Developer storage device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a configuration that can accurately determine a use life or a replacement time of a developer storage device.SOLUTION: A developer storage device comprises: a frame body that has an internal space for storing developer and an inlet for introducing the developer to the internal space; a partition part that partitions the internal space into a first chamber, and a second chamber having a smaller capacity than that of the first chamber which are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction in the attitude when the device is used, and includes a communication port for communicating the first chamber and the second chamber with each other; a conveying member that is arranged in the internal space and conveys the developer introduced from the inlet; and detection means that detects the amount of developer stored in the first chamber. When the amount of developer in the first chamber is less than a predetermined value, the conveying member conveys the developer to a depth side of the first chamber, and when the detection means detects that the amount of developer in the first chamber becomes equal to or more than the predetermined value, the conveying member does not convey the developer to the depth side of the first chamber but conveys the developer to the second chamber.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a developer accommodating device capable of accommodating powdered developer, and an image forming apparatus in which the developer accommodating device is used, and more particularly to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system and a developer accommodating device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in the transfer process of an image forming device using an electrophotographic method, a toner image formed on a photosensitive drum, intermediate transfer belt, etc. may not be completely transferred to a recording medium such as paper, and some toner may remain on the photosensitive drum, intermediate transfer belt, etc.

[0003] The remaining toner (residual toner) is removed from the photosensitive drum, transfer belt, etc. by a cleaning means, and is then transported (recovered) by a toner transport means to a toner storage container disposed inside the image forming apparatus.

[0004] Incidentally, an image forming apparatus has been proposed in which a toner storage container can be replaced with a new one when the amount of residual toner collected in the toner storage container reaches the upper limit of the toner storage container (see Patent Document 1).

[0005] Specifically, in Patent Document 1, the user is notified of the time for replacement before the amount of remaining toner in a toner storage container reaches the upper limit of the storage capacity, and is prompted to prepare a new toner storage container, thereby shortening the period during which an image forming device cannot be used.

[0006] In Patent Document 1, the toner storage container has a vertically elongated shape in which the length in the direction of gravity is long and the length in the horizontal direction is short when in use. Also, a toner inlet is provided at the upper part of the toner storage container in the direction of gravity.

[0007] In addition, in Patent Document 1, two detection means are provided to detect the amount of toner in the toner storage container. The first detection means constantly monitors the toner surface, and when it detects that the toner surface has reached a predetermined height, displays a "replacement notice" for the toner storage container to the user. Meanwhile, the second detection means calculates (predicts) the amount of remaining toner from the received image signal, and when it reaches a threshold value (upper capacity limit), displays a "full" warning to the user and stops the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus until the toner storage container is replaced.

[0008] That is, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, after the "replacement notice display" is given to the user, the image forming operation can be continued for a while. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2003-248402 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] However, as there is a demand for miniaturization of image forming apparatuses, there is a possibility that the "shape" of the toner storage container may be restricted in order to fit the storage space inside the miniaturized image forming apparatus.

[0011] For example, a "vertically elongated shape" as in Patent Document 1 requires a certain height (length) in the direction of gravity (height direction). On the other hand, as the toner storage container becomes smaller, it may become a "horizontally elongated shape" in which the length in the direction of gravity is short and the length in the horizontal direction is long.

[0012] In the case of a toner storage container having a "horizontal shape," the "toner agent surface" is more likely to be unstable than in the case of a "vertical shape" as in Patent Document 1, and the detection accuracy of the "toner agent surface" may decrease. Therefore, in a toner storage container having a "horizontal shape," if a "replacement notice display" is performed based on the detection result of the "toner agent surface" as in Patent Document 1, the period during which image formation operation can be continued after the "replacement notice display" may vary greatly. As a result, the accuracy of determining the service life or replacement time of the toner storage container may decrease.

[0013] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a configuration that can accurately determine the service life or replacement time even if the shape of the storage section of the developer storage device is long in the horizontal direction and short in the gravitational direction when in use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] The developer storage device of the present invention stores a developer, a frame having an internal space for accommodating a developer and an inlet for introducing the developer into the internal space; a partition portion that divides the internal space into a first chamber and a second chamber that has a smaller volume than the first chamber and that is arranged so as to be aligned horizontally in a posture during use, and that has a communication port that communicates between the first chamber and the second chamber; a transport member disposed in the internal space and configured to transport the developer input from the inlet; a detection means for detecting an amount of developer contained in the first chamber; Equipped with When the amount of developer in the first chamber is less than a predetermined value, the developer is transported to the back side of the first chamber by the transport member, When the detection means detects that the amount of developer in the first chamber has reached a predetermined value or more, the transport member does not transport the developer to the back side of the first chamber, but transports the developer to the second chamber. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, even if the container portion of the developer container has an elongated shape with a short length in the gravity direction and a long length in the horizontal direction, the service life or replacement time can be determined with high accuracy. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] (a) A schematic top view of a developer accommodating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; (b) A schematic perspective view of the developer accommodating device; (c) A schematic top view of the developer accommodating device with the upper structure removed to expose the inside; (d) A schematic perspective view of the developer accommodating device with the upper structure removed to expose the inside [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are conceptual diagrams illustrating the operation of a detection unit in a developer storage device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] (a) is an enlarged conceptual plan view of the vicinity of the inlet of the developer accommodating device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; (b) is an enlarged conceptual cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the inlet. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a developer filling state in a first storage chamber in a developer storage device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7] (a) is an enlarged conceptual plan view showing a transport path of a developer to a second storage chamber in a developer storage device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; (b) is an enlarged conceptual cross-sectional view showing a transport path of a developer to the second storage chamber; [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a schematic top view of a developer accommodating device according to a second embodiment of the present invention with the upper structure removed to expose the inside. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as an "image forming apparatus") according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] It should be noted that the examples described below are illustrative of the present invention, and the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positional relationships, etc. of the components described below do not limit the scope of the present invention unless otherwise specified.

[0019] Here, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is an apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming method, and examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include electrophotographic copying machines, electrophotographic printers (e.g., laser beam printers, LED printers, etc.), facsimile machines, and word processors.

[0020] The developer storage device is used in an image forming apparatus and is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. EXAMPLES

[0021] An image forming apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a main cross section of the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a schematic side sectional view of the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] In the first embodiment, the "up-down direction" shown in the drawings is the direction of gravity, and the "left-right direction" and the "front-rear direction" are horizontal directions.

[0025] (Paper feeding) A cassette 2 is housed in a removable manner at the bottom of the image forming apparatus 1. A cassette feeding section 3 is disposed near the end of the cassette 2. The cassettes 2 are each configured to hold and store transfer materials, separate the transfer materials one by one, and feed them to a registration roller 5.

[0026] (Image forming section) The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming section 6 as an image forming means, which is configured by arranging image forming stations 6 (Y, M, C, K) corresponding to the respective colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black in a horizontal row.

[0027] The image forming unit 6 is provided with photoconductor drums 7 (Y, M, C, K) which are image carriers, and charging devices 8 (Y, M, C, K) which uniformly charge the surfaces of the photoconductor drums 7. The image forming unit 6 is also provided with developing devices 9 (Y, M, C, K) which cause toner to adhere to the electrostatic latent images and develop them into toner images, and photoconductor cleaning blades 10 (Y, M, C, K) (first recovery members) which remove residual toner remaining on the photoconductor drums 7.

[0028] The developing device 9 is provided with developing rollers 11 (Y, M, C, K) corresponding to the respective colors, which are configured to be able to come into contact with and separate from the respective photosensitive drums 7. The life of the developing rollers 11 is improved by bringing the developing rollers 11 into contact with and separating from the respective photosensitive drums 7 in accordance with the electrostatic latent images. A scanner unit 12 is provided below the image forming section 6, which irradiates a laser beam based on image information to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 7.

[0029] (Transcript) An intermediate transfer unit 16 is provided above the developing device 9. The intermediate transfer unit 16 is disposed substantially horizontally with the secondary transfer section 17 side facing downward. An intermediate transfer belt 18 (intermediate transfer member) facing each photoconductor drum 7 is a rotatable endless belt that is stretched around a plurality of tension rollers. Primary transfer rollers 19 (Y, M, C, K) are disposed on the inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt 18 as primary transfer members at positions that form primary transfer sections 20 (Y, M, C, K) with each photoconductor drum 7 via the intermediate transfer belt 18.

[0030] In each primary transfer portion 20, a toner image is transferred from each photosensitive drum 7 to the intermediate transfer belt 18 by a primary transfer roller 19 to which a voltage is applied. In this embodiment, a unit including the intermediate transfer belt 18, a plurality of tension rollers that tension the intermediate transfer belt 18, and each primary transfer roller 19 is configured as an intermediate transfer unit 16 that is detachable from the main body of the apparatus.

[0031] A secondary transfer roller 21, which is a secondary transfer member, contacts the intermediate transfer belt 18 and forms a secondary transfer section 17 with an opposing roller via the intermediate transfer belt 18. In the secondary transfer section 17, the toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 18 is secondarily transferred onto a transfer material. Toner that could not be completely transferred onto the transfer material in the secondary transfer and remains on the intermediate transfer belt 18 is removed by a cleaning unit 22 (second recovery member, recovery member).

[0032] The toner removed by the cleaning unit 22 is transported to a toner recovery container 24 (developer storage device) via a recovered toner transport section 23 and accumulated therein. The toner on the photosensitive drum 7 that has not been completely transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 18 is transported to the recovered toner transport section 23 via a cartridge recovered toner transport section 29, and then transported to the toner recovery container 24.

[0033] Thus, in this embodiment, the toner recovery container 24 can store "residual toner" from at least one or both of the photoconductor drum 7 and the intermediate transfer belt 18. After the residual toner is collected by the cleaning blade 10 or the cleaning unit 22, it is transported to the toner recovery container 24 by a transport means.

[0034] (fixing, paper ejection) Thereafter, the transfer material is conveyed to the fixing device 25 and passes through a nip formed by a heating unit 25a and a pressure roller 25b that is in pressure contact with the heating unit 25a inside the fixing device 25. The transfer material that has passed through the fixing device 25 is conveyed to a pair of discharge rollers 26 and is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 27.

[0035] (power supply) A low-voltage power supply device (not shown) is disposed on the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1, which supplies voltage to control units such as various motors, fans, solenoids, etc. provided within the image forming apparatus 1. Also, on the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1, in the space between the intermediate transfer belt 18 and the toner recovery container 24, a high-voltage power supply device 28 is disposed for applying high voltage to the charging device 8, the developing device 9, the primary transfer roller 19, the secondary transfer roller 21, etc.

[0036] (Means for recovering toner into toner recovery container) Fig. 1(a) is a schematic top view of a developer accommodating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, (b) is a schematic perspective view of the developer accommodating device, (c) is a schematic top view of the developer accommodating device with an upper structure removed to expose the inside, and (d) is a schematic perspective view of the developer accommodating device with an upper structure removed to expose the inside.

[0037] Specifically, Fig. 1(a) shows the top surface of the toner recovery container 24. Fig. 1(b) shows the toner recovery container 24 as viewed obliquely from above. Fig. 1(c) shows the toner recovery container 24 with the upper structure 24a removed, and Fig. 1(d) shows the toner recovery container 24 with the upper structure 24a removed as viewed obliquely from above.

[0038] The toner transported by the collected toner transport unit 23 (see FIG. 3) is received from a toner supply port 30 (entrance) into the toner collection container 24. The toner collection container 24 has a horizontally elongated shape in which the lengths in the "left-right direction" and "front-rear direction" are longer than the length in the up-down direction, which is the direction of gravity. The toner collection container 24 can form an internal space IS for collecting toner inside the frame 24F by connecting an upper structure 24a and a lower structure 24b that constitute the frame 24F.

[0039] The internal space of the toner recovery container 24 is divided into a first storage chamber 33 (first chamber) and a second storage chamber 34 (second chamber) by a partition 35 (partition portion), and the partitioned internal space with a smaller volume is the second storage chamber 34, and the internal space other than the second storage chamber 34 is the first storage chamber 33. The partition 35 is provided with a communication port 36 that connects the first storage chamber 33 and the second storage chamber 34.

[0040] Below the toner supply port 30, a first screw 31 (first transport screw) and a second screw 32 (second transport screw) constituting the transport member 3T are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction. The second screw 32 is longer than the first screw 31 and extends to near the center of the first storage chamber 33. The position of the communication port 36 (communication port side) is located on the opposite side (opposite side) to the second screw 32 when the first screw 31 is used as a reference, and a lower end position 311 of the first screw 31 is located below a lower end position 361 of the communication port 36.

[0041] In this embodiment, the first screw 31 is disposed immediately below the toner supply port 30, and the second screw 32 is disposed so as to extend from the toner supply port side S1 (entrance side) to the opposite back side S2.

[0042] In particular, in this embodiment, the frame 24F is configured to have a rectangular (square) shape in a plan view. The toner supply port 30 is disposed at a corner AG1 of the rectangle. The second screw 32 is disposed to extend from the corner side (AG1) to the corner side (AG2) on the opposite side of the diagonal line X1 from the corner.

[0043] In other words, in this embodiment, the toner recovery container 24 includes an internal space IS for storing toner and a frame 24F having a toner supply port 30 for introducing toner into the internal space IS.

[0044] The toner recovery container 24 is provided with a partition 35 that divides the internal space into a first storage chamber 33 and a second storage chamber 34 that has a smaller volume than the first storage chamber and is provided with a communication port 36 that connects the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber. In addition, a first screw 31 and a second screw 32 that transport the toner input from the toner supply port are arranged in the internal space IS.

[0045] 4(a and 4b) are conceptual diagrams showing the operation of the detection means in the developer accommodating device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 4, a lever 37 that operates in conjunction with the second screw 32 is disposed downstream of the second screw 32 in the first housing chamber.

[0047] The lever 37 reciprocates between a position where it blocks the optical axis 41a of the photosensor 41 as shown in Fig. 4(a) and a position where it moves forward and does not block the optical axis 41a of the photosensor 41, allowing light to pass through as shown in Fig. 4(b). The lever 37 and the photosensor 41 constitute the detection means SR of the present invention.

[0048] The lever 37 rotates and reciprocates around a lever center 37a by the second screw 32. For the sake of explanation, the upper structure 24a is removed in Fig. 4. When the second screw 32 rotates once, the lever 37 makes one reciprocating motion.

[0049] The first screw 31 is connected to a drive transmission gear 38, and the first screw 31 is driven by driving the drive transmission gear 38 from a drive unit (not shown). The second screw 32 is connected to a driven gear 39 via a torque limiter 40 (rotation restriction member) that is a rotation restriction means, and the driven gear 39 is driven by meshing with the drive transmission gear 38.

[0050] Next, the behavior of the toner in the toner recovery container 24 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0051] FIG. 5(a) is an enlarged conceptual plan view of the vicinity of the inlet of the developer accommodating device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is an enlarged conceptual cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the inlet.

[0052] FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a developer filling state in the first storage chamber in the developer storage device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Specifically, Fig. 5(a) shows the state from the toner supply port 30 to the vicinity of the second screw 32 with the upper structure 24a removed, while Fig. 5(b) shows the cross section indicated by the line DD in Fig. 1(a).

[0054] 5(a) and 5(b), when toner is supplied from the toner supply port 30, it is transported in the direction of arrow A by the first screw 31. The toner is transported by the first screw 31 until it hits the first screw downstream partition 35a, and accumulates in the downstream region of the first screw 31. When it accumulates in the downstream region of the first screw 31, the toner advances along the wall of the first screw downstream partition 35a and spreads in the directions of arrows B and C.

[0055] The position of the communication opening 36 of the partition 35 is located above the lower end of the first screw 31 in the direction of gravity, as shown by the arrow E, so that the toner is transported by the second screw 32 before the toner surface rises to enter the second storage chamber 34.

[0056] Here, it is desirable that the second screw 32 transports a larger amount of toner than the first screw 31 .

[0057] Since the second screw 32 is located downstream of the first screw 31, by increasing the amount of toner transported downstream, it is possible to prevent the toner from stagnating due to the toner not being able to be transported all the way downstream from the upstream.

[0058] That is, the first screw 31 and the second screw 32 are arranged in parallel, and at least in the opposing region T1, the transport amount of the second screw 32 can be made larger than the transport amount of the first screw 31. This makes it possible to effectively transport the toner to the back of the first storage chamber, and toner stagnation near the supply port 30 can be suppressed. Therefore, at this point, it is possible to suppress the toner from flowing into the second storage chamber 34.

[0059] When the toner reaches the second screw 32 arranged next to the first screw 31 in the horizontal direction, the toner is transported by the second screw 32 in the direction of the arrow F to near the center of the first storage chamber 33 .

[0060] The toner transported by the second screw 32 spreads concentrically from the screw end 32a of the second screw 32 into the first storage chamber 33 and accumulates therein, as indicated by the (circular) dashed line in FIG.

[0061] As toner accumulates in the first storage chamber 33, the area around the second screw 32 becomes filled with toner and the toner becomes a load that drives the second screw 32, increasing the rotational load of the second screw 32. When the rotational load of the second screw 32 exceeds the torque setting value of the torque limiter 40, the second screw 32 and the torque limiter 40 rotate freely, and the rotation of the second screw 32 stops.

[0062] When the second screw 32 stops, the lever 37 linked to the second screw 32 also stops. When the lever 37 stops, it is detected that the second screw 32 has stopped if the detection result of the photosensor 41 does not switch between light blocking and light transmission within the time it takes for the second screw 32 to make one rotation.

[0063] In this manner, the detection means SR (photo sensor 41) can detect the amount of toner in the first storage chamber 33 based on the rotation state of the second screw 32.

[0064] The stopping of the lever 37 means that toner has accumulated in the first storage chamber 33, and notifies the user that it is soon time to replace the toner recovery container 24 (hereinafter, referred to as "replacement advance notice display"). By notifying the user of the replacement advance notice, a period of time can be set for the user to prepare a new toner recovery container 24. Fig. 7(a) is an enlarged conceptual plan view showing the transport path of the developer to the second storage chamber in the developer storage device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. (b) is an enlarged conceptual cross-sectional view showing the transport path of the developer to the second storage chamber.

[0065] Specifically, FIGS. 7(a) and (b) show the state of toner transport after the second screw 32 has stopped.

[0066] 7, after the second screw 32 stops, the first screw 31 is driven to transport the toner in the direction of arrow A, and the toner accumulates downstream of the first screw 31. Because the second screw 32 is stopped, the toner surface that has accumulated downstream of the first screw 31 rises. When the toner surface exceeds the height of the communication opening 36, the toner enters the second storage chamber 34 from the communication opening 36 as shown by arrow G.

[0067] After the second screw 32 stops, the amount of toner entering the second storage chamber 34 is calculated from the amount of toner collected from the image signal printed by the user. When the calculated amount of toner reaches the toner receiving amount set based on the volume of the second storage chamber 34, the user is notified that the toner collection container 24 needs to be replaced (hereinafter, this will be referred to as a "notification of need for replacement"). After this, the image forming apparatus 1 is in a printing stop state until the toner collection container 24 is replaced.

[0068] In this manner, when the amount of toner in the first storage chamber is less than a predetermined value (full value), the toner is transported to the inner side of the first storage chamber by the first and second screws.

[0069] When the photosensor 41 detects that the amount of toner in the first storage chamber has reached or exceeded a predetermined value, the rotation of the second screw is stopped, and the toner is transported to the second storage chamber instead of to the back side of the first storage chamber.

[0070] Therefore, the toner recovery container 24 of this embodiment can move and store the toner in the second storage chamber after detecting that the amount of toner in the first storage chamber has reached a predetermined value (full value). Therefore, the time from when the "replacement notice display" is displayed as the toner in the first storage chamber becomes "full" to when the toner storage container is replaced can be estimated based on the volume of the second storage chamber. This improves the accuracy of determining the lifespan (replacement time) of the toner recovery container.

[0071] In particular, in this embodiment, the first screw can be positioned so that the lower end position 311 of the first screw is lower than the lower end position 361 of the communication port 36. Because the lower end of the first screw is positioned lower than the lower end of the communication port, it is more reliable to transport toner to the back side of the first storage chamber and then transport toner to the second storage chamber through the communication port after the first storage chamber becomes full. This makes it possible to more accurately estimate the period from the "replacement notice display" to replacement, and improves the accuracy of determining the lifespan (replacement time) of the toner recovery container.

[0072] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first screw and the second screw can be arranged approximately parallel to each other, and in the region T1 where the first screw and the second screw face each other, the conveying amount of the second screw can be configured to be greater than the conveying amount of the first screw.

[0073] This enables smoother transfer of toner from the first screw to the second screw, enabling the toner to be transported more efficiently to the rear side of the first storage chamber, and effectively suppresses the movement of toner into the second storage chamber when the toner is transported to the rear side of the first storage chamber.

[0074] In other words, by displaying a replacement notice to the user, setting a period during which the user can prepare a new toner collection container 24, and having the user replace the toner collection container 24 immediately after receiving the replacement notice, the period during which the image forming apparatus 1 is stopped from printing can be eliminated, thereby improving usability.

[0075] In the first embodiment, the internal space of the toner recovery container 24 is divided into two, and the space that stores the toner is changed before and after the replacement notice is displayed, making it possible to collect toner from after the replacement notice is displayed until the notification that replacement is necessary. The change in the space that stores the toner is made by the relationship between the drive and stop of the two screws and the arrangement of the two storage spaces, and can be realized with a low-cost configuration without increasing the number of parts. EXAMPLES

[0076] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[0077] FIG. 8 is a schematic top view of a developer accommodating device according to a second embodiment of the present invention with the upper structure removed to expose the inside.

[0078] Specifically, FIG. 8 shows the state where the upper structure 24a has been removed.

[0079] The second embodiment has basically the same configuration as the first embodiment, and the differences will be described below.

[0080] 8, in the second embodiment, the second drive transmission unit 42 connected to the second screw 32 is connected to a drive source (not shown) separate from the first screw 31, and the first screw 31 and the second screw 32 can be rotated independently. Since the second screw 32 can be rotated independently, when it becomes necessary to increase the toner transport force without changing the shape of the second screw 32, the transport force can be changed by increasing the rotation speed of only the second screw 32.

[0081] In addition, since the drive sources are different, the second screw 32 can be freely switched between driving and stopping, and therefore a rotation restricting means (torque limiter 40) is not required.

[0082] Since the current value required to drive the drive source of the second screw 32 changes according to the rotation load of the second screw 32, it is possible to detect the change in the amount of toner accommodated in the first storage chamber 33 by detecting the current value of the drive source. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the current value when the torque in the first storage chamber 33 is full is set as the drive source setting value, and when the drive source setting value is exceeded, a replacement notice is displayed, making it possible to detect the amount of toner accommodated. By stopping the drive of the second screw 32 after the drive source setting value is exceeded, it is possible to transport the toner to the second storage chamber 34 as in the first embodiment.

[0083] As described above, even if different driving means and detection means are used, a replacement notice is displayed to the user, a period during which a new toner collection container 24 is prepared is set, and the user is prompted to replace the toner collection container 24 immediately after the replacement notice is given, thereby eliminating the printing stop period of the image forming apparatus 1. This improves usability.

[0084] The present invention can be summarized as follows.

[0085] (1) The developer storage device (24) of the present invention is A developer container, a frame (24F) having an internal space (IS) for accommodating a developer and an inlet (30) for introducing the developer into the internal space; a partition section (35) that divides the internal space into a first chamber (33) and a second chamber (34) that has a smaller volume than the first chamber and that is arranged so as to be aligned horizontally when in an in-use position, and that has a communication port (36) that communicates between the first chamber and the second chamber; a transport member (3T) disposed in the internal space for transporting developer input from an inlet; and a detection means (SR) for detecting the amount of developer contained in the first chamber.

[0086] When the amount of developer in the first chamber is less than a predetermined value, the developer is transported from the inlet side (S1) to the inner side (S2) of the first chamber by the transport member, When the detection means detects that the amount of developer in the first chamber has reached a predetermined value or more, the transport member does not transport the developer to the back side of the first chamber, but transports the developer to the second chamber.

[0087] (2) In the developer accommodating device of the present invention, The conveying member (3T) can include a first conveying screw (31) and a second conveying screw (32) that is longer than the first conveying screw.

[0088] The first conveying screw may be positioned closer to the inlet (30) than the second conveying screw.

[0089] (3) In the developer accommodating device of the present invention, The first conveying screw (31) and the second conveying screw (32) may be disposed in the first chamber (33) so as to be aligned in the horizontal direction.

[0090] In the horizontal direction, when the first conveying screw is used as a reference, the second conveying screw can be disposed on the opposite side to the side on which the communication port (36) is disposed.

[0091] (4) In the developer accommodating device of the present invention, The first conveying screw (31) may be disposed such that the lower end position (311) of the first conveying screw is lower than the lower end position (361) of the communication port (36).

[0092] (5) In the developer accommodating device of the present invention, A rotation restricting member (40) may be provided that restricts the rotation of the second conveying screw (32) when a predetermined rotation load is exceeded during rotation of the second conveying screw (32).

[0093] (6) In the developer accommodating device of the present invention, The detection means (SR) can detect the amount of developer in the first chamber (33) based on the rotation state of the second conveying screw (32).

[0094] (7) In the developer accommodating device of the present invention, A first conveying screw (31) and a second conveying screw (32), Arranged almost parallel, and In the region (T1) where the first conveying screw and the second conveying screw face each other, the conveying amount of the second conveying screw may be configured to be larger than the conveying amount of the first conveying screw.

[0095] (8) In the developer accommodating device of the present invention, A first conveying screw (31) may be disposed immediately below the inlet (30); The second conveying screw (32) can be disposed so as to extend from the inlet side (S1) to the rear side (S2) opposite the inlet side.

[0096] (9) In the developer accommodating device of the present invention, The frame body (24F) may be configured to have a rectangular shape in a plan view, The inlet (30) may be located at a corner (AG1) of the square.

[0097] The second conveying screw (32) may be disposed so as to extend from the corner side (AG1) to the corner side (AG2) on the opposite side to the corner on the diagonal line (X1).

[0098] (10) The image forming apparatus (1) of the present invention comprises: an image carrier (7) that carries a developer image; a first recovery member (10) that recovers developer remaining on the image carrier after the developer image has been transferred from the image carrier; and the developer storage device (24) that stores the developer collected by the first collection member.

[0099] (11) In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, an intermediate transfer member (18) onto which a developer image is transferred from the image carrier (7); The toner cartridge may further include a second recovery member (22) that recovers the developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member after the developer image has been transferred from the intermediate transfer member.

[0100] The developer collected by the second collecting member may be stored in a developer storage device (24).

[0101] (12) The image forming apparatus (1) of the present invention comprises: an intermediate transfer member (18) onto which a developer image is transferred from the image carrier (7); a recovery member (22) for recovering developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member after the developer image has been transferred from the intermediate transfer member; and the developer storage device (24) for storing the developer collected by the collecting member. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1. Image forming device 3T conveyance member 24 Toner recovery container (developer storage device) 24F frame 30 Toner supply port (entrance) 33 First Containment Room (First Room) 34 Second Containment Room (Second Room) 35 Partition (Partition) 36 Communication port IS (frame) internal space SR detection method

Claims

1. A developer storage device that stores a developer, a frame having an internal space for accommodating a developer and an inlet for introducing the developer into the internal space; a partition portion that divides the internal space into a first chamber and a second chamber that has a smaller volume than the first chamber and that is arranged so as to be aligned horizontally in a posture during use, and that has a communication port that communicates between the first chamber and the second chamber; a transport member disposed in the internal space and configured to transport the developer input from the inlet; a detection means for detecting an amount of developer contained in the first chamber; Equipped with When the amount of developer in the first chamber is less than a predetermined value, the developer is transported to the inner side of the first chamber by the transport member, a developer accommodating device characterized in that, when the detection means detects that the amount of developer in the first chamber has reached a predetermined value or more, the transport member does not transport the developer to the back side of the first chamber, but transports the developer to the second chamber.

2. The conveying member includes a first conveying screw and a second conveying screw that is longer than the first conveying screw, 2. The developer accommodating device according to claim 1, wherein the first conveying screw is disposed closer to the inlet than the second conveying screw.

3. the first conveying screw and the second conveying screw are disposed in the first chamber so as to be aligned in a horizontal direction; 3. The developer accommodating device according to claim 2, wherein, in a horizontal direction, when the first conveying screw is used as a reference, the second conveying screw is arranged on the opposite side to the side on which the communication port is arranged.

4. 4. The developer accommodating device according to claim 3, wherein the first conveying screw is disposed so that a lower end position of the first conveying screw is lower than a lower end position of the communication port.

5. The developer accommodating device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising a rotation regulating member that regulates the rotational movement of the second conveying screw when a predetermined rotational load is exceeded when the second conveying screw rotates.

6. 6. The developer accommodating device according to claim 2, wherein the detection means detects the amount of developer in the first chamber based on a rotation state of the second transport screw.

7. The first conveying screw and the second conveying screw are are arranged substantially parallel to each other, and The developer accommodating device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that in a region where the first conveying screw and the second conveying screw face each other, a conveying amount of the second conveying screw is configured to be greater than a conveying amount of the first conveying screw.

8. The first conveying screw is disposed directly below the inlet, 8. The developer accommodating device according to claim 2, wherein the second conveying screw is disposed so as to extend from the inlet side to a rear side on a side opposite to the inlet side.

9. The frame body has a rectangular shape in a plan view, The inlets are located at the corners of the rectangle; 9. The developer accommodating device according to claim 8, wherein the second conveying screw is disposed so as to extend from the corner to a corner diagonally opposite to the corner.

10. an image carrier that carries a developer image; a first recovery member that recovers developer remaining on the image carrier after the developer image has been transferred from the image carrier; The developer accommodating device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which accommodates the developer collected by the first collecting member; An image forming apparatus comprising:

11. an intermediate transfer member onto which a developer image is transferred from the image carrier; a second recovery member that recovers developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member after the developer image has been transferred from the intermediate transfer member, 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the developer collected by the second collecting member is contained in the developer containing device.

12. an intermediate transfer member onto which a developer image is transferred from an image carrier; a recovery member for recovering developer remaining on the intermediate transfer member after the developer image has been transferred from the intermediate transfer member; The developer storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which stores the developer collected by the recovery member; An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images