CN101634827B - Toner container and image forming device - Google Patents

Toner container and image forming device Download PDF

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Publication number
CN101634827B
CN101634827B CN2009101662253A CN200910166225A CN101634827B CN 101634827 B CN101634827 B CN 101634827B CN 2009101662253 A CN2009101662253 A CN 2009101662253A CN 200910166225 A CN200910166225 A CN 200910166225A CN 101634827 B CN101634827 B CN 101634827B
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China
Prior art keywords
toner container
ink powder
slipper
held
support
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CN2009101662253A
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Chinese (zh)
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CN101634827A (en
Inventor
田口信幸
胜山悟朗
榑沼岳郎
吉泽秀男
山根正行
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Ricoh Co Ltd
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Ricoh Co Ltd
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Priority claimed from JP2006013293A external-priority patent/JP4396946B2/en
Priority claimed from JP2006029246A external-priority patent/JP4408864B2/en
Application filed by Ricoh Co Ltd filed Critical Ricoh Co Ltd
Publication of CN101634827A publication Critical patent/CN101634827A/en
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Abstract

A toner container 32Y detachably attached to a toner-container holder of a main body of an image forming apparatus includes a container body that includes an opening, and discharges toner contained in the toner container, from the opening; and a held portion 34Y that is held by the toner-container holder in a non-rotating manner. The held portion 34Y includes an open/close member (a plug member 34d) for opening/closing the toner outlet in synchronization with an attachment/detachment operation of the held portion to/from the toner-container holder.

Description

Toner container and imaging device
The application is that denomination of invention is " toner container and imaging device ", the applying date to be that June 7, application number in 2006 are dividing an application of 200680000340.8 application for a patent for invention.
Technical field
Thereby the present invention relates in general to and a kind ofly removably is connected in the toner container that the imaging device main body is supplied with the ink powder be used for imaging process, and the imaging device that comprises this toner container.
Background technology
In the traditional imaging device that uses electrophotographic system, such as duplicating machine, printer, facsimile recorder or multifunctional product with these functions, the cylindrical toner container that is used for supplying with ink powder to developing apparatus known (referring to, for example, patent document 1, patent document 2 and patent document 3).
In patent document 1 grade, toner container (developer bottle, reagent storage container) mainly comprises container body and is held part (cover, lid) that this container is installed in the toner container support (bottle bearing, coupling part) of imaging device main body replaceably.The inner circumferential surface that spiral projection is prolonged container body is provided with, be contained in ink powder in the container body by container body rotation and by towards the opening transmission.Held the part and the open communication of container body, and kept un-rotatably by the toner container support, that is, it is along with container body is rotated.Discharge from being arranged on the ink powder outlet of being held the part from the ink powder that the opening of container body is exported.Subsequently, the ink powder of discharging from the ink powder outlet of being held part is supplied to developing apparatus.
The toner container that adopts the aforesaid way structure with each do not have the part of being held and directly from the container body opening to the toner container of developing apparatus supply ink powder (referring to, for example, patent document 5 and patent document 6) compare and can when changing toner container, reduce the ink powder stain.More particularly, because the part of being connected of the ink powder outlet of being held part and toner container/disassembling section (rotating operation) is opened synchronously or closed, the hand that causes so can suppress user's hand touch ink powder opening is infected with this trouble by ink powder.In addition, ink powder outlet vertically forms downwards in the bottom of toner container, and when toner container becomes empty, and near the amount of toner of ink powder outlet can be reduced owing to himself weight.Therefore, the ink powder pickup in the ink powder outlet is reduced when changing toner container.
More particularly, in patent document 1 grade, when toner container will be connected to toner container support in this apparatus main body, at first, body cover (stacking portion) was upwardly opened and the toner container support is exposed.Then, toner container is positioned on the toner container support from upside.After this, be wholy set in the handle of being held part and be held, make this be held part and rotate (rotating operation).Adopt this operation, the position of toner container finally is fixed in the toner container support.And, be arranged on this ink powder outlet of being held in the part and held the rotation of part and be moved into the bottom, thereby a valve is opened the bias force that the ink powder outlet overcomes spring downwards in response to this.
On the other hand, patent document 4 grades disclose a kind of ink powder storage container with bag and cover.The part operation (rotating operation of On/Off folders) of being connected of the outlet of the ink powder of cover and ink powder storage container/disassembling section is On/Off synchronously, for the ink powder pickup (ink powder is scattered) that reduces to produce when the connection/disassembling section.
More particularly, when the ink powder storage container was connected in the device body, at first On/Off support (On/Off folders) rotated around an articulated elements, and the upside of On/Off support is exposed.Then, the ink powder storage container is set in the On/Off bearing.After this, the On/Off bearing with the ink powder storage container that is set in wherein rotates (rotating operation) around articulated elements.Adopt this operation, the position of ink powder storage container finally is fixed in the device body.In addition, pin member (shutter member) is promoted by nozzle (ink powder dispatch tube) in response to the rotation of On/Off bearing, thereby overcomes the biasing force of spring, thereby opens the ink powder outlet by filler (G sealing).
Patent document 1: Japanese patent application is not examined open No.2004-287404
Patent document 2: Japanese patent application is not examined open No.2001-5286
Patent document 3: Japanese patent application is not examined open No.2000-310901
Patent document 4: Japanese patent application is not examined open No.2004-161371
Patent document 5: Japanese patent application is not examined open No.2000-338758
Patent document 6: Japanese patent application is not examined open No.2003-233248
Summary of the invention
The technical matters that the present invention solves
Compare with patent document 5 or 6, be disclosed in every kind of toner container in the patent document 1 to 3 and have less ink powder in ink powder outlet and be infected with, therefore, can expect that the hand that obtains to prevent the user is by the outlet of contact ink powder and be infected with this trouble by ink powder.But, the shortcoming of the toner container in the patent document 1 to 3 be in its connection/dismounting (replacing) but the time operability/workability.
First shortcoming is, with/realize by a plurality of operations from being connected of toner container support/disassembling section.More particularly, the connection/disassembling section of toner container comprises a plurality of operations, such as the operation of On/Off body shell, toner container is placed/dismantled in the operation of toner container support, and the operation of part is held in rotation.
Second shortcoming be, whether correct the user be difficult to checked operation execution, up to just can near finishing of attended operation.More particularly, the user can not be placed on operation on the toner container support in the operation of opening body shell with toner container and feels whether correct in the operation of this point definitely in finishing.After this, thereby held the position that part fixedly is held part by rotation, the click that the user obtains the to be held part sensation of rattling away, and feel there is not the operation of mistake appearance definitely.
The 3rd shortcoming is that the layout of the upside of toner container support is restricted.More particularly, for toner container is placed on the toner container support from upside, need vertically carry out the operation of On/Off body shell.Therefore, thus be necessary to guarantee space On/Off body shell that layout is required and placement/remove toner container.This cause when scanner (document reader) but etc. the decline of the operability/workability of the connection of toner container and dismounting when being arranged on the toner container support.
On the other hand, in the ink powder storage container that patent document 4 grades are described, latch feature is promoted by nozzle in response to the open operation of On/Off bearing, is exported by the gland sealed ink powder thereby open.Therefore, can expect that acquisition reduces the effect of ink powder pickup.But, but the shortcoming of the operability/workability that occurs when having some connection/dismountings according to the ink powder storage container of patent document 4 grades.
First shortcoming makes the amount of toner of ink powder storage container not increase, and the frequency of therefore changing the ink powder storage container increases.The ink powder storage container has packet mode container longitudinally, is used to hold ink powder.The packet mode container arrangement becomes standing upright.Therefore, if the capacity of packet mode container increases, the height of ink powder storage container needs to increase so.This can increase the height of On/Off bearing, influences the layout of the height of whole imaging device thus.Therefore, the amount of toner of ink powder storage container can not increase so manyly, and the frequency of replacing increases with comparing according to the toner container (horizontal direction wherein is set at longitudinal direction) of patent document 1 grade to some extent thus.
Second shortcoming makes the user be difficult to feel does not definitely have wrong operation to occur.More particularly, because the On/Off of latch feature and On/Off bearing is operated synchronously On/Off ink powder outlet, so the user is difficult to feel whether the ink powder outlet is really opened or closed, because the user can't contact the ink powder storage container during operation.
The objective of the invention is in order to solve these traditional problems at least, but the objective of the invention is between the stage of replacement, to have the toner container of high operability/workability and can reduce the appearance that ink powder is infected with reliably, and the imaging device that comprises this toner container in order to provide a kind of.
The device of dealing with problems
In order to address the above problem and obtain above-mentioned target, the invention provides a plurality of projects, wherein:
1. the toner container of the toner container support of a main body that removably is connected in imaging device, comprising: container body, this container body comprise ink powder and have the opening that is used to discharge ink powder; And held part, this is held partly to have is used for and will exports from the ink powder that the ink powder that described opening is discharged is discharged, and this is held part and will be discharged from described ink powder outlet from the ink powder that described opening is discharged, and keep by described toner container support in irrotational mode, wherein, described held part comprise with described held part with/from being connected of described toner container support/disassembling section On/Off parts of the described ink powder outlet of On/Off synchronously.
2. in according to project 1 described toner container, described On/Off parts comprise latch feature, thereby these parts and its are connected to the operation of described toner container support and synchronously promote to open described ink powder outlet by the nozzle that is arranged in the described toner container support, thereby and and its operation from described toner container support dismounting synchronously close described ink powder outlet by the biasing member bias voltage.
3. according to project 2 described toner containers, wherein, described biasing member comprises the jaw members that is arranged in the described toner container support, this jaw members synchronously is retracted to the attended operation of described toner container can not hinder the described position that is connected of being held part, be protruding to the position that it engages with described latch feature then, simultaneously, with the disassembling section of the described toner container described latch feature of bias voltage synchronously, and be retracted to then and can not hinder described position of being held the dismounting of part.
4. in according to project 3 described toner containers, described jaw members is fixed on the position and the described nozzle of described latch feature in the described toner container support jointly by engaging described latch feature, and the described part of being held also moves along connections/disassembly direction under the situation of the stationkeeping of described latch feature, thereby the described ink powder of On/Off exports.
5. in according to project 3 described toner containers, described jaw members is biased into described bonding station by second biasing member from described retracted position, and described second biasing member forms, and the employed power of the described latch feature of described jaw members bias voltage is greater than the sliding resistance of described latch feature.
6. in according to project 2 described toner containers, described latch feature be configured to when described ink powder outlet be unlocked/stroke when closing is greater than by manual operations stroke movably.
7. be connected in described transmission organ pipe (71) according to project 2 described toner containers by described nozzle, this pipe is connected in pump, be used for certainly/to delivered inside or introducing gas, thus the ink powder and the gas of discharging transmitted from described ink powder outlet.
8. in according to project 1 described toner container, described held part comprise with/the slipper that synchronously slides from being connected of described toner container support/disassembling section along described toner container support, and described On/Off parts be arranged on by described slipper around the position.
9. connect/dismantle according to the longitudinal direction of project 1 described toner container along described container body.
10. be set in described container body on the basis of longitudinal direction of horizontal direction according to project 9 described toner containers and be connected in described toner container support.
11. in according to project 9 described toner containers, the described part of being held is connected in described toner container support, makes the described part of being held be set at the head of container body.
12. in according to project 1 described toner container, described container body rotatably be provided with and after rotation the ink powder that will wherein comprise transmit towards described opening.
13. in according to project 12 described toner containers, described container body comprises and is arranged on its circumferential surface and the gear on the sidepiece of described opening, and this gear is sent to described container body with rotary driving force.
14. in according to project 12 described toner containers, described container body comprises the spirality projection along its inner circumferential surface.
15. in according to project 12 described toner containers, described container body comprises transmitter part, the ink powder that these parts will be included in wherein transmits towards described opening.
16. in according to project 15 described toner containers, described transmitter part is coil or the helical member that rotatably is provided with.
17. in according to project 1 described toner container, the described part of being held is communicated with described container body by described opening.
18. in according to project 1 described toner container, described container body portion within it comprises ink powder.
19. in according to project 18 described toner containers, described container body portion within it comprises carrier.
20. an imaging device comprises that this toner container removably is connected in the toner container support in the main body that is arranged on described imaging device according to project 1 described toner container.
The invention effect
The structure of optimization setting of the present invention toner container in the toner container support.Therefore, but the present invention can be provided at the toner container that has high operability/workability between the stage of replacement and can reduce the appearance that ink powder is infected with reliably, and the imaging device that comprises this toner container.
Description of drawings
Fig. 1 is the general illustration as the printer of imaging device;
Fig. 2 is the zoomed-in view of the image-generating unit of imaging device;
Fig. 3 is the synoptic diagram of the ink powder feed path of imaging device;
Fig. 4 is the skeleton view of the part of toner container support;
Fig. 5 is the skeleton view of toner container;
Fig. 6 is the cut-open view of the head side of toner container;
Fig. 7 is the synoptic diagram of the toner container when the M direction of Fig. 6 is watched;
Fig. 8 A is the skeleton view that stirs an example of parts;
Fig. 8 B is the synoptic diagram of an example of the stirring parts watched from the M direction of Fig. 6;
Fig. 8 C is the side view that stirs an example of parts;
Fig. 9 is the cut-open view of another example of the head side of toner container;
Figure 10 is the synoptic diagram of toner container support;
Figure 11 is the synoptic diagram of nozzle;
Figure 12 is the synoptic diagram that how the Yellow ink powder container is connected in the toner container support when longitudinal direction is watched;
Figure 13 is the synoptic diagram that how connection of toner container advances when longitudinal direction is watched;
Figure 14 is the synoptic diagram that is connected in the toner container of toner container support when longitudinal direction is watched;
Figure 15 is the synoptic diagram that how toner container is connected in the toner container support when bearing is watched;
Figure 16 is the synoptic diagram that is connected in the toner container of toner container support when bearing is watched;
Figure 17 is the cut-open view according to the head side of the toner container of second embodiment;
Figure 18 A is the synoptic diagram that how the Yellow ink powder container is connected in the toner container support when longitudinal direction is watched;
Figure 18 B works as the cut-open view that centers on the part of the bearing of being held part when the Yellow ink powder container is connected in the toner container support when upside is watched;
Figure 19 A is the synoptic diagram that is connected in the toner container of toner container support when longitudinal direction is watched;
Figure 19 B works as the cut-open view that centers on the part of bearing when toner container is connected in the toner container support when upside is watched;
Figure 20 is the skeleton view according to the toner container of the 3rd embodiment;
Figure 21 is the right skeleton view of arm in the toner container support of being arranged on according to the 4th embodiment;
Figure 22 is the right decomposition diagram of arm;
Figure 23 works as Yellow ink powder container arm pair and held the synoptic diagram of the relation between the part when being connected in the toner container support when upside is watched;
Figure 24 is the connection of working as toner container when upside an is watched arm pair and held the synoptic diagram of the relation between the part when advancing;
Figure 25 works as toner container arm pair and held the synoptic diagram of the relation between the part when being connected in the toner container support when upside is watched;
Figure 26 is the right synoptic diagram of the arm when the toner container according to the 5th embodiment is connected in the toner container support;
Figure 27 A is the synoptic diagram that how the Yellow ink powder container is connected in the toner container support when longitudinal direction is watched;
Figure 27 B works as the synoptic diagram that centers on the part of bearing when the Yellow ink powder container is connected in the toner container support when upside is watched;
Figure 28 A is the synoptic diagram that how connection of toner container advances when longitudinal direction is watched;
Figure 28 B is the connection of working as toner container when upside the is watched synoptic diagram around the part of the bearing of being held part when advancing;
Figure 29 A is the synoptic diagram of the toner container that is connected in the toner container support watched from longitudinal direction;
Figure 29 B is the synoptic diagram of watching from upside that centers on the part of bearing when toner container is connected in the toner container support;
Figure 30 A is the synoptic diagram that how to be connected in the toner container support according to the toner container of the 7th embodiment;
Figure 30 B is the synoptic diagram that how to be connected in the toner container support according to the toner container of the 7th embodiment;
Figure 31 is the skeleton view according to the toner container of the 8th embodiment;
Figure 32 is the cut-open view according to the toner container of the 9th embodiment;
Figure 33 is the cut-open view according to the toner container of the tenth embodiment;
Figure 34 is the synoptic diagram of plate member;
Figure 35 is the synoptic diagram of the ink powder feed path of imaging device;
Figure 36 is the skeleton view of toner container;
Figure 37 is the cut-open view of the head side of toner container;
Figure 38 is the synoptic diagram of the toner container when the M direction of Figure 37 is watched;
Figure 39 is the synoptic diagram that how the Yellow ink powder container is connected in the toner container support when longitudinal direction is watched;
Figure 40 is the synoptic diagram that how connection of toner container advances when longitudinal direction is watched;
Figure 41 is the synoptic diagram of the toner container that is connected in the toner container support when longitudinal direction is watched;
Figure 42 be the shift position of being held part during the attended operation of toner container with from arm to putting on the curve map of the relation between the load of being held partly;
Figure 43 is the skeleton view according to the toner container that removably is connected in the toner container support of the 12 embodiment;
Figure 44 is the cut-open view according to the toner container of the 12 embodiment;
Figure 45 is arranged on the skeleton view of the substrate in the toner container support;
Figure 46 is the local amplification view that is set with the substrate of toner container on it.
The explanation of Reference numeral
1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K photosensitive drums
The 2Y cleaning unit
2a cleans blade
The 4Y charger
The 5Y developing apparatus
6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K image-generating unit
7 exposure devices
8 intermediate transfer belts
9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K master's transfer bias roller
10 intermediate transfer cleaning units
12 secondary transfer printing spare rolls
13 cleaning spare rolls
14 jockey pulleys
19 secondary transfer rolls
20 fixation units
26 paper feed units
27 paper-feed rolls
28 alignment roller are right
29 exit rollers are right
30 stacking portions
31 toner container supports
31a, 31b slipping plane (guided way)
The 31c positioning element
31c1,34g1 tapering
31d, 31e built-up member
The 31g driven wheel
32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K toner container
The 33Y container body
The 33a front end
The 33b projection
33c gear (bottle portion gear)
The 33d gripper
33f, 33h stir parts
The 33g1 plate member
The 33g2 ring component
34Y is held part (lid)
34a covers main portion
The 34a1 outshot
The 34a2 bearing part
34b covers shell
The 34b1 claw
34c, 340c, 134m bearing
34c1,34c2 slipper
34d latch feature (opened/closed parts, valve)
The 34e filler
The 34f compression spring
34g bonding part (groove part)
The 34h notch part
The flat portion of 34k
The 34m recessed portion
34n convex body part
The 340m bight
35 ID chips
37 seal members (sealing)
43Y ink powder dispatch tube
The 51Y developer roll
The 52Y scraper
53Y, 54Y developer storage unit
55Y forwarder screw
The 56Y density detection sensor
59 ink powder suppliers
60 helicoidal pumps (powder pump)
61 rotors
62 stators
63 suction inlets
64 universal joints
66 motors
67 supply ports
70 nozzles (ink powder dispatch tube, attachment)
70a ink powder supply port (admitting mouth)
The 70b register pin
71 pipes (transmitting organ pipe (71))
73 retaining parts
74 telecommunication circuits (terminal)
75 controllers
76 jaw members
The 76a mandrel
77 leaf springs (second biasing member)
The 80Y rotation axis
81Y coil (transmitter part)
The 83Y threaded rod
The 83Ya externally threaded item
84Y plate member (transmitter part)
The 84Ya interior threaded part
The 85Y targeting part
90 arms are to (bias unit)
91 the first arms (second biased element)
92 second arms (biased element)
93 axles
94 torsionsprings
The main body of 100 imaging devices (device body)
The A opening
B ink powder outlet (supply port)
The G developer
L laser
P is transferred material
The 310a substrate
The 31a11 direction recess
The 31a12 leading edge
The 340n nozzle bore
The 340k pilot hole
340b1 claw (claw part)
The 340c2 opening
Embodiment
Exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be elaborated with reference to accompanying drawing hereinafter.In the accompanying drawings, the identical part that is equal to uses identical reference letter or numeral to carry out mark, if there is no need, will simplify or omit the explanation of lap.
First embodiment
The first embodiment of the present invention is elaborated hereinafter referring to figs. 1 through 16.
The structure and the operation of whole imaging device at first, are described referring to figs. 1 through Fig. 4.
Fig. 1 is the general illustration as the printer of imaging device, and Fig. 2 is the zoomed-in view of the image-generating unit of imaging device, and Fig. 3 is the synoptic diagram of the ink powder feed path of imaging device, and Fig. 4 is the skeleton view of the part of toner container support.
As shown in Figure 1, four toner container 32Y, 32M, 32C and 32K corresponding to a plurality of colors (yellow, pinkish red, green grass or young crops and black) and removably (replaceably) be arranged in the toner container support 31, this support is arranged on the upside of the main body of imaging device 100.
Intermediate transfer unit 15 be arranged on toner container support 31 downside.Arrange with series system corresponding to multiple color (yellow, pinkish red, green grass or young crops and black) image-generating unit 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K, thereby in the face of the intermediate transfer belt 8 of intermediate transfer unit 15.
With reference to Fig. 2, comprise photosensitive drums 1Y corresponding to the image-generating unit 6Y of yellow, also comprise charger 4Y, developing apparatus 5Y (developing cell), cleaning unit 2Y and discharger (not shown), they are arranged around photosensitive drums 1Y.Imaging process (charging process, exposure process, developing process, transfer process and cleaning course) is carried out on photosensitive drums 1Y, and yellow image is formed on the photosensitive drums 1Y.
Other three image-generating unit 6M, 6C and 6K have almost with corresponding to the identical structure of the image-generating unit 6Y of yellow, except employed ink powder color difference, and form and the corresponding image of each ink powder color.Hereinafter, omit explanation, only to describing with yellow corresponding imaging units 6Y to other three image-generating unit 6M, 6C and 6K.
With reference to Fig. 2, photosensitive drums 1Y by the CD-ROM drive motor (not shown) in Fig. 2 to clockwise rotate.The surface of photosensitive drums 1Y is in the position of charger 4Y uniform charging (charging process).
After this, the surface of photosensitive drums 1Y reaches the position of radiation laser L, and this laser sends (referring to Fig. 1) by exposure device 7, thereby wherein exposure light is scanned the electrostatic latent image (exposure process) that forms corresponding to yellow.
After this, the surface of photosensitive drums 1Y reaches the position in the face of developing apparatus 5Y, herein, makes latent electrostatic image developing and form yellow not have wind rose picture (developing process).
Then, the surface of photosensitive drums 1Y reaches the position in the face of intermediate transfer belt 8 and main transfer bias roller 9Y, and wherein the ink powder image on the photosensitive drums 1Y is transferred to intermediate transfer belt 8 (main transfer process).At this moment, the ink powder that is not transferred is on a small quantity stayed on the photosensitive drums 1Y.
After this, the surface of photosensitive drums 1Y reaches the position in the face of cleaning unit 2Y, wherein stays the ink powder that is not transferred on the photosensitive drums 1Y blade 2a that is cleaned and mechanically collects (cleaning course).
The surface of photosensitive drums 1Y finally reaches the position in the face of the discharger (not shown), and wherein the residual electromotive force on the photosensitive drums 1Y is removed.
One imaging process is executed on other image-generating units 6M, 6C and the 6K in the mode identical with yellow image-generating unit 6Y.In other words, based on the laser L of image information from each the photosensitive drums radiation of the exposure device 7 that is arranged on the image-generating unit downside towards image-generating unit 6M, 6C and 6K.More particularly, exposure device 7 sends laser L from its light source, laser L is radiated on the photosensitive drums by a plurality of optical elements, simultaneously the mirror polygon scan laser L by rotating.
Then, each color toner image that is formed on the photosensitive drums by developing process is transferred on the intermediate transfer belt 8 stackedly.Adopt this mode, coloured image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.
With reference to Fig. 1, intermediate transfer unit 15 comprises intermediate transfer belt 8, four main transfer bias roller 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K, secondary transfer printing spare roll 12, cleaning spare roll 13, jockey pulley 14 and intermediate transfer cleaning unit 10.Intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched and supporting by three rollers 12 to 14, and mobile circularly along the direction (that is, by the direction shown in the arrow α) of Fig. 1 arrow by the rotation of roller 12.
Four main transfer bias roller 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K and photosensitive drums 1Y and photosensitive drums 1M, 1C and 1K are clipped in the middle intermediate transfer belt 8, thereby form each main transfer printing nip.Put on main transfer bias roller 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K with the opposite polarity transfer bias of ink powder.
Then, the intermediate transfer belt 8 main transfer printing nip that moves and sequentially pass main transfer bias roller 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K along the direction of arrow (α direction).Adopt this mode, carried out main transfer printing on the intermediate transfer belt 8 thereby sequentially be superimposed upon corresponding to the ink powder image of the color on photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C and the 1K.
After this, have intermediate transfer belt 8 corresponding to the ink powder image of the color of stacked transfer printing and reach position in the face of secondary transfer roll 19.In this position, secondary transfer printing spare roll 12 is clipped in the middle intermediate transfer belt 8 with secondary transfer printing spare roll 19, thereby forms secondary transfer printing nip.The four look ink powder images that are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are transferred to transfer materials P, such as the transfer paper that is sent to secondary transfer printing nip position.At this moment, the not transfer printing ink powder that is not transferred to transfer materials P is still stayed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.
After this, intermediate transfer belt 8 reaches the position of intermediate transfer cleaning unit 10, and wherein the not transfer ink pruinescence on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is collected.
Adopt this mode, a series of transfer process of carrying out on intermediate transfer belt 8 are accomplished.
The transfer materials P that is sent to secondary transfer printing nip position transmits so far 28 by paper-feed roll 27 and alignment roller from the paper feed unit 26 that is arranged on device body 100 downsides.
More particularly, the transfer materials P such as transfer paper is stored in the paper feed unit 26 in large quantities.When making paper-feed roll 27 when the counter clockwise direction of Fig. 1 is rotated, uppermost transfer materials P is supplied to alignment roller to 28 roller place.
Be sent to alignment roller and 28 transfer materials P is once stopped at make alignment roller that its rotation the stops position to the transfer printing nip between 28, this roller is to stopping its rotation.Then, alignment roller to 28 with intermediate transfer belt 8 on coloured image rotate synchronously, and transfer materials P is transmitted towards secondary transfer printing nip.Adopt this mode, desirable coloured image is transferred to transfer materials P.
Has the position that is transferred into fixation unit 20 at the transfer materials P of the coloured image of the position of secondary transfer printing nip transfer printing, herein, the coloured image that is transferred to transfer materials P surface under the effect of heat and pressure by fixing roller and the photographic fixing of promotion roller to transfer materials P.
After this, transfer materials P is discharged to this device external by exit roller to 29 roller.By exit roller the 29 transfer materials P that are discharged to this device external sequentially are stacked on the stacking portion 30, as output image.
Adopt this mode, a series of imaging processes in imaging device are accomplished.
Further describe the structure and the operation of the developing apparatus in the image-generating unit below with reference to Fig. 2.
Developing apparatus 5Y comprises the developer roll 51Y that faces photosensitive drums 1Y, scraper 52Y, the density detection sensor 56Y that is arranged on two forwarder helical member 55Y among developer storage unit 53Y and the 54Y and is used to detect developer China and Mexico powder density that faces developer roll 51Y.Developer roll 51Y comprises the sleeve that is fixed on its inner magnet and rotates around this magnet.The tow-component developer G that comprises carrier and ink powder is stored among developer storage unit 53Y and the 54Y.Developer storage unit 54Y is communicated with ink powder dispatch tube 43Y by the opening that is formed on developer storage unit 54Y upside.
The operation of Gou Zao developing apparatus 5Y is as follows in the manner described above.
The sleeve of developer roll 51Y rotates along the direction of arrow (counterclockwise) of Fig. 2.Be carried on developer G on the developer roll 51Y and the rotation of sleeve is moved along developer roll 51Y explicitly by the magnetic field that forms by magnet.
Developer G among the developing apparatus 5Y is controlled as and makes the ratio (ink powder concentration) of the ink powder in the developer be in the predetermined scope.More particularly, the ink powder that is included among the toner container 32Y is supplied to developer storage unit 54Y according to the consumption of ink powder among the developing apparatus 5Y by ink powder supplier 59 (referring to Fig. 3).Each structure and the operation that are noted that ink powder supplier 59 and toner container 32Y will be described in detail hereinafter.
Then, the ink powder that is supplied to developer storage unit 54Y circulates (moving in the vertical direction on the paper at Fig. 2) in two developer storage unit 53Y and 54Y, and the while mixes with developer G and stirs.Ink powder among the developer G is attracted to carrier by the triboelectric charge with carrier, and jointly is carried on the developer roll 51Y by magnetic force and the carrier that is formed on the developer roll 51Y.
The developer G that is carried on the developer roll 51Y transmits along the direction of arrow (counterclockwise) of Fig. 2, thereby arrives the position of scraper 52Y.In this position, the amount of developer is conditioned suitably, and the developer G on the developer roll 51Y is sent to the position (developing regional) in the face of photosensitive drums 1Y then.Ink powder is attracted to the sub-image that is formed on the photosensitive drums 1Y by the electric field that is formed in the developing regional.Then, the developer G and the sleeve that are retained on the developer roll 51Y rotate the upside that reaches developer storage unit 53Y explicitly, and herein, developer G separates with developer roll 51Y.
Ink powder supplier 59 will be elaborated with reference to Fig. 3 hereinafter, and the ink powder that this device will be included among the toner container 32Y (reagent storage container) guides to developing apparatus 5Y.
For the ease of understanding, Fig. 3 illustrates toner container 32Y, ink powder feed path 43Y, 60,70 and 71 and the arrangement of the variation of developing apparatus 5Y.In fact, in Fig. 3, the longitudinal direction of toner container 32Y and part ink powder feed path are arranged on the vertical direction of paper (referring to Fig. 1).
With reference to Fig. 4, be arranged in ink powder (powder reagent) among toner container 32Y, 32M, 32C and the 32K in the toner container support 31 of device body 100 under the situation of needs according to corresponding to every kind of toner consumption of the developing apparatus of each color by being supplied to each developing apparatus for the ink powder feed path of every kind of ink powder color setting.Article four, the ink powder feed path almost has identical structure each other, except being used for the ink powder color difference of each imaging process.
More particularly, toner container 32Y is set in the toner container support 31 of device body 100, and what the nozzle 70 of toner container support 31 (ink powder dispatch tube) was connected to toner container 32Y is held part 34Y (lid).The latch feature 34d of toner container 32Y (On/Off parts) is interposed between nozzle 70 and the jaw members 76, and opens the ink powder outlet (supply port) of being held part 34Y under this state.This ink powder that allows to be included among the container body 33Y of toner container 32Y is conveyed into nozzle 70 by the ink powder outlet.
On the other hand, the other end of nozzle 70 is connected to the end as the pipe 71 that transmits organ pipe (71).Pipe 71 is made by the fabulous flexible material of ink resistance, and its other end is connected in the helicoidal pump 60 (Mohno pump, powder pump) of ink powder supplier 59.
Forming its internal diameter as the pipe 71 that transmits organ pipe (71) is 4 to 10mm.The material of pipe 71 allows to use elastomeric material, such as polyurethane, nitrile, EPDM and silicone, and resin, such as tygon and nylon.This flexible pipe 71 is used to strengthen the dirigibility of ink powder feed path layout, has therefore reduced the size of imaging device.
Helicoidal pump 60 is suction-type non co axial centrifugal screw pumps, and comprises rotor 61, stator 62, suction inlet 63, universal joint 64 and motor 66.Rotor 61, stator 62 and universal joint 64 are contained in the housing (not shown).Stator 62 is interior threaded parts of making by such as the resilient material of rubber, has the inside formation of the spiral groove of bipatch along stator 62.Rotor 61 is externally threaded items, and the axle by making such as the rigid material of metal wherein forms spirally, and rotor inserts in the stator 62 rotationally.One end of rotor 61 rotatably is connected in motor 66 by universal joint 64.
In first embodiment, the hand of spiral of rotor 61 (rotation direction) and sense of rotation are set to the hand of spiral (rotation direction) and the sense of rotation of mating the protruding 33b among the container body 33Y that is formed on toner container 32Y.
Adopt helicoidal pump 60 that aforesaid way constitutes by by motor 66 along predetermined direction (from the upstream side of ink powder direction of transfer watch counterclockwise) rotate the rotor 61 of stator 62 and produce inhalation powers (air in the pipe 71 is discharged to manage in 71 and produces negative pressure) at suction inlet 63.Ink powder among this permission toner container 32Y is along with air is sucked into this suction inlet 63 by managing 71.The ink powder that is sucked into this suction inlet 63 be sent between stator 62 and the rotor 61 the gap and along with the rotation of rotor 61 is supplied to another is distolateral.The ink powder of being supplied with is discharged from the supply port 67 of helicoidal pump 60, will be supplied to developing apparatus 5Y (along moving of the direction of arrow of the indication of the dotted line among Fig. 3) by ink powder dispatch tube 43Y.
In first embodiment, the rotor 61 that makes helicoidal pump 60 is along the counter clockwise direction rotation of watching from the upstream side of ink powder direction of transfer.The hand of spiral of rotor 61 (rotation direction) is set to direction to the right.This setting of rotor 61 and rotation cause the spiral air flow that produces clockwise spiral in helicoidal pump 60.
With reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 9 toner container is described below.
Describe with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 4, four columniform basically toner container 32Y, 32M, 32C and 32K (developer bottle) are removably disposed in the toner container support 31. Toner container 32Y, 32M, 32C and 32K when using up (when nearly all ink powder that comprises all be consumed and during container emptied) replaceable new toner container.The ink powder that is included in every kind of color among toner container 32Y, 32M, 32C and the 32K is supplied to each developing apparatus of image-generating unit 6Y, 6M, 6C and 6K as required by every ink powder feed path of reference Fig. 3 explanation.
Fig. 5 is the skeleton view of toner container 32Y.Fig. 6 is the cut-open view of the head side (being provided with the sidepiece of being held part 34Y) of toner container 32Y.Fig. 7 is the synoptic diagram of the toner container of the Fig. 6 when the M direction of Fig. 6 is watched.Fig. 8 A is the skeleton view that stirs an example of parts, and Fig. 8 B is the synoptic diagram of an example of the stirring parts watched from the M direction of Fig. 6, and Fig. 8 C is the side view that stirs an example of parts.Fig. 9 is the cut-open view of another example of the head side of toner container 32Y.
Other three toner container 32M, 32C and 32K and the toner container 32Y that comprises Yellow ink powder have structure much at one, except the different ink powder colors that comprised and the position of recessed portion 34m and bossing 34n.Hereinafter omitted the explanation of other three toner container 32M, 32C and 32K, the toner container 32Y that comprises Yellow ink powder only has been described hereinafter.
What as shown in Figure 5, toner container 32Y mainly comprised container body 33Y and was arranged on its head is held part 34Y (bottle cap).
The head of container body 33Y comprises the integrally rotated gear 33C with container body 33Y, and opening A (referring to Fig. 6).Opening A is arranged in the head of container body 33Y (front position when it connects), and the ink powder that is used for being included in container body 33Y is discharged and entered the space (cavity) of being held part 34Y.
Gear 33c and the driven wheel 31g engagement that is arranged on the driver element in the toner container support 31 of device body 100, thereby around (shown in the dot-and-dash line of Fig. 6) turning axle rotary container body 33Y.More particularly, gear 33c is from being formed on the notch part 34h that is held the part 34Y and exposing and engaging with the driven wheel 31g of device body 100 at Fig. 6 and bonding station D shown in Figure 7.Driving force is sent to gear 33c from driven wheel 31g, and makes container body 33Y rotating counterclockwise along Fig. 7.In first embodiment, driven wheel 31g and gear 33c are spur gears.
In first embodiment, toner container 32Y and device body 100 are arranged so that when driven wheel 31g (mainly during ink powder is supplied with) when the direction of arrow (clockwise) of Fig. 7 is rotated makes by the power that is supplied to gear 33c from driven wheel 31g is held part 34Y (perhaps container body 33Y) biased downward.
More particularly, with reference to Fig. 7, the bonding station D between gear 33c and the driven wheel 31g is arranged on the topmost portion (this scope does not comprise the topmost portion of gear 33c and rotates 1/4 position of changeing) to the scope X in the downstream that its rotation 1/4 is changeed from gear 33c.
According to this structure, vertically the component force of effect produces effectively by driven wheel 31g downwards, and it vertically acts on the gear surface of gear 33c.Therefore, the sealing ability of the nozzle 70 that is communicated with ink powder outlet B is kept being held part 34Y and do not have under the situation of big vertical fluctuation, prevents that therefore ink powder from scattering near ink powder exports B.
With reference to Fig. 5, gripper 33d is arranged on the rearward end (bottom) of container body 33Y, thereby makes the user can catch this gripper with connection/dismounting toner container 32Y.
Spirality projection 33b is along the inner circumferential surface setting of container body 33Y (spiral groove when outer circumferential sides is watched).Spirality projection 33b is used for by getting rid of ink powder along predetermined direction rotary container body 33Y from opening A.The gear 33c that adopts container body 33Y that this mode constructs and be provided with along its circumferential surface can be by blowing production.
Toner container 32Y according to first embodiment has and the stirring parts 33f (referring to Fig. 6) that is arranged on the common rotation of container body 33Y among the opening A.Stirring parts 33f is rod-shaped member or plate member, and the space of these parts from held part 34Y is provided with at angle towards container body 33Y extension and with rotation (being illustrated by the dot-and-dash line among Fig. 6).Stir the co-rotation of parts 33f and container body 33Y and can improve the ink powder discharge ability of leaving opening A.Specifically, shown in Fig. 8 A, Fig. 8 B and Fig. 8 C, have the ring component 33g2 of a pair of plate member 33g1, their inclined-planes separately are opposite mutually, and the position that this ring component is provided with is the point with respect to the rotation center symmetry.When this ring component 33g2 was fixed into opening A with formation stirring parts, ink powder can have been ladled out continuously and discharged by its spinning movement, further improves the discharge ability.As shown in Figure 9, extend upwardly to the vertical ink powder discharge path that forms mortar shape (stirring parts 33h) if stir parts, ink powder discharge ability is predetermined further to be improved.
In first embodiment, the container body 33Y that makes toner container 32Y is along the counter clockwise direction rotation of watching from the upstream side of ink powder direction of transfer.And the hand of spiral of the protruding 33b of container body 33Y (rotation direction) is set to towards right direction.
With reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, held part 34Y and comprise and cover main portion 34a, lid shell 34b, bearing 34c, the latch feature 34d as the On/Off parts, filler 34c and ID chip 35.With reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 7, the bonding part 34g (groove part) that engages with the positioning element 31c of toner container support 31 is arranged on the both sides of being held part 34Y.Recessed portion 34m is arranged on the end face of being held part 34Y, and the assembled portion 31d of toner container support 31 is fitted into this recessed portion.The convex body part 34n that is fitted into another built-up member (not shown) of toner container support 31 is arranged on the circumferential surface of being held part 34Y.In addition, notch part 34h is arranged on the upside of being held part 34Y, and the part of gear 33c is exposed from this notch part.
Held part 34Y and be communicated in container body 33Y, and discharged the ink powder (moving) of discharging by opening A along the direction of arrow shown in the dotted line of Fig. 6 from ink powder outlet B by opening A.
In first embodiment, it almost is columniform being formed on the cavity (space) of being held part 34Y inside.Form mortar shape from being formed on the almost cylindrical cavity of being held part 34Y inside upward to the ink powder discharge path (vertical-path) that ink powder exports B.Adopt this shape, the ink powder that the rotation by container body 33Y transmits temporarily is deposited in the mortar body, and the inhalation power of the helicoidal pump 60 on device body 100 sidepieces is sent to the ink powder of efficient accumulation.Therefore, the ink powder transfer capability of the ink powder that moves from the inside of ink powder outlet B discharge and edge pipe 71 is improved.
Held the rotation that part 34Y can not follow container body 33Y, but the retaining part 73 (referring to Fig. 4 and Figure 10) by toner container support 31 keeps in non-rotating mode and while bonding part 34g engages with localization part 31c.
It is sticking and in the circumferential surface of lid main portion 34a to be held the lid shell 34b of part 34Y.Claw 34b1 is arranged on the place, front portion of covering shell 34b.Claw 34b1 engages with attachment in the head that is formed on container body 33Y, and thus, container body 33Y is held with respect to being held part 34Y and can relatively rotates.For rotary container body 33Y successfully, held the claw 34b1 of part 34Y and the attachment of container body 33Y and be bonded with each other by keeping appropriate gap therebetween.
Seal member 37 adheres to the surface of being held part 34Y, and this surface is faced around the front end 33a of the opening A of container body 33Y.Seal member 37 is used to seal around opening A and is in the container body 33Y that faces with each other mutually and is held gap between the surface of part 34Y, and the sealing parts are made by the resilient material such as urethane foam.
Bearing 34c is arranged on the downside of being held part 34Y.Being arranged among the bearing 34c is latch feature 34d (valve) as the On/Off parts, is used for and being connected of toner container 32Y/disassembling section this ink powder outlet of On/Off B synchronously.More particularly, latch feature 34d can move along the horizontal direction of Fig. 6 in bearing 34c, thereby is surrounded by slipper 34c1 and 34c2.One space (recessed portion) is arranged on the bottom surface of bearing 34c, makes the jaw members 76 of device body 100 engage with latch feature 34d, and latch feature 34d relatively moves in this space.Thereby be arranged on such as the filler 34e of G sealing on the both sides of latch feature 34d and prevent that ink powder from leaking near latch feature 34d.In addition, be arranged in bearing 34c and the bonding part of covering between the main portion 34a such as the filler of O shape ring, thereby prevent that ink powder is from two clearance leakages.
Toner container 32Y is set in the toner container support 31, and jaw members 76 (referring to Fig. 5 and 14) engages with the right side of latch feature 34d then, and jaw members 76 is biasing members, is used for latch feature 34d along the direction bias voltage of closing ink powder outlet B.Jaw members 76 will be elaborated hereinafter.
The ID chip 35 of being held part 34Y is configured to face the telecommunication circuit 74 (terminal) of toner container support 31 and have predetermined distance therebetween, and synchronous with the attended operation that toner container 32Y is connected to toner container support 31.More particularly, ID chip 35 is arranged on the outshot 34a1 that is held part 34Y, the projected direction of this part (promptly, direction shown in the arrow β of Fig. 5) for to be held the direction that part 34Y is connected in toner container support 31, and this outshot is arranged on the plane that is orthogonal to closure.ID chip 35 is carried out telecommunication circuit 74 contactless communications (wireless communication) with device body, simultaneously, is held part 34Y and is maintained in the toner container support 31.
ID chip 35 is stored the various types of information relevant with toner container 32Y in advance.On the other hand, the telecommunication circuit 74 of toner container support 31 is set in toner container 32Y in the toner container support 31 simultaneously by radio and ID chip 35 exchange messages.More particularly, the information that is stored in the ID chip 35 is sent to the controller 75 (referring to Fig. 5) of device body 100 by telecommunication circuit 74, and perhaps the information of being obtained by controller 75 that is used for device body 100 is transferred into ID chip 35 and is stored in wherein.
The information that ID chip 35 is stored about ink powder, such as ink powder color, ink powder sequence number (product batch number) and ink powder date of manufacture, and about the recycling information of toner container 32Y, such as cycle index, circulation date and recycling producer.When toner container 32Y was set in the toner container support 31, the information in the ID chip 35 of being stored in was sent to the controller 75 of device body 100 by circuit 74.Device body 100 is optimized control according to these information.For example, if the ink powder color is different with the ink powder color that should set in the toner container support, the operation of ink powder supplier 59 can be stopped so, and perhaps image-forming condition can change according to sequence number or circulation manufacturer.
Being arranged among the bearing 34c that is held part 34Y is slipper 34c1 and 34c2, be used to follow its with/slide along toner container support 31 from the operation that is connected/dismantles of toner container support 31.
More particularly, the first slipper 34c1 is flat portion, form that (this plane has the plane surface that forms up with the slipping plane 31a of toner container support 31, referring to Figure 10, and hereinafter with Figure 45 and Figure 46 of describing) parallel, this flat portion is arranged on by it and connects/bottom of being held part 34Y of disassembling section.In addition, the second slipper 34c2 forms that (this plane has the plane surface that forms towards side direction with the slipping plane 31b of toner container support 31, referring to Figure 10, and hereinafter with Figure 45 and Figure 46 of describing) parallel flat portion, this flat portion be arranged on by its connect/this of disassembling section held the sidepiece of part 34Y.
With reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 7, the recessed portion 34m that cooperates with the built-up member 31d of toner container support 31 is arranged on as being held in the end face and the part near outshot 34a1 of part 34Y.Recessed portion 34m forms when correct with the attended operation of toner container support 31 (when toner container support 31 is connected in the normal position) and cooperates with corresponding built-up member 31d.
More particularly, as shown in Figure 7, each position of recessed portion 34m is differently arranged mutually according to the every kind of color that is included in the ink powder in the toner container (container body).Toner container be arranged in the top side corresponding to the recessed portion 34m (C) of cyan and the corresponding built-up member (not shown) of toner container support, the corresponding built-up member (not shown) corresponding to the recessed portion 34m (M) of magenta and toner container support of toner container is arranged in the upside in interstage.The corresponding built-up member 31d corresponding to the recessed portion 34m (Y) of yellow and toner container support of toner container is arranged in the downside in interstage, toner container be arranged in the lower side corresponding to the recessed portion 34m (K) of black and the corresponding built-up member (not shown) of toner container support.
This structure can prevent following fault, the toner container that promptly is used to be not suitable for color (for example, be used for yellow toner container) be set in the toner container support (for example, cyan ink powder pan straddle) that is used for predetermined color, and this will cause forming the image of desired color.
Equally, with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 7, the convex body part 34n that is equipped with another built-up member (not shown) is arranged on the circumferential surface of being held part 34Y.34m is similar with recessed portion, and when toner container correctly was connected in toner container support 31, convex body part 34n was fitted into corresponding built-up member.According to the every kind of ink powder color that is contained in the toner container (container body), the position of convex body part 34n is differently arranged mutually.
Above-mentioned this structure can prevent the misspecification of toner container in the toner container support, and 34m is similar with recessed portion.
In first embodiment, as the ink powder that is contained among toner container 32Y, 32M, 32C and the 32K, ink powder forms and can use following relation, and wherein Dv (μ m) is the volume averaging particle size, and Dn (μ m) is the quantity average particle size particle size:
3≤Dv≤8 (1)
1.00≤dv/dn≤1.40 (2)
Therefore, toner particles is selected according to the image model in the developing process, and outstanding picture quality is kept, even ink powder is stirred in developing apparatus for a long time, also can keep gratifying development capability.And ink powder can be transmitted efficiently and reliably, and can not stop up the ink powder feed path such as pipe 71.
The volume averaging particle size of ink powder and quantity average particle size particle size can be measured by using typical devices, such as Coulter Counter formula particle size distribution measurement mechanism: CoulterCounter-TA-II (being made by Coulter Electronics Limited) and Coulter Multisizer II (being made by Coulter Electronics Limited).
In addition, in first embodiment,, use spherical basically ink powder as the ink powder that is included among toner container 32Y, 32M, 32C and the 32K, ink powder forms form factor SF-1 and is in 100 to 180 the scope, and form factor SF-2 is in 100 to 180 the scope.This reduction that can suppress clean-up performance keeps high transmission efficiency simultaneously.And ink powder can be transmitted efficiently and reliably, and can not stop up the ink powder feed path such as pipe 71.
Here, form factor SF-1 represents the sphericity of toner particles, and it is determined according to following equation.
SF-1＝(M2/S)×(100π/4)
In this equation, M is maximum particle size on the projection plane of toner particles (maximum particle size in the uneven particle size), and S is the projected area of toner particles.Therefore, its form factor SF-1 be 100 toner particles ideally for spherical, and along with this form factor becomes greater than 100, sphericity reduces.
Form factor SF-2 represents the degree of irregularity of toner particles, and it is determined by following equation.
SF-2＝(N2/S)×(100/4π)
In this equation, N is the circumferential length on the projection plane of toner particles, and S is the projected area of toner particles.Therefore, its form factor SF-2 is that 100 toner particles has degree of irregularity, and along with this form factor becomes greater than 100, it is big that degree of irregularity also becomes.
Form factor SF-1 and form factor SF-2 are by adopting scanning electron microscope " S-800 " (by Hitachi, Ltd. make) take toner particles and obtain, and adopt image dissector " LUSEX3 " (making) to analyze the photo of the toner particles that is obtained by Nireco Corp..
The structure of toner container support 31 will describe with reference to Figure 10 and Figure 11 hereinafter.
Figure 10 is the synoptic diagram of toner container support, and Figure 11 is the synoptic diagram of nozzle.
With reference to Figure 10, toner container support 31 comprises slipping plane 31a and 31b, and the slipper that each of four toner container 32Y, 32M, 32C and 32K held in the part slides along described slipping plane; The retaining part 73 that is used for fixing the position of the bearing 34c that is held part; Nozzle 70; Be used for rotary driving force is sent to the driver element (wherein being provided with driven wheel 31g) of container body 33Y; Telecommunication circuit 74; Be used for being held the arm of part 34Y to 90 (bias unit) towards retaining part 73 bias voltages with being connected synchronously of toner container 32Y; And be used for along the jaw members (biasing member) 76 of the pent direction bias voltage of the ink powder outlet B latch feature 34d of toner container 32Y.
Retaining part 73 is kept with being held partly of each of irrotational mode to toner container 32Y, 32M, 32C and 32K.Retaining part 73 comprises the slipping plane of contact bearing 34c, with the surface of contact that contacts a part of covering shell 34b.Being arranged in the slipping plane (side) of retaining part 73 is positioning element 31c, is used for synchronously positioning (referring to Fig. 5) with the attended operation of being held part 34Y.Positioning element 31c is the convex body part that the connection/disassembly direction along toner container 32Y extends.
Be arranged in the slipping plane (bottom) of retaining part 73 is jaw members 76 as biasing member, the direction bias voltage latch feature 34d that these parts are used for synchronously closing along ink powder outlet B and the dismounting of being held part 34Y (referring to Fig. 5, and Figure 12 to Figure 14).Jaw members 76 is kept around live spindle 76a pivotally by the direction (R direction) of toner container support 31 along the two point arrow of Fig. 5.More particularly, jaw members 76 is by leaf spring 77 (second biasing member) bias voltage of the downside that is fixed in the jaw members 76 among Fig. 3 and Fig. 5, to be jaw members 76 be protruding to the position that engages latch feature 34d (along the direction bias voltage of the arrow R2 of Figure 13) from retracted position to its direction, and this retracted position can not hinder the connection/dismounting of being held part 34Y.
In addition, telecommunication circuit 74 and built-up member 31d are arranged on the surface of retaining part 73 at its rear side.
Nozzle 70 as shown in figure 11 is arranged in the retaining part 73 corresponding to each ink powder color.Being arranged in the nozzle 70 is the ink powder supply port 70a that is communicated with ink powder outlet B, and this outlet is formed on being held among the part 34Y of toner container 32Y.
Toner container 32Y will describe with reference to Figure 12 to Figure 16 hereinafter with the/operation that is connected/dismantles from toner container support 31.
Figure 12 be from longitudinal direction (direction along arrow Q moves) when watching Yellow ink powder container 32Y how to be connected in the synoptic diagram of toner container support 31.Figure 13 is how the to advance synoptic diagram of (when ink powder outlet B begins to be unlocked) of the connection of toner container 32Y when longitudinal direction is watched.Figure 14 is the synoptic diagram (when the unlatching of ink powder outlet B is finished) that is connected in the toner container 32Y of toner container support 31 when longitudinal direction is watched.Figure 15 is the synoptic diagram that how toner container 32Y is connected in toner container support 31 when bearing 34c side is watched.Figure 16 is the synoptic diagram that is connected in the toner container 32Y of toner container support 31 when bearing 34c side is watched.
When toner container 32Y is connected in the toner container support 31 of device body 100, at first, is arranged on body shell (not shown) on the front surface (nearside of the paper of Fig. 1) of the main body of imaging device 100 and is unlocked so that toner container support 31 is exposed to the front side.
Then, with reference to Figure 12, toner container 32Y is pushed into toner container support 31 (direction along arrow Q moves).More particularly, toner container 32Y is connected in toner container support 31 along the longitudinal direction of container body 33Y (perhaps toner container 32Y), makes to be held the head that part 34Y becomes container body 33Y.
At this moment, the first slipper 34c1 slides along the slipping plane 31a of toner container support 31 in the head side of toner container 32Y, the second slipper 34c2 slides along the slipping plane 31b of toner container support 31, when sliding, toner container 32Y is pushed into toner container support 31 by the gripper 33d that the user holds on the toner container 32Y rear side with good balance.
After this, when the bearing 34c of toner container 32Y arrives the retaining part 73 of toner container support 31, held part 34Y and begun the location.More particularly, being held the bonding part 34g of part 34Y and the positioning element 31c of toner container support 31 begins to be bonded with each other.During this period of time, arm is held part 34Y towards retaining part 73 bias voltages (along the direction bias voltage of arrow Q) to 90 with toner container 32Y.
And, during this period of time, be arranged on jaw members 76 in the retaining part 73 of toner container support 31 and be withdrawn into and can not hinder the position (it is the rotation of carrying out along the direction of arrow R1 around live spindle 76a) of being held part 34Y and connecting.More particularly, jaw members 76 by slipper 34c1 along the promotion that is directed downwards that overcomes as the biasing force of the leaf spring 77 of second biasing member.
After this, when the attended operation of toner container 32Y was advanced further, latch feature 34d began to open ink powder outlet B, simultaneously bonding part 34g and positioning element 31c be bonded with each other (state as shown in figure 13).More particularly, synchronously promoted in the hole of latch feature 34d and nozzle 70 front ends insertion bearing 34c by nozzle 70.
At this moment, the retracted position of jaw members 76 from Figure 12 position (it is the rotation of carrying out along the direction of arrow R2 around live spindle 76a) that is protruding to just in time before the preceding end in contact latch feature 34d of nozzle 70, engages with latch feature 34d.More particularly, jaw members 76 discharges and upwards is pushed into its default location by the biasing force as the leaf spring of second biasing member from the promotion undertaken by slipper 34c1.
At this default location place, jaw members 76 is protruded towards a space, this space is on the container body 33Y of latch feature 34d side, separate with nozzle 70, and be arranged on between the sidepiece of outstanding (latch feature 34d's) bonding part, the surface of latch feature 34d and container body 33Y, they all are arranged on the both sides in the space of horizontal direction.
Ideally, from the viewpoint that prevents that ink powder is scattered, preferably, when jaw members 76 is pushed upwardly, jaw members 76 engages the bonding part of latch feature 34d, but jaw members 76 preferably is configured to be pushed upwardly to separating about position of 0.5 to 3mm with the composition surface, thereby keeps mechanical tolerance.This structure allows jaw members 76 to wait for easily that when the user pushes the toner container support with toner container its bonding part with latch feature 34 engages.
, the front end of the preceding end in contact latch feature 34d of nozzle 70 begins moving of latch feature 34d if thereby being pushed upwardly to default location in jaw members 76, jaw members 76 will not engage with the bonding part of latch feature 34d according to the setting of mechanical tolerance so, after this, when the user feels peculiar and pulls out this toner container once more, can have a premonition that ink powder may leak out this fault from the ink powder outlet.
State as shown in figure 13 is that latch feature 34d is kept by nozzle 70 and jaw members 76, and its stationkeeping is in toner container support 31 (retaining part 73).If further dividing along closure (direction of arrow Q) from the state of Figure 13, moves toner container 32Y, so the ink powder outlet B stationkeeping (latch feature 34d relatively moves) in retaining part 73 of latch feature 34d simultaneously that is unlocked.
Then, with reference to Figure 14, the position of being held part 34Y is fixed on the position (reference position of adjacency) that bearing 34c abuts retaining part 73 and locates, simultaneously, the latch feature 34d gear 33c that closes ink powder outlet B and toner container 32Y fully engages with the driven wheel 31g of the driver element of toner container support 31.ID chip 35 as electric substrate is faced telecommunication circuit 74 in the position that can carry out wireless communication.And, be used for guaranteeing the recessed portion 34m of toner container incompatibility and built-up member 31d and the 31e that convex body part 34n is assemblied in device body.The ink powder outlet B of toner container 32Y is communicated with the ink powder supply port 70a of nozzle 70, and the attended operation of toner container 32Y is accomplished.
On the other hand, when the toner container support 31 of toner container 32Y slave unit body 100 was pulled out (shifting out), this operation was carried out in the mode opposite with connection.
At first, when the position of the latch feature 34d in retaining part 73 is fixed by nozzle 70 and jaw members 76, separate (disassembling section) synchronously with toner container 32Y from retaining part 73, latch feature 34d is by jaw members 76 bias voltages, thereby closes ink powder outlet B (moving of the state from the state of Figure 14 to Figure 13).At this moment, the end face of latch feature 34d (the right-hand side end face of Figure 13) is assemblied in and is formed in the assembled portion of being held among the part 34Y, and closing by latch feature 34d of B of ink powder outlet finished.After this, when toner container 32Y further carries out from the state of Figure 13 along detaching direction (direction opposite with arrow Q) when mobile, jaw members 76 moves to the position that the separation of being held part 34Y is hindered (state of Figure 12).When being held part 34Y and separated fully, jaw members 76 discharges from the promotion of slipper 34c1, thereby is back to default location by the biasing force as the leaf spring of second biasing member.
Here, leaf spring 77 is second biasing members that are used for jaw members 76 is biased into from retracted position bonding station.This leaf spring 77 forms and makes jaw members 76 bias voltage latch feature 34d applied forces become greater than the sliding resistance (this resistance and On/Off operation are produced by the filler of O shape ring explicitly) of latch feature 34d.This can prevent that following fault from occurring, thereby promptly jaw members 76 is promoted to move to retracted position when the disassembling section of toner container 32Y by latch feature 34d, thereby ink powder outlet B is not fully closed.In other words, latch feature 34d is certain to close ink powder outlet B when the disassembling section of toner container 32Y.
In first embodiment, because the position of latch feature 34d is kept by nozzle 70 and jaw members 76, thereby stably be fixed in the toner container support 31, so even latch feature 34d is not shifted when operating in device body 100 yet.Therefore, can prevent that ink powder is scattered near ink powder outlet B.
In first embodiment, when ink powder outlet B be unlocked/when closing, the stroke of latch feature 34d is set to is longer than the stroke (for example, using the operation of the latch feature of finger push) that can be moved by manual operations.In other words, though the latch feature 34d of user error ground contact toner container 32Y, thereby the stroke of latch feature 34d be set the fully long ink powder opening B that do not open.More particularly, latch feature 34d forms and makes its length long enough (especially, the length that begins from the end face of nozzle and ink powder outlet joint), and the hole shape of latch feature 34d becomes and compares fully little with the size of user's finger.Therefore, promptly be used in along the biasing member (jaw members 76) of this latch feature of the direction bias voltage 34d that closes ink powder outlet B and be not arranged among the toner container 32Y, also can prevent because near generation ink powder ink powder outlet B that user's faulty operation causes is scattered, as described in first embodiment.In first embodiment, still, be arranged on device body 100 because be used for the biasing member (jaw members 76) of bias voltage latch feature 34d, so the quantity of the parts in toner container 32Y can be reduced, therefore reduce component costs and operating cost.
In first embodiment, as Fig. 6, Figure 15 and shown in Figure 16, latch feature 34d be arranged on by slipper 34c1 and 34c2 around the position.Just, latch feature 34d is arranged on and is held among the part 34Y.This structure allows the slide (being connected/disassembling section) of slipper 34c1 and 34c2 to carry out definitely, and is not hindered the On/Off operation of ink powder outlet B by latch feature 34d.In other words, slipper 34c1 and 34c2 are used as the protective bulkhead corresponding to latch feature 34d.And the cylinder portion of latch feature 34d is covered by the bearing 34c that is held part 34Y, thereby the On/Off of tower bolt can not expose.Therefore, can not consider the On/Off of latch and keep gas-tight seal.And latch feature 34d has two plates, as with the bonding part of jaw members 76, along the axial direction of cylinder portion and outstanding symmetrically along its vertical direction.Though two plates are exposed to engage with jaw members 76, they are positioned at the place, high position by the thickness of bearing 34c.Therefore, though when toner container 32Y with/from the main body of imaging equipment 100 be connected/when dismantling, do not have possibility because the slip of the slipping plane 31a of toner container and toner container support 31 and open latch absent-mindedly yet, therefore, it is configured to prevent that ink powder is scattered.
As indicated above, in imaging device according to first embodiment, the attended operation of toner container 32Y and disassembling section are finished (except the On/Off operation of body door) by an action, make the slipper 34c1 of toner container 32Y slide along slipping plane 31a.
According to the toner container 32Y of first embodiment comprise have the ink powder outlet B that vertically is provided with down held part 34Y.Ink powder opening B is arranged on the vertically lower side of ratio open A, and after latch feature 34d synchronously locatees with attended operation definitely, thereby latch feature 34d exports B by the ink powder that nozzle 70 promotes to open by filler 34e sealing.Therefore, in ink powder outlet B, have less ink powder pickup, and the inconvenience that can avoid user's hand to be brought by the ink powder pickup by touching ink powder outlet B.
Because toner container 32Y with/carry out by action once explicitly from the slip of being connected of toner container support 31/disassembling section and slipper 34d1, so but can improve operability/workability when changing toner container 32Y.Especially, by slipper 34c1 is arranged on the bottom of being held part 34Y, slipper 34c1 slides along slipping plane 31a and supports toner container 32Y simultaneously.
And, the attended operation of toner container 32Y is carried out by this slipper 34c1 that begins to slide, the user directly catches this gripper 33d simultaneously, the location that begins to be held part 34Y simultaneously by arm to 90 bias voltages, the insertion of beginning nozzle 70, the location that part 34Y is held in end, the insertion of nozzle 70, and when sliding, be connected in driver element once end.Therefore, when being held part 34Y when advancing and being positioned, the user obtains the sensation of click sound when the slip of being held part 34Y (by the once attended operation of action), feels to occur wrong operation certainly in attended operation.
In addition, toner container 32Y not from it side be set in the toner container support 31 (device body 100), still, connections/dismounting is from the front surface execution of toner container support 31 (device body 100), therefore, can strengthen dirigibility corresponding to the layout of the upside of toner container support 31.For example, even scanner (document reader) just is being arranged on ink powder supplier 59 tops, but the operability/workability when the connection by toner container 32Y/dismounting can variation.And, also can strengthen dirigibility corresponding to the layout of the bonding station D between the driven wheel 31g of the gear 33c of toner container 32Y and device body 100.
Toner container 32Y is installed in the device body 100 by its longitudinal direction being set at horizontal direction, and therefore, the ink powder capacity of toner container 32Y is increased, and can not influence the layout of the short transverse of whole imaging device 100, and this also can reduce the frequency of replacing.
As mentioned above, in imaging device according to first embodiment, the latch feature 34d that is held part 34Y toner container 32Y with/during from being connected of toner container support 31/disassembling section by action once be connected/disassembling section synchronously the On/Off ink powder export B,, this allows the reliable of ink powder outlet B and On/Off smoothly.Therefore, but the operability/workability can improve toner container 32Y and change the time, and can reduce the appearance of ink powder pickup certainly.
In first embodiment, have only ink powder to be included in each container body of toner container 32Y, 32M, 32C and 32K, but be supplied at the tow-component developer that will comprise ink powder and carrier under the situation of each developing apparatus, tow-component developer also can be included in each container body of toner container 32Y, 32M, 32C and 32K.Even in this case, also can obtain the effect identical with first embodiment.
In first embodiment, protruding 33b is integrally formed on the inner circumferential surface of container body 33Y, and makes container body 33Y rotation.Simultaneously, coil or helical member are remained on container body 33Y inside rotationally, and container body 33Y is not rotated, but coil or helical member can be rotated by gear 33c.Equally in this case, if the latch feature 34d that is held part 34Y by being connected of action once and toner container 32Y/disassembling section synchronously the On/Off ink powder export B, can obtain the effect identical so with first embodiment.
In first embodiment, be used for that air is fed through the suction-type helicoidal pump 60 of managing 71 inside and be arranged on ink powder supplier 59.Simultaneously, the discharge formula helicoidal pump that is used for air is fed through pipe 71 inside also can be arranged on ink powder supplier 59.In addition, the diaphragm type pneumatic pump also can be used as the pump that is connected in pipe 71.Even in these cases, if the latch feature 34d that is held part 34Y by being connected of action once and toner container 32Y/disassembling section synchronously the On/Off ink powder export B, can obtain the effect identical so with first embodiment.
Second embodiment
The second embodiment of the present invention will be elaborated with reference to Figure 17 to Figure 19 hereinafter.
Figure 17 is the cut-open view according to the head side of the toner container of second embodiment, and it is corresponding to according to the content shown in Fig. 6 of first embodiment.
With reference to Figure 17, be that according to the toner container 32Y of second embodiment and the difference of first embodiment compression spring 34f is set to biasing force is put on the parts of being held part 34Y.More particularly, be used for being arranged on the right-hand side of latch feature 34d along the compression spring 34f of the direction bias voltage latch feature 34d that closes ink powder outlet B.
Toner container 32Y with/will describe with reference to Figure 18 and Figure 19 hereinafter from being connected of toner container support 31/disassembling section.
Figure 18 A is the synoptic diagram that how Yellow ink powder container 32Y is connected in toner container support 31 (moving along the direction of arrow) when longitudinal direction is watched, and Figure 18 B is the cut-open view around the part of the bearing 34c that is held part 34Y that is in when upside is watched under this state.Figure 19 A is the toner container 32Y that is connected in toner container support 31 when longitudinal direction the is watched synoptic diagram of (connect and finish), and Figure 19 B is the cut-open view that is in the part that centers on bearing 34c this state under when upside is watched.
Toner container support 31 comprises four toner container supports corresponding to four toner container 32Y, 32M, 32C and 32K.Each of these four toner container supports comprises slipping plane 31a and 31b, held the slipper 34c1 of part 34Y and 34c2 along described slip; The retaining part 73 that is used for fixing the position of the bearing 34c that is held part 34Y; Nozzle (ink powder dispatch tube) 70; With the driver element (not shown), be used for rotary driving force is sent to container body 33Y.Retaining part 73 comprises slipping plane 31a and the 31b of contact bearing 34c, and the surface of contact (not shown) of the part of shell 34b is covered in contact.
When toner container 32Y was connected in the toner container support 31 of device body 100, at first, the body shell (not shown) that is arranged on the front surface (nearside of the paper of Fig. 1) of the main body of imaging device 100 was unlocked to expose toner container support 31 to the front side.
Then, with reference to Figure 18 A, toner container 32Y is pushed into toner container support 31 (moving along the direction of arrow).More particularly, toner container 32Y is connected in toner container support 31 along the longitudinal direction of container body 33Y (or toner container 32Y), makes to be held the head that part 34Y becomes container body 33Y.
At this moment, slide along the slipping plane 31a of toner container support 31 at the first slipper 34c1 at the head side place of toner container 32Y, the second slipper 34c2 slides along the slipping plane 31b of toner container support 31, when sliding, with good balance toner container 32Y is pushed toner container support 31 by the gripper 33d on the rear side of user's hold toner container 32Y.
Then, when the bearing 34c of toner container 32Y reaches the retaining part 73 of toner container support 31, held part 34Y and begun the location.
After this, latch feature 34d inserts the hole of bearing 34c in response to the front end of nozzle 70 and is promoted by nozzle 70.The position of being held part 34Y is fixed on the position that bearing 34c abuts retaining part 73, simultaneously, and latch feature 34d complete opening ink powder outlet B.Shown in Figure 19 A and 19B, this unlatching allows the ink powder outlet B of toner container 32Y to be communicated with the ink powder supply port 70a of nozzle 70, and the attended operation of toner container 32Y is accomplished.
Nozzle 70 towards the inside of bearing 34c or outside move and latch feature 34d towards the inside of bearing 34c or the outside flange that contacts the filler 34e of bearing 34c slidably at these two parts that moves (promptly form the part in the hole of the O shape ring among Figure 17, and corresponding to pentagonal front end, such as the home base that is used for baseball (a home base used for a base ball)), carry out when similar with the xsect of O shape shown in Figure 17 ring.Therefore, can prevent to cause the fault of ink powder from bearing 34c leakage owing to the insertion or the dismounting of nozzle 70.
In a second embodiment, (except the On/Off operation of body door) finished in the attended operation of toner container 32Y by once moving, make the slipper 34c1 of toner container 32Y slide along slipping plane 31a.In other words, held the positioning action of part 34Y (toner container 32Y) and the insertion sequence of operation ground of nozzle 70 and synchronously carried out, make the slipper 34c1 of toner container 32Y slide along slipping plane 31a with slide.
When the toner container support 31 of toner container 32Y slave unit body 100 took out (dismounting), this operation was carried out with being connected on the contrary.In this case, nozzle 70 also synchronously separates with bearing 34c with this operation, makes toner container 32Y separate with retaining part 73, and the biasing force of latch feature 34d by compression spring 34f moves to the position of closing ink powder outlet B.
The imaging device of toner container 32Y connection/dismounting can use the imaging device according to first embodiment, comprises jaw members 76 as shown in Figure 3, and its imaging device with described the 11 embodiment subsequently is different.In this case, stackable to the action of compression spring 34f with reference to the action of the described jaw members 76 of Figure 12 to Figure 14.Therefore, in order to strengthen the sealing ability of ink powder outlet B, the gas-tight seal between latch feature 34d and the filler 34e can further strengthen.In this case, the sliding load during the moving of latch feature 34d also increases, but the compression of spring 34f and jaw members 76 can increase the displacing force of latch feature 34d, makes ink powder export On/Off successfully.
Adopt this mode, (except the On/Off operation of body door) finished in the disassembling section of toner container 32Y by once moving, make the slipper 34c1 of toner container 32Y slide along slipping plane 31a.
Comprise according to the toner container 32Y of second embodiment and to be held part 34Y, and have the ink powder outlet B that is arranged on downside along gravity direction, and latch feature 34d synchronously promotes by nozzle 70 with attended operation, thereby the ink powder of opening by filler 34e sealing exports B.Therefore, the ink powder pickup in ink powder outlet B is less, the hand that can prevent the user by touching ink powder outlet B by this trouble of pickup.
Toner container 32Y with/carry out by action once explicitly from the slip of being connected of toner container support 31/disassembling section and slipper 34c1, therefore, but can improve operability/workability when changing toner container 32Y.Especially, by slipper 34c1 is arranged on the bottom of being held part 34Y, slipper 34c1 slides along slipping plane 31a, supports toner container 32Y simultaneously.
And, the attended operation of toner container 32Y is carried out by following operation: the user directly grips gripper 33d this slipper 34c1 that begins simultaneously to slide, begin the location when sliding and held part 34Y, begin to insert nozzle 70, and after slip is finished, finish the location of being held part 34Y and the insertion of nozzle 70 immediately.Therefore, when the slip of being held part 34Y (by the once attended operation carried out of action) when advancing and simultaneously when being held part 34Y location, the user feels the impression that click is rattled away, and determines not occur in attended operation faulty operation.
And, toner container 32Y is set in the toner container support 31 (device body 100) from upside, but carry out connection/dismounting from the front surface of toner container support 31 (device body 100), therefore, enhancing is corresponding to the dirigibility of the layout of the upside of toner container support 31.For example, even scanner (document reader) just in time is arranged on toner container support top, but the operability/workability the during connection of toner container 32Y/dismounting can variation yet.
Toner container 32Y is installed in the device body by its longitudinal direction is set at horizontal direction, and therefore, the ink powder capacity of toner container 32Y will increase, and can not have influence on along the layout of the short transverse of whole imaging device 100 frequency that this can reduce to change simultaneously.
As mentioned above, in a second embodiment, slipper 34c1 and 34c2 are arranged on and are held among the part 34Y, this slipper along toner container support 31 with/synchronously slide from being connected of toner container support 31/disassembling section.Therefore, but can improve operability/workability when changing toner container 32Y, and reduce the appearance of ink powder pickup definitely.
The 3rd embodiment
The third embodiment of the present invention will be elaborated with reference to Figure 20 hereinafter.
Figure 20 is the skeleton view according to the toner container of the 3rd embodiment, and it is corresponding to the Fig. 5 according to first embodiment.In the 3rd embodiment, the shape that is formed on the slipper 34c1 that is held among the part 34Y is different with other embodiment.
As shown in figure 20, in toner container 32Y according to the 3rd embodiment, the first slipper 34c1 that is held part 34Y is two convex body parts (flank), and its slipping plane 31a towards toner container support 31 protrudes, and is different with the slipper that is formed with flat portion among other embodiment.More particularly, form as two convex body part 34c1 of slipper and to have the height (height that they form vertically is equal to slipping plane 31a) that can contact, and (connection/disassembly direction) extends along the longitudinal direction with slipping plane 31a.Therefore, when connection/disassembling section of toner container 32Y was carried out, two convex body part 34c1 (slipper) slided along slipping plane 31a, the attitude of being held part 34Y (perhaps toner container 32Y) simultaneously.
Also finish (except the On/Off operation of body door) according to connection/disassembling section of the toner container 32Y of the 3rd embodiment, make the slipper 34c1 of toner container 32Y slide, be similar to other embodiment along slipping plane 31a by action once.
As mentioned above, similar with other embodiment in the 3rd embodiment, the structure that is installed in the toner container in the toner container support is optimized by its longitudinal direction is set at horizontal direction.Therefore, but the operability/workability during replacing be improved, and reduce the appearance of ink powder pickup affirmably.
The shape of slipper 34c1 in toner container 32Y is not limited to the situation of the 3rd embodiment or other embodiment.Therefore, keep the attitude of being held part 34Y simultaneously, can obtain the effect identical so with other embodiment if any slipper slides along slipping plane 31a.
The 4th embodiment
Describe the fourth embodiment of the present invention in detail with reference to Figure 21 to Figure 25 below.
Figure 21 is arranged on arm in the toner container support 31 to 90 skeleton view according to the 4th embodiment.Figure 22 is an arm to 90 decomposition diagram.In the following description, will use accompanying drawing to describe embodiment in the case of necessary.
With reference to Fig. 4 and Figure 10, toner container support 31 comprises slipping plane 31a, and each slipper of being held in the part of four toner container 32Y, 32M, 32C and 32K slides along this slipping plane; Retaining part 73 is used for fixing each position of the bearing 34c that is held part; Nozzle 70; Rotary driving force is sent to the driver element of each container body 33Y; Telecommunication circuit 74; The arm that is used as bias unit is to 90.
Retaining part 73 with each with toner container 32Y, 32M, 32C and 32K held the part each keep in irrotational mode.Retaining part 73 comprises the slipping plane of contact bearing 34c and the surface of contact that the part of shell 34b is covered in contact.Be arranged on slipping plane (side surface) in the retaining part 73 and be and be used for and held the positioning element 31c (referring to Fig. 5) that synchronously locatees being connected of part 34Y.Positioning element 31c is the convex body part that the connection/disassembly direction along toner container 32Y extends.
Nozzle 70 shown in Figure 11 is provided with corresponding to every kind of ink powder color in the retaining part 73.Nozzle 70 has ink powder supply port 70a, is used for being communicated with the ink powder outlet B that is held part 34Y that is formed on toner container 32Y.
With reference to Figure 10 and Figure 21, arm is provided with corresponding to every kind of ink powder color in the retaining part 73 of toner container support 31 90.As shown in figure 21, arm is arranged on being held on the both sides that partly insert and put therebetween toner container to 90.
With reference to Figure 22, arm comprises the first arm 91 (second biased element), second arm 92 (biased element), axle 93 and torsionspring 94 to 90.Arm integrally is provided with via axle 93 90, and passes through torsionspring 94 along the power on the sense of rotation effect both direction of axle 93.More particularly, the first arm 91 and second arm 92 are along the power on the sense of rotation effect both direction of axle 93.Along with the angle that forms between the first arm 91 and second arm 92 increases, this power increase is more.
Adopt the arm of aforesaid way structure to be used as bias unit to 90, will be held part 34Y towards retaining part 73 bias voltages (with its direction bias voltage towards arrow Q), toner container 32Y is set in the toner container support 31 simultaneously.More particularly, arm is set under the situation in the toner container support 31 pressed flat 34k partially to 90 at toner container 32Y, and this flat portion is as the bias voltage part of being held part 34Y.In addition, arm is configured such that to 90 being connected of the slipper 34c2 (being arranged on second slipper in the two side portions of being held part 34Y) that held part 34Y and toner container 32Y/disassembling section synchronously contacts arm to 90, thereby slides.In the 4th embodiment, as being flat (its be connected between the end of two sidepieces and with being connected/the disassembly direction quadrature of the 4th embodiment) to the flat 34k of portion of the bias voltage part of being held part 34Y of 90 bias voltages, intersect at the sidepiece in the end of two sidepieces being held part 34Y that are formed with slipper 34c2 by arm.
According to above-mentioned structure, toner container 32Y is set in the retaining part 73,90 two slipper 34c2 that keep are slided with sufficient balance simultaneously by two arms, held the attitude of part 34Y in retaining part 73 by arm to 90 keeping (held partly be biased to nozzle 70 sides and its position is fixed).Therefore, but the operability/workability can improve toner container 32Y and change the time, and can reduce appearance with the ink powder pickup that is associated of more changing jobs reliably.
Toner container 32Y with/will describe with reference to Figure 23 to Figure 25 and Figure 12 to Figure 14 hereinafter from being connected of toner container support 31/disassembling section.
Figure 12 is the synoptic diagram that how Yellow ink powder container 32Y is connected in toner container support 31 (along moving of arrow Q direction) when longitudinal direction is watched, Figure 23 be when upside is watched at the arm under this state to 90 and held the synoptic diagram of the relation between the part 34Y (bearing 34c).Figure 13 is how the to advance synoptic diagram of (ink powder outlet B begins to be unlocked) of the connection of toner container 32Y when longitudinal direction is watched, Figure 24 be when upside is watched at the arm under this state to 90 and held the synoptic diagram of the relation between the part 34Y (bearing 34c).Figure 14 is the synoptic diagram of the toner container that is connected in toner container support 31 when longitudinal direction is watched (finishing the unlatching of ink powder outlet B), Figure 25 be when upside is watched in this state lower arm part to 90 and held the synoptic diagram of the relation between the part 34Y (bearing 34c).
When toner container 32Y will be connected in the toner container support 31 of device body 100, at first be arranged on the main body of imaging device 100 front surface (nearside on the paper of Fig. 1) thus on the body cover (not shown) be unlocked toner container support 31 be exposed to the front side.
Then, with reference to Figure 12, toner container 32Y is pushed into toner container support 31 (moving along arrow Q direction).More particularly, toner container 32Y is connected in toner container support 31 along the longitudinal direction of container body 33Y (perhaps toner container 32Y), makes to be held the head that part 34Y becomes container body 33Y.
At this moment, slipping plane 31a's slipper 34c1 along toner container support 31 slides at the side place of toner container 32Y, and toner container 32Y is pushed into toner container support 31 by the gripper 33d on the rear side of user's handling toner container 32Y with sufficient balance.
After this, with reference to Figure 23, when the bearing 34c of toner container 32Y (being held part 34Y) reaches arm in the toner container support 31 to 90 the time, the first arm 91 contacts with the leading edge of bearing 34c (being held part 34Y), second arm 92 contacts with the side surface (slipper 34c2) of bearing 34c (being held part 34Y), and arm is widened along the black arrow direction (γ direction) of Figure 23 thus to 90.Then, by widening arm to 90 along black arrow direction (γ direction), under the elastic force of torsionspring 94, the first arm 91 applies acting force along the direction of arrow S1 to bearing 34c, and second arm 92 applies acting force along the direction of arrow S2 on it.In this case, second arm 92 is faced on two side surfaces of bearing 34c mutually, and comes the power of the both direction that free arrow S2 represents to be cancelled.Therefore, become a small amount of sliding resistance between the resin from second arm 92 the power on the slipper 34c2 of affacting, therefore, by the first arm 91 advocating to act on and held on the part 34Y along arrow S1 direction.These power are the power of the direction of 73 dismountings along toner container 32Y from retaining part.
After this, the power that toner container 32Y overcomes disassembly direction is further pushed, and when the bearing 34c of toner container 32Y reaches the retaining part 73 of toner container support 31, except the slip of the first slipper 34c1 along slipping plane 31a, held part 34Y and begin the location, the second slipper 34c2 slides to 90 along arm simultaneously.More particularly, being held the bonding part 34g of part 34Y and the positioning element 31c of toner container support 31 begins to be bonded with each other.
Then, the attended operation of toner container 32Y is advanced further, and dismounting parts 34d begins to open ink powder outlet B, and bonding part 34g and positioning element 31c are engaged (state shown in Figure 13) simultaneously.Just, the front end of nozzle 70 is inserted in the hole of bearing 34c, and simultaneously, latch feature 34d is relatively promoted by nozzle 70.
At this moment, except the slip of the second slipper 34c2 along the first arm 91, second arm 92 will be held part 34Y towards retaining part 73 bias voltages (along the direction bias voltage of arrow Q).
More particularly, with reference to Figure 24, the first arm 91 is widened by the leading edge of bearing 34c (being held part 34Y), thereby contacts with the second slipper 34c2.Simultaneously, the rear end of second arm, 92 contact bearing 34c (the flat 34k of portion).At this moment, be cancelled from the power that the both direction of arrow S2 applies by the first arm 91.Therefore, reach about a spot of sliding resistance between the resin from the first arm 91 the power on the slipper 34c2 of acting on, therefore, by second arm 92 advocating to act on and held on the part 34Y from arrow S3 directive effect.These power are along the power of toner container 32Y towards the biased direction (direction of arrow Q) of retaining part 73.
With reference to Figure 14, the stationkeeping of being held part 34Y abuts the position (corresponding to the reference position of adjacency) of retaining part 73 at bearing 34c, simultaneously, the driven wheel of the driver element among the latch feature 34d complete opening ink powder outlet B, the gear 33c of toner container 32Y and toner container support 31 engages.In addition, ID chip 35 is fixed on the position that can communicate by letter with telecommunication circuit 74.Ink powder outlet B and the ink powder supply port 70a of toner container 32Y are interconnected thus, and the attended operation of toner container 32Y is accomplished.
At this moment, with reference to Figure 25, the first arm 91 contacts with the second slipper 34c2, and second arm 92 is as the flat 34k of portion (rear end of the bearing 34c) contact of bias voltage part.In this case, having only second arm 92 to be used in along the masterpiece of arrow S4 direction is held on the part 34Y.These power are the power (detent force) that part 34Y remains on retaining part 73 of being held that is used for toner container.In the 4th embodiment, two arms contact with two parts (two ends) of the flat 34k of portion 90, are therefore held part 34Y with sufficient balance towards the closure bias voltage.
Before or after the bonding part 34g that is held part 34Y breaks away from from the positioning element 31c of toner container support 31, though when toner container 32Y by user's manual teardown, the first arm 91 and second arm 92 also can be in position as shown in figure 23.At this moment, the first arm 91 also along toner container 32Y from retaining part the S1 directions of 73 dismountings masterpiece used held on the part 34Y, these power support that users pull out operation, thereby help dismounting.
In addition, when the power that helps dismantling was produced by the first arm 91, this operation process was as Figure 25 and state shown in Figure 24.But, at this moment, by toner container 32Y is created in second arm 92 towards the power of retaining part 73 bias voltages shown in arrow S3 and the S4, these power are used for toner container 32Y is pushed back to retaining part 73, thereby close ink powder outlet, restraining user's being scattered of ink powder when carrying out slow and slight disassembling section, and so pull out action need power, so these power can impel the user to finish this operation of pulling out fast, make ink powder be scattered lessly.
In the 4th embodiment,, form as the slipper 34c2 of bias voltage part and to make their height (position of vertical direction) reach the height of ink powder outlet B (perhaps latch feature 34d) no better than with reference to Fig. 6.Therefore, when slipper 34c2 when arm slides to 90, even act on and held on the part 34Y, also can prevent to become the power of impelling moment of torsion from the power that the first arm 91 and second arm 92 affact on the slipper 34c2 around nozzle centre axis moment of torsion (disturbance) along the longitudinal direction.As a result, ink powder outlet B (perhaps latch feature 34d) can be prevented from this fault that nozzle 70 leaves mutually.
In the 4th embodiment, the attended operation of toner container 32Y and toner container support 31 is configured such that at slipper 34c2 and begins after arm slides to 90, nozzle 70 begins to promote latch part 34d, in case slipper 34c2 finishes along arm 90 slip, arm is to the flat 34k of portion of 90 bias voltages (location) (bias voltage part) so.In other words, as shown in Figure 6, slipper 34c2 is set to long enough along the length of their connection/disassembly directions.This allows operation reliably, makes held after part 34Y begins successfully to be connected in toner container support 31, and nozzle 70 promotes latch feature 34d, and part 34Y is held in retaining part 73 location.
The 4th embodiment is configured such that displacement, with toner container 32Y with/from being connected of toner container support 31/disassembling section explicitly along connection/disassembly direction of latch feature 34d, be shorter than and export the distance of B along connections/disassembling section from ink powder to the flat 34k of portion (bias voltage part).According to this structure, nozzle 70 and latch feature 34d can engage after beginning successfully to be connected in toner container support 31 definitely being held part 34Y.
In the 4th embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the bonding part 34g that is held part 34Y is arranged on upside and the ink powder outlet B (perhaps latch feature 34d) of the slipper 34c2 (second slipper) along they vertical direction.Therefore, even ink powder leaks out from ink powder outlet B, most of ink powder that leaks also can drop along gravity direction, is attached to bonding part 34g and causes relatively poor this fault that engages with positioning element 31c thereby therefore reduce ink powder.
As mentioned above, similar with other embodiment in the 4th embodiment, the structure that is installed on the toner container in the toner container support is optimized according to the longitudinal direction that is set at horizontal direction.Therefore, but the operability/workability during replacing be improved, the ink powder pickup also is certain to reduce.
In addition, in the 4th embodiment, toner container 32Y is set in the retaining part 73, by two arms 90 two slipper 34c2 that keep is successfully slided simultaneously, is held part 34Y and is kept by retaining part 73 under to 90 biasing force at arm.Therefore, but the operability/workability when changing toner container 32Y is able to further improvement, and the ink powder pickup that is associated can be determined to be reduced with more changing jobs.
The 5th embodiment
The fifth embodiment of the present invention is elaborated hereinafter with reference to Figure 26.
Figure 26 is that arm when the toner container 32Y according to the 5th embodiment is connected in toner container support 31 is to 90 synoptic diagram, and corresponding to the Figure 25 according to the 4th embodiment.In the 5th embodiment, bight 340m is used as the bias voltage part of being held part 34Y among the toner container 32Y, and it is different that the flat 34k of portion among this point and the 4th embodiment is used as the bias voltage part of being held part 34Y.
With reference to Figure 26, in the 5th embodiment, same, arm is used as bias unit to 90, thereby this is held part 34Y towards retaining part 73 bias voltages, and toner container 32Y is set in the toner container support 31 simultaneously.More particularly, arm will carry out bias voltage as the bight 340m (sweep) of the bias voltage part of being held part 34Y to 90, and toner container 32Y is set in the toner container support 31 simultaneously.In addition, thus arm is configured such that to 90 the second slipper 34c2 contact arm of being held part 34Y synchronously slides with being connected of toner container 32Y/disassembling section to 90.Here, bight 340m is the angle (two bights) that is formed with in the respective end of two sidepieces being held part 34Y of slipper 34c2, and this bight is as by the bias voltage part of being held part 34Y of arm to 90 bias voltages.
According to above-mentioned structure, toner container 32Y is set in the retaining part 73, by two arms 90 two slipper 34c2 that keep is successfully slided simultaneously, and the attitude of being held part 34Y in the retaining part 73 is kept 90 by arm.In the 5th embodiment, two arms are held part 34Y along the coupling part with good balance bias voltage thus to two bight 340m of 90 contacts.
In the 5th embodiment, the bight 340m that is held part 34Y is carried out rounding (circular corner cut).Bight 340m round-shaped forms and makes it less than in the arm of the bight 340m contact circle to 90 contact portion (the contact portion 92a of second arm 92).Therefore, successfully carry out conversion, make slipper 34c2 slide into this operation to 90, make arm be held part 34Y (bight 340m) 90 bias voltages along arm from this operation.
As mentioned above, similar with other embodiment in the 5th embodiment, the structure that is installed on the toner container in the toner container support is optimized according to the longitudinal direction that is set at horizontal direction.Therefore, but the operability/workability during replacing be improved, can guarantee to reduce the appearance of ink powder pickup.
In addition, in the 5th embodiment, similar with the 4th embodiment, toner container 32Y is set in the retaining part 73,90 two slipper 34c2 that keep are successfully slided simultaneously, and held part 34Y and under the effect of arm, be held part 73 and keep 90 biasing force by two arms.Therefore, but the operability/workability when changing toner container 32Y improved further, can be reduced definitely with the ink powder pickup that more changes jobs relevant.
The 6th embodiment
The sixth embodiment of the present invention will be elaborated with reference to Figure 27 to Figure 29 hereinafter.
Toner container 32Y according to the 6th embodiment also comprises slipper 34c1 and the 34c2 that is arranged among the bearing 34c that is held part 34Y, with/from slipper that being connected of toner container support 31/disassembling section is synchronously slided along toner container support 31.
More particularly, the first slipper 34c1 is flat portion, forms with the slipping plane 31a (as upper surface, referring to Figure 27 A) of toner container support 31 parallelly, and flat portion is arranged on the bottom of being held part 34Y, is connected/is dismantled by this part.In addition, the second slipper 34c2 is flat portion, forms the slipping plane 31b (side surface with toner container support 31; Referring to Figure 27 B) parallel, flat portion is arranged in the sidepiece of being held part 34Y, is connected/is dismantled by this part.
Toner container 32Y and/being connected/dismantling with reference to Figure 27 and Figure 29 and be described hereinafter from toner container support 31.
Figure 27 A is the synoptic diagram (moving along the direction of arrow) that how Yellow ink powder container 32Y is connected in toner container support 31 when longitudinal direction is watched, Figure 27 B be when upside is watched under this state around the synoptic diagram of a part of being held the bearing 34c the part 34Y.Figure 28 A is how the to advance synoptic diagram of (begin the location and held part 34Y) of the connection of toner container 32Y when longitudinal direction is watched, Figure 28 B be when upside is watched under this state around the synoptic diagram of the part of the bearing 32c that is held part 34Y.Figure 29 A is the synoptic diagram of the toner container 32Y that is connected in toner container support 31 (connect and finish) that watches from longitudinal direction, Figure 29 B be from upside watch under this state around the synoptic diagram of the part of bearing 34c.
Be arranged in the toner container support 31 is four toner container supports that correspond respectively to four toner container 32Y, 32M, 32C and 32K.Each of four toner containers comprises slipping plane 31a and 31b, and the slipper 34c1 and the 34c2 that are held part 34Y slide along this slipping plane; Retaining part 73 is used for fixing the position of the bearing 34c that is held part 34Y; Nozzle 70; And the driver element (not shown), be used for rotary driving force is sent to container body 33Y.Retaining part 73 comprises slipping plane 31a and the 31b of contact bearing 34c, and the surface of contact (not shown) of the part of shell 34b is covered in contact.Be arranged on retaining part 73 slipping plane 31b (side) be positioning element 31c, be used for synchronously positioning with the attended operation of being held part 34Y.Positioning element 31c is the convex body part that the connection/disassembly direction along toner container 32Y extends.
When toner container 32Y is connected in the toner container support 31 of device body 100, at first, be arranged on the main body of imaging device 100 front surface (near the side on the paper of Fig. 1) thus on the body shell (not shown) be unlocked toner container support 31 be exposed to the front side.
Then, with reference to Figure 27 A, toner container 32Y is pushed into toner container support 31 (along moving of the direction of arrow).More particularly, toner container 32Y is connected in toner container support 31 along the longitudinal direction of container body 33Y (perhaps toner container 32Y), makes to be held the head that part 34Y reaches container body 33Y.
At this moment, slipping plane 31a's first slipper 34c1 along toner container support 31 slides at the side place of toner container 32Y, and when sliding, toner container 32Y is pushed into toner container support 31 by the gripper 33d on the user's handling toner container 32Y nearside with sufficient balance.
With reference to Figure 28 A, when the bearing 34c of toner container 32Y reaches the retaining part 73 of toner container support 31, held part 34Y and begin the location, simultaneously except the slip of the first slipper 34c1 along slipping plane 31a, the second slipper 34c2 also slides along slipping plane 31b.More particularly, being held the bonding part 34g of part 34Y and the positioning element 31c of toner container support 31 begins to be bonded with each other.
After this, when the attended operation of toner container 32Y was advanced further, latch feature 34d began to open ink powder outlet B, and bonding part 34g and positioning element 31c are bonded with each other simultaneously.More particularly, the front end of latch feature 34d and nozzle 70 inserts the hole of bearing 34c explicitly by nozzle 70 promotions.Then, shown in Figure 29 A, the stationkeeping of being held part 34Y abuts the position (corresponding to the reference position of adjacency) of retaining part 73 at bearing 34, simultaneously, and latch feature 34d complete opening ink powder outlet B.The ink powder outlet B of toner container 32Y and the ink powder supply port 70a of nozzle 70 are interconnected thus, and the attended operation of toner container 32Y is accomplished.
As mentioned above, in the 6th embodiment, the attended operation of toner container 32Y and toner container support 31 is configured such that latch feature 34d begins to open ink powder after beginning the location and exports B being held part 34Y.More particularly, the front end of positioning element 31c form make its with respect to along the closure direction of the arrow shown in Figure 27 A (that is, along) mobile held part 34Y than the more approaching sidepiece of being held part 34Y of the front end of nozzle 70.In other words, with reference to Figure 27 B, nozzle 70 is longer than with predetermined length H left in the reference position corresponding to adjacency that positioning element 31c forms from retaining part 73.
More particularly, in the 6th embodiment, (except the On/Off operation of body door) finished in the attended operation of toner container 32Y by once moving makes the slipper 34c1 of toner container 32Y slide along slipping plane 31a.In other words, the slipper 34c1 of toner container 32Y is caused along slipping plane 31a and slides, and operates synchronously with this, begins to be held the positioning action of part 34Y, then, and the insertion operation of beginning nozzle 70.
Therefore, nozzle 70 contacts with the latch feature 34d that is held part 34Y (hole) definitely, and it is accurately located by positioning element 31c.This can prevent from nozzle 70 (perhaps being held part 34Y) is caused damage, and described damage possibility is held part 34Y owing to nozzle 70 does not have alignment pins parts 34d still to knock and occurred.In other words, if the insertion of nozzle 70 operates in and is held part 34Y and begin before accurately locating, nozzle 70 possibility misalignment latch feature 34d still knock and are held part 34Y so, this stress that causes surpassing permissible stress is on nozzle 70 (perhaps being held part 34Y), and nozzle 70 (perhaps being held part 34Y) can deform thus.
In the 6th embodiment, with reference to Figure 27 B, positioning element 31c has tapering part 31c1 (or inclined-plane), and it is formed on the front end place that is connected with the sidepiece of being held part 34Y.In addition, the bonding part 34g that is held part 34Y also has the tapering part 34g1 (perhaps inclined-plane) that is formed on the front end place that engages the sidepiece that positioning element 31c is arranged.This allows smooth joint the between the positioning element 31c of the bonding part 34g that is being held part 34Y during connection/disassembling section of toner container 32Y and toner container support 31.
In addition, when these two parts contacted the flange of filler 34e of bearing 34c slidably, nozzle 70 was to the inboard or outer side shifting of bearing 34c, and latch feature 34d is to the inside of bearing 34c or outside mobile.Therefore, can prevent because the insertion of nozzle 70 or ink powder that dismounting causes leak out the appearance of this fault from bearing 34c.
When taking out (unloading) in the toner container support 31 of toner container 32Y slave unit body 100, carry out the operation opposite with connection.At this moment, nozzle 70 also synchronously separates from bearing 34c from the operation that retaining part 73 separates with toner container 32Y, and the biasing force of latch feature 34d by compression spring 34f moves to the position of closing ink powder outlet B.
Adopt this mode, (except the On/Off operation of body door) finished in the disassembling section of toner container 32Y by once moving, make the slipper 34c1 of toner container 32Y slide along slipping plane 31a.
Comprise according to the toner container 32Y of the 6th embodiment and to be held part 34Y, and outlet B is arranged on the downside along gravity direction, after latch feature 34d synchronously located with attended operation definitely, latch feature 34d was promoted by nozzle 70, thereby opened the outlet B by filler 34e sealing.Therefore, have less ink powder pickup at ink powder outlet B, the hand that can prevent the user touches ink powder outlet B and by this trouble of ink powder pickup.
Toner container 32Y with/carry out by action once explicitly from the slip of being connected of toner container support 31/disassembling section and slipper 34c1, therefore, but the operability/workability when changing toner container 32Y is improved.Especially, by slipper 34c1 is arranged on the bottom of being held part 34Y, slipper 34c1 slides along slipping plane 31a, supports toner container 32Y simultaneously.
And, the attended operation of toner container 32Y directly grips this gripper 33d this slipper 34c1 that begins simultaneously to slide by the user and carries out, with the location of sliding and beginning to be held part 34Y explicitly, begin to insert nozzle 70, and finish in case slide, can finish the location of being held part 34Y and the insertion of nozzle 70.Therefore, advance and held simultaneously part 34Y when location when the slip of being held part 34Y (by the once attended operation of action), the user obtains the sensation that click is rattled away, and faulty operation does not appear in sensation certainly in attended operation.
In addition, toner container 32Y is not set in the toner container support 31 (device body 100) from upside, but connection/dismounting is carried out from the front surface of toner container support 31 (device body 100), therefore, and the dirigibility of the layout of the upside of enhancing toner container support 31.For example, even scanner (document reader) is arranged on directly over the toner container support, but the operability/workability when changing toner container 32Y can variation yet.
Toner container 32Y is installed in the device body 100 by its longitudinal direction being set at horizontal direction, and therefore, the ink powder capacity of toner container 32Y increases and can not have influence on layout on the short transverse of whole imaging device 100, the frequency that this can reduce to change.
As mentioned above, in the 6th embodiment, when toner container 32Y will be connected in toner container support 31, the location and the attended operation of being held part 34Y synchronously began, and then, latch feature 34d begins to open ink powder outlet B.Therefore, ink powder outlet B will successfully and successfully open.But can improve the operability/workability when changing toner container 32Y thus, and reduce the appearance of ink powder pickup definitely.
The 7th embodiment
Describe the seventh embodiment of the present invention in detail with reference to Figure 30 A and Figure 30 B below.
Figure 30 A and Figure 30 B are the synoptic diagram that how to be connected in toner container support 31 according to the toner container 32Y of the 7th embodiment, corresponding to Figure 27 A and Figure 27 B according to the 7th embodiment.The 7th embodiment is different from the shape of being held part 34Y that the 6th embodiment part mainly is toner container 32Y.
Toner container 32Y according to the 7th embodiment also comprises container body 33Y and held part 34Y (bottle cap), and is similar with the 6th embodiment.Latch feature 34d as the On/Off parts is arranged on being held among the part 34Y of toner container 32Y, and the bonding part 34g that engages with the positioning element 31c of toner container support 31 is arranged on wherein.
The part 34Y that held according to the 7th embodiment is different from the local as follows of the 6th embodiment.The front end of the bonding part 34g that engages with positioning element forms and makes when being held part 34Y along closure (promptly, direction shown in the arrow among Figure 30 A) when moving with respect to toner container support 31, front end is nearer than the front end of the latch feature 34d that is promoted by nozzle 70 from the distance of toner container support 31 sides (right-hand side on the paper).In other words, bonding part 34g forms in retaining part 73 sides than the long predetermined length H of latch feature 34d.In toner container support 31, the length corresponding to the reference position of adjacency that positioning element 31c and nozzle 70 form from retaining part 73 almost is equal to each other.
According to said structure, in the 7th embodiment, be similar to the 6th embodiment, during the attended operation of toner container 32Y and toner container support 31, held part 34Y and begun the location, then, latch feature 34d begins to open ink powder outlet B.Therefore, can prevent the appearance of following situation, promptly clash into and held the infringement that part 34Y causes nozzle 70 (perhaps being held part 34Y) by nozzle 70 misalignment latch feature 34d.
As mentioned above, in the 7th embodiment, be similar to the 6th embodiment, when toner container 32Y will be connected in toner container support 31, held after part 34Y and attended operation synchronously begin the location, latch feature 34d begins to open ink powder outlet B.Therefore, ink powder outlet B can successfully and successfully open.But the operability/workability when changing toner container 32Y can improve thus, and can reduce the appearance of ink powder pickup definitely.
The 8th embodiment
Describe the eighth embodiment of the present invention in detail with reference to Figure 31 below.
Figure 31 is the skeleton view according to the toner container of the 8th embodiment, corresponding to Fig. 5 of first embodiment.The 8th embodiment is different from the first embodiment part and is, is arranged on the shape of the positioning element 31c in the toner container support.
With reference to Figure 31, be arranged on positioning element 31c in the toner container support and nozzle 70 according to the 8th embodiment jointly protrude to the side of being held part 34Y from the rear side of the retaining part of toner container support, and first embodiment that is integrally formed on the wall (side) of toner container support with positioning element 31c is different.Be similar to the 6th embodiment, according to the positioning element 31c of the 8th embodiment also form from retaining part corresponding to the reference position of adjacency to the sidepiece of being held part 34Y than nozzle 70 long predetermined length.
According to said structure, same in the 8th embodiment, be similar to the 6th embodiment, during the attended operation of toner container 32Y and toner container support 31, the location that begins to be held part 34d, then, latch feature 34d begins to open ink powder outlet B.Therefore, can prevent the generation of following situation, promptly clash into and held the infringement that part 34Y causes nozzle 70 (perhaps being held part 34Y) by nozzle 70 misalignment latch feature 34d.
As mentioned above, in the 8th embodiment, be similar to the 6th embodiment, when toner container 32Y will be connected in toner container support 31, held after part 34Y and attended operation synchronously begin the location, latch feature 34d begins to open ink powder outlet B.Therefore, ink powder outlet B can successfully and successfully open.But the operability/workability when changing toner container 32Y can improve thus, and can reduce the appearance of ink powder pickup definitely.
The 9th embodiment
Describe the ninth embodiment of the present invention in detail with reference to Figure 32 below.
Figure 32 is the cut-open view according to the toner container of the 9th embodiment.Toner container 32Y according to the 9th embodiment has some points, container body 33Y with held part 34Y and kept with non-rotatable direction by toner container support 31 jointly, coil 81Y as transmitter part is arranged among the container body 33Y, and these points are different with the embodiment that general's ink powder with which is sent to opening A with container body 33Y rotation.
Shown in figure 32, toner container 32Y mainly comprises container body 33Y and is held part 34Y.
Opening A is arranged on the head of container body 33Y, and gear 33c rotatably centers on the periphery setting of opening A.Thereby gear 33c engages revolving coil 81Y with the driven wheel of device body 100.
Turning axle 81Y and gear 33c are whole to be formed, and spiral-shaped coil 81Y is connected in turning axle 80Y.The end of turning axle 80Y is supported by the supporting part 34a2 that is held part 34Y.Coil 81Y extends to rear end (bottom) the container body 33Y from opening A.Thereby gear 33c rotates this turning axle 80Y and coil 81Y around container body 33Y.
Therefore, the ink powder that comprises among the container body 33Y transmits towards opening A by the ink powder conveying capacity of coil 81Y.
Because the overall diameter of coil 81Y is less than the interior diameter of container body 33Y, thus the ink powder conveying capacity can be applied near near the ink powder the rotation center axis, away from the interior perimeter surface of container body 33Y.In addition, the shape of coil 81Y is more pliable and tougher, and is only supported by the one end, and therefore, during rotation its position can be waved.This can be applied to the ink powder conveying capacity on the rotary middle spindle from the interior perimeter surface of container body 33Y fully.Therefore, even because environmental change or " leaving over overlong time " cause a large amount of ink powders to be included among the container body 33Y and when ink powder occurring and assembling, state of aggregation also can owing to coil 81Y by ink powder conveying capacity and weakened, and can prevent the minimizing of the amount of toner that will discharge thus.
In the 9th embodiment, similar with other embodiment, when toner container 32Y with/from toner container support 31 be connected/when dismantling, the latch feature 34d that is held part 34Y by action once be connected/disassembling section synchronously the On/Off ink powder export B.In this case, held part 34Y and begin the location, then, latch feature 34d begins to open ink powder outlet B.In addition, thus slipper 34c1 and 34c2 be arranged on held among the part 34Y with/synchronously slide from being connected of toner container support 31/disassembling section along toner container support 31.
As mentioned above, similar with other embodiment in the 9th embodiment, the structure that is installed in the toner container in the toner container support is optimized according to the longitudinal direction that is set at horizontal direction.Therefore, but operability/workability when changing can be improved, and the appearance of ink powder pickup can be reduced definitely.
Coil 81Y is used as the transmitter part among the 9th embodiment, but helical member also can be used as transmitter part.In this case, same, can obtain the effect identical with the 4th embodiment.
The tenth embodiment
Describe the tenth embodiment of the present invention in detail with reference to Figure 33 and Figure 34 below.
Figure 33 is the cut-open view according to the toner container of the tenth embodiment, corresponding to the Figure 32 according to the 9th embodiment.Figure 34 is the synoptic diagram of plate member 84Y.Be that according to the toner container of the 9th embodiment and the difference of the 9th embodiment plate member 84Y is used as transmitter part.
As shown in figure 33, toner container 32Y mainly comprises container body 33Y and is held part 34Y.
Opening A is arranged on the head of container body 33Y, and gear 33c rotatably centers on the periphery setting of opening A.Gear 33c engages with the driven wheel of device body 100, thereby is rotated, and is similar with the 9th embodiment.
Threaded rod 83Y and gear 33c are whole to be formed, and plate member 84Y is arranged on the threaded rod 83Y.More particularly, the convex thread part 83Ya of threaded rod 83Y cooperates (referring to Figure 34) with recessed threaded portion 84Ya spiral among the plate member 84Y.With reference to Figure 34, notch part is formed on the plate member 84Y, and this notch part engages with targeting part 85Y, and this targeting part is along the interior perimeter surface projection of container body 33Y.
With reference to Figure 33, threaded rod 83Y is supported on the one end by the supporting part 34a2 that is held part 34Y, and is supported on the other end by the supporting part in the rear side that is arranged on container body 33Y.Make gear 33c around container body 33Y rotation, threaded rod 83Y is rotation integrally also.Therefore, the plate member 84Y that engages with threaded rod 83Y moves (moving towards opening A along the direction of arrow) along the spiral direction of the supply, simultaneously by targeting part 85Y guiding (not following under the situation that threaded rod 83Y is rotated).The translational speed of plate member 84Y according to the toner consumption speed setting of container body 33Y must compare slowly.
Adopt this mode, the ink powder conveying capacity of ink powder by plate member 84Y that is included among the container body 33Y is transferred into opening A side.
Here, the overall diameter of plate member 84Y forms the interior diameter that is slightly less than container body 33Y, and the ink powder conveying capacity can apply on away near the ink powder the rotary middle spindle A of the interior perimeter surface of container body 33Y.Therefore, even owing to the improvement of environment or " leaving over overlong time " causes a large amount of ink powders to be included among the container body 33Y and ink powder is assembled therein, state of aggregation can prevent the minimizing of the amount of toner that will be discharged from thus because plate member 84Y is weakened by the ink powder conveying capacity.
In the tenth embodiment, be similar to other embodiment, when toner container 32Y with/from toner container support 31 be connected/when dismantling, the latch feature 34d that is held part 34Y by action once be connected/disassembling section synchronously the On/Off ink powder export B.In this case, held part 34Y and begin the location, then, latch feature 34d begins to open ink powder outlet B.In addition, thus slipper 34c1 and 34c2 be arranged on held among the part 34Y with/synchronously slide from being connected of toner container support 31/disassembling section along toner container support 31.
As mentioned above, similar with other embodiment in the tenth embodiment, the structure that is installed in the toner container in the toner container support is optimized according to the longitudinal direction that is set at horizontal direction.Therefore, but operability/workability when changing can be improved, and the appearance of ink powder pickup can be reduced definitely.
The 11 embodiment
Describe the 11st embodiment of the present invention in detail with reference to Figure 35 to Figure 42 below.In conventional art, have the ink powder pickup hardly in the ink powder exit of toner container, the hand that therefore is expected to suppress the user by the outlet of contact ink powder by this trouble of ink powder pickup.But, there are some problems, the operability when promptly changing toner container (setting) is not enough, because it is unfixing to be held the position of part when toner container is installed, and ink powder may be scattered near ink powder exports during the replacing toner container.
In order to address the above problem, following embodiment provides a kind of toner container support and imaging device, and the ink powder when this equipment can reduce the toner container replacing reliably by shirtsleeve operation is scattered.
The structure and the operation of whole imaging device at first are described below.
Figure 35 is the synoptic diagram according to the ink powder feed path of the imaging device of the 11 embodiment.Identical according to the unitary construction of the imaging device of the 11 embodiment with unitary construction according to the imaging device of first embodiment, as Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and shown in Figure 4.But, also have some differences according to the ink powder supplier of the imaging device of the 11 embodiment and ink powder supplier 59 according to first embodiment.Just, as shown in figure 35, latch feature 34d does not comprise jaw members shown in Figure 3 76, and the ID chip 35 of toner container 32Y directly is arranged in the flat portion of its front end, and bossing 34a1 is not set on the head of being held part 34Y.Miscellaneous part is identical with parts according to the imaging device of first embodiment.
With reference to Figure 36 to Figure 38 toner container is described below.
Similar with reference Fig. 1 and described first embodiment of Fig. 4, in the 11 embodiment, four columniform basically toner container 32Y, 32M, 32C and 32K (developer bottle) are removably disposed in the toner container support 31.Nearly all ink powder that comprises all is consumed and container emptied the toner container that need more renew when toner container 32Y, 32M, 32C and 32K arrive serviceable life.The ink powder that is included in every kind of color among toner container 32Y, 32M, 32C and the 32K is supplied to each developing apparatus of image-generating unit 6Y, 6M, 6C and 6K as required by the ink powder feed path, as shown in figure 35.
Figure 36 is the skeleton view of toner container 32Y.Figure 37 is the cut-open view of the head side (being provided with the sidepiece of being held part 34Y) of toner container 32Y.Figure 38 is the synoptic diagram of the toner container 32Y of Figure 37 of watching from arrow M direction.
Other three kinds of toner container 32M, 32C and 32K have and the toner container 32Y structure much at one that comprises Yellow ink powder, except the ink powder color difference that is comprised.Hereinafter, with the explanation of omitting other three kinds of toner container 32M, 32C and 32K, only explanation comprises the toner container 32Y of Yellow ink powder.
With reference to the toner container according to Figure 36 the 11 embodiment extremely shown in Figure 38, the part identical with the toner container of first embodiment used identical Reference numeral,, do not repeat them here to shown in Figure 7 as Fig. 5.Toner container according to the 11 embodiment does not comprise stirring parts 33f, jaw members 76, live spindle 76a, projection 34a1, recessed portion 34m, built-up member 31d and convex body part 34n, and they are arranged in the toner container of first embodiment.In addition, the driven wheel 31g of Fig. 5 does not have shown in Figure 36.
Comprise compression spring 34f according to the toner container of the 11 embodiment as bias unit.Compression spring 34f is arranged on the right side of the latch feature 34d of Figure 37, thereby along the direction bias voltage latch feature 34d that closes ink powder outlet B.The position that the ID chip 35 of the 11 embodiment is provided be in held part 34Y with the plane vertical with respect to being connected of toner container support 31/disassembly direction (that is, along the direction shown in the arrow of Figure 36) in and during connections/disassembling section, face telecommunication circuit 74.
Slipper 34c1 and 34c2 are arranged among the bearing 34c that is held part 34Y, thus with/synchronously slide from being connected of toner container support 31/disassembling section along toner container support 31.
More particularly, the first slipper 34c1 is flat portion, and (it is the plane with the plane surface that upwards forms to form and be arranged on substrate 310a in the toner container support 31; Referring to Figure 10) slipping plane (guided way) 31a parallel, flat portion is arranged in the bottom of being held part 34Y, connects/dismantles by it.In addition, the second slipper 34c2 is flat portion, forms that (it is the plane with the plane surface that forms to sidepiece with the slipping plane 31b of toner container support 31; Referring to Figure 10) parallel, this flat portion is arranged on the sidepiece of being held part 34Y, connects/dismantles by it.
As shown in figure 37, toner container 32Y has ink powder outlet B (or latch feature 34d), when toner container 32Y is set in the toner container support 31, its vertically be provided with the low sidepiece (downside among Figure 37) of opening A of specific volume body 33Y.
This allows the ink powder among the toner container 32Y to move and discharge from exporting B with the synchronous ink powder of opening of the attended operation of toner container 32Y along the direction shown in the dotted line of Figure 37.In other words, the ink powder among the container body 33Y is discharged from opening A, and the outlet of the ink powder from be arranged on vertical direction downside B discharges.
With respect to the direction that is connected to toner container support 31, ink powder outlet B is arranged on the rear side (left side of Figure 37) of specific volume body 33Y (perhaps opening A) after more.
This allows synchronously On/Off successfully and successfully of ink powder outlet B and toner container 32Y being connected of (axial direction)/disassembling section along the longitudinal direction.In other words, when toner container 32Y will connect, held part 34Y and begin the location, nozzle 70 and latch feature 34d preferably are in contact with one another then.In addition, can be arranged on rear side (left side of Figure 37) because comprise the retaining part 73 of the toner container support 31 of nozzle 70, so but the layout of simplified apparatus body 100 along closure.
In addition, ink powder outlet B is arranged on more backward sidepiece (left side of Figure 37) along the direction that is connected to toner container support 31, than the gear 33c on the periphery that is arranged on container body 33Y more backward, and near opening A.
This allows ink powder outlet B and toner container 32Y being connected along the longitudinal direction/disassembling section synchronously successfully and reliably to close/open.In other words, when toner container 32Y will be connected, held part 34Y and begin the location, then, nozzle 70 and latch feature 34d preferably are in contact with one another, and after this, gear 33c and driven wheel 31g are bonded with each other.
Toner container support 31 according to the 11 embodiment will be described hereinafter.Toner container support 31 according to the 11 embodiment describes with reference to Figure 21 and Figure 22 among the Figure 10 among first embodiment and Figure 11 and the 4th embodiment.
As shown in figure 10, toner container support 31 comprises slipping plane 31a, and the slipper that each of four toner container 32Y, 32M, 32C and 32K held in the part slides along this slipping plane; Retaining part 73 is used for fixing the position of being held bearing 34c partly; Nozzle 70 as attachment; Driver element is used for rotary driving force is sent to container body 33Y; Telecommunication circuit 74; And arm is used as the biasing member and second biasing member to 90.
Retaining part 73 keeps the part of being held of each toner container 32Y, 32M, 32C and 32K in irrotational mode.Retaining part 73 comprises the slipping plane of contact bearing 34c and the surface of contact that shell 34b is covered in contact.That be arranged on slipping plane (side surface) in the retaining part 73 is positioning element 31c, is used for synchronously positioning (referring to Figure 36) with the attended operation of being held part 34Y.Positioning element 31c is the convex body part that the connection/disassembly direction along toner container 32Y extends.
Nozzle 70 as shown in figure 11 is arranged in the retaining part 73 corresponding to every kind of ink powder color.Being arranged in the nozzle 70 is ink powder supply port 70a, and this mouthful is communicated in the ink powder outlet B among the part 34Y of being held that is formed on toner container 32Y.
With reference to Figure 10 and Figure 21, arm is being provided with (just in time the part of being held of toner container being inserted position before being held part) to 90 corresponding to every kind of ink powder color near the retaining part 73 of toner container support 31.As shown in figure 21, arm is arranged on the both sides of being held part that insert and put toner container 90.
With reference to Figure 22, arm comprises the first arm 91, second arm 92, axle 93 and torsionspring 94 to 90.Arm integrally is provided with via axle 93 90, and masterpiece is used on the both direction along the sense of rotation around axle 93 by torsionspring 94.More particularly, the first arm 91 and second arm 92 act on power on the both direction along the sense of rotation around axle 93.This power increases along with the increase that is formed on the angle between the first arm 91 and second arm 92.
Adopt the arm of aforesaid way structure to be used as bias unit to 90, the attended operation that will be held part 34Y (toner container 32Y) and toner container 32Y is synchronously towards retaining part 73 bias voltages (towards the direction of arrow Q of Fig. 4 to its bias voltage).In addition, arm also is used as second biasing member to 90, is used for synchronously being held part 34Y (toner container 32Y) along holding direction (direction relative with the arrow of Fig. 4) bias voltage that part 34Y (toner container 32Y) separates with retaining part 73 with the disassembling section of toner container 32Y.
Figure 39 is the synoptic diagram that how Yellow ink powder container 32Y is connected in toner container support (along moving of arrow Q direction) when longitudinal direction is watched.Figure 40 is how the to advance synoptic diagram of (when ink powder outlet B begins to open) of the connection of toner container 32Y when longitudinal direction is watched.Figure 41 is the toner container 32Y that is connected in toner container support 31 when longitudinal direction is watched (as's ink powder outlet B during by complete opening) a synoptic diagram.
Toner container 32Y with/from the connection/disassembling section of toner container support 31 with identical with reference to Figure 12 to Figure 14 and described the 4th embodiment of Figure 23 to Figure 25.
In the 11 embodiment, held part 34Y with respect to retaining part 73 move and the unlatching of the ink powder outlet B of toner container 32Y is carried out 90 biasing force by arm.
Figure 42 be the shift position of being held part 34Y (toner container 32Y) during the attended operation of toner container and from arm to 90 curve maps that put on the relation between the load of being held part 34Y.
As shown in figure 42, when being held part 34Y and move to the position (position of Figure 39 and Figure 23) of W1, held part 34Y and stood and the rightabout power of closure (direction of arrow Q).In other words, the power of the direction of separating with retaining part 73 along toner container 32Y was just in time putting on toner container 32Y to 90 by arm before retaining part 73 bias voltages.This causes the user that toner container 32Y is promoted to enter the sidepiece of retaining part 73, and its intensity overcomes this power.Therefore, user's promotion intensity is added into arm to 90 biasing forces that are applied to be held part 34Y, and ink powder outlet B is washed open thus.
Held part 34Y and also moved to W2 position (position among Figure 40 and Figure 24) among Fig. 1, held part 34Y and stand power (by the biasing forces of arm) 90 effects along closure (direction of arrow Q).Simultaneously, will be converted to nozzle 70 from latch feature 34d by the object of the filler 34e sealing of being held part 34Y.Slewing rate is quickened 90 by arm, and this can reduce because the time that the sealing ability that the conversion between the object to be sealed causes descends.
The stationkeeping of being held part 34Y is in the position of Figure 42 W3 (position among Figure 41 and Figure 25).
Adopt this mode, in the 11 embodiment, the opening speed of the ink powder of toner container 32Y outlet B mechanically determined 90 by arm, and is not that operating speed (promoting the speed of toner container) according to the user is determined.Therefore, the time of being held the sealing ability reduction of part 34Y can be not long terrifically, but almost shorten unchangeably at any time, reduces thus near the ink powder that is scattered the ink powder outlet B.
In the 11 embodiment, by arm 90 biased operation and the positioning action of being held part 34Y are synchronously begun (except the On/Off of body door is operated) with an action, make the slipper 34c1 of toner container 32Y slide along slipping plane 31a, then, the insertion operation of beginning nozzle 70, and final, finish being connected of gear 33c and driven wheel.The improvement of the operability of the attended operation of this permission toner container 32Y.
When toner container 32Y will slave unit body 100 toner container support 31 when taking out (dismounting), this operation and attended operation are carried out on the contrary.In this case, nozzle 70 also synchronously separates with bearing 34c with this operation, makes toner container 32Y separate from retaining part 73, and latch feature 34d is moved into the position of closing ink powder outlet B by the biasing force of compression spring 34f.
Adopt this mode, (except the On/Off operation of body door) finished in the disassembling section of toner container 32Y by once moving makes the slipper 34c1 of toner container 32Y slide along slipping plane 31a.
At this moment, arm is used as second biasing member to 90, is used for synchronously will being held part 34Y (toner container 32Y) along being held the direction bias voltage that part 34Y separates with retaining part 73 with the disassembling section of toner container 32Y.This speed that allows to close the ink powder outlet B of toner container 32Y mechanically determined 90 by arm, and is not that operating speed (pulling out the speed of toner container) according to the user is determined.Therefore, the time of being held the sealing ability reduction of part 34Y can be not long terrifically, but almost shorten unchangeably at any time, reduces thus near the ink powder that is scattered the ink powder outlet B.
Effect among the 11 embodiment will be classified according to background technology.
In the technology of record, slack-off if the user connects/dismantle the operating speed of toner container by hand in patent document 1 to 4, ink powder may be scattered near the ink powder outlet so.
More particularly, in the technology of record, the user manually rotates the part of being held of toner container on the toner container support in patent document 1 and patent document 2, thereby causes valve to move and open the ink powder outlet.In other words, the speed of opening the ink powder outlet of toner container is determined according to user's operating speed (speed of part is held in rotation).If the speed of the ink powder outlet of unlatching toner container is slow terrifically, near the ink powder the ink powder outlet is scattered in the toner container outside probably so, and device body may be polluted by ink powder.This is because compare before with afterwards with ink powder port opening (static state), and near the sealing ability the ink powder outlet of (dynamical state) during the open operation of ink powder outlet descends.Therefore, if the opening speed of the ink powder of toner container outlet extremely reduces, the time of sealing ability decline increases so, and ink powder is scattered near the ink powder outlet thus.
Equally, in the technology in being documented in patent document 4, the manual rotation of user wherein is provided with the On/Off bearing of ink powder storage container (toner container), thereby causes ink powder dispatch tube (nozzle) to promote latch feature and open to be exported by the gland sealed ink powder.In other words, the speed of opening the ink powder outlet of ink powder storage container is determined according to user's operating speed (rotarily opening/close the speed of bearing).Therefore, with technology type in patent document 1 and the patent document 2 seemingly, if the opening speed of the ink powder of ink powder storage container outlet is reduced to heavens, so since the corresponding time of the decline of the sealing ability of filler increase, thus, ink powder is scattered near the ink powder outlet.
Here, in order to address these problems, can consider some problems.Just, the unlatching zone of ink powder outlet is diminished or strengthens near the stickability of the seal of the setting ink powder outlet.But, the amount of toner that preceding a kind of measure meeting restriction is discharged from toner container, a kind of measure in back is owing to have the operability that the effect that strengthens adhesive seal can reduce the connection/dismounting of toner container.
In the 11 embodiment, toner container support 31 is arranged to attended operation with toner container 32Y synchronously with retaining part 73 bias voltages of toner container 32Y towards toner container support 31.This can reduce the generation that ink powder is scattered reliably, changes toner container 32Y no matter how the user operates, the operability the when while can not reduce from the amount of toner of toner container 32Y discharge and replacing.
Comprise according to the toner container 32Y of the 11 embodiment and to be held part 34Y, ink powder outlet B vertically is provided with down.Ink powder outlet B is provided with a side that is lower than opening A in vertical direction, and latch feature 34d and attended operation are synchronously located definitely, is promoted to open the ink powder outlet B by filler 34e sealing by nozzle 70 then.Therefore, in ink powder outlet B, exist ink powder to be infected with hardly, can avoid user's hand contact ink powder to export B and be infected with this trouble.
Because toner container 32Y with/carry out by action once explicitly from the slip of being connected of toner container support 31/disassembling section and slipper 34c1, so but the operability/workability when changing toner container 32Y be improved.Especially, by slipper 34c1 is arranged on the bottom of being held part 34Y, slipper 34c1 slides along slipping plane 31a and supports toner container 32Y simultaneously.
And, the attended operation of toner container 32Y begins the slip of slipper 34c1 and carries out when directly holding gripper 33d by the user, with by arm 90 bias voltage is begun the location jointly and is held part 34Y and begin to insert nozzle 70, and finish the location of being held part 34Y, insert nozzle 70, and in case slip promptly is connected in driver element after finishing.Therefore, the user obtains the sensation that click is rattled away in the slip of being held part 34Y (by the once attended operation of action) when advancing, being held simultaneously part 34Y location, and feels to determine not occur in attended operation faulty operation.
In addition, toner container 32Y is not set in the toner container support 31 (device body 100) from upside, but connection/disassembling section is carried out from the front surface of toner container support 31 (device body 100), and therefore enhancing is corresponding to the dirigibility of the layout of the upside of toner container support 31.For example, even scanner (document reader) is arranged on directly over the toner container support 31, but the operability/workability when the connection of toner container 32Y/dismounting can variation.And, also strengthen the dirigibility of the layout of bonding station D between the driven wheel of the gear 33c of toner container 32Y and device body 100.
Toner container 32Y is installed in the device body 100 by its longitudinal direction being set at horizontal direction, and therefore, the ink powder capacity of toner container 32Y is increased, and can not influence along the layout of the short transverse of whole imaging device 100, and this can reduce to change frequency.
As mentioned above, in the 11 embodiment, when toner container 32Y was replaced, the operation of replacing was fairly simple, can reduce being scattered of ink powder definitely.
In addition, toner container support 31 is configured to attended operation with toner container 32Y synchronously with the retaining part 73 of toner container 32Y bias voltage to toner container support 31.This allows to change toner container 32Y no matter how the user operates, and all can make reducing reliably that ink powder is scattered, and can not reduce the amount of toner of discharging from toner container 32Y and the operability when changing.
In the 11 embodiment, have only ink powder to be included in each container body of toner container 32Y, 32M, 32C and 32K, but the tow-component developer that comprises carrier and ink powder also can be stored in each container body of toner container 32Y, 32M, 32C and 32K of imaging device 100, and it is supplied to each developing apparatus as required with tow-component developer.Even in this case, synchronously be provided for toner container 32Y towards the arm of retaining part 73 bias voltages of toner container support 31 can successfully reducing being scattered of ink powder to 90 by attended operation with toner container 32Y.
The 12 embodiment
Hereinafter the 12 embodiment is described with reference to Figure 43 to Figure 46.
Figure 43 is the skeleton view that is removably disposed in according to the toner container 32Y in the toner container support 31 of the 12 embodiment, corresponding to the Figure 36 according to the 11 embodiment.Figure 44 is the cut-open view according to the toner container 32Y of the 12 embodiment.Toner container support 31 according to the 12 embodiment is that with the difference of the 11 embodiment the register pin 70b that engages with the pilot hole 340k of toner container 32Y is arranged in the nozzle 70.
Similar with the 11 embodiment, comprise as the toner container support 31 (setting section) that is arranged on the coupling part between overlapped section (discharge section) 30 and intermediate transfer unit (the intermediate transfer element) 15 according to the imaging device 100 of the 12 embodiment.In the coupling part, removably be connected with 32K as toner container (developer bottle) 32Y, 32M, the 32C of agent storage container, each toner container storage will be supplied to the ink powder of each developing apparatus of image-generating unit 6Y, 6M, 6C and 6K.
As Figure 43 and shown in Figure 44, toner container (developer bottle) 32Y that is set in the device body (printer) 100 comprises cylindrical container body (developer bottle) 33Y, opening A is formed at the one end, and held part (lid) 34Y, this part is rotating relatively with respect to the container body 33Y with opening A.What form around container body 33Y periphery is protruding 33b (spiral, and towards the internal tank projection), is sent to the forwarder part of opening A side by rotation as the ink powder that will comprise.Opening A is cylindrical, and its axis (turning axle) around container body 33Y forms, and its diameter is less than the diameter of container body 33Y.In order to discharge ink powder from the opening A that has than minor diameter, second spiral (second projection) and be used for being arranged between protruding 33b and the opening A (though they the two all do not illustrate, they are arranged on the position of bearing 134m back) towards the absorption portion that second spiral absorbs ink powder.
Held part (lid) 34Y and be connected in container body 33Y by bearing 134m.As shown in figure 44, claw (claw part) 340b1 is arranged on the excircle of the cylinder of being held part 34Y.Claw 340b1 is bonded among the circumferential groove 33e that is formed at container body 33Y, and this allows to be held the relative rotation of part 34Y and container body 33Y.Container body 33Y and the coupling part of being held between the part 34Y are formed with seal member (seal) 37, thereby prevent that ink powder from leaking from the coupling part.Gear (bottle gear) 33c integrally is provided with container body 33Y near the position of being held part 34Y that connects container body 33Y.Gear 33c is as the importation that makes container body 33Y rotation.
Ink powder outlet (supply port) B is formed on the bottom of the periphery of being held part 34Y.More particularly, ink powder outlet B integrally is provided with funnel shaped opening 340c2, and this opening is arranged among bearing (output block) 340c.Nozzle 70 (ink powder dispatch tube) as attachment is inserted into the nozzle bore 340n that is arranged among the bearing 340c, and ink powder outlet B and nozzle 70 are interconnected by ink powder supply port 70a thus.Latch feature (valve) 34d is assemblied among the nozzle bore 340n, and when toner container 32Y did not engage with nozzle 70, a series of ink powder feed paths were blocked.Though do not illustrate in the 12 embodiment, bias unit is not set in the toner container 32Y side, but is set in toner container support 31 sides, and bias unit is along the direction bias voltage latch feature 34d that stops its direction that is promoted by nozzle 70.
As shown in figure 43, register pin 70b is arranged on the both sides of the nozzle body on the sidepiece of device body 100, and nozzle 70 is arranged on wherein.Register pin 70b inserts and is arranged on the pilot hole 340k that is held among the part 34Y.The supply side of nozzle 70 is communicated with the suction inlet of suction-type helicoidal pump 60, and is similar with the 11 embodiment.As helicoidal pump, can use the non axial centrifugal screw pump (Mohno pump) that to supply with fixed amount continuously with Gao Gu/gas ratio.
In the toner container 32Y that adopts the aforesaid way structure, watch when direction from the arrow M of Figure 43, the part 34Y that held with bearing (output block) 340c of being fixed in it outwards protrudes from the external peripheral surface of container body 33Y.In other words, thereby bearing 340c is formed on and is held among the part 34Y and can't cover convex plane along connection/disassembly direction (direction of arrow M and Q) of container body 33Y, and this bearing is the projection along connections/disassembling section protrusion.
When toner container 32Y when the direction setting of arrow Q is in toner container support (setting section) 31, register pin 70b is inserted among the pilot hole 340k, nozzle 70 inserts among the nozzle bore 340n.More particularly, by along the mobile toner container 32Y of axial direction (longitudinal direction) and will be held part 34Y as front end, nozzle 70 inserts nozzle bore 340n.Then, when nozzle 70 inserted nozzle bore 340n, latch feature 34d released towards rear side from nozzle bore 340n, and ink powder supply port (receiving opening) 70a of nozzle 70 is communicated with ink powder outlet B (opening 340c2) thereby can supplies with ink powder.
In according to the toner container support among the 12 embodiment, same, ink powder supply with operation with the 11 embodiment in identical mode carry out.In other words, the rotation of the ink powder that is comprised by container body 33Y is supplied to is held part 34Y side, and ink powder outlet B is filled with ink powder.If the ink powder outlet B as the suction side is filled with ink powder, the suction-type helicoidal pump is certain to transmit ink powder so.Therefore, the amount of toner according to the running time can be supplied to developing apparatus.
Ink powder is supplied with this mode of employing and is carried out, and the user is set in toner container 32Y in the toner container support 31 simultaneously.Therefore, if if toner container 32Y is not correctly set wherein or has the fault that is provided with, nozzle 70 can correctly not inserted nozzle bore 340n so, the fault that this causes ink powder to be supplied with.
Figure 45 is arranged on the skeleton view of the substrate 310a in the toner container support (setting section) 31, and Figure 46 is its local amplification view that is provided with the substrate 310a of toner container 32Y.
With reference to Figure 45 (equally with reference to Figure 10), the substrate 310a that is arranged in the toner container support 31 has the space, in this space, can be connected corresponding to the toner container 32Y of four kinds of colors, and slipping plane 31a and 31b are formed in each link position of toner container 32Y.Four toner container 32Y are set among the substrate 310a among the 12 embodiment, but substrate 310a also can be provided with corresponding to each toner container 32Y independently according to the quantity of toner container 32Y.
As shown in figure 46, the slipping plane 31a and the slipping plane 31b that are formed among the substrate 310a form direction recess 31a11, wherein are equipped with and are held part 34Y.The slipping plane 31b of direction recess 31a11 and the upper surface of substrate 310a form the guide edge 31a12 as bending member, its support vessels body 33Y.Direction recess 31a11 is configured to when when the vertical direction of the paper of Figure 46 is watched, the bearing 340c (projection) that guiding is protruded from the excircle of container body 33Y.In other words, direction recess 31a11 forms and makes the projection 34c that is held part 34Y be assemblied among the direction recess 31a11.Guide edge 31a12 forms along the starting point of direction recess 31a11 and the edge between the end point, thereby and forms the inclined-plane and easily support rotary container body 33Y.
Therefore, the toner container support 31 that adopts aforesaid way to constitute comprises slipping plane 31a and the 31b that forms direction recess 31a11, so when being held part 34Y and be assemblied among the direction recess 31a11, the rotation that centers on the central shaft of being held part 34Y is limited.Therefore, if thereby toner container 32Y is arranged on and is held part 34Y on the slipping plane 31a simultaneously and be assemblied among the direction recess 31a11 and move along arrow Q direction, and toner container 32Y can simply, reliably and correctly set so.More particularly, be set among the direction recess 31a11, in nozzle 340n and pilot hole 340k, displacement can not occur by holding part 34Y.Therefore, when toner container 32Y along arrow Q direction setting therein the time, register pin 70b inserts pilot hole 340k definitely, and nozzle 70 inserts nozzle bore 340n reliably.
In the 12 embodiment, toner container 32Y slides along slipping plane 31a on attended operation and parallel axes ground from beginning to finish.Simultaneously, this method can change into beginning in attended operation, along perpendicular to the direction of arrow Q, to be held part 34Y as head slip toner container 32Y, then it connected along arrow Q direction.This method also can be changed into following method, promptly in the beginning of attended operation, from upside toner container 32Y is set on the slipping plane 31a, connects thereby along the direction of arrow Q it is slided then.
Imaging device according to the 12 embodiment is configured to the ink powder discharging mechanism is arranged on from the rear side that operator (user) watches, and the nozzle 70 of device body 100 sides in the rear side of the spray orifice 340n of toner container 32Y and device body 100 is docked.According to said structure, even ink powder is scattered in butted part, this position is also away from the operator.Therefore, compare with the situation that ink powder output mechanism (docking structure) is near the side of device body 100, operator's hand can be easily by the ink powder pickup.In addition, because docking structure is arranged in the rear side of device body 100, so the operator operates when keeping this to be held part 34Y when connecting hardly.The operator that experiment showed, by operation keeps container body 33Y so that it is pushed usually.If the operator keeps container body 33Y, this is held part 34Y side and can be rotated during operation so, and this may cause the operability variation, but in the 12 embodiment, limited by slipping plane 31a because hold the rotation of part 34Y, so operability is improved.Therefore, even ink powder output mechanism (docking structure) is arranged in the rear side of device body 100, the operability when changing toner container 32Y is improved.
To summarize hereinafter according to the structure of the toner container support 31 of the 12 embodiment and the relation of effect.Following great majority structure and effect are for also all having according to the toner container support of the 11 embodiment.
In the 12 embodiment, the main portion of being held part (lid) 34Y on the discharge side of toner container 32Y is columniform basically, the part of this cylinder has the bearing 340c (extension, projection) that stretches out towards the space that comprises the ink powder valve mechanism.On the basis of bearing 340c, toner container 32Y is assemblied among the direction recess 31a11 on the sidepiece that is formed at device body 100, to connect, can accurately determine the position relation with the nozzle 70 that sucks ink powder.
Toner container 32Y moves along slipping plane 31a, thereby ink powder outlet B engages with nozzle 70 and prevents that toner container 32Y's is provided with fault or mistake setting.Structure according to the 12 embodiment, compare with the patent document 1 to 4 of the disassembling section of carrying out toner container 32Y with a plurality of actions of needs, (except the On/Off operation of body door) finished in the disassembling section of toner container 32Y by once moving, make toner container 32Y move along slipping plane 31a.
Be provided for the guide edge 31a12 of slipping plane 31a, this helps to support toner container 32Y rotatably, definitely after connecting.
Be provided for the direction recess 31a11 of slipping plane 31a, this helps to eliminate moving of toner container 32Y when connecting, and prevents successfully that therefore toner container 32Y's is provided with fault or wrong the setting.
If the user only keeps container body 33Y and attempts it is arranged in the device body, held part 34Y so and rotated, remove non-rotating being restricted.At this moment, moment forces is created in around the rotation center of being held part 34Y, and bearing (extension) 340c is towards the below.Therefore, in the 12 embodiment, direction recess 31a11 is formed on the downside of vertical direction.Adopt this shape, even the user only keeps container body 33Y, bearing 340c also itself is assemblied among the direction recess 31a11, and the mistake setting of toner container 32Y prevents that performance is improved.
In the 12 embodiment, be formed on bearing (extension) 340c because be used for docking the ink powder outlet B of nozzle 79 (ink powder supply port 70a), ink powder outlet B moves along slipping plane 31a, and this rotation that can prevent toner container B is moved.Therefore, the user can be easily and is docked ink powder outlet B and nozzle 70 definitely, and not obviously recognizes.Different with the open operation of the ink powder outlet of sleeve in patent document 5 and the patent document 6 chucking system, the 12 embodiment has the mechanism that synchronously promotes latch feature 34d by nozzle 70 with attended operation, thereby open ink powder outlet B, and do not use lever etc.This prevents that ink powder is scattered when changing toner container 32Y.
Because the user can be easily by only keeping container body 33Y to carry out connection/disassembling section of toner container 32Y, so ink powder output mechanism (butted part between nozzle 70 and the ink powder outlet B) can be arranged on the rear side of device body 100.
As mentioned above, the 12 embodiment is configured to allow shirtsleeve operation, also allows to reduce definitely when toner container 32Y changes being scattered of ink powder.
Significantly, the present invention is not subjected to the limitation of embodiment, and except the content described in the embodiment, these embodiment can change in the scope of technological thought of the present invention as required.In addition, each numeral, position and the shape of each parts is not subjected to the restriction of embodiment, therefore, can change to be suitable for realizing the present invention it.
Be characterised in that the attended operation of above-mentioned toner container and toner container support according to the toner container of another embodiment, after beginning the location, the On/Off parts begin to open the ink powder outlet.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that, on the basis of above-mentioned toner container, the toner container support has the nozzle that is communicated with the ink powder outlet, and the On/Off component settings is a latch feature, the attended operation of itself and toner container support is synchronously promoted by nozzle, thereby begin to open ink powder outlet, and its with from the disassembling section of toner container support synchronously by the biasing member bias voltage, export thereby begin to close ink powder.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that, on the basis of above-mentioned toner container, the toner container support has positioning element, thereby be used for and held part and engage and locate this and held part, and with the attended operation of toner container support during, held part and begun with after positioning element engages, nozzle begins to promote latch feature.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that, on the basis of above-mentioned toner container, the front end of positioning element forms with respect to being held part than the more approaching part side of being held of the front end of nozzle along closure.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that, when above-mentioned toner container when closure moves to the toner container support, the front end of being held part that engages with positioning element forms front end than the latch feature that is promoted by nozzle more near the toner container bracket side.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that on the basis of above-mentioned toner container, the front end of being held the positioning element on the sidepiece partly in connection forms taper or tangent plane.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that on the basis of above-mentioned toner container, the front end of being held part on the sidepiece that engages positioning element forms taper or tangent plane.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that above-mentioned toner container removably is connected in the toner container support of the main body of imaging device, and this toner container comprises container body, and its ink powder that will be included in toner container inside is discharged from opening; And held part, the ink powder that this part is discharged from the container body outlet is discharged from the ink powder outlet, and is undertaken by the toner container support in irrotational mode, and is held part and comprise the slipper that contacts and slide with the toner container support.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that, the slipper of above-mentioned toner container with/synchronously slide from being connected of toner container support/disassembling section along the toner container support.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that the slipper of above-mentioned toner container is flat portion.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that the flat portion of above-mentioned toner container forms parallel with the slipping plane of toner container support.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that the slipper of above-mentioned toner container is a plurality of convex body parts, and the height of these parts can contact with predetermined plane.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that the predetermined plane of above-mentioned toner container is set at the slipping plane of toner container support.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that the slipper of above-mentioned toner container is arranged in the bottom of being held part.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that, when carry out with/during from being connected of toner container support/disassembling section, the bottom of being held part of above-mentioned toner container is arranged on the slipping plane of toner container support and along slipping plane and slides.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that the slipper of above-mentioned toner container is arranged in the sidepiece of being held part.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that, when carry out with/during from being connected of toner container support/disassembling section, the part of being held of above-mentioned toner container is slided along the slipping plane as the toner container bearing of side surface.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that, the part of being held of above-mentioned toner container comprises the bias voltage part, this part is along the bias unit bias voltage of closure by the toner container support, held part simultaneously and be arranged in the toner container support, and slipper with/synchronously contact and slide from being connected of toner container support/disassembling section with bias unit.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that, on the basis of above-mentioned toner container, bias unit is that the arm that integrally is provided with by axle is right, and applies power by torsionspring along two sense of rotation around axle.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that at above-mentioned toner container, slipper is arranged in the two side portions of being held part, and bias voltage partly is the bight that is in the place, end of two side portions.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that, in above-mentioned toner container, the bight forms and makes the curvature in bight less than the curvature of the contact portion of the bias unit that contacts with the bight.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that, in above-mentioned toner container, slipper is arranged in the two side portions of being held part, and bias voltage partly is the plane that intersects with sidepiece in the office, both sides.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that in above-mentioned toner container, slipper forms and makes it highly equal the height of ink powder outlet.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that, on the basis of above-mentioned toner container, the toner container support comprises the nozzle that is communicated with the ink powder outlet, and held part and comprised latch feature, thereby this parts and synchronously promote to open the ink powder outlet by nozzle with the attended operation of toner container support, thereby and and synchronously close the ink powder outlet from the disassembling section of toner container support by the biasing member bias voltage, during the attended operation of toner container support, begin after bias unit is slided at slipper, the ink powder dispatch tube begins to promote latch feature, in case and slipper finishes it and slide into bias unit, bias unit is with this bias voltage part of bias voltage.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that, in above-mentioned toner container, latch feature along with/from connection/disassembly direction that being connected of toner container support/disassembling section is associated displacement be set at be shorter than from the ink powder outlet along connections/disassembly direction to bias voltage partly distance.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that, in above-mentioned toner container, held the bonding part that part comprises and synchronously engages with the positioning element of toner container support with the attended operation of toner container support, during this bonding part is arranged on and exports along the upside of the vertical direction of slipper and ink powder.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that, above-mentioned imaging device comprises the toner container that is removably disposed in wherein, this container comprises the container body that the ink powder that is included in the toner container is discharged from opening, and held part, this is held part and will be discharged from the ink powder outlet from the ink powder that the opening of container body is discharged; And comprising retaining part, this part keeps this to be held part in irrotational mode; And guide rail, this track will be held part and be led towards retaining part, and rotation is partly held in restriction when the connection of toner container simultaneously.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that in above-mentioned imaging device, guide rail comprises the guide edge that is used for the support vessels body.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that, in above-mentioned imaging device, guide rail comprises the direction recess of the part of the part that keeps of being used to lead.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that, in above-mentioned imaging device, held the extension that part is stretched out along connection/disassembly direction, stretch out the plane thereby do not cover this along the connection/disassembly direction of container body, this extension leads along direction recess.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that in above-mentioned imaging device, this extension has the ink powder outlet.
Toner container according to another embodiment is characterised in that in above-mentioned imaging device, direction recess is arranged on respect in the downside of being held vertical direction partly.
Imaging device according to another embodiment is characterised in that, above-mentioned imaging device comprises ink powder supplier, toner container is removably disposed in this ink powder supplier, toner container comprises the container body that the ink powder that is contained in the toner container is discharged from opening, and held part, this is held part and will be discharged from the ink powder outlet from the ink powder that the opening of container body is discharged; And also comprise retaining part, this part keeps this to be held part in irrotational mode; And biased element, be used for the attended operation of toner container synchronously toner container towards the retaining part bias voltage.
Imaging device according to another embodiment is characterised in that in above-mentioned imaging device, the attended operation of this biased element and toner container is synchronously held part towards the retaining part bias voltage.
Imaging device according to another embodiment is characterised in that, in above-mentioned imaging device, toner container comprises and is used for and is connected/the disassembling section On/Off parts of On/Off ink powder outlet synchronously, during the attended operation of toner container, after biased element began bias voltage, the On/Off parts began to open the ink powder outlet.
Imaging device according to another embodiment is characterised in that, above-mentioned imaging device be configured to by bias unit before the retaining part bias voltage, power is applied on the toner container along the direction that toner container is separated with retaining part.
Imaging device according to another embodiment is characterised in that above-mentioned imaging device comprises second biased element, this biased element be used for the disassembling section of toner container synchronously along the direction bias voltage toner container that separates toner container from retaining part.
Imaging device according to another embodiment is characterised in that, in above-mentioned imaging device, the disassembling section of second biased element and toner container is synchronously along this is held part with its direction bias voltage that separates with retaining part.
Imaging device according to another embodiment is characterised in that, in above-mentioned imaging device, toner container comprises the On/Off parts, these parts be used for be connected/disassembling section synchronously closes/opens ink powder outlet, and during the disassembling section of toner container, after second biased element begins bias voltage, the On/Off parts begin to close the ink powder outlet.
Imaging device according to another embodiment is characterised in that above-mentioned imaging device is configured to before direction bias voltage second bias unit of separating toner container from retaining part power is being affacted on the toner container towards retaining part.
Imaging device according to another embodiment is characterised in that, in above-mentioned imaging device, the biased element and second biased element integrally integrally are provided with and form arm by axle right, and it applies power by the both direction of torsionspring around axle along sense of rotation.
Imaging device according to another embodiment is characterised in that, in above-mentioned imaging device, guide rail comprises slipping plane, the slipper of being held part synchronously slides along being connected of this slipping plane and toner container/disassembling section, and during the attended operation of toner container, after the slip of slipper begins, this is held part the biased element bias voltage, simultaneously, begin to be held part and be positioned to retaining part, in case and the slip of slipper finishes, held part and be positioned to retaining part and be accomplished.
Imaging device according to another embodiment is characterised in that in above-mentioned imaging device, guide rail comprises slipping plane, is held being connected of slipper and the toner container/disassembling section of part and synchronously slides along this slipping plane.
Imaging device according to another embodiment is characterised in that above-mentioned imaging device comprises slipping plane, is held being connected of slipper and the toner container/disassembling section of part and synchronously slides along this slipping plane.
Imaging device according to another embodiment is characterised in that, in above-mentioned imaging device, during the attended operation of toner container, after slipper begins to slide, the biasing member bias voltage is held part, simultaneously, is held part and begins to be positioned to retaining part, in case and the slip of slipper finishes, held part and be positioned to retaining part and be accomplished.
Imaging device according to another embodiment is characterised in that above-mentioned imaging device comprises toner container, and this container comprises the On/Off parts, be used for On/Off held the part ink powder export; And also comprise the ink powder dispatch tube, begin to open the ink powder outlet thereby the attended operation of this ink powder dispatch tube and toner container synchronously promotes the On/Off parts, and this ink powder dispatch tube is communicated with the ink powder outlet.
Imaging device according to another embodiment is characterised in that in above-mentioned imaging device, toner container comprises the parts that apply the power of bias voltage On/Off parts along the direction that hinders the direction that is promoted by the ink powder dispatch tube.
Imaging device according to another embodiment is characterised in that in above-mentioned imaging device, toner container connects/dismantles along the longitudinal direction of container body.
Imaging device according to another embodiment is characterised in that in above-mentioned imaging device, toner container connects on the basis of the longitudinal direction that is set at horizontal direction of container body.
Imaging device according to another embodiment is characterised in that, in above-mentioned imaging device, held part and connects and make it become the head of container body.
Imaging device according to another embodiment is characterised in that above-mentioned imaging device comprises toner container, near the gear that this container comprises on the periphery that is arranged on container body and opening is; Thereby and also comprise the driven wheel that rotary driving force is sent to gear with gear engagement.
Imaging device according to another embodiment is characterised in that, in above-mentioned imaging device, toner container will be included in ink powder in the container body by being sent to gear rotary driving force and the rotation of container body synchronously transmit towards opening.
Imaging device according to another embodiment is characterised in that in above-mentioned imaging device, toner container has the spiral-shaped projection along the inner circumferential surface of container body.
Imaging device according to another embodiment is characterised in that in above-mentioned imaging device, toner container comprises the ink powder in the container body.
Imaging device according to another embodiment is characterised in that in above-mentioned imaging device, toner container also comprises the carrier in the container body.
Imaging device according to another embodiment is characterised in that, above-mentioned imaging device comprises the toner container that removably is connected in the coupling part, this toner container comprises Rong Titi, and this container body has the ink powder that is used for being comprised is sent to open side by rotation forwarder part; And held part, this partial fixing is rotatable relatively in the opening of container body and with respect to container body, wherein, being held part has ink powder and exports, this outlet is formed for and will be included in the part in path that ink powder in the container body is sent to the main body of imaging device, this coupling part comprises the attachment that engage with the ink powder outlet when toner container is in axial direction mobile, and is used for limiting during moving the guide rail that this is held the rotation of part.
Imaging device according to another embodiment is characterised in that, in above-mentioned imaging device, guide rail comprises the guide edge that is used for the support vessels body and the direction recess of the end surfaces of being held part of being used to lead.
Imaging device according to another embodiment is characterised in that, in above-mentioned imaging device, held part and had outwardly directed extension, its overhang surpasses container body at the overall diameter perpendicular to the section place of the axis of toner container, and extension is led by the direction recess of guide rail.
Imaging device according to another embodiment is characterised in that in above-mentioned imaging device, direction recess is formed on along in the downside of gravity direction.
Imaging device according to another embodiment is characterised in that in above-mentioned imaging device, the ink powder outlet is formed in the extension.
Imaging device according to another embodiment is characterised in that, in above-mentioned imaging device, the coupling part is positioned at the rear side of the main body when the operator watches.

Claims (23)

1. toner container comprises:
Container body, this container body comprise ink powder and have the opening that is used to discharge ink powder; And
Held part, this is held part and is attached to described container body, and can be connected with the toner container support of imaging device in irrotational mode,
Wherein, the described part of being held comprises:
The ink powder outlet, this ink powder outlet is connected with the opening of container body, receives ink powder with the opening from container body, and discharges ink powder, so that form image by imaging device, and the outlet of described ink powder is perpendicular to the length of container body;
Nozzle bore, this nozzle bore are used to receive the nozzle of the imaging device parallel with the length of described container body, and described nozzle receives the ink powder of discharging from described ink powder outlet when being arranged in described nozzle bore; With
The slipper that on the part of described toner container support, slides, described slipper and described toner container is connected to described toner container support and synchronously slides in the described part of described toner container support from the operation of described toner container support dismounting
Wherein said slipper comprises first slipper that is formed at described bottom surface of being held part and is formed at described second slipper of side of being held part, and described first slipper and described second slipper comprise flat part.
2. toner container according to claim 1, wherein, described slipper is parallel to the slipping plane of described toner container support.
3. toner container according to claim 1, wherein, slide on the slipping plane of described toner container support in described bottom surface when described toner container is connected on the described toner container support.
4. toner container according to claim 1, wherein, slide on the slipping plane of described toner container support in described side when described toner container is connected on the described toner container support.
5. toner container according to claim 1, wherein, described first and second slippers comprise a plurality of convex body parts, and the height that each described convex body partly has makes described convex body partly contact predetermined face, wherein, described predetermined face is the slipping plane of toner container support.
6. toner container according to claim 1, wherein, the described part of being held comprises and described toner container is connected to the bonding part that the operation of described toner container support synchronously engages with the positioning element of described toner container support that described bound fraction is positioned at the upside of the vertical direction of described slipper and ink powder outlet.
7. toner container according to claim 1, wherein, the described part of being held comprises the bias voltage part, it and is being connected to described toner container on described toner container support and is contacting with described bias unit and slide in bias unit from the described slipper of operating period of described toner container support dismounting by the bias unit bias voltage of toner container support when being connected on the described toner container support when being held part.
8. toner container according to claim 7, wherein, described bias unit comprises:
The a pair of arm that integrally is provided with via axle,
Torsionspring applies power around described axle and described arm.
9. toner container according to claim 8, wherein, described slipper is positioned at described two positions that separate of being held part, and described bias voltage partly is the bight that is positioned at an end of described two positions that separate.
10. toner container according to claim 9, wherein, described bight forms and makes the curvature in bight less than the curvature of the contact portion of the bias unit that contacts with the bight.
11. toner container according to claim 8, wherein, described slipper is arranged on two positions that separate of being held part, and bias voltage partly is the plane that intersects with sidepiece at place, the end of described two positions that separate.
12. toner container according to claim 7, wherein, the height of described slipper is substantially equal to the height of ink powder outlet.
13. toner container according to claim 7, wherein, the toner container support comprises the nozzle that is communicated with the ink powder outlet,
And being held part comprises: the latch feature that is arranged in nozzle bore, thereby these parts and toner container are connected to the attended operation of toner container support and synchronously promote to open the ink powder outlet by nozzle, thereby and and synchronously close the ink powder outlet by the biasing member bias voltage of toner container support from the disassembling section of toner container support dismounting toner container
Described nozzle is set to begin the promotion of latch feature after slipper begins to slide on bias unit during attended operation and disassembling section.
14. toner container according to claim 13, wherein, latch feature displacement along connection/disassembly direction during connection/disassembling section is shorter than from the distance of ink powder outlet part along connection/disassembly direction to bias voltage.
15. toner container according to claim 1 wherein, holds ink powder in the described container body.
16. toner container according to claim 15 wherein, holds carrier in the described container body.
17. toner container according to claim 1, wherein, described held the part comprise slidably support described held the part direction recess;
When toner container was installed on the support of imaging device, described slipper was lower than direction recess.
18. toner container according to claim 17, wherein, when toner container was installed on the support of imaging device, described slipper was horizontally disposed.
19. toner container according to claim 17, wherein, when toner container was installed on the support of imaging device, described slipper was arranged vertically.
20. a toner container that is connected to the toner container support of imaging device comprises:
Container body comprises ink powder and has the opening that is used to discharge ink powder; With
Held part, be attached to described container body, and can be connected with the toner container support in irrotational mode,
Wherein, the described part of being held comprises:
The ink powder outlet is connected with the opening of container body, receives ink powder with the opening from container body, and discharges ink powder, so that form image by imaging device, and the outlet of described ink powder is perpendicular to the length of container body;
Nozzle bore is used to receive the nozzle of the imaging device parallel with the length of described container body, and described nozzle receives the ink powder of discharging from described ink powder outlet when being arranged in described nozzle bore;
The On/Off parts are arranged in nozzle bore, be used for to/synchronously On/Off ink powder the outlet of connection/disassembling section that is connected/dismantles from described toner container support; With
Slipper and synchronously slides along described toner container support to/connection/disassembling section of being connected/dismantling from described toner container support, and described slipper comprises: towards first slipper of below with towards second slipper of horizontal direction,
Wherein, described On/Off parts are surrounded by described first slipper and described second slipper.
21. toner container according to claim 20, wherein, described slipper be configured to be connected/disassembling section synchronously slides along the sliding tray of described toner container support.
22. a toner container that is connected to the toner container support of imaging device comprises:
Container body comprises ink powder and has the opening that is used to discharge ink powder; With
Held part, be attached to described container body, and can be connected with the toner container support in irrotational mode,
Wherein, the described part of being held comprises:
The ink powder outlet is connected with the opening of container body, receives ink powder with the opening from container body, and discharges ink powder, so that form image by imaging device, and the outlet of described ink powder is perpendicular to the length of container body;
Nozzle bore is used to receive the nozzle of the imaging device parallel with the length of described container body, and described nozzle receives the ink powder of discharging from described ink powder outlet when being arranged in described nozzle bore;
The On/Off parts are arranged in nozzle bore, be used for to/synchronously On/Off ink powder the outlet of connection/disassembling section that is connected/dismantles from described toner container support; With
Slipper, with synchronously slide to/connection/disassembling section of being connected/dismantling from described toner container support along described toner container support, described slipper comprises: first slipper, this first slipper is a pair of planar, this, and is connected across the wall on described plane by being arranged in vertical plane plane parallel; Be positioned at second slipper on the bottom of being held part that covers described On/Off parts
Wherein, described On/Off parts are surrounded by described plane and described wall.
23. toner container as claimed in claim 22, wherein, described slipper be configured to be connected/disassembling section synchronously slides along the sliding tray of described toner container support.
CN2009101662253A 2005-06-07 2006-06-07 Toner container and image forming device Active CN101634827B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (16)

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JP2005167298 2005-06-07
JP167298/05 2005-06-07
JP2005198355 2005-07-07
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JP223438/05 2005-08-01
JP2005223438 2005-08-01
JP304216/05 2005-10-19
JP2005304216 2005-10-19
JP313616/05 2005-10-28
JP2005313616 2005-10-28
JP013293/06 2006-01-23
JP2006013293A JP4396946B2 (en) 2005-01-26 2006-01-23 Toner supply device and image forming apparatus
JP029246/06 2006-02-07
JP2006029246A JP4408864B2 (en) 2005-06-07 2006-02-07 Toner container and image forming apparatus

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