JPH0748120B2 - Copier developing device - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developing device that can be used in an electrostatic transfer copying machine, a laser printer, etc., and particularly in a developing device having a developing tank and a replenishing tank. The present invention relates to an improvement of a sealing device that seals the supply port of

<Prior Art> In a conventional developing device of a copying machine, the developing device body is removably disposed in proximity to a photoconductor of the copying machine body, and the developing device body supplies a developing tank and a developer to the developing tank. And a developer replenishing tank having a replenishing port for

In this developing device, since the opening for adhering toner to the photoconductor is formed in the developing tank, if the copying machine is put in the developing process with the developer in the main body,
The developer may leak from the opening due to vibration during transportation.

For this reason, the developer is not put in the developing device main body during the distribution process, or the developer is not put in the developer tank and the developer is put in the supply tank and the supply port is sealed with a peelable seal member. Shipping. Then, the seal member was manually peeled off by the user when the copying machine was installed.

6 (a) and 6 (b) schematically show a conventional sealing device, in which the end 4 of the sealing member 3 is extended forward from the replenishing port 2 of the replenishing tank 1, and the sealing member is installed after the copying machine main body is installed. By pulling out the end portion 4 of the sealing member 3 from the replenishing port 2
Had been peeled off.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, the peeled seal member surface (the hatched portion in the drawing) has the developer that has been sealed, so that the user's hands and the surroundings are soiled. .

Further, since the seal member 3 is manually peeled off, if the peeling of the seal member 3 is forgotten, a problem such as unusable copying occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a developing device for a copying machine, which can prevent copy failure due to forgetting to peel off the seal member and can obtain a stable peeling force.

<Means for Solving Problems> The problem solving means according to the present invention is such that the developing device main body 13 is detachably attached to the copying machine main body 11 as shown in FIGS. In a developing device of a copying machine, which comprises a developing tank 16 and a reinforcing tank 19 having replenishing ports 17 and 18 for supplying a developer to the developing tank 16, a developing process for sealing the replenishing ports 17 and 18 is performed. The agent sealing device 30 is provided, and the sealing device is provided.
Reference numeral 30 designates a replenishing port seal member 32 releasably attached to the mouth walls of the replenishing ports 17 and 18, and a winding shaft 33 rotatably supported by the developing device main body 13 for winding the seal member 32.
A drive unit 34 for rotating the winding shaft 33, and a drive unit 34 for connecting the drive unit 34 to the drive unit 35 on the copying machine main body 11 side when the developing device main body 13 is mounted on the copying machine main body 11. Connection means 36
And the developing device main body 13 mounted on the copying machine main body 11.
Is provided with a detection means 50 for detecting whether or not it is in an unused state, and a control portion 51 for driving and controlling the drive portion 34 on the winding shaft 33 side by the detection signal from the detection means 50. Part 51
Is a clutch mechanism 52 for continuing the transmission of the driving force from the drive unit 35 on the copying machine body 11 side to the drive unit 34 on the winding shaft 33 side.
A timer unit 53 that counts when the unused state is detected by the detection unit 50, and the clutch mechanism 52 is connected after the unused state is detected.
A drive for transmitting the driving force of 35 to the drive unit 34 on the side of the winding shaft 33 and cutting the clutch mechanism 52 in response to a predetermined time elapse signal of the timer means 52 to stop the drive unit 34 on the side of the winding shaft 33. The section control means 54 is provided.

<Operation> In the means for solving the above problem, when the developing device main body 13 is transported, the replenishing ports 19 and 18 of the replenishing tank 19 are sealed by the seal member 32 as shown in FIG. Then, the developer is not put in the developing tank 16. Then, the developer does not drop into the developing tank 16 due to vibration or the like during transportation from the manufacturer to the user and does not leak from the opening 20 of the developing tank 16.

At the time of use, the developing device body 13 is attached to the copying machine body. Then, the drive means 34 of the winding shaft 33 is connected by the connecting means 36.
And the drive unit 35 of the main body 11 are connected. In this state, if the power of the copier body 11 is turned on, the drive unit on the copier body 11 side
35 operates, but at this time, the detection means 50 is the developing device main body.
Detect if 13 is unused.

If the detection result is not used, the clutch mechanism 52 is connected and the driving force of the driving unit 35 on the copying machine main body 11 side is transmitted to the driving unit 34 on the winding shaft 33 side to rotate the winding shaft 33, Seal member 32
To wind up. Then, after a lapse of a predetermined time, the clutch mechanism
52 is cut and the driving force from the drive unit 35 on the copying machine main body 11 side is not transmitted, and the rotation of the winding shaft 33 is stopped.

Therefore, after winding, the winding shaft 33 does not continuously rotate together with the developing roller 14, and the bearing portion of the winding shaft 33 is worn,
Also, it is possible to prevent toner scattering and abnormal noise due to flapping of the seal member 32.

Further, when the old used developing device main body 13 is set, a used signal is output from the detection means 50, and the drive unit control means 54 does not operate the drive unit 34.
Does not rotate.

<Embodiment> An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 1 is a front sectional view showing a sealed state of a seal member of a developing device of a copying machine which is an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front sectional view showing a peeled state of the seal member.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the seal member winding control section, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the developing device main body showing an example of the connecting means, and FIG. Is a perspective view for explaining the peeled state.

As shown in the figure, in the developing device of a copying machine according to the present invention, a developing device main body 13 is detachably arranged close to a photoconductor 12 of a copying machine main body 11, and the developing device main body 13 includes a developing roller 14 and a stirring roller 15. And a developer replenishing tank 19 having replenishment ports 17 and 18 for supplying the developer to the developing tank 16.
It is equipped with

The developing tank 16 has a box shape with an open upper part, and is located in the vicinity of the opening 20 for adhering toner to the photoconductor 12 and has the developing roller.
14 is rotatably arranged, and the developing roller 14
The stirring roller 15 is rotatably arranged on the side more distant from the above.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the replenishing tank 19 is formed integrally with the developing tank 16, and a developer (toner and carrier) storage chamber 21 formed in the upper portion of the developing tank 16 and the storage chamber 21. 21 to bulkhead 22
And a toner replenishing chamber 25 in which a toner replenishing roller 23 and a toner stirring roller 24 are installed. Storage room
21 is disposed above the developing tank 16 on the photoconductor 12 side, and the replenishment chamber 25 is disposed on the side separated from the photoconductor 12. The replenishment ports 17 and 18 communicating with the developing tank 16 are arranged at the lower ends of the storage chamber 21 and the toner replenishment chamber 25, respectively.

The toner replenishing roller 23 is rotatably supported by the replenishing port 18 of the toner replenishing chamber 25, and the toner agitating roller 24 is disposed on the side closer to the photosensitive member 12 than the toner replenishing roller 23.
A toner supply lid 26 is closed on the upper portion of the toner supply chamber 25.

A developer sealing device 30 for sealing the replenishment ports 17 and 18 is provided. The sealing device 30 includes a winding shaft storage chamber 31 formed in the developing device main body 13 by an enclosure wall 31a adjacent to the developing tank 16 and the replenishing tank 19, and the replenishing port.
A film-shaped seal member 32 having an end 32a releasably attached to the mouth walls of 17, 18 and arranged in the storage chamber 31, and rotatably mounted in the storage chamber 31 to wind up the seal member 32. Take-up shaft 33, a take-up coupling 34 as a drive unit for rotating the take-up shaft 33, and a main body of the copying machine when the drive unit 34 is attached to the copying machine main body 11 of the developing device main body 13. A connecting means 36 for connecting to the drive unit 35 on the 11th side is provided.

The storage chamber 31 is a photosensitive member rather than the stirring roller 15 of the developing tank 16.
It is arranged on the separation side 12 and below the toner supply roller 23 of the supply tank 19. Then, the replenishing tank 19 and the developing tank of the storage chamber 31
A seal member introduction hole 37 for introducing the seal member 32 to the storage chamber 31 side is formed in the boundary wall of 16. And the storage chamber 21
The replenishing port 17 has a flat portion 38 inclined toward the introduction hole 37 side, the lower end surface of the partition wall 22 serves as the replenishing ports 17 and 18, and the replenishing port 18 of the toner replenishing chamber 25 is provided. The introduction hole 37 is continuous with the mouth wall of the.

The seal member 32 is provided in the storage chamber 21 and the toner supply chamber.
It is releasably attached to the wall of the supply ports 17, 18 of 25, and its end 32a is fixed to the peripheral surface of the winding shaft 33.

The winding shaft 33 has an axial direction that is the longitudinal direction of the seal member 32, is rotatably supported by the front and rear walls 39 of the storage chamber 31, and has a rear end that penetrates the rear wall 39. The take-up coupling 34 is externally fitted and fixed to the rear end of the take-up shaft 33.

Further, on the rear wall of the developing tank 16, the drive wheels 40 on the side of the copying machine main body 11 are provided.
A developing gear 41 for driving the developing roller which is fitted to the developing gear 41, and an agitating gear 42 which meshes with the developing gear 41 are provided. Development gear 41
Is fixed to the end of the developing roller rotating shaft 43 that penetrates the tank wall of the developing tank 16. The stirring gear 42 is fixed to the end of a stirring shaft 44 that penetrates the tank wall of the developing tank 16. And the copying machine body
As shown in FIG. 4, a pair of engagement pins 45 are provided on the drive wheel 40 on the 11 side, while the engagement pins 45 are provided on the opposite surface of the developing gear 41.
An engaging hole 46 is formed for engaging and disengaging.

The connecting means 36 is formed on the drive wheel 47 on the copying machine main body 11 side, and an engagement pin formed on the winding cup ring 34 for engaging and disengaging the engagement pin 48. It is composed of a joint hole 49.

The drive unit 35 on the main body side of the copying machine includes a motor (not shown) installed in the main body and the drive wheel rotated by the motor.
The drive wheel 40 on the side of the developing gear 41 is also driven at the same time when power is transmitted to the drive wheel 47.

Then, a detection unit 50 that detects whether the developing device main body 11 is in an unused state, and a control unit 51 that controls the drive of the winding shaft 33 side drive unit 34 by a detection signal from the detection unit 50. It is provided.

The control unit 51 includes a clutch mechanism 52 as a drive stop switching unit that connects and disconnects the driving force from the drive unit 35 of the copying machine main body 11 to the winding shaft side drive unit 34, and a timer unit that counts from the unused state detection. 53, and a signal for driving the winding shaft 33 side drive unit 34 after the unused state is detected, is output to the clutch mechanism 52, and the winding shaft 33 is driven by a predetermined time signal of the timer means 53.
Drive unit control means for outputting a signal to stop the drive unit 34 on the side
54 is said to have been given.

The detection means 50 is a pair of electrode pieces arranged so as to sandwich the seal member 32 on the tank wall near the introduction hole 37 of the storage chamber 31.
It consists of 50a and 50b.

The clutch mechanism 52 as the switching means is provided on the motor side of the drive wheel 47 on the copying machine main body 11 side.

The drive unit control means 54 has a general one-chip microcomputer, and has a program ROM, data RAM, ALU, etc. inside.

In the above structure, when the developing device main body 13 is transported, the first
As shown in the figure, the seal member 32 allows the supply ports 17, 18 of the supply tank 19 to be closed.
To be sealed. Then, the developer is not put in the developing tank 16. Then, the developer does not drop into the developing tank 16 due to vibration or the like during transportation from the manufacturer to the user and does not leak from the opening 20 of the developing tank 16.

At the time of use, the developing device body 13 is attached to the copying machine body. Then, the engaging hole of the developing gear 41 of the developing device main body 13
46 engages with the engagement pin 45 of the copying machine main body 11. Further, the take-up coupling 34 is connected to the drive unit 35 on the main body side of the copying machine by fitting the engagement pin 48 and the engagement hole 49, so that the take-up coupling 34 can be rotationally driven.

In this state, if the power of the copying machine main body 11 is turned on, the drive unit 35 on the copying machine main body 11 side operates.
50 detects whether the developing device main body 13 is unused. That is, when the seal member 32 seals the supply ports 17 and 18, it is unused, and when it is open, it is used. Therefore, it is detected whether or not the pair of electrode pieces 50a, 50b arranged with the electrically insulating seal member 32 in the storage chamber 31 interposed therebetween are in contact with each other.

If the seal member 32 is sandwiched, a pair of electrode pieces 50a, 50
Since b is not in contact with each other, an unused state detection signal is output to the drive unit control means 54 and a connection signal is output to the clutch mechanism 52, which drives the drive wheels 47 and the winding shaft 33.
Rotates to wind up the seal member 32.

Then, after the elapse of a predetermined time, the timer means 53 outputs an elapsed signal, so that the clutch mechanism 52 disconnects the driving force from the drive unit 35. As a result, the rotation of the winding shaft 33 is stopped.

Therefore, thereafter, the winding shaft 33 does not continuously rotate together with the developing roller 14, and it is possible to prevent abrasion of the bearing portion of the winding shaft 33 and toner scattering and abnormal noise due to flapping of the seal member 32.

Further, when the old used developing device main body 13 is set, the detecting means which should be insulated by sandwiching the seal member 32.
Since the electrode pieces 50a and 50b as 50 are in contact with each other from the beginning, the drive unit control means 54 does not output an operation signal to the clutch mechanism 52 and the clutch operation is not performed, so that the winding shaft 33 does not rotate.

Further, at the time of copying, the developing roller 14 must be driven without fail, and at this time, the power from the drive unit 35 on the copying machine main body 11 side is generated not only by the drive wheel 47 but also by the drive wheel 40.
Since it is also transmitted to the developing gear 41 of 14, the seal member 32 is automatically peeled off even if the peeling of the seal member 32 is forgotten, so that defective copying or the like can be prevented.

Further, a developer such as toner adheres to the seal member 32 wound around the winding shaft 33 of the storage chamber 31, but since the seal member 32 is installed inside the storage chamber 31, the user and the surroundings are polluted. Can be prevented.

It is possible that not only the toner attached to the seal member 32 but also other developer may enter the storage chamber 31 side through the introduction hole 37, but the toner is attached to the user because the storage chamber 31 is closed. Can be prevented.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it goes without saying that many modifications and changes can be made to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

For example, as in the above embodiment, without providing timer means,
When the sealing member 32 is wound around the winding shaft, the sealing member 32
Since the detection electrode pieces 50a, 50b that are insulated with the 32 in between are in contact with each other and electrically detect that the seal member 32 has been wound up, it is configured to stop the clutch mechanism 52 by the signal. Good.

Further, the connecting means 36 is not limited to a gear, but belt conduction may be used. Further, the replenishment tank 19 is not limited to the one having the storage chamber 21 and the toner replenishment chamber 25 as in the above embodiment, but may be only the toner replenishment tank.

Further, in the present invention, the storage chamber as in the above embodiment is not always necessary, and the winding shaft is not limited to being located outside the developing tank or the replenishing tank.

<Effects of the Invention> As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, as a developer sealing device for sealing the replenishing port, a replenishing port sealing member releasably attached to the wall of the replenishing port, A seal member take-up shaft rotatably supported by the developing device main body and a drive unit for rotationally driving the take-up shaft are connected to a drive unit on the copying machine main body side when the developing device main body is mounted on the copying machine main body. Since the developing device main body is mounted on the copying machine main body and the drive unit on the take-up shaft side is connected to the driving unit on the copying machine main body, the driving unit on the copying machine main body side is provided. When is driven, the take-up shaft rotates and the seal member can be automatically peeled off, the seal member is not forgotten to be peeled off, and defective copying or the like can be prevented.

Further, the developing device main body is provided with a detecting means for detecting whether or not the developing device main body is in an unused state, and a control part for driving and controlling the drive unit on the take-up shaft side by a detection signal from the detecting means. Since the take-up shaft is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed since the unused state was detected and the take-up shaft is rotated, the take-up shaft is interlocked with the drive unit on the copying machine body side even after the take-up, such as a developing roller. At the same time, continuous rotation is prevented, and it is possible to prevent abrasion of the bearing portion of the winding shaft and toner scattering and abnormal noise due to flapping of the seal member.

Further, as in the embodiment, by forming a housing chamber for housing the take-up shaft in the developing device main body, even if the developer such as toner adheres to the seal member wound around the take-up shaft, the user and the surroundings are polluted. Can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front sectional view showing a sealed state of a seal member of a developing device of a copying machine which is an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front sectional view showing a peeled state of the seal member, and FIG. 3 is the same. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a developing device main body showing an example of a connecting means, and FIG. 5 (a) is a perspective view for explaining a sealed state of a replenishing port of a replenishing tank. FIG. 3B is a perspective view for explaining the peeled state,
FIG. 6 (a) is a perspective view for explaining a sealed state of a conventional supply port of a replenishment tank, and FIG. 6 (b) is a perspective view for similarly explaining the peeled state. 11: copier main body, 12: photoconductor, 13: developing device main body, 14: developing roller, 15: stirring roller, 16: developing tank, 17, 18: replenishing port, 1
9: Replenishing tank, 21: Storage chamber, 22: Partition wall, 23: Toner replenishing roller, 24: Toner stirring roller, 25: Toner replenishing chamber, 30: Sealing device, 31: Storage chamber, 32: Sealing member, 32a: End Part, 33: take-up shaft, 34: drive part, 35: drive part, 36: connection means, 50: detection means, 51: control part, 52: clutch mechanism, 53: timer means, 5
4: Drive control means.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Akio Shiomi 22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Within Sharp Co., Ltd. (72) Naotaka Funayama 22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Incorporated (56) Reference JP 60-95561 (JP, A) JP 61-93470 (JP, A) JP 61-93469 (JP, A) JP 62-103659 (JP, A) Actual opening Sho 62-110954 (JP, U) Actual opening Sho 62-2063 (JP, U) Actual opening Sho 62-140546 (JP, U)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A copying machine in which a developing device body is removably mounted on a copying machine body, and the developing device body comprises a developing tank and a replenishing tank having a replenishing port for supplying a developer to the developing tank. In a developing device of a machine, a developer sealing device for sealing the replenishing port is provided, and the sealing device includes a replenishing port sealing member releasably attached to an opening wall of the replenishing port, and the developing device. A take-up shaft rotatably supported by the main body for taking up the seal member, a drive unit for rotationally driving the take-up shaft, and a copy of the drive unit when the developing device main body is attached to the main body of the copying machine. Connection means for connecting to a drive unit on the machine body side, and detection means for detecting whether or not the developing device body mounted on the copying machine body is in an unused state,
A control unit for driving and controlling the drive unit on the take-up shaft side by a detection signal from the detection means is provided, and the control unit changes from the drive unit on the copying machine main body side to the drive unit on the take-up shaft side. The drive mechanism on the copying machine main body side by connecting the clutch mechanism for intermittently transmitting the driving force of the device, the timer means for timing the time when the unused state is detected by the detection means, and the clutch mechanism after the unused state is detected. Drive means for transmitting to the drive section on the take-up shaft side and cutting the clutch mechanism to stop the drive section on the take-up shaft side by a predetermined time lapse signal of the timer means. A developing device for a copying machine characterized by the above.