JP5948455B2 - Image forming apparatus and waste toner collecting container used therefor - Google Patents

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a waste toner collecting container used therefor, and more particularly, an image forming apparatus including a waste toner collecting container for collecting waste toner removed from an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed. The present invention relates to an apparatus and a waste toner collecting container used therefor.

  In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system such as a copying machine, a printer, or a FAX, a powdered developer (hereinafter referred to as toner) is mainly used, and an electrostatic formed on an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum. In general, the latent image is visualized with toner in the developing device, and the toner image is transferred directly or via an intermediate transfer member onto a recording medium, and then a fixing process is performed. In such an image forming apparatus, a cleaning device for removing residual toner (waste toner) on the surface of the photosensitive drum and the intermediate transfer member is mounted, and the residual toner removed by the cleaning device is collected as waste toner. Stored in a container. When the waste toner collection container becomes full after printing a predetermined number of sheets, the user is notified and the waste toner collection container is discarded or replaced.

  Such a waste toner collecting container is usually designed in size and shape according to the empty space so that it can be arranged using the empty space in the main body of the image forming apparatus. For this reason, the waste toner collecting container sometimes becomes horizontally long due to the space available. In this case, simply introducing the waste toner into the waste toner collecting container cannot fill the entire capacity without a gap, and there is a problem that an extra unfilled space is generated in the waste toner collecting container. In addition, it is necessary to mount a large waste toner collection container in order to secure a volume corresponding to the amount of waste toner in anticipation of the occurrence of this unfilled space, which is an obstacle to downsizing and space saving of the device. It was.

  In particular, in a full-color image forming apparatus that uses four color toners, the amount of waste toner that is generated is four times or more that of a monochrome machine. In addition, a waste toner recycling method has been proposed in which waste toner is re-introduced into the developing device and reused. However, the waste toner is inferior in charge characteristics and physical characteristics compared to new toner supplied from the cartridge. Image quality degradation has been a problem.

  In view of this, a method for increasing the filling efficiency of the waste toner collected in the waste toner collection container has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the structure of the collection container (waste toner collection container) of Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. 10, Patent Document 1 discloses a collection container 101 in which a waste toner dropping port 101a is formed at the center of the upper surface. In the collection container 101, an in-container conveyance member (screw) 102 for conveying the waste toner T to both sides in the longitudinal direction of the collection container 101 is provided.

  In Patent Document 1, the waste toner T in the waste toner conveyance path 103 is conveyed by the in-path conveyance member 104, falls from the waste toner conveyance path 103, and is collected in the collection container 101. Since the waste toner T contains moisture or paper dust, it accumulates in a mountain shape at the center of the collection container 101. The waste toner T accumulated in a mountain shape is transported and averaged on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the collection container 101 by the rotational drive of the in-container transport member 102. When the waste toner T is detected by the full detection sensor 105 installed outside the end of the recovery container 101, the user is warned to replace the recovery container 101.

JP 2010-204645 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, since the in-container conveyance member (screw) 102 is added to the collection container 101 that is a consumable item, there is a problem that the structure of the collection container 101 becomes complicated and the cost increases. In addition, a drive source for driving the in-container conveyance member 102 is required, which increases the cost of the apparatus main body.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, there is a case where the waste toner T exceeds the height of the in-container conveyance member 102 and is hollowed only around the in-container conveyance member 102 to form a so-called kamakura shape. In particular, this phenomenon is remarkable when the waste toner T falls in a large amount at once, or when the waste toner T contains a lot of moisture or paper dust. In this case, while the waste toner T is accumulated up to the waste toner dropping port 101a, empty spaces remain on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the collection container 101. For this reason, there is a problem in that the waste toner T cannot be efficiently filled into the collection container 101.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to be able to efficiently fill waste toner collection containers with waste toner with a low-cost and simple configuration. An image forming apparatus and a waste toner collecting container used for the image forming apparatus are provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an image carrier on which a toner image is formed, a cleaning unit for removing waste toner on the image carrier, and waste toner removed by the cleaning unit. A detachable waste toner collecting container for collecting, a waste toner carrying path for carrying the waste toner from the cleaning unit to the waste toner collecting container, and a waste toner detecting unit for detecting the amount of waste toner in the waste toner collecting container; , And a first waste toner dropping port and a second waste toner dropping port for collecting the waste toner removed by the cleaning unit are provided on one side and the other side of the upper surface of the waste toner collecting container, respectively. The waste toner transport path is provided with a drop unit that drops waste toner onto the waste toner collection container, and the waste toner collection container can be installed with the one side and the other side reversed. By mounting the waste toner collecting container so that one side and the other side of the waste toner container are reversed, the first waste toner dropping port or the second waste toner dropping port is disposed below the dropping part of the waste toner transport path. .

  In this image forming apparatus, as described above, the waste toner collection container can be mounted with the one side and the other side reversed, and the waste toner collection container can be installed with the one side and the other side reversed. The first waste toner drop port or the second waste toner drop port is disposed below the drop part of the waste toner transport path. Thus, for example, when the waste toner collection container is full or nearly full on the first waste toner drop opening side, the second side is installed by inverting one side and the other side of the waste toner collection container. The waste toner can be filled in the empty space on the waste toner drop opening side. For this reason, it is possible to efficiently fill the waste toner collection container with the waste toner.

  Furthermore, the waste toner is leveled (averaged) by vibrations or the like when the waste toner collection container is reversed and attached to the other side, and the unfilled space in the waste toner collection container can be reduced. As a result, the waste toner collecting container can be more efficiently filled with the waste toner.

  Further, there is no need to add an in-container conveying member (screw) to the waste toner collecting container, which is a consumable item, and there is no need for a driving source for driving the in-container conveying member (screw). While being able to suppress that the structure of a main body becomes complicated, it can suppress that cost increases.

  In the image forming apparatus, preferably, the one side portion and the other side portion of the waste toner collecting container are formed in substantially symmetrical shapes. If comprised in this way, the waste toner collection container can be easily mounted by inverting one side and the other side. In addition, since the area where the waste toner collection container is mounted can be made substantially symmetrical, it is possible to suppress the formation of an extra space around the waste toner collection container and to save space. it can. In addition, since the first waste toner dropping port and the second waste toner dropping port are arranged at substantially symmetrical positions on the upper surface of the waste toner collecting container, the one side and the other side of the waste toner collecting container are reversed. Thus, the first waste toner drop port or the second waste toner drop port can be easily disposed below the drop part of the waste toner transport path.

  In the image forming apparatus, it is preferable that the waste toner detection unit detects the amount of waste toner positioned immediately below the falling part of the waste toner conveyance path. With this configuration, the waste toner detection unit can detect the portion (the highest portion) with the largest amount of waste toner, thereby effectively preventing the waste toner from overflowing from the waste toner collection container. be able to.

  Preferably, the image forming apparatus includes a warning unit that warns the user, the waste toner detection unit including a full detection unit for detecting that the waste toner collection container is full, and waste toner collection. A near detection unit for detecting that the container is almost full, and the warning unit is configured to detect the waste toner collection container when the near detection unit detects that the waste toner collection container is nearly full. Warn the user to wear it in reverse. According to this configuration, it is possible to notify the user when the waste toner collection container should be reversed. In addition, when the waste toner collection container is almost full, the user installs the waste toner collection container in an inverted manner, so that the waste toner can be more reliably prevented from overflowing from the waste toner collection container. it can.

  In this case, it is preferable that the warning unit warns the user that the waste toner collection container is almost full when the near detection unit detects that the waste toner collection container is almost full. With this configuration, the user can prepare a new waste toner collection container before the waste toner collection container becomes full.

  Preferably, the image forming apparatus includes a warning unit that issues a warning to the user, and the waste toner detection unit includes a full detection unit for detecting that the waste toner collection container is full, and the warning unit When the full detection unit first detects that the waste toner collection container is full, it warns the user to install the waste toner collection container in an inverted manner. When it is detected a plurality of times that the collection container is full, the user is warned to replace the waste toner collection container with a new one. According to this configuration, the user can be notified of the time when the waste toner collection container should be reversed and the time when the waste toner collection container should be replaced. In addition, when the waste toner collection container becomes full, the user replaces the waste toner collection container, so that it is possible to reliably prevent the waste toner from overflowing from the waste toner collection container.

  In this case, it is preferable that the warning unit warns the user that image formation is to be stopped when the full detection unit detects that the waste toner collection container is full a plurality of times. According to this configuration, when the waste toner collection container becomes full, the user can replace the waste toner collection container more reliably, so that the waste toner can be more reliably prevented from overflowing from the waste toner collection container. Can be prevented.

  In the image forming apparatus, preferably, the waste toner collecting container covers the first waste toner dropping port and the second waste toner dropping port, and the first waste toner dropping port and the second waste toner dropping port. A lid member for opening and closing is provided. According to this configuration, the first waste toner dropping port and the second waste toner dropping port can be closed by the lid member, and therefore, when the waste toner collecting container is discarded, the waste toner becomes the first waste toner dropping port. Further, scattering from the second waste toner drop port to the outside can be suppressed.

  In this case, it is preferable that the lid member opens the first waste toner dropping port or the second waste toner dropping port disposed below the dropping unit in accordance with the mounting operation of the waste toner collecting container. According to this configuration, when the waste toner collecting container is mounted, the first waste toner dropping port or the second waste toner dropping port arranged below the dropping unit is automatically opened. Never forget to open the waste toner drop port located below

  The waste toner collection container of the present invention is detachable from the image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration, and has a first waste toner drop port for collecting waste toner removed by the cleaning unit on one side and the other side of the upper surface. And a second waste toner drop port are provided. With this configuration, it is possible to obtain a waste toner collecting container that can be efficiently filled with waste toner with a low cost and simple configuration.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an image forming apparatus capable of efficiently filling waste toner into a waste toner collection container and a waste toner collection container used therefor with a low cost and simple configuration can be easily provided. Can be obtained.

1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of a waste toner collection container and a waste toner transport pipe along the line AA ′ in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a structure of a waste toner collecting container according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a structure of a waste toner collecting container according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which waste toner is accumulated up to a height position of a near detection sensor on a first waste toner dropping port side of a waste toner collection container according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the waste toner collection container illustrated in FIG. 5 is inverted and mounted. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which waste toner is accumulated up to a height position of a near detection sensor on a second waste toner dropping port side of the waste toner collection container illustrated in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the waste toner collection container illustrated in FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which waste toner is accumulated up to a height position of a near detection sensor on the first waste toner dropping port side of the waste toner collection container illustrated in FIG. 8. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the structure of the collection container of the said patent document 1. FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which waste toner is in a so-called kamakura shape in the collection container illustrated in FIG. 10.

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

  First, the structure of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 (here, a color printer), four image forming portions Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd are sequentially arranged from the upstream side in the transport direction (right side in FIG. 1). These image forming portions Pa to Pd are provided corresponding to images of four different colors (magenta, cyan, yellow, and black), and magenta, cyan, and yellow are respectively subjected to charging, exposure, development, and transfer processes. And a black image are sequentially formed.

  Photosensitive drums (image carriers) 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d that carry visible images (toner images) of the respective colors are disposed in the image forming portions Pa to Pd, and these photosensitive drums 1a. 1d to 1d are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 (image carrier) that moves adjacent to each image forming portion while rotating clockwise in FIG. 1 by a driving means (not shown). After the transfer (primary transfer), the image is transferred (secondary transfer) onto the paper P at the secondary transfer roller 9 at a time, and further fixed on the paper P at the fixing unit 7 and then discharged from the apparatus main body. It has a configuration. An image forming process for each of the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d is executed while rotating the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d counterclockwise in FIG.

  The paper P onto which the toner image is transferred is accommodated in a paper cassette 16 at the lower part of the apparatus, and is conveyed to the secondary transfer roller 9 via the paper feed roller 12a and the registration roller pair 12b. A sheet made of a dielectric resin is used for the intermediate transfer belt 8, and a belt in which both ends thereof are overlapped and joined to form an endless shape, or a belt without a seam (seamless) is used. A blade-shaped belt cleaner 19 for removing toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is disposed downstream of the secondary transfer roller 9.

  Next, the image forming units Pa to Pd will be described. There are chargers 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d for charging the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d and image information on the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d around and below the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d that are rotatably arranged. The exposure unit 4 for exposing the toner, the developing units 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d for forming toner images on the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d, and the developer (toner) remaining on the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d are removed. Cleaning units 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d are provided.

  When the start of image formation is input by the user, first, the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d are uniformly charged by the chargers 2a to 2d, and then light is irradiated by the exposure unit 4, and the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d are charged. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image signal is formed on the top. Each of the developing units 3a to 3d includes a developing roller (developer carrying member) disposed opposite to the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d, and magenta, cyan, yellow, and black toners are respectively supplied by a toner cartridge (not shown). A predetermined amount is filled. This toner is supplied onto the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d by the developing rollers of the developing units 3a to 3d, and electrostatically adheres to the electrostatic latent image formed by exposure from the exposure unit 4. A toner image is formed.

  After an electric field is applied to the intermediate transfer belt 8 at a predetermined transfer voltage, magenta, cyan, yellow, and black toner images on the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 8 by the primary transfer rollers 6a to 6d. Primary transferred onto. These four color images are formed with a predetermined positional relationship predetermined for forming a predetermined full color image. Thereafter, the toner remaining on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 1a to 1d is removed by the cleaning units 5a to 5d in preparation for the subsequent formation of a new electrostatic latent image.

  The intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched around a driven roller 10, a drive roller 11, and a tension roller 20, and the intermediate transfer belt 8 starts to rotate clockwise as the drive roller 11 is rotated by a drive motor (not shown). Then, the sheet P is conveyed from the registration roller pair 12b to the secondary transfer roller 9 provided adjacent to the intermediate transfer belt 8 at a predetermined timing, and at a nip portion (secondary transfer nip portion) with the intermediate transfer belt 8. The full color image is secondarily transferred onto the paper P. The paper P on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 7.

  The sheet P conveyed to the fixing unit 7 is heated and pressurized when passing through the nip portion (fixing nip portion) of the fixing roller pair 13 to fix the toner image on the surface of the sheet P, and a predetermined full-color image is formed. It is formed. The paper P on which the full-color image is formed is distributed in the transport direction by the branching section 14 that branches in a plurality of directions. When an image is formed on only one side of the paper P, it is discharged to the discharge tray 17 by the discharge roller pair 15 as it is.

  On the other hand, when images are formed on both sides of the paper P, a part of the paper P that has passed through the fixing unit 7 is once protruded from the discharge roller pair 15 to the outside of the apparatus. Thereafter, the paper P is distributed to the paper transport path 18 by the branching unit 14 by rotating the discharge roller pair 15 in the reverse direction, and is transported again to the secondary transfer roller 9 with the image surface reversed. Then, after the next image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is transferred to the surface of the paper P where the image is not formed by the secondary transfer roller 9 and conveyed to the fixing unit 7 to fix the toner image, It is discharged to the discharge tray 17.

  A waste toner collecting container 21 for collecting and storing waste toner scraped off by the cleaning units 5a to 5d and the belt cleaner 19 (cleaning unit) is disposed at the lower part of the apparatus. The waste toner collection container 21 is detachable from the image forming apparatus 100. Although the waste toner collecting container 21 is arranged on the lower right side of the apparatus in FIG. 1, it may be arranged at any position in the apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a waste toner transport pipe 22 (waste toner transport path) that transports waste toner from the cleaning units 5 a to 5 d and the belt cleaner 19 to the waste toner collection container 21 is disposed above the waste toner collection container 21. Is provided. At the end of the waste toner conveying pipe 22, a dropping portion 22 a for dropping the waste toner into the waste toner collecting container 21 is formed. In the waste toner transport pipe 22, a waste toner transport member 23 made of a screw or the like for transporting the waste toner is provided.

  On one side (left side in FIG. 2) and the other side (right side in FIG. 2) of the upper surface of the waste toner collecting container 21, a first waste toner dropping port 21a and a second waste toner dropping port 21b for collecting the waste toner are provided. Are formed respectively. In a state where the waste toner collecting container 21 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the first waste toner dropping port 21a is disposed directly below (below) the dropping portion 22a of the waste toner transport pipe 22.

  The waste toner collection container 21 is formed in a symmetrical shape. That is, the one side portion and the other side portion of the waste toner collecting container 21 are formed symmetrically with each other, and the first waste toner drop port 21a and the second waste toner drop port 21b are formed of waste toner. The upper surface of the collection container 21 is provided at a substantially symmetrical position. Therefore, the waste toner collecting container 21 can be attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 with the one side and the other side reversed. Further, the waste toner collecting container 21 is reversed and attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 so that the first waste toner dropping port 21a or the second waste toner dropping port 21b becomes the waste toner. It is arranged directly below (below) the dropping portion 22a of the transport pipe 22.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the waste toner collecting container 21 is provided with a lid member 21c that covers the first waste toner dropping port 21a and the second waste toner dropping port 21b. As shown in FIG. 4, the lid member 21c is configured to be slidable along the longitudinal direction of the waste toner collection container 21, and opens and closes the first waste toner drop port 21a and the second waste toner drop port 21b. Is possible.

  When the first waste toner drop port 21a is disposed directly below the drop part 22a of the waste toner transport pipe 22, the first waste toner drop port 21a is opened and the second waste toner drop port 21b is closed. Thus, the lid member 21c is slid by the user. Conversely, when the second waste toner drop port 21b is disposed directly below the drop part 22a of the waste toner transport pipe 22, the first waste toner drop port 21a is closed and the second waste toner drop port 21b is opened. The lid member 21c is slid by the user so as to open. When the waste toner collecting container 21 is discarded, the lid member 21c is slid by the user so as to close both the first waste toner dropping port 21a and the second waste toner dropping port 21b.

  In addition, the lid member 21c is interlocked with (in association with) the mounting operation of the waste toner collecting container 21, and the first waste toner dropping port 21a or the second waste toner dropping port 21b disposed below the dropping unit 22a. May be opened. For example, the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a contact member (not shown) that contacts the cover member 21c and slides the cover member 21c (for example, a spring member). It is also possible to configure such that the waste toner drop opening 21a or the second waste toner drop opening 21b is automatically opened.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a waste toner detection sensor 24 (waste toner detection unit) for detecting the amount of waste toner in the waste toner collection container 21. The waste toner detection sensor 24 is disposed below the full detection sensor 24a and a full detection sensor 24a for detecting that the waste toner collection container 21 is full. And a near detection sensor (near detection unit) 24b for detecting that the vehicle is almost full. The full detection sensor 24a and the near detection sensor 24b are disposed so as to detect the amount (height) of the waste toner positioned directly below the dropping portion 22a of the waste toner transport pipe 22.

  The full detection sensor 24a and the near detection sensor 24b are formed of, for example, a magnetic permeability sensor, and detect a change in magnetic permeability accompanying an increase in the amount of waste toner in the waste toner collection container 21 from the outside of the waste toner collection container 21. To do.

  A controller 25 (see FIG. 1) to which detection signals are transmitted from the full detection sensor 24a and the near detection sensor 24b is electrically connected to the full detection sensor 24a and the near detection sensor 24b. The control unit 25 is electrically connected to a warning unit 26 (see FIG. 1) that can issue a warning to the user. The warning unit 26 may be configured to display a warning text to the user, for example, including a display unit such as an operation panel, or may be configured to display a warning sound to the user by an alarm sound generator. It may be configured.

  When the near toner sensor 24b detects that the waste toner collection container 21 is almost full, the warning unit 26 warns the user to invert and mount the waste toner collection container 21. The warning unit 26 warns the user that the waste toner collection container 21 is almost full when the near detection sensor 24b detects that the waste toner collection container 21 is almost full. The warning unit 26 warns the user to replace the waste toner collection container 21 with a new one when the full detection sensor 24a detects that the waste toner collection container 21 is full. The warning unit 26 warns the user that the image formation is stopped when the full detection sensor 24a detects that the waste toner collection container 21 is full. Note that the operation of the warning unit 26 is controlled by the control unit 25. Further, the amount of waste toner may be detected by the control unit 25 and the waste toner detection sensor 24.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5 to FIG. 9, a process in which the waste toner collecting container 21 is reversely mounted and a process in which it is replaced with a new one will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the image forming operation by the image forming apparatus 100 is started, the waste toner conveying member 23 is rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown). As a result, the waste toner T is transported by the waste toner transport member 23 and falls from the dropping portion 22a, and is collected in the waste toner collection container 21 and accumulated in a mountain shape.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5, when the waste toner T is accumulated up to the height position of the near detection sensor 24b, the near detection sensor 24b detects that the waste toner collection container 21 is almost full. Then, the warning unit 26 warns the user that the waste toner collection container 21 should be reversed and mounted, and also warns the user that the waste toner collection container 21 is almost full.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the user attaches the waste toner collection container 21 to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 by inverting one side and the other side. At this time, the waste toner is leveled (averaged) by vibration during attachment and detachment, and the lower unfilled space in the waste toner collection container 21 is reduced.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7, when the waste toner T accumulates up to the height of the near detection sensor 24b, the near detection sensor 24b detects that the waste toner collection container 21 is nearly full. Then, the warning unit 26 warns the user that the waste toner collection container 21 should be reversed and mounted, and also warns the user that the waste toner collection container 21 is almost full.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the user attaches the waste toner collection container 21 to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 by inverting one side and the other side. At this time, the waste toner is leveled (averaged) by vibration during attachment and detachment, and the unfilled space in the waste toner collection container 21 is reduced.

  When the reverse mounting of the waste toner collecting container 21 is repeated a plurality of times, finally, as shown in FIG. 9, the waste toner T is accumulated up to the height position of the full detection sensor 24a. Thus, the full detection sensor 24a detects that the waste toner collection container 21 is full. Then, the warning unit 26 warns the user to replace the waste toner collection container 21 with a new one, and warns the user that image formation is to be stopped. At this time, the image forming operation by the image forming apparatus 100 may be stopped.

  Thereafter, the user replaces the waste toner collecting container 21 with a new one.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the waste toner collecting container 21 can be mounted with the one side and the other side reversed, and the one side and the other side of the waste toner collecting container 21 can be reversed and mounted. Accordingly, the first waste toner dropping port 21 a or the second waste toner dropping port 21 b is arranged below the dropping part 22 a of the waste toner transport pipe 22. As a result, when the waste toner collection container 21 is nearly full on the first waste toner dropping port 21a side, the second side of the waste toner collection container 21 is reversed and attached to the second waste toner collection container 21. The waste toner T can be filled in the empty space on the side of the waste toner drop opening 21b. Therefore, the waste toner collection container 21 can be efficiently filled with the waste toner T.

  Further, the waste toner T is leveled (averaged) due to vibration when the one side and the other side of the waste toner collection container 21 are reversed and attached, and the unfilled space in the waste toner collection container 21 can be reduced. . Thereby, the waste toner collecting container 21 can be filled with the waste toner T more efficiently.

  Further, there is no need to add an in-container conveyance member (screw) to the waste toner collection container 21 that is a consumable item, and there is no need for a drive source for driving the in-container conveyance member (screw). In addition, the structure of the apparatus main body can be prevented from becoming complicated, and the cost can be prevented from increasing.

  Further, as described above, the portion on one side and the portion on the other side of the waste toner collecting container 21 are formed in substantially symmetrical shapes. As a result, the one side and the other side of the waste toner collecting container 21 can be reversed and easily attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. In addition, since the area where the waste toner collection container 21 is mounted can be made substantially symmetrical, it is possible to suppress the formation of an extra space around the waste toner collection container 21 and to save space. be able to. Further, since the first waste toner dropping port 21a and the second waste toner dropping port 21b are disposed at substantially symmetrical positions of the waste toner collecting container 21, the one side and the other side of the waste toner collecting container 21 are connected to each other. By inverting and mounting, the first waste toner drop port 21a or the second waste toner drop port 21b can be easily disposed below the drop part 22a.

  Further, as described above, the waste toner detection sensor 24 detects the amount (height) of the waste toner T located immediately below the dropping portion 22a of the waste toner transport pipe 22. As a result, the waste toner detection sensor 24 can detect the portion (the highest portion) with the largest amount of the waste toner T, so that the waste toner T is effectively prevented from overflowing from the waste toner collection container 21. be able to.

  In addition, as described above, the warning unit 26 allows the user to reversely mount the waste toner collection container 21 when the near detection sensor 24b detects that the waste toner collection container 21 is nearly full. Warn against Thereby, it is possible to inform the user when the waste toner collecting container 21 should be reversed. In addition, when the waste toner collection container 21 is almost full, the user reversely attaches the waste toner collection container 21, so that the waste toner T overflows from the waste toner collection container 21 more reliably. Can be prevented.

  Further, as described above, the warning unit 26 notifies the user that the waste toner collection container 21 is almost full when the near detection sensor 24b detects that the waste toner collection container 21 is almost full. Warning. As a result, the user can prepare a new waste toner collection container 21 before the waste toner collection container 21 becomes full.

  As described above, the waste toner collection container 21 covers the first waste toner drop port 21a and the second waste toner drop port 21b, and the first waste toner drop port 21a and the second waste toner. A lid member 21c that opens and closes the drop opening 21b is provided. As a result, the first waste toner drop port 21a and the second waste toner drop port 21b can be closed by the lid member 21c, and therefore, when the waste toner collection container 21 is discarded, the waste toner T falls. It is possible to suppress scattering from the opening 21a and the second waste toner dropping opening 21b to the outside.

  Further, as described above, the lid member 21c is interlocked with (in association with) the attaching operation of the waste toner collecting container 21, and the first waste toner dropping port 21a or the second waste toner dropping port 21a disposed below the dropping portion 22a. The waste toner dropping port 21b may be opened. With this configuration, when the waste toner collecting container 21 is mounted, the first waste toner dropping port 21a or the second waste toner dropping port 21b disposed below the dropping unit 22a is automatically opened. Therefore, it is possible to never forget to open the waste toner dropping port arranged below the dropping part 22a.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiments but by the scope of claims for patent, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the example in which the present invention is applied to the tandem type color image forming apparatus as shown in FIG. 1 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to various image forming apparatuses having a waste toner collecting mechanism, such as rotary color copiers and printers, monochrome copiers, monochrome printers, digital multifunction peripherals, and facsimiles.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the reverse mounting of the waste toner collection container is repeated until the full detection unit detects that the waste toner collection container is full is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. . You may comprise so that a waste toner collection container may be reversed and mounted only once. That is, the warning unit warns to reverse the waste toner collection container at the first detection of the near detection unit, and does not warn the user until the waste toner collection container is full by the full detection sensor after the reverse. And you may comprise a control part.

  In the above embodiment, the full detection unit for detecting that the waste toner collection container is full and the near detection unit for detecting that the waste toner collection container is almost full are provided. Although an example has been shown, the present invention is not limited to this, and only a full detection unit may be provided. The warning unit warns the user that the waste toner collection container is reversed and mounted when the full detection unit first detects that the waste toner collection container is full (first time). When the full detection unit detects that the waste toner collection container is full a plurality of times, the user may be warned to replace the waste toner collection container with a new one. According to this configuration, the user can be notified of the time when the waste toner collection container should be reversed and the time when the waste toner collection container should be replaced. In addition, when the waste toner collection container becomes full, the user replaces the waste toner collection container, so that it is possible to reliably prevent the waste toner from overflowing from the waste toner collection container. Further, the warning unit may warn the user that image formation is stopped when the full detection unit detects that the waste toner collection container is full a plurality of times. According to this configuration, when the waste toner collection container becomes full, the user can replace the waste toner collection container more reliably, so that the waste toner can be more reliably prevented from overflowing from the waste toner collection container. Can be prevented.

  Further, if the reverse mounting of the waste toner collecting container is repeated as in the above embodiment, the empty space in the waste toner collecting container is reduced and the warning interval is shortened. For this reason, when the warning interval becomes equal to or shorter than a predetermined period (predetermined number of printed sheets), the user may be warned to replace the waste toner collection container.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the one side portion and the other side portion of the waste toner collecting container are formed in a substantially symmetrical shape is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. When a sufficient area for attaching the waste toner collection container can be secured, the one side portion and the other side portion of the waste toner collection container can be formed in an asymmetric shape.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the waste toner collecting container is provided with the lid member that covers both the first waste toner dropping port and the second waste toner dropping port has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. . A lid member that covers one of the first waste toner dropping port and the second waste toner dropping port may be provided. Further, it is not necessary to provide a lid member on the waste toner collecting container.

1a to 1d Photosensitive drum (image carrier)
5a to 5d Cleaning unit 8 Intermediate transfer belt (image carrier)
19 Belt cleaner (cleaning part)
21 Waste Toner Collection Container 21a First Waste Toner Drop Port 21b Second Waste Toner Drop Port 21c Lid Member 22 Waste Toner Transport Pipe (Waste Toner Transport Path)
22a Falling part 24 Waste toner detection sensor (waste toner detection part)
24a Full detection sensor (full detection part)
24b Near detection sensor (near detection part)
26 Warning section 100 Image forming apparatus T Waste toner

Claims (7)

An image carrier on which a toner image is formed;
A cleaning unit for removing waste toner on the image carrier;
A detachable waste toner collecting container for collecting the waste toner removed by the cleaning unit;
A waste toner transport path for transporting the waste toner from the cleaning unit to the waste toner collection container;
A waste toner detector for detecting the amount of waste toner in the waste toner collection container;
It has a warning section that warns users,
With
A first waste toner dropping port and a second waste toner dropping port for collecting the waste toner removed by the cleaning unit are provided on one side and the other side of the upper surface of the waste toner collecting container,
The waste toner conveyance path is provided with a dropping unit for dropping the waste toner into the waste toner collecting container,
The waste toner collecting container can be mounted by inverting one side and the other side,
By mounting the waste toner collecting container so that one side and the other side of the waste toner container are reversed, the first waste toner dropping port or the second waste toner dropping port is located below the dropping part of the waste toner transport path. Placed in
The waste toner detection unit includes a full detection unit for detecting that the waste toner collection container is full,
The warning unit warns the user to reversely mount the waste toner collection container when the full detection unit first detects that the waste toner collection container is full, An image that warns the user to replace the waste toner collection container with a new one when the full detection unit detects that the waste toner collection container is full a plurality of times. Forming equipment.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a portion on one side and a portion on the other side of the waste toner collecting container are formed in substantially symmetrical shapes.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the waste toner detection unit detects an amount of the waste toner that is located immediately below a falling part of the waste toner conveyance path.   The warning unit warns the user that image formation is stopped when the full detection unit detects that the waste toner collecting container is full a plurality of times. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 3. The waste toner collecting container covers the first waste toner drop port and the second waste toner drop port, and opens and closes the first waste toner drop port and the second waste toner drop port. the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the member is provided. The lid member opens the first waste toner dropping port or the second waste toner dropping port arranged below the dropping part in accordance with the mounting operation of the waste toner collecting container. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 . The first waste toner that is detachable from the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and that collects the waste toner removed by the cleaning unit on one side and the other side of the upper surface. A waste toner collecting container having a drop opening and a second waste toner drop opening.

Images