the opening / closing shaft 292 at the lower end: an open position inside the main frame member 290, specifically, the conveying path of the recording material is exposed to the outside; and a closed position, where the conveying path is not exposed. A configuration known in the relevant art can be appropriately used as the replenishing port opening / closing sensor 608 and the jam processing door opening / closing sensor 609, and both the replenishing port opening / closing sensor 608 and the jam processing door opening / closing sensor 609 can be composed of, for example, a pressure-sensitive switch or a magnetic sensor. The configuration of the phase detection sensor 51 is as described above.

[0249] In addition, the locking mechanism control section 606 controls the locking mechanism (limiting mechanism) 2612, which switches whether the toner pack can be rotated in the state when the toner is replenished. For example, in the case where the locking mechanism has the above-mentioned configuration, the locking mechanism control section 606 can control the locked state and the unlocked state of the locking mechanism 2612 by controlling the power distribution to the solenoid. Note that the locking mechanism 2612 is not an essential configuration, and the imaging device 1 according to the present embodiment may have a configuration that does not include the locking mechanism 2612.

[0250] Furthermore, the control section 601 includes a storage section 613 which stores phase information which is a result of determination in the aforementioned phase determination process.

[0251] Phase determination process

[0252] In the phase determination process P4 of the present embodiment, the pin 34d provided at the gear 34c of the stirring member 34 and the phase detection sensor 51 determine the phase of the blade portion 34b. After the phase determination, the adjustment amount to be adjusted in the phase adjustment process P5 is stored in the storage part 613. In the case where the adjustment is not required as a result of the implementation of the phase determination, the adjustment amount to be adjusted is not stored in the storage part 613, or information indicating that there is no adjustment amount is stored in the storage part 613. In other words, since the phase adjustment process is not required in the case where the rotation phase of the blade portion 34b detected in advance before the phase adjustment process is performed is included in the predetermined phase range where the blade portion 34b is to stop in the phase adjustment process, the information is stored.

[0253] Phase adjustment process flow chart

[0254] Fig.18 The flowchart of the phase adjustment process in this embodiment is shown. The drive control part 605 drives the drive part 2611 at the moment when the state of the replenishment port open / close sensor 608 changes from the closed state to the open state in the standby state of the imaging device 1 (a state in which printing can be implemented but the imaging device 1 is stopped) (the flowchart S101: the moment when the user is detected to try to replenish the toner). Specifically, the drive control part 605 implements (S103) the phase adjustment process of controlling the drive part 2611 so that the phase of the blade part 34b is located at the farthest position from the replenishment port 32a. After the phase adjustment process is completed, the locking mechanism 2612 is changed (S104) to a state in which the toner can be replenished. During the phase adjustment process, the control part 601 of the imaging device 1 drives and stops the drive part 2611 using the drive control part 605 so that the position of the blade part 34b is located at the desired position farthest from the replenishment port 32a. However, in the case where the phase information is not to be adjusted as a result of the phase determination process P4 ( S102 : in the case of N), the lock mechanism 2612 is changed to a state where toner can be replenished without performing the phase adjustment process.

[0255] Sequence of the phase adjustment process

[0256] Fig.19 The sequence of the phase adjustment process in this embodiment is shown. Fig.19The sequence when the phase adjustment is implemented is shown, that is, the phase information is stored in the storage part 613. Once it is detected that the replenishment port opening / closing sensor 608 changes from the closed state to the open state, the control part 601 controls the drive control part 605 at this moment and starts driving the drive part 2611 (t11). The drive part 2611 enters the normal rotation state after the acceleration state (t12), then enters the deceleration state (t13), and finally stops (t14). It is noted that the imaging device in this embodiment uses a brush motor as a motor used as a drive source. Even after the current stops, it takes time for the motor to completely stop rotating due to inertia, so it is desirable to adjust the stop command moment for the motor in consideration of inertia. The drive part 2611 is suitable for rotating the stirring member by an amount corresponding to the phase adjustment information stored in the storage part 613 during the time period from t11 to t14. The phase adjustment of the phase adjustment process is completed at the moment (t14) when the drive part 2611 stops, and the locking mechanism 2612 becomes the open state. It is noted that although the operation of the driving part 2611 in this embodiment corresponds to three states, namely acceleration, normal rotation and deceleration, normal rotation is not necessarily implemented when the adjustment amount based on the phase adjustment information stored in the storage part 613 is small and phase adjustment can only be achieved through acceleration and deceleration.

[0257] Effects and advantages of this embodiment

[0258] According to the present embodiment, at the moment when the user attempts to replenish the toner, a phase adjustment process is implemented as needed, after which the state becomes a state in which the toner can be replenished. Therefore, the stop position of the stirring member at the moment of starting replenishment can be always maintained in a state in which the distal position of the blade portion 34b is always at the farthest position from the replenishment port 32a so as to be ready for replenishment. At this time, the old toner in the developer container 32 is pushed to one side of the developer opening portion 39, and a space is created on the bottom surface of the developer container 32. The new toner in the toner bag is ejected while being spread over the entire longitudinal area of ​​the developer container 32 without being blocked by the space. If the rotation of the stirring member 34 is then started, the mixed state of the new toner and the old toner is uniformed in a shorter period of time compared to the structure in the related art (a structure in which phase control is not implemented on the stirring member 34).

[0259] As described above, by achieving a situation in which new toner is uniformly present in the entire longitudinal area of ​​the developer container 32 in a shorter period of time than in the related art, the possibility of occurrence of image failure can be further reduced.

[0260] Note that although in the present embodiment, during the phase adjustment, the motor is stopped so that the distal end of the blade portion 34 b is located in the third quadrant in the orthogonal coordinate system around the stirring shaft 34 a , the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0261] Although in the present embodiment, when the distal end of the blade portion 34b stops in the third quadrant, the space into which the new toner of the toner pack 40 is ejected becomes the widest, if the new toner of the toner pack 40 is ejected to a sufficiently wide space and enters the developer container 32 in a diffused manner along the longitudinal direction, even if, for example, Figures 7A to 7D The distal end shown in 8A to 8D stops in the second or fourth quadrant, which can also show the same effect as the above effect.

[0262] Furthermore, although in the present embodiment, the phase decision is performed after the post-rotation process P3, by performing the phase decision in parallel with the post-rotation process P3, the time required for the entire process of the print job can be shortened.

[0263] In addition, it is sufficient to implement the phase adjustment in time before the toner is replenished, and as long as the phase adjustment can be performed when the user actually replenishes the toner, the present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the present embodiment. In other words, the configuration capable of detecting that the user is in a situation where the user is preparing for toner replenishment (or the possibility thereof is high) is not limited to the detection of the opening / closing of the opening / closing member 83 or the like or the detection of the attachment / detachment of the toner pack shown in the present embodiment, and a configuration in which the phase adjustment of the stirring member 34 can be started using the fact that the user has started preparing for toner replenishment as a trigger can be adopted.

[0264] Furthermore, even with a configuration that does not include the locking mechanism 2612 in this embodiment, toner replenishment can be performed in a state where the occurrence of image failure is further reduced when the user adjusts the phase before performing toner replenishment. Therefore, it is preferable to perform the phase adjustment process at the moment when the replenishment port opening / closing sensor detects that the replenishment port is opened.

[0265] Fifth embodiment

[0266] In the fifth embodiment, the phase adjustment process is implemented in a configuration in which the imaging device 1 does not include a storage portion. In addition, the phase determination is implemented together in the phase adjustment process. The other configurations of the imaging device according to the fifth embodiment are the same as those of the imaging device described in the fourth embodiment, and therefore explanation thereof will be omitted.

[0267] Flowchart of the phase adjustment process

[0268] Fig. 20The flowchart of the phase adjustment process in this embodiment is shown. The drive control part 605 drives the drive part 2611 at the moment when the state of the replenishment port open / close sensor 608 changes from the closed state to the open state (flowchart S201: the moment when the user attempts to replenish the toner is detected) in the standby state of the imaging device 1 (a state in which printing can be implemented but the imaging device is stopped). Specifically, the drive control part 605 implements (S202) the phase adjustment process of controlling the drive part 2611 so that the phase of the blade part 34b is located at the farthest position from the replenishment port 32a. After the phase adjustment process is completed, the locking mechanism 2612 is changed (S203) to a state in which the toner can be replenished. During the phase adjustment process, the control part 601 of the imaging device 1 drives and stops the drive part 2611 using the drive control part 605 so that the position of the blade part 34b is located at the farthest position from the desired replenishment port 32a.

[0269] Sequence of the phase adjustment process

[0270] Fig.21 The sequence of the phase adjustment process in this embodiment is shown. Once the replenishment port opening / closing sensor 608 detects a change from a closed state to an open state, the control part 601 controls the drive control part 605 at this moment and starts driving the drive part 2611 (t21). At the moment of t21, the phase adjustment process transitions to a state where the phase is being determined, and the drive part 2611 enters a normal rotation state after the acceleration state and detects the first change of the phase detection sensor 51 (here, a low edge → a high edge) after the transition to the normal rotation state (t22). Thereafter, at the moment (t23) when the rotation cycle T of the stirring member passes, the change of the phase detection sensor 51 is detected again. At the moment of t23, the phase adjustment process transitions from the phase determination state to a state where the phase is being adjusted, and the time required to stop the stirring member away from the replenishment port is calculated in reverse. During this time, the drive part 2611 continues to rotate normally, and then transitions to a deceleration state (t24), and then stops (t25). The phase adjustment is completed at the moment t25, and the locking mechanism 2612 becomes an open state.

[0271] Effects and advantages of this embodiment

[0272] According to the present embodiment, the phase adjustment process is implemented at the moment when the user attempts to replenish the toner. Therefore, it is possible to achieve a situation in which the new toner is uniformly present in the entire longitudinal range of the developer container 32 in a short time and the transfer bias required in the longitudinal direction is caused to be substantially constant. Therefore, it is possible to suppress image failures that occur due to unevenness of the new and old toners after replenishment.

[0273] Furthermore, even with a configuration that does not include the locking mechanism 2612 in this embodiment, it is possible to replenish toner in a state in which the occurrence of image failure is further reduced when the phase is adjusted before the user performs toner replenishment, similar to the first embodiment. Therefore, it is preferable to perform the phase adjustment process at the moment when the replenishment port opening / closing sensor detects that the replenishment port is opened.

[0274] Sixth embodiment

[0275] In the sixth embodiment, the phase adjustment process is implemented when the imaging device 1 is not in the standby state. The control block configuration in the sixth embodiment is the same as that in the fourth embodiment and is the same as that in the fourth embodiment. Fig.17 The other configurations of the imaging apparatus according to the sixth embodiment are the same as those of the imaging apparatus explained in the fourth and fifth embodiments, and explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0276] In order to achieve the transition from the state where the image forming apparatus 1 is stopping but not in the standby state to the standby state where printing can be implemented, the image forming apparatus 1 implements the process initialization operation of the inspection operation of each component including the driving part. The trigger for implementing the process initialization is: the case where the user closes the jam processing door, that is, the jam processing door opening / closing sensor 609 detects the closing of the door; or when the power of the image forming apparatus is turned on, the jam processing door opening / closing sensor 609 detects the closing. Note that the image forming apparatus 1 that is not in the standby state is in a sheet jam state, in which the sheet stops in the machine in a state where the sheet cannot be continuously conveyed, a malfunction occurs, etc., and the image forming apparatus cannot be operated (that is, the driving part cannot be driven), that is, phase adjustment and toner replenishment cannot be implemented.

[0277] Flowchart of the phase adjustment process

[0278] Fig. 22 A flow chart of the phase adjustment process in this embodiment is shown. In the event of the above-mentioned process initialization start trigger, if there is no sheet left in the machine, the imaging device 1 starts the process initialization of P31. At this time, the driving part 2611 is driven, and the stirring member also rotates while the process initialization is being implemented. The control part 601 reads the phase adjustment amount from the storage part 613, and continues to stop the drive of the driving part 2611 by an amount corresponding to the required phase adjustment amount from the moment when the process initialization should end if the phase adjustment is not implemented. In the case where the replenishment port open / close sensor 608 enters the open state after the process initialization is completed, since the phase adjustment has been completed, the locking mechanism 2612 can be changed to the released state without further implementing the phase adjustment.

[0279] Sequence of the phase adjustment process

[0280] Fig.23 The sequence of the phase adjustment process in this embodiment is shown. Fig.23 A case where the detection state of the jam processing door opening / closing sensor 609 has changed from an open state to a closed state is shown as an example of a process initialization trigger. Specifically, a case where the user opens the jam processing door after a jam occurs during printing, removes the jammed paper, and closes the jam processing door again is described. Note that, assuming that at the moment when the jam occurs and the driving part 2611 stops, similar to the aforementioned fourth and fifth embodiments, the phase adjustment information of the stirring member is stored in the storage part 613.

[0281] Once the jam processing door open / close sensor 609 detects a change from an open state to a closed state, the control section 601 starts driving the drive section 2611 at that moment and starts process initialization (t31). The drive section 2611 continues to rotate normally after acceleration, and completes process initialization (t32) at a moment when it can be confirmed that each component in the imaging device 1 (e.g., the fuser 607 and each high-voltage circuit 610) is operating normally. Thereafter, the normal rotation of the drive section 2611 continues, and deceleration (t33) and stop (t34) are started according to the phase adjustment information stored in the storage section 613. At the moment when the drive section 2611 stops, a state in which process initialization and phase adjustment have been completed is achieved.

[0282] Effects and advantages of this embodiment

[0283] According to this embodiment, when the non-standby state transitions to the standby state, phase adjustment is performed together with process initialization. Therefore, when the user attempts to replenish toner, a change to a state where toner can be replenished can be achieved without performing phase adjustment.

[0284] Furthermore, although the present embodiment has been explained as a configuration including the storage portion 613, even with a configuration not including the storage portion, phase adjustment similar to the second embodiment can be implemented together with process initialization.

[0285] Seventh embodiment

[0286] The seventh embodiment is a configuration that does not include the replenishment port opening / closing sensor in the fourth and fifth embodiments, but includes a toner pack installation sensor. The other configurations of the imaging device according to the seventh embodiment are the same as those of the imaging devices explained in the fourth to sixth embodiments, and explanation thereof will be omitted.

[0287] Control block diagram

[0288] Fig.24 FIG. 1 shows a control block diagram according to the seventh embodiment. Fig.17Contrary to the fourth and fifth embodiments explained, in the seventh embodiment, a toner pack installation detection sensor 614 that detects the installation of a toner pack on the image forming apparatus 1 is included instead of the replenishment port opening / closing sensor 608 that detects the state (open state or closed state) of the opening / closing member. A configuration known in the related art can be appropriately used as the configuration of the toner pack installation detection sensor 614, and the toner pack installation detection sensor 614 can be composed of, for example, a pressure-sensitive switch or a magnetic sensor.

[0289] Flowchart and sequence of the phase adjustment process

[0290] In already used Fig.18 In the control of the fourth embodiment explained in the flowchart in FIG. 1 , it is determined whether to implement the phase adjustment process at the time when the opening state of the replenishment port is detected (S101). In contrast, in the control of the seventh embodiment, when the toner pack installation detection sensor detects the installation of the toner pack (such as Fig.18 The other controls in the seventh embodiment are similar to those in the fourth embodiment.

[0291] Similarly, also with regard to the order of phase adjustment, in the order of the seventh embodiment, as Fig.26 As shown, the phase adjustment process starts at the time (T41) when the installation of the toner pack is detected, which is the same as using Fig.19 The contents of the sequence in the explained first embodiment are reversed. The other sequences in the seventh embodiment are similar to those in the fourth embodiment.

[0292] Effects and advantages of this embodiment

[0293] According to the present embodiment, even in a configuration where toner pack installation can be detected, a phase adjustment process can be implemented to suppress image failure occurring after replenishment at the timing of detecting a user's attempt to replenish toner similarly to the fourth and fifth embodiments.

[0294] Furthermore, although the present embodiment has been explained as a configuration including the storage portion 613, even with a configuration not including the storage portion 613, phase adjustment similar to that in the fifth embodiment can be implemented.

[0295] Eighth embodiment

[0296] In the first to third embodiments, the sections of adjusting the phase of the stirring member 34 and stopping the stirring member 34 at an appropriate phase have been explained. However, since the main motor 130, which is a single driving source common to the rotating members of the apparatus, is continuously driven during the adjustment in the phase adjustment process P5, as in the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 explained above, the photosensitive drum 21 is also driven together. Furthermore, in this configuration, when the photosensitive drum 21 stops, it takes time to switch the voltage applied to the charging roller 22 and the like, and a case where further consideration of the phase adjustment process P5 is required can be imagined in this configuration.

[0297] Therefore, in the eighth embodiment, when the first stop control of stopping the rotation of the main motor 130 and the second stop control of stopping the application of the charging bias, the developing bias, etc. according to the motor rotation stop timing in the first stop control are performed after the image forming operation ends, the following control is implemented. In other words, the start time of the second stop control is determined based on the deceleration time of the main motor 130 so that the end timings of the first stop control and the second stop control coincide with each other and when the first stop control ends, the stirring member 34 stops at a predetermined rotation phase. The deceleration time of the main motor 130 is the time required for the main motor 130 to completely stop rotating after the distribution of power to the main motor 130 is stopped in the first stop control.

[0298] Here, before starting the first stop control (stop of the main motor 130), the rotation phase and the rotation cycle of the stirring member 34 are determined, and the deceleration start time of the main motor 130 is adjusted based on the rotation cycle of the stirring member 34. In other words, based on the rotation phase of the stirring member 34 detected by the phase detection unit, the cycle of one rotation of the stirring member 34 is acquired (cycle acquisition process). Then, based on the acquired cycle of the stirring member 34 and the aforementioned deceleration time, the start time of the second stop control is acquired, and it is executed (adjustment process). In other words, the waiting time until the start of the second stop control after one segment of the cycle of the stirring member is acquired, and the second stop control is started at the moment after the waiting time starting from the segment of the cycle.

[0299] Furthermore, in the second stop control (stop bias application, etc.), each bias applying portion is controlled so that a predetermined potential difference is maintained between the photosensitive drum 21 and the developing roller 31 until the main motor 130 stops rotating. The predetermined potential difference is a potential difference that restricts the movement of the toner from the developing roller 31 to the photosensitive drum 21. For example, such a control is implemented in which the magnitude of each of the charging bias and the developing bias is gradually reduced while maintaining the potential difference between the charging bias and the developing bias applied in the image forming operation, and each of the charging bias applying portion and the developing bias applying portion is stopped. In addition, the developing bias applying portion applies a developing bias having a polarity opposite to the normal charge polarity of the toner after the developing bias becomes zero before the main motor 130 stops rotating, and continues to apply the developing bias having the opposite polarity until the main motor 130 stops rotating.

[0300] In the second stop control (stop applying bias, etc.), static electricity is continuously eliminated from the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 by the pre-exposure device 23 until the charging bias becomes zero, and one cycle of static electricity elimination on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is completed. After one cycle of static electricity elimination on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is completed, the pre-exposure device 23 is turned off, and the power distribution to the main motor 130 is stopped, that is, the first stop control is started.

[0301] Will use Figures 27 to 31 A section in which the phase determination process P4 , the phase adjustment process P5 , and the high-voltage operation at the time of motor stop are combined with each other in the eighth embodiment will be described.

[0302] Time relationship between phase determination process P4 and phase adjustment process P5

[0303] Fig. 27 1 is a timing diagram illustrating the phase detection sensor 51 and the main motor 130, and the time relationship between the phase determination process P4 and the phase adjustment process P5. During the normal rotation of the main motor 130, the phase detection sensor 51 repeats ON (connection) and OFF (disconnection) in a cycle. In this embodiment, it is assumed that when the stirring member 34 stops after a predetermined phase angle has passed since the detection of the ON edge, it stops at an appropriate phase angle.

[0304] In the phase determination process P4, the above-mentioned ON edge detection of the phase detection sensor 51 is started at the start determination. The ON edge detection corresponds to the moment when the phase detection sensor 51 detects the pin 34d for the first time after the imaging operation ends. Once the ON edge is detected, it is checked whether the ON edge detection can be performed again after one stirring cycle to confirm that the first ON edge detection is not noise.

[0305] Although the control may be taken over from the phase determination process P4 in the phase adjustment process P5, the phase adjustment process P5 may be operated independently. In the phase adjustment process P5, edge detection is started based on the phase detected in the phase determination process P4. At this time, the edge detection section may be limited to prevent unnecessary noise from being detected. The control portion of the imaging device provides a command based on the edge detection to stop the main motor 130 at a predetermined phase.

[0306] At this time, considering the idling time T_stop from the start of deceleration to the stop of the main motor 130 and the phase angle of the stirring member 34 rotating within the time T_stop, a stop command is issued to the main motor 130 after T_wait from the edge detection. Therefore, the stirring member 34 can be stopped at an appropriate phase angle. In other words, the second stop control can be started at the moment when the rotation phase of the stirring member is within the predetermined range. The time required for phase adjustment during the phase adjustment process is T_all, that is, the sum of T_stop and T_wait from the edge detection.

[0307] Explanation of the high voltage module structure and process during stop in the eighth embodiment

[0308] Fig.28 : is a diagram showing the positional relationship of components arranged in the surroundings of the photosensitive drum 21 of the image forming apparatus 1. The pre-exposure device 23 is arranged above the photosensitive drum 21 to perform static elimination on the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 21 before charging. The charging roller 22 is arranged on the downstream side of the pre-exposure device 23, and the photosensitive drum 21 is uniformly charged by applying a charging bias. It is assumed that the irradiation position of the pre-exposure device 23 is the upstream side of the charging roller 22, and the light of the pre-exposure device 23 does not reach the downstream side of the charging roller 22. The developing roller 31 is arranged at a point located downstream of the charging roller 22 at a phase angle θ and a developing bias is applied thereto so that the developer carried by the developing roller 31 does not leak out to the photosensitive drum 21. In order to prevent the developer from leaking out to the photosensitive drum 21, it is necessary to implement control so that the relationship among the charging bias at the nip N between the developing roller 31 and the photosensitive drum 21, the developing bias, and the developer potential generated by the friction between the developing roller 31 and the developing blade 35 is constant.

[0309] Fig.29 Yes Description Fig. 27 and Fig.28 A block diagram of the relationship between the various components and the control section explained in FIG.

[0310] The main control section 100 includes a phase control section 3110 and an imaging control section 120 .

[0311] The phase control section 3110 includes a phase detection section 3111 and a phase adjustment section 3112 that control the phase determination process P4. The phase detection section 3111 detects the phase angle using a phase detection unit 3113. The phase detection unit 3113 detects the phase according to the input from the phase detection sensor 51. The phase adjustment section 3112 controls the stirring drive control unit 3114 to adjust the phase angle of the stirring member 34 based on the input from the phase detection unit 3113 similar to the phase detection section 3111. In the present embodiment, the stirring drive control unit 3114 is connected to the main motor 130.

[0312] On the other hand, the image forming control section 120 includes a high voltage stop control section 121. The high voltage stop control section 121 includes a stop drive control section 122 in the present embodiment and controls the main motor 130. Moreover, the high voltage stop control section 121 includes a pre-exposure control section 123, a charge control section 124, and a development control section 125, which are connected to the pre-exposure device 23, the charging roller 22, and the developing roller 31, respectively. The pre-exposure control section 123 receives a command from the high voltage stop control section 121, and turns on (opens) / off (disconnects) the exposure of the pre-exposure device 23. The charge control section (charging bias applying section) 124 receives a command from the high voltage stop control section 121 and controls the application of a charging bias to the charging roller 22 from a high voltage power source (not shown). The development control section (developing bias applying section) 125 receives a command from the high voltage stop control section 121, and controls the application of a developing bias to the developing roller 31 from a high voltage power source (not shown).

[0313] Will refer to Fig.30 A stop method using the high voltage stop control portion 121 of the above-described control unit is explained. Fig.30 1 is a timing chart illustrating the stop control of the high voltage stop control portion 121.

[0314] In the case before stopping, the main motor 130 rotates normally, the pre-exposure device 23 is turned on, and the charge control section 124 and the development control section 125 output a negative potential at the time of image formation. The state at this time is the best state for preventing the developer from flowing out while the main motor 130 is being driven, and it is preferable to maintain this state as long as possible until stopping.

[0315] Upon receiving the command to end the image forming operation, the high voltage stop control section 121 starts to lower the potential of the charge control section 124. At this time, the lowering width is determined so that the potential difference between the charging bias and the developing bias is equal to or less than the predetermined potential at the developing nip D. Fig.30 An example of implementing a three-step descent is shown, but control may be implemented with a reduced or increased number of steps.

[0316] Subsequently, T_PrDv is waited from the completion of the charge bias drop as the starting point, and the development control part 125 starts to drop the development bias. T_PrDv can be calculated from the phase angle θ of charging and development, the distance between the charging and development nip obtained from the diameter of the photosensitive drum 21, and the target drive speed in the image forming operation. The charge control part 124 and the development control part 125 repeat the above operation, and the charge control part 124 outputs 0V, and the development control part 125 outputs a positive potential, that is, a potential with a polarity opposite to the normal charge polarity of the toner. This setting is just an example, and the setting potential of the charge control part 124 can be equal to or less than a predetermined potential at which the potential of the charge bias is not applied to the photosensitive drum 21.

[0317] After the potential applied by the charge control section 124 completely drops, the pre-exposure control section 123 waits for the time T_Dr that can completely eliminate static electricity in one cycle of the photosensitive drum 21 to pass, and then stops the pre-exposure device 23. The high-voltage stop control section 121 waits for the pre-exposure device 23 to be turned off, and issues a stop command to the main motor 130. The development control section 125 waits for the main motor 130 to stop completely, then stops the output of the positive potential, and completes the stop control of the high-voltage stop control section 121. As described above, the time T_Seq after the charge control section 124 starts to drop until the command to stop the positive potential of the development control section 125 is the time required to complete the stop of the high-voltage stop control section 121.

[0318] like Fig. 27 and Fig.30 As shown, the control in the phase adjustment process P5 and the stop control of the high voltage stop control section 121 are both controls with time limits relative to the stop of the main motor 130. A method of implementing these two controls in parallel will be explained below.

[0319] Fig.31 1 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of implementing the phase adjustment process P5 and the stop control of the high voltage stop control part 121 in parallel. Fig. 27 The relationship in is the same, so Fig.31 The relationship between them is not explained.

[0320] In the phase determination process P4, edge detection is performed with a fixed period, such as Fig. 27 In the phase adjustment process P5, edge detection is performed based on the detection result of the phase determination process P4, and phase matching is started. At this time, the waiting time T_wait for phase matching is controlled so as to wait for the start of the stop control of the high voltage stop control part 121 instead of waiting for the start of the stop of the main motor 130, as shown in FIG. Fig. 27At this time, the photosensitive drum 21 rotates at the speed of the image forming operation for a period of time obtained by subtracting the time T_Stop required for the main motor 130 to decelerate and stop from the time T_Seq required for the stop control of the high-voltage stop control part 121. In the phase adjustment process P5, in the case where phase matching is implemented at the start of the stop control of the high-voltage stop control part 121, the phase to which the stirring member 34 will proceed can be calculated from the above time difference and the phase matching time T_wait can be obtained.

[0321] Ninth embodiment

[0322] In the ninth embodiment, in addition to the relationship between the high voltage stop processing and the phase adjustment process P5 shown in the eighth embodiment, the operation in the phase adjustment process P5 in the case where there are multiple stop processes will be explained. Since the explanation about the time relationship between the phase determination process P4 and the phase adjustment process P5, the high voltage module configuration, and the process at the time of stop are the same as those in the eighth embodiment, their explanation will be omitted.

[0323] Fig.32 It is the second stop method under high voltage in the ninth embodiment. The stop method in this embodiment is a stop process implemented after a cleaning process (cleaning control) or the like is implemented in the process when the imaging is stopped, for example. An example of a cleaning process includes cleaning performed in order to transfer the developer adhering to the charging roller 22 to the developing roller 31 via the photosensitive drum 21. Specifically, starting from a condition where the photosensitive drum 21 is uniformly charged, the negative developer adhering to the charging roller 22 is transferred to the photosensitive drum 21 by turning on / off the potential applied to the charging roller 22 in a predetermined cycle. Then, the negative developer transferred to the photosensitive drum 21 is transferred to the developing roller 31 to which a positive potential is applied.

[0324] By the latest cleaning, the charge control section 124 maintains a lower potential than when the image forming process is performed, and the pre-exposure device 23 is turned off. The development control section 125 outputs a positive potential. In other words, the charging bias is lower than the charging bias applied in the image forming operation, and the development bias is a development bias having a polarity opposite to the normal charge polarity of the toner at the start of the second stop control.

[0325] The pre-exposure device 23 is turned off, and the charge control section 124 stops applying when the stop process starts. From the time the charge control section 124 stops applying, it waits for the time T_Dr required for the photosensitive drum 21 to rotate one circle, and then turns off the pre-exposure device 23. At the same time, a stop command is issued to the main motor 130, and the development control section 125 waits for the stop time of the main motor 130, and then turns off the output of the positive potential. The segment T_Seq2 from the start of the stop control until the positive potential output of the development control section 125 is turned off corresponds to Fig.30The T_Seq in different times.

[0326] Fig.33 1601 is a flowchart for determining the adjustment time of the phase adjustment process P5 in the ninth embodiment. Once the post-processing of the imaging is started, the imaging control part 120 selects and implements the necessary post-processing (1601). The processing of the phase determination process P4 is as described in the eighth embodiment above and will be omitted. By selecting the post-processing, it is determined which of the first stop processing and the second stop processing is required when the main motor 130 stops (1602).

[0327] When the first stop process is implemented, the time obtained by subtracting the time T_Stop required for the main motor 130 to stop from deceleration from the time T_Seq required for the first stop control is used as the adjustment time to be considered for the phase adjustment process P5 as described above in the fourth embodiment (1603).

[0328] Furthermore, in the case where the second stop control is implemented in the stop process, the time obtained by subtracting the time T_Stop required for the main motor 130 to stop from deceleration from the time T_Seq2 required for the second stop control is used as the adjustment time to be considered in the phase adjustment process P5 (1604).

[0329] The phase matching time (adjustment time) T_wait is calculated so that the calculated time is the minimum integral multiple of one stirring cycle of the stirring member 34 (1605), and the phase adjustment process P5 is implemented according to T_wait (1606). The main control part 100 implements necessary stop processing after the phase adjustment process P5 is completed (1607).

[0330] By the control as described above, even in the case of multiple stop processes, the main motor 130 can be stopped while the phase of the stirring member 34 when stopped is appropriately matched. It is noted that the stop process in the above description is not limited to the processing described in this embodiment, but different stop processes can be implemented, and the third and fourth stop processes can also be included. Even in the case of implementing three or more stop processes, the effect described in this embodiment can be obtained by calculating the time consumed by each stop process and calculating the adjustment time T_wait of the phase adjustment process based on the time.

[0331] Tenth embodiment

[0332] In the tenth embodiment, a calculation method of the adjustment time of the phase adjustment process P5 in the case where the imaging control part 120 further extends the post-processing will be described with respect to the calculation method of the adjustment time of the phase adjustment process P5 described in the eighth and ninth embodiments. In the tenth embodiment, during the execution of the post-processing, as the adjustment operation of the apparatus, acquisition of the cycle of one rotation of the stirring member 34 (cycle acquisition process) and acquisition of the stop timing of the main motor 130 (adjustment process) are performed.

[0333] Fig.34 It is explained in Fig.31 1 and 2. In addition to the time relationship of the phase adjustment process and the stop control shown in FIG. 1, a timing diagram of the time relationship in the case where the image forming control section 120 extends the post-processing. The image forming control section 120 may implement the post-processing after the image forming operation, and the post-processing includes the cleaning operation as described in the ninth embodiment. In addition, the purpose of extending the post-processing is, for example, to make the temperature rise at the end portion of the fixing section 70 uniform when conveying a recording material having a narrow width.

[0334] The main control section 100 calculates the adjustment time T_wait of the phase from the time T_Seq required for the stop processing of the imaging control section 120 in the phase adjustment process P5. At the moment when the post-processing extension of the imaging control section 120 is completed, the main control section 100 will perform phase matching based on the elapsed time T_over from the detection immediately before performed by the phase detection unit 3113, and issue a command to start the stop process to the imaging control section 120 in the phase adjustment process P5.

[0335] Fig.35 For detailed explanation Fig.34Flowchart of the process in the ninth embodiment. Descriptions similar to those in the ninth embodiment will be omitted. Once the post-processing is started, the imaging control part 120 detects the phase in the phase determination process P4 (2001). Subsequently, it is determined whether the post-processing has been completed (2002). In the case where the post-processing has not been completed, the phase detection unit 3113 checks the detection of the reference phase (2003), and updates the latest detection time T_latest if it has been detected (2004). In the case where the post-processing has been completed, the main control part 100 calculates T_over based on the elapsed time from the time T_latest when the latest reference phase is detected (2005). Subsequently, it is determined whether the time of T_over is longer than T_wait (2006), and the reference phase is detected again if T_over is longer than T_wait (2007). In the case where the reference phase is detected, T_latest is updated, and T_over is updated again (2008). In the case where T_over is less than T_wait, the phase adjustment process P5 returns to the update of T_over (2009). In the case where T_over and T_wait become equal, the main control section 100 issues a command to start the stop process to the imaging control section 120 .

[0336] By controlling as described above, it is possible to minimize the extended driving time in phase adjustment, deactivate the main motor 130 while suppressing image defects during stopping, and match the phase even in the case of extended post-processing.

[0337] Note that, although the description of this embodiment is based on the assumption that the reason for extending the post-process is the process of equalizing the temperature rise at the end portion of the fixing portion 70, the configuration of this embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, it may be selected to wait for the process of detecting the remaining amount of the developer to be completed, or to wait for the longest factor of the above-mentioned several extension processes.

[0338] Eleventh Embodiment

[0339] A configuration capable of detecting the phase of a stirring member by a simple method in an image forming apparatus including an optical toner remainder amount detecting unit will be explained below. Note that description of the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0340] In the present embodiment, a stirring member 34 is rotatably provided in the toner storage chamber 32d of the developer container 32. In addition, a toner remaining amount detection sensor (developer remaining amount detection portion) 50 as an optical detection unit is provided on the inner wall of the toner storage chamber 32d. The toner remaining amount detection sensor 50 includes an optical path of detection light inside the toner storage chamber 32d, and detects the amount of toner contained in the toner storage chamber 32d based on the amount of detection light passing through the optical path. The structural details of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50 will be described in the section of the method of detecting the remaining amount of toner later.

[0341] Fig.36 34 is a schematic perspective view showing the structure of the stirring member. The stirring member 34 includes a stirring shaft (rotating member) 34a extending in the longitudinal direction, a blade portion (first piece) 34b extending on a side further outward than the stirring shaft 34a in the radial direction, and a cleaning member (second piece) 34f extending on a side further outward than the stirring shaft 34a in the radial direction at a position different from the blade portion 34b. The cleaning member 34f is provided for cleaning the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50. In the present embodiment, the cleaning member 34f is provided at a position of 90° on a downstream side of the blade portion 34b.

[0342] Specifically, the stirring shaft 34a includes, around the rotation axis, a first attachment surface 34a1 extending in the rotation axis direction and a second attachment surface 34a2 extending in the rotation axis direction, the second attachment surface being located at a different position from the first attachment surface 34a1. The first attachment surface 34a1 and the second attachment surface 34a2 are two adjacent surfaces of the four surfaces of the stirring shaft 34a having a rectangular cross section arranged in the rotation direction, and are surfaces having perpendicular lines (normal lines) extending in directions perpendicular to each other.

[0343] The blade portion (first piece) 34b1 includes an attachment portion (first attachment portion) 34b11 that contacts the first attachment surface 34a1. The blade portion 34b1 includes: one end portion (first end portion) 34b1e1 in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, the end portion being fixed to the stirring shaft 34a as a part of the attachment portion 34b11; and another end portion (second end portion) 34b1e2 that is a free end and can contact the inner wall surface of the toner accommodating chamber 32d.

[0344] The cleaning member (second sheet) 34f includes an attachment portion (second attachment portion) 34f1 that contacts the second attachment surface 34a2. The cleaning member 34f includes: an end portion (third end portion) 34fe1 in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, the end portion being fixed to the stirring shaft 34a as a part of the attachment portion 34f1; and another end portion (fourth end portion) 34fe2 that can contact the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50. More specifically, the cleaning member 34f is configured to contact the optical path surface of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50 to form an optical path of the detection light inside the toner accommodating chamber 32d and clean the optical path surface.

[0345] When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the stirring shaft 34a, the length of the blade portion 34b measured in the direction of the blade portion 34b from the attachment portion 34b11 to the end portion is longer than the length of the cleaning member 34f measured in the direction of the cleaning member 34f extending from the attachment portion 34f1 to the end portion. In addition, the width of the cleaning member 34f is narrower than the width of the blade portion 34b in the longitudinal direction, which is the direction of the rotation axis of the stirring shaft 34a. In other words, the cleaning member 34f is set to have a width corresponding to the longitudinal width of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50, and the blade portion 34b is set to have a width corresponding to the longitudinal width of the toner accommodating chamber 32d. Moreover, the longitudinal width of the blade portion 34b is narrower than the longitudinal width of the development opening portion 39, and the short side length of the blade portion 34b (the length of the blade portion 34b measured along the direction in which the blade portion 34b extends when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis) is the length that the blade portion 34b can enter the development chamber 32e via the development opening portion 39.

[0346] The stirring member 34 is rotated about a stirring shaft 34 a as an axis center by a motor drive via a gear 34 c .

[0347] The blade portion 34b of the stirring member 34 in this embodiment is made of polycarbonate having a thickness of 180 μm and flexibility. The blade portion 34b stirs the toner in the developer container 32 while bending and restoring according to the shape of the inner wall in the developer container 32. In addition, the width W of the blade portion 34b of the stirring member 34 in the longitudinal direction is set to be narrower than the width of the development opening portion 39 in the longitudinal direction, and the blade portion 34b can enter the development opening portion 39. The blade portion 34b also plays a role in sending the toner to the development chamber 32e where the development roller 31 and the supply roller 33 are located via the development opening portion 39.

[0348] In addition, the cleaning member 34f in this embodiment plays a role in preventing the toner dropped to the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50 from contaminating the optical path and preventing the toner remaining amount detection accuracy from being unable to be ensured. As the cleaning member 34f in this embodiment, a cleaning member 34f made of a polyimide sheet having a thickness of 200 μm and high wear resistance is used to fully withstand repeated friction of the optical path surface of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50.

[0349] Control systems for imaging equipment

[0350] Fig.38 is a block diagram showing a control system of the image forming apparatus 1. The toner remaining amount detection sensor 50 is connected to the input side of the control section 90.

[0351] Structure of the remaining toner amount detection sensor 50 and method of detecting the remaining toner amount

[0352] Will use Figures 12A to 12C , 37 and 38 are used to explain the construction of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50 and the method of detecting the toner remaining amount. Figures 12A to 12C 1 is a diagram for explaining the light guide 600 of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50 . Fig. 12A It is a sectional view when the plane B-Bx is viewed from the back surface side of the developer container 32 installed inside the image forming apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1. Fig. 12B and 12C is a perspective view of the light guide 600. In addition, Fig.37 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50, Fig.38 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the imaging apparatus 1 .

[0353] like Figures 12A to 12C As shown, in the present embodiment, the light guide 600 constituting the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50 is installed at the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the developer container 32. The light guide 600 includes: a light entrance portion 611 that takes the light from the light emitting portion 50a into the light guide 600 outside the developer container 32; light path surfaces 612 and 622 that generate a light path Q inside the developer container 32; and a light exit portion 621 for passing the light passing through the light path Q inside the developer container 32 to the light receiving portion 50b. As the light guide 600, a light guide 600 made of polystyrene that is amorphous and has high transparency is used.

[0354] like Fig.37As shown, the light emitting part 50a uses an LED as a light emitting element, and the light receiving part 50b uses a phototransistor, which is used as a light receiving element to enter the ON state using the light from the LED. A switch (not shown) is provided between the light emitting part 50a and the power supply voltage Vcc, a voltage from the power supply voltage Vcc is applied to the light emitting part 50a, and the light emitting part 50a is put into a conductive state by placing the switch in the ON state. On the other hand, a switch (not shown) is also provided between the light receiving part 50b and the power supply voltage Vcc, and by placing the switch in the ON state, the light receiving part 50b is put into a conductive state using a current according to the amount of light detected. Note that, for the light emitting part 50a and the light receiving part 50b, for example, a halogen lamp or a fluorescent lamp can be applied to the light emitting part 50a, and a photodiode or an avalanche photodiode can be applied to the light receiving part 50b.

[0355] The power supply voltage Vcc and the current limiting resistor R1 are connected to the light emitting part 50a, and the current of the light emitting part 50a emitting light is determined by the current limiting resistor R1. Fig. 12B As shown, the light emitted from the light emitting portion 50a passes through the optical path Q and is received by the light receiving portion 50b. The power supply voltage Vcc is connected to the collector terminal of the light receiving portion 50b, and the detection resistor R2 is connected to the emitter terminal. The light receiving portion 50b (i.e., the phototransistor) receives the light emitted from the light emitting portion 50a and emits (outputs) a signal (current) having an intensity obtained according to the amount of light received. The signal is converted into a voltage V1 by the detection resistor R2 and input to the A / D conversion portion 95 of the control portion 90 (see Fig.38 ).

[0356] The CPU 91 of the control section 90 determines whether the light receiving section 50b has received the light from the light emitting section 50a based on the input voltage level. The CPU 91 of the control section 90 calculates the amount of toner (developer amount) in the developer container 32 based on the length of time the light receiving section 50b detects the light and the intensity of the received light when the toner in the developer container 32 is stirred by the stirring member 34 for a certain period of time. In other words, the ROM 93 stores in advance a table that can output the remaining amount of toner based on the light receiving time and the light intensity when the stirring member 34 conveys the toner, and the control section 90 predicts / calculates the remaining amount of toner based on the input to the A / D conversion section 95 and the table.

[0357] More specifically, when the stirring member 34 rotates one turn, the time during which the optical path Q is blocked by the toner conveyed by the stirring member 34, that is, the time during which the light receiving portion 50b does not detect the light from the light emitting portion 50a, varies according to the remaining amount of the toner. In addition, the intensity of the received light of the light receiving portion 50b also varies according to the remaining amount of the toner.

[0358] In other words, when the remaining amount of toner is small, the time for the light receiving portion 50b to receive light is extended and the intensity of the received light of the light receiving portion 50b is also increased compared to the case where the remaining amount of toner is large. The control portion 90 can determine the remaining amount level of toner based on the light receiving time and the intensity of the received light of the light receiving portion 50b.

[0359] Regarding the voltage waveform of the light receiving signal based on the light receiving portion 50b and the detection method of the remaining amount

[0360] Will use Fig.39A and 39B A detection method of the remaining toner amount according to the present embodiment is explained. Fig.39A and Fig.39B : a cross-sectional image diagram of the developer container 32 immediately before the cleaning member 34f passes through the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50; and a diagram showing a waveform of a voltage value obtained by converting a light receiving signal of the light receiving portion 50b by the A / D conversion portion 95. The timing F of the voltage value waveform corresponds to the timing immediately before the cleaning member 34f passes through the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50 in the cross-sectional image diagram. Fig.39A The case of toner level FULL is shown as a case where the toner amount in the developer container 32 is large, and Fig.39B The case where the toner level is LOW is shown as a case where the toner amount in the developer container 32 is small. Note that the hatched portion in the cross-sectional image diagram schematically represents the toner present in the developer container 32.

[0361] In the present embodiment, the maximum value of the voltage value after the light receiving signal of the light receiving portion 50b is converted into a voltage value by the A / D conversion portion 95 is assumed to be 3.3V, the time when a voltage equal to or greater than 1V is detected is defined as the ON time, and the time (time period) when a voltage less than 1V is detected is defined as the OFF time (OFF time period). Then, a scheme is adopted to determine the remaining amount of the toner based on the proportion of the ON time in the time Ta of one cycle of the stirring member 34 rotating one circle. In the present embodiment, the time Ta of one cycle of the stirring member 34 rotating one circle is 1.0 second. Among them, when the proportion of the ON time increases, the remaining amount of the toner is determined to be small, and when the proportion of the ON time decreases, the remaining amount of the toner is determined to be large.

[0362] Fig.39A The toner level FULL shown in FIG. 5 is a state in which the toner amount is large and the surface of the toner is always located above the light guide 600 of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50. Therefore, the light receiving portion 50b receives light and the ON time Tf1 is realized only at the moment when the cleaning member 34f cleans the light path surfaces 612 and 622 of the light guide 600, and the OFF time is realized immediately after the cleaning member 34f passes through the light path surface. This is because the toner existing in the surrounding environment of the light guide 600 of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50 immediately blocks the light path Q. The ON time Tf1 in this embodiment is 0.1 to 0.2 seconds (the arrow portion in the figure), and when the ON time within one cycle time Ta (1.0 seconds) is 0.1 to 0.2 seconds, the toner level is determined to be FULL.

[0363] exist Fig.39B Under the condition of toner level LOW shown in the figure, the amount of toner is small, and the time when the light guide 600 of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50 is not blocked is longer than that in the case of toner level FULL, so the ON time is longer. In this embodiment, the total time of the ON time when the toner level is LOW corresponding to the arrow parts Tlow1 to Tlow3 in the figure is 0.6 to 0.7 seconds. On the other hand, the OFF time is formed by the time when the cleaning member 34f passes, the time when the toner transported by the stirring member 34 blocks the light guide 600 of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50, etc. The phase detection of the stirring member 34 in this embodiment is performed by reading the OFF time, and the specific method will be described in the section "Detection of the voltage waveform and phase of the stirring member based on the light receiving signal of the light receiving part 50b". In this embodiment, when the ON time in one cycle time Ta (1.0 seconds) is 0.6 to 0.7 seconds, the toner level is determined to be LOW.

[0364] The voltage waveform and phase of the stirring member are detected based on the light receiving signal of the light receiving portion 50b.

[0365] In the present embodiment, the control portion 90 functions as a phase detection unit that detects the phase of the stirring member 34 based on the timing of the occurrence of an OFF period during which the light amount of the detection light of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50 is lower than a predetermined light amount. The blade portion 34b of the stirring member 34 is configured to block the optical path of the light emitted from the light emitting element of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50 in the toner accommodation chamber 32d within a cycle in which the stirring member 34 rotates one circle around the rotation axis. The phase of the stirring member 34 can be detected based on the timing of the occurrence of the longest OFF period among a plurality of OFF periods occurring in one cycle of the rotation of the stirring member 34, during which the light amount of the detection light of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50 is lower than the predetermined light amount. Here, the longest OFF period is the period during which the signal intensity emitted by the light receiving element of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50 continues to be lower than the threshold value for the longest period of time within one cycle of the stirring member 34. A plurality of periods during which the signal intensity emitted by the light receiving element continues to be lower than the threshold value are included in one cycle of the stirring member 34. The rotation phase of the stirring member 34 can be detected based on the end time of the first time period, which is the longest time period in which the signal intensity emitted by the light receiving element is lower than the threshold value, among the plurality of time periods. Note that only the second time period in which the signal intensity of one light receiving element is higher than the threshold value may be included, and the remaining longer time may correspond to the time period in which the signal intensity is lower than the threshold value in the case where the remaining amount of toner is large. In this case, the rotation phase of the stirring member 34 can be detected based on the start time of the second time period in which the signal intensity is higher than the threshold value.

[0366] The longest OFF time period includes a time period during which the blade portion 34b of the stirring member 34 blocks the optical path of the detection light of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50. In other words, the plurality of OFF time periods also include an OFF time period (second OFF time period) including a time period during which the cleaning member 34f blocks the optical path of the detection light, for example, an OFF time period (first OFF time period) including a time period during which the blade portion 34b blocks the optical path of the detection light is longer than the OFF time period.

[0367] Will use FIG. 40A to FIG. 40E The details of the change timing of each voltage value waveform and the specific method of detecting the phase of the stirring member 34 in this embodiment are described. In this embodiment, the phase detection of the stirring member 34 is performed based on the voltage value waveform used for determining the toner remaining amount level as described above. One feature of the phase detection method in this embodiment is that the voltage waveform based on the light receiving signal of the light receiving portion 50b includes an OFF time Toffa, which is longer than the OFF time Toff1 at the time when the cleaning member 34f passes and Toff2 which is equal to or less than 0.1 seconds and appears in the form of noise.

[0368] Figures 40B to 40E The voltage waveform and the cross-sectional image diagram in the toner level LOW state are shown as examples. The shaded portion in the cross-sectional image diagram represents the toner present in the developer container 32. Details on the timing of voltage waveform changes at other toner remaining amount levels will be described later in the section “Regarding Toffa and phase detection in the case of other toner remaining amounts”.

[0369] Fig.40A shows a voltage waveform based on a light receiving signal of the light receiving portion 50b, Figures 40B to 40E The toner in the developer container 32 looks like at each time when the light receiving signal changes.

[0370] Fig.40B 1 shows the state immediately before the cleaning member 34f cleans the light guide 600. The voltage waveform corresponds to the time Tposition1. Fig.40B As shown, when the toner level is LOW, the amount of toner is small and the light guide 600 is not blocked by the toner, so the voltage waveform is in the ON state (Ton1). Once the cleaning member 34f passes, the time Toff (Toff1) is achieved instantaneously (equal to or less than 0.1 seconds) by the cleaning member 34f itself blocking the light. Next, the ON time continues until the time Tposition2 (Ton2) when the toner blocks the light guide 600.

[0371] Fig.40C It is shown that when the blade portion 34b rotates from Fig.40B The state at the moment when the toner conveyed on the blade portion 34b starts to fall in the downward direction due to gravity and passes through the light guide 600. This corresponds to the moment Tposition3 in the voltage waveform. Regarding this moment, the moment when the toner starts to slide downward and the amount of the toner sliding downward are different each time. For example, there are the following cases: the case where the light guide 600 is blocked for a moment (equal to or less than 0.1 seconds) and the OFF time (Toff2) is detected; and the case where the toner does not completely block the light guide 600 and the ON time is detected.

[0372] Fig.40D The state at the time when the toner on the blade portion 34b completely falls off and most of the toner in the developer container 32 exists in the bottom portion is shown. This corresponds to the time Tposition4 in the voltage waveform. In the case where the toner amount is the toner level LOW, even in the state where most of the toner in the developer container 32 exists in the bottom portion, the surface of the toner is located below the light guide 600, and the light guide 600 is not blocked. Therefore, the ON time continues (Ton3).

[0373] Fig.40E The timing at which the light guide 600 is blocked by the toner by the blade portion 34b cutting into the surface of the toner and lifting the surface of the toner is shown. This corresponds to the timing T(e) in the voltage waveform. The OFF time (Toffa) occurring at this timing is not an OFF time that occurs in the form of momentary noise equal to or less than 0.1 seconds like Toff1 and Toff2, but is the longest OFF time in one rotation cycle of the blade portion 34b.

[0374] Here, the longest OFF time in one cycle of the rotation of the stirring member 34 is defined as time Toffa. In the present embodiment, when the amount of toner is a toner level LOW, time Toffa is about 0.2 to 0.4 seconds. Note that time Toffa varies depending on the amount of toner. The case of other toner amounts will be explained later.

[0375] Finally, once the blade portion 34b passes the light guide 600 and starts to send the toner at the bottom portion of the developer container 32 to the developer opening portion 39, the toner blocking the light guide 600 falls to the bottom portion of the developer container 32, and no toner blocks the light guide 600. Therefore, the OFF time Toffa ends and returns to the ON time (Ton1). Restore again and repeat Fig.40B The state where the cleaning member 34f passes.

[0376] Here, Toff1 occurring at the moment when the cleaning member 34f cleans the light guide 600 is a voltage change that occurs due to the passage of the cleaning member 34f, and occurs every cycle. Therefore, it is possible to detect the phase of the stirring member 34 with reference to the moment when the cleaning member 34f passes the light guide 600 according to the structure of the developer container and the remaining amount of colorant in the developer container. However, it is difficult to distinguish between Toff1 occurring at the moment when the cleaning member 34f cleans the light guide 600 and Toff2 where the light is blocked when the colorant on the blade portion 34b falls onto the light guide 600, and other OFF times that occur as noise, for example, a momentary OFF time caused by the scattering of the colorant in the developer container 32 due to the impact caused by the colorant falling onto the bottom portion of the developer container 32, until the colorant is removed from the developer container 32. Fig.40C The status in Fig.40D status in .

[0377] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the OFF time Toffa from the time before the blade portion 34b passes through the light guide 600 to the time after the blade portion 34b passes through the light guide 600 is used as the OFF time, which is long and can be easily distinguished from the OFF time that appears as noise, to detect the phase of the stirring member 34. As described above, the OFF time Toffa from the time before the blade portion 34b passes through the light guide 600 to the time after the blade portion 34b passes through the light guide 600 is the time from the time when the blade portion 34b cuts into the surface of the toner and lifts the surface of the toner to shield the light guide 600 with the toner to the time when the blade portion 34b passes through the light guide 600. Toffa is longer than Toff1 and Toff2, and the OFF time is stably formed every cycle, so the phase of the stirring member 34 can be stably detected. In this way, the phase of the blade portion 34b can be detected by detecting the longest OFF time Toffa in one cycle of the stirring member 34 from the voltage waveform based on the signal received by the light receiving portion 50b.

[0378] Regarding detection of Toffa and phase in case of other remaining toner amounts

[0379] Figures 41A to 41D A voltage waveform based on a signal received from the light receiving portion 50b at each toner level corresponding to various toner remaining amounts and a cross-sectional view of the inside of the developer container 32 are shown before the blade portion 34b passes through the light guide 600 (time X in the voltage waveform diagram). Fig.41A shows the voltage waveform under the toner level FULL condition, Fig.41B shows the voltage waveform under the toner level HALFFULL condition, Fig.41C shows the voltage waveform under the toner level LOW condition, Fig.41D The voltage waveform under the toner level OUT condition is shown. Note that in the present embodiment, the toner level OUT represents a remaining amount at which image failures such as fogging are unlikely to occur even if a variation or embedding of an additive occurs and the charge performance in the toner decreases due to repeated image forming processes, rather than a state in which the toner is completely empty. The toner level FULL corresponds to the toner amount of the maximum capacity of the developer container 32. The toner level HALFFULL corresponds to the toner amount when half of the amount obtained by subtracting the amount of the toner level OUT from the amount of the toner level FULL has been consumed. The toner level LOW corresponds to the toner amount when 95% of the amount obtained by subtracting the amount of the toner level OUT from the amount of the toner level FULL has been consumed, that is, 5% remains.

[0380] Furthermore, Table 1 shows in a tabular form the OFF time occurring during the time Ta of one cycle of the stirring member at each toner level.

[0381] Table 1. List of OFF times at each toner level

[0382] Toner Level Toffa FULL 0.8 to 0.9 seconds - - HALFFULL 0.5 to 0.7 seconds Thf2: 0.1 sec Thf3: 0.3 seconds LOW 0.25 seconds Toff1: 0.1 seconds Toff2: 0.15 seconds OUT 0.2 seconds Tout2: 0.1 sec Tout3: 0.1 sec

[0383] Fig.41A The toner level FULL in FIG. 5 is a state in which the toner amount is large and the surface of the toner is always higher than the light guide 600. Therefore, although the light receiving portion 50b receives light and the ON time Tf1 is realized only at the moment when the cleaning member 34f cleans the light path surfaces 612 and 622 of the light guide 600, the toner existing in the surrounding environment of the light guide 600 immediately blocks the light path Q, and the OFF time is realized after the cleaning member 34f passes.

[0384] In the present embodiment, under the condition of toner level FULL, the longest OFF time Toffa(FULL) in one cycle of the stirring member 34 is 0.8 to 0.9 seconds. In the case where Toffa is equal to or greater than 0.8 seconds in 1.0 seconds (i.e., the time Ta of one cycle of the stirring member 34), it can only be determined that the ON time in one cycle occurs at the cleaning timing F. It can be determined that the timing F of the ON time is the timing when the cleaning member 34f passes through the light guide 600.

[0385] exist Fig.41B At the toner level HALFFULL in the developer container 32, in a state where most of the toner exists at the bottom portion of the developer container 32, the surface of the toner is located above the light guide 600. However, in a state where the blade portion 34b has sent the toner at the bottom portion to the developer opening portion 39, a state where the amount of toner blocking the light guide 600 is small is achieved. Therefore, the ON time Thf1 is achieved at the moment when the blade portion 34b sends the toner to the developer opening portion 39. Thereafter, although the cleaning member 34f blocks the light guide 600 momentarily and the OFF time Thf2 is detected due to the cleaning member 34f passing through the light guide 600, the ON time is immediately restored.

[0386] Next, when the toner placed on the blade portion 34b falls to the bottom portion of the developer container 32 while blocking the light path Q of the light guide 600, the OFF time Thf3 is detected. After the toner falls to the bottom portion, there is a case where no toner blocks the light path Q while falling, and an ON time Thf4 is formed, or there is a case where the toner, etc., falls on the bottom portion and scatters, thereby continuing to block the light.

[0387] Once the toner completely falls to the bottom portion of the developer container 32, the surface of the toner is located above the light guide 600, the toner blocks the light guide 600, and the OFF time is achieved, and the OFF time Toffa (HALFFULL) is formed until the moment immediately after the blade portion 34b passes through the light guide 600. Once the blade portion 34b passes through the light guide 600 and starts to send the toner at the bottom portion of the developer container 32 to the development opening portion 39, a state in which the amount of toner blocking the light guide 600 is small is achieved, and the ON time Thf1 is achieved.

[0388] In the present embodiment, the longest OFF time Toffa(HALFFULL) in one cycle of the stirring member 34 under the condition of the toner level HALFFULL is 0.5 seconds. However, in the case where Thf4 does not occur and the OFF time at Thf3 continues, Toffa(HALFFULL) is achieved at and after Thf3, and in the present embodiment, the longest OFF time Toffa(HALFFULL) in one cycle of the stirring member 34 under the condition of the toner level HALFFULL is 0.7 seconds. The phase of the stirring member 34 does not depend on the length of Toffa, and it can be determined that the moment A when switching from the OFF time Toffa to ON occurs at the moment when the blade portion 34b passes through the light guide 600.

[0389] because Fig.41C The toner level LOW in the condition is as described above, so a detailed description will be omitted. Similar to the toner level HALFFULL, the OFF time Toffa is formed by the moment before the blade portion 34b passes through the light guide 600 to the moment immediately after the blade portion 34b passes through the light guide 600. However, since the blade portion 34b lifts the surface of the toner, the moment when the toner starts to block the light guide 600 is later than the moment under the condition of the toner level HALFFULL, Toffa(LOW) is shorter than Toffa(HALFFULL).

[0390] In this embodiment, the longest OFF time Toffa(LOW) in one cycle of the stirring member 34 under the condition of the toner level LOW is 0.25 seconds. As for the phase of the stirring member 34, it can be determined that the time of switching from the OFF time Toffa(LOW) to ON is the time when the blade portion 34b passes through the light guide 600.

[0391] exist Fig.41DUnder the condition of toner level OUT in the developer container 32, the surface of the toner is located below the light guide 600, and the light guide 600 is not blocked even in a state where most of the toner in the developer container 32 exists at the bottom portion. Since a state where the amount of toner blocking the light guide 600 is small is achieved in a state where the blade portion 34b sends the toner at the bottom portion to the developer opening portion 39 similarly to the toner level HALFFULL and toner level LOW conditions, the ON time Tout1 is achieved. Although the OFF time Tout2 is detected as soon as the cleaning member 34f momentarily blocks the light guide 600, the ON time is immediately restored.

[0392] Next, the light guide 600 is blocked at the moment when the toner on the blade portion 34b falls, and the OFF time Tout3 is detected. Since the amount of toner is smaller as a whole, the amount of toner placed on the blade portion 34b is also smaller, and the falling time is later than the falling time under the toner level HALFFULL and toner level LOW conditions. In addition, the light guide 600 may not be completely blocked, and the OFF time may not be achieved at this moment. Although the toner scattered in the developer container 32 may momentarily block the light guide 600 until all the toner completely falls to the bottom portion of the developer container 32, the ON time Tout4 continues in most cases. Since the surface of the toner is located below the light guide 600 under the condition of the toner level OUT even after the toner completely falls to the bottom portion of the developer container 32, the ON time Tout4 still continues.

[0393] Thereafter, the present embodiment includes a time Toffa during which the blade portion 34b lifts the surface of the toner to block the light guide 600. Once the blade portion 34b passes the light guide 600 and starts to send the toner at the bottom portion of the developer container 32 to the development opening portion 39, a state in which the amount of toner blocking the light guide 600 is small is achieved, and the ON time Tout1 is achieved.

[0394] In this embodiment, the longest OFF time Toffa(OUT) in one cycle of the stirring member 34 under the condition of HALFFULL of the toner level is 0.2 seconds. As for the phase of the stirring member 34, it can be determined that the time A when switching from the OFF time Toffa(OUT) to ON is the time when the blade portion 34b passes through the light guide 600.

[0395] Sequence diagram of Toffa detection and determination of the phase of the stirring member 34

[0396] Fig.42 An example of a sequence for detecting Toffa and determining the phase of the stirring member 34 in the present embodiment is shown.

[0397] In S1, the printing job is started. In S2, the speed of the drive motor is waited for 1 second to stabilize. Note that the time for waiting for the speed of the drive motor to stabilize may not be 1 second.

[0398] In S3 and S4, the moment when the OFF time starts is detected during the repetition of the ON time and the OFF time. In S3, when the voltage value (hereinafter referred to as the voltage value) after the light receiving signal of the light receiving part 50b is converted into a voltage value via the A / D conversion part 95 is less than 1V and the OFF time continues at the moment when the drive motor is stable, wait for the moment when the voltage is equal to or greater than 1V and the ON time is reached next time. In the case where the voltage value is equal to or greater than 1V and the ON time is achieved, or in the case where the ON time is still continuing initially, the processing proceeds to S4. In S4, the moment when the voltage value is less than 1V and the OFF time is detected next time is detected, and then the processing proceeds to S5.

[0399] In S5, the CPU 91 of the control section 90 stores the time Toff during which the OFF time continues without interruption. This is implemented within the time 2Ta corresponding to two cycles of rotation of the stirring member 34. The longest time Toff in the time 2Ta is stored in the CPU 91 as Toffa.

[0400] In S6 and S7, the phase of the stirring member 34 is determined as follows based on the time Toffa. In the present embodiment, in the case where Ta is 1.0 seconds and Toffa in Ta is equal to or greater than 0.8 seconds, it is possible to determine that the only ON time in one cycle occurs at the moment F of cleaning. Therefore, when Toffa in S6 is equal to or greater than 0.8 seconds, the process proceeds to S7, and it is determined that the ON moment at which Toffa ends is the moment at which the cleaning member 34f passes through the light guide 600. In the case where Toffa is less than 0.8 seconds, the process proceeds to S8. The OFF time Toffa less than 0.8 seconds refers to the time from the moment before the blade portion 34b passes through the light guide 600 to the moment immediately after the blade portion 34b passes through the light guide 600, and it is determined that the ON moment at which Toffa ends is the moment at which the blade portion 34b passes through the light guide 600.

[0401] Regarding the phase control of the stirring member and the toner remaining amount detection performance when replenishing new toner

[0402] Here, we will use Figures 43A to 43D and Figures 44A to 44DAn example of shortening the time required for the toner remaining amount detection determination is described as an example for implementing phase detection. Specifically, when the toner is replenished from the toner pack 40, by controlling the phase of the stirring member 34, the mixed state of the toner replenished from the toner pack 40 (hereinafter referred to as new toner) and the toner existing in the developer container 32 before replenishment (hereinafter referred to as old toner) is made to approach a uniform state more quickly.

[0403] As the toner is continuously stirred in the developer container 32 or through repeated image forming processes, especially in a cleaner-less configuration as in the present embodiment, variation in the toner and embedding of additives may occur. Therefore, there is a tendency for the charge performance of old toner to be lower than that of new toner.

[0404] On the other hand, the surfaces 612 and 622 of the light guide 600 in the developer container 32 are charged due to repeated friction between the toner and the stirring member 34. Therefore, new toner having a higher charge property is more likely to adhere to the surfaces 612 and 622 of the light guide 600, achieving a state in which the surfaces 612 and 622 of the light guide 600 are constantly blocked by the toner, and thus the toner remaining amount detection accuracy may be reduced.

[0405] Therefore, in the case where the mixing state between the old colorant in the developer container 32 and the replenished new colorant is uneven, the colorant is likely to adhere to the surface 612 and the surface 622 of the light guide 600 due to the presence of a large amount of new colorant in a local manner, and the accuracy of the remaining amount detection may be reduced.

[0406] However, in the case where the mixed state of the old toner and the replenished new toner in the developer container 32 becomes uniform, the portion where a large amount of new toner exists locally is eliminated, and a state where the concentration of the new toner is lower as a whole relative to the total amount of toner can be achieved. Therefore, adhesion of the new toner to the surfaces 612 and 622 of the light guide 600 can be suppressed.

[0407] In other words, if the replenished new toner is brought into a state of being almost uniformly mixed with the old toner in the developer container, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the accuracy of remaining amount detection.

[0408] Figures 43A to 43D and Figures 44A to 44D The new toner (hatched part) replenished from the toner pack 40 and the old toner (solid line part) in the developer container 32 are shown in the image seen from the cross-sectional side and the image seen from the front surface side in this embodiment. These show how the new toner actually enters the space when viewed from the front surface side by preparing a transparent developer container, using yellow toner as the new toner of the toner pack 40, and using black toner as the old toner in the transparent developer container 32.

[0409] The expression "immediately after replenishment" described here refers to the time before the stirring member 34 rotates. In addition, the image diagram seen from the front surface side also shows the state immediately after replenishment, 5 seconds after the stirring member 34 starts to rotate (after the stirring member 34 rotates 5 times) and 20 seconds (after the stirring member 34 rotates 20 times). The solid line portion indicates a portion with a high proportion of old toner, the shaded portion indicates a portion with a high proportion of new toner, and the dot portion indicates a portion where the new toner and the old toner are mixed satisfactorily.

[0410] Figures 43A to 43D A case where new toner is replenished when the distal end position of the blade portion 34 b of the stirring member 34 is located at the farthest position from the introduction port 32 c at the time of replenishment is shown. Figures 44A to 44D A case where new toner is replenished when the distal end position of the blade portion 34 b of the stirring member 34 is located on the side of the introduction port 32 c at the time of replenishment is shown.

[0411] like Figures 43A to 43D As shown, when the new toner is replenished, in the case where the distal end position of the blade portion 34b is located at the position farthest from the introduction port 32c, the new toner is ejected to a sufficiently wide space. Then, the new toner also spreads in the longitudinal direction like a landslide, while falling to the bottom surface in the developer container 32. In other words, the replenished new toner reaches the entire area in the longitudinal direction. This is because the old toner in the developer container 32 is in a state where the old toner is pushed to the side of the developer opening portion 39, so there is basically no old toner on the bottom surface of the developer container 32, and a state where a wide space is open when viewed from the introduction port 32c has been achieved.

[0412] However, on the other hand, Figures 44A to 44D As shown, when the distal end position of the blade portion 34b is located on one side of the introduction port 32c when replenishing new colorant, the new colorant is ejected into a narrow space at a time, so that in the colorant replenishment path from the replenishment port 32a in the extension portion 38 to the introduction port 32c, the new colorant stays directly below the replenishment port 32a.

[0413] like Figures 44A to 44D As shown, in a state where the new toner remains near the introduction port 32c in the longitudinal direction within the developer container 32, even if the stirring member 34 is driven, it takes 20 seconds or more (the stirring member 34 rotates 20 times) for the new toner to reach the entire longitudinal area.

[0414] In other words, in Figures 44A to 44DIn the case shown, the state in which the new toner remains on the side of the introduction port 32c is not resolved, and a portion with a high new toner ratio appears at the time of 5 seconds later (when the stirring member 34 rotates 5 times) (wave-line portion). In the state in which the portion with a high new toner ratio exists in the central portion where the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50 is located in this way, the new toner adheres to the surfaces 612 and 622 of the light guide 600 in the developer container 32, and the remaining toner detection accuracy is reduced. It is necessary to implement the remaining amount detection after 20 seconds or more when the new toner reaches the entire longitudinal area, and let the user wait for the state in which the image forming apparatus 1 can be used after the new toner is replenished.

[0415] Therefore, due to FIG. 43A to FIG. 43D As shown, replenishment is performed when the distal end position of the blade portion 34b is located at the position farthest from the introduction port 32c, so in this embodiment, the phase of the stirring member 34 is controlled as follows. In other words, based on the reception signal of the light receiving portion 50b of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50, the phase of the stirring member 34 (blade portion 34b) is detected from the voltage waveform and the phase of the stirring member 34 (blade portion 34b) at the time before replenishment is controlled.

[0416] exist Figures 43A to 43D In the state shown, the new toner instantly enters the developer container 32 in a diffused manner in the longitudinal direction immediately after replenishment, so the new toner and the old toner are uniformed within about 5 seconds (5 rotations of the stirring member 34). Even at the time of 5 seconds, the phenomenon that the new toner adheres to the light guide 600 can be suppressed, and the detection accuracy of the remaining toner amount is unlikely to decrease, so the time for the user to wait after replenishment can be shortened.

[0417] Effects and advantages of this embodiment

[0418] According to the present embodiment, the OFF time when the cleaning member 34f passes and the OFF time Toffa longer than the OFF time appearing as noise are provided and detected in the waveform of the light detection signal of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 50. Therefore, the phase of the stirring member 34 can be recognized.

[0419] In the present embodiment, the moment when the blade portion 34b cuts into the surface of the toner and lifts the surface of the toner so that the light guide 600 is blocked by the toner is the start moment of the OFF time Toffa. Then, the OFF time Toffa continues until the moment immediately after the blade portion 34b passes through the light guide 600. The time Toffa is longer than the OFF time that appears in the form of noise, the OFF time can be stably formed every rotation, and therefore the phase of the stirring member 34 can be stably detected.

[0420] The phase of the stirring member 34 can be identified, thereby achieving the following, for example.

[0421] For example, when new toner is replenished from the toner pack 40, the replenishment is performed when the distal end position of the blade portion 34b is located at the position farthest from the introduction port 32c. Since the replenishment is performed when the distal end position of the blade portion 34b is located at the position farthest from the introduction port 32c, the new toner instantly enters the developer container 32 in a diffused manner along the longitudinal direction immediately after the replenishment, the time required to uniformly mix the new toner and the old toner can be shortened. Since the phenomenon that the new toner adheres to the light guide 600 can be suppressed by uniformizing the mixed state of the new toner and the old toner, the decrease in the accuracy of the remaining amount detection can be suppressed. The detection of the remaining amount of toner can be performed without the user having to wait after the replenishment.

[0422] For example, it is avoided to stop for a long time in a state where the cleaning member 34f abuts against the light guide 600. If the cleaning member 34f is in a state where the cleaning member 34f abuts against the light guide 600 for a long time, it is considered that the shape of the cleaning member 34f is fixed in a deformed state due to deformation over time. Such a deformed cleaning member 34f may reduce the cleaning ability, the toner entering the portion between the cleaning member 34f and the light guide 600 may adhere to the light guide 600, and the remaining amount detection accuracy may be reduced. By stopping the motor drive at a position where the cleaning member 34f does not abut against the light guide 600, the reduction in the remaining amount detection accuracy is suppressed.

[0423] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to accurately recognize the phase of the stirring member 34 , thereby freely selecting the phase when the motor driving is stopped.

[0424] In addition, according to the present embodiment, not only can the phase detection result of the stirring member 34 be reflected to the stop position of the motor drive, but also the phase of the stirring member 34 when stopped can be used to implement control changes to the imaging device. In the case of replenishing new colorant when the distal end position of the blade portion 34b is located near the introduction port 32c, it takes time to evenly mix the new colorant and the old colorant compared to the case of replenishing the colorant at another position, and the accuracy of the toner remaining amount detection may be reduced. Therefore, in the case of implementing replenishment when the distal end position of the blade portion 34b is located near the introduction port 32c, it is preferable to adjust the time for implementing the toner remaining detection determination. In other words, the time Tk required for the new colorant and the old colorant to be evenly mixed can be obtained in advance, and the time for implementing the toner remaining amount detection determination can be set after the time Tk has passed after replenishment.

[0425] In addition, in the case where it is detected that the cleaning member 34f stops abutting against the light guide 600, the voltage value of the light receiving signal based on the light receiving part 50b and the conversion formula for the colorant remaining amount detection judgment can be adjusted by expecting the probability that the state of deformation of the cleaning member 34f and the state of the light guide 600 being contaminated by the colorant will continue for a period of time.

[0426] other

[0427] Since it takes time for new toner to mix with old toner, it is also conceivable that there is a relationship between the width of the toner accommodating chamber 32d of the developer container 32 and the width of the toner path of the extended portion 38 (the width of the opening of the introduction port 32c in the inner wall surface of the toner accommodating chamber 32d). It can be said that this problem may occur when the width of the extended portion 38 (introduction port 32c) is small relative to the entire longitudinal length of the toner accommodating chamber 32d.

[0428] In the present embodiment, as described above, the structure in which the introduction port 32c opens at a position on one side close to one end of the toner receiving chamber 32d in the longitudinal direction is adopted as a structure in which the toner can be replenished from the upper surface of the device in consideration of usability and the replenishment port does not block the laser used for exposure. In the present embodiment, the longitudinal length of the toner receiving chamber 32d is 230mm, the longitudinal width (inner diameter) of the introduction port 32c is 40mm, and the length from the longitudinal center of the toner receiving chamber 32d to the width center of the introduction port 32c is 86mm. Regarding the longitudinal position of the introduction port 32c relative to the toner receiving chamber 32d, it is feared that, for example, even for the structure in which the introduction port 32c opens at the longitudinal center of the toner receiving chamber 32d, new toner is unlikely to reach both longitudinal ends depending on the phase of the stirring member 34. In other words, the structure that may cause the above-mentioned problem is not limited to the above-mentioned structure shown in the present embodiment.

[0429] In addition, even if the vertical width (height direction) of the toner holding chamber 32d is wide enough and the distal end of the blade portion 34b is located in the first quadrant, a sufficient distance is ensured between the distal end of the blade portion 34b and the introduction port 32c, that is, in the presence of a space where the new toner can enter in a diffuse manner along the longitudinal direction on the side further outward than the trajectory along which the stirring member 34 (the distal end of the blade portion 34b) follows, the above-mentioned problem regarding the time required for the new toner and the old toner to mix is ​​unlikely to occur. However, in order to provide such a space, the vertical width of the toner holding chamber 32d must be wide, and there is a concern about increasing the size of the device body. The developer container 32 in this embodiment is configured so that the introduction port 32c opens at a height equal to the area of ​​the upper surface of the inner wall surface of the toner holding chamber 32d where the distal end of the blade portion 34b can contact, and the size of the device body does not increase in the device up-down direction. In other words, according to this embodiment, in a small-sized developer container 32 structure in which a sufficient distance cannot be ensured between the distal end of the blade portion 34b of the stirring member 34 located in the first quadrant and the introduction port 32c, the time required to mix the new colorant and the old colorant can be shortened.

[0430] Twelfth Embodiment

[0431] Next, a twelfth embodiment of the present invention will be explained. Figures 45A to 45C 34g is a cross-sectional view of a developer container 32 according to the twelfth embodiment. In the twelfth embodiment, a T-seal 34g (dashed line in the figure) is installed as a sheet member, which follows the blade portion 34b and rotates with the blade portion 34b and is longer in the radial direction and softer than the blade portion 34b. Compared with the case where the T-seal 34g is not installed, the longest Toffa in one cycle (Ta time) of the stirring member 34 can be extended by installing the T-seal 34g. This can obtain a system that can have a further significant contrast, the OFF time that appears in the form of noise is equal to or less than 0.1 seconds, the system has a strong anti-noise ability, and can stably detect the phase of the stirring member 34.

[0432] Note that, except for the installation of the T-seal 34g, the configuration is the same as that of the imaging apparatus described in the first embodiment, and the description of the common configuration will be omitted.

[0433] The T-seal 34g in the twelfth embodiment also serves as a sealing member for covering the developing opening portion 39 and sealing the toner in the toner containing chamber to prevent the unused image forming apparatus 1 in this embodiment from leaking together with the toner during logistics.

[0434] The T-seal (third piece) 34g is attached to the stirring shaft 34a so as to overlap with the blade portion 34b. The T-seal (third piece) 34g has: one end portion (fifth end portion) in the direction of the rotation axis, which is included in the attachment portion (third attachment portion) 34g1 attached to the stirring shaft 34a; and the other end portion side (sixth end portion side), which is bonded to the inner wall of the toner accommodating chamber 32d to seal the developing opening portion 39 when the imaging device or the developer container 32 is new. When viewed from the direction of the rotation axis of the stirring shaft 34a (longitudinal direction), the short side length of the T-seal 34g measured from the attachment portion 34g1 along the direction in which the T-seal 34g extends from one end portion to the other end portion is longer than the length of the blade portion 34b. In addition, the longitudinal width of the T-seal 34g is wider than the longitudinal width of the blade portion 34b.

[0435] For example, a T-shaped seal 34g obtained by laminating an easily peelable film made of a plurality of polystyrene layers on a PET sheet having a thickness of about 45 μm is used. As the easily peelable film, for example, AE300 manufactured by Sumika Plastech Co., Ltd. is used.

[0436] Fig.45A 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the developer container 32 in the unused image forming apparatus 1. The T-shaped seal 34g has a width in the longitudinal direction wider than the developing opening portion 39, completely covers the developing opening portion 39 with the easy-peeling side surface, and performs sealing to prevent the toner in the developer container 32 from leaking to the side of the developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33 in the unused image forming apparatus 1. The T-shaped seal 34g is attached to the stirring shaft 34a of the stirring member 34, and is peeled off from the developing opening portion 39 in a rolling manner by the rotation of the stirring shaft 34a when the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on for the first time at the user's location and the motor starts to rotate. The T-shaped seal 34g is configured so that the T-shaped seal 34g rotates together with the blade portion 34b while following the rotation of the stirring shaft 34a of the stirring member 34 as it is.

[0437] Fig.45B 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the developer container 32 when the amount of toner in the developer container 32 decreases to near the toner level LOW, just before the distal end of the blade portion 34b passes through the light guide 600. When the blade portion 34b enters the surface of the toner, a portion (portion Y in the figure) where the surface of the toner is lifted occurs.

[0438] Fig.45C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the developer container 32 immediately after the distal end of the blade portion 34b passes through the light guide 600. Fig.45B The state in the further progress is the state reached. Fig.45B The toner at the portion Y shown in FIG. 1 is not conveyed by the blade portion 34b and falls toward the bottom portion of the developer container 32 due to gravity, but the twelfth embodiment has a configuration including the T-shaped seal 34g, and with the T-shaped seal 34g playing a supporting role, the optical path of the light guide 600 is blocked by the toner Yx. Therefore, even after the blade portion 34b passes through the light guide 600, the OFF time of the toner Yx continues.

[0439] Fig.46A ] is a voltage waveform of a light receiving signal based on the light receiving portion 50b in the twelfth embodiment. For comparison, Fig.46B The voltage waveform in the eleventh embodiment is shown. The longest OFF time Toffax (Ta time) in one cycle of the stirring member 34 in the twelfth embodiment is longer than Toffa in the eleventh embodiment. Since there is no colorant blocking the light guide 600 after the moment A when the blade portion 34b passes through the light guide 600, the ON time is reached in the eleventh embodiment. However, in the twelfth embodiment, even after the blade portion 34b passes through the light guide 600, there is still colorant Y blocking the light guide 600 due to the installation of the T-shaped seal 34g, and the OFF time continues. In other words, in the twelfth embodiment, the OFF time continues until the moment Ax slightly delayed from the moment A when the blade portion 34b passes through the light guide 600, and the Toffax time is extended. In the twelfth embodiment, the longest continuous OFF time Toffax in one cycle of the stirring member 34 under the condition of the toner level LOW is 0.3 seconds.

[0440] Even in a structure where OFF times (Toff1, Toff2, etc. in the figure) occur repeatedly within one cycle of the stirring member 34 because the light path of the light guide 600 is blocked multiple times by the cleaning member 34f, the colorant transported by the blade portion 34b, etc. as in the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain a system that has strong noise resistance and can stably detect the phase of the stirring member 34 by providing a characteristic OFF time that is longer than other OFF times.

[0441] Thirteenth Embodiment

[0442] Next, a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig.47 34b1 is a perspective view of a stirring member 34 according to the thirteenth embodiment. In the thirteenth embodiment, there are two blade portions 34b. The first blade portion 34b1 is a member similar to the blade portion 34b shown in the eleventh and twelfth embodiments. The T-shaped seal 34g and the second blade portion 34b2 (i.e., the second blade portion) are installed so that they overlap with the first blade portion 34b1. The T-shaped seal 34g is shown in a straight stretched state.

[0443] The length of the second blade portion 34b2 in the radial direction is shorter than that of the first blade portion 34b1. While the first blade portion 34b1 plays a role in entering the developing opening portion 39 and conveying the toner to the developing portion, the second blade portion 34b2 is set to have a certain length by which the second blade portion 34b2 can enter the portion just below the light guide 600 and play a role in scraping off the toner that may stay just below the light guide 600.

[0444] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an auxiliary member (fourth sheet) 34h is mounted on the cleaning member 34f at a position of 180° phase relative to the cleaning member 34f and at a central portion in the longitudinal direction of the optical path where the light guide 600 is mounted. The auxiliary member 34h plays a role in suppressing the generation of noise during the ON time after the cleaning member 34f cleans the light guide 600.

[0445] The auxiliary member 34h is attached to the stirring shaft 34a so that the auxiliary member 34h overlaps with the cleaning member 34f. When viewed from the longitudinal direction, the direction in which the auxiliary member 34h extends from the stirring shaft 34a is the direction opposite to the direction in which the cleaning member 34f extends from the stirring shaft 34a. In addition, an end portion (the seventh end portion) of the auxiliary member 34h along the direction of the rotation axis is included in the attachment portion (the fourth attachment portion) 34h1 attached to the stirring shaft 34a, and the auxiliary member 34h is configured so that the length from one end portion to another end portion (the eighth end portion) is shorter than the cleaning member 34f. Specifically, the auxiliary member 34h is configured to have a length that does not block the optical path of the light guide 600. Moreover, the longitudinal width of the auxiliary member 34h is approximately the same as the longitudinal width of the cleaning member 34f, and is narrower than the longitudinal width of the blade portion 34b. The auxiliary member 34h can be composed of a sheet similar to the blade portion 34b and the cleaning member 34f.

[0446] Figures 50A to 50C is a sectional view of a developer container 32 according to the thirteenth embodiment.

[0447] Fig.50A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the developer container 32 in the image forming apparatus 1 which is not in use.

[0448] Fig.50B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the developer container 32 just before the distal end of the blade portion 34 b passes through the light guide 600 when the toner amount in the developer container 32 has decreased to near the toner level LOW. Fig.50C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the developer container 32 immediately after the distal end of the blade portion 34b passes through the light guide 600. Fig.50B The state achieved after further progress in .

[0449] Fig.48A An example of a voltage waveform based on a light receiving signal of the light receiving portion 50b under the condition of toner level LOW in the thirteenth embodiment is shown. Next, the function of the auxiliary member 34h will be explained. Fig.48B and Fig.48C Two voltage waveform patterns in the configuration of a comparative example in which the auxiliary member 34h is not installed are shown for comparison.

[0450] As described above, in this embodiment, the remaining amount of toner in the developer container 32 is determined by the ratio of the ON time Ta within one cycle time Ta of the stirring member 34. The ON time after the cleaning member 34f passes continues until the toner transported by the second blade portion 34b2 falls toward the light guide 600 and blocks the light path. However, the amount of toner falling from the second blade portion 34b2 and the time when the toner starts to fall are different every moment. Therefore, in the configuration of the comparative example in which the auxiliary member 34h is not installed, random occurrences of Fig.48B or Fig.48C The waveform shown in .

[0451] Fig.48B The voltage waveform is shown in the case where most of the toner carried by the second blade portion 34b2 falls off from the second blade portion 34b2 at one time in the configuration of the comparative example in which the auxiliary member 34h is not installed. After the moment F when the cleaning member 34f passes through the light guide 600, the toner on the second blade portion 34b2 falls off while flying to the side of the light guide 600 installed on the wall surface of the developer container 32. In this case, there is toner that directly blocks the light path of the light guide 600, and the OFF time is achieved at the moment Z11a in the figure. After the toner falls completely to the bottom part of the developer container 32 at one time, the toner scattered around the light guide 600 gradually settles from the moment Z11b in the figure, and the OFF time gradually returns to the ON time.

[0452] on the other hand, Fig.48C The voltage waveform is shown in the case where the toner carried by the second blade portion 34b2 gradually falls while following the portion near the stirring shaft 34a little by little. After the moment F when the cleaning member 34f passes through the light guide 600, there is no toner directly blocking the light path of the light guide 600, and the ON time is almost reached. However, from the moment Z21a when the toner starts to fall to the moment Z21c when the toner finishes falling, the toner flying around the light guide 600 always exists. Therefore, the light path of the light guide 600 may be blocked instantaneously, and during the ON time, the moment (Z21a, Z21b, Z21c) when the voltage drops in the form of noise appears.

[0453] Here, Fig.48A34h is a voltage waveform in the thirteenth embodiment in which the auxiliary member 34h is installed. Since the auxiliary member 34h is installed in this embodiment, the toner on the second blade portion 34b2 falls onto the auxiliary member 34h at the center portion in the longitudinal direction at one time. Therefore, the toner on the second blade portion 34b2 does not directly block the light path of the light guide 600 after the moment F when the cleaning member 34f passes through the light guide 600, and Fig.48B and 48C The ON time lasts longer than the comparative example shown in FIG. 1 . The time when the toner on the auxiliary member 34h falls to the bottom portion of the developer container 32 and the toner blocks the optical path of the light guide 600 is Z1, and the ON time lasts until this time. Fig.48C The noise shown is generated.

[0454] After the moment Z1 at which the toner on the auxiliary member 34h blocks the optical path of the light guide 600, there is a moment Z2 at which the voltage of the voltage waveform drops at the moment when the second blade portion 34b2 passes through the light guide 600. At this moment, the toner on the second blade portion 34b2 has fallen to the bottom portion of the developer container 32. Although there is basically no toner blocking the optical path of the light guide 600, the voltage slightly drops when the second blade portion 34b2 itself passes through the optical path portion of the light guide 600. Thereafter, when the toner entering the portion between the second blade portion 34b2 and the first blade portion 34b1 and being transported falls to the optical path of the light guide 600, an OFF time occurs at a moment Z3. Once the toner falls to the bottom portion of the developer container 32, the OFF time returns to the ON time. Then, the moment when the first blade portion 34b1 enters the toner surface staying on the bottom portion of the developer container 32 and lifts the toner surface to start blocking the light guide 600 is Z4. In this embodiment, a T-shaped seal 34g is further included, and the OFF time continues until a time Ax slightly delayed from the time A when the first blade portion 34b1 passes through the light guide 600, and the Toffax time is extended. In this embodiment, under the condition of the toner level LOW, the longest continuous OFF time Toffax in one cycle of the stirring member 34 is 0.3 seconds.

[0455] Note that in the present embodiment, determination of the remaining toner level is also performed based on the ratio of the ON time in one cycle of the stirring member 34. Since in the configuration of the comparative example in which the auxiliary member 34h is not installed, Fig.48B and 48C The ON time in the voltage waveform in the example is not much different, so the random setting is as follows: Fig.48B The voltage waveform in or 48C does not significantly affect the toner remaining amount detection accuracy.

[0456] However, when the voltage waveform is Fig.48A When the light guide 600 is as stable as in the embodiment, the influence of the generation of unexpected noise can be further suppressed. According to the present embodiment, by providing the configuration of the auxiliary member 34h, the occurrence of the OFF time equal to or less than 0.1 seconds that randomly appears in the form of noise can be suppressed, and a clear ON time can be provided after the moment F when the cleaning member 34f passes through the light guide 600. In addition, the T-shaped seal 34g is included, and even after the moment A when the first blade portion 34b1 passes through the light guide 600, the OFF time can be continued, and a clear long OFF time Toffax can be provided.

[0457] Therefore, by suppressing the generation of noise and forming long and clear ON time and OFF time in this way, a system capable of stably carrying out toner remaining amount level detection and phase detection of the stirring member 34 can be obtained.

[0458] Although the method of implementing phase detection based on the OFF time Toffa during which the light guide 600 is blocked by the toner conveyed by the blade portion 34b has been adopted in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the phase may be detected by detecting the number of times the OFF state or the ON state is achieved in one rotation of the stirring member 34, a characteristic repetitive pattern of ON and OFF, and the like.

[0459] In addition, although the scheme of determining the ON time and the OFF time and detecting the phase of the stirring member 34 with 1V as the threshold value regarding the voltage value after the light receiving signal of the light receiving portion 50b is converted into a voltage value by the A / D conversion portion 95 has been explained in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, Fig.49 It is shown that under the assumption that Fig.48C The case where the thresholds of the ON time and the OFF time are set to 3V in the case where the voltage waveform in the configuration of the comparative example shown is the same waveform. In this case, the ON time occurs only after the moment F immediately after the cleaning member 34f cleans the light guide 600. This is because there is no toner scattered in the developer container 32, the optical path of the light guide 600 may be contaminated, and the amount of received light of the light receiving portion 50b shows the maximum value only during the ON time Ton4 immediately after the moment F when the cleaning member 34f cleans the light guide 600. In other words, with this configuration, if the moment F immediately before the ON time Ton4 is displayed is the moment when the cleaning member 34f of the stirring member 34 passes through the light guide 600, the phase can be detected. By appropriately changing the determination threshold of the ON time and the OFF time, it is possible to detect the characteristic part of the voltage waveform and implement phase detection on the stirring member 34.

[0460] Note that the accompanying components of the stirring member 34 shown so far in the present embodiment are only examples. For example, there is a case where the optical path of the light guide 600 is less likely to be contaminated by toner and the cleaning member 34f is not required, and there is a case where a plurality of blade portions 34b are present. Even if the voltage waveform of the light receiving signal based on the light receiving portion 50b changes according to such different component arrangements of the stirring member, addition of components, etc., the phase of the stirring member 34 can be detected by detecting the characteristic ON time and OFF time within one cycle of the stirring member 34.

[0461] The configurations and control methods in the above-mentioned embodiments may be combined with each other as much as possible.

[0462] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus on which a toner container can be mounted, the image forming apparatus comprising: Photosensitive drum; a developing roller for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum; a mounting portion on which the toner container can be mounted so that a portion of the toner container is exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus, the mounting portion being provided with a replenishment port for replenishing the toner in the toner container; a frame member, the frame member comprising: a developing chamber in which the developing roller is disposed; and a receiving chamber which communicates with the developing chamber and receives the toner, the receiving chamber being provided with a receiving chamber opening capable of communicating with the replenishing port; a stirring member disposed in the accommodation chamber, the stirring member comprising: a rotating shaft that rotates around a rotation axis; and a sheet having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion being one end portion in a direction perpendicularly intersecting the rotation axis and fixed to the rotating shaft, the second end portion being the other end portion and capable of contacting an inner wall of the accommodation chamber, the stirring member being configured to stir the toner accommodated in the accommodation chamber while rotating; and a control portion that controls the rotation of the stirring member, wherein, when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, a two-dimensional coordinate system is composed of a first virtual line passing through the rotation axis and extending in the horizontal direction and a second virtual line passing through the rotation axis and extending in the gravity direction, and in the two-dimensional coordinate system, at least a portion of the opening of the receiving chamber is arranged in the first quadrant or the second quadrant, and Wherein, when the colorant is replenished from the colorant container to the storage chamber, before the colorant passes through the opening of the storage chamber, the control part controls the stirring member to stop rotating in a state where at least a part of the second end portion of the sheet is located in a quadrant different from the quadrant in which the opening of the storage chamber is located in the coordinate system.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1, in, The receiving chamber opening is arranged in the first quadrant of the coordinate system when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, and wherein, before the timing, the control portion controls the stirring member to stop rotating in a state where the portion of the sheet is located in a third quadrant of the coordinate system.

3. The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2, in, The accommodation chamber opening is disposed in the first quadrant of the coordinate system when viewed in the direction along the rotation axis, and the stirring member is controlled to stop rotating in a state where the portion of the sheet is located in the second quadrant or the fourth quadrant.

4. The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2, in, When viewed in the direction along the rotation axis, the accommodation chamber opening is arranged in one of a first quadrant and a second quadrant in the coordinate system, and the photosensitive drum is arranged in the other quadrant.

5. The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2, in, the stirring member includes the sheet as a first sheet and further includes a second sheet different from the first sheet, wherein the second sheet has a third end portion and a fourth end portion, the third end portion being one end portion in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis and being fixed to the rotation shaft at a position around the rotation axis different from the position of the first end portion of the first sheet, and the fourth end portion being the other end portion and being capable of contacting the inner wall of the accommodation chamber, and Wherein, before the moment, the control part controls the stirring member to stop rotating in a state where at least a part of the second end portion of the first sheet and at least a part of the fourth end portion of the second sheet are located in a quadrant, which is different from the quadrant in which the opening of the accommodating chamber is located in the coordinate system.

6. The imaging device according to claim 5, in, The rotation shaft includes a first attachment surface and a second attachment surface, wherein a perpendicular line of the first attachment surface and a perpendicular line of the second attachment surface intersect each other perpendicularly, wherein the first sheet is attached to the rotating shaft so that a portion including the first end portion is in contact with the first attachment surface, and wherein the second sheet is attached to the rotating shaft so that a portion including the third end portion is in contact with the second attachment surface.

7. The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a remaining amount detecting portion which is provided to protrude from the inner wall of the accommodating chamber and detects the amount of the developer accommodated in the accommodating chamber, wherein the stirring member includes the sheet as a third sheet, the first end portion as a fifth end portion, the second end portion as a sixth end portion, and further includes a fourth sheet different from the third sheet, wherein the fourth sheet has: a seventh end portion, which is one end portion in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis and fixed to the rotation axis; and an eighth end portion, which is another end portion and can contact the inner wall of the accommodation chamber, wherein the rotation shaft has an attachment surface extending in the direction of the rotation axis, wherein the fourth sheet is attached to the rotation shaft so that a fourth attachment portion is in contact with the attachment surface, the fourth attachment portion being a portion including the seventh end portion, wherein the third sheet is attached to the rotation shaft so that a third attachment portion overlaps with the fourth attachment portion, the third attachment portion being a portion including the fifth end portion, wherein the remaining amount detection portion is located in a quadrant below the quadrant in which at least a portion of the opening of the accommodating chamber is located in the coordinate system, wherein, when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotation shaft, a third length of the third sheet from the third attachment portion to the sixth end portion measured in the direction in which the third sheet extends is shorter than a fourth length of the fourth sheet from the fourth attachment portion to the eighth end portion measured in the direction in which the fourth sheet extends, and wherein, before the timing, the control portion controls the stirring member to stop rotating in a state where at least a portion of the third sheet including the sixth end portion is located in a quadrant where the remaining amount detecting portion is located in the coordinate system.

8. The imaging device according to claim 7, in, The third length is a length that allows the sixth end portion to enter a recessed portion formed between the lower end of the remaining amount detecting portion and the inner wall of the accommodation chamber.

9. The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2, in, The accommodation chamber opening is located at an end portion of the accommodation chamber in the direction of the rotation axis.

10. The imaging device according to claim 9, further comprising: an exposure unit for exposing the photosensitive drum to light, wherein the replenishment port is located above the optical path of the laser light of the exposure unit when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, and Therein, when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the accommodating chamber opening is located below the optical path of the laser light of the exposure unit.

11. The imaging device according to claim 10, in, The replenishment port and the accommodating chamber opening are located between the photosensitive drum and the exposure unit in a direction perpendicularly intersecting the rotation axis, and the photosensitive drum and the exposure unit are aligned in the direction.

12. The imaging device according to claim 11, in, The housing chamber opening is located at a height equal to a region where the second end portion of the sheet can contact an upper surface of an inner wall surface of the housing chamber.

13. The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: an opening / closing member capable of being positioned at an open position in which the mounting portion is exposed to the outside of the imaging device and a closed position in which the mounting portion is not exposed; and a sensor for detecting the open / closed state of the opening / closing member, Wherein, once the sensor detects that the opening / closing member is in the open position after the imaging operation is completed, before the colorant passes through the opening of the storage chamber, the control part controls the stirring member to stop rotating in a state where at least a part of the second end portion of the sheet is located in a quadrant different from the quadrant in which the opening of the storage chamber is located in the coordinate system.

14. The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a sensor that detects whether the toner container is mounted on the mounting portion, wherein, once the sensor detects that the colorant containing chamber has been installed on the mounting portion, before the colorant passes through the opening of the containing chamber, the control portion controls the stirring member to stop rotating in a state in which at least a portion of the second end portion of the sheet is located in a quadrant different from the quadrant in which the opening of the containing chamber is located in the coordinate system.

15. An image forming apparatus on which a toner container can be mounted, the image forming apparatus comprising: Photosensitive drum; a developing roller for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum; a mounting portion on which the toner container can be mounted so that a portion of the toner container is exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus, the mounting portion being provided with a replenishment port for replenishing the toner in the toner container; a frame member including: a developing chamber in which the developing roller is disposed; and a receiving chamber which communicates with the developing chamber and receives toner, the receiving chamber being provided with a receiving chamber opening capable of communicating with the replenishing port; a stirring member provided in the accommodation chamber, the stirring member comprising: a rotating shaft that rotates around a rotating axis; and a sheet having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion being one end portion in a direction perpendicularly intersecting the rotating axis and fixed to the rotating shaft, the second end portion being the other end portion and capable of contacting an inner wall of the accommodation chamber, the stirring member being configured to stir the toner accommodated in the accommodation chamber while rotating; a control portion that controls the rotation of the stirring member; an opening / closing member capable of being positioned at an open position in which the mounting portion is exposed to the outside of the imaging device and a closed position in which the mounting portion is not exposed; and a sensor for detecting the open / closed state of the opening / closing member, Wherein, when the colorant is replenished from the colorant container to the storage chamber in response to the sensor detecting that the opening / closing member is in the open position, before the colorant passes through the opening of the storage chamber, the control part controls the stirring member to stop rotating in a state where the second end portion of the sheet is located in a predetermined position.

16. The imaging device according to claim 15, further comprising: a restriction mechanism capable of being in a non-restricted state that allows replenishment of the developer from the developer replenishment container and a restricted state that does not allow replenishment, wherein, when the sensor detects that the opening / closing member is in the open position, the control portion stops the rotation of the stirring member while the limiting mechanism is maintained in the restricted state, while the second end of the sheet is in a predetermined position before the moment, and when the rotation of the stirring member stops, the control portion subsequently switches the limiting mechanism from the restricted state to the unrestricted state.

17. An image forming apparatus on which a toner container can be mounted, the image forming apparatus comprising: Photosensitive drum; a developing roller for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum; a mounting portion on which the toner container can be mounted so that a portion of the toner container is exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus, the mounting portion being provided with a replenishment port for replenishing the toner in the toner container; a frame member including: a developing chamber in which the developing roller is disposed; and a receiving chamber which communicates with the developing chamber and receives toner, the receiving chamber being provided with a receiving chamber opening capable of communicating with the replenishing port; a stirring member disposed in the accommodation chamber, the stirring member comprising: a rotating shaft that rotates around a rotating axis; and a sheet having: a first end portion that is one end portion in a direction perpendicularly intersecting the rotating axis and fixed to the rotating shaft; and a second end portion that is the other end portion and can contact an inner wall of the accommodation chamber, the stirring member being configured to stir the toner accommodated in the accommodation chamber while rotating; a sensor for detecting whether the toner container is mounted on the replenishment port; and a control portion that controls the rotation of the stirring member; Wherein, in a case where colorant is replenished from the colorant container to the storage chamber in response to the sensor detecting that the colorant container has been installed on the replenishment port, before the colorant passes through the opening of the storage chamber, the control part controls the stirring member to stop rotating in a state where the second end portion of the sheet is located at a predetermined position.

18. The imaging device according to claim 17, further comprising: a restriction mechanism capable of being in a non-restricted state that allows replenishment of the developer from the developer replenishment container and a restricted state that does not allow replenishment, wherein, when the sensor detects that the colorant container has been installed on the replenishing port, the control portion stops the rotation of the stirring member while the limiting mechanism is maintained in the restricted state, with the second end of the sheet being in a predetermined position before the moment, and when the rotation of the stirring member is stopped, the control portion subsequently switches the limiting mechanism from the restricted state to the unrestricted state.

19. The imaging device according to claim 15 or 16, in, When viewed in the direction along the rotation axis, at least a portion of the accommodation chamber is disposed in a first quadrant or a second quadrant in a two-dimensional coordinate system, the two-dimensional coordinate system being composed of a first virtual line passing through the rotation axis and extending in a horizontal direction and a second virtual line passing through the rotation axis and extending in a gravity direction, and The predetermined position is a position at which at least a portion of the second end portion of the sheet is located in a quadrant different from a quadrant in which at least a portion of the receiving chamber opening is located in the coordinate system.

20. The imaging device according to claim 16 or 18, in, The toner container includes a shutter that can be positioned at a closed position, in which the interior of the shutter is discontinuous with the replenishment port, and an open position, in which the interior of the shutter is continuous with the replenishment port, and The restricting mechanism is configured to restrict a lock release operation of the toner container for moving the shutter from the closed position to the open position in the restricted state, and to allow the lock release operation in the unrestricted state.

21. The imaging device according to claim 15 or 16, in, The opening / closing member is configured to be positionable between an open position where the replenishment port is exposed to the outside and a closed position where the replenishment port is not exposed to the outside.

22. The imaging device according to claim 15 or 16, in, The opening / closing member is configured to be positionable to an open position in which a conveying path of a recording material is exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus and a closed position in which the conveying path is not exposed.

23. The imaging device according to claim 15 or 16, further comprising: a phase detection unit that detects a rotation phase of the second end portion of the sheet, When the sensor detects that the opening / closing member is in an open state, the control portion controls the stirring member to stop rotating based on the rotation phase detected by the phase detection unit while the second end portion is located at the predetermined position before the time.

24. The imaging device according to claim 23, in, The phase detection unit detects a rotation phase after the sensor detects that the opening / closing member is in the open state.

25. The imaging device according to claim 23, in, The phase detection unit detects the rotation phase in advance before the sensor detects that the opening / closing member is in the open state.

26. The imaging device according to claim 19, in, When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the receiving chamber opening is arranged in the first quadrant of the coordinate system, and wherein the control portion controls the stirring member to stop rotating in a state in which the portion of the sheet is located in a third quadrant in the coordinate system before the timing.

27. The imaging device according to claim 19, in, When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the receiving chamber opening is arranged in the first quadrant of the coordinate system, and wherein the control portion controls the stirring member to stop rotating in a state in which the portion of the sheet is located in the second quadrant or the fourth quadrant of the coordinate system before the timing.

28. The imaging device according to claim 19, in, The accommodating chamber opening is located in one of the first quadrant and the second quadrant of the coordinate system, and the photosensitive drum is located in the other quadrant.

29. The imaging device according to claim 19, in, The accommodation chamber opening is located at an end portion of the accommodation chamber in the direction of the rotation axis.

30. The imaging device according to claim 29, further comprising: an exposure unit for exposing the photosensitive drum to light, wherein the replenishment port is located above the optical path of the laser light of the exposure unit when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, and Therein, when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the accommodating chamber opening is located below the optical path of the laser light of the exposure unit.

31. The imaging device according to claim 30, in, The replenishment port and the accommodating chamber opening are located between the photosensitive drum and the exposure unit in a direction perpendicularly intersecting the rotation axis, and the photosensitive drum and the exposure unit are aligned in the direction.

32. The imaging device according to claim 31, in, The storage chamber opening is located at the same height as a region where the second end portion of the sheet can contact an upper surface of an inner wall surface of the storage chamber.

33. An image forming apparatus on which a toner container can be mounted, the image forming apparatus comprising: A rotating photosensitive drum; a charging roller that contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum and rotates; a charging bias applying portion for applying a charging bias to the charging roller; a developing roller that carries a developer and rotates to supply a toner to the photosensitive drum; a developing bias applying portion that applies a developing bias to the developing roller; a mounting portion on which the toner container can be mounted so that a portion of the toner container is exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus, the mounting portion being provided with a replenishment port for replenishing the toner in the toner container; a frame member including: a developing chamber in which the developing roller is disposed; and a receiving chamber which communicates with the developing chamber and receives toner, the receiving chamber being provided with a receiving chamber opening capable of communicating with the replenishing port; a stirring member disposed in the accommodation chamber, the stirring member comprising: a rotating shaft that rotates about a rotation axis; and a sheet having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion being one end portion in a direction perpendicularly intersecting the rotation axis and fixed to the rotating shaft, the second end portion being the other end portion and capable of contacting an inner wall of the accommodation chamber, the stirring member being adapted to stir the toner accommodated in the accommodation chamber while rotating; a phase detection unit that detects a rotation phase of the stirring member; a single motor that supplies a driving force to rotate each of the photosensitive drum, the charging roller, the developing roller, and the stirring member; and a control section that controls each of the charging bias applying section, the developing bias applying section, and the motor, wherein the image forming apparatus performs a first stop control for stopping the rotation of the motor after the image forming operation is finished, and a second stop control for stopping bias application of each of the charging bias applying portion and the developing bias applying portion according to a stop timing at which the rotation of the motor is stopped by the first stop control, and In which, the control part starts the second stop control after a standby time has passed since the detection moment based on the rotation phase of the stirring member detected at the detection moment after the imaging operation is completed and the time required for the second stop control, so that the rotation phase of the stirring member at the stop moment is a rotation phase within a predetermined range.

34. The imaging device according to claim 33, in, The control section executes, before starting the first stop control: a period acquisition process of acquiring a period of one rotation of the stirring member based on the rotation phase detected by a phase detector, and The adjustment process of the standby time is acquired based on the cycle acquired in the cycle acquisition process and the time required for the second stop control.

35. The imaging device according to claim 34, in, The second stop control is initiated after the imaging operation is finished and an adjustment operation for the imaging device is performed, and The period acquisition process and the adjustment process are performed during the process of performing the adjustment operation.

36. The imaging device according to claim 34, in, The second stop control is a control that stops each of the charging bias applying portion and the developing bias applying portion while maintaining a potential difference between the photosensitive drum and the developing roller that restricts movement of the toner from the developing roller to the photosensitive drum until the first stop control ends.

37. The imaging device according to claim 36, in, In the second stop control, the charging bias applying portion and the developing bias applying portion gradually reduce the charging bias and the developing bias, respectively, while maintaining a potential difference between the charging bias and the developing bias applied in the image forming operation.

38. The imaging device according to claim 37, in, In the second stop control, the developing bias applying portion applies a developing bias having a polarity opposite to a normal charge polarity of toner after the developing bias becomes zero, and then continues to apply the developing bias having the opposite polarity until the motor stops rotating.

39. The imaging device according to claim 36, in, the charging bias voltage is lower than the charging bias voltage applied in the imaging operation in a case where the second stop control is started, wherein the developing bias is a developing bias having a polarity opposite to the normal charge polarity of the toner when the second stop control is started, and The developing bias applying portion continues to apply the developing bias with the opposite polarity until the motor stops rotating.

40. The imaging device according to claim 39, in, The second stop control is started after the cleaning control for transferring the toner adhering to the charging roller to the developing roller again via the photosensitive drum is performed after the image forming operation ends.

41. The imaging device according to claim 36, further comprising: a static eliminating unit for eliminating static electricity from the surface of the photosensitive drum before the surface of the photosensitive drum is charged by the charging roller to which the charging bias is applied, wherein, in the second stop control, the static elimination unit continues to perform static elimination on the surface of the photosensitive drum until a cycle of static elimination is performed on the outer surface of the photosensitive drum after the charging bias voltage becomes zero, and Wherein, after the static electricity eliminating unit stops eliminating static electricity, the control part stops distributing power to the motor.

42. An imaging device according to claim 33 or 34, in, When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, a two-dimensional coordinate system is composed of a first virtual line passing through the rotation axis and extending in the horizontal direction and a second virtual line passing through the rotation axis and extending in the gravity direction, and at least a portion of the receiving chamber opening is located in the first quadrant or the second quadrant of the two-dimensional coordinate system, and Here, the position of the second end portion of the sheet when the first stop control is ended is included in a quadrant different from a quadrant in which the storage chamber opening is located in the coordinate system.

43. The imaging device according to claim 42, in, When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the receiving chamber opening is arranged in the first quadrant of the coordinate system, and wherein the control section starts the first stop control and the second stop control after the standby time has elapsed so that the second end portion of the sheet stops in a third quadrant when the first stop control ends.

44. The imaging device according to claim 42, in, The receiving chamber opening is arranged in the first quadrant of the coordinate system when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, and wherein the control section starts the first stop control and the second stop control after the standby time has elapsed so that the second end portion of the sheet stops in the second quadrant or the fourth quadrant when the first stop control ends.

45. An imaging device according to claim 33 or 34, in, The end timing of the first stop control and the end timing of the second stop control coincide with each other.

46. ​​An imaging device according to claim 33 or 34, in, In the second stop control, the developing bias applying section ends the application of the developing bias after the charging bias applying section ends the application of the charging bias.

47. An imaging device, comprising: an image bearing member; a developer carrying member that carries a developer for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the image bearing member; a frame member including: a developing chamber in which the developer carrying member is disposed; and a containing chamber which communicates with the developing chamber and contains the developer; a stirring member disposed inside the accommodating chamber, the stirring member including: a rotating shaft rotating around a rotating axis; and a blade having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion being one end portion in the direction of the rotating axis and being fixed to the rotating shaft, the second end portion being the other end portion and being a free end, the stirring member being configured to stir the developer by the blade rotating together with the rotating shaft; and a sensor comprising: a light emitting element that emits light toward the interior of the storage chamber; and a light receiving element that receives light emitted by the light emitting element that has passed through the interior of the storage chamber and has been output to the outside of the storage chamber, the sensor emitting a signal having an intensity obtained according to the amount of light received by the light receiving element, wherein the sheet of the stirring member is configured to block the optical path of the light emitted by the light emitting element in the interior of the accommodation chamber once within one cycle of one rotation of the stirring member around the rotation axis, and The imaging device includes a phase detection unit that detects the rotation phase of the stirring member with reference to a period of time during which the intensity of the signal continues to be lower than a threshold value for a longest time in the one cycle.

48. The imaging device according to claim 47, in, The one cycle includes a plurality of first time periods, during which the strength of the signal is continuously lower than the threshold, and The phase detection unit detects the rotation phase of the stirring member based on an end time of a first time period that is a longest time period during which the intensity of the signal is lower than the threshold value among the plurality of first time periods.

49. The imaging device according to claim 48, in, In the case that the one cycle includes only one second time period in which the intensity of the signal is higher than the threshold, The phase detection unit detects a rotation phase of the stirring member based on a start timing of the second period.

50. The imaging device according to claim 49, in, The first period includes a period during which the agitation member blocks the light path.

51. The imaging device according to claim 49, in, The stirring member includes the sheet as a first sheet and a second sheet, the second sheet including: a third end portion which is one end portion in the direction of the rotation axis and is fixed to the rotation shaft; and a fourth end portion which is the other end portion and is a free end, wherein the second sheet contacts the optical path surface in the inner wall surface of the accommodation chamber by rotating together with the rotation shaft, thereby cleaning the optical path surface through which the light emitted by the light emitting element passes, The plurality of first time periods include a first OFF time period and a second OFF time period, the first OFF time period includes a time period when the first sheet blocks the light path, and the second OFF time period includes a time period when the second sheet blocks the light path, wherein the first OFF period is longer than the second OFF period, and Herein, the phase detection unit detects a rotation phase of the stirring member based on a timing at which the first OFF period occurs.

52. The imaging device according to claim 51, in, The rotating shaft comprises: a first attachment surface to which the first end portion of the first sheet is attached; and a second attachment surface to which the third end portion of the second sheet is attached, and Wherein a perpendicular line of the first attachment surface and a perpendicular line of the second attachment surface intersect each other perpendicularly.

53. The imaging device according to claim 52, in, When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, A length of the first sheet measured in a direction in which the first sheet extends from the first end portion to the second end portion is longer than a length of the second sheet measured in a direction in which the second sheet extends from the third end portion to the fourth end portion.

54. The imaging device according to claim 53, in, In the direction of the rotation axis, The width of the second sheet is narrower than the width of the first sheet.

55. The imaging device according to claim 54, in, The stirring member includes a third sheet, which is attached to the rotating shaft so that the third sheet overlaps with the first sheet, and the third sheet is bonded to the inner wall of the accommodating chamber so that a fifth end portion as one end portion in the direction of the rotating axis is fixed to the rotating shaft, and a side of a sixth end portion as the other end portion seals an opening portion when the frame member is new, and the opening portion establishes communication between the developing chamber and the accommodating chamber.

56. The imaging device according to claim 55, in, When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, The length of the third sheet measured in the direction in which the third sheet extends from the fifth end portion to the sixth end portion is longer than the length of the first sheet.

57. The imaging device according to claim 56, in, The width of the third piece in the direction of the rotation axis is wider than the width of the first piece in the direction of the rotation axis.

58. The imaging device according to claim 57, in, The width of the first sheet in the direction of the rotation axis is narrower than the width of the opening portion in the direction of the rotation axis, and The length of the first sheet is a length that allows entry into the developing chamber through the opening portion.

59. The imaging device according to claim 58, in, The stirring member includes a fourth sheet, which is attached to the rotating shaft so that the fourth sheet overlaps with the second sheet, and the fourth sheet has a seventh end portion, which is one end portion in the direction of the rotating axis and is fixed to the rotating shaft, and the length from the seventh end portion to the eighth end portion as the other end portion is a length that does not block the light path.

60. The imaging device according to claim 59, in, When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotation shaft, A direction in which the second sheet extends from the third end portion to the fourth end portion and a direction in which the fourth sheet extends from the seventh end portion to the eighth end portion are opposite to each other.

61. The imaging device according to claim 60, in, The width of the fourth piece in the direction of the rotation axis is narrower than the width of the first piece in the direction of the rotation axis.

Images