Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide one form of an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus is removably attached with a supply container storing a developer, and comprises: an image carrier; a developer carrier; a developer container to which the supply container is removably attached, the developer container having a storage unit that stores a developer to be carried on the developer carrier and a supply port for the developer to be supplied from the supply container to the storage unit; transfer means for transferring the developer image on the image carrier to a recording material; a loading tray that has a loading surface on which the recording material is loaded; and ejection means for ejecting the recording material to which the developer image is transferred to the loading surface. The loading tray has an opening that opens to expose the supply port from the loading surface, and is provided with an opening / closing member that is configured to be movable between a closed position of covering the supply port so that the opening / closing member becomes a part of the loading surface, and an open position of exposing the supply port.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image by transferring a toner image formed on the surface of a photosensitive drum to a transfer material as a transfer medium. And, as a developer replenishment method, for example, a process cartridge method and a toner replenishment method are known. The process cartridge method is a method in which a photosensitive drum and a developing container are integrated as a process cartridge, and when the developer runs out, the process cartridge is replaced with a new one.

[0003] On the other hand, the toner replenishment method is a method of newly replenishing toner into a developing container when the toner runs out. Conventionally, a single-component developing apparatus of a toner replenishment method in which a toner supply box capable of replenishing toner is connected to a toner conveyance path through which toner is conveyed has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). The toner stored in the toner supply box is conveyed to the toner conveyance path by a conveyance screw.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In recent years, various usage methods such as the above-described process cartridge method and toner replenishment method have been demanded by users for image forming apparatuses.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a form of an image forming apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which a supply container containing a developer is detachable, and forms a developer image on a recording material, and an image carrier configured to carry and rotatably support the developer image, and a developer carrier configured to carry a developer and supply the developer to the image carrier , front It has a storage unit for storing a developer for being carried on the developer carrier, and a supply port for supplying the developer from the supply container to the storage unit and the supply container is configured to be detachable from the supply port A developing container, a transfer unit for transferring the developer image on the image carrier to a recording material, and a recording material is loaded configured as A loading tray having a loading surface, and a recording material on which a developer image has been transferred conveyed in the discharge direction Is discharged to the loading surface discharging A discharging unit, and the loading tray , front The supply port close To a closed position, and the supply port open To an open position, and is configured to be movable between When the supply container is attached to the developing container, the supply container that has completed the supply of the developer to the storage unit is configured to restrict movement from the open position to the closed position. Characterized in that

Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, a form of an image forming apparatus can be provided

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] [Figure 1] (a) is a cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment, and (b) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus [Figure 2] (a) is a cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus, and (b) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus with the top cover opened [Figure 3] A cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus with the process cartridge removed [Figure 4] (a) is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus with the platen of the reading device closed, (b) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus with the platen opened, and (c) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus with the reading device opened [Figure 5] (a) is a perspective view showing a developing container and a toner pack, and (b) is a front view showing the developing container and the toner pack. [Figure 6] (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6A-6A of FIG. 5(b), and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6B-6B of FIG. 5(b). [Figure 7] Perspective view showing a toner pack. [Figure 8] (a) is a front view showing a toner pack, (b) is a front view showing a first modification of the toner pack, and (c) is a front view showing a second modification of the toner pack. [Figure 9] Cross-sectional view showing the first and second toner remaining amount sensors. [Figure 10] Circuit diagram showing the first and second toner remaining amount sensors. [Figure 11] (a) is a cross-sectional view showing a developing container with a small amount of toner remaining, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a developing container with a large amount of toner remaining. [Figure 12] Block diagram showing the control system of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 13] Flowchart showing the toner replenishment process. [Figure 14] Flowchart showing the toner remaining amount detection process. [Figure 15] Perspective view showing the operation unit. [Figure 16] (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the state where the toner pack is attached to the replenishment port, (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state where toner starts to leak from the toner pack, and (c) is a cross-sectional view showing the state where all the toner in the toner pack has been replenished to the developing container. [Figure 17] (a) is a perspective view showing the toner remaining amount panel when the toner remaining amount is at the Low level, (b) is a perspective view showing the toner remaining amount panel when the toner remaining amount is at the Mid level, and (c) is a perspective view showing the toner remaining amount panel when the toner remaining amount is at the Full level. [Figure 18] (a) is a graph showing the relationship between the volume of the developing container and the toner remaining amount level, (b) is a graph showing the toner remaining amount when toner is replenished from a small-capacity toner pack, and (c) is a graph showing the toner remaining amount when toner is replenished from a large-capacity toner pack. [Figure 19] (a) is a perspective view showing a first modification example of the image forming apparatus, (b) is a perspective view showing a second modification example of the image forming apparatus, and (c) is a perspective view showing a third modification example of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 20] (a) is a perspective view showing a fourth modification example of the image forming apparatus, (b) is a perspective view showing a fifth modification example of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 21] (a) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the image forming apparatus. [Figure 22] (a) is a perspective view showing a modification example of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a modification example of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. [Figure 23] (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the image forming apparatus with the process cartridge pulled out. [Figure 24] A cross-sectional view showing a state where a toner pack is attached to the pulled-out process cartridge. [Figure 25] (a) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus with the process cartridge pulled out, and (b) is a perspective view showing a state where a toner pack is attached to the pulled-out process cartridge. [Figure 26] A perspective view showing a developing container according to a modification example of the first embodiment. [Figure 27] A perspective view showing an agitation member according to the first embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] <First Embodiment> FIG. 1(a) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. 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. The recording material includes various sheet materials of different materials, such as paper like plain paper and thick paper, plastic films like overhead projector sheets, special-shaped sheets like envelopes and index papers, and cloth.

[0012] [Overall Configuration] As shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the image forming apparatus 1 includes a printer main body 100 as a device main body, a reading device 20 that is supported by the printer main body 100 so as to be openable and closable, and an operation unit 300 attached to the exterior surface of the printer main body 100. The printer main body 100 includes an image forming unit 10 that forms a toner image on a recording material, a feeding unit 60 that feeds the recording material to the image forming unit 10, a fixing unit 70 that fixes the toner image formed by the image forming unit 10 to the recording material, and a pair of discharge rollers 80.

[0013] The image forming unit 10 includes a scanner unit 11, an electrophotographic process cartridge 20, and a transfer roller 12 that transfers the toner image as a developer image formed on the photosensitive drum 21 of the process cartridge 20 to the recording material. As shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), the process cartridge 20 includes a photosensitive drum 21 and a developing device 30 including a charging roller 22, a pre-exposure device 23, and a developing roller 31 disposed around the photosensitive drum 21.

[0014] The photosensitive drum 21 is a cylindrical photoreceptor. The photosensitive drum 21 of the present embodiment has a photosensitive layer formed of a negatively chargeable organic photoreceptor on a drum-shaped substrate formed of aluminum. Further, the photosensitive drum 21 as an image carrier is rotationally driven by a motor in a predetermined direction (clockwise in the figure) at a predetermined process speed.

[0015] The charging roller 22 contacts the photosensitive drum 21 with a predetermined pressure contact force to form a charging portion. Further, by applying a desired charging voltage by a charging high-voltage power supply, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential. In the present embodiment, the photosensitive drum 21 is charged to a negative polarity by the charging roller 22. The pre-exposure device 23 discharges the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 21 before entering the charging portion in order to generate a stable discharge in the charging portion.

[0016] The scanner unit 11 as an exposure means irradiates the photosensitive drum 21 with laser light corresponding to image information input from an external device or a reading device 200 using a polygon mirror, thereby performing scanning exposure on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. By this exposure, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. Note that the scanner unit 11 is not limited to a laser scanner device, and for example, an LED exposure device having an LED array in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 21 may be employed.

[0017] The developing device 30 includes a developing roller 31 as a developer carrier for carrying a developer, a developing container 32 that serves as a frame of the developing device 30, and a supply roller 33 capable of supplying the developer to the developing roller 31. The developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33 are rotatably supported by the developing container 32. Further, the developing roller 31 is disposed at an opening of the developing container 32 so as to face the photosensitive drum 21. The supply roller 33 is rotatably in contact with the developing roller 31, and toner as a developer stored in the developing container 32 is applied to the surface of the developing roller 31 by the supply roller 33. Note that if the configuration can supply sufficient toner to the developing roller 31, the supply roller 33 is not necessarily required.

[0018] The developing device 30 of this embodiment uses the contact development method as the development method. That is, the toner layer carried on the developing roller 31 contacts the photosensitive drum 21 in the developing unit (developing area) where the photosensitive drum 21 and the developing roller 31 face each other. A developing voltage is applied to the developing roller 31 by a developing high-voltage power supply. Under the developing voltage, the toner carried on the developing roller 31 transfers from the developing roller 31 to the drum surface according to the potential distribution on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21, so that the electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image. In this embodiment, the reversal development method is adopted. That is, after being charged in the charging process, toner adheres to the surface area of the photosensitive drum 21 whose charge amount has decayed by being exposed in the exposure process, thereby forming a toner image.

[0019] Also, in this embodiment, toner with a particle size of 6 μm and a normal charging polarity of negative polarity is used. As an example, the toner of this embodiment adopts polymerized toner produced by a polymerization method. Also, the toner of this embodiment does not contain a magnetic component, and is a so-called non-magnetic one-component developer in which the toner is carried on the developing roller 31 mainly by intermolecular forces and electrostatic forces (image force). However, a one-component developer containing a magnetic component may also be used. Also, the one-component developer may contain additives (for example, wax and silica fine particles) for adjusting the fluidity and charging performance of the toner in addition to the toner particles. Also, a two-component developer composed of non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier may be used as the developer. When using a magnetic developer, as the developer carrier, for example, a cylindrical developing sleeve with a magnet arranged inside is used.

[0020] Inside the developing container 32, a stirring member 34 as a stirring means is provided. The stirring member 34 is driven by a motor M1 (see FIG. 12) to rotate, thereby stirring the toner in the developing container 32 and feeding (conveying) the toner toward the developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33. Further, the stirring member 34 has a role of circulating the toner peeled off from the developing roller 31 and not used for development in the developing container and making the toner in the developing container uniform. Note that the stirring member 34 is not limited to a rotating form. For example, a stirring member in a rocking form may be employed. Further, in addition to the stirring member 34, another stirring member may be provided.

[0021] Further, at the opening of the developing container 32 where the developing roller 31 is disposed, a developing blade 35 for regulating the amount of toner carried on the developing roller 31 is disposed. The toner supplied to the surface of the developing roller 31 passes through the opposing portion with the developing blade 35 as the developing roller 31 rotates, thereby being uniformly thinned and charged negatively by triboelectrification.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the feeding unit 60 includes a front door 61 that is supported by the printer main body 100 so as to be openable and closable, a tray unit 62, a middle plate 63, a tray spring 64, and a pickup roller 65. The tray unit 62 constitutes the bottom surface of the recording material storage space that appears when the front door 61 is opened, and the middle plate 63 is supported by the tray unit 62 so as to be movable up and down. The tray spring 64 biases the middle plate 63 upward and presses the recording material P loaded on the middle plate 63 against the pickup roller 65. Note that the front door 61 closes the recording material storage space in a state of being closed with respect to the printer main body 100, and supports the recording material P together with the tray unit 62 and the middle plate 63 in a state of being opened with respect to the printer main body 100.

[0023] The fixing unit 70 is of a heat fixing type that performs an image fixing process by heating and melting the toner on the recording material. The fixing unit 70 includes a fixing film 71, a fixing heater such as a ceramic heater that heats the fixing film 71, a thermistor that measures the temperature of the fixing heater, and a pressure roller 72 that presses against the fixing film 71.

[0024] Next, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. When a command for image formation is input to the image forming apparatus 1, an image forming process by the image forming unit 10 is started based on the image information input from an external computer or a reading device 200 connected to the image forming apparatus 1. The scanner unit 11 irradiates a laser beam toward the photosensitive drum 21 based on the input image information. At this time, the photosensitive drum 21 is pre-charged by the charging roller 22, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 21 by the irradiation of the laser beam. Then, this electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing roller 31, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 21.

[0025] In parallel with the above-described image forming process, the pickup roller 65 of the feeding unit 60 feeds out the recording material P supported by the front door 61, the tray unit 62, and the intermediate plate 63. The recording material P is fed by the pickup roller 65 to the registration roller pair 15, and the skew is corrected by hitting the nip of the registration roller pair 15. Then, the registration roller pair 15 is driven in accordance with the transfer timing of the toner image, and conveys the recording material P toward the transfer nip formed by the transfer roller 12 and the photosensitive drum 21.

[0026] A transfer voltage is applied from a transfer high-voltage power source to the transfer roller 12 as a transfer means, and the toner image carried on the photosensitive drum 21 is transferred to the recording material P conveyed by the registration roller pair 15. The recording material P onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 70, and the toner image is heated and pressurized when passing through the nip portion between the fixing film 71 and the pressure roller 72 of the fixing unit 70. As a result, the toner particles melt and then adhere, so that the toner image is fixed to the recording material P. The recording material P that has passed through the fixing unit 70 is discharged to the outside (outside the machine) of the image forming apparatus 1 by the discharge roller pair 80 as a discharge means, and is loaded on the discharge tray 81 as a loading portion formed on the upper part of the printer main body 100.

[0027] The discharge tray 81 slopes upward toward the downstream in the discharge direction of the recording material, and the recording material discharged onto the discharge tray 81 slides down the discharge tray 81, whereby the rear end is aligned by the regulation surface 84.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the reading device 200 includes a reading unit 201 having a reading section (not shown) therein, and a pressure plate 202 that is supported by the reading unit 201 so as to be openable and closable. On the upper surface of the reading unit 201, a document table glass 203 is provided that transmits light emitted from the reading section and on which a document is placed.

[0029] When the user causes the reading device 200 to read an image of a document, the user places the document on the document table glass 203 with the pressure plate 202 open. Then, by closing the pressure plate 202, displacement of the document on the document table glass 203 is prevented, and for example, by operating the operation unit 300, a reading command is output to the image forming apparatus 1. When the reading operation is started, the reading section in the reading unit 201 reciprocates in the sub-scanning direction, that is, in the left-right direction with the operation unit 300 of the image forming apparatus 1 facing forward. The reading section reads an image of the document by emitting light from the light emitting section to the document and receiving the light reflected by the document with the light receiving section and performing photoelectric conversion. Hereinafter, the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction are defined based on the state in which the operation unit 300 faces forward.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 2(b) and 3, a first opening 101 that opens upward is formed in the upper part of the printer main body 100, and the first opening 101 is covered by a top cover 82. The top cover 82 as a loading tray is supported by the printer main body 100 so as to be openable and closable about a rotation axis 82c extending in the left-right direction, and a discharge tray 81 as a loading surface is formed on the upper surface. The top cover 82 is opened from the front side toward the back side in a state where the reading device 200 is opened with respect to the printer main body 100. Note that the reading device 200 and the top cover 82 may be configured to be held in an opened state and a closed state by a holding mechanism such as a hinge mechanism.

[0031] For example, in the transport path CP through which the recording material fed by the pickup roller 65 passes, if the recording material jams due to paper clogging or the like, the user opens the top cover 82 together with the reading device 200. Then, the user accesses the process cartridge 20 from the first opening 101 exposed by the opening of the top cover 82, and pulls out the process cartridge 20 along the cartridge guide 102. The cartridge guide 102 slides and guides on a protruding portion 21a (see FIG. 5(a)) provided at an end portion in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 21 of the process cartridge 20.

[0032] Then, when the process cartridge 20 is pulled out from the first opening 101 to the outside, a space is created where the user can reach into the transport path CP. The user can put a hand into the interior of the printer main body 100 from the first opening 101 and access the recording material jammed in the transport path CP, thereby processing the jammed recording material.

[0033] Also, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1(b) and 4(c), an opening / closing member 83 is provided on the top cover 82 so as to be openable and closable. A second opening 82a as an opening that opens upward is formed in the discharge tray 81 of the top cover 82. The opening / closing member 83 is configured to be movable between a closed position that covers the supply port 32a so that the toner pack 40 cannot be attached to the developing container 32 and an open position that exposes the supply port 32a so that the toner pack 40 can be attached to the developing container 32. The opening / closing member 83 functions as a part of the discharge tray 81 in the closed position. The opening / closing member 83 and the second opening 82a are formed on the left side of the discharge tray 81. Further, the opening / closing member 83 is supported by the top cover 82 so as to be openable and closable about a rotation axis 83a extending in the front-rear direction, and is opened to the left by hooking a finger from a groove portion 82b provided in the top cover 82. The opening / closing member 83 is formed in a substantially L shape along the shape of the top cover 82.

[0034] The second opening 82a of the discharge tray 81 is open so that the toner supply port 32a for toner supply formed in the upper part of the developing container 32 is exposed. When the opening / closing member 83 is opened, the user can access the supply port 32a without opening the top cover 82. In the present embodiment, a method of directly supplying toner from a toner pack 40 (see FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b)) filled with supply toner to the developing device 30 while the developing device 30 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 (direct supply method) is adopted. For this reason, when the toner remaining amount in the process cartridge 20 becomes small, there is no need to remove the process cartridge 20 from the printer main body 100 and replace it with a new process cartridge, so usability for the user can be improved. Also, the developing container 32 can be supplied with toner at a lower cost than replacing the entire process cartridge 20. Note that the direct supply method can reduce costs because there is no need to replace various rollers, gears, etc., even compared with the case of replacing only the developing device 30 of the process cartridge 20. Note that the image forming apparatus 1 and the toner pack 40 constitute an image forming system.

[0035] [Recovery of Transfer Residual Toner] The present embodiment adopts a cleanerless configuration in which transfer residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 21 without being transferred to the recording material P is recovered by the developing device 30 and reused. The transfer residual toner is removed in the following steps. The transfer residual toner contains toner charged positively and toner that is charged negatively but does not have sufficient charge. The photosensitive drum 21 after transfer is discharged by the pre-exposure device 23 to generate uniform discharge by the charging roller 22, so that the transfer residual toner is charged negatively again. The transfer residual toner charged negatively again in the charging section reaches the developing section as the photosensitive drum 21 rotates. Then, the surface area of the photosensitive drum 21 that has passed through the charging section is exposed by the scanner unit 11 and an electrostatic latent image is written while the transfer residual toner remains attached to the surface.

[0036] Here, the behavior of the transfer residual toner that has reached the developing unit will be described separately for the exposed area and the non-exposed area of the photosensitive drum 21. The transfer residual toner adhering to the non-exposed area of the photosensitive drum 21 transfers to the developing roller 31 in the developing unit due to the potential difference between the potential of the non-exposed area of the photosensitive drum 21 (dark area potential) and the developing voltage in the developing unit, and is collected in the developing container 32. This is because, assuming that the normal charging polarity of the toner is negative, the developing voltage applied to the developing roller 31 is relatively positive with respect to the potential of the non-exposed area. Note that the toner collected in the developing container 32 is agitated and dispersed with the toner in the developing container by the agitation member 34, and is carried on the developing roller 31 and used again in the developing process.

[0037] On the other hand, the transfer residual toner adhering to the exposed area of the photosensitive drum 21 remains on the drum surface without transferring from the photosensitive drum 21 to the developing roller 31 in the developing unit. This is because, assuming that the normal charging polarity of the toner is negative, the developing voltage applied to the developing roller 31 has a more negative potential than the potential of the exposed area (bright area potential). The transfer residual toner remaining on the drum surface is carried on the photosensitive drum 21 together with other toner that transfers from the developing roller 31 to the exposed area and moves to the transfer unit, where it is transferred to the recording material P in the transfer unit.

[0038] As described above, in this embodiment, a cleanerless configuration is adopted in which the transfer residual toner is collected and reused by the developing device 30. However, a configuration may also be adopted in which a cleaning blade that contacts the conventionally known photosensitive drum 21 is used to collect the transfer residual toner. In that case, the transfer residual toner collected by the cleaning blade is collected in a collection container installed separately from the developing device 30. However, by adopting a cleanerless configuration, the installation space for the collection container for collecting the transfer residual toner and the like becomes unnecessary, and the image forming apparatus 1 can be further miniaturized. Also, the printing cost can be reduced by reusing the transfer residual toner.

[0039] [Configuration of Developing Container and Toner Pack] Next, the configurations of the developing container 32 and the toner pack 40 will be described. FIG. 5(a) is a perspective view showing the developing container 32 and the toner pack 40, and FIG. 5(b) is a front view showing the developing container 32 and the toner pack 40. FIG. 6(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6A-6A of FIG. 5(b), and FIG. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6B-6B of FIG. 5(b).

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 5(a) to 6(b), the developing container 32 has a conveyance chamber 36 that houses a stirring member 34. The conveyance chamber 36, which serves as a housing portion for storing toner, extends over the entire length of the developing container 32 in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction). Further, the conveyance chamber 36 is integrally formed with a frame that rotatably supports the developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33, and stores a developer to be carried on the developing roller 31. Also, the developing container 32 has a first protruding portion 37, which protrudes upward from one end portion of the conveyance chamber 36 in the longitudinal direction and communicates with the conveyance chamber 36, and a second protruding portion 38, which protrudes upward from the other end portion of the conveyance chamber 36 in the longitudinal direction. That is, the first protruding portion 37 is provided at one end portion of the developing container 32 in the rotational axis direction of the developing roller 31, and protrudes toward the discharge tray 81 in a crossing direction that crosses the rotational axis direction from the central portion of the developing container 32. The second protruding portion 38 is provided at the other end portion of the developing container 32 in the rotational axis direction of the developing roller 31, and protrudes toward the discharge tray 81 in the crossing direction from the central portion of the developing container 32. In the present embodiment, the first protruding portion 37 is formed on the left side of the developing container 32, and the second protruding portion 38 is formed on the right side of the developing container 32. A mounting portion 57 on which the toner pack 40 can be mounted is provided at the upper end portion (tip portion) of the first protruding portion 37, and a supply port 32a for supplying a developer from the toner pack 40 to the conveyance chamber 36 is formed in the mounting portion 57. The toner pack 40 can be mounted on the mounting portion 57 in a state where it is exposed to the outside of the apparatus.

[0041] The developing container 32 is configured such that the toner replenished from the replenishment port 32a reaches the stirring member 34 only by its own weight. Here, "only by its own weight" means that there is no stirring member (transport member) that rotates or swings to transport the toner from the replenishment port 32a of the developing container 32 to the stirring member 34, but the toner is configured to reach the stirring member 34 by its own weight. Also, in the developing container 32, the stirring member 34 as the transport member is the rotating body closest to the replenishment port 32a and is arranged such that the toner in the transport chamber 36 reaches the developing roller 31 or the supply roller 33 by rotating.

[0042] The first protruding portion 37 and the second protruding portion 38 extend obliquely upward and toward the front of the apparatus from the transport chamber 36. That is, the first protruding portion 37 and the second protruding portion 38 protrude upward and downstream in the discharge direction of the discharge roller pair 80. For this reason, the replenishment port 32a formed in the first protruding portion 37 is arranged on the front side of the image forming apparatus 1, and the toner replenishment operation for the developing container 32 can be easily performed.

[0043] In particular, in the present embodiment, since the reading device 200 that can be opened and closed around the back side of the apparatus is arranged above the opening and closing member 83, arranging the replenishment port 32a in front of the apparatus can effectively utilize the space between the replenishment port 32a and the reading device 200. For this reason, the workability when replenishing toner from the replenishment port 32a can be improved.

[0044] The upper part of the first protruding portion 37 and the upper part of the second protruding portion 38 are connected by a handle portion 39 as a connecting portion. A laser passage space SP is formed as a gap through which the laser L (see FIG. 1(a)) emitted from the scanner unit 11 (see FIG. 1(a)) toward the photosensitive drum 21 can pass between the handle portion 39 and the transport chamber 36.

[0045] The handle portion 39 has a grip portion 39a that can be gripped by the user hanging a finger thereon, and the grip portion 39a is formed to protrude upward from the top surface of the handle portion 39. The first protruding portion 37 has a hollow interior and a supply port 32a is formed on the upper surface. The supply port 32a is configured to be connectable to the toner pack 40.

[0046] By providing the first protruding portion 37 in which the supply port 32a is formed at the tip on one side in the longitudinal direction of the developing container 32, a laser passage space SP through which the laser L emitted from the scanner unit 11 can pass can be secured, and the image forming apparatus 1 can be miniaturized. Further, since the second protruding portion 38 is provided on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the developing container 32 and the handle portion 39 connecting the first protruding portion 37 and the second protruding portion 38 is formed, the usability when the process cartridge 20 is taken out from the printer main body 100 can be improved. Note that the second protruding portion 38 may be formed in a hollow shape similar to the first protruding portion 37 or may be in a solid shape.

[0047] FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing a developing container 320 according to a modification of the first embodiment. The developing container 320 has a protruding portion 370 disposed at an end in the longitudinal direction, and the protruding portion 370 protrudes upward from a central portion in the longitudinal direction of the developing container 320. A mounting portion 570 for mounting the toner pack 40 is provided on the protruding portion 370, and a supply port 320a is provided on the mounting portion 570.

[0048] The protruding portion 370 is different from the first protruding portion 37 shown in FIG. 5(b) in that a concave portion 370a is provided. The concave portion 370a is provided on the side surface of the protruding portion 370 and is recessed in the direction from the central portion to the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the developing container 320. Further, the amount of recess of the concave portion 370a increases as it approaches the photosensitive drum 21. Here, when the distance between the scanner unit 11 and the developing container 320 is increased, it is conceivable that the irradiation region of the laser L and the mounting portion 570 (supply port 320a) overlap when viewed from the mounting direction of the toner pack 40. By providing the mounting portion 570 above the laser L in the vertical direction and configuring the laser L to pass through the concave portion 370a, interference between the laser L and the developing container 320 can be avoided. As a result, it is not necessary to move the protruding portion 370 further toward the end side in the longitudinal direction to avoid interference with the laser L, so that miniaturization of the apparatus can be achieved.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 5(a) to 6(b), the toner pack 40 is detachably configured to the mounting portion 57 of the first protruding portion 37. Further, the toner pack 40 has a shutter member 41 provided in the opening and capable of opening and closing, and a plurality (three in this embodiment) of protrusions 42 formed corresponding to a plurality (three in this embodiment) of groove portions 32b formed in the mounting portion 57. When the user supplies toner to the developing container 32, the user aligns the protrusions 42 of the toner pack 40 so as to pass through the groove portions 32b of the mounting portion 57 and connects the toner pack 40 to the mounting portion 57. Then, when the toner pack 40 is rotated 180 degrees in this state, the shutter member 41 of the toner pack 40 abuts against an abutting portion (not shown) of the mounting portion 57 and rotates with respect to the main body of the toner pack 40, and the shutter member 41 is opened. As a result, the toner stored in the toner pack 40 leaks from the toner pack 40, and the leaked toner enters the hollow first protruding portion 37 through the supply port 32a. Note that the shutter member 41 may be provided on the supply port 32a side.

[0050] The first protrusion 37 has an inclined surface 37a at a position facing the opening of the supply port 32a, and the inclined surface 37a slopes downward toward the conveyance chamber 36. For this reason, the toner supplied from the supply port 32a is guided to the conveyance chamber 36 by the inclined surface 37a. FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing the stirring member 34. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 27, the stirring member 34 has a stirring shaft 34a extending in the longitudinal direction, and blade portions 34b fixed to the stirring shaft 34a and extending radially outward of the stirring shaft 34a. The blade portions 34b are flexible sheets. The stirring member 34 rotates about the shaft portion 34c of the stirring shaft 34a.

[0051] The toner supplied from the supply port 32a disposed upstream in the conveyance direction of the stirring member 34 is fed toward the developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33 as the stirring member 34 rotates. The conveyance direction of the stirring member 34 is a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the developing container 32. The supply port 32a and the first protrusion 37 are disposed at one end in the longitudinal direction of the developing container 32, but by repeating the rotation of the stirring member 34, the toner reaches throughout the entire length of the developing container 32. In the present embodiment, the stirring member 34 is composed of the stirring shaft 34a and the blade portions 34b, but a spiral-shaped stirring shaft may be used as a configuration for causing the toner to reach throughout the entire length of the developing container 32.

[0052] In this embodiment, the toner pack 40 is composed of a plastic bag body that can be easily deformed as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8(a), but is not limited thereto. For example, the toner pack may be composed of a substantially conical bottle container 40B as shown in FIG. 8(b), or may be composed of a paper container 40C made of paper as shown in FIG. 8(c). In any case, the material and shape of the toner pack may be anything. Also, for the method of discharging toner from the toner pack, it is preferable that the user squeezes it with a finger if it is the toner pack 40 or the paper container 40C, and it is preferable that the user vibrates it by hitting the container or the like and leaks it if it is the bottle container 40B. Also, in order to discharge the toner from the bottle container 40B, a discharge mechanism may be provided in the bottle container 40B. Furthermore, the discharge mechanism may be configured to engage with the printer main body 100 and receive a driving force from the printer main body 100.

[0053] Also, the shutter member 41 may be omitted in any toner pack, and a slide-type shutter member may be applied instead of the rotary shutter member 41. Also, the shutter member 41 may be configured to be broken by attaching the toner pack to the supply port 32a or rotating the toner pack in the attached state, or may be a removable lid structure such as a seal.

[0054] [Method for Detecting Toner Remaining Amount] Next, a method for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the developing container 32 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11. In the developing device 30 of this embodiment, a first toner remaining amount sensor 51 and a second toner remaining amount sensor 52 for detecting a state according to the remaining amount of toner in the developing container 32 are installed.

[0055] The first toner remaining amount sensor 51 has a light emitting portion 51a and a light receiving portion 51b, and the second toner remaining amount sensor 52 has a light emitting portion 52a and a light receiving portion 52b. FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the toner remaining amount sensors 51 and 52. In the following description, the circuit configuration of the first toner remaining amount sensor 51 will be described, and the description of the circuit configuration of the second toner remaining amount sensor 52 will be omitted.

[0056] In Fig. 10, an LED is used for the light emitting part 51a, and a photo transistor that is turned on by the light from the LED is used for the light receiving part 51b, but it is not limited to this. For example, a halogen lamp or a fluorescent lamp may be applied to the light emitting part 51a, and a photo diode or an avalanche photo diode may be applied to the light receiving part 51b. Note that a switch (not shown) is provided between the light emitting part 51a and the power supply voltage Vcc. By turning on the switch, the voltage from the power supply voltage Vcc is applied to the light emitting part 51a, and the light emitting part 51a becomes conductive. On the other hand, a switch (not shown) is also provided between the light receiving part 51b and the power supply voltage Vcc. By turning on the switch, the light receiving part 51b becomes conductive by a current corresponding to the detected light amount.

[0057] The power supply voltage Vcc and the current limiting resistor R1 are connected to the light emitting part 51a, and the light emitting part 51a emits light by the current determined by the current limiting resistor R1. The light emitted from the light emitting part 51a passes through the optical path Q1 as shown in Fig. 9 and is received by the light receiving part 51b. The power supply voltage Vcc is connected to the collector terminal of the light receiving part 51b, and the detection resistor R2 is connected to the emitter terminal. The light receiving part 51b, which is a photo transistor, receives the light emitted from the light emitting part 51a and outputs a signal (current) corresponding to the received light amount. This signal is converted into the voltage V1 by the detection resistor R2 and input to the A / D conversion part 95 of the control part 90 (see Fig. 12). Note that the light receiving part 52b of the second toner remaining amount sensor 52 receives the light emitted from the light emitting part 52a and passing through the optical path Q2, and the voltage V2 is output according to the received light amount and input to the A / D conversion part 95 of the control part 90.

[0058] The control unit 90 (CPU 91) determines whether the light receiving units 51b and 52b receive light from the light emitting units 51a and 51b based on the input voltage level. The control unit 90 (CPU 91) calculates the toner amount in the developing container 32 based on the length of time the light receiving units 51b and 52b detect each light and the light intensity received when the toner in the developing container 32 is stirred by the stirring member 34 for a certain period of time. That is, the ROM 93 stores in advance a table that can output the remaining toner amount from the light receiving time and the light intensity when the toner is conveyed by the stirring member 34, and the control unit 90 predicts / calculates the remaining toner amount based on the input to the A / D conversion unit 95 and the table.

[0059] More specifically, the optical path Q1 of the first toner remaining amount sensor 51 is set to intersect the rotation locus T of the stirring member 34. Then, the time during which the optical path Q1 is blocked by the toner bounced up by the stirring member 34 when the stirring member 34 makes one rotation, that is, the time during which the light receiving unit 51b does not detect the light from the light emitting unit 51a, changes depending on the remaining toner amount. Also, the light receiving intensity at the light receiving unit 51b changes depending on the remaining toner amount.

[0060] That is, when the remaining toner amount is large, the optical path Q1 is easily blocked by the toner, so the time during which the light receiving unit 51b receives light becomes short, and the light receiving intensity of the light received by the light receiving unit 51b becomes small. On the other hand, when the remaining toner amount is small, conversely, the time during which the light receiving unit 51b receives light becomes long, and the light receiving intensity of the light received by the light receiving unit 51b becomes strong. Therefore, the control unit 90 can determine whether the remaining toner amount is at the Low level or the Mid level as described later based on the light receiving time and the light receiving intensity of the light receiving unit 51b. For example, as shown in Fig. 11(a), when the amount of toner in the conveyance chamber 36 of the developing container 32 is very small, it is determined that the remaining toner amount is at the Low level. In the above description, the second toner remaining amount sensor 52 is arranged so as not to intersect the rotation locus T of the stirring member 34, but it may be arranged to intersect the rotation locus T of the stirring member 34 in the same manner as the first toner remaining amount sensor 51 described above.

[0061] Also, the optical path Q2 of the second toner remaining amount sensor 52 is set above the rotation locus T so as not to intersect the rotation locus T of the stirring member 34. And, the light receiving portion 52b of the second toner remaining amount sensor 52 does not detect the light from the light emitting portion 52a when the optical path Q2 is blocked by toner, and detects the light from the light emitting portion 52a when the optical path Q2 is not blocked by toner. Therefore, regardless of the rotation operation of the stirring member 34, the control unit 90 determines whether the toner remaining amount is at the Full level as described later based on whether the light receiving portion 52b receives light. For example, as shown in FIG. 11(b), when there is a large amount of toner in the conveyance chamber 36 of the developing container 32, it is determined that the toner remaining amount is at the Full level. In the above description, the second toner remaining amount sensor 52 is arranged so as not to intersect the rotation locus T of the stirring member 34. However, similar to the first toner remaining amount sensor 51 described above, it may be set so as to intersect the rotation locus T of the stirring member 34.

[0062] Note that the method for detecting / estimating the toner remaining amount is not limited to the optical toner remaining amount detection method described in FIG. 9, and various well-known methods for detecting / estimating the toner remaining amount can be adopted. For example, a metal plate or a conductive resin sheet extending in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller for two or more sheets may be arranged on the inner wall of the developing container 32 which is a frame body, and the capacitance between the two metal plates or conductive resin sheets may be measured to detect / estimate the toner remaining amount. Alternatively, a load cell may be provided in a form of supporting the developing device 30 from below, and the CPU 91 may calculate the toner remaining amount by subtracting the weight of the developing device 30 when the toner is empty from the weight measured by the load cell. Further, the first toner remaining amount sensor 51 may be omitted, and the control unit 90 (CPU 91) may calculate the toner remaining amount from the detection result of the second toner remaining amount sensor 52 and the light emission state of the laser light.

[0063] [Control System of Image Forming Apparatus] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the control system of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 90 as the control means of the image forming apparatus 1 includes a CPU 91 as an arithmetic unit, a RAM 92 used as a work area of the CPU 91, and a ROM 93 for storing various programs. Further, the control unit 90 includes an I / O interface 94 as an input / output port connected to an external device, and an A / D conversion unit 95 for converting an analog signal into a digital signal.

[0064] On the input side of the control unit 90, a first toner remaining amount sensor 51, a second toner remaining amount sensor 52, a mounting sensor 53, and an opening / closing sensor 54 are connected. The mounting sensor 53 detects that the toner pack 40 is mounted on the supply port 32a of the developing container 32. For example, the mounting sensor 53 is composed of a pressure-sensitive switch provided at the supply port 32a and outputting a detection signal when pressed by the protrusion 42 of the toner pack 40. Further, the opening / closing sensor 54 detects whether the opening / closing member 83 is opened with respect to the top cover 82. The opening / closing sensor 54 is composed of, for example, a pressure-sensitive switch or a magnetic sensor.

[0065] Also, connected to the control unit 90 are an operation unit 300, an image forming unit 10, and a toner remaining amount panel 400 as notification means capable of notifying information regarding the toner remaining amount. The operation unit 300 has a display unit 301 capable of displaying various setting screens and physical keys or the like. The display unit 301 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel. The image forming unit 10 has a motor M1 as a drive source for driving a photosensitive drum 21, a developing roller 31, a supply roller 33, a stirring member 34, and the like. Note that the photosensitive drum 21, the developing roller 31, the supply roller 33, and the stirring member 34 may be configured to be driven by separate motors.

[0066] As shown in FIGS. 1(b) and 17, the toner remaining amount panel 400 is provided on the right side of the front surface of the housing of the printer main body 100, that is, on the side opposite to the operation unit 300 disposed on the left side, and displays information regarding the remaining amount of toner in the developing container 32. In the present embodiment, the toner remaining amount panel 400 is a panel member composed of a plurality (three in the present embodiment) of scales arranged vertically, and each scale corresponds to the above-mentioned Low level, Mid level, and Full level.

[0067] That is, as shown in FIG. 17(a), when only the lower scale is lit, the remaining amount of toner in the developing container 32 indicates the Low level as the third state. As shown in FIG. 17(b), when the lower and central scales are lit and the upper scale is extinguished, the remaining amount of toner in the developing container 32 indicates the Mid level as the second state. As shown in FIG. 17(c), when all three scales are lit, the remaining amount of toner in the developing container 32 indicates the Full level as the first state. Note that the toner remaining amount panel 400 is not limited to a liquid crystal panel, and may be composed of a light source such as an LED or an incandescent lamp and a diffusion lens. In the example shown in FIG. 17, it has been described as a notification means for indicating the remaining amount of toner, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the display in FIG. 17(a) may be a display indicating that toner replenishment is necessary, the display in FIG. 17(b) may be a display indicating that toner replenishment is unnecessary, and the display in FIG. 17(c) may be a display indicating that toner replenishment has been sufficiently performed.

[0068] [Toner Replenishment Process] Next, a toner replenishment process for replenishing the toner in the toner pack 40 into the developing container 32 will be described. As shown in FIG. 13, when the toner replenishment process starts, the control unit 90 determines whether there is an instruction to start the replenishment operation (step S1). In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the instruction to start the replenishment operation is an operation by the user using the operation unit 300. Specifically, when the user operates the operation unit 300 and a message prompting the operation of button 1 is displayed on the display unit 301, and then button 1 is pressed, an instruction to start the replenishment operation is output.

[0069] At this time, since the toner pack 40 is attached to the supply port 32a of the developing container 32, the opening / closing member 83 is in an open state. Since both the operation unit 300 and the supply port 32a are arranged on the left side of the apparatus, it is possible to easily perform the toner supply operation using the toner pack 40 while operating the operation unit 300. Further, when the opening / closing sensor 54 detects that the opening / closing member 83 is opened, the control unit 90 prohibits and stops the image forming operation by the image forming apparatus 1. Therefore, in the state where the opening / closing member 83 is opened, each conveyance roller, the photosensitive drum 21, the scanner unit 11, etc. of the image forming apparatus 1 are stopped.

[0070] Note that the supply operation start instruction is not limited to the pressing operation of the button 1, and may be output according to a touch operation on the display unit 301 or detection of attachment of the toner pack 40 to the supply port 32a by the attachment sensor 53. Further, a sensor for detecting that the shutter member 41 of the toner pack 40 is opened may be provided, and a supply operation start instruction may be output based on the detection result of this sensor. Further, a supply operation start instruction may be output based on the detection by the opening / closing sensor 54 of the opening operation of the opening / closing member 83. Further, when the opening / closing member 83 is opened, the high voltage power supply applied to the process cartridge 20 may be turned off, and only the motor M1 for driving the stirring member 34 may be configured to be drivable.

[0071] When it is determined that there is a supply operation start instruction (step S1: Yes), the control unit 90 initializes the parameters of the timers T1 and T2 described later to initial values (for example, zero), and starts the timers T1 and T2 (step S2). Then, the control unit 90 drives the motor M1 (step S3), and the stirring member 34 rotates.

[0072] Next, the control unit 90 executes a toner remaining amount detection process (step S4). When the toner remaining amount detection process is executed, as shown in FIG. 14, the control unit 90 causes the light emitting units 51a and 52a of the first toner remaining amount sensor 51 and the second toner remaining amount sensor 52 to emit light (step S41). Then, the control unit 90 converts the voltages V1 and V2 output from the light receiving units 51b and 52b of the first toner remaining amount sensor 51 and the second toner remaining amount sensor 52 into digital signals (hereinafter referred to as A / D conversion values) by the A / D conversion unit 95 (step S42).

[0073] Next, the control unit 90 determines whether the A / D conversion value of the voltage V2 indicates that the optical path Q2 is blocked (step S43). If it indicates that the optical path Q2 is blocked (step S43: Yes), the control unit 90 causes the toner remaining amount panel 400 to display that the toner remaining amount is at the Full level (step S44). That is, as shown in FIG. 17(c), all three graduations of the toner remaining amount panel 400 light up.

[0074] If the A / D conversion value of the voltage V2 does not indicate that the optical path Q2 is blocked (step S43: No), the control unit 90 calculates the remaining amount information of the toner in the developing container 32 based on the A / D conversion value of the voltage V1 (step S45). Then, the control unit 90 causes the toner remaining amount panel 400 to display that the toner remaining amount is at the Low level or the Mid level based on the calculated toner remaining amount information (step S46). When step S44 or step S46 is completed, the toner remaining amount detection process ends. That is, the first toner remaining amount sensor 51 and the second toner remaining amount sensor 52 as detection means output remaining amount information corresponding to the amount of developer stored in the developing container 32 while the stirring member 34 is operating.

[0075] Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the control unit 90 determines whether the timer T2 is equal to or greater than the threshold value β (step S5). The threshold value β is a preset value and corresponds to the interval at which the toner remaining amount detection process is repeatedly executed. Note that α > β. When the timer T2 is equal to or greater than the threshold value β (step S5: Yes), the control unit 90 initializes and restarts the timer T2 (step S6), and returns to step S4. That is, every time the timer T2 reaches the threshold value β, the toner remaining amount detection process (step S4) is repeatedly performed. For example, when the threshold value β is set to 1 second, in steps S4, S5, and S6, the toner remaining amount detection process is repeatedly performed every 1 second.

[0076] Also, when the timer T2 is less than the threshold value β (step S5: No), the control unit 90 determines whether the timer T1 is equal to or greater than the threshold value α (step S7). The threshold value α is a preset value and corresponds to the driving time of the motor M1 and the stirring member 34 in the toner replenishment process. When the timer T1 is less than the threshold value α (step S7: No), the process returns to step S5. When the timer T1 is equal to or greater than the threshold value α (step S7: Yes), the control unit 90 stops the driving of the motor M1 (step S8) and ends the toner replenishment process. For example, when the threshold value α is set to 10 seconds, the time from when the motor M1 starts driving in step S3 to when the motor M1 stops in step S8 is 10 seconds.

[0077] In the above-described toner replenishment process, as shown in FIG. 16(a), when toner falls from the toner pack 40 into the developing container 32, the toner enters the conveyance chamber 36 through the first protrusion 37. Since the replenishment port 32a and the first protrusion 37 are arranged at one end in the longitudinal direction of the developing container 32, the toner is collectively supplied to the conveyance chamber 36 on the one end side.

[0078] Here, consider the case where the stirring member 34 is not rotating when supplying toner to the conveyance chamber 36. When the toner is dropped from the toner pack 40 into the developing container 32, in the conveyance chamber 36 that houses the toner, if the stirring member 34 is not rotated, it takes time for the dropped toner to cover the entire longitudinal area of the photosensitive drum 21. As this time becomes longer, it takes time for the user performing the toner supply operation to confirm that the toner has been replenished in the conveyance chamber 36, resulting in a decrease in usability.

[0079] Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the toner supply process, the stirring member 34 is driven for a predetermined time (threshold value α) from the start of supply. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 16(b) and (c), the toner supplied from the toner pack 40 to one end of the developing container 32 is quickly spread over the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the conveyance chamber 36 of the developing container 32 by the stirring member 34. For this reason, the time until the user confirms that the toner has been replenished can be shortened, and the usability can be improved. Further, since the toner accommodated in the developing container 32 is spread evenly, the accuracy of detecting the remaining amount information of the toner by the first toner remaining amount sensor 51 and the second toner remaining amount sensor 52 can be improved.

[0080] During the toner supply process, the remaining amount information of the toner in the developing container 32 is detected by the first toner remaining amount sensor 51 and the second toner remaining amount sensor 52 every predetermined time (threshold value β). For example, as shown in FIG. 17(a), with the toner remaining amount panel 400 indicating that the toner remaining amount is at the Low level, the user replenishes the toner from the toner pack 40 into the developing container 32.

[0081] Then, as shown in FIG. 17(b), the toner remaining amount panel 400 displays that the toner remaining amount is at the Mid level, and then as shown in FIG. 17(c), it displays that the toner remaining amount is at the Full level. As a result, the user can surely recognize that the toner has been replenished from the toner pack 40 into the developing container 32, and the usability can be improved.

[0082] Here, the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 16(a) to (c) show the cross-section taken along line 16A-16A of FIG. 6. In FIGS. 16(a) and (b), it is shown that the light-emitting part 52a is arranged at the right end in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 21. Also, it is assumed that the light-emitting part 51a and the light-receiving parts 51b and 52b are arranged at the same / almost the same longitudinal position of the photosensitive drum 21. Due to the constraints on the sensor arrangement within the apparatus main body, the sensor arrangement may be as shown in FIGS. 16(a) and (b). Even in such a case, by rotating the stirring member 34 during toner replenishment, the user-friendliness as described above can be improved.

[0083] Also, in some cases, a sensor may be arranged near directly below the replenishment port 32a. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 16(b), the replenished toner may be biased to the left side, and it may take time until the toner agent surface is even over the entire longitudinal area of the photosensitive drum 21. To accurately detect the toner replenishment state, it is necessary for the toner agent surface to be even over the entire longitudinal area of the photosensitive drum 21. However, even in such a case, in this embodiment, by rotating the stirring member 34 during toner replenishment, the toner agent surface can be made even over the entire longitudinal area of the photosensitive drum 21 in a short time, and the user-friendliness can be improved.

[0084] [Relationship between the amount of toner filled in the toner pack and the volume of the developing container] Next, the relationship between the amount of toner filled in the toner pack 40 and the volume of the developing container 32 will be described. As shown in FIG. 18(a), the developing container 32 can accommodate Z [g] of toner. Note that in FIGS. 18(a) to (c), it is expressed in grams (g), but it may be converted to a unit indicating a volume such as milliliters (ml).

[0085] When the toner accommodated in the developing container 32 is between 0 [g] and X [g], based on the detection results of the first toner remaining amount sensor 51 and the second toner remaining amount sensor 52, the toner remaining amount panel 400 will display at the Low level. X [g] corresponds to the second amount, and the toner amount between 0 [g] and X [g] corresponds to a toner amount less than the second amount.

[0086] When the toner contained in the developing container 32 is X [g] to Y [g], based on the detection results of the first toner remaining amount sensor 51 and the second toner remaining amount sensor 52, the toner remaining amount panel 400 displays at the Mid level. Y [g] corresponds to the first amount, and the toner amount of X [g] to Y [g] corresponds to a toner amount less than the first amount.

[0087] When the toner contained in the developing container 32 is Y [g] or more, based on the detection results of the first toner remaining amount sensor 51 and the second toner remaining amount sensor 52, the toner remaining amount panel 400 displays at the Full level. The toner amount of Y [g] or more corresponds to a toner amount of the first amount or more.

[0088] FIG. 18(b) is a graph showing the toner amount when the developing container 32 is replenished with toner by the toner pack 40 filled with A [g] of toner. FIG. 18(c) is a graph showing the toner amount when the developing container 32 is replenished with toner by the toner pack 40 filled with B [g] (> A) of toner. Note that the product lineup of the toner pack 40 may be either one or both of a small-capacity toner pack filled with only A [g] of toner and a large-capacity toner pack filled with only B [g] of toner. Also, the product lineup of the toner pack 40 is not limited to two types, and three or more types may be prepared.

[0089] In the present embodiment, the amounts (A, B) of toner filled in the toner pack 40 as the replenishing container satisfy the following formulas (1) and (2). Y ≦ A < Z - Y ···(1) Y ≦ B < Z - Y ···(2)

[0090] As shown in FIG. 18(b), when the toner remaining in the developing container 32 is R [g] between 0 [g] and X [g], and the toner pack 40 supplies A [g] of toner to the developing container 32, (R + A) [g] of toner will be accommodated in the developing container 32. According to the above formula (1), since Y <(R + A), the toner remaining amount panel 400 after toner replenishment will display the Full level. That is, the threshold value Y [g] of the Full level is less than the replenishment amount A [g] replenished by the toner pack 40.

[0091] Also, as shown in FIG. 18(c), when the toner remaining in the developing container 32 is R [g], and the toner pack 40 supplies B [g] of toner to the developing container 32, (R + B) [g] of toner will be accommodated in the developing container 32. According to the above formula (2), since Y <(R + B), the toner remaining amount panel 400 after toner replenishment will display the Full level.

[0092] In this way, the volume of the developing container 32 is set so that the toner remaining amount panel 400 always shows the Full level when toner is replenished while the toner remaining amount panel 400 shows the Mid level or the Low level. Note that it is not necessary to set the volume of the developing container 32 so that it always reaches the Full level with a single toner pack 40. For example, it may be set to reach the Full level by replenishing a plurality of toner packs 40 containing a small amount of toner.

[0093] Further, the volume of the developing container 32 is set such that, from the above formulas (1) and (2), the total amount of toner filled in the toner pack 40 can move into the developing container 32 when the toner remaining amount panel 400 indicates Mid level or Low level. That is, the maximum amount Z [g] of developer that can be accommodated in the developing container 32 is larger than the value obtained by adding the amount of developer (A [g] or B [g]) accommodated in the toner pack 40 to Y [g], which is the boundary between the Full level and the Mid level. In other words, the amount of toner filled in the toner pack 40 is less than the difference between the maximum toner amount (Z [g]) that can be accommodated in the developing container 32 and the toner remaining amount (Y [g]) at the boundary between the Mid level and the Full level.

[0094] As a result, it is possible to prevent the developing container 32 from being filled with toner during the process of replenishing the developing container 32 with toner using the toner pack 40, and to reduce the leakage of toner from the replenishing port 32a during toner replenishment.

[0095] As described above, in the present embodiment, the second opening 82a is formed in the discharge tray 81 of the top cover 82, and the opening / closing member 83 that is supported by the top cover 82 so as to be openable and closable is provided. The opening / closing member 83 covers the second opening 82a in the closed state and exposes the replenishing port 32a of the developing container 32 in the open state. Therefore, the user can access the replenishing port 32a simply by opening the opening / closing member 83.

[0096] Since this embodiment employs a method (direct replenishment method) of directly replenishing toner to the developing container 32 from the replenishment port 32a by the toner pack 40, it is not necessary to remove the process cartridge 20 when replenishing toner to the developing container 32. Further, since the replenishment port 32a of the developing container 32 is formed on the upper surface of the first protruding portion 37 that protrudes upward from one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the conveyance chamber 36, it is disposed close to the second opening 82a. For this reason, the user can easily perform the toner replenishment operation to the developing container 32 via the replenishment port 32a. Also, when replenishing toner to the developing container 32, since components such as the developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33 are not replaced, cost can be reduced.

[0097] Further, since the laser passage space SP is formed so as to be surrounded by the first protruding portion 37, the second protruding portion 38, the handle portion 39, and the conveyance chamber 36, the developing container 32 and the scanner unit 11 can be disposed close to each other, and the image forming apparatus 1 can be miniaturized.

[0098] Furthermore, when the toner pack 40 is attached to the replenishment port 32a and the toner replenishment operation is performed, since the stirring member 34 is driven, even if the replenishment port 32a is disposed on one end portion side in the longitudinal direction of the developing container 32, the packing phenomenon can be reduced. Thereby, image defects can be reduced and the detection accuracy of the remaining amount information of the toner can be improved.

[0099] Also, the maximum amount Z [g] of the developer that can be accommodated in the developing container 32 is set to be larger than the value obtained by adding the amount of the developer (A [g] or B [g]) accommodated in the toner pack 40 to Y [g] which is the boundary between the Full level and the Mid level. For this reason, the developing container 32 does not become full of toner during the process of replenishing toner to the developing container 32 using the toner pack 40, and leakage of toner from the replenishment port 32a during toner replenishment can be reduced. By configuring the image forming apparatus 1 in this way, it is possible to provide one form of an image forming apparatus that satisfies the needs required by the user.

[0100] In addition, in this embodiment, in the toner replenishment process, the stirring member 34 is driven for a predetermined time (threshold value α) based on the operation of button 1 of the operation unit 300 by the user, but it is not limited to this. For example, the driving of the stirring member 34 may be started by pressing button 1 once, and the driving of the stirring member 34 may be stopped by pressing button 1 again. Also, the stirring member 34 may be driven only while button 1 is being continuously pressed.

[0101] Further, when the toner remaining amount in the developing container 32 reaches the Low level, a replenishment notification for prompting toner replenishment may be displayed on the display unit 301. Also, when the toner runs out, a replenishment notification for prompting toner replenishment may be displayed on the display unit 301.

[0102] Also, the toner remaining amount in the developing container 32 is notified to the user by the toner remaining amount panel 400, but it does not have to be composed of three scales as in this embodiment. For example, the toner remaining amount panel 400 may be composed of one, two, or four or more scales. Also, it may be configured to continuously display the toner remaining amount by percentage display or gauge display. Also, the notification of the toner remaining amount to the user may be performed by voice using a speaker.

[0103] <First Modification Example> FIG. 19(a) shows a first modification example of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 19(a), in the image forming apparatus 1B, the supply port 132a of the developing container is arranged on the right side of the apparatus, and the opening / closing member 83B is also arranged on the right side of the apparatus. The opening / closing member 83B exposes the supply port 132a in the open state and covers the supply port 132a in the closed state. By arranging the supply port 132a on the right side of the apparatus in this way, the supply port 132a is close to the toner remaining amount panel 400. Therefore, when replenishing toner to the developing container using the toner pack 40, the toner remaining amount panel 400 can be easily confirmed.

[0104] <Second Modification Example> Also, the present invention may be applied not only to the form shown in FIG. 19(a), but also to the image forming apparatus 1C configured such that the opening / closing member 83C opens forward as shown in FIG. 19(b).

[0105] <Third Modification Example> Further, as shown in FIG. 19(c), the present invention may be applied to an image forming apparatus 1D configured to open the opening / closing member 83D toward the back side.

[0106] <Fourth Modification Example> Further, as shown in FIG. 20(a), the operation unit 300E may be disposed not on the printer main body 100 but on the reading device 200, and may be disposed on the right side of the apparatus together with the toner remaining amount panel 400. Of course, both the operation unit 300E and the toner remaining amount panel 400 may be disposed on the right side of the apparatus.

[0107] <Fifth Modification Example> Further, as shown in FIG. 20(b), the toner remaining amount panel 400F may be disposed on the left side of the apparatus, and the operation unit 300F may be disposed on the right side of the apparatus.

[0108] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the supply port 32a. Therefore, for the same configurations as those in the first embodiment, the illustration is omitted or the same reference numerals are used in the drawings for explanation.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 21(a), in the image forming apparatus 1G, an opening / closing member 83G is supported by a top cover 82 so as to be openable and closable, and the opening / closing member 83G is configured to open toward the back side of the apparatus. By opening the opening / closing member 83G, the supply port 232a of the developing container 32G is exposed. The supply port 232a is inclined with respect to the vertical direction and opens downward and upward in the discharge direction of the discharge roller pair 80. In other words, the supply port 232a opens obliquely forward and upward.

[0110] By configuring the supply port 232a in this way, the toner pack 40 is inclined forward while being attached to the supply port 232a. Therefore, the space between the supply port 232a and the reading device 200 can be effectively utilized, and a large-capacity toner pack can also be attached to the supply port 232a.

[0111] In addition, as shown in FIGS. 22(a) and 22(b), the opening / closing member 83H and the reading device 200 may be configured to be held at a shallower angle than in FIGS. 21(a) and 21(b). By configuring in this way, the installation space of the image forming apparatus 1 can be made space-saving.

[0112] <Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The third embodiment is obtained by changing the configuration of the cartridge guide 102 of the first embodiment. Therefore, for the same configurations as those in the first embodiment, the illustration is omitted or the same reference numerals are given in the drawings for explanation.

[0113] As shown in FIGS. 23(a) and 23(b), the image forming apparatus 1J includes a printer main body 100J and a reading device 200, and the printer main body 100J has a cartridge guide 102J. The cartridge guide 102J guides the process cartridge 20 when pulling out the process cartridge 20 by sliding on a protruding portion 21a (see FIG. 5(a)) provided at an end portion of the photosensitive drum 21 in the axial direction.

[0114] A retaining portion 102Ja is formed at the downstream end of the cartridge guide 102J in the pulling-out direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 23(b), when the user pulls out the process cartridge 20, the protruding portion 21a of the process cartridge 20 abuts against the retaining portion 102Ja, and the process cartridge 20 is not removed from the printer main body 100J. Note that a rotation stopper (not shown) is provided near the retaining portion 102Ja, and the process cartridge 20 is held without rotating by the rotation stopper in a state where it abuts against the retaining portion 102Ja.

[0115] In this way, when the process cartridge 20 is pulled out along the cartridge guide 102J, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25(a)(b), the supply port 32a is located on the front side of the image forming apparatus 1J. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform a toner supply operation of supplying toner from the toner pack 40 to the developing container 32 through the supply port 32a. Also, since there is a large space directly above the supply port 32a, a large-capacity toner pack can be attached to the supply port 32a. Note that any of the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate.

[0116] In any of the above-described embodiments, the reading device 200 is provided above the printer main body, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the image forming apparatus may be a printer that does not have a reading device. Also, the reading device may be a reading device provided with an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) for feeding a document.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0117] 1: Image forming apparatus / 12: Transfer means (transfer roller) / 21: Image carrier (photosensitive drum) / 31: Developer carrier (developing roller) / 32: Developing container / 32a: Supply port / 36: Storage section (transport chamber) / 40: Supply container (toner pack) / 80: Discharge means (discharge roller pair) / 81: Loading surface (discharge tray) / 82: Loading tray (top cover) / 82a: Opening (second opening) / 83: Opening / closing member / 100: Printer main body

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus having a detachable developer supply container for forming a developer image on a recording material, an image carrier configured to be rotatable and carrying the developer image; a developer carrier configured to carry a developer and supply the developer to the image carrier; a developer container including a developer storage section for storing a developer to be carried on the developer carrier, and a supply port for supplying the developer from the supply container to the developer storage section, the supply container being configured to be detachable from the supply port; a transfer means for transferring the developer image on the image carrier to a recording material; a loading tray having a loading surface configured to load recording materials; a discharge means for conveying the recording material onto which the developer image has been transferred in a discharge direction and discharging the recording material onto the stacking surface, The loading tray is configured to be movable between a closed position for closing the supply port and an open position for opening the supply port, and is configured such that, when the supply container is attached to the developing container, the movement of the loading tray from the open position to the closed position is restricted by the supply container that has completed supplying the developer to the storage section.

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. the loading tray is supported by an apparatus main body that accommodates the image carrier, the developing container, and the developer carrier so as to be openable and closable relative to the apparatus main body; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

3. The loading tray is configured to rotate about a rotation axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the image carrier.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,

4. The rotation axis of the loading tray is located upstream of the device body in the discharge direction, The rotation of the loading tray from the closed position to the open position is a rotation in which a tip end of the loading tray farther from the rotation axis is rotated from the downstream side to the upstream side in the discharge direction.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The rotation axis of the loading tray is downstream of the device body in the discharge direction, The rotation of the loading tray from the closed position to the open position is a rotation in which a tip end of the loading tray farther from the rotation axis is rotated from the upstream side to the downstream side in the discharge direction.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.

6. Further comprising a reading device for reading an image on a recording material, When the rotation axis, the open position, and the closed position are defined as a first rotation axis, a first open position, and a first closed position, respectively, the reading device is configured to be rotatable between a second open position and a second closed position around a second rotation axis with respect to the device body; when the reading device is in the open position, the loading tray can be rotated from the first closed position to the first open position, and the supply container can be attached to and detached from the supply opening when the loading tray is in the open position; when the reader is in the closed position, the reader prevents the loading tray from rotating from the first closed position to the first open position; 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is a multi-color image forming apparatus.

7. A rotation direction of the reading device from the second closed position to the second open position is the same as a rotation direction of the loading tray from the first closed position to the first open position.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6,

8. The developing device further includes a cover that covers the developing container from above and has an opening that exposes the supply port.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

9. The cover is supported on the device body so as to be openable and closable, the developing container is removable from the main body of the apparatus in a state where the cover is open relative to the main body of the apparatus; 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8,

10. The supply port is provided in only one of the developing containers.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

11. The supply port is provided at a tip end of a protrusion protruding upward at an end of the developing container in the longitudinal direction of the image carrier, 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10.

12. The supply port is open upward.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

13. The supply port is open toward the downstream and upward in the discharge direction.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

14. The entire loading tray moves between the closed position and the open position.

14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

15. A portion of the loading tray moves between the closed position and the open position.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

Images