JPS6235101Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a toner collection structure, and more particularly to a toner collection structure that does not require a joint at the connecting portion of a toner collection bottle and can be attached and detached in a short time.

Conventionally, this type of toner recovery device has a structure as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, the collected toner is mixed with air and descends as shown by an arrow 2 on the inner surface of a cyclone 1, and is collected into a toner bottle 4 connected by a bellows 3, whereupon the air is sucked upward 2'. The toner bottle 4 and the bellows 3 are sealed by a joint 5.

The connecting portion between the cyclone 1 and the bellows 3 is also closely connected to prevent toner from flying outside. The toner bottle is placed on a stand 6, one end of which is rotatably supported by a shaft 7 and the other end held horizontally by a compression spring 8. As the collected toner accumulates in the toner bottle 4, the compression spring 8 bends due to the weight of the toner, and a micro switch 9 installed on the lower surface of the stand 6 detects the time to collect the toner. As another method for detecting when toner has accumulated and it is time to replace the toner bottle 4, a capacitance detector 10 may be installed near the upper end of the toner bottle 4 where the toner is accumulated, or the detection may be performed reliably. In some cases, a micro switch 9 is also provided for this purpose.

In this manner, when the toner collection time is detected, the joint 5 is loosened, the connecting portion with the toner bottle 4 is removed, a new toner bottle 4 is installed and replaced, and the joint 5 seals and fixes the bottle.

In this way, with the above conventional toner collection structure, when replacing the toner bottle 4, the toner bottle 4
Toner may accumulate inside the bellows 3 provided between the cyclone 1 and the cyclone 1, causing the inner diameter to gradually become narrower and eventually becoming clogged with toner.Furthermore, it takes time to attach and detach the toner bottle 4 when replacing it, making it difficult to quickly remove the toner bottle 4. There was a problem that I was told could not be done.

The present invention has been devised in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a toner collection structure that facilitates the connection between the cyclone 1 and the toner bottle 4 and allows for quick and easy replacement. It is in.

The above purpose is to provide a cyclone for toner collection, a box equipped with an opening/closing door sealed at the toner outlet of the cyclone, and a box with two loosely connected to the toner outlet located directly below the toner outlet of the cyclone in the box. This is achieved by the toner collection structure according to the present invention, which is comprised of a bottle placed in the container.

That is, when the opening/closing door is closed, both the cyclone and the collection bottle are sealed by the door, and when collecting the toner, the door is opened and the bottle, which is loosely connected to the toner outlet of the cyclone, can be easily removed and replaced. becomes possible.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the inside of the box showing the structure of the toner collection device of the present invention.

In the figure, a sealed box 11 is provided at the toner outlet of a cyclone 1 for toner collection, and a toner bottle 4 is provided inside the box 11 so as to fit into the toner outlet of the cyclone. In other words, a stand 6' is installed horizontally under the toner bottle 4, and both ends thereof are connected to springs 12, 12'.
held by A magnet 13 is attached to the bottom surface of the stand 6' of the bottle 4, and a reed switch 14 is attached to the outside of the sealed box 11 below the magnet 13.
Set up.

The lid 15 is attached to the sealing box 11 on hinges 16,1.
It is opened and closed by 6' and kept airtight by packing 17.

In such a structure, by sealing the sealed box 11 with the lid 15 and collecting toner, the internal pressure of the sealed box 11 is equal to the internal pressure of the toner bottle 4 of the sealed structure by the joint 5 via the conventional bellows 3. can be the same.

The recovered toner in the toner bottle 4 having such a sealed structure mixes with the air on the inner surface of the cyclone 1 as shown by the arrow 2 and descends, and the air is sucked in the direction of the arrow 2'. As the collected toner accumulates in the toner bottle 4, the weight of the toner causes the spring 1 to
When the magnets 2 and 12' extend and the magnet 9 installed on the underside of the stand 6' descends to a certain distance, the sealed box 1
A reed switch 14 provided externally below the reed switch 1 operates to detect the time to collect the toner. In response to the detection signal, the apparatus is stopped, the lid 15 of the sealed box 11 is opened, and the toner bottle 4 is replaced. toner bottle 4
Since the connection between the cyclone 1 and the cyclone 1 is in a free state, it can be easily replaced in a short period of time.

In order to detect when it is time to replace the toner bottle, it is also possible to install a capacitance detector 10 outside the sealed box 11 instead of the magnet 13 and reed switch 14 to detect the upper part of the accumulated toner.
It is also possible to increase the reliability of detection accuracy by using the magnet 13 and the reed switch 14 in combination.

As explained above, in the present invention, when the opening/closing door is closed and the toner outlet of the cyclone is in use, the toner outlet of the cyclone and the bottle loosely connected thereto are both sealed by the door. The combined bottle has the significant practical advantage of being easily removable and replaceable.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a front view showing a conventional toner collection structure;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the inside of a sealed box showing the toner collection structure of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a cyclone, 2 is an arrow indicating toner falling, 2' is an air suction arrow, 3 is a bellows, 4 is a toner bottle, 5 is a joint, 6,
6' is a stand, 7 is a shaft, 8 is a compression spring, 9 is a micro switch, 10 is a capacitance detector, 11 is a sealed box, 12 and 12' are springs, 13 is a magnet, 14 is a reed switch, and 15 is a Lid, 1
6 and 16' indicate hinges, and 17 indicates packing.

Claims (1)

[Claim for Utility Model Registration] A box airtightly connected to the cyclone is formed below the toner outlet of a cyclone for toner collection, and a receptacle larger than the toner outlet is provided in the inner space of the box directly below the toner outlet. What is claimed is: 1. A toner collection structure, comprising: a structure in which a bottle can be placed; and an opening/closing door having an airtight structure provided in the box.