IP Library Granted Patent US 9,977,372
Granted Patent B2
US 9,977,372 · App. 15/496,052 · Granted May 22, 2018

Image forming apparatus

Inventor: Yuta Okuyama (Kashiwa, JP)
Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
G03G15/095G03G21/10G03G21/105G03G21/203
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,977,372
App. No.
15/496,052
Granted
May 22, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a developing device which is configured to store developer having magnetic carrier and toner and to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on the image bearing member, and a discharge port which is arranged in the developing device and through which developer is discharged from the developing device. A collection portion is configured to collect the developer discharged through the discharge port, and a discharge conveyance portion is configured to convey the developer discharged through the discharge port to the collection portion. An environment detector is arranged in a conveyance passage of the discharge conveyance portion and is configured to detect environment information, and an adjustment portion is configured to adjust a development condition of the developing device based on output of the environment detector.

Claims (17)

1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

an image bearing member;

a developing device which is configured to store developer having magnetic carrier and toner and to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on the image bearing member;

a discharge port which is arranged in the developing device and through which developer is discharged from the developing device;

a collection portion which is configured to collect the developer discharged through the discharge port;

a discharge conveyance portion which is configured to convey the developer discharged through the discharge port to the collection portion;

an environment detector which is arranged in a conveyance passage of the discharge conveyance portion and is configured to detect environment information; and

an adjustment portion which is configured to adjust a development condition of the developing device based on output of the environment detector.

2. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a conveyance member which is arranged in the conveyance passage of the discharge conveyance portion and is configured to convey developer.

3. An image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the conveyance member includes:

a first conveyance portion which is configured to convey developer in a first direction toward the collection portion; and

a second conveyance portion which is arranged downstream of the first conveyance portion in the first direction and is configured to convey developer in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction, and

wherein the environment detector is arranged between the first conveyance portion and the second conveyance portion.

4. An image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the conveyance member includes a stirring portion, which is arranged between the first conveyance portion and the second conveyance portion and is configured to stir developer in a peripheral direction of the conveyance member.

5. An image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the environment detector is arranged below the conveyance member in a vertical direction.

6. An image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the environment detector is arranged above the conveyance member in a vertical direction.

7. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the adjustment portion is configured to adjust a voltage, which is applied to the developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image on the image bearing member, based on a detection result from the environment detector.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2017
From: OKUYAMA, YUTA
To: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 043378/0183 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2016-092669 · May 2, 2016 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20170315477A1 · Nov 2, 2017