JPH1152811A - Toner recycling device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: The present invention provides a toner recycling apparatus that conveys collected toner collected from an image carrier to a developing unit while preventing toner clogging and reuses the toner. A toner recycling device (1) drives an air pump (3) by a motor to convey a collected toner (7) selected by a toner classifier (2) and supplied via a connecting tube (9) to a toner hopper (4) through an exhaust tube (5) by an air flow. I do. The rotation speed f of the motor 10 for driving the air pump 3
_m and the natural frequency f _H of the toner hopper 4 are f _m /
(60 × 2 ^1/2) it is set so as to satisfy the ^{_{<f H <(2 1/2 ×}} f m) / 60 conditions. Therefore, the vibration of the air pump 3 vibrated by the motor becomes a vibration source, and the toner hopper 4 resonates and vibrates, and the collected toner 7 attached to the exhaust pipe 4a of the toner hopper 4 and the inside of the toner hopper 4 drops. Thus, clogging of the collected toner 7 can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a toner recycling apparatus, and more particularly, to a toner recycling apparatus for recycling toner remaining on a photoreceptor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using toner, toner collected from a photoreceptor by a cleaner is discarded or returned to a developing unit of a developing unit for forming an image as it is. Most of the time.

[0003] In recent years, while effective use of resources has been demanded recently, it has been desired to reuse (recycle) the toner collected from the photoreceptor by a cleaner. There has been proposed an image forming apparatus provided with a toner reusing device for returning collected toner to a developing unit (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-41079).

However, when the collected toner is reused, the collected toner contains paper dust, paper chips, fibers typified by paper fibers, dust, and agglomerated particles, which are separated from the paper. The toner whose size has increased and the toner whose particle size has decreased have adverse effects such as clogging in the developing unit, decrease in developer fluidity, image defects, and background smearing of the output image. Foreign matter and toner having a diameter larger than a toner particle diameter suitable for formation (hereinafter referred to as an appropriate toner particle diameter) and foreign matter and a toner having a diameter smaller than the appropriate toner particle diameter are removed and recycled. ing.

[0005] Conventionally, such a toner is reused by separating a used toner collected by a cleaner in a cartridge from a used toner provided on a main body of the apparatus to separate and remove mixed foreign matter. Toner transport means for transporting the toner to the separating device, toner transport driving means for transmitting a driving force to the toner transport means, and toner transport for transporting the separated toner from which foreign matters have been removed by the separating device to a developing device in the cartridge An image forming apparatus has been proposed that includes a separated toner transport drive unit that transmits the drive of the separated toner transport unit, removes foreign matter mixed in the toner from the used toner collected by the cleaner, and reuses the toner. (See Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-219349).

Further, the present applicant has developed a developing device for forming a toner image on a photoreceptor, a cleaning device for removing and recovering toner remaining on the photoreceptor, and conveying the collected toner of the cleaning device to the developing device. A recovery toner conveying device, provided in the image forming apparatus, and at least the cleaning device and the recovered toner conveying device are integrally configured as a separate process cartridge from the developing device; In the image forming apparatus which is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body, a toner outlet side opening of the collected toner conveying device loaded in the image forming apparatus main body, and a developing device also loaded in the image forming apparatus main body As long as the developing device is not removed from the image forming apparatus main body, When a developing device is removed while a process cartridge is left in an image forming apparatus main body while a stopper member that makes it impossible to remove a process cartridge is provided, and the opening portions connected and connected to each other are slid with each other, the collected toner is conveyed. The developing device is provided with a toner receiving portion for receiving and storing the toner dropped from the inside of the device through the toner outlet side opening, and has a simple configuration without providing a shutter member. There has been proposed an image forming apparatus which prevents toner from falling into a main body of the image forming apparatus from a joint between a conveying device and a developing device (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-301993).

[0007]

However, in such a conventional image forming apparatus, when the toner collected from the photoreceptor by the cleaner is transported to the developing section, toner clogging occurs in the transport path. However, there was a phenomenon that the toner could not be properly reused due to toner clogging.

That is, as described above, the collected toner has an irregular particle diameter, and the toner is conveyed from the cleaner to the developing unit due to the presence of charged toner. There has been a phenomenon that toner clogging is likely to occur in a path, and in particular, toner clogging is likely to occur in a discharge section to a developing section.

When such toner clogging occurs, there is a problem that the collected toner is not conveyed to the developing section and the toner cannot be reused.

Accordingly, the invention according to claim 1 is to provide a toner hopper disposed on the developing unit side through a conveying pipe by an air flow of an air pump driven by a drive motor, from the image carrier to the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit. in carrying the the natural frequency f _H of the toner hopper and rotational speed f _m of the drive _{motor, f m / (60 × 2} 1/2) <
By the ^{_{f H <(2 1/2 × f}} m) / 60 condition is satisfied, by resonating the toner hopper by the vibration of the air pump driven by the drive motor, the occurrence of toner clogging in the toner hopper It is an object of the present invention to provide a toner recycling apparatus capable of suppressing the occurrence of toner, appropriately transporting the collected toner to a toner hopper, and appropriately recycling the toner.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the image carrier is transported by an air flow of an air pump driven by a drive motor to a toner hopper disposed on the developing unit side through a transport pipe. At this time, toner clogging in the toner hopper is detected, and when toner clogging occurs, the rotational speed f of the drive motor is
The _m, with respect to the natural frequency f _H of the toner hopper, f _m
The / (60 × 2 ^1/2) <controlling the satisfying rotational speed of ^{_{f H <(2 1/2 × f}} m) / 60, while not occurring toner clogging, vibrating toner hopper Without reducing the noise, when toner clogging occurs, the vibration of the air pump driven by the drive motor causes the toner hopper to resonate, eliminating the toner clogging in the toner hopper and properly collecting the collected toner. And a toner recycling apparatus capable of appropriately recycling the toner.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the image carrier is transported by an air flow of an air pump driven by a drive motor to a toner hopper disposed on the developing unit side through a transport pipe. At this time, the natural frequency f _H of the toner hopper and the vibration frequency f _k of the drive mechanism of the image forming apparatus to which the toner recycling apparatus is applied are set to f _k / 2 ^1/2 <f _H <2 ^1/2 × f _k Is satisfied, the toner hopper is resonated by the vibration of the driving mechanism of the image forming apparatus, the occurrence of toner clogging in the toner hopper is suppressed at low cost, and the collected toner is appropriately conveyed to the toner hopper. It is another object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive toner recycling apparatus that can appropriately perform toner recycling.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the image carrier is transported by an air flow of an air pump driven by a drive motor to a toner hopper disposed on the developing unit side through a transport pipe. in, the vibrating mechanism for applying vibration of the vibrating frequency f _w in the toner hopper, the natural frequency f _H of the toner hopper
Respect, by applying satisfies oscillation of ^{_{f w / 2 1/2 <f H}} <2 1/2 × f w, by resonating the toner hopper by the vibration imparting the vibration mechanism, efficient Effectively suppresses toner clogging in the toner hopper,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a toner recycling apparatus that can appropriately convey collected toner to a toner hopper and perform toner recycling more appropriately.

[0014] The invention of claim 5, wherein, only when the toner clogging occurs in the toner hopper, the vibration mechanism for applying vibration of the vibrating frequency f _w in the toner hopper, while the natural frequency f _H of the toner hopper And _fw / ^21/2 <f
By applying a satisfying vibration of _H <2 ^1/2 × f _w, while not occurring toner clogging, without vibrating the toner hopper, while reducing power consumption, as well as to reduce the noise When toner clogging occurs, the toner hopper resonates due to the vibration applied by the vibration mechanism,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a toner recycling apparatus capable of efficiently suppressing occurrence of toner clogging in a toner hopper, appropriately conveying collected toner to a toner hopper, and performing toner recycling more appropriately.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the image carrier is transported by an air pump driven by a drive motor to a toner hopper disposed on the developing unit side through a transport pipe. At least one vibrating member that vibrates due to an air flow is provided on at least one of the conveying pipe and the suction pipe, which communicates the air pump and the toner hopper, on the toner hopper side.
By attaching the individual parts, the collected toner attached around the conveying pipe and the suction pipe is removed by a vibrating member that vibrates with the air flow, the occurrence of toner clogging is suppressed at low cost, and the collected toner is appropriately conveyed to the toner hopper. It is another object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive toner recycling apparatus that can appropriately perform toner recycling.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the image carrier is transported to the toner hopper disposed on the developing unit side through the transport pipe by the airflow of an air pump driven by a drive motor. At least one vibrating member vibrating at a predetermined natural frequency is attached to at least one end of the conveying pipe and the suction pipe on the toner hopper side communicating with the air pump and the toner hopper. f _L and the rotation speed f _{m of the} drive motor are expressed by f _m / (60 × 2 ^1/2 ) <f _L
By satisfying the condition of <(2 ^1/2 × f _m ) / 60, the vibrating member resonates with the vibration of the air pump driven by the drive motor, and the collection adhered around the conveying pipe and the suction pipe. To provide a toner recycling apparatus capable of removing toner, suppressing toner clogging more efficiently, appropriately transporting collected toner to a toner hopper, and performing toner recycling more appropriately. The purpose is.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the image carrier is transported to the toner hopper provided on the developing unit side through a transport pipe by an air flow of an air pump driven by a drive motor. At least one vibrating member that vibrates at a predetermined natural frequency is attached to at least one end of the transfer pipe and the suction pipe that communicates the air pump and the toner hopper on the side of the toner hopper, thereby preventing toner clogging in the toner hopper. detecting, when the toner clogging occurs, the rotational speed f _m of the drive motor relative to the natural frequency f _L of the vibration member,
^{_{f m / (60 × 2 1/2}} ) <f L <(2 1/2 × f m) / 6
By controlling the conditions are satisfied rotational speed f _m of 0, while not occurring toner clogging, without vibrating the vibrating member, as well as to reduce the noise, the toner clogging occurs, drives the vibrating member motor Resonant with the vibration of the air pump driven by the, remove the collected toner attached around the conveyance pipe and the intake pipe, further suppress the occurrence of toner clogging, and properly transfer the collected toner to the toner hopper It is an object of the present invention to provide a toner recycling apparatus that can transport and perform toner recycling more appropriately.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the image carrier is transported by an air flow of an air pump driven by a drive motor to a toner hopper disposed on the developing unit side through a transport pipe. At least one vibrating member vibrating at a predetermined natural frequency is attached to at least one end of the conveying pipe and the suction pipe on the toner hopper side communicating with the air pump and the toner hopper. Let f _L and the vibration frequency f _k of the drive mechanism of the image forming apparatus to which the toner recycling apparatus is applied be f _k / ^1/2 <f _L <2 ^1/2 × f _k
Is satisfied, the vibrating member is resonated by the vibration of the drive mechanism of the image forming apparatus, and the collected toner adhered around the conveying pipe and the suction pipe is removed, thereby reducing the occurrence of toner clogging at low cost. It is an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive toner recycling apparatus capable of controlling the amount of toner collected, appropriately transporting the collected toner to a toner hopper, and appropriately recycling the toner.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the image carrier is transported by an air flow of an air pump driven by a drive motor to a toner hopper disposed on the developing unit side through a transport pipe. In addition, at least one vibrating member that vibrates at a predetermined natural frequency is attached to at least one end of the transfer pipe and the suction pipe, which communicates the air pump and the toner hopper, on the toner hopper side. f _w
The vibrating mechanism for imparting vibration, against the natural frequency f _L of the vibration member by applying a satisfying vibration of ^{_{f w / 2 1/2 <f L}} <2 1/2 × f w By vibrating the vibrating member by the vibration imparted by the vibrating mechanism, the collected toner attached around the conveying pipe and the suction pipe is more efficiently removed, and the occurrence of toner clogging is more appropriately suppressed, It is an object of the present invention to provide a toner recycling apparatus that can appropriately convey collected toner to a toner hopper and perform toner recycling more appropriately.

[0020] The invention of claim 11, wherein only when the toner clogging occurs in the toner hopper, the vibration mechanism for applying vibration of the vibrating frequency f _w in the toner hopper, while the natural frequency f _L of the vibrating member ^{_{Te, f w / 2 1/2 <f}} L <
By imparting satisfying vibrations of 2 ^1/2 × f _w, while not occurring toner clogging, without vibrating the vibrating member through the toner hopper, while reducing power consumption, noise While reducing the vibration, the vibrating member resonates by the vibration imparted by the vibration mechanism, and the collected toner attached around the transport pipe and the intake pipe is more efficiently removed.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a toner recycling apparatus capable of more appropriately suppressing occurrence of toner clogging, appropriately conveying collected toner to a toner hopper, and performing toner recycling more appropriately.

[0021]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner recycling apparatus for forming a toner image by supplying the toner to the image carrier from a cleaning unit for collecting the toner remaining on the image carrier. A toner recycling device that conveys the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit to the developing unit, and a toner hopper that is disposed on the developing unit side and stores the conveyed collected toner, and is disposed on the cleaning unit side. An air pump that is communicated with the toner hopper by a conveying pipe and an intake pipe and that conveys the collected toner to the toner hopper through the conveying pipe by an air flow of an air pump driven by a driving motor that rotates at a predetermined rotation speed. And a mechanism for driving the air transport mechanism.
F _m [rpm] of the number of rotations per minute, if the natural frequency of the hopper and f _H, the rotational speed f _m of the drive motor and the natural frequency f _H of the toner hopper, f _m /
By meets ^{(60 × 2 1/2) <f} H <(2 1/2 × f m) / 60 conditions, we have achieved the above objects.

According to the above arrangement, when the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the image carrier is transported to the toner hopper provided on the developing unit side through the transport pipe by the air flow of the air pump driven by the drive motor, the a natural frequency f _H of the toner hopper and rotational speed f _m of the drive _{motor, f m / (60 × 2} 1/2) <f H <(2
Since the ^1/2 × f _m) / 60 condition is satisfied, by resonating the toner hopper by the vibration of the air pump driven by the drive motor, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of toner clogging in the toner hopper In addition, the collected toner can be appropriately conveyed to the toner hopper, and the toner can be appropriately recycled.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the toner recycling apparatus, the cleaning unit that collects the toner remaining on the image carrier is supplied to the image carrier by supplying the toner to the developing unit that forms a toner image. In a toner recycling apparatus for conveying collected toner collected by a cleaning unit, a toner hopper disposed on the developing unit side for storing the conveyed collected toner, a conveying pipe and an intake pipe arranged on the cleaning unit side An air transport mechanism that communicates the collected toner to the toner hopper through the transport pipe with an air flow of an air pump that is communicated with the toner hopper and that is driven by a drive motor that rotates at a predetermined rotation number; Control means for controlling the number of rotations of the drive motor of the mechanism; A toner clogging detecting means for detecting the clogging of the toner in the printer, wherein the control means, when the toner clogging detecting means detects the occurrence of the toner clogging, detects the number of rotations of the drive motor of the air transport mechanism. f _m , the natural frequency of the toner hopper is f
When the _H, the rotational speed f _m of the driving motor, with respect to the natural frequency f _H of the toner hopper, f _m / (60
× 2 ^1/2) by controlling the ^{_{<f H <(2 1/}} 2 × f m) / 60 satisfy rotational speed f _m of have achieved the above objects.

According to the above configuration, when the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the image carrier is transported to the toner hopper disposed on the developing unit side through the transport pipe by the air flow of the air pump driven by the drive motor, Detects toner clogging in the toner hopper,
When toner clogging occurs, the rotation speed f of the drive motor
The _m, with respect to the natural frequency f _H of the toner hopper, f _m
/ So (60 × 2 ^1/2) <is controlled to satisfy the rotational speed of ^{_{f H <(2 1/2 × f}} m) / 60, while not occurring toner clogging the toner hopper Without vibrating, noise can be reduced, and when toner clogging occurs, the toner hopper resonates due to the vibration of the air pump driven by the drive motor, thereby eliminating toner clogging in the toner hopper. The collected toner can be appropriately conveyed to the toner hopper, and the toner can be appropriately recycled.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a toner recycling apparatus supplies a toner by a developing unit to an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, forms a toner image, and transfers the toner image to a recording medium. The cleaning unit is applied to an image forming apparatus driven by a predetermined driving mechanism and collects toner remaining on the image carrier from the cleaning unit to the developing unit. In a toner recycling device that transports toner, a toner hopper that is disposed on the developing unit side and stores the recovered toner that is transported, and a toner hopper that is disposed on the cleaning unit side and that has a transport pipe and an intake pipe. The air flow of an air pump that is communicated and driven by a drive motor that rotates at a predetermined rotation speed is And a air transport mechanism for transporting the collected toner to the toner hopper through the flue,
When the vibration frequency of the driving mechanism is f _k and the natural frequency of the toner hopper is f _H , the natural frequency f _{H of the} toner hopper and the vibration frequency f _{k of the} driving mechanism are f _k
The above object is achieved by satisfying the condition of / 2 ^1/2 <f _H <2 ^1/2 × f _k .

According to the above arrangement, when the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the image carrier is transported to the toner hopper provided on the developing unit side through the transport pipe by the air flow of the air pump driven by the drive motor, a vibration frequency f _k of the drive mechanism of the applied image forming apparatus natural frequency f _H and the toner recycling device of the toner hopper, the condition of ^{_{f k / 2 1/2 <f H}} <2 1/2 × f k , The toner hopper resonates due to the vibration of the drive mechanism of the image forming apparatus, the occurrence of toner clogging in the toner hopper can be suppressed at low cost, and the collected toner is appropriately conveyed to the toner hopper. As a result, the toner can be appropriately recycled at low cost.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the toner recycling apparatus, the cleaning unit that collects the toner remaining on the image carrier is supplied to the image carrier by supplying the toner to the developing unit that forms a toner image. In a toner recycling apparatus for conveying collected toner collected by a cleaning unit, a toner hopper disposed on the developing unit side for storing the conveyed collected toner, a conveying pipe and an intake pipe arranged on the cleaning unit side An air transport mechanism that communicates the collected toner to the toner hopper through the transport pipe with an airflow of an air pump driven by a drive motor that rotates at a predetermined number of revolutions, the toner hopper being connected to the toner hopper; A vibration mechanism for forcibly applying a predetermined vibration to the
When the vibration frequency of the vibration mechanism is f _w and the natural frequency of the toner hopper is f _H , the vibration mechanism is f _w / 2 ^1/2 <f _H <2 ^1/2 × by imparting satisfies oscillation of f _w in the toner hopper, it has achieved the above objects.

According to the above configuration, when the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the image carrier is transported to the toner hopper provided on the developing unit side through the transport pipe by the air flow of the air pump driven by the drive motor, the vibration mechanism in the toner hopper applying vibrations of the vibrating frequency f _w, relative to the natural frequency f _H of the toner hopper, the ^{_{f w / 2 1/2 <f H}} <2 1/2 × f w conditions The toner hopper is resonated by the vibration applied by the vibration mechanism, and the occurrence of toner clogging in the toner hopper can be effectively suppressed. By transporting the toner to the hopper, the toner can be more appropriately recycled.

In this case, for example, as set forth in claim 5, the toner recycling device includes a toner clogging detecting means for detecting the clogging of the toner in the toner hopper, and a drive for controlling the driving of the vibrating mechanism. Control means, and the drive control means may drive the vibration mechanism only when the toner clogging detection means detects the occurrence of the toner clogging.

According to the above construction, only when the toner clogging occurs in the toner hopper, the vibration mechanism for applying vibration of the vibrating frequency f _m to the toner hopper, with respect to the natural frequency f _H of the toner hopper, f _k / 2 ^1/2 <f _H <
Vibration that satisfies the condition of 2 ^1/2 × f _k is applied, so that while the toner is not clogged, the toner hopper does not vibrate, thereby reducing power consumption and noise. When toner clogging occurs, the toner hopper resonates due to the vibrations imparted by the vibrating mechanism, so that the occurrence of toner clogging in the toner hopper can be suppressed efficiently, and the collected toner is appropriately conveyed to the toner hopper. Thus, the toner can be more appropriately recycled.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the toner recycling apparatus, the cleaning unit that collects the toner remaining on the image carrier is supplied to the image carrier by supplying the toner to the developing unit that forms a toner image. In a toner recycling apparatus for conveying collected toner collected by a cleaning unit, a toner hopper disposed on the developing unit side for storing the conveyed collected toner, a conveying pipe and an intake pipe arranged on the cleaning unit side And an air transport mechanism that communicates the collected toner to the toner hopper through the transport pipe with an air flow of an air pump driven by a drive motor that rotates at a predetermined number of revolutions, communicated with the toner hopper, End of at least one of the transport pipe and the intake pipe on the toner hopper side , The predetermined vibration member which vibrates by the air flow, by which is mounted at least one has achieved the above objects.

According to the above construction, the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the image carrier is transported to the toner hopper provided on the developing unit side through the transport pipe by the air flow of the air pump driven by the drive motor. Since at least one vibrating member that vibrates due to an air flow is attached to at least one end of the transfer pipe and the suction pipe between the transfer pipe and the suction pipe that communicates the air pump and the toner hopper, Adhered collected toner is removed by a vibrating member that vibrates with an air flow, so that toner clogging can be suppressed at a low cost, and the collected toner can be properly conveyed to the toner hopper and the toner can be recycled properly. it can.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the toner recycling apparatus, the cleaning unit that collects the toner remaining on the image carrier is supplied to the image carrier by supplying the toner to the developing unit that forms a toner image. In a toner recycling apparatus for conveying collected toner collected by a cleaning unit, a toner hopper disposed on the developing unit side for storing the conveyed collected toner, a conveying pipe and an intake pipe arranged on the cleaning unit side And an air transport mechanism that communicates the collected toner to the toner hopper through the transport pipe with an air flow of an air pump driven by a drive motor that rotates at a predetermined number of revolutions, communicated with the toner hopper, End of at least one of the transport pipe and the intake pipe on the toner hopper side , The predetermined vibration member to vibrate at a predetermined natural frequency, attached at least one, the natural frequency of the vibration member f _L, the revolutions per minute of the driving motor and f _m (rpm) Then, the natural frequency f _L of the vibrating member and the rotational frequency f _{m of the} drive motor are expressed by f
^{_{m / (60 × 2 1/2)}} <f L <(2 1/2 × f m) / 60
By satisfying the conditions described above, the above object is achieved.

According to the above construction, the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the image carrier is transported to the toner hopper provided on the developing unit side through the transport pipe by the air flow of the air pump driven by the drive motor. At least one vibrating member that vibrates at a predetermined natural frequency is attached to at least one end of the conveying pipe and the suction pipe that communicates the air pump and the toner hopper on the toner hopper side, and the natural frequency f _{L of the} vibrating member is attached. a rotational speed f _m of the drive _{motor, f m / (60 × 2} 1/2) <f L <
Since the _{^{(2 1/2 × f m) /}} 60 condition is satisfied, the recovery toner to resonate, to adhere around the carrier pipe and the intake pipe in the vibration of the air pump driven by the vibration member driving motor Is removed, the occurrence of toner clogging can be suppressed more efficiently, and the collected toner can be appropriately conveyed to the toner hopper, and the toner can be more appropriately recycled.

In the toner recycling apparatus according to the present invention, the cleaning unit that collects the toner remaining on the image carrier may supply the toner to the image carrier to a developing unit that forms a toner image. In a toner recycling apparatus for conveying collected toner collected by a cleaning unit, a toner hopper disposed on the developing unit side for storing the conveyed collected toner, a conveying pipe and an intake pipe arranged on the cleaning unit side An air transport mechanism that communicates the collected toner to the toner hopper through the transport pipe with an airflow of an air pump driven by a drive motor that rotates at a predetermined number of revolutions, the toner hopper being connected to the toner hopper; A toner clogging detecting means for detecting the toner clogging in A frequency control means for controlling a rotation frequency of the drive motor, a predetermined vibration member vibrating at a predetermined natural frequency at an end of at least one of the transport pipe and the intake pipe on the toner hopper side. If at least one is attached, and the natural frequency of the vibrating member is f _L and the rotational speed of the drive motor is f _m , the frequency control means detects the occurrence of the toner clogging by the toner clogging detection means. Then, the rotational speed f _m of the driving motor, with respect to the natural frequency f _L of the vibrating member, f
^{_{m / (60 × 2 1/2)}} <f L <(2 1/2 × f m) / 60
By controlling the on satisfying rpm f _m, it has achieved the above objects.

According to the above construction, the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the image carrier is transported to the toner hopper provided on the developing unit side through the transport pipe by the air flow of the air pump driven by the drive motor. At least one vibrating member that vibrates at a predetermined natural frequency is attached to at least one end of the transfer pipe and the suction pipe that communicates the air pump and the toner hopper, and detects toner clogging in the toner hopper. Te, the toner clogging occurs, the rotational speed f _m of the drive motor relative to the natural frequency f _L of the vibration member, f _m /
Since (60 × 2 ^1/2) <controlled to ^{_{f L <(2 1/2 × f}} m) / 60 satisfy rotational speed f _m of, while not occurring toner clogging, vibrate the member Noise can be reduced without causing noise, and when toner clogging occurs, the vibration member resonates with the vibration of the air pump driven by the drive motor to remove the collected toner attached around the transport pipe and intake pipe. As a result, the occurrence of toner clogging can be suppressed more efficiently, and the collected toner can be appropriately conveyed to the toner hopper, and the toner can be more appropriately recycled.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the toner recycling apparatus, a toner is supplied by a developing unit onto an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed to form a toner image, and the toner image is transferred to a recording medium. The cleaning unit is applied to an image forming apparatus driven by a predetermined driving mechanism and collects toner remaining on the image carrier from the cleaning unit to the developing unit. In a toner recycling device that transports toner, a toner hopper that is disposed on the developing unit side and stores the recovered toner that is transported, and a toner hopper that is disposed on the cleaning unit side and that has a transport pipe and an intake pipe. The air flow of an air pump that is communicated and driven by a drive motor that rotates at a predetermined rotation speed is And a air transport mechanism for transporting the collected toner to the toner hopper through the flue,
At least one predetermined vibration member vibrating at a predetermined natural frequency is attached to at least one end of the transport pipe and the suction pipe on the toner hopper side, and the natural frequency of the vibration member is set to f. _L , when the vibration frequency of the driving mechanism is f _k , the natural frequency f _L of the vibrating member and the vibration frequency f _{k of the} driving mechanism are f _k / 2 ^1/2 <f _L <
The above object is achieved by satisfying the condition of 2 ^1/2 × f _k .

According to the above construction, the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the image carrier is transported to the toner hopper provided on the developing unit side through the transport pipe by the air flow of the air pump driven by the drive motor. At least one vibrating member that vibrates at a predetermined natural frequency is attached to at least one end of the conveying pipe and the suction pipe that communicates the air pump and the toner hopper on the toner hopper side, and the natural frequency f _{L of the} vibrating member is attached. Since the vibration frequency f _k of the driving mechanism of the image forming apparatus to which the toner recycling device is applied satisfies the condition of f _k / 2 ^1/2 <f _L <2 ^1/2 × f _k By vibrating the vibration member by the vibration of the driving mechanism of the forming apparatus, the collected toner attached around the conveying pipe and the suction pipe is removed, and the occurrence of toner clogging is suppressed at low cost. It is possible, the collected toner was properly conveyed to the toner hopper, it is possible to properly carry out the toner recycling.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the toner recycling apparatus, the cleaning unit that collects the toner remaining on the image carrier is supplied to the image carrier by supplying the toner to the developing unit that forms a toner image. In a toner recycling apparatus for conveying collected toner collected by a cleaning unit, a toner hopper disposed on the developing unit side for storing the conveyed collected toner, a conveying pipe and an intake pipe arranged on the cleaning unit side An air transport mechanism that communicates the collected toner to the toner hopper through the transport pipe with an airflow of an air pump driven by a drive motor that rotates at a predetermined number of revolutions, the toner hopper being connected to the toner hopper; A vibration mechanism for forcibly applying a predetermined vibration to the The ends of at least one of the toner hopper side of the a tube intake pipe, predetermined vibration member to vibrate at a predetermined natural frequency, attached at least one, the vibration frequency of the vibrating mechanism f _w When the natural frequency of the vibrating member is f _L , the vibrating mechanism is f _w
The / 2 ^1/2 <a satisfying vibration of f _L <2 ^1/2 × f _w be imparted to the toner hopper, have achieved the above objects.

According to the above construction, the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the image carrier is transported to the toner hopper disposed on the developing unit side through the transport pipe by the air flow of the air pump driven by the drive motor. , the end portion of at least one of the toner hopper side of the conveying pipe and the intake pipe for communicating the air pump and the toner hopper, mounting at least one vibration member to vibrate at a predetermined natural frequency, excitation frequency f _w in the toner hopper The natural frequency f _L of the vibrating member
Respect, since imparting satisfies oscillation of ^{_{f w / 2 1/2 <f L}} <2 1/2 × f w, to resonate vibration member by the vibration imparting the vibration mechanism, Ya conveying tube The collected toner adhered around the intake pipe can be more efficiently removed, and the occurrence of toner clogging can be suppressed more appropriately. The collected toner can be appropriately conveyed to the toner hopper and more appropriately. The toner can be recycled.

In this case, for example, as set forth in claim 11, the toner recycling device includes a toner clogging detecting means for detecting the clogging of the toner in the toner hopper, and a drive for controlling the driving of the vibrating mechanism. Control means, and the drive control means may drive the vibration mechanism only when the toner clogging detection means detects the occurrence of the toner clogging.

[0042] According to the above arrangement, only when the toner clogging the toner hopper is generated by vibrating mechanism for applying vibration of the vibrating frequency f _w in the toner hopper, with respect to the natural frequency f _L of the vibration member, ^{_{f w / 2 1/2 <f L}} <2 1/2
Since imparting satisfy vibration of × f _w, while not occurring toner clogging, without vibrating the vibrating member through the toner hopper, while reducing power consumption, it is possible to reduce noise At the same time, by vibrating the vibrating member by the vibration applied by the vibration mechanism, the collected toner attached around the conveying pipe and the suction pipe is more efficiently removed, and the occurrence of toner clogging is more appropriately suppressed. Thus, the collected toner can be appropriately conveyed to the toner hopper, and the toner can be more appropriately recycled.

[0043]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention, and therefore, various technically preferable limitations are added. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following description. The embodiments are not limited to these embodiments unless otherwise specified.

FIGS. 1 to 5 are views showing a first embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a toner recycling apparatus 1 to which a first embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention is applied.

In FIG. 1, the toner recycling device 1
The device transports the collected toner collected from the photoconductor (image carrier) by the cleaning unit of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus to the developing unit.

This image forming apparatus transfers and records a toner image on transfer paper by a normal electrophotographic method. That is, a uniformly charged photoconductor is irradiated with writing light modulated by image data to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor, and the photoconductor on which the electrostatic latent image is formed is formed. The toner is supplied by a developing unit to form a toner image on the photoreceptor, and the image is developed. After the toner image on the photoreceptor is transferred to transfer paper at a transfer unit, the toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor is collected by a method such as scraping with a cleaning unit. The image forming apparatus conveys the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit to the developing unit side by the toner recycle device 1, supplies the collected toner to the photoconductor again by the developing unit, and reuses (recycles) the collected toner.

The toner recycling device 1 includes a toner classifier 2, an air pump 3, a toner hopper 4, and an air pump 3.
An exhaust tube 5 and an intake tube 6 that communicate the toner hopper 4 with the exhaust tube 5 are provided.

The collected toner 7 collected by the cleaning unit is conveyed to the toner classifier 2 via a collection path 8, and the toner classifier 2 is connected to the exhaust tube 5 by a connecting tube 9. The toner classifier 2 selects only toner having a certain particle diameter from the collected toner 7, and supplies the selected collected toner 7 to the exhaust tube 5 via the connection tube 9.

As described above, the air pump 3 is connected to the toner hopper 4 by the exhaust tube 5 and the intake tube 6, and has a rubber portion 3a made of a rubber material or the like. At the center of the rubber part 3a of the air pump 3,
As shown in FIG. 2, the shaft 10 of the motor (drive motor) 10
a, and the shaft 10a of the motor 10 is eccentric in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. As the motor 10 rotates, the eccentric shaft 10a vibrates in the direction indicated by the double arrow in FIG. 2, and the rubber portion 3a vibrates in the direction indicated by the double arrow in FIG. The air pump 3 sucks air from the intake tube 6 and discharges air from the exhaust tube 5 by vibrating the rubber portion 3a.

The exhaust tube 5 is connected to a connecting tube 9 communicating with the toner classifier 2, and the collected toner 7 supplied from the toner classifier 2 to the connecting tube 9 is connected to the connecting tube 9.
Is sucked by the exhaust tube 5, passes through the exhaust tube 5, and is conveyed to the toner hopper 4.

As shown in FIG. 3, an exhaust pipe 4a and an intake pipe 4b are attached to the toner hopper 4, and the exhaust pipe 4a is located below the toner hopper 4, and the intake pipe 4b is located The toner hopper 4 is attached to an upper portion thereof. The exhaust tube 5 is connected to the exhaust pipe 4a, and the intake tube 6 is connected to the intake pipe 4b.

As shown in FIG. 4, the toner hopper 4
A hollow portion 4c is formed therein, and an opening 4d is formed at the lower end thereof. Toner hopper 4
Is disposed on the toner supply unit 11 and communicates with the toner supply unit 11 through the opening 4d. Therefore, the collected toner 7 conveyed into the hollow portion 4c of the toner hopper 4 via the exhaust tube 5
The toner is supplied to the toner supply unit 11 from the opening 4d.

The exhaust tube 5, the exhaust pipe 4a and the connecting tube 9 function as a conveying pipe, and the intake tube 6 and the intake pipe 4b function as an intake pipe.
The air pump 3, the motor 10, the exhaust tube 5, the exhaust pipe 4a, the connecting tube 9, the intake tube 6, and the intake pipe 4b function as an air transport mechanism as a whole.

The toner supply unit 11 is connected to a toner bottle 12 for storing new toner 13.
The toner supply unit 11 mixes the new toner 13 in the toner bottle 12 and the collected toner 7 supplied from the toner hopper 4 and transports the mixed toner 13 to a developing unit (not shown).

The toner hopper 4 has a natural frequency f _H. For example, the toner hopper 4
When formed of an iron plate having a thickness of 1 mm in the shape as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the primary natural frequency f _H is 192.8.
Hz. Note that the natural frequency f _H of the toner hopper 4 varies depending on the shape and material of the toner hopper 4 and the fixing conditions of the toner hopper 4, and by appropriately setting these conditions, the natural frequency f _H of the toner hopper 4 is changed.
_H can be set appropriately.

The toner hopper 4 includes an intake tube 5
When the air pump 3 is vibrated by the motor 10 and conveys the collected toner 7, the rotation speed of the motor 10, that is, the shaft 10 a of the motor 10 The air pump 3 vibrates according to the rotation speed, and the vibration is transmitted to the toner hopper 4 via the intake tube 5 and the exhaust tube 6.

Now, the rotational speed of the motor 10 is represented by f
_m [rpm], when the rotational frequency f _m of the motor 10 and the natural frequency f _H of the toner hopper 4 satisfy the following condition, the rotational vibration of the motor 10 becomes an excitation source, and the toner The hopper 4 resonates.

[0059] ^{_{f m / (60 × 2 1/2}} ) <f H <(2 1/2 × f m) / 60 ··· (1) Next, a description will be given of the operation of this embodiment. The toner recycling apparatus 1 sets the relationship between the rotation frequency of the motor 10 of the air pump 3 that conveys the collected toner 7 to the toner hopper 4 and the natural frequency of the toner hopper 4 so as to satisfy the above expression (1).
The feature lies in that the clogging of the toner in the toner hopper 4 and the portion where the collected toner 7 is discharged to the toner hopper 4 is eliminated, and the collected toner 7 is appropriately conveyed.

That is, in the image forming apparatus to which the toner recycling apparatus 1 is applied, a developing unit supplies toner to a photosensitive member (not shown) on which an electrostatic latent image is formed to form a toner image, and the toner image is formed on the photosensitive member. The toner image is transferred to transfer paper at a transfer unit. The toner remaining on the photoreceptor after the transfer is collected by a cleaning unit (not shown), and the collected toner is collected from the cleaning unit by a toner recycling device 1.
To the toner classifier 2 via the collection path 8.

[0061] The toner classifier 2
Only the toner having a constant particle size is selected, and the selected collected toner 7 is supplied to the exhaust tube 5 via the connecting tube 9. The exhaust tube 5 is connected to the air pump 3 and the toner hopper 4, and the air pump 3 and the toner hopper 4 are connected to an intake tube 6.

When the rubber portion 3a of the air pump 3 is vibrated by the motor 10, the air is sucked from the intake tube 6, and the air is discharged from the exhaust tube 5 to the toner hopper 4. The collected toner 7 selected by the classifier 2 is supplied through the connecting tube 9.

Therefore, the collected toner 7 selected by the toner classifier 2 passes through the connecting tube 9, the exhaust tube 5 and the exhaust pipe 4a to the hollow portion 4c of the toner hopper 4.
Conveyed inside.

The collected toner 7 conveyed to the toner hopper 4 is supplied to the toner supply unit 11 through the opening 4d, and the toner supply unit 11 transfers the collected toner 7 supplied from the toner hopper 4 into the toner bottle 12. The toner is transported together with the new toner 13 to a developing unit (not shown), and is again subjected to development by the developing unit.

When the collected toner 7 is conveyed to the toner hopper 4 through the exhaust tube 5 by the air flow of the air pump 3, the portion of the exhaust pipe 4a of the toner hopper 4 to which the exhaust tube 5 is connected, and the toner of the exhaust pipe 4a The collected toner 7 may adhere to the outlet of the hopper 4 to the hollow portion 4c, the inlet of the intake pipe 4b, and the inside of the toner hopper 4 and become clogged.

Therefore, in the toner recycling apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the rotation frequency f _m of the motor 10 for driving the air pump 3 and the natural frequency f _H of the toner hopper 4 satisfy the condition of the above equation (1). Set to be satisfied.

[0067] Rotation speed f _m of the motor 10, with respect to the natural frequency f _H of the toner hopper 4, to satisfy the condition (1), the vibration of the air pump 3 which is vibrated by the rotation of the motor 10 is pressurized As a vibration source, the toner hopper 4 resonates and vibrates.

A vibration frequency f _{m for} vibrating the toner hopper 4 by vibrating the air pump 3 by the motor 10
When a frequency ratio between the natural frequency f _H of the toner hopper 4, the vibration transmissibility for the vibration frequency / natural frequency of the frequency ratio is shown as in FIG. 5, the vibration transmissibility in a satisfactory range the range satisfying certain above (1), by setting the rotational speed f _m of the motor 10 of the natural frequency f _H and the air pump 3 of the toner hopper 4, the toner hopper 4 is vibrated at resonance, the toner hopper 4 Of the exhaust pipe 4a, the outlet of the exhaust pipe 4a to the hollow portion 4c of the toner hopper 4, the inlet of the intake pipe 4b, and the collected toner 7 attached to the inside of the toner hopper 4 fall into the hollow portion 4c of the toner hopper 4. Thus, clogging of the collected toner 7 can be prevented. As a result, the collected toner 7 can be appropriately conveyed to the toner hopper 4 and the toner can be appropriately recycled.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are views showing a second embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention.

This embodiment is applied to the same toner recycling apparatus as that of the first embodiment. In the description of this embodiment, the toner recycling apparatus of the first embodiment will be described. The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 6 shows a toner recycling apparatus 2 to which the second embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention is applied.
0 is a schematic configuration diagram.

In FIG. 6, the toner recycling device 20
Is provided with a toner classifier 2, an air pump 3, a toner hopper 4, and an exhaust tube 5 and an intake tube 6, which communicate the air pump 3 and the toner hopper 4, as in the toner recycling apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. The motor 10 shown in FIG. 2 is connected to the air pump 3.

A toner clogging detection sensor (toner clogging detection means) 21 is attached to the toner hopper 4. The toner clogging detection sensor 21 is provided in the toner hopper 4 and in a portion where the collected toner 7 is discharged to the toner hopper 4. The toner clogging is detected, and the detection result is output to the rotation speed control unit 22 shown in FIG.

[0074] rotation speed control unit 22 is for controlling the rotational speed f _m of the motor 10, the toner clogging detection sensor 2
1 does not detect toner clogging, the motor 1
0 a predetermined rotational speed, for example, is rotated by a small predetermined low-speed rotation speed vibration, the toner clogging detection sensor 21 detects that the toner clogging occurs, the rotational speed f _m of the motor 10, the first (1) described in the first embodiment
Controlling the rotational speed f _m which satisfies the equation.

The toner recycling apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment
Vibrates the rubber portion 3 a of the air pump 3 by the motor 10, and conveys the collected toner 7 selected by the toner classifier 2 by the air pump 3 to the toner hopper 4 through the connection tube 9 and the exhaust tube 5. 4 supplies the recovered toner 7 to the toner supply unit 11 and conveys it to the developing unit together with new toner 13 in the toner bottle 12.

When the recovered toner 7 is conveyed to the toner hopper 4 by the air pump 3 through the connecting tube 9, the exhaust tube 5, and the exhaust pipe 4a, the exhaust pipe 4a of the toner hopper 4 and the toner hopper 4 of the exhaust pipe 4a The toner clogging detection sensor 21 constantly detects whether or not the collected toner 7 is clogged at the outlet portion to the hollow portion 4c, the inlet portion of the suction pipe 4b, and the toner hopper 4, and the toner clogging detection sensor 21 detects the toner clogging. Unless the rotation is detected, the rotation speed control unit 22 rotates the motor 10 at a predetermined rotation speed f _m , for example, at a predetermined low rotation speed with small vibration. Therefore, while the toner clogging does not occur, the toner hopper 4 does not resonate due to the rotation of the motor 10, so that noise due to the resonance can be reduced, and the power consumption of the motor 10 is reduced to reduce energy. be able to.

[0077] When the toner clogging detection sensor 21 detects the toner clogging, the rotation speed control unit 22, the rotational speed f _m of the motor 10, the natural frequency f of the toner hopper 4
_With respect to _H , the toner hopper 4 is controlled to a range that satisfies the above expression (1), and the toner hopper 4 is resonated with the vibration of the air pump 3 vibrated by the rotation of the motor 10 to vibrate.

Therefore, when toner clogging occurs, the toner hopper 4 is vibrated to eliminate the toner clogging, and the toner can be properly recycled.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a third embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention.

This embodiment is applied to the same toner recycling apparatus as that of the first embodiment. In the description of this embodiment, the toner recycling apparatus of the first embodiment will be described. The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 8 shows a toner recycling apparatus 3 to which the third embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention is applied.
0 is a schematic configuration diagram.

In FIG. 8, the toner recycling device 30
Is provided with a toner classifier 2, an air pump 3, a toner hopper 4, and an exhaust tube 5 and an intake tube 6, which communicate the air pump 3 and the toner hopper 4, as in the toner recycling apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. The motor 10 shown in FIG. 2 is connected to the air pump 3.

The toner recycling apparatus 30 is applied to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus similar to that of the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus includes a toner recycling apparatus 30, in particular, a toner hopper 4. There are various driving units 31, such as motors and gears, serving as vibration sources.

When the vibration frequency f _{k of} the drive unit 31 serving as the vibration source and the natural frequency f _H of the toner hopper 4 satisfy the following condition, the vibration of the drive unit 31 is determined by the vibration source As a result, the toner hopper 4 resonates.

F _k / 2 ^1/2 <f _H <2 ^1/2 × f _k (2) Therefore, the toner recycling apparatus 30 of the present embodiment
Are the vibration frequency f _k of the drive unit 31 of the image forming apparatus to which the toner recycling device 30 is applied, and the toner hopper 4
A natural frequency f _H of, when set in a range satisfying the above expression (2), a drive unit 31 as a vibration source, it is possible to vibrate the toner hopper 4. As a result, the exhaust pipe 4a portion of the toner hopper 4, the outlet portion of the exhaust pipe 4a to the hollow portion 4c of the toner hopper 4, the intake pipe 4b
The collected toner 7 attached to the entrance portion of the toner hopper 4 and the toner hopper 4 falls into the hollow portion 4c of the toner hopper 4 due to the vibration of the toner hopper 4, thereby preventing the clogging of the collected toner 7 at low cost. Thus, the collected toner 7 can be appropriately conveyed to the toner hopper 4, and the toner can be recycled appropriately and inexpensively.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a fourth embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention.

This embodiment is applied to a toner recycling apparatus similar to that of the first embodiment. In the description of the present embodiment, the toner recycling apparatus of the first embodiment will be described. The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 9 shows a toner recycling apparatus 4 to which the fourth embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention is applied.
0 is a schematic configuration diagram.

In FIG. 9, the toner recycling device 40
Includes a toner classifier 2, an air pump 3, a toner hopper 4, and an exhaust tube 5 and an intake tube 6, which communicate the air pump 3 and the toner hopper 4, as in the toner recycling apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. A vibration mechanism 41 is provided, and the motor 10 shown in FIG. 2 is connected to the air pump 3.

The vibration mechanism 41 includes a vibration gear 42 and a vibration motor (not shown). The vibration gear 42 is disposed so as to contact the toner hopper 4. The vibration gear 42 is driven to rotate by a vibration motor, and imparts vibration to the toner hopper 4 by rotating.

The excitation frequency f of the excitation mechanism 41
_w is set within a range that satisfies the following condition with respect to the natural frequency f _H of the toner hopper 4.

[0092] ^{_{f w / 2 1/2 <f H}} <2 1/2 × f w ··· (3) In addition, vibration mechanism 41 is not limited to the above configuration,
Possible eliminate the toner clogging the toner hopper 4 vibrating, namely, the (3) excitation frequency f _w of the range satisfying the formula
Any configuration may be used as long as the configuration can apply the vibration to the toner hopper 4.

Therefore, in the toner recycling apparatus 40 of the present embodiment, the vibration gear 42 is driven to rotate by the vibration motor of the vibration mechanism 41, and the vibration gear 42 controls the natural frequency f _H of the toner hopper 4. Te, when applying vibrations in the range of the vibration frequency f _w which satisfies the equation (3), the vibration mechanism 41 to cause a resonance in the toner hopper 4,
Can be vibrated. As a result, the toner hopper 4
Of the exhaust pipe 4a, the outlet of the exhaust pipe 4a to the hollow portion 4c of the toner hopper 4, the inlet of the intake pipe 4b, and the collected toner 7 adhered to the toner hopper 4.
However, the toner particles fall into the hollow portion 4c of the toner hopper 4, and the clogging of the collected toner 7 can be prevented beforehand and more effectively. The toner can be more appropriately recycled.

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, a toner clogging detection sensor 43, a vibration control unit 44, and a vibration motor 45 similar to the toner clogging detection sensor of the second embodiment are used. Only when the toner clogging detection sensor 43 detects that toner clogging has occurred, the vibration control unit 44 may drive the vibration motor 45 to rotate the vibration gear 42. . That is, while the toner clogging detection sensor 43 is attached to the toner hopper 4 and the toner clogging detection sensor 43 detects that toner clogging has not occurred, the vibration control unit 44 drives the vibration motor 45. Stop. When the toner clogging detection sensor 43 detects that toner clogging has occurred, the vibration control unit 44 drives the vibration motor 45 to rotate the vibration gear 42, and the vibration gear 42 imparting vibrations of the vibration frequency f _w of the range satisfying the above expression (3) to the toner hopper 4.

In this manner, the occurrence of toner clogging can be eliminated and toner can be properly recycled, and the operation of the vibrating mechanism 41 is stopped in a normal operation state in which no toner clogging occurs. Thus, noise due to vibration of the toner hopper 4 is not generated, and power consumption can be reduced.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show a toner recycling apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

The present embodiment is applied to the same toner recycling apparatus as that of the first embodiment. In the description of this embodiment, the toner recycling apparatus of the first embodiment will be described. The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a toner recycling apparatus 50 to which the fifth embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention is applied.

In FIG. 11, the toner recycling device 5
0 is the toner recycling apparatus 1 of the first embodiment.
A toner classifier 2, an air pump 3, a toner hopper 4, and an exhaust tube 5 and an intake tube 6 which communicate the air pump 3 and the toner hopper 4 are provided. The motor 10 shown in FIG. Are linked.

As shown in FIG. 12, the toner hopper 4 has a plurality of lead plates 51 attached to the end of the exhaust pipe 4a inside the toner hopper 4, and the inside of the toner hopper 4 of the intake pipe 4b. A plurality of lead plates 52 are attached to the ends. Lead plates 51, 52
Has a predetermined thickness and thickness, has a predetermined elasticity, and is vibrated by air passing through the exhaust pipe 4a and the intake pipe 4b.

Therefore, the toner recycle device 50 of the present embodiment uses the air pump 3 to
When the collected toner 7 is transported from the exhaust pipe 4a into the toner hopper 4 through the exhaust pipe 4a and the air in the toner hopper 4 is sent to the air pump 3 through the intake pipe 4b and the intake tube 6, the exhaust pipe 4a and the intake pipe 4b Causes the lead plates 51 and 52 attached to the exhaust pipe 4a and the intake pipe 4b to vibrate. When the lead plate 51 and the lead plate 52 vibrate, the collected toner 7 adhering around the exhaust pipe 4a and the intake pipe 4b falls into the toner hopper 4, so that toner clogging can be suppressed at low cost. As a result, the toner can be appropriately recycled at low cost.

In the above embodiment, the natural frequency f _L of the lead plates 51 and 52 and the motor 1 of the air pump 3
The rotational speed f _m [rpm] of 0 may be set to satisfy the following equation, and the lead plates 51 and 52 may be vibrated by using the rotational vibration of the motor 10 as a vibration source.

[0103] ^{_{f m / (60 × 2 1/2}} ) <f L <(2 1/2 × f m) / 60 ··· (4) for example, lead plates 51, 52 as shown in FIG. 13, 4
In the case of a size of 0.7 mm × 0.7 mm, a thickness of 0.1 mm, and made of polyurethane, the lead plate 5
The natural frequencies f _L of 1, 52 are about 85 Hz. When the motor 10 is rotated at a rotational speed of 5000 [rpm], the above expression (4) is satisfied, and the lead plates 51 and 52 resonate and vibrate. The collected toner 7 adhering around the periphery of the toner hopper 4b can be more effectively dropped into the toner hopper 4. As a result, toner clogging can be more effectively suppressed, and toner recycling can be performed more appropriately.

In the above embodiment, the lead plates 51, 52 are attached to both the exhaust pipe 4a and the intake pipe 4b.
Is attached, but the collected toner 7 in the intake pipe 4b is
Therefore, the lead plate 51 may be attached only to the exhaust pipe 4a.

Although a plurality of lead plates 51 and 52 are provided, at least one lead plate 51 and 52 may be provided.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention.

This embodiment is applied to the same toner recycling apparatus as that of the first embodiment. In the description of this embodiment, the toner recycling apparatus of the first embodiment will be described. The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 14 is a schematic configuration diagram of a toner recycling apparatus 60 to which the sixth embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention is applied.

In FIG. 14, the toner recycling device 6
0 is the toner recycling apparatus 1 of the first embodiment.
A toner classifier 2, an air pump 3, a toner hopper 4, and an exhaust tube 5 and an intake tube 6 which communicate the air pump 3 and the toner hopper 4 are provided. The motor 10 shown in FIG. Are linked.

The toner hopper 4 has an exhaust pipe 4a
A plurality of lead plates 61 are attached to the end inside the toner hopper 4, and a plurality of lead plates 62 are attached to the end inside the toner hopper 4 of the intake pipe 4b. The lead plates 61 and 62 have a predetermined thinness and thickness, a predetermined elasticity, and a predetermined natural frequency f _L.

A toner clogging detection sensor 63 is attached to the toner hopper 4. The toner clogging detection sensor 63 detects a toner clogging in the toner hopper 4 and a portion where the collected toner 7 is discharged to the toner hopper 4. Then, the detection result is output to a rotation speed control unit similar to the rotation speed control unit shown in FIG. The rotation speed control unit is for controlling the rotational speed f _m of the motor 10 for driving the air pump 3, when the toner clogging detection sensor 63 does not detect the toner clogging, the motor 10 a predetermined rotational speed, e.g. When the toner clogging detection sensor 63 detects that toner clogging has occurred, the motor 10 rotates at a predetermined low-speed rotation speed with small vibration.
_m with respect to the natural frequency f _L of the lead plates 61 and 62.
Controlling the rotational speed f _m which satisfies the equation (4).

The toner recycling device 60 according to the present embodiment
Vibrates the rubber portion 3 a of the air pump 3 by the motor 10, and conveys the collected toner 7 selected by the toner classifier 2 by the air pump 3 to the toner hopper 4 through the connection tube 9 and the exhaust tube 5. 4 supplies the recovered toner 7 to the toner supply unit 11 and conveys it to the developing unit together with new toner 13 in the toner bottle 12.

When the recovered toner 7 is conveyed to the toner hopper 4 through the connecting tube 9 and the exhaust tube 5 by the air pump 3, the toner is transferred to the exhaust pipe 4a of the toner hopper 4 and the hollow portion 4c of the toner hopper 4 of the exhaust pipe 4a. The toner clogging detection sensor 63 constantly detects whether or not the collected toner 7 is clogged at an outlet portion of the motor, and the rotation speed control unit controls the motor 10 to a predetermined time while the toner clogging detection sensor 63 does not detect toner clogging. Rotation speed f _m ,
For example, the motor is rotated at a predetermined low rotation speed with small vibration.
Therefore, while the toner clogging does not occur, the toner hopper 4 does not resonate due to the rotation of the motor 10, so that the noise due to the resonance can be reduced and the motor 1
0 power consumption can be reduced, and energy can be reduced.

When the toner clogging detection sensor 63 detects toner clogging, the rotation speed control unit
The rotational frequency f _m of the lead plate 61, 62 by the natural frequency f _L
Is controlled so as to satisfy the above equation (4), and the lead plates 61 and 62 are resonated with the rotational vibration of the motor 10 by
Vibrate.

Therefore, when toner clogging occurs, the lead plates 61 and 62 are forcibly vibrated, so that the toner clogging of the exhaust pipe 4a and the intake pipe 4b can be eliminated, and the toner is properly recycled. be able to.

In this embodiment, the lead plates 61 and 62 are attached to both the exhaust pipe 4a and the intake pipe 4b. However, since the collected toner 7 is little attached to the intake pipe 4b, the exhaust pipe 4a Only, lead plate 6
1 may be attached.

Although a plurality of lead plates 61 and 62 are provided, it is sufficient that at least one lead plate 61 and 62 is provided.

Further, in the present embodiment, in order to vibrate the lead plates 61 and 62, the rotation frequency f _m of the motor 10 of the air pump 3 is set to the above-mentioned relative to the natural frequency f _L of the lead plates 61 and 62. Vibration of the lead plates 61 and 62 is not limited to this, but is controlled by controlling the range to satisfy the expression (4). For example, an image of an electrophotographic system to which the toner recycling apparatus 60 is applied is applied. Various driving units included in the forming apparatus, such as a motor and a gear, may be used as a vibration source.

In this case, when the excitation frequency f _k of the drive unit serving as the excitation source satisfies the following equation with respect to the natural frequency f _L of the lead plates 61 and 62, the vibration of the drive unit is applied. As a vibration source, the lead plates 61 and 62 resonate.

F _k / 2 ^1/2 <f _L <2 ^1/2 × f _k (5) Therefore, the natural frequency f _L of the lead plates 61 and 62 is adjusted to the excitation frequency of this drive unit. If designed, the lead plates 61 and 62 are vibrated by using the vibration of the drive unit, so that toner clogging can be prevented and eliminated at low cost.

FIG. 15 is a view showing a seventh embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention.

The present embodiment is applied to the same toner recycling apparatus as that of the first embodiment. In the description of this embodiment, the toner recycling apparatus of the first embodiment will be described. The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 15 is a schematic configuration diagram of a toner recycling apparatus 70 to which the seventh embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention is applied.

In FIG. 15, the toner recycling device 7
0 is the toner recycling apparatus 1 of the first embodiment.
A toner classifier 2, an air pump 3, a toner hopper 4, and an exhaust tube 5 and an intake tube 6 which communicate the air pump 3 and the toner hopper 4 are provided. The motor 10 shown in FIG. Are linked.

The toner hopper 4 has an exhaust pipe 4a
A plurality of lead plates 71 are attached to an end portion inside the toner hopper 4, and a plurality of lead plates 72 are attached to an end portion inside the toner hopper 4 of the intake pipe 4b. Lead plates 71 and 72 has a predetermined fineness and thickness and a predetermined elasticity, and has a predetermined natural frequency f _L.

The toner hopper 4 has a vibrating mechanism 7
The vibration mechanism 73 includes a vibration gear 7.
4 and a vibration motor (not shown).
Are disposed so as to contact the toner hopper 4. The vibrating gear 74 imparts vibration to the toner hopper 4 by being rotated and driven by a vibrating motor.

The vibration frequency f of the vibration mechanism 73
_k is relative to the natural frequency f _L of the lead plates 71 and 72.
The range is set so as to satisfy the following condition.

F _k / 2 ^1/2 <f _L <2 ^1/2 × f _k (6) The vibration mechanism 73 is not limited to the above-described configuration.
A vibration that can eliminate toner clogging of the toner hopper 4, that is, an excitation frequency f _{k in} a range that satisfies the above expression (6).
Any configuration may be used as long as the configuration can apply the vibration to the toner hopper 4.

The toner recycling device 70 of the present embodiment
Are driven by a vibrating motor of a vibrating mechanism 73 to rotate a vibrating gear 74, and the vibrating gear 74 leads the lead plates 71, 7 attached to the intake pipes 4 a, 4 b of the toner hopper 4.
When the vibration of the excitation frequency f _{k in} the range satisfying the above expression (6) is given to the natural frequency f _{L of} 2, the excitation mechanism 7
3 causes the lead plates 71 and 72 to resonate and vibrate. Therefore, the collected toner 7 such as the exhaust pipe 4a of the toner hopper 4 and the outlet of the exhaust pipe 4a to the hollow portion 4c of the toner hopper 4 is removed by the vibration of the lead plates 71 and 72. 4c, the clogging of the collected toner 7 can be effectively prevented, and the collected toner 7 can be properly conveyed to the toner hopper 4 so that the toner can be more appropriately recycled.

FIG. 16 is a view showing an eighth embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention.

This embodiment is applied to the same toner recycling apparatus as that of the first embodiment. In the description of this embodiment, the toner recycling apparatus of the first embodiment will be described. The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 16 is a schematic configuration diagram of a toner recycling apparatus 80 to which the eighth embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention is applied.

In FIG. 16, the toner recycling device 8
0 is the toner recycling apparatus 1 of the first embodiment.
A toner classifier 2, an air pump 3, a toner hopper 4, and an exhaust tube 5 and an intake tube 6 which communicate the air pump 3 and the toner hopper 4 are provided. The motor 10 shown in FIG. Are linked.

The toner hopper 4 has an exhaust pipe 4a
A plurality of lead plates 81 are attached to an end portion inside the toner hopper 4, and a plurality of lead plates 82 are attached to an end portion inside the toner hopper 4 of the intake pipe 4b. Lead plates 81 and 82 has a predetermined fineness and thickness and a predetermined elasticity, and has a predetermined natural frequency f _L.

The toner hopper 4 has a vibrating mechanism 8
The vibration mechanism 83 is provided with a vibration gear 8.
4 and a vibration motor (not shown).
Are disposed so as to contact the toner hopper 4. The vibration gear 84 imparts vibration to the toner hopper 4 by being rotated and driven by a vibration motor.

Further, a toner clogging detection sensor 85 is attached to the toner hopper 4, and the toner clogging detection sensor 85 detects toner clogging in the toner hopper 4 and a portion where the collected toner 7 is discharged to the toner hopper 4. Detects and outputs the detection result to the vibration control unit 86.

The vibration control unit 86 controls the driving of the vibration motor of the vibration mechanism 83. When the toner clogging detection sensor 85 does not detect the toner clogging, the vibration control unit 86 vibrates the drive signal. When the toner clogging detection sensor 85 detects that toner clogging has occurred, an ON drive signal is output to the vibrating motor, and the vibrating motor is driven. Are driven to rotate at an excitation frequency f _k that satisfies the expression (6) shown in the seventh embodiment.

The vibration mechanism 83 is not limited to the above-described structure. The vibration mechanism 83 can be turned on / off by a drive signal from the vibration control unit 86 to vibrate the toner hopper 4 to eliminate clogging of the toner, that is, vibration. Any configuration may be used as long as it can apply a vibration of the excitation frequency f _k within the range satisfying the above expression (6) to the toner hopper 4.

The toner recycling device 80 according to the present embodiment
Connects the collected toner 7 by the air pump 3 to the connecting tube 9.
When the toner is conveyed to the toner hopper 4 through the exhaust tube 5, the collected toner 7 is clogged at the exhaust pipe 4 a of the toner hopper 4, the outlet of the exhaust pipe 4 a to the hollow portion 4 c of the toner hopper 4, and the like. Is always detected by the toner clogging detection sensor 85, and while the toner clogging detection sensor 85 does not detect toner clogging, the vibration control unit 86 stops driving the vibration motor of the vibration mechanism 83. Therefore, while toner clogging is not occurring,
Without applying vibration to the lead plates 81 and 82 via the toner hopper 4 by the vibration mechanism 83, noise due to resonance can be reduced, and power consumption of the vibration motor is reduced to reduce energy. Can be.

When the toner clogging detection sensor 85 detects toner clogging, the vibration control section 86 outputs an ON drive signal to the vibration motor of the vibration mechanism 83, and controls the vibration motor to rotate at its rotational speed. f _m is rotated with respect to the natural frequency f _L of the lead plates 81 and 82 within a range satisfying the above expression (6), and the lead plates 81 and 82 are driven by the vibration gear 84 via the toner hopper 4. Resonate and vibrate.

Therefore, when the toner is clogged, the lead plates 81 and 82 are vibrated so that the exhaust pipe 4a
And the clogging of the toner in the intake pipe 4b can be efficiently eliminated, and the toner can be more appropriately recycled.

As described above, the invention made by the inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. It goes without saying that it is possible.

[0143]

According to the toner recycling apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the image bearing member is distributed to the developing unit through the transport pipe by an air flow of an air pump driven by a drive motor. in carrying the set toner hopper, the the natural frequency f _H of the toner hopper and rotational speed f _m of the drive motor, f
^{_{m / (60 × 2 1/2)}} <f H <(2 1/2 × f m) / 60
Is satisfied, the toner hopper resonates by the vibration of the air pump driven by the drive motor, and the occurrence of toner clogging in the toner hopper can be suppressed. The toner can be conveyed and the toner can be properly recycled.

According to the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention, the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the image carrier is disposed on the developing unit side through the transport pipe by the air flow of the air pump driven by the drive motor. in carrying the toner hopper was, by detecting the toner clogging the toner hopper, the toner clogging occurs, the rotational speed f _m of the drive motor relative to the natural frequency f _H of the toner hopper, f _m / (60 × 2 ^1/2 ) <f
Since ^{_{H <(2 1/2 × f m}} ) is controlled to satisfy the rotational speed of / 60, while not occurring toner clogging,
Noise can be reduced without vibrating the toner hopper, and when toner clogging occurs, the toner hopper is resonated by the vibration of the air pump driven by the drive motor to eliminate toner clogging in the toner hopper. Thus, the collected toner can be appropriately conveyed to the toner hopper, and the toner can be appropriately recycled.

According to the toner recycling apparatus of the third aspect, the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the image carrier is disposed on the developing unit side through the transport pipe by an air flow of an air pump driven by a drive motor. When the toner is conveyed to the toner hopper, the natural frequency f _H of the toner hopper and the vibration frequency f _k of the driving mechanism of the image forming apparatus to which the toner recycling apparatus is applied are determined by f _k /
Since the condition of 2 ^1/2 <f _H <2 ^1/2 × f _k is satisfied, the toner hopper is resonated by the vibration of the drive mechanism of the image forming apparatus, and the toner clogging in the toner hopper can be performed at low cost. Generation can be suppressed, and the collected toner can be appropriately conveyed to the toner hopper, and the toner can be appropriately and inexpensively recycled.

According to the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention, the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the image carrier is disposed on the developing unit side through the transport pipe by an air flow of an air pump driven by a drive motor. in carrying the toner hopper was, by vibrating mechanism for applying vibration of the vibrating frequency f _w in the toner hopper, with respect to the natural frequency f _H of the toner hopper, f _w / 2 ^1/2
<Since imparting satisfies oscillation of ^{_{f H <2 1/2 × f w}} , by resonating the toner hopper by the vibration imparting the vibration mechanism, effectively effectively the occurrence of toner clogging in the toner hopper The collected toner can be appropriately conveyed to the toner hopper, and the toner can be more appropriately recycled.

[0147] According to the toner recycling device of the invention of claim 5, wherein, only when the toner clogging the toner hopper is generated by vibrating mechanism for applying vibration of the vibrating frequency f _w in the toner hopper, unique toner hopper Frequency f
Against _H, since imparting satisfies oscillation of ^{_{f w / 2 1/2 <f H}} <2 1/2 × f w, while not occurring toner clogging, without vibrating the toner hopper In addition to reducing power consumption, noise can be reduced, and when toner clogging occurs, the vibration applied by the vibration mechanism causes the toner hopper to resonate, effectively preventing toner clogging in the toner hopper. Thus, the collected toner can be appropriately conveyed to the toner hopper, and the toner can be more appropriately recycled.

According to the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention, the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the image carrier is disposed on the developing unit side through the transport pipe by an air flow of an air pump driven by a drive motor. At least one vibrating member that vibrates by air flow is attached to at least one of the toner hopper side ends of the conveying pipe and the suction pipe that communicate the air pump and the toner hopper while conveying the toner hopper.
The collected toner adhered around the conveying pipe and the intake pipe is removed by an oscillating member that vibrates with an air flow, so that the occurrence of toner clogging can be suppressed at a low cost, and the collected toner is appropriately conveyed to the toner hopper. The toner can be properly recycled.

According to the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention, the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the image carrier is disposed on the developing unit side through the transport pipe by the air flow of the air pump driven by the drive motor. At least one vibrating member that vibrates at a predetermined natural frequency is attached to at least one toner hopper side end of at least one of a transport pipe and an intake pipe that communicates the air pump and the toner hopper with the transported toner hopper, The natural frequency f _L of the vibrating member and the rotational frequency f _{m of the} drive motor are
^{_{f m / (60 × 2 1/2}} ) <f L <(2 1/2 × f m) / 6
Since the condition of 0 is satisfied, the vibration member is resonated by the vibration of the air pump driven by the drive motor to remove the collected toner attached around the conveyance pipe and the suction pipe, thereby reducing the occurrence of toner clogging. It is possible to suppress the toner more efficiently, and to appropriately convey the collected toner to the toner hopper, so that the toner can be more appropriately recycled.

According to the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention, the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the image carrier is disposed on the developing unit side through the transport pipe by an air flow of an air pump driven by a drive motor. At least one vibrating member that vibrates at a predetermined natural frequency is attached to at least one toner hopper side end of at least one of a transport pipe and an intake pipe that communicates the air pump and the toner hopper with the transported toner hopper, by detecting the toner clogging the toner hopper, the toner clogging occurs, the rotational speed f _m of the drive motor relative to the natural frequency f _L of the vibration _{member, f m / (60 × 2} 1/2)
<And controls the ^{_{f L <(2 1/2 × f}} m) / 60 satisfy rotational speed f _m of, while not occurring toner clogging, without vibrating the vibrating member, reduce noise When toner clogging occurs, the vibration member resonates with the vibration of the air pump driven by the drive motor to remove the collected toner attached around the conveying pipe and the suction pipe, thereby reducing the occurrence of toner clogging. It is possible to suppress the toner more efficiently, and to appropriately convey the collected toner to the toner hopper, so that the toner can be more appropriately recycled.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the image carrier is disposed on the developing unit side through the transport pipe by the air flow of the air pump driven by the drive motor. At least one vibrating member that vibrates at a predetermined natural frequency is attached to at least one toner hopper side end of at least one of a transport pipe and an intake pipe that communicates the air pump and the toner hopper with the transported toner hopper, The natural frequency f _L of the vibration member and the vibration frequency f _k of the drive mechanism of the image forming apparatus to which the toner recycling device is applied are _represented by f _k
/ 2 ^1/2 <f _L <2 ^1/2 × f _k , so that the vibration member resonates due to the vibration of the drive mechanism of the image forming apparatus, and The attached collected toner is removed, so that the occurrence of toner clogging can be suppressed at low cost, and the collected toner can be appropriately conveyed to the toner hopper, and the toner can be appropriately recycled.

According to the toner recycling apparatus of the tenth aspect, the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the image carrier is disposed on the developing unit side through the transport pipe by the air flow of the air pump driven by the drive motor. At least one vibrating member that vibrates at a predetermined natural frequency is attached to at least one toner hopper side end of at least one of a transport pipe and an intake pipe that communicates the air pump and the toner hopper with the transported toner hopper, the vibrating mechanism for applying vibration of the vibrating frequency f _w in the toner hopper, with respect to the natural frequency f _L of the vibration member, f _w /
Since imparting satisfying vibrations of ^{_{2 1/2 <f L <2 1/2}} × f w, to resonate vibration member by the vibration imparting the vibration mechanism, attached around the carrier pipe and the intake pipe The collected toner can be more efficiently removed, the occurrence of toner clogging can be more appropriately suppressed, and the collected toner can be appropriately conveyed to the toner hopper and the toner can be more appropriately recycled. .

[0153] According to the toner recycling device of the invention of claim 11, wherein, only when the toner clogging occurs in the toner hopper, the vibration mechanism for applying vibration of the vibrating frequency f _w in the toner hopper, inherent vibration member against frequency f _L, since imparting satisfies oscillation of ^{_{f w / 2 1/2 <f L}} <2 1/2 × f w, while not occurring toner clogging, through the toner hopper It is possible to reduce noise while reducing power consumption without vibrating the vibrating member, and to vibrate the vibrating member by the vibration applied by the vibrating mechanism and adhere around the transfer pipe and the intake pipe. It is possible to more efficiently remove the collected toner, suppress the occurrence of toner clogging more appropriately, transport the collected toner to the toner hopper appropriately, and perform the toner recycling more appropriately. It can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of a toner recycling apparatus to which a first embodiment of a toner recycling apparatus of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of the air pump and the motor of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the toner hopper of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the toner hopper of FIG. 1 as viewed from below.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a vibration transmission rate with respect to a frequency ratio of an excitation frequency / a natural frequency in a resonance frequency band of the toner hopper by the air pump of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of a toner recycling apparatus to which a second embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus according to the invention is applied.

7 is a circuit block diagram of a drive control system of a motor of an air pump of the toner recycling apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of a toner recycling apparatus to which a third embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of a toner recycling apparatus to which a fourth embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 10 is a circuit block diagram of a drive control system of a vibration mechanism of the toner recycling apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of a toner recycling apparatus to which a fifth embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of an exhaust pipe and an intake pipe to which the lead plate of FIG. 11 is attached.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged front view of another example of the lead plate.

FIG. 14 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of a toner recycling apparatus to which a sixth embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 15 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of a toner recycling apparatus to which a seventh embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus according to the invention is applied.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a main part of a toner recycling apparatus to which an eighth embodiment of the toner recycling apparatus according to the invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Toner recycling apparatus 2 Toner classifier 3 Air pump 3a Rubber part 4 Toner hopper 4a Exhaust pipe 4b Intake pipe 4c Hollow part 4d Opening 5 Exhaust tube 6 Intake tube 7 Collected toner 8 Collection path 9 Connection tube 10 Motor 10a Shaft 11 Toner supply Unit 13 Toner 20 Toner recycling device 21 Toner clogging detection sensor 22 Revolution speed control unit 30 Toner recycling device 31 Drive unit 40 Toner recycling device 41 Vibration mechanism 42 Vibration gear 43 Toner clogging detection sensor 44 Vibration control unit 45 Vibration motor REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 50 toner recycling device 51, 52 lead plate 60 toner recycling device 61, 62 lead plate 63 toner clogging detection sensor 70 toner recycling device 71, 72 lead plate 73 vibrating mechanism 74 vibrating gear 8 0 Toner recycling device 81, 82 Lead plate 83 Vibration mechanism 84 Vibration gear 85 Toner clogging detection sensor 86 Vibration control unit

Claims (11)

[Claims] A cleaning unit that collects the toner remaining on the image carrier, supplies the toner to the image carrier, and conveys the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit to a developing unit that forms a toner image. In the toner recycling device, a toner hopper disposed on the developing unit side for storing the conveyed collected toner, and a conveying pipe and an intake pipe disposed on the cleaning unit side are communicated with the toner hopper,
An air transport mechanism that transports the collected toner to the toner hopper through the transport pipe by an air flow of an air pump driven by a drive motor that rotates at a predetermined rotation speed, wherein one of the drive motors of the air transport mechanism is provided. Assuming that the number of rotations per minute is f _m [rpm] and the natural frequency of the hopper is f _H , the natural frequency f _{H of the} toner hopper is
And the rotational speed f _{m of the} drive motor is f _m / (60 × 2
^1/2) <f _H <(toner recycling device, characterized in that meets the 2 ^1/2 × f _m) / 60 conditions. 2. A cleaning unit that collects toner remaining on an image carrier, supplies the toner to the image carrier, and conveys the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit to a developing unit that forms a toner image. In the toner recycling device, a toner hopper disposed on the developing unit side for storing the conveyed collected toner, and a conveying pipe and an intake pipe disposed on the cleaning unit side are communicated with the toner hopper,
An air transport mechanism that transports the collected toner to the toner hopper through the transport pipe with an air flow of an air pump driven by a drive motor that rotates at a predetermined rotational speed, and controls a rotational speed of the drive motor of the air transport mechanism. Control means, and toner clogging detection means for detecting clogging of the toner in the toner hopper, wherein the control means controls the air transport mechanism when the toner clogging detection means detects the occurrence of the toner clogging. f _m [rpm] rotation per minute of the driving motor, wherein, when the natural frequency of the toner hopper was f _H, the rotational speed f _m of the drive motor, the natural frequency of the toner hopper f _H , F _m / (60 × 2 ^1/2 ) <f _H <(2
Toner recycling device and controlling the ^1/2 × f _m) / 60 satisfy rotational speed f _m of. 3. A toner image is formed by supplying toner from a developing unit onto an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and the toner image is transferred to a recording medium to form an image. A toner recycling device that is applied to an image forming apparatus driven by a driving mechanism and that conveys the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the cleaning unit that collects toner remaining on the image carrier to the developing unit; A toner hopper disposed on the developing unit side for storing the conveyed collected toner, and communicated with the toner hopper by a conveying pipe and an intake pipe disposed on the cleaning unit side,
An air transport mechanism that transports the collected toner to the toner hopper through the transport pipe with an air flow of an air pump driven by a drive motor that rotates at a predetermined rotation speed, wherein the vibration frequency of the drive mechanism is f _k , Assuming that the natural frequency of the toner hopper is f _H , the natural frequency f _{H of the} toner hopper and the vibration frequency f _{k of the} drive mechanism are:
f _k / 2 ^1/2 <toner recycling device, characterized in that it satisfies the condition ^{_{f H <2 1/2 ×}} f k. 4. The collected toner collected by the cleaning unit is transported from a cleaning unit that collects toner remaining on the image carrier to a developing unit that supplies the toner to the image carrier and forms a toner image. In the toner recycling device, a toner hopper disposed on the developing unit side for storing the conveyed collected toner, and a conveying pipe and an intake pipe disposed on the cleaning unit side are communicated with the toner hopper,
An air transport mechanism that transports the collected toner to the toner hopper through the transport pipe with an air flow of an air pump driven by a drive motor that rotates at a predetermined rotation speed, and forcibly imparts a predetermined vibration to the toner hopper comprising a vibration mechanism, the said vibration mechanism of the vibration frequency f _w, the natural frequency of the toner hopper when the f _H, the vibrating ^{_{mechanism, f w / 2 1/2 <f}} H < toner recycling apparatus characterized by imparting satisfying vibrations of 2 ^1/2 × f _w in the toner hopper. 5. The toner recycling apparatus further comprises: a toner clogging detection unit for detecting clogging of the toner in the toner hopper; and a driving control unit for controlling driving of the vibrating mechanism. 5. The toner recycling apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the vibrating mechanism is driven only when the toner clogging detection unit detects the occurrence of the toner clogging. 6. The collected toner collected by the cleaning unit is transported from a cleaning unit that collects toner remaining on the image carrier to a developing unit that supplies the toner to the image carrier and forms a toner image. In the toner recycling device, a toner hopper disposed on the developing unit side for storing the conveyed collected toner, and a conveying pipe and an intake pipe disposed on the cleaning unit side are communicated with the toner hopper,
An air transport mechanism that transports the collected toner to the toner hopper through the transport pipe with an air flow of an air pump driven by a drive motor that rotates at a predetermined rotation speed, and at least one of the transport pipe and the intake pipe. At least one predetermined vibrating member that vibrates by the air flow is attached to one end of the toner hopper side. 7. A recovery unit for recovering toner remaining on the image carrier, supplying the toner to the image carrier, and transporting the recovered toner collected by the cleaning unit to a developing unit for forming a toner image. In the toner recycling device, a toner hopper disposed on the developing unit side for storing the conveyed collected toner, and a conveying pipe and an intake pipe disposed on the cleaning unit side are communicated with the toner hopper,
An air transport mechanism that transports the collected toner to the toner hopper through the transport pipe with an air flow of an air pump driven by a drive motor that rotates at a predetermined rotation speed, and at least one of the transport pipe and the intake pipe. At least one predetermined vibration member that vibrates at a predetermined natural frequency is attached to one end of the toner hopper side,
Let the natural frequency of the vibrating member be f _L ,
Assuming that the number of revolutions per minute is f _m [rpm], the natural frequency f _{L of the} vibrating member and the number of revolutions f _{m of the} drive motor
_{But, f m / (60 × 2} 1/2) <f L <(2 1/2 × f m)
A toner recycling device, which satisfies the condition of / 60. 8. The collected toner collected by the cleaning unit is transported from a cleaning unit that collects toner remaining on the image carrier to a developing unit that supplies the toner to the image carrier and forms a toner image. In the toner recycling device, a toner hopper disposed on the developing unit side for storing the conveyed collected toner, and a conveying pipe and an intake pipe disposed on the cleaning unit side are communicated with the toner hopper,
An air transport mechanism that transports the collected toner to the toner hopper through the transport pipe with an airflow of an air pump driven by a drive motor that rotates at a predetermined rotation speed; and a toner jam that detects the toner jam in the toner hopper. Detecting means and frequency control means for controlling the rotation frequency of the drive motor, wherein at least one of the conveying pipe and the suction pipe on the toner hopper side vibrates at a predetermined natural frequency. Assuming that at least one predetermined vibration member is attached, the natural frequency of the vibration member is f _L , and the number of rotations per minute of the drive motor is f _m [rpm], the frequency control means When the clogging detection means for detecting the occurrence of the toner clogging, the rotational speed f _m of the drive motor, the natural frequency f _L of the vibrating member With respect to f _m / (60 × 2 ^1/2 )
<Toner recycling device and controlling the ^{_{f L <(2 1/2 × f}} m) / 60 satisfy rotational speed f _m of. 9. A toner image is formed by supplying toner from a developing unit onto an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and the toner image is transferred to a recording medium to form an image. A toner recycling device that is applied to an image forming apparatus driven by a driving mechanism and that conveys the collected toner collected by the cleaning unit from the cleaning unit that collects toner remaining on the image carrier to the developing unit; A toner hopper disposed on the developing unit side for storing the conveyed collected toner, and communicated with the toner hopper by a conveying pipe and an intake pipe disposed on the cleaning unit side,
An air transport mechanism that transports the collected toner to the toner hopper through the transport pipe with an air flow of an air pump driven by a drive motor that rotates at a predetermined rotation speed, and at least one of the transport pipe and the intake pipe. At least one predetermined vibration member that vibrates at a predetermined natural frequency is attached to one end of the toner hopper side,
Assuming that the natural frequency of the vibration member is f _L and the vibration frequency of the drive mechanism is f _k , the natural frequency f _{L of the} vibration member
And the vibration frequency _{fk of the} driving mechanism is _fk / ^21/2 <f
A toner recycling apparatus characterized by satisfying a condition of _L < ^21/2 × f _k . 10. The collected toner collected by the cleaning unit is transported from a cleaning unit that collects toner remaining on the image carrier to a developing unit that supplies the toner to the image carrier and forms a toner image. In the toner recycling device, a toner hopper disposed on the developing unit side for storing the conveyed collected toner, and a conveying pipe and an intake pipe disposed on the cleaning unit side are communicated with the toner hopper, An air transport mechanism that transports the collected toner to the toner hopper through the transport pipe with an airflow of an air pump driven by a drive motor that rotates at a predetermined rotation speed;
A vibrating mechanism for forcibly applying a predetermined vibration to the toner hopper, wherein at least one of the transport pipe and the suction pipe on the toner hopper side vibrates at a predetermined natural frequency. Assuming that at least one predetermined vibration member is attached, the vibration frequency of the vibration mechanism is f _w , and the natural frequency of the vibration member is f _L , the vibration mechanism is f _w / ^1/2. <toner recycling apparatus characterized by imparting satisfies oscillation of f _L <2 ^1/2 × f _w in the toner hopper. 11. The toner recycling apparatus further comprises: a toner clogging detecting unit for detecting the clogging of the toner in the toner hopper; and a driving control unit for controlling driving of the vibrating mechanism. 11. The toner recycling apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the vibrating mechanism is driven only when the toner clogging detection unit detects the occurrence of the toner clogging.