JP2011043861A - Developer carrier and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developer carrier having a high degree of freedom in its layout and being able to surely and effectively carry a developer to a desired area, without damaging the developer and without raising an inner pressure of that area, and to also provide an image forming device that incorporates the carrier. <P>SOLUTION: The developer carrier has a carrier pipe 49, to which the developer C is sent in from its source 48 for sending out the developer C together with a gas, and a pump 90 for sending the gas in and out to/from the carrier pipe 49. The pump 90 is controlled so as to send the gas in or out to/from the carrier pipe 49, at least when the developer C is sent into the carrier pipe 49 from the source 48. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer conveying device for transferring a developer from a conveying source to a conveying destination in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a composite machine thereof, and an image forming apparatus including the developer conveying device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a developer conveying device and an image forming apparatus for transferring a new carrier or a two-component developer toward the developing device.

  Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a combination machine thereof, a case where a two-component developer (additive or the like) composed of a toner and a carrier is included is included. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the developing unit using the two-component developer, toner is appropriately supplied into the developing unit from a toner supply port provided in a part of the developing unit in accordance with toner consumption in the developing unit. The replenished toner is stirred and mixed by a stirring member such as a transport screw together with the developer in the developing unit. Part of the stirred and mixed developer is supplied to the developing roller. After the developer carried on the developing roller is regulated to an appropriate amount by the doctor blade, the toner in the two-component developer adheres to the latent image on the photosensitive drum at a position facing the photosensitive drum.

  As described above, the carrier in the two-component developer accommodated in the developing unit in the normal developing process remains in the developing unit without being consumed, and thus the carrier deteriorates with time. Specifically, the carrier is agitated and mixed for a long time in the developing part, and the coating layer of the carrier wears or peels off, resulting in a “film scraping phenomenon” in which the charging ability of the carrier is reduced, or a toner component on the surface of the carrier. In addition, the “spent phenomenon” in which the charging ability of the carrier is reduced due to the adhesion of additives.

The trickle development method is for preventing the deterioration of the image quality of the output image due to such deterioration of the carrier over time. That is, a new carrier (or a new two-component developer) is appropriately replenished in the developing unit, and a part of the two-component developer accommodated in the developing unit is appropriately discharged to the outside of the developing unit. The amount of deteriorated carriers is reduced to maintain the amount of carriers accommodated in the developing unit and the charging ability.
The image forming apparatus using such a trickle development system has a stable output image quality over time compared to a device that requires replacement of the developing unit and carrier with a new one each time the carrier deteriorates over time. It will become.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and the like, an image forming apparatus using a trickle developing method, a coil screw (on a transport path from a carrier container serving as a transport source of a new carrier to a developing section serving as a transport destination). A technique for installing a conveying screw) is disclosed. Specifically, a coil screw is installed inside a hollow pipe that connects a transport source and a transport destination that are separated from each other, and the carrier is transported by a mechanical transport force by the coil screw.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 3 and the like disclose a toner transport device that transports toner contained in a toner container to a developing unit using a screw pump (Mono pump). In such a toner conveying device, the entire image forming apparatus is laid out in order to form a toner conveying path between a toner container as a toner conveying source and a developing unit as a toner conveying destination with a flexible tube. It is known that the degree of freedom increases.

The techniques such as Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above can transport the carrier by the mechanical transport force of the coil screw even when the carrier transport source and the transport destination are separated to some extent. However, when a coil screw is used, it is difficult to form a conveyance path against gravity (a vertical path or an inclined path from a low position to a high position) or a complicatedly bent conveyance path. That is, the developer conveying device using the coil screw has many restrictions on the layout.
Furthermore, when a carrier is transported using a coil screw, the above-described “film scraping phenomenon” may occur even though the carrier is a new carrier due to mechanical stress caused by the coil screw.

  In order to solve such a problem, a method of conveying the carrier together with gas (air) using a pump such as an air pump or a screw pump without using a coil screw can be considered. However, even in that case, it is necessary to efficiently and smoothly transport the carrier while suppressing the increase in the internal pressure of the transport destination due to the air being transferred as much as possible. When the transport destination is the developing unit, the internal pressure of the developing unit increases, and toner scattering from the developing unit occurs. On the other hand, if the amount of air transferred in the transport pipe is reduced in order to prevent an increase in the internal pressure of the developing unit, normal carrier transport to the developing unit cannot be performed.

  Such a problem is not limited to the developer conveying device that conveys the carrier, but is common to the developer conveying device that conveys the toner and the two-component developer. However, in the developer transport device that transports a carrier having a specific gravity larger than that of the toner or the two-component developer, the amount of air transferred in the transport pipe inevitably increases, and thus the above-described problem cannot be ignored. .

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. The developer has a high degree of freedom in layout without damaging the developer, and the developer can be efficiently used without increasing the internal pressure of the transport destination. An object of the present invention is to provide a developer conveying device and an image forming apparatus that are reliably conveyed.

As a result of repeated researches to solve the above problems, the present inventor has come to know the following matters.
That is, when the developer is transported together with the gas using a pump, the gas is sent to the transport pipe in advance before the developer is fed into the transport pipe (before the developer reaches the bottom of the transport pipe). By entering (or delivering) the developer can be conveyed with a relatively small amount of air transfer.
Further, by forming a space that is somewhat wide between the discharge port of the transfer tube and the supply port of the transfer destination, it is possible to reduce an increase in pressure at the transfer destination due to the gas discharged from the discharge port.

  The present invention is based on the matters described above. That is, the developer transport device according to the first aspect of the present invention is a developer transport device that transports the developer from the transport source to the transport destination. The developer is fed from the transport source, and a transport pipe in which the developer is transported together with the gas, and a pump that feeds or sends the gas to the transport pipe, and the transport When the developer is fed into the transport pipe from the beginning, control is performed so that at least gas is fed into or sent out from the transport pipe by the pump.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the developer conveying device according to the first aspect, the developer is fed from the conveying source to the conveying tube and simultaneously with the pump. Control is performed so that gas is fed into or sent out from the transport pipe.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the developer conveying device according to the first or second aspect, wherein a valve is provided between the conveying pipe and the pump, and the valve is opened and closed. It controls the sending or sending of gas to the transport pipe.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer transport device for transporting a developer from a transport source to a transport destination, wherein the developer is supplied together with a gas fed by a pump. A space was formed to guide the developer discharged from the transport pipe to be transported and the discharge port of the transport pipe to the replenishment port of the transport destination, and to reduce the pressure increase due to the gas discharged from the discharge port. And a relay unit.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the developer conveying device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the relay section includes a vent for ventilating the gas discharged from the discharge port. Is.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the developer conveying device according to the fifth aspect, wherein the vent is disposed above the discharge port.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the developer conveying device according to the fifth or sixth aspect, the vent is covered with a filter that prevents leakage of the developer to the outside. It is a thing.

  The developer conveying device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the developer conveying device according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, wherein the vent is disposed at a position facing the discharge port. Is.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer conveying device according to any one of the fourth to eighth aspects, further comprising an opening / closing means for opening and closing the replenishing port.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the developer conveying device according to the ninth aspect, the opening / closing means is disposed after the developer and the gas are discharged from the discharge port to the relay portion. The replenishing port is opened.

  In addition, a developer conveying device according to an invention of an eleventh aspect is the invention according to any one of the fourth to tenth aspects, further comprising a second conveying pipe that connects the relay portion and the replenishing port, The second transport pipe is disposed so that an inclination angle thereof is equal to or greater than an angle of repose with respect to the developer.

  A developer transport apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the invention is the developer according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the developer is a carrier or / and a toner.

  A developer conveying device according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the developer conveying device according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects of the present invention, wherein the conveying destination is an image carrier that contains toner and a carrier. The developing unit develops the latent image formed thereon.

  The developer conveying device according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the developer conveying apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, wherein the developing portion discharges the toner and a part of the carrier contained therein. It is equipped with.

  The developer transport device according to claim 15 is the developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the transport source is a developer container in which the developer is accommodated. Is.

  An image forming apparatus according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention includes the developer conveying device according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects.

  In this application, “developer” is an agent used in the development process, and is a general term for all of “carrier”, “toner”, “two-component developer composed of carrier and toner”, and the like. Define that there is.

In the present invention, when the developer is fed into the transport pipe from the transport source, control is performed so that at least gas is fed into or sent out from the transport pipe by the pump. It is possible to provide a developer conveying device and an image forming apparatus in which the degree of freedom of layout is high without causing damage, and the developer is efficiently and reliably conveyed without increasing the internal pressure of the conveying destination.
In addition, since a space that promotes decompression is formed between the discharge port of the transport pipe where the developer is discharged together with the gas and the replenishment port of the transport destination, the layout can be freely controlled without damaging the developer. Therefore, it is possible to provide a developer transport device and an image forming apparatus that are high in degree and can transport the developer efficiently and reliably without increasing the internal pressure of the transport destination.

1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image forming unit in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. It is sectional drawing which looked at the image development part to the longitudinal direction. It is a whole block diagram which shows a developing agent conveyance apparatus. It is a whole block diagram which shows the developer conveying apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention. 6 is a timing chart illustrating control performed by the developer conveying device. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part of the image forming apparatus in Embodiment 3 of this invention. FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram illustrating a developer conveying device in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 7. It is sectional drawing which shows the relay part of the developer conveying apparatus in Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the relay part of the developer conveying apparatus in Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the relay part of the developer conveying apparatus in Embodiment 6 of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is the same or it corresponds, The duplication description is simplified or abbreviate | omitted suitably.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
First, the configuration and operation of the entire image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 1, 1 is an apparatus main body of a color copying machine as an image forming apparatus, 2 is a writing unit that emits laser light based on input image information, and 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20BK are colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, black). ), A photosensitive drum as an image carrier accommodated in each of the process cartridges 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20BK, 22 is a charging unit that charges the photosensitive drum 21, and 23Y, 23M, Reference numerals 23C and 23BK denote developing units (developing devices) for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 21, and reference numeral 24 denotes a transfer bias for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 21 to the intermediate transfer belt 27. A roller 25 indicates a cleaning unit that collects untransferred toner on the photosensitive drum 21.

  In addition, 27 is an intermediate transfer belt on which toner images of a plurality of colors are transferred in an overlapping manner, 28 is a second transfer bias roller for transferring the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 27 to the recording medium P, and 29 is an intermediate transfer belt. 27 is an intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit that collects untransferred toner, 30 is a conveyance belt that conveys a recording medium P on which a four-color toner image is transferred, and 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32BK are developing units 23Y and 23M. , 23C and 23BK, a toner replenishing unit for replenishing each color toner, 47Y, 47M, 47C and 47BK are carrier replenishing units for newly replenishing each developing unit 23Y, 23M, 23C and 23BK, and 51 is a document D A document conveying unit that conveys the document to the reading unit 55, 55 a document reading unit (scanner) that reads image information of the document D, and 61 a recording medium P such as transfer paper. Paper feeding unit to be accommodated, 66 denotes a fixing unit for fixing the unfixed image on the recording medium P.

Here, each of the process cartridges 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20BK is obtained by integrating the photosensitive drum 21, the charging unit 22, and the cleaning unit 25, respectively.
Image formation of each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) is performed on the photosensitive drum 21 in each of the process cartridges 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20BK.

Hereinafter, an operation during normal color image formation in the image forming apparatus will be described.
First, the document D is transported from the document table in the direction of the arrow in the drawing by the transport roller of the document transport unit 51 and placed on the contact glass 53 of the document reading unit 55. Then, the document reading unit 55 optically reads the image information of the document D placed on the contact glass 53.

  Specifically, the document reading unit 55 scans the image of the document D on the contact glass 53 while irradiating light emitted from the illumination lamp. Then, the light reflected by the document D is imaged on the color sensor via the mirror group and the lens. The color image information of the document D is read for each RGB (red, green, blue) color separation light by the color sensor, and then converted into an electrical image signal. Further, an image processing unit (not shown) performs color conversion processing, color correction processing, spatial frequency correction processing, and the like on the basis of RGB color separation image signals, so that yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are processed. Get color image information.

  Then, the image information of each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is transmitted to the writing unit 2. Then, laser light (exposure light) based on the image information of each color is emitted from the writing unit 2 toward the photosensitive drums 21 of the corresponding process cartridges 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20BK.

On the other hand, the four photosensitive drums 21 rotate in the clockwise direction in FIG. First, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is uniformly charged at a position facing the charging unit 22 (a charging process). Thus, a charged potential is formed on the photosensitive drum 21. Thereafter, the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 21 reaches the irradiation position of each laser beam.
In the writing unit 2, laser light corresponding to the image signal is emitted from the light source corresponding to each color. The laser light is incident on the polygon mirror 3 and reflected, and then passes through the lenses 4 and 5. The laser light after passing through the lenses 4 and 5 passes through different optical paths for each of the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black color components (this is an exposure process).

  The laser beam corresponding to the yellow component is reflected by the mirrors 6 to 8 and then irradiated onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 of the first process cartridge 20Y from the left side of the drawing. At this time, the yellow component laser light is scanned in the rotation axis direction (main scanning direction) of the photosensitive drum 21 by the polygon mirror 3 that rotates at high speed. Thus, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the yellow component is formed on the photosensitive drum 21 charged by the charging unit 22.

  Similarly, the laser beam corresponding to the magenta component is reflected by the mirrors 9 to 11 and then irradiated to the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 of the second process cartridge 20M from the left side of the paper, thereby causing an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the magenta component. An image is formed. The cyan component laser light is reflected by the mirrors 12 to 14 and then irradiated to the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 of the third process cartridge 20C from the left side of the drawing to form a cyan component electrostatic latent image. The black component laser light is reflected by the mirror 15 and then irradiated to the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 of the fourth process cartridge 20BK from the left side of the paper, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image of black component.

Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 on which the electrostatic latent images of the respective colors are formed reaches positions facing the developing units 23Y, 23M, 23C, and 23BK, respectively. Then, each color toner is supplied onto the photosensitive drum 21 from the developing units 23Y, 23M, 23C, and 23BK, and the latent image on the photosensitive drum 21 is developed (this is a developing step).
Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 after the development process reaches a position facing the intermediate transfer belt 27. Here, the transfer bias roller 24 is installed at each facing position so as to contact the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 27. Then, at the position of the transfer bias roller 24, the images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drum 21 are sequentially superimposed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 27 (first transfer step).

Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 after the first transfer process reaches a position facing the cleaning unit 25. The untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 21 is collected by the cleaning unit 25 (this is a cleaning process).
Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 passes through a static elimination unit (not shown), and a series of image forming processes on the photosensitive drum 21 is completed.

On the other hand, the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 27 on which the images of the respective colors on the photosensitive drum 21 are transferred in an overlapping manner travels in the direction of the arrow in the drawing and reaches the position of the second transfer bias roller 28. Then, the full-color image on the intermediate transfer belt 27 is secondarily transferred onto the recording medium P at the position of the second transfer bias roller 28 (second transfer step).
Thereafter, the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 27 reaches the position of the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 29. Then, the untransferred toner on the intermediate transfer belt 27 is collected by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 29, and a series of transfer processes on the intermediate transfer belt 27 is completed.

Here, the recording medium P at the position of the second transfer bias roller 28 is transported from the paper feeding unit 61 via the transport guide 63, the registration roller 64, and the like.
Specifically, the transfer paper P fed by the paper feed roller 62 from the paper feed unit 61 that stores the recording medium P passes through the conveyance guide 63 and is guided to the registration roller 64. The recording medium P that has reached the registration roller 64 is conveyed toward the position of the second transfer bias roller 28 in synchronization with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 27.

Thereafter, the recording medium P on which the full-color image is transferred is guided to the fixing unit 66 by the conveyance belt 30. In the fixing unit 66, the color image is fixed on the recording medium P at the nip between the heating roller 67 and the pressure roller 68.
Then, the recording medium P after the fixing process is discharged as an output image by the paper discharge roller 69 to the outside of the apparatus main body 1, and a series of image forming processes is completed.

Next, the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the image forming portion, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view in the longitudinal direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2) showing the developing portion.
Since the four image forming units installed in the apparatus main body 1 have substantially the same structure except that the color of the toner T used in the image forming process is different, the process cartridge, the developing unit, the toner supply unit, and the carrier supply unit In the drawing, alphabets (Y, M, C, BK) of symbols are omitted. In FIG. 2, the carrier supply unit 47 and the toner supply unit 32 are shown in a simplified manner.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the process cartridge 20 mainly contains a photosensitive drum 21 as an image carrier, a charging unit 22, and a cleaning unit 25 integrally in a case 26. The cleaning unit 25 is provided with a cleaning blade 25 a and a cleaning roller 25 b that are in contact with the photosensitive drum 21.

  The developing unit 23 mainly includes a developing roller 23a facing the photosensitive drum 21, a first conveying screw 23b facing the developing roller 23a, and a second conveying screw facing the first conveying screw 23b via a partition member 23e. 23c and a doctor blade 23d facing the developing roller 23a.

  Further, the developing unit 23 is provided with a first developer containing portion 23g and a second developer containing portion 23h separated by a partition member 23e. Referring to FIG. 3, the first developer accommodating portion 23g and the second developer accommodating portion 23h communicate with each other at both ends in the longitudinal direction (the range in which the partition member 23e is not interposed), and the developer circulation path. Is forming. A developing roller 23a, a first conveying screw 23b, and a doctor blade 23d are disposed in the first developer accommodating portion 23g. A second transport screw 23c and a magnetic sensor 40 are disposed in the second developer accommodating portion 23h.

  Referring to FIG. 3, the developing roller 23a includes a magnet 23a1 fixed inside and forming a magnetic pole on the roller peripheral surface, and a sleeve 23a2 made of a nonmagnetic material and rotating around the magnet 23a1. . A plurality of magnetic poles (main pole, transport pole, pumping pole, agent cutting pole, etc.) are formed on the developing roller 23a (sleeve 23a2) by the magnet 23a1.

  The developing roller 23a (sleeve 23a2) is connected to a drive motor (not shown) installed in the apparatus main body 1 and is rotationally driven by the drive motor. Although not shown, the developing roller 23a, the first transport screw 23b, and the second transport screw 23c are drivingly connected by a gear train. Thereby, as the developing roller 23a is rotationally driven by the drive motor, the first transport screw 23b and the second transport screw 23c are also rotationally driven following the development roller 23a.

A two-component developer G composed of toner T and carrier C is accommodated in the developing unit 23.
The toner T (the toner in the developer G and the toner in the toner replenishing unit 32) in the first embodiment contains toner base particles and additives made of a resin and a colorant.
In addition, the toner T according to the first exemplary embodiment is synthesized by a polymerization reaction such as emulsion polymerization or suspension polymerization using a monomer, or by a method in which the resin itself is melted and sprayed to form fine particles. Alternatively, it can be produced by a method in which an additive is mixed and adhered to a base particle obtained by dispersing in water or the like to a predetermined particle size using a Henschel mixer or the like.

  As the resin contained in the toner T, styrene such as polystyrene, polychlorostyrene, polyvinyltoluene, and the like, and a substituted polymer thereof; styrene / p-chlorostyrene copolymer, styrene / propylene copolymer, styrene / vinyl Toluene copolymer, styrene / vinyl naphthalene copolymer, styrene / methyl acrylate copolymer, styrene / ethyl acrylate copolymer, styrene / butyl acrylate copolymer, styrene / octyl acrylate copolymer, styrene / Methyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene / ethyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene / butyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene / α-chloromethyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene / acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene / vinyl methyl ether Copolymer, styrene / vinyl ethyl Ether copolymer, styrene / vinyl methyl ketone copolymer, styrene / butadiene copolymer, styrene / isoprene copolymer, styrene / acrylonitrile / indene copolymer, styrene / maleic acid copolymer, styrene / maleic acid ester Styrene copolymers such as copolymers; polymethyl methacrylate, polybutyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyvinyl butyl butyral, polyacrylic acid resin, rosin, modified rosin, terpene resin, A phenol resin, an aliphatic or alicyclic hydrocarbon resin, an aromatic petroleum resin, chlorinated paraffin, paraffin wax and the like can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  As the black colorant used for the toner T, carbon black, aniline black, furnace black, lamp black, and the like are used. Examples of cyan colorants include phthalocyanine blue, methyllene blue, Victoria blue, methyl violet, aniline blue, and ultramarine blue. As the magenta colorant, rhodamine 6G lake, dimethylquinacridone, watching red, rose bengal, rhodamine B, alizarin lake and the like are used. As the yellow colorant, chrome yellow, benzidine yellow, hansa yellow, naphthol yellow, molybdenum orange, quinoline yellow, tartrazine and the like are used.

  These toners T can contain a small amount of a charge imparting agent (for example, a dye or pigment, a polarity control agent, etc.) in order to impart the charge efficiently. As the polarity control agent, metal complex salts of monoazo dyes, nitrohumic acid and salts thereof, salicylic acid, naphthoic acid, metal complexes of dicarboxylic acid such as Co, Cr or Fe, organic dyes, quaternary ammonium salts and the like can be used.

  Examples of inorganic fine particles used as additives include silica, alumina, titanium oxide, barium titanate, magnesium titanate, calcium titanate, strontium titanate, iron oxide, copper oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, silica sand, clay, Mica, wollastonite, diatomaceous earth, chromium oxide, cerium oxide, pengala, antimony trioxide, magnesium oxide, zirconium oxide, parium sulfate, barium carbonate, calcium carbonate, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, and the like can be used. Among these, when two types of silica and titanium oxide are used, the effect of suppressing the burying of the additive in the toner and the effect of stabilizing the charging of the toner are particularly exhibited.

Further, the carrier C (the carrier C in the two-component developer G and the carrier C in the carrier cartridge 48) in the first embodiment is one in which a coating layer is formed on magnetic core particles. is there.
As the core particles of the carrier C, ferromagnetic metals such as iron, cobalt and nickel, alloys such as magnetite, hematite and ferrite, or compounds thereof are used.

  Examples of the resin for forming the coating layer of the carrier C include polyolefin resins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, chlorinated polyethylene, and chlorosulfonated polyethylene; polyvinyl and polyvinylidene resins such as polystyrene, acrylic resin (eg, polymethyl methacrylate), Polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl carbazole, polyvinyl ether and polyvinyl ketone; vinyl chloride / vinyl acetate copolymer; styrene / acrylic acid copolymer; straight silicone resin composed of organosiloxane bond Or modified products thereof (for example, modified products by alkyd resin, polyester, epoxy resin, polyurethane, etc.); fluorine resin, For example, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride, polychlorotrifluoroethylene; polyamide; polyester, such as polyethylene terephthalate; polyurethane; polycarbonate; amino resin, such as urea / formaldehyde resin; it can. Among these resins, acrylic resin, silicone resin or a modified product thereof, and fluorine resin are preferable from the viewpoint of preventing toner spent (particularly silicone resin or modified product thereof is preferable). As a method for forming the coating layer, a method in which a resin is applied to the surface of the carrier core particles by a spraying method, a dipping method or the like is used.

  In addition, a fine powder can be added to the coating layer to the carrier C in order to adjust the carrier resistance. The fine powder dispersed in the coating layer preferably has a particle size of about 0.01 to 5.0 μm. Moreover, it is preferable that 2-30 weight part (especially 5-20 weight part) is added with respect to 100 weight part of coating resin. As the fine powder, metal oxides such as silica, alumina and titania, and pigments such as carbon black can be used.

The above-described image forming process will be described in more detail with a focus on the developing process.
The developing roller 23a rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the developer G in the developing unit 23 is generated by the rotation of the first conveying screw 23 b and the second conveying screw 23 c arranged so as to interpose the partition member 23 e therebetween in the arrow direction. It circulates in the longitudinal direction while being agitated and mixed with the toner T (new toner) replenished from the replenishing part 32 through the toner replenishing port 23f (circulation in the direction of the broken arrow in FIG. 3). The first transport screw 23b transports the developer G to the left side in FIG. 3, and the second transport screw 23c transports the developer G to the right side in FIG. 3 (in a direction opposite to the transport direction of the first transport screw 23b). Is transported to.

  Then, the toner T that is frictionally charged and adsorbed on the carrier C is carried on the developing roller 23 a together with the carrier C. The developer G carried on the developing roller 23a then reaches the position of the doctor blade 23d. The developer G on the developing roller 23a is adjusted to an appropriate amount at the position of the doctor blade 23d, and then reaches a position facing the photosensitive drum 21 (developing area).

  Thereafter, in the development area, the toner T in the developer G adheres to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. Specifically, the toner T is latently exposed by the electric field formed by the potential difference (development potential) between the latent image potential (exposure potential) of the image area irradiated with the laser light L and the development bias applied to the development roller 23a. Adhere to the image.

  Thereafter, most of the toner T adhering to the photosensitive drum 21 in the developing process is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 27. The untransferred toner T remaining on the photosensitive drum 21 is collected in the cleaning unit 25 by the cleaning blade 25a and the cleaning roller 25b.

  Here, the toner replenishing unit 32 provided in the apparatus main body 1 includes a toner cartridge 33 configured to be replaceable, and a toner conveying device that guides the new toner T discharged from the toner cartridge 33 to the developing unit 23. Is done. The toner conveying device includes a toner conveying path (toner conveying tube) 34, a screw pump (not shown) that sends air from the toner conveying path 34 and conveys the toner together with air, and the like. In addition, a new toner T (any of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) is accommodated in the toner cartridge 33.

The toner T in the toner cartridge 33 is appropriately supplied into the developing unit 23 from the toner supply port 23f as the toner T in the developing unit 23 is consumed. The toner T in the developing unit 23 is consumed by a magnetic sensor 40 (toner density detecting means) installed below the second conveying screw 23c of the developing unit 23 or a photo sensor (not shown) facing the photosensitive drum 21. Is detected). Then, the toner replenishing section 32 supplies the toner replenishing port so that the detection result of the magnetic sensor 40 or the photo sensor becomes an output value corresponding to the target toner density (the ratio of the toner T in the developer G). The toner is supplied to the developing unit 23 through 23f.
Adjustment of the amount of toner replenished to the developing unit 23 is performed by controlling the drive time of the screw pump.

Further, the developing unit 23 according to the first embodiment uses a trickle developing system.
As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment includes a discharge unit 23 k that discharges a part of the developer G stored in the developing unit 23 to the outside of the developing unit 23, and the inside of the developing unit 23. And a carrier replenishing section 47 for newly replenishing the carrier C.

  Specifically, a carrier replenishing unit 47 is connected to the second developer accommodating unit 23 h in addition to the toner replenishing unit 32. The carrier replenishment unit 47 is a carrier cartridge 48 configured to be replaceable, and a developer conveying device that guides the new carrier C discharged from the carrier cartridge 48 to the developing unit 23 via the carrier replenishment port 23m (replenishment port). And a carrier conveyance device. The carrier transport device includes a transport pipe (carrier transport path, carrier transport pipe) 49, an air pump 90 (see FIG. 4) that feeds air into the transport pipe 49 and transports toner together with air. Composed. A new carrier C is accommodated in the carrier cartridge 48. The configuration and operation of the carrier transport apparatus will be described in detail later.

On the other hand, a developer discharge port 23k as discharge means is provided above the wall surface of the second developer accommodating portion 23h.
When the new carrier C is replenished from the carrier replenishing unit 47 into the developing unit 23 and the amount of developer in the developing unit 23 exceeds a predetermined amount, the excess developer G is discharged from the developer discharge port 23k. 23 is discharged outside. The developer G discharged from the developer discharge port 23k is conveyed to the developer recovery unit 44 via the developer recovery path 43.
In this way, as the new carrier C is replenished, the developer surface rises, and the developer G exceeding the height of the developer discharge port 23k is discharged out of the developing unit 23, so the agent in the developing unit 23 The surface (developer amount) is always kept constant.
In the first embodiment, the overflow method is used as the discharging means for discharging the developer from the developing unit 23. However, an openable / closable shutter is provided at the developer discharge port 23k, and the developer is discharged by opening and closing the shutter. Can also be done.

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the carrier transport device as the developer transport device will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
Referring to FIG. 4, the carrier conveyance device includes a conveyance pipe 49, an air pump 90 (pump), a nozzle 75, a carrier feeder 70, a merging portion 78, and the like.

The transport tube 49 is a tube made of a material excellent in flexibility and toner resistance, and is formed so that its inner diameter is 2 to 8 mm. As the material of the transfer tube 49, rubber materials such as polyurethane, nitrile, EPDM, and silicon, and elastomer resin can be used.
By using such a flexible conveyance tube 49 and air conveyance of the carrier, the degree of freedom of the layout of the carrier conveyance path is increased and the image forming apparatus is miniaturized. Since the carrier transport apparatus in the first embodiment transfers the carrier by generating pressure in the transport pipe 49 by the air pump, the carrier cartridge 48 is disposed at a position lower than the developing unit 23. You can also

The transport tube 49 has a discharge port 49 b connected to the carrier replenishment port 23 m of the developing unit 23 serving as a transport destination, and a carrier cartridge (developer container) 48 whose transport port 49 a serves as a transport source via the junction 78 and the nozzle 75. It is connected to the. Further, the inlet 49 a of the transport pipe 49 is connected to the air pump 90 via the junction portion 78 and the tube 97.
An opening 76 is provided at the tip of the nozzle 75, and the carrier C in the carrier cartridge 48 falls by its own weight into the nozzle 75 through the opening 76. The carrier that has fallen into the nozzle 75 is held in the hole 71 provided in the rotating portion 72 of the carrier feeder 70. The rotating unit 72 is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow by a motor (not shown). As a result, the carrier held in the hole 71 falls by its own weight into the merging portion 78. In this way, a certain amount of carrier is sent by the carrier feeder 70 to the vicinity of the inlet 49 a (the merging portion 78) of the transport pipe 49. Then, the carrier is transported in the transport pipe 49 together with the air sent in by the air pump 90 connected to the junction portion 78. Here, the carrier feeder 70 also functions to prevent the air sent from the air pump 90 connected to the merging portion 78 from flowing into the carrier cartridge 48.

Here, the carrier cartridge 48 is a bottle-shaped (or bag-shaped) container made of a resin material. A cap member 48b to which the nozzle 75 is detachably attached is welded (or bonded) to the tip of the carrier cartridge 48. Further, the base member 48b is provided with a seal member 48a made of foamed polyurethane, rubber or the like. The nozzle 75 is inserted and removed while being in close contact with the seal member 48a, so that leakage of the carrier C from the carrier cartridge 48 is suppressed.

The carrier replenishing unit 47 (the carrier transport device and the carrier cartridge 48) configured as described above operates as follows.
First, the rotating part 72 of the carrier feeder 70 is rotated in the direction of the arrow by an electric signal from the control part. Then, when the hole 71 of the rotating part 72 reaches below, the carrier held in the hole 71 falls into the merge part 78. Then, the carrier that has fallen into the junction 78 passes through the transport pipe 49 together with the air supplied by the air pump 90 and is supplied into the developing unit 23 from the carrier supply port 23m (discharge port 49b).

Here, in the first embodiment, as characteristic control, at least when the carrier C is sent from the transport source (carrier cartridge 48, carrier feeder 70) to the transport pipe 49 (merging portion 78), at least the pump 90. In this way, the gas is fed into the transport pipe 49.
Specifically, before the carrier is dropped from the carrier feeder 70 to the joining portion 78, control is performed so that air is fed into the transport pipe 49 by the air pump 90 in advance. Thereby, it becomes easy to disperse | distribute a carrier within the conveyance pipe | tube 49, and a carrier can be conveyed with little energy (air speed). As a result, the amount of air transferred to the transport pipe 49 by the air pump 90 is also reduced, and an increase in internal pressure in the developing unit 23 can be reduced.

Details will be described below.
When the carrier is dropped from the carrier feeder 70 to the merging portion 78 and then controlled so that air is fed into the transport pipe 49 by the air pump 90, the dropped carrier becomes a mass and becomes a lower surface in the transport pipe 49 ( It will accumulate on the bottom. When the carrier accumulated in this way is accelerated while being floated with air, a large frictional force is generated between the carrier and the lower surface of the transport pipe, and a certain mixing ratio (the weight ratio of air and carrier). )) Must be maintained, a large energy (air velocity) is required.

In the first embodiment, before the carrier C is sent from the carrier feeder 70 to the transport pipe 49, the gas is fed into the transport pipe 49 by the pump 90, so that the carrier is deposited on the lower surface. Without being sequentially mixed with air, it is conveyed. Accordingly, the carrier is transported with less energy without causing friction between the carrier and the transport tube 49. Further, since the conveyance is started before the carrier is deposited, the dispersibility can be improved by maintaining a constant mixing ratio with a small amount of air.
In the first embodiment, the air flow rate by the air pump 90 is 0.5 to 5 m / second, and the air supply time is set to 0.5 to 5 seconds.

  In the first embodiment, before the carrier C is sent from the carrier feeder 70 to the transport pipe 49, the pump 90 controls the gas to be fed into the transport pipe 49. On the other hand, it is also possible to control so that the gas is fed into the transport pipe 49 by the pump 90 at the same time when the carrier is fed into the transport pipe 49 from the transport sources 48 and 70. Specifically, the timing at which the carrier C is sent from the carrier feeder 70 to the transport pipe 49 and the timing at which the pump 90 feeds the gas into the transport pipe 49 can be made simultaneously. In this case, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained with the minimum necessary air transfer amount.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the carrier C is sent from the carrier cartridge 48 to the transport pipe 49, at least the gas is fed into the transport pipe by the pump 90. Therefore, the carrier C can be efficiently and reliably conveyed without increasing the internal pressure of the developing unit 23 without damaging the carrier C, and with a high degree of freedom in layout.

  In the first embodiment, the air pump 90 that feeds air into the transport pipe 49 is used as a pump. However, a pump that sends out air from the transport pipe 49 (for example, a screw pump) is used as a pump. You can also Also in this case, when the carrier C is sent from the carrier cartridge 48 to the transport pipe 49, the control is performed so that at least the gas is sent out (suctioned) from the transport pipe by the pump. The same effect can be obtained.

  In the first embodiment, the process cartridges 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20BK are configured by integrating the photosensitive drum 21, the charging unit 22, and the cleaning unit 25, respectively. Further, each developing unit 23Y, 23M, 23C, 23BK is configured as a single unit. On the other hand, the developing units 23Y, 23M, 23C, and 23BK can be integrated with the process cartridges 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20BK. That is, the process cartridge 20 can also be configured by the photosensitive drum 21, the charging unit 22, the developing unit 23, and the cleaning unit 25. Also in this case, the same effect as in the first embodiment is obtained. Furthermore, the maintainability of the image forming unit is improved.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
5 and 6, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.
FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing the developer conveying device in the second embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 4 in the first embodiment. The developer conveying device in the second embodiment is different from that in the first embodiment in that a valve 91 is installed between the conveying pipe 49 and the pump 90.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the carrier conveyance device (developer conveyance device) in the second exemplary embodiment, a valve 91 is installed in a tube 97 that connects a merging portion 78 and an air pump 90. Then, by controlling the opening / closing of the valve 91, the control of the gas feeding into the transport pipe 49 is performed. Specifically, when the air feeding into the transport pipe 49 is started, the valve 91 is opened while the air pump 90 is driven in advance. On the other hand, when the air feeding into the transport pipe 49 is finished, the valve 91 is closed while the air pump 90 is driven.

With such a configuration and operation, referring to FIG. 6, the carrier transportability due to the unstable air amount (air flow rate) for a while after the driving of the air pump 90 is started by receiving the air pump signal. Can be prevented. That is, the air feeding into the transport pipe 49 is performed by opening the valve 91 after the air pump 90 is driven and the amount of air is stabilized, so that the carrier transportability is improved.
Further, the configuration using the valve 91 as in the second embodiment is particularly useful when the distance between the air pump 90 and the transport pipe 49 is long. That is, when the distance between the air pump 90 and the transport pipe 49 is long, the time until the air amount is stabilized varies depending on the state of air flowing through the tube 91 (temperature, humidity). In the second embodiment, since the air supply amount is controlled by opening and closing the valve 91, the air can be fed into the transport pipe 49 at the correct timing and with the minimum necessary air amount.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, when the carrier C is sent from the carrier cartridge 48 to the transport pipe 49, at least the pump 90 supplies the transport pipe to the transport pipe. Since the control is performed so that the gas is fed in, the carrier C is not damaged, the layout is highly flexible, and the carrier C is efficiently and without increasing the internal pressure of the developing unit 23. It can be reliably transported.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
7 and 8, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.
FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram illustrating an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram illustrating the carrier conveyance device and the toner conveyance device. In the carrier transport device (developer transport device) in the third embodiment, a relay unit 95 is installed between the discharge port 49b of the transport tube 49 and the supply port (carrier supply port) 23m of the developing unit 23. However, this is different from that of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in the carrier transport apparatus according to the third embodiment, a relay unit 95 is installed between the discharge port 49b of the transport tube 49 and the carrier supply port 23m of the developing unit 23.
The relay unit 95 is connected to the discharge port 49b above the carrier supply port 23m, and the carrier C discharged from the discharge port 49b falls by its own weight and is guided to the carrier supply port 23m. Further, the relay portion 95 has a sufficiently large space (a space having a cross-sectional area wider than at least the discharge port 49b) in the interior thereof, and the air discharged from the discharge port 49b is the developing unit. The internal pressure of the developing unit 23 is prevented from rising directly into the image forming unit 23.

  Further, a vent hole 95 a (opening) is provided on the upper surface of the relay part 95. As a result, the air discharged from the discharge port 49b is vented (exhausted) from the vent 95a, so that an increase in the internal pressure of the developing unit 23 can be reliably prevented. In order to prevent the problem that the air vent 95a is buried by the carrier C discharged from the discharge port 49b, it is preferable to dispose the air vent 95a above the discharge port 49b.

  Further, in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a filter 96 is covered with the vent 95a. The filter 96 has a mesh set in accordance with the particle size of the carrier (about 20 to 60 μm), and prevents the carrier from leaking out of the relay unit 95. By setting the mesh of the filter 96 to be smaller than the carrier particle size and larger than the toner particle size, the air permeability at the air vent 95a can be improved as compared with the case where the toner filter is installed.

Here, in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the air pump 90 in the carrier transport device and the air pump 90 in the toner transport device are shared. In FIG. 7, the toner replenishing unit is not shown.
Specifically, referring to FIG. 8, the toner cartridge 33 is held by a toner container holding portion 36 of the apparatus main body. A cap member 33 a is welded to the tip of the bag-like toner cartridge 33. A nozzle 35 (a toner intake port is formed at the tip) of the toner conveying device is inserted into the cap member 33a, and the toner cartridge 33 and the toner conveying tube 34 (toner conveying path) communicate with each other.
On the other hand, a screw pump 80 is connected to the other end of the toner conveyance tube 34. The screw pump 80 includes a rotor, a stator, a suction port, a universal joint, a motor, and the like. The motor rotates the rotor in the stator in a predetermined direction to generate a negative pressure (suction pressure) in the toner transport tube 34, and the toner is discharged from the toner cartridge 33 and moved in the toner transport tube 34. Will do. The toner that has moved through the toner transport pipe 34 is sucked from the suction port of the screw pump 80, and then is fed into the gap between the stator and the rotor and is sent to the other end along the rotation of the rotor. The delivered toner is discharged from the delivery port of the screw pump 80 and is replenished into the developing unit 23 through the toner replenishing port 23f.

An air pump 90 is connected to the nozzle 35 of the toner conveying device via a switching valve 98. The air pump 90 is for appropriately supplying air into the toner cartridge 33 by switching control of the flow path of the switching valve 98. As a result, crosslinking of the toner T in the toner cartridge 33 is prevented. Note that a toner filter 33b is installed on the upper part of the toner cartridge 33, and the problem that the internal pressure of the toner cartridge 33 rises when air is supplied from the air pump 90 is suppressed.
Here, the air pump 90 is also connected to the merging portion 78 of the carrier conveying device via the switching valve 98. Then, the air pump 90 feeds air into the transport pipe 49 by switching control of the flow path of the switching valve 98 when the carrier is supplied to the developing unit 23.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the relay that promotes decompression between the discharge port 49b of the transport pipe 49 through which the carrier C is discharged together with air and the carrier supply port 23m of the developing unit 23 is promoted. Since the part 95 is provided, the carrier C can be transported efficiently and reliably without damaging the carrier C, having a high degree of freedom in layout, and without increasing the internal pressure of the developing part 23.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a relay portion of the developer conveying device according to the fourth embodiment. The carrier transport device (developer transport device) in the fourth embodiment is that the opening / closing means 100 for opening and closing the replenishing port (carrier replenishing port) 23m of the developing unit 23 is provided. Is different.

  As shown in FIG. 9, also in the carrier transport apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, a relay unit 95 is installed between the discharge port 49b of the transport tube 49 and the carrier supply port 23m of the developing unit 23. In addition, a ventilation port 95a covered with a filter 96 is provided on the upper surface of the relay unit 95 (above the discharge port 49b and the supply port 23m).

Further, in the fourth embodiment, a shutter 100 is provided as an opening / closing means for opening / closing the carrier supply port 23m of the developing unit 23. The shutter 100 is configured to be movable in a double arrow direction by a driving unit (not shown).
The shutter 100 normally closes the carrier supply port 23m, and opens the carrier supply port 23m only for a short time immediately after the carrier C and air are discharged from the discharge port 49b to the relay unit 75. As a result, the air discharged to the relay portion 75 is surely exhausted to the outside through the vent 95a, and the inflow of air into the developing portion 23 is reliably suppressed.

  Further, by opening and closing the shutter 100 as described above, it is possible to suppress a problem that the toner floating in the developing unit 23 is scattered outside via the relay unit 75. The toner floating in the developing unit 23 is likely to occur due to a decrease in the binding force of the carrier with respect to the toner when the charging performance of the carrier accommodated in the developing unit 23 deteriorates.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, as in the third embodiment, the discharge port 49b of the transport pipe 49 through which the carrier C is discharged together with air, and the carrier supply port 23m of the developing unit 23 Since the relay unit 95 that promotes decompression is installed between the two, the degree of freedom of layout is high without damaging the carrier C, and the carrier C can be efficiently used without increasing the internal pressure of the developing unit 23. And it can be reliably conveyed.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a relay portion of the developer conveying device according to the fifth embodiment. The carrier conveyance device in the fifth embodiment is different from that in the third embodiment in that the air vent 95a of the relay portion 95 is disposed at a position facing the discharge port 49b of the conveyance pipe 49. .

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the carrier conveyance device in the fifth embodiment, the discharge port 49 b of the conveyance tube 49 is disposed at a position toward the ventilation port 95 a covered with the filter 96. As a result, the air discharged from the discharge port 49b is efficiently discharged to the outside from the vent hole 95a along a substantially linear flow path. Even if the carrier C discharged from the discharge port 49b reaches the ventilation port 95a along the substantially straight flow path, the carrier C falls into its own weight after colliding with the filter 96 and is guided to the carrier supply port 23m. Will be.

  As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, as in the third embodiment, the discharge port 49b of the transport tube 49 through which the carrier C is discharged together with the air, and the carrier supply port 23m of the developing unit 23, Since the relay unit 95 that promotes decompression is installed between the two, the degree of freedom of layout is high without damaging the carrier C, and the carrier C can be efficiently used without increasing the internal pressure of the developing unit 23. And it can be reliably conveyed.

Embodiment 6 FIG.
A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a relay portion of the developer transport device according to the sixth embodiment. The carrier transport apparatus according to the sixth embodiment is that the second transport pipe 99 connecting the relay unit 95 and the replenishment port (carrier replenishment port) 23m of the developing unit 23 is provided in the third embodiment. Is different.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the carrier conveyance device in the sixth embodiment, the relay unit 95 is connected to the carrier supply port 23m via a flexible second conveyance tube 99 (tube). The inclination angle α of the second transport pipe 99 is set to be equal to or greater than the repose angle with respect to the carrier C so that the carrier is reliably transported toward the developing unit 23 without stagnation in the second transport pipe 99. Has been. As a result, the relay unit 95 and the developing unit 23 can be arranged apart from each other, and the degree of layout freedom in the image forming apparatus is improved.

  As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, similarly to the third embodiment, the discharge port 49b of the transport tube 49 through which the carrier C is discharged together with air, and the carrier supply port 23m of the developing unit 23, Since the relay unit 95 that promotes decompression is installed between the two, the degree of freedom of layout is high without damaging the carrier C, and the carrier C can be efficiently used without increasing the internal pressure of the developing unit 23. And it can be reliably conveyed.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the new carrier C is supplied from the carrier supply unit 47. However, a new two-component developer G may be supplied from the carrier supply unit 47. In this case, the carrier transport device transports the two-component developer G. In this case, the same effects as those of the above embodiments are obtained.

  In each of the above embodiments, the present invention is applied to the carrier transport device as the developer transport device. On the other hand, the present invention can also be applied to a toner conveying device as a developer conveying device in the toner replenishing unit 32. In this case, the same effects as those of the above embodiments are obtained.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, the embodiments can be modified as appropriate in addition to those suggested in the embodiments. Is clear. In addition, the number, position, shape, and the like of the constituent members are not limited to the above embodiments, and can be set to a number, position, shape, and the like that are suitable for carrying out the present invention.

1 image forming apparatus body (apparatus body),
20, 20Y, 20M, 20C, 20BK Process cartridge,
23, 23Y, 23M, 23C, 23BK Developing unit (developing device),
23f Toner supply port,
23k developer discharge port (discharge means), 23m carrier supply port (supply port),
32, 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32BK toner supply unit,
33 toner cartridge, 34 toner transport path,
43 developer collection path, 44 developer collection section,
47, 47Y, 47M, 47C, 47BK Carrier supply part,
48 carrier cartridge (developer container),
49 Transport pipe (carrier transport path),
49a inlet, 49b outlet,
70 carrier feeder, 75 nozzles, 76 openings,
79 junction, 80 screw pump,
90 air pump (pump), 91 valve,
95 relay section, 95a vent, 96 filter,
99 second transport pipe, 100 shutter (opening / closing means),
G Two-component developer, C carrier, T toner.

JP 2001-194860 A JP 2001-183893 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-17787

Claims (16)

A developer transport device that transports a developer from a transport source to a transport destination,
A transport pipe through which the developer is fed from the transport source and the developer is transported together with gas;
A pump for feeding or delivering the gas to the transport pipe,
When the developer is fed into the transport pipe from the transport source, the developer transport is controlled so that at least the gas is fed into or sent out from the transport pipe by the pump. apparatus.   2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control is performed so that gas is sent to or sent from the transport pipe by the pump at the same time as the developer is fed from the transport source to the transport pipe. The developer conveying device according to the description. A valve is provided between the transport pipe and the pump,
3. The developer conveying device according to claim 1, wherein control of feeding or sending of the gas to the conveying pipe is performed by opening and closing the valve. A developer transport device that transports a developer from a transport source to a transport destination,
A transport pipe through which the developer is transported together with the gas fed by the pump;
A relay section in which a space for reducing the pressure increase due to the gas discharged from the discharge port is formed while guiding the developer discharged from the discharge port of the transfer pipe to the replenishment port of the transfer destination;
A developer conveying device comprising:   The developer conveying device according to claim 4, wherein the relay unit includes a vent for ventilating the gas discharged from the discharge port.   The developer conveying device according to claim 5, wherein the air vent is disposed above the discharge port.   The developer conveying device according to claim 5, wherein the vent is covered with a filter that prevents leakage of the developer to the outside.   The developer conveying device according to claim 5, wherein the vent hole is disposed at a position facing the discharge port.   The developer conveying device according to claim 4, further comprising an opening / closing means for opening / closing the replenishing port.   The developer conveying apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the opening / closing means opens the supply port after the developer and the gas are discharged from the discharge port to the relay unit. A second transfer pipe connecting the relay unit and the supply port;
11. The developer conveying device according to claim 4, wherein the second conveying tube is disposed such that an inclination angle thereof is equal to or greater than an angle of repose with respect to the developer.   The developer transport device according to claim 1, wherein the developer is a carrier or / and a toner.   The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the transport destination is a developing unit that accommodates toner and a carrier and develops a latent image formed on the image carrier. Agent transport device.   The developer conveying device according to claim 13, wherein the developing unit includes a discharging unit that discharges a part of the toner and the carrier contained therein.   The developer conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the conveyance source is a developer container in which the developer is accommodated.   An image forming apparatus comprising the developer conveying device according to claim 1.

Images