Image forming apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11809095-B2
Application number	US-202217945238-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 15, 2022
Priority date	Mar 15, 2019
Publication date	Nov 7, 2023
Grant date	Nov 7, 2023

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes a developer container to and from which a replenishment container is attachable and detachable and which includes an accommodating portion that accommodates developer and a replenishment port, an agitation member, an opening/closing member configured to be movable between a closed position and an open position, a drive source for driving the agitation member, and a control portion configured to control the drive source. The apparatus is configured such that image formation is not possible when the opening/closing member is at the open position, and the agitation member is capable of driving in a case where the opening/closing member is at the open position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An image forming apparatus to and from which a replenishment container accommodating developer is attachable and detachable and which is configured to execute an image formation in which a developer image is formed on a recording material, the image forming apparatus comprising:
an image bearing member configured to rotate while bearing the developer image;
a developer bearing member configured to bear the developer and supply the developer to the image bearing member;
a developer container including:
an accommodating portion configured to accommodate the developer to be borne on the developer bearing member; and
a replenishment port to and from which the replenishment container is attachable and detachable and through which the accommodating portion is replenished with the developer from the replenishment container;

an agitation member configured to agitate the developer accommodated in the accommodating portion;
an opening/closing member configured to be movable between a closed position where the opening/closing member closes the replenishment port and an open position where the opening/closing member opens the replenishment port;
an opening/closing sensor configured to detect whether the opening/closing member is at the open position or at the closed position; and
a control portion configured to control driving of the agitation member,
wherein execution of the image formation is possible when the opening/closing sensor detects that the opening/closing member is at the closed position, and
wherein execution of the image formation is not possible and the driving of the agitation member is possible when the opening/closing member detects that the opening/closing member is at the open position.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein when the opening/closing sensor detects the opening/closing member is at the open position, execution of the image formation is not possible in a state that the replenishment container is detached from the replenishment port.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the opening/closing member and the replenishment port are configured such that the replenishment container attached to the replenishment port prevents the opening/closing member from being moved from the open position to the closed position.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the agitation member is rotatable about a rotational axis, and
wherein the replenishment port is provided in an end portion of the developer container in a direction of the rotational axis.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an operation portion,
wherein the driving of the agitation member is started on a basis of operation of the operation portion.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the operation portion is provided with a touch panel display, and
wherein the driving of the agitation member is started on a basis of the touch panel display being touched.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an operation portion provided with a button, and
wherein the driving of the agitation member is started on a basis of the button being pushed.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the operation portion is provided with a display configured to display information prompting a user to push the button.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an attachment sensor configured to detect an attachment of the replenishment container to the replenishment port, and
wherein the driving of the agitation member is started on a basis of a detection result of the attachment sensor.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the agitation member includes a shaft and a flexible sheet fixed to the shaft.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a high voltage power source configured to apply high-voltage to the developer bearing member,
wherein when the opening/closing member is at the open position, applying the high-voltage to the developer bearing member is interrupted.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a developer sensor configured to detect a developer amount remaining in the accommodating portion,
wherein while the agitation member is being driven when the opening/closing member is at the open position, the developer sensor detects the developer amount remaining in the accommodating portion.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12 , further comprising an indicator configured to indicate the developer amount remaining in the accommodating portion,
wherein after the developer sensor detects the developer amount, the developer amount indicated with the indicator is updated.

Assignees

• Canon Kk

Inventors

• Ogawa Tsuyoshi
• Sato Masaaki
• Takarada Hiroshi
• Fujinaka Koji
• Toyota Akitoshi
• Inaba Yuichiro
• Iida Kenichi
• Nittani Susumu

Classifications

• G03G15/0877 Primary

  Arrangements for metering and dispensing developer from a developer cartridge into the development unit · CPC title

• G03G15/0889 Primary

  for agitation or stirring · CPC title

• G03G15/0879

  for dispensing developer from a developer cartridge not directly attached to the development unit · CPC title

• G03G15/0856

  Detection or control means for the developer level · CPC title

• G03G15/0865

  Arrangements for supplying new developer · CPC title