Image forming device

Abstract

To further improve usability related to toner supply in an image forming apparatus in which a toner container can be mounted.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus in which a toner container can be mounted, the toner container having an opening and a shutter, has a mounting part, a storage part configured to store toner, a stirring member stirring the toner in the storage part, an actuator, and a control part. The mounting part has: an operation part that has an engaging part engaging with the shutter and moves with the shutter in accordance with the engagement of the engaging part with the shutter, the operation part movable between a first position where the shutter is at a closed position and a second position where the shutter is at an open position; and a detection part for detecting a movement of the operation part. The control part controls the actuator such that the drive of the stirring member is started on the basis of, a situation in which the movement of the operation part from the second position to the first position is detected by the detection part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Generally, electrophotographic image forming apparatuses form an image on a recording material by finally transferring a toner image formed on the surface of a photosensitive drum onto the recording material. A configuration that allows toner to be supplied to the image forming apparatus from outside the image forming apparatus is widely adopted. Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus in which a toner container containing toner is attached to a mounting portion of the image forming apparatus, and toner is supplied from the toner container to the image forming apparatus when a user unscrews the toner container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2020-154300 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to further improve usability in relation to toner replenishment in the image forming apparatus described in the patent document. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention relates to a toner container for storing toner, the toner container having an opening for replenishing toner. The first storage section is provided with and a closed position for closing the opening and an open position for opening the opening. With respect to the first storage section an image forming apparatus to which a toner container having a movable shutter can be attached, the image forming apparatus being configured to include a mounting portion to which the toner container can be attached, and to store toner supplied through the opening of the toner container attached to the mounting portion; No. 2 a storage section; No. 2a stirring member for stirring the toner in the storage portion, an actuator for driving the stirring member, and a control portion for controlling the actuator, and the mounting portion, when the toner container is mounted, Before an operating unit configured to move together with the shutter; Material an operating unit movable between a first position where the shutter is in the closed position and a second position where the shutter is in the open position; Material and, a first engaging portion configured to engage with the first accommodating portion when the toner container is attached, the first engaging portion engaging with the first accommodating portion restricting movement of the first accommodating portion when the shutter is moved by the operating member; The operation unit Material a detection unit that detects the movement of the operation unit; Material The control unit controls the actuator so that driving of the stirring member is started based on the detection of the movement of the stirring member from the second position to the first position by the detection unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, usability relating to toner replenishment can be further improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 3A and 3B are perspective views showing a state in which the discharge tray of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment is in a closed position and an open position. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a developing container of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a supply unit, a scanner unit, and a photosensitive drum according to the first embodiment as viewed from above. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a developing container according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the supply unit when the lever is in the operating position and the supply position according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9]5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the states of the switch when the lever is in the operating position and the supply position according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the positions of the gripping portion of the lever when the lever is in the operating position and the supply position according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a supply pack according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the supply pack according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the supply pack and the supply unit immediately before the supply pack according to the first embodiment is attached to the supply unit. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which a user unpacks the supply pack according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram according to the first embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a control flow of a supply mode according to the first embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a control flow of a supply mode according to the second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a control flow of a supply mode according to the third embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the remaining toner amount displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 20] 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the threshold value for switching the remaining toner amount display and the amount of toner in the container according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a supply mode display on a display unit according to the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] <First Example> Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1. 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 such as plain paper and cardboard, plastic film such as sheets for overhead projectors, sheets of special shapes such as envelopes and index paper, and cloth.

[0010] In the following description, the height direction of the image forming apparatus 1 (the direction opposite to the vertical direction) when the image forming apparatus 1 is installed on a horizontal surface is referred to as the Z direction. The direction that intersects with the Z direction and is parallel to the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 11 (main scanning direction) described later is referred to as the X direction. The direction that intersects with the X and Z directions is referred to as the Y direction. The X, Y, and Z directions preferably intersect perpendicularly with each other. For convenience, the positive side in the X direction is referred to as the right side and the negative side is referred to as the left side; the positive side in the Y direction is referred to as the front side or front side and the negative side is referred to as the rear side or back side; and the positive side in the Z direction is referred to as the upper side and the negative side is referred to as the lower side.

[0011] [Overall configuration] The overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. As shown in Figure 2, the image forming apparatus 1 has an image forming unit 20 that forms a toner image on a recording material, a feeding unit 30 that feeds the recording material P, a fixing unit 9 that fixes the toner image formed by the image forming unit 20 onto the recording material, and a pair of discharge rollers 10.

[0012] The image forming section 20 has a scanner unit 50, an electrophotographic process unit 40, and a transfer roller 7 that transfers a toner image formed on a photosensitive drum 11 of the process unit 40 onto a recording material P. The process unit 40 has the photosensitive drum 11, a cleaning unit 13 arranged around the photosensitive drum 11, a charging roller 17, a developing roller 12, and a storage section 18 that stores toner. The process unit 40 may be fastened to a housing 72 of the image forming apparatus 1 with screws, and may also be removable by a service technician.

[0013] The photosensitive drum 11 serving as an image carrier is a cylindrically shaped photosensitive member. The photosensitive drum 11 of this embodiment has a photosensitive layer formed of a negatively chargeable organic photosensitive material on a drum-shaped substrate made of aluminum. The photosensitive drum 11 serving as an image carrier is driven to rotate in a predetermined direction (direction R in the figure) at a predetermined process speed by a motor.

[0014] The charging roller 17 contacts the photosensitive drum 11 with a predetermined pressure to form a charging portion. A desired charging voltage is applied from a charging high-voltage power supply, thereby uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 to a predetermined potential. In this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 11 is negatively charged by the charging roller 17.

[0015] The scanner unit 50 uses a polygon mirror to irradiate the photosensitive drum 11 with laser light corresponding to image information input from an external device, thereby scanning and exposing the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. This exposure forms an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. Note that the scanner unit 50 is not limited to a laser scanner device, and may, for example, be an LED exposure device having an LED array in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 11.

[0016] The developing roller 12 is rotatably supported by the storage section 18. The developing roller 12 is disposed at the opening of a developer container 230 (see FIG. 5) including the storage section 18 so as to face the photosensitive drum 11. The storage section 18 may be provided with a supply roller that applies toner, serving as a developer, stored in the storage section 18 onto the surface of the developing roller 12.

[0017] The process unit 40 of this embodiment uses a contact development method. That is, a toner layer carried on the development roller 12 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 11 in a development section (development area) where the photosensitive drum 11 and the development roller 12 face each other. A development voltage is applied to the development roller 12 by a development high-voltage power supply. Under the development voltage, the toner carried on the development roller 12 is transferred from the development roller 12 to the drum surface in accordance with the potential distribution on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image.

[0018] 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 12 mainly by intermolecular forces and electrostatic forces (image forces). However, a one-component developer containing a magnetic component may also be used. In addition to toner particles, a one-component developer may also contain additives (e.g., wax or silica particles) for adjusting the fluidity and charging performance of the toner. A two-component developer composed of non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier may also be used as the developer. When a magnetic developer is used, a cylindrical developing sleeve with a magnet disposed inside is used as the developer carrier, for example.

[0019] The fixing unit 9 is a thermal fixing unit that fixes an image by heating and melting the toner on the recording material. The fixing unit 9 includes a heating roller 9a incorporating a fixing heater 9c, and a pressure roller 9b that presses against the heating roller 9a.

[0020] The feeding section 30 has a cassette 4 on which the recording material P is loaded, a pickup roller 3 as a conveying section, a feeding roller 5a, and a separation roller 5b. A front cover 70 is provided on a part of the front end surface of the image forming apparatus 1, and the front cover 70 covers the circuit board 100. The housing 72 has the front cover 70, a discharge tray 14, and an exterior cover 71 that forms the exterior of the image forming apparatus 1 other than the front cover 70 and the discharge tray 14. The housing 72 has a discharge opening 15 through which sheets pass to be discharged onto the discharge tray 14.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 has a circuit board 100. The circuit board 100 is composed of a wiring board 101 made of an insulator and electronic components 111 and 121 soldered to the wiring board 101. Conductor wiring is provided on and inside the wiring board 101, so that the electronic components 111 and 121 are electrically connected. The circuit board 100 has the function of converting AC current supplied from outside the image forming apparatus 1 into DC current, and converting the input voltage to obtain a predetermined voltage value required for the image formation process.

[0022] The circuit board 100 is oriented such that the surface of the wiring board 101 on which the electronic components 111 and 121 are mounted intersects with the ejection direction. Furthermore, the wiring board 101 is provided between the front cover 70 and the scanner unit 50 in the ejection direction. The electronic components 111 and 121 are provided on the surface of the wiring board 101 facing the scanner unit 50.

[0023] [Image Formation Mode] The image forming mode of the image forming apparatus 1 will now be described. In this embodiment, the image forming mode is a mode in which an image is formed on a recording material when the discharge tray 14 is in the closed position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3(a). When an image formation command is input to the image forming apparatus 1, the image forming process is started by the image forming section 20 based on image information input from an external computer connected to the image forming apparatus 1. The scanner unit 50 irradiates the photosensitive drum 11 with laser light based on the input image information. At this time, the photosensitive drum 11 is pre-charged by the charging roller 17, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 11 by the irradiation of the laser light. Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing roller 12, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 11.

[0024] In parallel with the image forming process described above, a pickup roller 3 of a feeding unit 30 feeds out recording material P supported by a cassette 4. The recording material P is separated into individual sheets by a feeding roller 5a and a separation roller 5b, and conveyed to a conveying roller pair 5c. The recording material P is then conveyed by the conveying roller pair 5c toward a transfer nip formed by a transfer roller 7 and a photosensitive drum 11.

[0025] A transfer voltage is applied to the transfer roller 7 from a transfer high-voltage power supply, and the toner image carried on the photosensitive drum 11 is transferred onto the recording material P being conveyed by the conveying roller pair 5c. The recording material P with the transferred toner image is conveyed to the fixing unit 9, and the toner image is heated and pressurized as it passes through the nip between the heating roller 9a and pressure roller 9b of the fixing unit 9. This melts the toner particles and then solidifies them, thereby fixing the toner image to the recording material P. After passing through the fixing unit 9, the recording material P is discharged from the discharge port 15 by the discharge roller pair 10 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 (outside the machine) and is stacked on the discharge tray 14.

[0026] When forming images on both sides of the recording material P, the pair of discharge rollers 10 switches back the recording material P with the image formed on its first side, thereby guiding the recording material P to the double-sided conveying path 16. The recording material P guided to the double-sided conveying path 16 is conveyed again toward the transfer roller 7 by the pair of double-sided conveying rollers 5d. After an image is formed on the second side of the recording material P by the transfer roller 7, the recording material P is discharged outside the apparatus by the pair of discharge rollers 10. After the toner image is transferred onto the recording material P, any toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 11 is cleaned by the cleaning unit 13.

[0027] [Supply Department] Next, the supply unit 200 (mounting unit) will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7. The discharge tray 14 is supported so as to be able to open and close between a closed position, as shown in FIG. 3(a), in which the recording material P can be stacked and the image formation mode can be executed, and an open position, as shown in FIG. 3(b), in which the discharge tray 14 is open. An open / close detector (not shown) can detect whether the discharge tray 14 is in the open position or the closed position. The discharge tray 14 covers the supply unit 200 in the closed position. When the discharge tray 14 is moved to the open position, a top surface 240 and the supply unit 200 disposed adjacent to the top surface 240 are exposed. The supply unit 200 is configured so that a supply pack 210 (described later) can be attached and detached. The image forming apparatus 1 is configured so that a user or a service technician can replenish toner from the outside without removing the developing container 230 from the housing 72 (FIG. 1).

[0028] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the developing container 230 of the image forming apparatus 1. Fig. 5 is a top view of the image forming apparatus 1 with the exterior removed (supply unit 200 and scanner unit 50). Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the developing container 230. Note that the lever 201 of the supply unit 200 and some of the associated members are omitted in Fig. 6.

[0029] 4 to 6, the developing container 230 includes a storage section 18 and a supply section 200. The supply section 200 has a lever 201, a cylindrical passage member 202, and a main body shutter 206 (see FIG. 7(a)).

[0030] The passage member 202 is formed with an extension portion 202b that extends to the storage portion 18 and a side opening 202a that connects to the extension portion 202b. The supply pack 210 is attached to the supply portion 200, and the toner discharged from the supply pack 210 passes through the opening 206a of the main body shutter 206, the side opening 202a of the passage member 202, and the extension portion 202b, and is supplied to the storage portion 18.

[0031] The extension portion 202b is connected to one end of the storage portion 18 in the longitudinal direction of the developing container 230, i.e., in the X direction. As shown in FIG. 4, an agitating member 60 that rotates about a rotation shaft 60a extending in the X direction is provided inside the storage portion 18. The agitating member 60 has blade portions 60b fixed to the rotation shaft 60a, and is driven to rotate by a motor 311 (see FIG. 15) to agitate and level the toner in the storage portion 18 that has been replenished from the replenishment pack 210, and to transport the toner toward the developing roller 12. Note that in the present embodiment, the agitating member 60 is composed of the rotation shaft 60a and the blade portions 60b, but a spiral-shaped agitating member may also be used as a configuration that distributes the toner over the entire length of the storage portion 18.

[0032] The agitating member 60 circulates the toner that has not been used for development and has been scraped off from the developing roller 12 within the storage section 18, thereby homogenizing the toner within the storage section 18. The agitating member 60 is not limited to a rotating type. For example, an agitating member that oscillates may also be used. Furthermore, in addition to the agitating member 60, another agitating member may also be provided.

[0033] Furthermore, a remaining amount detection unit 312 (toner remaining amount detection unit) for detecting the amount of toner in the storage unit 18 is provided on a side surface 18a of the storage unit 18 opposite the developing roller 12. The remaining amount detection unit 312 includes a light-emitting unit 312a and a light-receiving unit 312b. The light-emitting unit 312a and the light-receiving unit 312b are arranged side by side in the X direction. Light emitted from the light-emitting unit 312a passes through the interior of the storage unit 18 and is received by the light-receiving unit 312b. That is, the light-emitting unit 312a and the light-receiving unit 312b form an optical path Q1 inside the storage unit 18. The optical path Q1 extends in the X direction. Note that the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element of the light-emitting unit 312a and the light-receiving unit 312b may be arranged inside the storage unit 18, or the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element may be arranged outside the storage unit 18, with the light guide unit guiding the light between the inside and outside of the storage unit 18.

[0034] Furthermore, the light-emitting unit 312a and the light-receiving unit 312b are provided in the central portion of the storage unit 18 in the X direction. More specifically, the light-emitting unit 312a and the light-receiving unit 312b are arranged in an area corresponding to the laser passing space SP in the X direction. By providing the light-emitting unit 312a and the light-receiving unit 312b in the central portion of the storage unit 18 in this way, the remaining amount of toner in the storage unit 18 can be detected accurately. That is, although developer (toner) may be unevenly distributed at the ends of the storage unit 18 in the X direction, the central portion of the storage unit 18 has less uneven distribution of developer, so the actual remaining amount of toner can be detected.

[0035] In this embodiment, an LED is used for the light-emitting unit 312a, and a phototransistor that is turned on by light from the LED is used for the light-receiving unit 312b, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a halogen lamp or a fluorescent lamp may be used for the light-emitting unit 312a, and a photodiode or an avalanche photodiode may be used for the light-receiving unit 312b.

[0036] The light receiving unit 312b, which is a phototransistor, receives the light emitted from the light emitting unit 312a and outputs a signal (current) corresponding to the amount of light received. This signal is converted into a voltage and input to the control unit 302 (see FIG. 15). In other words, the light receiving unit 312b changes its output value based on the amount of toner (developer) contained in the container 18.

[0037] The control unit 302 determines whether the light-receiving unit 312b has received light from the light-emitting unit 312a based on the input voltage level. The control unit 302 calculates the amount of toner (amount of developer) in the container 18 based on the length of time that the light-receiving unit 312b detected each light when the toner in the container 18 was stirred for a certain period of time by the stirring member 60. That is, the ROM 302b of the control unit 302 in Fig. 15(a) stores in advance a table that can output the remaining toner amount from the light-receiving time when the toner is transported by the stirring member 60, and the control unit 302 predicts / calculates the remaining toner amount based on this table.

[0038] 4, the optical path Q1 of the remaining amount detection unit 312 is set to overlap with the rotation locus TC of the agitating member 60 when viewed in the axial direction of the rotation shaft of the agitating member 60. In other words, the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 312a of the remaining amount detection unit 312 passes through the interior of the storage unit 18 within the rotation locus TC of the agitating member 60 when viewed in the axial direction of the agitating member 60. The time during which the optical path Q1 is blocked by the toner transported by the agitating member 60 when the agitating member 60 makes one rotation, i.e., the time during which the light-receiving unit 312b does not detect the light from the light-emitting unit 312a, varies depending on the amount of remaining toner.

[0039] In other words, when the remaining toner amount is large, the light path Q1 is more likely to be blocked by the toner, and the time that the light receiving element 312b receives light is shorter. On the other hand, when the remaining toner amount is low, the time that the light receiving element 312b receives light is longer. Therefore, the control unit 302 can determine the remaining toner level in the storage unit 18 based on the light receiving time of the light receiving element 312b.

[0040] The method for detecting and estimating the remaining toner amount is not limited to the above-described method, and various well-known methods for detecting and estimating the remaining toner amount can be used. For example, two or more metal plates or conductive resin sheets extending in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller may be placed on the inner wall of the containing section 18, and the capacitance between the two metal plates or conductive resin sheets may be measured to detect and estimate the remaining toner amount. Alternatively, a load cell may be provided to support the developing container 230 from below, and the remaining toner amount may be calculated based on the weight measured by the load cell.

[0041] The detailed configuration of the supply unit 200 to which the supply pack 210 is attached will be described. Figures 7(a) and 7(b) are perspective views of the supply unit 200 seen from the same direction. Figure 7(c) is a perspective view of the supply unit 200 seen from a different angle than Figure 7(a). Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the supply unit 200.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 8, the supply unit 200 has a lever 201 (operation unit), a rotation restricting member 247, a cover 248, a sealing member 243, a main body shutter 206, and a passage member 202.

[0043] The main body shutter 206 is configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis RA relative to the passage member 202. The main body shutter 206 is disposed inside the cylindrical passage member 202, and is provided with a main body shutter opening 206a. The main body shutter 206 also has a main body shutter engaging portion 206b that engages with a container shutter engaged portion 214b of the container shutter 214, which will be described later. If a virtual circle VC is defined as a virtual circle centered on the rotation axis RA, the main body shutter engaging portion 206b is a protrusion that protrudes inward in the radial direction r of the virtual circle VC.

[0044] When the main body shutter 206 is in the closed position (second closed position) shown in FIG. 7(a), the main body shutter opening 206a and the side opening 202a (FIG. 8(b)) of the passage member 202 do not overlap (communicate). Therefore, the side opening 202a is blocked by the main body shutter 206, and toner is not discharged to the extension portion 202b of the passage member 202. When the main body shutter 206 is in the open position (second open position) shown in FIG. 7(b), the main body shutter opening 206a and the side opening 202a of the passage member 202 overlap (communicate). Therefore, toner supplied from the supply pack 210 attached to the supply unit 200 can pass through the main body shutter opening 206a and the side opening 202a and be discharged to the extension portion 202b of the passage member 202.

[0045] As will be described in detail later, the main body shutter 206 moves (rotates) between the closed position and the open position when the lever 201 is rotated with the supply pack 210 attached to the supply unit 200. That is, when the user rotates the lever 201 counterclockwise by 90 degrees, the main body shutter 206 moves from the closed position shown in Fig. 7(a) to the closed position shown in Fig. 7(b).

[0046] A sealing member 243 is attached around a main body shutter opening 206a on the inner peripheral surface side of the main body shutter 206. The sealing member 243 has a seal opening 243a, and is attached to the main body shutter 206 so that the seal opening 243a overlaps (communicates with) the main body shutter opening 206a. The sealing member 243 seals the gap between the main body shutter 206 and the periphery of an insertion portion opening 212a of an insertion portion 212 of a supply pack 210 (described later) when the main body shutter 206 is in the open position.

[0047] The rotation restricting member 247 is provided inside the main body shutter 206 in the radial direction r of the imaginary circle VC. The rotation restricting member 247 has a rotation restricting portion 247a that engages with a rotation restricted portion 212b of the insertion portion 212 of the supply pack 210 (described later) to restrict rotation of the insertion portion 212 about the rotation axis RA.

[0048] The lever 201 has a ring portion 201a provided with an insertion opening 201e through which the insertion portion 212 of the supply pack 210 is inserted, and a grip portion 201b provided integrally with the ring portion 201a. The lever 201 has a lever engagement portion 201d that protrudes inward in the radial direction r of the imaginary circle VC from the inner circumferential surface that forms the insertion opening 201e. As shown in FIG. 7(c), the lever engagement portion 201d is in phase with the main body shutter engagement portion 206b in the circumferential direction of the imaginary circle VC when the main body shutter 206 is in the closed position. In other words, when the main body shutter 206 is in the closed position, the lever engagement portion 201d overlaps with the main body shutter engagement portion 206b when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis RA.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 7(a), the cover 248 is a member that covers the main body shutter opening 206a when the main body shutter 206 is in the closed position.

[0050] When an image is formed on the recording material P, the toner in the storage unit 18 is agitated by the agitating member 60 (see FIG. 4), and the side opening 202a of the passage member 202 is covered by the main body shutter 206 to prevent the toner from leaking out from the side opening 202a. Therefore, during image formation, the lever 201 is located in the operating position (first position) shown in FIG. 7(a) so that the main body shutter 206 is located in the closed position. On the other hand, when toner is replenished from a replenishment pack 210 (described later) to the storage unit 18, the side opening 202a needs to be opened. Therefore, during toner replenishment, the lever 201 is located in the replenishing position (second position) shown in FIG. 7(b) so that the main body shutter 206 is located in the open position.

[0051] 9(a) and 9(b) are side views showing the lever 201 and the switch 208 (detection unit). As shown in FIGS. 8(a) and 9(a), the lever 201 has a detection rib 201c formed integrally with the ring portion 201a. The switch 208 serving as a sensor is disposed below the ring portion 201a. When the lever 201 is in the operating position, the switch 208 does not come into contact with the detection rib 201c, and the switch 208 is turned OFF. When the lever 201 is in the replenishing position, the switch 208 comes into contact with the detection rib 201c, and the switch 208 is turned ON.

[0052] In this way, by switching switch 208 ON / OFF, it is possible to detect whether lever 201 is in the operating position or the supply position. In other words, by switching switch 208 from an OFF state to an ON state, it is possible to detect that lever 201 has moved from the operating position to the supply position. Also, by switching switch 208 from an OFF state to an ON state, it is possible to detect that lever 201 has moved from the supply position to the operating position.

[0053] [Supply Pack] The configuration of the supply pack 210 will be described using Figures 11 and 12. Figures 11(a) and 11(b) are perspective views of the supply pack 210 as viewed from different angles. Figures 12(a), 12(b), and 12(c) are exploded perspective views of the supply pack 210 as viewed from different angles. Note that the insertion portion opening 212a is shown by a dotted line because it is covered by the container shutter 214 and cannot actually be seen.

[0054] 11 and 12, the supply pack 210 includes a pouch 211, an insertion portion 212 (end member), a container shutter 214, and a container shutter seal 231. The rotation axis RA is the axis of rotation when the container shutter 214 rotates relative to the insertion portion 212.

[0055] Pouch 211 is a container made by processing a polypropylene sheet into a bag shape, and contains toner inside. Pouch 211 has a shape that flattens outward toward the side opposite insertion portion 212, and has pouch end 211a at its end that extends in a direction perpendicular to rotation axis RA. Note that, although a pouch is used as the toner containing portion of replenishing pack 210 in this embodiment, a resin bottle or a container made of paper, vinyl, or the like may also be used.

[0056] The insertion portion 212 is a cylindrical member that can be inserted into the insertion opening 201e of the lever 201, and has an insertion portion opening 212a on its side surface that extends in the direction of the rotation axis RA. The insertion portion 212 is provided at the end of the pouch 211 in the direction of the rotation axis RA, and is a member that discharges toner in the pouch 211 to the outside of the supply pack 210 through the insertion portion opening 212a. The insertion portion 212 further has a rotation-restricted portion 212b. The rotation-restricted portion 212b engages with the rotation restricting portion 247a of the rotation restricting member 247 of the supply unit 200, thereby restricting the rotation of the insertion portion 212 about the rotation axis RA.

[0057] The container shutter 214 is a cylindrical member configured to be concentric with the insertion portion 212. The container shutter 214 is provided outside the insertion portion 212 in the radial direction r of the imaginary circle VC and rotatable about a rotation axis RA relative to the insertion portion 212, and is configured to move (rotate) between a closed position (first closed position) in which the insertion portion opening 212a is closed and an open position (second open position) in which the insertion portion opening 212a is open. A container shutter opening 214c (opening) is formed in the container shutter 214. When the container shutter 214 is in the open position, the container shutter opening 214c and the insertion portion opening 212a overlap (communicate). At this time, toner can be discharged from the supply pack 210 to the outside of the supply pack 210 through the container shutter opening 214c and the insertion portion opening 212a. When the container shutter 214 is in the closed position, the insertion portion opening 212a is closed by the container shutter 214. At this time, toner is not discharged from the supply pack 210 to the outside of the supply pack 210. When the supply pack 210 is not attached to the image forming apparatus 1, the container shutter 214 is in the closed position. Furthermore, when the container shutter 214 is in the closed position, the rotation-restricted portion 212b of the insertion portion 212 is exposed from the container shutter opening 214c. This will be described later.

[0058] The outer peripheral surface of the container shutter 214 is provided with a container shutter engaged portion 214b that engages with the lever engaging portion 201d of the lever 201 and the main body shutter engaging portion 206b of the main body shutter 206 when the refill pack 210 is attached to the refill unit 200. The container shutter engaged portion 214b is a recess that is recessed inward from the outer peripheral surface of the container shutter 214 in the radial direction r of the imaginary circle VC, and extends to the tip of the container shutter 214 on the side farther from the pouch 211 in the direction of the rotation axis RA. The container shutter engaged portion 214b receives a force from the lever engaging portion 201d of the lever 201 in the rotation direction about the rotation axis RA, causing the container shutter 214 to rotate relative to the insertion unit 212. Note that the container shutter engaged portion 214b does not need to be a recess as long as it is configured to engage with the lever 201 and rotate the container shutter 214 when the lever 201 rotates.

[0059] The container shutter seal 231 is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the container shutter 214. The container shutter seal 231 seals the gap between the periphery of the insertion portion opening 212a of the insertion portion 212 and the container shutter 214 when the container shutter 214 is in the closed position.

[0060] [Installing and replenishing supply packs] A method for attaching the supply pack 210 to the supply unit 200 and a method for supplying toner using the supply pack 210 will be described.

[0061] 13(a) and 13(b) are perspective views of the supply unit 200 of the image forming apparatus 1 and the supply pack 210 immediately before being attached to the supply unit 200, as viewed from different directions. As shown in FIG. 13, when attaching the supply pack 210 to the supply unit 200 of the image forming apparatus 1, the supply pack 210 must be aligned with the supply unit 200 in two ways. This alignment is a rotational alignment about the rotation axis RA, and is possible when the container shutter 214 is in the closed position. The first alignment, as shown in FIG. 13(a), is the alignment of the rotation-restricted portion 212b of the insertion portion 212 exposed from the container shutter opening 214c of the container shutter 214 with the rotation-restricting portion 247a of the rotation-restricting member 247. The second alignment, as shown in FIG. 13(b), is the alignment of the container shutter engaged portion 214b with the lever engaging portion 201d. Once this second alignment is achieved, the container shutter engaged portion 214b and the main body shutter engaging portion 206b are also aligned, because the lever engaging portion 201d and the main body shutter engaging portion 206b overlap when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis RA.

[0062] When the attachment of the supply pack 210 to the supply unit 200 is complete, the container shutter engaged portion 214b engages with the lever engaging portion 201d and also engages with the main body shutter engaging portion 206b of the main body shutter 206. Furthermore, the rotation restricted portion 212b of the insertion unit 212 engages with the rotation restricting portion 247a. In this state, as shown in FIG. 10 , when the user grasps the grip portion 201b and rotates the lever 201 clockwise by 90 degrees, the lever 201 is rotated from the first position to the second position relative to the insertion unit 212. At this time, the container shutter engaged portion 214b is pressed by the lever engaging portion 201d, and the container shutter 214 is rotated together with the lever 201 from the closed position to the open position. The main body shutter 206 is rotated from the closed position to the open position together with the lever 201 and the container shutter 214 when the main body shutter engaging portion 206b is pressed by the container shutter engaged portion 214b. In this way, the main body shutter 206 is configured to be rotated via the container shutter 214, so it will not rotate even if the lever 201 is rotated from the first position to the second position when the supply pack 210 is not attached to the supply unit 200. Therefore, even if the user operates the lever 201 when the supply pack 210 is not attached, the main body shutter 206 will not open.

[0063] When the lever 201 is in the second position with the replenishing pack 210 attached to the replenishing unit 200, both the container shutter 214 and the main body shutter 206 are in the open position, and the container shutter opening 214c and the main body shutter opening 206a are in communication. In this state, when the user manually opens the pouch 211 as shown in Fig. 14, the toner in the pouch 211 moves together with air toward the insertion unit 212. Then, the toner that has moved into the insertion unit 212 passes through the insertion unit opening 212a, the container shutter opening 214c, and the main body shutter opening 206a, and is replenished to the storage unit 18 of the developing container 230.

[0064] When toner replenishment is complete and the replenishing pack 210 is to be removed from the replenishing unit 200, the user grasps the grip portion 201b and rotates the lever 201 counterclockwise by 90 degrees, as shown in FIG. 10. This operation rotates the lever 201 from the second position to the first position relative to the insertion portion 212. At this time, the container shutter 214 is rotated together with the lever 201 from the open position to the closed position as the container shutter engaged portion 214b is pressed by the lever engaging portion 201d. The main body shutter 206 is rotated together with the lever 201 and the container shutter 214 from the open position to the closed position as the main body shutter engaging portion 206b is pressed by the container shutter engaged portion 214b. The replenishing pack 210 is removed from the replenishing unit 200 with the lever 201 in the first position. When the supply pack 210 is removed from the supply unit 200, the container shutter 214 is in the closed position, so that leakage of toner from the insertion opening 212a of the supply pack 210 can be prevented.

[0065] [Control Unit] 15(a) is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the control unit 302 provided in the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 302 has a CPU 302a as a calculation device, a ROM 302b, and a RAM 302c. The CPU 302a reads various programs stored in the ROM 302b and executes processing. The RAM 302c is used as a work area for the CPU 302a.

[0066] The input side of the control unit 302 is connected to the switch 208, the temperature sensor 9d, and the remaining amount detection unit 312. The temperature sensor 9d detects the temperature of the fixing nip of the fixing unit 9. The output side of the control unit 302 is connected to the motor 311 as an actuator and the display unit 415. The control unit 302 is also connected to an I / O controller 313 as an input / output port connected to external devices.

[0067] The motor 311 drives the agitating member 60 and various rollers (including the photosensitive drum 11, the developing roller 12, and various conveying rollers) in the image forming apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, all of the rollers in the image forming apparatus 1 and the agitating member 60 are driven by a single motor 311, but this is not limiting. For example, the agitating member 60 and some of the rollers in the image forming apparatus 1 may be driven by the motor 311, and the other rollers may be driven by other motors. Alternatively, the motor 311 may be directly connected to all of the rollers by drive transmission members such as gears, and an electromagnetic clutch may be provided between the motor 311 and the agitating member 60. In this case, the actuator that turns the drive of the agitating member 60 on and off is the electromagnetic clutch.

[0068] 15(b) is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a control unit 302 provided in the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 302 has a temperature detection unit 303, a drive control unit 304, a transmission / reception unit 305, a remaining amount calculation unit 306, and a storage unit 315. The temperature detection unit 303 detects the current temperature of the fixing unit 9 based on a temperature detection signal 307 from the temperature sensor 9d. The drive control unit 304 controls the drive of a motor 311 as needed based on the print operation, initial control, etc. of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0069] The drive possibility determination unit 314 determines whether it is OK to drive the motor 311 depending on the state of the image forming apparatus 1. For example, the drive possibility determination unit 314 does not permit the motor 311 to be driven in the case of a jam state in which a recording material P is stuck in the image forming apparatus 1 or in a malfunction state. The drive control unit 304 drives the motor 311 based on the determination of the drive possibility determination unit 314.

[0070] Remaining amount calculation unit 306 calculates the amount of toner stored in storage unit 18 based on remaining amount detection signal 309 output by remaining amount detection unit 312 disposed in storage unit 18. Transmitting / receiving unit 305 transmits and receives information to and from I / O controller 313, which receives image information from a host such as a PC (not shown), and in this embodiment, transmits the remaining amount of toner stored in storage unit 18 as remaining amount information 308.

[0071] Here, the remaining amount of toner is transmitted in %, for example, assuming that the amount of toner that can be stored in the storage unit 18 is 100%. Furthermore, the remaining amount detection signal 309 depends on the configuration of the remaining amount detection unit 312, but may be, for example, an analog signal whose voltage changes based on the remaining amount of development, or a pulse signal in which pulses are output at a constant cycle and the H / L pulse width changes depending on the remaining amount of toner.

[0072] [Toner Remaining Display] The remaining toner amount display of this embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, the display unit 415 is provided on the right side of the front surface of the housing 72 of the image forming apparatus 1, and displays information regarding the remaining toner amount in the storage unit 18 of the developing container 230.

[0073] FIG. 19 shows an enlarged view of the display unit 415. As shown in FIG. 19, the display unit 415 is a panel member including multiple (three in this embodiment) scales arranged vertically. As shown in FIG. 19(a), when only the lower scale is flashing, this indicates that the remaining toner in the storage unit 18 is at the NearOut level. As shown in FIG. 19(b), when only the lower scale is lit, this indicates that the remaining toner in the storage unit 18 is at the Low level. As shown in FIG. 19(c), when the lower and middle scales are lit and the upper scale is off, this indicates that the remaining toner in the storage unit 18 is at the Mid level. As shown in FIG. 19(d), when all three scales are lit, this indicates that the remaining toner in the storage unit 18 is at the Full level.

[0074] Display unit 415 is not limited to a liquid crystal panel, and may be configured with a light source such as an LED or an incandescent lamp and a diffusion lens. Alternatively, the remaining toner amount may be displayed on the display of the operation unit using scales as described in this embodiment, without providing a separate display unit 415. While display unit 415 in this embodiment has three scales, the number of scales is not limited to three and may be set appropriately depending on the configuration of the image forming apparatus.

[0075] The following describes switching of the display on the display unit 415 in this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram illustrating a threshold value for switching the display on the display unit 415 according to the detection result of the remaining amount of toner in the storage unit 18 of the developing container 230 and the display pattern on the display unit 415.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 20 , when the amount of remaining toner in the storage unit 18 fluctuates due to toner consumption or toner replenishment in the image formation mode, the display of the display unit 415 is switched based on the detection result by the remaining amount detection unit 312. Specifically, when the detection result of the remaining toner amount in the storage unit 18 by the remaining amount detection unit 312 is equal to or greater than threshold D (first threshold), the control unit 302 changes the display of the display unit 415 to the Full level (first state, first display) with all three scales lit. On the other hand, when the detection result of the remaining toner amount in the storage unit 18 by the remaining amount detection unit 312 is less than threshold D, the control unit 302 changes the display of the display unit 415 to the Mid level (second state, second display) with two scales lit. In this embodiment, the value of threshold D is set to 5.0 K. The various thresholds described below, including threshold D, may be set as appropriate depending on the amount of toner to be replenished and various configurations of the image forming apparatus.

[0077] If the detection result of the remaining toner amount in the storage unit 18 by the remaining amount detection unit 312 is less than threshold C (2.5K in this embodiment), the control unit 302 changes the display on the display unit 415 to a Low level (third state, third display) with one scale lit. If the detection result of the remaining toner amount in the storage unit 18 by the remaining amount detection unit 312 is less than threshold B (0.5K in this embodiment), the control unit 302 changes the display on the display unit 415 to a NearOut level (fourth state, fourth display) with the bottom scale flashing. If the detection result of the remaining toner amount in the storage unit 18 by the remaining amount detection unit 312 is less than threshold A (0K in this embodiment), the control unit 302 determines that the toner in the storage unit 18 has run out, and changes the display to a toner-out state with all three scales turned off.

[0078] That is, when the detection result of the remaining toner amount in the storage unit 18 by the remaining amount detection unit 312 is between 2.5K and 5.0K, the control unit 302 sets the display on the display unit 415 to the second state, and when the detection result is between 0.5K and 2.5K, the control unit 302 sets the display on the display unit 415 to the fourth state when the detection result of the remaining toner amount in the storage unit 18 by the remaining amount detection unit 312 is between 0K and 0.5K, and when it is determined that there is no remaining amount, the control unit 302 sets all the scales to an off state.

[0079] Here, the interval (difference) between the toner amount corresponding to threshold D and the toner amount corresponding to threshold C in this embodiment, i.e., the interval (difference) between the toner amounts corresponding to the thresholds related to the display switching of the top scale, is set to the supply amount of one supply pack 210. Similarly, the interval (difference) between the toner amount corresponding to threshold C and threshold A in this embodiment, i.e., the interval between the toner amounts corresponding to the thresholds related to the display switching of the middle scale, is also set to the supply amount of one supply pack 210. By setting the interval between the toner amounts corresponding to the thresholds related to the display switching of the scale in this manner, the user can easily identify the number of supply packs 210 that can be replenished, thereby improving the user's visibility of the toner replenishment availability status.

[0080] [Refill mode] The replenishment mode of this embodiment will be described with reference to the control flowchart of FIG. 16. The replenishment mode of this embodiment is initiated when the open / close detection unit detects that the discharge tray 14 in FIG. 3(b) has moved from the closed position to the open position. When the replenishment mode is initiated, as shown in FIG. 16, the control unit 302 first determines whether the lever 201 is in the replenishment position based on the detection result of the switch 208 (S101). In this embodiment, as described above, by attaching the replenishment pack 210 to the replenishment unit 200 and rotating the lever 201 from the operating position to the replenishment position, toner replenishment from the replenishment pack 210 to the storage unit 18 becomes possible. With the lever 201 in the open position, the user can replenish toner from the replenishment pack 210 to the storage unit 18 through the pouch 211 of the replenishment pack 210. After the switch 208 detects that the lever 201 has been rotated from the operating position to the replenishment position, the display unit 415 starts displaying the replenishment mode (S102).

[0081] Here, the replenishment mode display of the display unit 415 in S102 will be described. FIGS. 21(a) and 21(b) show the replenishment mode display of the display unit 415 in this embodiment. The replenishment mode display is a display that allows the user to recognize that the replenishment mode is being executed. Possible replenishment mode displays include a pattern in which the three scales of the display unit 415 are repeatedly illuminated one by one, as shown in FIG. 21(a), and a pattern in which the three scales are alternately turned off and then illuminated one by one, as shown in FIG. 21(b). Furthermore, the replenishment mode display is not limited to these two patterns. Other possible patterns include a pattern in which the display unit 415 randomly switches from the first state to the fourth state described above, for example, a pattern in which the three scales are alternately turned off one by one from a state in which all the scales are illuminated. The replenishment mode display may be configured to alternately display at least two of the five states shown in FIG. 19: the first state to the fourth state, and the all-off state in which none of the scales are illuminated. This makes it possible to display a state that is not one of the five states described above, and to allow the user to visually recognize that the supply mode is being executed.

[0082] Returning to the description of the control flowchart of FIG. 16 , after the display unit 415 starts displaying the replenishment mode in S102, the control unit 302 determines whether the lever 201 is in the operating position based on the detection result of the switch 208 (S103). That is, it determines whether the lever 201 has been moved from the replenishment position to the operating position. If the result in S103 is Yes, the control unit 302 determines whether the motor 311 is drivable (S104). If the printing operation can be performed smoothly even if the motor 311 is driven, it is determined that the motor 311 is drivable. If the driving of the motor 311 would worsen a jam, for example, it is determined that the motor 311 is not drivable. Furthermore, if a malfunction occurs within the image forming apparatus 1, it is determined that the motor 311 is in an inoperable state. Note that, in the present embodiment, when all the rollers in the image forming apparatus 1 and the agitator 60 are driven by a single motor 311, step S104 is necessary; however, it is unnecessary if the rollers involved in the conveyance of the recording material are not driven.

[0083] If the answer is Yes in S104, the control unit 302 starts driving the motor 311 (S105). This drives the agitator 60 provided in the storage unit 18. The control unit 302 then determines whether a first predetermined time has elapsed since the motor 311 started to be driven (S106). In this embodiment, the first predetermined time is set to 3 seconds. The toner in the storage unit 18 is leveled during this 3 seconds. This leveling of the toner in the storage unit 18 by the agitator 60 is performed in preparation for the remaining toner amount detection that is executed in the subsequent step, but this step may be omitted.

[0084] If the result in S106 is Yes, the control unit 302 starts detecting the amount of toner remaining in the storage unit 18 using the remaining amount detection unit 312 (S107). When the detection of the amount of toner remaining is completed (S108), the control unit 302 stops driving the motor 311 (S109). Thereafter, the supply mode display on the display unit 415 is switched to displaying the amount of toner remaining (S110). The toner remaining amount display reflects the result of the toner remaining amount detection by the remaining amount detection unit 312 executed between S107 and S108. The display method according to the detection of the amount of toner remaining is as described above. Note that the completion of the detection of the amount of toner remaining in S108 and the stopping of the driving of the motor 311 in S109 may be simultaneous. The above-described steps are executed, and the supply mode ends.

[0085] As with the replenishing pack 210 of this embodiment, there are cases where a user needs to perform a replenishing operation, such as opening the pouch 211, in order to replenishing toner from the replenishing pack 210 to the storage portion 18 of the developing container 230. The replenishing mode of this embodiment has the advantage that the user is less likely to hesitate to perform the replenishing operation, since no driving noise is generated from the gears for driving the motor 311 and the stirring member 60 while the user is performing the replenishing operation.

[0086] In this embodiment, the replenishing pack 210 having the pouch 211 is used, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the effects of this embodiment can be obtained even with a resin container in which the user pushes the plunger to push the toner out, or a resin container in which the user hits or deforms the container to eject the toner out.

[0087] <Second Example> A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the control in the supply mode of the first embodiment is modified. The configurations of the image forming apparatus 1 and the supply pack 210 are the same as those of the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0088] [Refill mode] The control of the replenishment mode in this embodiment will be described with reference to the control flowchart in Fig. 17. As shown in Fig. 17, the control unit 302 first determines whether the lever 201 is in the replenishment position based on the detection result of the switch 208 (S201). If it is determined that the lever 201 is in the replenishment position, the display unit 415 starts displaying the replenishment mode (S202). The replenishment mode display is the same as in the first embodiment, so its description will be omitted.

[0089] The control unit 302 determines whether a second predetermined time has elapsed since it was detected that the lever 201 is in the replenishing position (S203). In this embodiment, the second predetermined time is 60 seconds. However, the second predetermined time does not have to be 60 seconds. It is sufficient that the time is long enough for the user to move the lever 201 from the replenishing position to the operating position after it is detected that the lever 201 has been moved from the operating position to the replenishing position and after the user has completed the replenishing operation of opening the pouch 211 of the replenishing pack 210 as shown in FIG. 14 .

[0090] If the answer is Yes in S203, the control unit 302 executes steps S204 to S210. Steps S204 to S210 are the same as steps S104 to S110 in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. In the supply mode of this embodiment, the motor 311, which generates driving noise from the motor 311 and gears, starts to operate after a sufficient time has passed for the user to finish the supplying operation and move the lever 201 from the open position to the closed position, which has the effect of making the user less likely to hesitate to supply the cartridges.

[0091] Although this embodiment uses a supply pack 210 having a pouch 211, the present invention is not limited to this, as in the first embodiment. If a toner container that discharges toner by pushing a plunger is used instead of the supply pack 210, the second predetermined time can be set to a time sufficient to push the plunger and rotate the toner container to rotate the container shutter from the open position to the closed position.

[0092] <Third Example> A third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, the control of the supply mode of the first embodiment is modified. The configurations of the image forming apparatus 1 and the supply pack 210 are the same as those of the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0093] [Refill mode] The control of the replenishment mode in this embodiment will be described with reference to the control flowchart in Figure 18. First, the control unit 302 determines whether the lever 201 is in the replenishment position based on the detection result of the switch 208 (S301). If it is determined that the lever 201 is in the replenishment position, the display unit 415 starts displaying the replenishment mode (S302). The replenishment mode display is the same as in the first embodiment, so its description will be omitted.

[0094] Next, the control unit 302 determines whether the motor 311 is drivable (S303).

[0095] If the answer is Yes in S303, the control unit 302 starts driving the motor 311 at a first rotation speed (S304). The first rotation speed is 2 / 3 of the rotation speed (second rotation speed) of the motor 311 when the image forming apparatus prints on plain paper. The rotation speed of the agitating member 60 when the motor 311 rotates at the first rotation speed is 2 / 3 of the rotation speed when the motor 311 rotates at the second rotation speed.

[0096] Next, the control unit 302 determines whether the lever 201 is in the operating position based on the detection result of the switch 208 (S305). That is, it determines whether the lever 201 is in the operating position. If it is determined that the lever 201 is in the supply position, the control unit 302 switches the rotation speed of the motor 311 from the first rotation speed to a second rotation speed that is faster than the first rotation speed (S306). Then, the control unit 302 determines whether a third predetermined time has elapsed since the rotation speed of the motor 311 was switched from the first rotation speed to the second rotation speed in S306 (S307). In this embodiment, the third predetermined time is set to 2 seconds. The toner in the container 18 is leveled during these 2 seconds. Thereafter, the control unit 302 executes steps S308 to S311. Since steps S308 to S311 are the same as steps S107 to S110 in the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted. In the control of the replenishment mode of this embodiment, motor 311 is driven at the first rotation speed, which is slower than the second rotation speed, from the time when lever 201 is moved from the operating position to the replenishment position until lever 201 is moved from the replenishment position to the operating position. Therefore, the driving noise generated by gears for driving motor 311 and stirring member 60 while the user is replenishing replenishment pack 210 is small, which has the effect of making the user less likely to hesitate to replenish. Furthermore, downtime can be reduced by increasing the rotation speed of motor 311 during the period after lever 201, for which the user has finished replenishment, is moved to the operating position.

[0097] In this embodiment, the supply pack 210 having the pouch 211 is used, but similar to the first embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. In addition, the first rotation speed may be any speed as long as it is slower than the second rotation speed.

[0098] Furthermore, in any of the first to third embodiments, the supply pack 210 can transition between a replenishment enabled state and a replenishment disabled state by operating the lever 201 while the supply pack 210 is attached to the supply unit 200, but this is not limiting. For example, instead of operating the lever 201, the supply pack 210 itself may be rotated to transition between the replenishment enabled state and the replenishment disabled state. In other words, the container shutter 214 and the main body shutter 206 may be rotated in conjunction with the rotation of the supply pack 210.

[0099] Furthermore, although the image forming apparatuses of the first to third embodiments are configured to have a main body shutter, a removable cap may be used instead of the main body shutter.The configuration may also be such that the user removes or moves the cap and then attaches the supply pack 210 to the supply unit 200. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 1. Image forming device 18 Storage section 60 stirring member 200 Supply unit (attachment unit) 201 Lever (operating part) 201d Lever engagement part 208 Switch (detection part) 210 Supply Pack 211 pouch 212 Insertion part (end member) 212a Insertion part opening 214 Container shutter 214b Container shutter engaged portion 302 Control Unit 302 Motor (actuator) 312 Remaining amount detection unit

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus to which a toner container can be attached, the toner container having a first storage section provided with an opening for replenishing toner, and a shutter movable relative to the first storage section between a closed position for closing the opening and an open position for opening the opening, a mounting portion into which the toner container can be mounted; a second storage portion configured to store toner supplied through the opening of the toner container attached to the attachment portion; a stirring member that stirs the toner in the second container; an actuator for driving the stirring member; a control unit that controls the actuator; and The mounting portion is an operating member configured to move together with the shutter when the toner container is attached, the operating member being movable between a first position where the shutter is in the closed position and a second position where the shutter is in the open position; a first engaging portion configured to engage with the first accommodating portion when the toner container is attached, the first engaging portion engaging with the first accommodating portion to restrict movement of the first accommodating portion when the shutter is moved by the operating member; a detection unit that detects movement of the operating member; and An image forming apparatus characterized in that the control unit controls the actuator so that driving of the stirring member is started based on the detection unit detecting the movement of the operating member from the second position to the first position.

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stirring member is stopped from being driven during the period from when the movement of the operating member from the first position to the second position is detected by the detection unit to when the movement of the operating member from the second position to the first position is detected by the detection unit.

3. a toner remaining amount detection unit that detects the amount of toner contained in the second container, 3. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the toner remaining amount detection unit detects the amount of toner after the stirring member is started to be driven based on the detection unit detecting the movement of the operating member from the second position to the first position and while the stirring member is being driven.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the toner remaining amount detection unit begins detecting the toner amount a first predetermined time after the driving of the stirring member is started based on the detection unit detecting the movement of the operating member from the second position to the first position.

5. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit controls the actuator so that driving of the stirring member is stopped after the toner remaining amount detection unit has finished detecting the amount of toner.

6. a display unit that displays the amount of remaining toner according to the result of detection of the amount of toner by the remaining toner detection unit; The control unit controls the display unit to start displaying a supply mode different from the toner remaining amount display based on the detection of the movement of the operating member from the first position to the second position by the detection unit, and switches the supply mode display to the toner remaining amount display after the toner remaining amount detection unit has finished detecting the toner amount.

7. An image forming apparatus as described in Claim 1, characterized in that the control unit controls the actuator so that driving of the stirring member begins a predetermined time after the detection unit detects the movement of the operating member from the first position to the second position.

8. An image forming apparatus to which a toner container can be attached, the toner container having an opening for storing toner and a shutter movable between a closed position for closing the opening and an open position for opening the opening, a mounting portion into which the toner container can be mounted; a storage portion configured to store toner supplied through the opening of the toner container attached to the attachment portion; a stirring member for stirring the toner in the container; an actuator for driving the stirring member; a control unit that controls the actuator; and The mounting portion is an operating member having an engaging portion that engages with the shutter when the toner container is attached, and configured to move together with the shutter by the engaging portion engaging with the shutter, the operating member being movable between a first position where the shutter is in the closed position and a second position where the shutter is in the open position; a detection unit that detects movement of the operating member; and an actuator for controlling the actuator so that the driving of the stirring member is started before the movement of the operating member from the second position to the first position is detected by the detection unit, and the driving speed of the stirring member is increased based on the detection of the movement of the operating member from the second position to the first position;

9. a toner container for storing toner, the toner container including: a pouch for storing toner; an end member provided at an end of the pouch and having an opening for discharging the toner in the pouch to the outside of the toner container; and a container shutter having an engagement portion and movable relative to the end member between a closed position for closing the opening and an open position for opening the opening; an image forming apparatus into which the toner container can be attached; In an image forming system comprising: the image forming apparatus, a mounting portion into which the toner container can be mounted; a storage portion configured to store toner supplied through the opening of the toner container attached to the attachment portion; a stirring member for stirring the toner in the container; an actuator for driving the stirring member; a control unit that controls the actuator; and The mounting portion is an operating member having an engaging portion that engages with the engaged portion of the container shutter when the toner container is attached, and configured to move together with the container shutter by the engaging portion engaging with the engaged portion of the container shutter, the operating member being movable between a first position where the container shutter is in the closed position and a second position where the container shutter is in the open position; a detection unit that detects movement of the operating member; and An image forming apparatus characterized in that the control unit controls the actuator so that driving of the stirring member is started based on the detection unit detecting the movement of the operating member from the second position to the first position.

10. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the pouch is made of a polypropylene sheet.

11. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when the container shutter is rotated by the operating member, the pouch does not rotate.

Images