Image forming device

Abstract

To detect a rotational position of a toner bottle with an inexpensive configuration without reducing toner conveyance performance and detection accuracy.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 is removably attached with a toner bottle 40 that has a spiral groove 44 formed in an outer peripheral surface of the bottle and rotates in a predetermined rotation direction R to convey toner charged therein toward a discharge port 46 provided at one end of the bottle. The image forming apparatus 1 comprises a detection unit 60 that detects the position of the groove 44 in the rotation direction R of the toner bottle 40, and a control unit 7 that determines a stop timing to stop the rotation of the toner bottle 40 based on a result of detection performed by the detection unit 60.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus to which a toner bottle can be detachably attached. [Background technology]

[0002] An image forming apparatus that forms images using an electrophotographic method is configured to supply toner from a toner bottle to a developing unit by rotating the toner bottle. In this type of image forming apparatus, it has been proposed that when the rotation of the toner bottle is stopped, the toner bottle should be stopped at a rotation position where the toner outlet faces upward in order to prevent toner from leaking from the toner outlet provided in the toner bottle.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a method in which a recess is provided on the outer circumferential surface of a toner bottle and a reflective photoelectric sensor is positioned opposite the recess. The recess rotates as the toner bottle rotates, moving away from the position facing the reflective photoelectric sensor. When the toner bottle rotates to a position where the discharge port faces upward, the recess returns to the position facing the reflective photoelectric sensor and is detected by the reflective photoelectric sensor. Therefore, by stopping the rotation of the toner bottle when the reflective photoelectric sensor detects the recess, the discharge port can be kept facing upward.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 describes attaching an IC tag to a toner bottle and providing an image forming apparatus with a communication device that wirelessly communicates with the IC tag. The image forming apparatus is configured to detect the rotation angle of the toner bottle by detecting changes in the strength of the communication radio waves between the IC tag and the communication device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-181475 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-53181 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the conventional technology of Patent Document 1 requires a large difference in height between the surface of the toner bottle and the bottom of the recess so that the reflective photoelectric sensor can properly detect the recess. Creating a large difference in height causes the bottom of the recess to protrude into the toner bottle, creating an obstacle when the toner bolt is rotated to transport the toner inside toward the discharge port, resulting in reduced transport performance. Furthermore, reflective photoelectric sensors are easily affected by the surface condition of the toner bottle (e.g., color, surface roughness, etc.). Therefore, for example, if recycled materials are mixed into the raw materials of the toner bottle, the surface condition of the toner bottle changes depending on the type and degree of recycled material, which can lead to the problem of false detection.

[0007] Furthermore, in the conventional technology of Patent Document 2, an IC tag must be attached to each toner bottle, which inevitably leads to an increase in costs.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and aims to provide an image forming apparatus that can detect the rotational position of a toner bottle with an inexpensive configuration without reducing toner transport performance or detection accuracy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is an image forming apparatus to which a toner bottle can be attached and detached, the bottle having a spiral groove formed on the outer periphery thereof, which rotates in a predetermined rotation direction to convey toner filled inside toward a discharge port provided at one end of the bottle, the image forming apparatus comprising: a detection means for detecting the position of the groove in the rotation direction; and a control means for determining the timing to stop the rotation of the toner bottle based on the detection result by the detection means. The detecting means includes an actuator that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle at a predetermined position in the rotation direction, and detects a change in the position of the actuator when the groove reaches the predetermined position. The configuration is characterized by the above. The invention of claim 2 is an image forming device to which a toner bottle can be attached or detached, the bottle having a spiral groove formed on its outer surface and rotating in a predetermined direction to transport the toner filled inside toward an outlet provided at one end of the bottle, the device comprising: a detection means for detecting the position of the groove in the rotation direction; and a control means for determining the timing to stop the rotation of the toner bottle based on the detection result by the detection means, the detection means being located at a position higher than the rotation axis of the toner bottle. The invention of claim 3 is an image forming device to which a toner bottle can be attached or detached, having a spiral groove formed on the outer surface of the bottle and rotating in a predetermined rotational direction to transport the toner filled inside toward an outlet provided at one end of the bottle, and is characterized in that it is equipped with a detection means for detecting the position of the groove in the rotational direction, and a control means for determining the timing to stop the rotation of the toner bottle based on the detection result by the detection means, and the detection means is provided on the opposite side of the longitudinal center of the toner bottle from the outlet.

[0010] Claim 4 The invention according to claim 1 or any of the three In the image forming apparatus, the control means determines the timing when the ejection outlet is positioned higher than the rotation axis of the toner bottle as the stop timing, and stops the rotation of the toner bottle at the stop timing.

[0011] Claim 5 The invention according to claim 4 In the image forming apparatus of the above, the control means is configured to determine the timing at which the ejection openings face upward as the stop timing.

[0012] Claim 6 The invention according to the present invention is as follows: 5 In any one of the image forming apparatuses, the detecting means detects the position of the groove by contacting the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle.

[0014] Claim 7 The invention according to claim 1 In the image forming apparatus of the above, the detecting means further comprises a transmission type sensor for detecting a change in the attitude of the actuator.

[0017] Claim 8 The invention according to claim 1 to 7 In any one of the image forming apparatuses, the control means rotates the toner bottle when the toner bottle is installed, and determines whether the toner bottle is installed properly based on the detection result by the detection means.

[0018] Claim 9 The invention according to claim 8 In the image forming apparatus, the control means issues a warning when the toner bottle is not properly attached.

[0019] Claim 10 The invention according to claim 8 or 9 In the image forming apparatus, when the installation state of the toner bottle is proper, the control means determines the stop timing based on the detection result by the detection means, continues rotating the toner bottle until the stop timing is reached, and stops the rotation of the toner bottle at the stop timing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately detect the rotational position of a toner bottle with an inexpensive configuration without deteriorating the toner transport performance or detection accuracy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the internal configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an external configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a toner bottle. [Figure 4] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating an example of a toner bottle mounting portion. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a toner bottle is attached to the attachment portion. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of a detection unit. [Figure 7] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a detection sensor in a state where a toner bottle is attached to an attachment portion. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation for supplying toner from a toner bottle. [Figure 9] 4 is a timing chart showing an example of control by a control unit. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure for determining the installation state of a toner bottle. [Figure 11]10 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the processing procedure for determining the installation state of the toner bottle. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a preferred position of the detector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Elements common to the embodiments described below are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted.

[0023] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. This image forming apparatus 1 is configured as a printer or MFP (Multifunction Peripherals), and is a device that forms and outputs an image on a sheet by electrophotography.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a paper feed conveying unit 2, an image forming unit 3, a fixing unit 4, a paper discharge unit 5, and a control unit 7. The paper feed conveying unit 2 has multiple paper feed trays 10a, 10b, and 10c capable of holding sheets 9, which are recording media. The paper feed conveying unit 2 feeds sheets one by one from a selected one of the paper feed trays 10a, 10b, and 10c, and conveys the sheets 9 along a sheet conveying path 13 formed inside the apparatus main body 1a. The image forming unit 3 transfers a toner image onto the sheet 9 as the sheet 9 conveyed by the paper feed conveying unit 2 passes a predetermined position. The fixing unit 4 fixes the toner image transferred onto the sheet 9 to form an image. The paper discharge unit 5 is configured as a paper discharge tray provided on the side of the apparatus main body 1a, and holds the sheets 9 on which the images have been formed. The control unit 7 controls the operations of the paper feed conveying unit 2, the image forming unit 3, and the fixing unit 4.

[0025] The paper feed conveying unit 2 includes a pickup roller 11, a paper feed roller 12, a conveying roller 14, a timing roller 15, and a paper discharge roller 16. The pickup roller 11 and the paper feed roller 12 are provided for each of the multiple paper feed trays 10a, 10b, and 10c, and pick up the topmost sheet 9 from among the sheets 9 stacked in each paper feed tray and send it to a downstream sheet conveying path 13. The conveying roller 14 conveys the sheet 9 sent to the sheet conveying path 13 toward the timing roller 15. The timing roller 15 is a roller that sends the sheet 9 to the secondary transfer unit 26 in accordance with the timing at which the toner image that is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 20 in the image forming unit 3 reaches the position of the secondary transfer unit 26.

[0026] The image forming section 3 includes a plurality of image forming units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K, an intermediate transfer belt 20, and a secondary transfer unit .

[0027] The image forming units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K are units that generate toner images of the respective colors, Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black), respectively, and perform primary transfer of the toner images onto the intermediate transfer belt 20. Each image forming unit 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K includes an image carrier 31 formed of a photosensitive drum. Around the image carrier 31, a charger 32, an exposure device 33, and a developing device 34 are arranged along the rotation direction of the image carrier 31 (the direction of the arrow in the figure). The charger 32 charges the surface of the image carrier 31 to a predetermined potential. The exposure device 33 exposes the surface of the image carrier 31 based on image data to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier 31. The developing device 34 applies a developer containing toner to the surface of the image carrier 31, thereby visualizing the electrostatic latent image with toner and forming a toner image. The image carrier 31 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 20, which is pressed by the primary transfer roller 25, downstream of the rotation direction of the developing device 34, and performs primary transfer of the toner image formed by the developing device 34 onto the intermediate transfer belt 20.

[0028] The intermediate transfer belt 20 is an endless belt that is circulated in a predetermined direction (the direction of the arrow in the figure) by a plurality of rollers 21, 22, 23, and 24. Primary transfer rollers 25 are provided inside the intermediate transfer belt 20 at positions facing each of the image forming units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K. These primary transfer rollers 25 bring the intermediate transfer belt 20 into contact with the image carriers 31 of each of the image forming units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K. As the intermediate transfer belt 20 passes through the positions of the image carriers 31 of each of the image forming units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K, Y, M, C, and K toner images are sequentially and superimposed on top of each other and primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 20, ultimately forming a color image. This color image is then secondarily transferred at the position of the secondary transfer unit 26 onto the sheet 9 being transported by the paper feed transport unit 2.

[0029] The secondary transfer unit 26 includes a secondary transfer belt 27, a secondary transfer roller 28, and rollers 29, 29. The secondary transfer belt 27 is an endless belt configured to circulate in a predetermined direction by the secondary transfer roller 28 and rollers 29, 29. The secondary transfer roller 28 is located opposite the roller 22, and forms a nip between the intermediate transfer belt 20 and the secondary transfer belt 27. When the sheet 9 is transported to this nip, a predetermined voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roller 28, allowing the toner image that has been primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 20 to be secondarily transferred onto the sheet 9. The secondary transfer unit 26 then transports the sheet 9, onto which the toner image has been secondarily transferred, to the fixing unit 4.

[0030] The fixing unit 4 applies heat and pressure to the sheet 9, thereby fixing the image that has been secondarily transferred onto the sheet 9. For example, the fixing unit 4 has a pressure roller 4a and a heating roller 4b, and applies heat and pressure to the sheet 9 by sandwiching it in the nip between the pressure roller 4a and the heating roller 4b. Thereafter, the sheet 9 with the fixed image is discharged to the paper discharge unit 5 by paper discharge rollers 16.

[0031] Each image forming unit 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K includes an intermediate hopper 37, a toner conveying unit 36, and a toner bottle 40 as a mechanism for supplying toner to the developing unit 34. The intermediate hopper 37 replenishes toner to the developing unit 34. The toner conveying unit 36 ​​conveys toner supplied from the toner bottle 40 to the intermediate hopper 37. For example, the control unit 7 constantly monitors the toner concentration in the developing unit 34 of each image forming unit 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K. When the toner concentration drops below a predetermined level, the control unit 7 drives the intermediate hopper 37 to supply toner to the developing unit 34 and maintain the toner concentration in the developing unit 34 at a constant level. When the remaining toner amount in the intermediate hopper 37 falls below a predetermined level, the control unit 7 drives the toner bottle 40 to rotate and drives the toner conveying unit 36 ​​to supply toner ejected from the toner bottle 40 to the intermediate hopper 37.

[0032] The toner bottle 40 is detachable from the apparatus main body 1a, and can be replaced with a new toner bottle when the toner stored inside runs out. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with an openable front door 18 on the front side of the apparatus main body 1a, and an opening 19 for installing the toner bottle 40 is formed on the inside of the front door 18. Therefore, when replacing the toner bottle 40, opening the front door 18 makes it possible to install or remove the toner bottle 40 from the opening 19. The control unit 7 is configured to detect when the front door 18 is opened or closed.

[0033] 2, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with an operation panel 8 that can be operated by a user, on the upper front side of the apparatus main body 1a. This operation panel 8 is composed of, for example, a display device that can display various images and a touch panel that can receive touch operations from the user.

[0034] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing an example of the configuration of toner bottle 40. As shown in Fig. 3A, toner bottle 40 is a toner storage container made of synthetic resin, and has a body portion 41, a head portion 42, and a tapered portion 43.

[0035] Body 41 has a predetermined diameter. A single spiral groove 44 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of body 41. For example, groove 44 is formed so as to be evenly spaced between both ends of body 41 in the longitudinal direction. This spiral groove 44 forms a spiral protrusion inside toner bottle 40, and has the function of conveying the toner filled inside toward head 42 when toner bottle 40 rotates in a predetermined direction.

[0036] The head 42 is located at the end of the toner bottle 40, has a smaller diameter than the body 41, and has a flat surface 42a formed on a portion of its cylindrical outer periphery. As shown in FIG. 3(b), the head 42 has a discharge port 46 on the flat surface 42a through which toner is discharged. A ring-shaped covering member 45 is attached to the head 42. The covering member 45 is slidable along the axial direction of the head 42 and is displaced between a first state (shown in FIG. 3(a)) in which the covering member 45 covers the discharge port 46 to prevent toner from scattering, and a second state (shown in FIG. 3(b)) in which the covering member 45 opens the discharge port 46 to allow toner to be discharged. For example, before the toner bottle 40 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1, the covering member 45 is located at the front end of the head 42, in the first state shown in FIG. 3(a). On the other hand, when the toner bottle 40 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1, the covering member 45 moves from the front end of the head 42 toward the body 41, opening the discharge port 46. Further, an end surface 47 of the head 42 is provided with recesses 48, 48 formed at positions that form 180 degrees with respect to the center of rotation of the toner bottle 40 as the reference.

[0037] The tapered portion 43 is provided between the body portion 41 and the head portion 42, and has a shape in which the diameter gradually decreases from the body portion 41 toward the head portion 42. A spiral groove 44 similar to that of the body portion 41 is also formed on the outer peripheral surface of this tapered portion 43. For example, it is preferable that the intervals between the grooves 44 formed in the tapered portion 43 are smaller than the intervals between the grooves 44 formed in the body portion 41. This improves the toner transport performance in the tapered portion 43. Furthermore, the grooves 44 formed in the tapered portion 43 may be formed as a continuous groove connected to the grooves 44 formed in the body portion 41, or may be formed as grooves separate from the grooves 44 formed in the body portion 41.

[0038] Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of mounting portions 50 for toner bottles 40 inside image forming apparatus 1. These mounting portions 50 are provided inside opening 19 shown in Fig. 2. Since four toner bottles 40, namely Y, M, C, and K, can be mounted in image forming apparatus 1, mounting portions 50 shown in Fig. 4 are provided in four locations inside apparatus main body 1a.

[0039] The mounting portion 50 includes a support portion 51, an engagement portion 52, a toner supply portion 53, and a detection portion 60. The support portion 51 is located at the bottom of the mounting portion 50 and has an arc-shaped cross section that is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the body portion 41 of the toner bottle 40. The support portion 51 functions as a guide that guides the toner bottle 40 in a straight line when the toner bottle 40 is attached or detached, and supports the toner bottle 40 to prevent axial wobble of the body portion 41 during rotation, ensuring smooth rotation. The engagement portion 52 engages with the outer circumferential surface of the covering member 45 attached to the head portion 42. The toner supply portion 53 is configured to accommodate the head portion 42 of the toner bottle 40 and accumulate toner discharged from the discharge port 46 inside. The toner supply portion 53 has an opening 54 with a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the head portion 42 of the toner bottle 40. The diameter of this opening 54 is smaller than the outer diameter of the covering member 45. Therefore, when toner bottle 40 is attached, covering member 45 does not enter inside toner supply unit 53, and only head portion 42 enters inside toner supply unit 53. At this time, covering member 45 remains in a position where its outer peripheral surface engages with engaging portion 52, so covering member 45 slides relative to head portion 42 and opens discharge opening 46. In other words, when head portion 42 is fitted inside toner supply unit 53, discharge opening 46 is opened and toner bottle 40 enters a state in which it is possible to discharge toner from discharge opening 46 inside toner supply unit 53.

[0040] A drive coupling 55 that engages with the end surface 47 of the head 42 is provided at the inner end of the toner supply unit 53. As shown in the enlarged view A of FIG. 4, the drive coupling 55 has a circular end surface 55a that has approximately the same diameter as the outer diameter of the head 42. The end surface 55a is provided with protrusions 56 that fit into recesses 48 formed in the end surface 47 of the head 42.

[0041] FIG. 5 shows the toner bottle 40 mounted in the mounting portion 50. As shown in FIG. 5, when the toner bottle 40 is properly mounted in the mounting portion 50, the head 42 enters the interior of the toner supply portion 53. At this time, the protrusions 56 of the drive coupling 55 are fitted into the recesses 48 formed in the end surface 47 of the head 42. The drive coupling 55 rotates in a predetermined direction (direction R in the figure) about the rotation axis L1 driven by a motor (not shown). If the protrusions 56 are properly fitted into the recesses 48, the rotation of the drive coupling 55 causes the toner bottle 40 to also rotate in a predetermined direction (direction R in the figure) about the rotation axis L1. This rotation of the toner bottle 40 causes the spiral groove 44 to transport the toner stored in the toner bottle 40 toward the head 42. Furthermore, the discharge port 46 is open inside the toner supply portion 53. Therefore, when the discharge port 46 of the toner bottle 40 faces downward, the toner is discharged from the discharge port 46 into the internal space of the toner supply unit 53. As a result, toner accumulates in the internal space of the toner supply unit 53. The accumulated toner is transported to the intermediate hopper 37 by the toner transport unit 36. The intermediate hopper 37 is provided with a remaining toner amount detection sensor 37a for detecting the amount of toner remaining therein.

[0042] The detection unit 60 is disposed at a position where it can be joined to the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 40 attached to the attachment unit 50, and detects the position of the groove 44 in the rotational direction of the toner bottle 40. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the detection unit 60. As shown in Fig. 6(a), the detection unit 60 includes a holding member 61 attached to a predetermined position inside the device main body 1a, an actuator 62 supported by a rotation shaft 66 provided on the holding member 61 and swinging around the rotation shaft 66, and a detection sensor 63 installed at a predetermined position on the holding member 61 and detecting a change in the position of the actuator 62.

[0043] The actuator 62 has a first arm 64 extending in a predetermined direction from a central portion pivotally supported on a rotating shaft 66, and a second arm 65 extending in a direction opposite to the first arm 64. A triangular contact piece 67 is provided on the underside of the first arm 64. Meanwhile, a shielding plate 68 bent at a right angle from the extension direction of the second arm 65 is provided at the tip of the second arm 65. The first arm 64 is thicker than the second arm 65, and the center of gravity of the actuator 62 is located at the first arm 64. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the actuator 62 assumes a first position in which the first arm 64 is lowered due to the weight of the first arm 64. In contrast, when the contact piece 67 is lifted, the actuator 62 swings around the rotating shaft 66 as shown in FIG. 6(c), assuming a second position in which the first arm 64 is lifted. In addition, in order to prevent the first arm 64 from being further lowered from the first position shown in Figure 6(b), it is preferable to provide a stopper on the actuator 62 (for example, on the back side of the first arm 64) that engages with the holding member 61 when the actuator 62 is in the first position.

[0044] The detection sensor 63 is a sensor that detects whether the actuator 62 is in the first position or the second position. This detection sensor 63 is configured, for example, as a transmission sensor and includes a light-emitting unit 63a and a light-receiving unit 63b that are arranged opposite each other. For example, the detection sensor 63 is positioned such that when the actuator 62 is in the second position with the first arm 64 raised, a shielding plate 68 provided at the tip of the second arm 65 enters between the light-emitting unit 63a and the light-receiving unit 63b, creating a light-blocking state in which light from the light-emitting unit 63a does not enter the light-receiving unit 63b, and when the actuator 62 is in the first position with the first arm 64 lowered, the shielding plate 68 leaves the area between the light-emitting unit 63a and the light-receiving unit 63b, creating a light-receiving state in which light from the light-emitting unit 63a enters the light-receiving unit 63b. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The detection sensor 63 may be disposed at a position such that, when the actuator 62 assumes a first position with the first arm 64 lowered, the shielding plate 68 provided at the tip of the second arm 65 enters between the light-emitting unit 63a and the light-receiving unit 63b, creating a light-blocking state in which light from the light-emitting unit 63a does not enter the light-receiving unit 63b, and when the actuator 62 assumes a second position with the first arm 64 raised, the shielding plate 68 leaves the area between the light-emitting unit 63a and the light-receiving unit 63b, creating a light-receiving state in which light from the light-emitting unit 63a enters the light-receiving unit 63b. Therefore, the detection sensor 63 is turned on when the actuator 62 assumes one of the first and second positions and turned off when the actuator 62 assumes the other position. The following description will be given of an example in which the detection sensor 63 is turned on when the actuator 62 assumes the first position and turned off when the actuator 62 assumes the second position.

[0045] 7 is a diagram illustrating the detection sensor 63 when the toner bottle 40 is attached to the attachment portion 50. When the toner bottle 40 is attached to the attachment portion 50, the actuator 62 of the detection sensor 63 brings the tip of the contact piece 67 of the first arm 64 into contact with a point on the outer circumferential surface of the toner bottle 40 (more specifically, the body portion 41). At this time, if the contact piece 67 comes into contact with a portion where the groove 44 is not formed, the actuator 62 assumes the second position in which the first arm 64 is raised, as shown in FIG. 7(a). In contrast, if the contact piece 67 comes into contact with the bottom of the groove 44, the actuator 62 assumes the first position in which the first arm 64 is lowered, as shown in FIG. 7(b).

[0046] Because the single groove 44 formed on the outer surface of toner bottle 40 is spirally shaped in the longitudinal direction of toner bottle 40, it always passes the position of the contact point made by contact piece 67 once during one rotation of toner bottle 40. Therefore, when groove 44 does not pass the position of the contact point made by contact piece 67, actuator 62 is in the second position, and when groove 44 passes the position of the contact point made by contact piece 67, actuator 62 is in the first position. Note that, because contact piece 67 has a triangular shape as described above, it can smoothly enter and leave groove 44 when groove 44 passes the position of the contact point.

[0047] Here, the positional relationship between groove 44 formed on the outer peripheral surface of toner bottle 40 and discharge outlet 46 provided in head 42 is constant in the rotational direction of toner bottle 40, and this positional relationship remains the same even if the toner bottle 40 is changed. Therefore, if detection unit 60 detects groove 44 while toner bottle 40 is rotating, it is possible to identify the rotational position of discharge outlet 46 based on the detection result.

[0048] Therefore, when the toner bottle 40 is rotated to dispense toner, the control unit 7 monitors the detection state of the groove 44 by the detection unit 60. When the detection unit 60 detects the groove 44, it determines the timing when the discharge port 46 faces upward based on the detection result as the timing to stop the rotation of the toner bottle 40. The control unit 7 then stops the rotation of the toner bottle 40 at that timing. This stops the toner bottle 40 with the discharge port 46 facing upward, preventing toner from being dispensed from the discharge port 46 of the toner bottle 40 when toner is not being dispensed. Furthermore, because the toner bottle 40 always stops with the discharge port 46 facing upward inside the device main body 1a, for example, when the toner bottle 40 runs out and is removed from the device main body 1a, the toner bottle 40 can be removed with the discharge port 46 facing upward. This reduces the scattering of toner around when the toner bottle 40 is replaced. The control by the control unit 7 is described in detail below.

[0049] The control unit 7 includes a hardware processor and memory (not shown), and a computer-readable program executed by the hardware processor is recorded in the memory. The control unit 7 executes the program in the hardware processor to perform the processes described below.

[0050] 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of supplying toner from the toner bottle 40 attached to the apparatus main body 1a. First, the control unit 7 determines whether the remaining toner amount in the intermediate hopper 37 is less than a predetermined amount using the toner remaining amount detection sensor 37a (step S10). If the remaining toner amount is not less than the predetermined amount (NO in step S10), the control unit 7 does not replenish toner. On the other hand, if the remaining toner amount is less than the predetermined amount (YES in step S10), the control unit 7 drives the toner bottle 40 to rotate in a predetermined direction (step S11). At this time, the control unit 7 also drives the toner conveying unit 36. As a result, the toner bottle 40 rotates in the predetermined direction, toner is discharged from the discharge port 46 of the toner bottle 40, and the toner is supplied to the intermediate hopper 37 by the toner conveying unit 36.

[0051] When the control unit 7 starts rotating the toner bottle 40, it monitors the output of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 37a and determines whether toner replenishment to the intermediate hopper 37 is complete (Step S12). If it determines that toner replenishment is complete (YES in Step S12), the control unit 7 determines whether the detection unit 60 has detected the rotational position of the toner bottle 40 (Step S13). That is, the control unit 7 determines whether the detection unit 60 has detected the groove 44 of the toner bottle 40. If the detection unit 60 detects the groove 44 of the toner bottle 40 (YES in Step S13), the control unit 7 determines the stop timing for stopping the rotation of the toner bottle 40 (Step S14). That is, the control unit 7 calculates the timing when the discharge port 46 faces upward and determines the calculated timing as the stop timing for the toner bottle 40. For example, if the detection unit 60 is positioned to detect the groove 44 when the discharge port 46 faces upward, the control unit 7 determines the stop timing when the detection unit 60 detects the groove 44 as the stop timing. Furthermore, if the discharge outlet 46 faces upward after a predetermined time has elapsed since the detection unit 60 detected the groove 44, the control unit 7 determines that the timing at which the predetermined time has elapsed since the detection unit 60 detected the groove 44 is the stop timing.

[0052] Thereafter, the control unit 7 determines whether or not it is the stop timing determined in step S14 (step S15). If it is not the stop timing (NO in step S15), the control unit 7 waits until the stop timing arrives. If it is the stop timing (YES in step S15), the control unit 7 stops the rotation of the toner bottle 40 (step S16). As a result, the toner bottle 40 stops with the discharge port 46 facing upward.

[0053] FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing an example of control by the control unit 7. FIG. 9(a) shows a timing chart in which the detection unit 60 is positioned to detect the groove 44 when the discharge port 46 faces upward. In FIG. 9(a), for example, assume that the remaining toner amount detection sensor 37a turns on at timing T10, detecting that the amount of toner remaining in the intermediate hopper 37 is less than a predetermined amount. Immediately after detecting that the amount of toner remaining is less than the predetermined amount, the control unit 7 starts driving the toner bottle 40 to rotate (timing T11). When the toner bottle 40 starts to rotate, the detection unit 60 detects the groove 44, so the actuator 62 is in the first position and the detection sensor 63 is on. Then, when the toner bottle 40 is driven to rotate, the actuator 62 changes from the first position to the second position, and the detection sensor 63 turns off (timing T12).

[0054] Thereafter, each time the toner bottle 40 rotates once, the detection sensor 63 temporarily turns on (timings T13 and T14). When the remaining toner detection sensor 37a turns off (timing T15), the control unit 7 recognizes that toner replenishment is complete. After toner replenishment is complete, the control unit 7 determines the stop timing when the detection sensor 63 turns on (timing T16). The control unit 7 determines the stop timing as the timing when the detection sensor 63 turns on. The control unit 7 then stops the rotation of the toner bottle 40 (timing T17). In other words, in the example of FIG. 9A, the detection unit 60 is positioned so that it detects the groove 44 when the discharge port 46 faces upward. Therefore, if the rotation of the toner bottle 40 is stopped immediately after the detection unit 60 detects the groove 44, the discharge port 46 can be stopped facing upward.

[0055] Next, FIG. 9B shows a timing chart for when the discharge port 46 faces upward a predetermined time after the detection unit 60 detects the groove 44. In FIG. 9B, for example, at timing T20, the toner remaining amount detection sensor 37a turns on and detects that the amount of toner remaining in the intermediate hopper 37 is less than a predetermined amount. Immediately after detecting that the amount of toner remaining is less than the predetermined amount, the control unit 7 starts rotating the toner bottle 40 (timing T21). When the toner bottle 40 starts to rotate, the detection unit 60 does not detect the groove 44, the actuator 62 is in the second position, and the detection sensor 63 is off. Then, when the toner bottle 40 starts to rotate and the groove 44 passes the contact point of the contact piece 67, the actuator 62 changes from the second position to the first position, and the detection sensor 63 temporarily turns on (timing T22).

[0056] Thereafter, each time the toner bottle 40 rotates once, the detection sensor 63 temporarily turns on (timing T23). When the remaining toner detection sensor 37a turns off (timing T24), the control unit 7 recognizes that toner replenishment is complete. After toner replenishment is complete, the control unit 7 determines the stop timing when the detection sensor 63 turns on (timing T25). The control unit 7 determines the stop timing as the timing when a predetermined time Ts has elapsed since the detection sensor 63 turned on. The control unit 7 then stops the rotation of the toner bottle 40 at the stop timing when the predetermined time Ts has elapsed (timing T26). That is, in the example of FIG. 9B, the discharge port 46 faces upward a predetermined time after the detection unit 60 detects the groove 44. Therefore, when the detection unit 60 detects the groove 44, the rotation of the toner bottle 40 is stopped after the predetermined time has elapsed, thereby stopping the discharge port 46 facing upward.

[0057] The above-described detection unit 60 is configured to detect groove 44 formed on the outer peripheral surface of toner bottle 40. The groove 44 to be detected is a spiral groove that transports the toner filled inside toner bottle 40 toward discharge port 46, so it does not reduce the toner's sailing performance as in the past. Furthermore, because the detection unit 60 detects groove 44 while the actuator 62 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of toner bottle 40, it is not affected by the surface condition of the toner bottle (e.g., color, surface roughness, etc.) as in the past, and false detections do not occur. Furthermore, because the detection unit 60 does not require an IC tag or the like to be attached to the toner bottle 40, it has the advantage of being low-cost.

[0058] The above-described detection unit 60 can also be used to determine whether the toner bottle 40 is properly installed in the apparatus main body 1a. That is, if the toner bottle 40 is properly installed, when the toner bottle 40 is rotated, the on / off state of the detection sensor 63 changes once per rotation of the toner bottle 40, as described above. In contrast, if the toner bottle 40 is not properly installed, the toner bottle 40 does not rotate even when the control unit 7 rotates the drive coupling 55 once, and therefore the on / off state of the detection sensor 63 does not change. Therefore, the control unit 7 can determine whether the toner bottle 40 is properly installed based on whether the on / off state of the detection sensor 63 changes.

[0059] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure for determining the installation state of the toner bottle 40. The control unit 7 determines whether or not the front door 18 has been opened or closed (Step S20). When the front door 18 is opened or closed, there is a possibility that the toner bottle 40 has been installed or removed. Therefore, when the control unit 7 detects the front door 18 being opened or closed (YES in Step S20), it drives the drive coupling 55 to rotate the toner bottle 40 once (Step S21). Then, while the drive coupling 55 is rotating once, the control unit 7 determines whether or not the detection sensor 63 detects the rotation of the toner bottle 40 (Step S22). That is, the control unit 7 determines that the rotation of the toner bottle 40 has been detected when the on / off state of the detection sensor 63 changes. If the rotation of the toner bottle 40 is detected (YES in Step S22), the installation state of the toner bottle 40 is correct. Therefore, the processing by the control unit 7 ends.

[0060] On the other hand, if rotation of the toner bottle 40 is not detected (NO in step S22), the installation state of the toner bottle 40 is not correct. In this case, the control unit 7 displays a warning (step S23). For example, the control unit 7 displays a warning screen on the operation panel 8 to notify the user that the installation state of the toner bottle 40 is not correct. At this time, the control unit 7 may also emit a warning sound.

[0061] Next, FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing another example of a procedure for determining the installation state of the toner bottle 40. In this procedure, if the installation state of the toner bottle 40 is proper, the rotation of the toner bottle 40 is stopped at a position where the discharge port 46 faces upward. The control unit 7 determines whether or not the front door 18 has been opened or closed (Step S30). If the front door 18 has been opened or closed (YES in Step S30), the control unit 7 drives the drive coupling 55 to rotate the toner bottle 40 one revolution (Step S31). Then, the control unit 7 determines whether or not the detection sensor 63 has detected the rotation of the toner bottle 40 while the drive coupling 55 is rotating one revolution (Step S32). If the rotation of the toner bottle 40 (i.e., the groove 44) is detected (YES in Step S32), the control unit 7 determines the timing to stop the rotation of the toner bottle 40 (Step S33). That is, the control unit 7 calculates the timing when the discharge port 46 faces upward, and determines the calculated timing as the timing when the toner bottle 40 stops.

[0062] Thereafter, the control unit 7 determines whether it is the stop timing determined in step S33 (step S34). If it is not the stop timing (NO in step S34), the control unit 7 continues to rotate the toner bottle 40. When it is the stop timing (YES in step S34), the control unit 7 stops the rotation of the toner bottle 40 (step S35). As a result, the toner bottle 40 stops with the discharge port 46 facing upward.

[0063] On the other hand, if the detection sensor 63 does not detect the rotation of the toner bottle 40 (NO in step S32), the control unit 7 determines whether or not one rotation of the drive coupling 55 has been completed (step S36). If the drive coupling 55 has not completed one rotation (NO in step S36), the process by the control unit 7 returns to step S32. On the other hand, if the drive coupling 55 has completed one rotation (YES in step S36), the control unit 7 stops the rotation of the toner bottle 40 (step S37). Then, the control unit 7 displays a warning (step S38).

[0064] In this way, when the toner bottle 40 is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body 1a, the control unit 7 can determine whether the toner bottle 40 is properly attached based on the detection result of the detection unit 60. Furthermore, if the toner bottle 40 is properly attached, the control unit 7 can also stop the rotation of the toner bottle 40 with the discharge outlet 46 of the toner bottle 40 facing upward. Therefore, the toner bottle 40 can be maintained with the discharge outlet 46 facing upward immediately after it is attached.

[0065] In the above-described configuration, toner may leak out of toner supply unit 53 through opening 54 provided in toner supply unit 53. In this case, if detection sensor 63 is configured as a transmission sensor as described above, toner that has leaked out of toner supply unit 53 may adhere to and accumulate on light-emitting unit 63a or light-receiving unit 63b, which may reduce the sensitivity of detection sensor 63. To prevent this, it is preferable to position detection unit 60 in mounting unit 50 as high as possible and as far away as possible from discharge port 46 of toner bottle 40.

[0066] FIG. 12 shows a preferred position for the detection unit 60. As shown in FIG. 12, the detection unit 60 is preferably located higher than the rotation axis L1 of the toner bottle 40 in the vertical direction. This makes it difficult for toner to accumulate on the light-emitting unit 63a or the light-receiving unit 63b, thereby preventing a decrease in the sensitivity of the detection sensor 63. Furthermore, the detection unit 60 is preferably located on the opposite side of the longitudinal center L2 of the toner bottle 40 from the discharge port 46. This reduces the possibility that toner leaking from the toner supply unit 53 will reach the detection sensor 63, thereby preventing a decrease in the sensitivity of the detection sensor 63. A more preferred position for the detection sensor 63 is near the bottom of the toner bottle 40, where it contacts the top of the outer circumferential surface of the toner bottle 40.

[0067] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the contents described in the above embodiments, and various modifications are applicable.

[0068] For example, in the above embodiment, the rotation of the toner bottle 40 is stopped with the discharge port 46 of the toner bottle 40 facing upward. However, the discharge port 46 does not necessarily have to face vertically upward. For example, the discharge port 46 may be stopped at a position higher than the rotation axis L1 of the toner bottle 40.

[0069] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example in which the detection sensor 63 is configured as a transmission sensor has been described, but this is not limited to this. For example, the detection sensor 63 may be a contact-type sensor in which the switch contacts come into contact and turn on when the actuator 62 is in the first position, and the switch contacts open and turn off when the actuator 62 is in the second position. In this case, the timing at which the contact sensor switches on and off may be reversed.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the actuator 62 is configured to change from the second position to the first position under its own weight. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the actuator 62 may be biased by a biasing means such as a spring so that it assumes the first position when in the second position. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1. Image forming device 7 Control section (control means) 40 Toner bottle 44 Groove 46 Discharge port 60 Detection unit (detection means) 62 Actuator 63 Detection sensor (transmission sensor)

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus to which a toner bottle can be attached and detached has a spiral groove formed on the outer periphery of the bottle, and the bottle rotates in a predetermined direction to convey toner filled inside toward a discharge port provided at one end of the bottle, a detection means for detecting the position of the groove in the rotation direction; a control means for determining a timing to stop the rotation of the toner bottle based on the detection result of the detection means; Equipped with The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the detection means has an actuator that contacts the outer surface of the toner bottle at a predetermined position in the rotation direction, and detects a change in posture of the actuator when the groove reaches the predetermined position.

2. An image forming apparatus to which a toner bottle can be attached and detached has a spiral groove formed on the outer periphery of the bottle, and the bottle rotates in a predetermined direction to convey toner filled inside toward a discharge port provided at one end of the bottle, a detection means for detecting the position of the groove in the rotation direction; a control means for determining a timing to stop the rotation of the toner bottle based on the detection result of the detection means; Equipped with The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the detecting means is provided at a position higher than a rotation axis of the toner bottle.

3. An image forming apparatus to which a toner bottle can be attached and detached has a spiral groove formed on the outer periphery of the bottle, and the bottle rotates in a predetermined direction to convey toner filled inside toward a discharge port provided at one end of the bottle, a detection means for detecting the position of the groove in the rotation direction; a control means for determining a timing to stop the rotation of the toner bottle based on the detection result of the detection means; Equipped with The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the detecting means is provided on the opposite side of the ejection opening with respect to the longitudinal center of the toner bottle.

4. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines the timing when the ejection outlet is positioned higher than the rotation axis of the toner bottle as the stop timing, and stops the rotation of the toner bottle at the stop timing.

5. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control means determines the timing at which the ejection openings face upward as the stop timing.

6. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detecting means detects the position of the groove by contacting the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle.

7. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detecting means further comprises a transmission sensor for detecting a change in the attitude of the actuator.

8. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means rotates the toner bottle when the toner bottle is installed, and determines whether the toner bottle is installed properly based on the detection result by the detection means.

9. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control means issues a warning when the toner bottle is not properly attached.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, when the installation state of the toner bottle is proper, the control means determines the stop timing based on the detection result by the detection means, continues rotating the toner bottle until the stop timing is reached, and stops the rotation of the toner bottle at the stop timing.

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