CN101639650A - Toner container and image forming device - Google Patents
Toner container and image forming device Download PDFInfo
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- CN101639650A CN101639650A CN200910173053A CN200910173053A CN101639650A CN 101639650 A CN101639650 A CN 101639650A CN 200910173053 A CN200910173053 A CN 200910173053A CN 200910173053 A CN200910173053 A CN 200910173053A CN 101639650 A CN101639650 A CN 101639650A
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Abstract
A toner container (132Y) detachably installed in the toner container storage part of the image forming device body of an image forming device. The toner container comprises a container body (133Y) storing a toner therein, a held part (134Y) fitted to the longitudinal end part of the container body (133Y), having a toner discharge port (B) for discharging the toner stored in the container body (133Y), and held on the toner container storage part, and a still standing suppressing means fitted to the held part (134Y) and suppressing the still standing of the toner container on a still standing surface in the state of the held part (134Y) positioned in the vertical lower direction to the container body (133Y).
Description
The application is entitled as " toner container and imaging device " to what Patent Office of the People's Republic of China proposed, and application number is dividing an application of 200680000191.5 application for a patent for invention.
Technical field
The present invention relates generally on a kind of main body that is removably mounted on imaging device so that toner container that is used in the toner in the imaging process and the imaging device that comprises this toner container to be provided.
Background technology
At the traditional imaging device that adopts electric camera chain for example duplicating machine, printer, facsimile recorder or be equipped with in the multifunctional product of these functions, being used for providing the cylindrical toner container of toner to developing apparatus is known (referring to for example patent documentation 1).
In patent documentation 1 grade, the toner container (toner bottle) that is installed in replaceably in the toner container support (bottle rack) of imaging equipment body comprises container body and is held part (cap portion).Inner circumferential surface along container body is provided with the spirality teat, and the toner that is contained in the container body is carried towards opening by the rotation of container body.Be held the part and the open communication of container body, and it keeps un-rotatably by the toner container support, promptly it can not rotate with container body.Discharge from being located at the toner outlet that is held the part from the toner that the opening of container body is exported.Afterwards, the toner of discharging from the toner outlet that is held part is provided for developing apparatus.
With each all without any being held part and the toner container (for example referring to patent documentation 2) that toner directly offers developing apparatus being compared from the opening of container body, the toner contamination the when toner container that constitutes according to top mode can be reduced in and change toner container.More particularly, because the toner outlet that is held part synchronously opens or closes with the part attaching/detaching operation (rotary manipulation) of toner container, so can suppress to occur user's hand because contact toner outlet and by the toner this trouble of making dirty.In addition, toner outlet forms downwards in the bottom of vertical direction at toner container, and when toner container becomes empty, owing to fall under himself weight effect, so can reduce near the toner outlet toning dosage.Therefore, reduced the toner contamination in the toner outlet when changing toner container.
More particularly, in patent documentation 1 grade, in the time of on the toner container support that toner container will be installed in the equipment body, at first main body lid (laminated portions) is upwards opened, and the toner container support is exposed.Then, side is placed in toner container on the toner container support from it.Afterwards, catch the handle of being arranged to one with the maintained portion branch, thereby make the maintained portion component of rotation (rotary manipulation).In this operation, the bonding part that is formed in the end face that is held part engages with the align member of equipment body, and makes the stationkeeping of toner container in the toner container support.In addition, be located at the toner outlet that is held in the part along with the rotation that is held part to the bottom motion, and the biasing force that gate overcomes spring is opened the toner outlet downwards.
On the other hand, patent documentation 3 grades have disclosed the toner storage container (toner container) with bag-like container and block member.The part operation (rotary manipulation of opening/closing folders) of the toner outlet of block member and the attaching/detaching operation of the main body that is provided with screw pump is opening/closing synchronously, so that reduce the toner contamination (toner distribution) of appearance when attaching/detaching operate.
More particularly, when being installed in the toner storage container on the equipment body, at first making opening/closing support (opening/closing folders) around the hinge rotation, and the upside of opening/closing support is exposed.Then, the toner storage container is arranged in the opening/closing support.Afterwards, make wherein be provided with the toner storage container the opening/closing support around hinge through (rotary manipulation).In this operation, the bonding part that is located at according to the mode that clips toner outlet on two sides of block member engages with the align member of equipment body, and makes the stationkeeping of toner container support in equipment body.In addition, the biasing force that overcomes spring along with the rotation of opening/closing support is by nozzle (toner conveyance conduit) pushing plug member (component of the strobe), thereby will be opened by the toner outlet of package (G seal) sealing.
In the toner storage container described in patent documentation 3 grades, synchronously pass through nozzle (toner conveyance conduit) pushing plug member with the opening operation of opening/closing support, thereby open toner outlet by the package sealing.Can expect thus and obtain to reduce the effect that toner contamination occurs.
But, there is such shortcoming, can not increase the toning dosage of toner storage container, this causes the replacing frequency of toner storage container to increase.More particularly, the toner storage container has bag-like container, and it is holding toner and along the vertical direction setting as its longitudinal direction.Therefore, if expectation increases toning dosage, then to increase the height of toner storage container inevitably.This makes the height that must increase the opening/closing support, thereby has influenced the layout aspect the height of whole imaging device.Therefore, can not increase the toning dosage of toner storage container like this, and change frequency and to compare increase according to the toner container (its longitudinal direction is a horizontal direction) of patent documentation 1 etc. more.
At the traditional imaging device that adopts electric camera chain for example duplicating machine, printer, facsimile recorder or be equipped with in the multifunctional product of these functions, being used for providing the cylindrical toner bottle of toner to developing apparatus is known (for example referring to patent documentation 4).
In patent documentation 4 grades, the toner bottle that is located at replaceably in the imaging equipment body mainly comprises a bottle main body (container body) and shell (container feeding unit).In the inner circumferential surface of bottle main body, be provided with the spirality teat, and the toner in the bottle main body is carried towards opening by the rotation of bottle main body.The open communication of shell and bottle main body, and under the situation of the rotation of not following bottle main body, keeping by imaging equipment body.Discharge from the toner outlet (toner supply opening) of toner from be located at shell that the opening of bottle main body is discharged.Afterwards, will offer developing apparatus from the toner that the toner outlet of shell is discharged.
With any shell is not set therein and the toner bottle (for example referring to patent documentation 5) that toner directly offers developing apparatus is compared from the opening of bottle main body, but can improve operability/workability that the user changes toner bottle according to the toner bottle that top mode constitutes.More particularly, because the outlet of the toner of shell is operated synchronously opening/closing with the attaching/detaching of toner outlet, so can suppress this trouble that user's hand is made dirty by toner owing to the outlet of contact toner.
On the other hand, patent documentation 4 has disclosed a kind of technology that is used to comprise the toner bottle of bottle main body and shell, wherein in order to prevent toner, be provided with the containment member in the gap between the zone toward each other (seal) that is used to be sealed in bottle main body and shell round the opening of bottle main body from this fault of the clearance leakage between bottle main body and shell.In addition, disclosed the technology of another kind of use depression shape containment member.
Patent documentation 1: the open No.2004-287404 of Japanese patent application
Patent documentation 2: the open No.2000-338758 of Japanese patent application
Patent documentation 3: the open No.2004-161371 of Japanese patent application
Patent documentation 4: the open No.2000-214669 of Japanese patent application
Patent documentation 5: the open No.2003-233248 of Japanese patent application
Summary of the invention
Has such feature at each toner container disclosed in patent documentation 1 grade (comprise container body and be held toner container partly), so promptly the toner contamination when toner container is changed still less and because the toning dosage that can be increased in the toner container can reduce the replacing frequency.
But, when depositing these toner containers (also not using before being arranged at imaging device) in user, shop-assistant, wholesale dealer and manufacturer, if and toner container be held the part vertically downward towards situation under be erected at surface level (arbitrary plane that is used to place), then assemble sometimes at the toner that is held on part one side.
In other words, be held part downwards towards the time, toner is being held on the part side in himself weight effect deposit, this can cause toner to be assembled.Be placed in the imaging device if toner is accumulated in the toner container that is held on the part side, then toner can not fully be discharged from the toner outlet, and this also causes toner can not fully offer developing apparatus.In addition, if produce the toner piece owing to the toner gathering causes, then this can cause toner transmission failure or abnormal image.
These problems especially make its be held part vertically downward towards toner container stop for a long time or to be in hot and humid degree environment following time quite common.
The present invention has realized solving these traditional problems at least, and its purpose is the toner container and the imaging device that provide such, and wherein toner will never accumulate in it and is held on the part side when depositing toner container.
In each toner container disclosed in patent documentation 1 grade and patent documentation 2 grades compare in the toner outlet toner contamination still less, and can expect that therefore the hand that obtains to prevent the user is because contact toner outlet and by make dirty the effect of this trouble of toner.But, the toner container in patent documentation 1 grade at its attaching/detaching (replacing) but the time operability/workability aspect have shortcoming.
First shortcoming is, carries out the attaching/detaching operation with respect to the toner container support and will implement with a plurality of operations.More particularly, the attaching/detaching of toner container operation comprises a plurality of operations, for example the opening of main body lid, lay/remove the operation of toner container and make with respect to the toner container support and be held the operation that part is rotated.
Whether second shortcoming is, almost finishes up to fitting operation, correctly carry out otherwise the user is difficult to check this operation.More particularly, be placed in operation on the toner container support in the operation of opening the main body lid with toner container when finishing, the user can not confirm in time whether this operation is correct.Afterwards, be held the part rotation fixedly to be held the position of part by making, the user has obtained to be held the noise made in coughing or vomiting clatter phonoreception feel of part, and confirms not carry out any faulty operation.
The 3rd shortcoming is that the upside of toner container support is restricted aspect layout.More particularly, for toner container being placed on the toner container support from upside, need be along the operation of vertical direction opening/closing main body lid.Therefore, need guarantee to be used to the required space of layout that opens and closes the main body lid and lay/remove toner container.In the time of above scanner (manuscript reader) etc. being arranged on the toner container support, but this can cause the operability/workability variation aspect the installation and removal of toner container.
On the other hand, in the toner storage container described in patent documentation 3 grades,, thereby open toner outlet by the package sealing along with the opening operation of opening/closing support pushes plug member by nozzle.Therefore, can expect that the effect of toner contamination appears in minimizing.But, but aspect the operability/workability when its attaching/detaching such as the toner storage container of patent documentation 3 grades, also have some shortcomings.
First shortcoming is, can not increase the toning dosage of toner storage container, and has therefore increased the replacing frequency of toner storage container.This toner storage container has the vertical bag-like container that is used to hold toner.Bag-like container is so arranged, thereby it is stood vertically.Therefore, if increase the capacity of bag-like container, then need to increase the height of toner storage container.This causes the height that will increase the opening/closing support, thus the layout of influence aspect the height of whole imaging device.Therefore, can not increase the toning dosage of toner storage container like this, and compare with toner container (wherein horizontal direction is set at longitudinal direction) thus, change frequency and increase according to patent documentation 1 etc.
Second shortcoming is that the user is difficult to confirm whether not carry out any faulty operation.More particularly, because synchronously opening/closing toner outlet of the opening of plug member and opening/closing support, because the user do not contact the toner storage container during operation, thus the user be difficult to feel the toner outlet be actually open or close.
The present invention has realized having solved these traditional problems at least, has high operability/workability between its stage of replacement and can reduce the toner container of toner contamination appearance and the imaging device that comprises this toner container reliably but the object of the present invention is to provide.
Because the consciousness to environmental resource protection constantly increases, so for toner container, need the high speed (convenience of recycling) of recycling.More particularly, require toner container to constitute and when new production, be easy to fill toner, and except this feature, this toner container constitutes when it is recovered under the situation of the main member of not removing container and is easy to fill toner when utilizing.
Have some advantages sometimes at the toner bottle described in the patent documentation 4, but promptly compare the operability/workability that has improved when changing with patent documentation 5, but also have some shortcomings, promptly can come out from the clearance leakage between bottle main body and the shell at toner after after a while.
More particularly, containment member for example is bonded in the opening that contacts the revolving bottle main body facing to the polyurethane foam on the shell side zone of opening slidably, comes out from the clearance leakage between shell and the bottle main body to prevent toner.On the other hand, compare the bottle main body rotation that is being kept improperly by making, thereby the rotation of bottle main body is vibrated a little simultaneously along its radial direction (direction vertical with the rotation direction) with the shell that retaining part by the main body of imaging device is firmly keeping.Along with the time repeats, the sealing ability of containment member is variation gradually along this vibration of radial direction for the bottle main body.In other words, opening is radial vibration again and again, and the deformed shape of containment member with elasticity shape of seal clearance (have be used for) is unfixing, and its restoring force variation, and this causes and the space occur in the sealed space.And toner the outside to toner bottle leaks out from the gap.If toner leaks into the outside of toner bottle like this, then toner is wasted, and is made dirty by toner in the inside of imaging device.
These problems especially can not be ignored for the high capacity toner bottle that production is used for reducing operating cost.In other words, for this toner bottle that makes the weight that has increased the toner loading and increased toner bottle thus rotates, need bigger driving force.Therefore, opening increases along with the vibration of moment of torsion increase, inhomogeneous rotation, bottle main body along the vibratory output of radial direction.In addition, the running time (serviceable life) with jumbo toner bottle increases according to the toning dosage that is increased, and this makes opening vibrate the time lengthening that acts on containment member.
On the other hand, patent documentation 4 grades have disclosed the technology that is used to form depression shape containment member, are sealed in gap between bottle main body and the shell with the sealing member.But even the rubber-like containment member forms pocket shapes, this shape also can not help to control the radial vibration of opening.Expectability does not obtain the effect directly address these problems thus.
The present invention has realized having solved at least these traditional problems, but even and the object of the present invention is to provide the toner bottle that under the situation that capacity increases, between its stage of replacement, also has high operability/workability and can not occur the toner leakage along with the time, and the imaging device that uses this toner bottle.
The method of dealing with problems
In order to solve top problem and to realize these purposes, the toner container on a kind of toner container support that is removably mounted on imaging equipment body is provided, it comprises: the container body that is used to hold toner; Be held part, it is located in the container body end face in a longitudinal direction, comprises that the toner that is used for the toner that is contained in container body is discharged exports, and is being kept by the toner container support; And the anti-unit of erectting, it be located at be held in the part and forbid toner container the maintained portion branch with respect to container body vertically downward towards situation under be erected on the surface level.
In toner container according to claim 1, it is characterized in that according to the present invention of claim 2, be held part and keeping by the toner container support in not rotatable mode.
In toner container according to claim 1, the present invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that, the anti-unit of erectting so constitutes, thereby maintained portion divide with respect to container body vertically downward towards during, maintained portion is divided the area of the area of the contact area that is contacting surface level less than the projecting plane that projects to the container body on the surface level.
In toner container, it is characterized in that according to the present invention of claim 4 contact area is for from being held the outshot that part is stretched out facing to the zone of surface level according to claim 3.
In toner container according to claim 4, the present invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that, contact area comprises wall portion and the electronic unit that forms round outshot, thereby the periphery of electronic unit is covered and is arranged on the outshot contacting with surface level by wall portion.
In toner container according to claim 1, the present invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that, the anti-unit of erectting comprises the electronic unit that is located on a certain zone that is held part, this zone maintained portion divide with respect to container body vertically downward towards the time facing to surface level.
In toner container, it is characterized in that according to the present invention of claim 7 electronic unit is the ID chip according to claim 6.
In toner container according to claim 1, the present invention according to Claim 8 is characterized in that, the anti-unit of erectting so constitutes, thereby maintained portion divide with respect to container body vertically downward towards the time, the central authorities that contacting the contact area that is held part of surface level depart from the central authorities on the projecting plane that projects to the container body on the surface level.
In toner container, it is characterized in that according to the present invention of claim 9 the anti-unit of erectting is to be located at container body and the maintained portion flexible member between dividing according to claim 1.
In toner container, it is characterized in that according to the present invention of claim 10 flexible member is to be bonded in the seal that is held on the part according to claim 9.
According to the invention of claim 11, the toner container on a kind of toner container support that is removably mounted on imaging equipment body is provided, it comprises: the container body that is used to hold toner; Be held part, it is located in the container body end face in a longitudinal direction, comprises that the toner that is used for the toner that is contained in container body is discharged exports, and is being kept by the toner container support; And elastomeric element, it be located at be held the part the maintained portion branch with respect to container body vertically downward towards situation give in the zone of surface level.
In toner container according to claim 11, the present invention according to claim 12 is characterized in that, electronic component, stores the information relevant with toner container, and communicates with the telecommunication circuit that is located in the toner container support during toner container is kept by the toner container support.
In toner container according to claim 11, the present invention according to claim 13 is characterized in that, electronic unit is arranged on a certain position, this position for toner container with respect to the direction of toner container support attaching/detaching vertical be held the part the plane, and when attaching/detaching is operated facing to telecommunication circuit.
In toner container according to claim 11, the present invention according to claim 14 is characterized in that, is held part and also comprises and be used for operating the synchronously opening/closing member of opening/closing toner outlet with toner container with respect to toner container support attaching/detaching.
In toner container, it is characterized in that according to the present invention of claim 15 electronic unit is located at than in the higher upside in the position that is provided with the opening/closing member according to claim 15.
In toner container according to claim 14, the present invention according to claim 16 is characterized in that, the toner container support comprises the nozzle that is communicated with the toner outlet, and the opening/closing member is a plug member, thereby synchronously push this member and begin to open toner outlet with carry out fitting operation with respect to the toner container support, and synchronously begin to close the toner outlet with the disassembling section of removing toner container from the toner container support by nozzle.
In toner container according to claim 14, the present invention according to claim 17 is characterized in that, the opening/closing member is a plug member, synchronously push this member beginning to open the toner outlet with carry out fitting operation with respect to the toner container support by nozzle, and with the disassembling section of removing toner container from the toner container support synchronously by by the biasing member bias voltage to begin to close the toner outlet.
In toner container, it is characterized in that according to the present invention of claim 18 electronic unit is the ID chip according to claim 11.
In toner container, it is characterized in that according to the present invention of claim 19 electronic unit is the IC chip according to claim 11.
In toner container according to claim 11, it is characterized in that according to the present invention of claim 20, electronic component, stores have be contained in container body in the relevant information of toner and with recycle in the relevant information at least one.
In toner container, it is characterized in that according to the present invention of claim 21 information relevant with toner is toner color, toner sequence number and at least one in the date of manufacture of toner according to claim 20.
In toner container according to claim 16, the present invention according to claim 22 is characterized in that, nozzle is connected with the delivery pipe that is used for toner and the gas of discharging from the toner outlet are carried, and delivery pipe is connected with the pump that is used for respect to its inner output or supply gas.
In toner container, it is characterized in that according to the present invention of claim 23 container body is along the longitudinal direction installation or removal of container body according to claim 11.
In toner container, it is characterized in that according to the present invention of claim 24, thereby container body is installed on the toner container support as rear side with respect to being held the part location according to claim 11.
In toner container, it is characterized in that according to the present invention of claim 25 container body can be arranged on the surface level under the situation of longitudinal direction as horizontal direction with container body according to claim 11.
In toner container, it is characterized in that according to the present invention of claim 26 the maintained portion branch comprises slipper, this slipper contact toner container support and slide along it according to claim 11.
In toner container, it is characterized in that according to the present invention of claim 27 slipper and toner container synchronously slide along the toner container support with respect to the attaching/detaching operation of toner container support according to claim 26.
In toner container according to claim 26, the present invention according to claim 28 is characterized in that, in the time container body will being installed on the toner container support, after slipper begins to slide, begin to be held the location of part, in case and the slip of slipper end, just finish the location that being held part.
In toner container according to claim 11, the present invention according to claim 29 is characterized in that, comprise a gear, it is arranged on the circumferential surface of container body and according to the mode that the toner that will be contained in container body is carried to the toner outlet side transmits rotary driving force.
In toner container according to claim 29, it is characterized in that according to the present invention of claim 30, be held part and be covered with operative gear.
In toner container according to claim 29, it is characterized in that according to the present invention of claim 31, be held part and be not subjected to the rotary driving force that applies by gear, and keeping according to not rotatable mode by the toner container support.
In toner container, it is characterized in that according to the present invention of claim 32 container body synchronously flows to toner the toner outlet side with rotary driving force by gear transmission according to claim 29.
In toner container, it is characterized in that according to the present invention of claim 33 container body comprises the spirality teat that is positioned on its inner circumferential surface according to claim 32.
In toner container, it is characterized in that according to the present invention of claim 34 container body comprises and is used for transfer member that the toner that is contained in is wherein carried towards the toner outlet according to claim 32.
In toner container, it is characterized in that according to the present invention of claim 35 transfer member is rotatable coil or screw rod according to claim 34.
In toner container, it is characterized in that the board member of transfer member according to the present invention of claim 36 for moving along the longitudinal direction of container body according to claim 34.
In toner container according to claim 11, it is characterized in that according to the present invention of claim 37, be held part and be communicated with container body.
In toner container, it is characterized in that according to the present invention of claim 38 container body is holding toner according to claim 11.
In toner container, it is characterized in that according to the present invention of claim 39 packing volume/overall volume the ratio that is contained in the toner in the container body is 0.7 or littler according to claim 38.
In toner container, it is characterized in that according to the present invention of claim 40 container body also accommodates carrier according to claim 38.
In toner container, it is characterized in that according to the present invention of claim 41 weight ratio that is contained in the carrier in the container body is 3wt% to 20wt% with respect to the weight of carrier and toner according to claim 38.
According to the invention of claim 42, a kind of imaging device is provided, it comprises: the toner container support; Container body, it is removably mounted on the toner container support and is holding toner; Be held part, it is located in the container body end face in a longitudinal direction, comprises that the toner that is used for the toner that is contained in container body is discharged exports, and is being kept in non-rotatable mode by the toner container support; And the anti-unit of erectting, it be located at be held in the part and forbid toner container its maintained portion branch with respect to container body vertically downward towards situation under be erected on the surface level.
According to the invention of claim 43, a kind of imaging device is provided, it comprises: the toner container support; Container body, it is removably mounted on the toner container support and is holding toner; Be held part, it is located in the container body end face in a longitudinal direction, comprises that the toner that is used for the toner that is contained in container body is discharged exports, and is being kept in non-rotatable mode by the toner container support; And elastomeric element, it be located at be held the part the maintained portion branch with respect to container body vertically downward towards situation give in the zone of surface level.
The invention effect
Because the present invention includes be used to forbid toner container its maintained portion branch with respect to container body vertically downward towards situation under be erected at anti-setting unit on the surface level, prevent from occurring toner container and the imaging device that toner is assembled on the part side being held between the storage period of toner container so the present invention can provide.
Description of drawings
Fig. 1 is the overall schematic according to the imaging device of first embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 is the cut-open view of the image-generating unit in the imaging device of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is the synoptic diagram of the toner feed lines in the imaging device of Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is toner container perspective views of supports according when being placed in toner container wherein;
Fig. 5 will be for being placed in the skeleton view of the toner container in the toner container support;
Fig. 6 is the cut-open view of a side (head side) of the toner container of Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is the front view at the toner container of Fig. 6 when the M direction is seen;
Fig. 8 is toner container perspective views of supports according when not being placed in toner container wherein;
Fig. 9 is the skeleton view of nozzle;
Figure 10 is installed in toner container for how the synoptic diagram on the toner container support;
Figure 11 is the scheme of installation of toner container after the state of Figure 10;
Figure 12 is the synoptic diagram that is installed in the toner container on the toner container support;
Figure 13 is held part vertically downward towards with the synoptic diagram facing to surface level for what how to make toner container;
Figure 14 is the skeleton view that is used for toner container is stored in its inner package;
Figure 15 is the cut-open view according to a side of the toner container of second embodiment of the invention;
Figure 16 A is installed in the toner container of Figure 15 for how the synoptic diagram on the toner container support;
Figure 16 B is installed in the toner container of Figure 15 for how the synoptic diagram on the toner container support;
The scheme of installation of the toner container of Figure 17 A after the state of Figure 16 A;
The scheme of installation of the toner container of Figure 17 B after the state of Figure 16 B;
Figure 18 A is the synoptic diagram that is installed in the toner container on the toner container support;
Figure 18 B is the synoptic diagram that is installed in the toner container on the toner container support;
Figure 19 is the cut-open view according to the toner container of third embodiment of the invention;
Figure 20 is the cut-open view according to the toner container of four embodiment of the invention;
Figure 21 is the front view that is placed in the board member in the toner container of Figure 20;
Figure 22 is the skeleton view that will be placed in the toner container in the toner container support according to fifth embodiment of the invention;
Figure 23 is the cut-open view of a side of the toner container of Figure 22;
Figure 24 is the front view at the toner container of Figure 23 when direction M sees;
Figure 25 is installed in toner container for how the synoptic diagram on the toner container support;
Figure 26 is the scheme of installation of toner container after the state of Figure 25;
Figure 27 is the synoptic diagram that is installed in the toner container on the toner container support;
Figure 28 is the cut-open view according to a side of the toner container of sixth embodiment of the invention;
Figure 29 A is installed in the toner container of Figure 28 for how the synoptic diagram on the toner container support;
Figure 29 B is installed in the toner container of Figure 28 for how the synoptic diagram on the toner container support;
Figure 30 A is the scheme of installation of the toner container after the state of Figure 29 A;
Figure 30 B is the scheme of installation of the toner container after the state of Figure 29 B;
Figure 31 A is the synoptic diagram that is installed in the toner container on the toner container support;
Figure 31 B is the synoptic diagram that is installed in the toner container on the toner container support;
Figure 32 is the cut-open view according to the toner container of seventh embodiment of the invention;
Figure 33 is the cut-open view according to the toner container of eighth embodiment of the invention;
Figure 34 is the front view that is placed in the board member in the toner container of Figure 33;
Figure 35 is the synoptic diagram according to the toner feed lines of ninth embodiment of the invention;
Figure 36 is toner container perspective views of supports according when being placed in toner container wherein;
Figure 37 is placed in toner container for how the skeleton view in the equipment body;
Figure 38 is for being placed in the skeleton view of the toner container in the toner container support;
Figure 39 is the cut-open view of a side of the toner container of Figure 38;
Figure 40 is the front view at the toner container of Figure 39 when direction M sees;
Figure 41 is the cut-open view of the rear side of toner container;
Figure 42 is toner container perspective views of supports according when not being placed in toner container wherein;
Figure 43 is the right skeleton view of the arm in the toner container support;
Figure 44 is the right decomposition diagram of arm;
Figure 45 is installed in toner container for how the synoptic diagram on the toner container support;
Figure 46 is that arm in Figure 45 is to the synoptic diagram of state;
Figure 47 is the scheme of installation of toner container after the state of Figure 45;
Figure 48 is that arm in Figure 47 is to the synoptic diagram of state;
Figure 49 is the synoptic diagram that is installed in the toner container on the toner container support;
Figure 50 is that arm in Figure 49 is to the synoptic diagram of state;
Figure 51 is a curve map, demonstrates when toner container is installed from arm the load that the applies variation with respect to the movement position of toner container;
Figure 52 is the cut-open view according to a side of the toner container of tenth embodiment of the invention;
Figure 53 A is installed in the toner container of Figure 52 for how the synoptic diagram on the toner container support;
Figure 53 B is installed in the toner container of Figure 52 for how the synoptic diagram on the toner container support;
Figure 54 A is the scheme of installation of the toner container after the state of Figure 53 A;
Figure 54 B is the scheme of installation of the toner container after the state of Figure 53 B;
Figure 55 A is the synoptic diagram that is installed in the toner container on the toner container support;
Figure 55 B is the synoptic diagram that is installed in the toner container on the toner container support;
Figure 56 A is the synoptic diagram of manufacture process when recycling toner container;
Figure 56 B is the synoptic diagram of another manufacture process when recycling toner container;
Figure 57 is the cut-open view according to the toner container of eleventh embodiment of the invention;
Figure 58 is the cut-open view according to the toner container of twelveth embodiment of the invention;
Figure 59 is the front view that is placed in the board member in the toner container of Figure 58;
Figure 60 A is the synoptic diagram according to the toner container of thirteenth embodiment of the invention;
Figure 60 B is the synoptic diagram according to the toner container of thirteenth embodiment of the invention;
Figure 61 A is the synoptic diagram of another kind of toner container;
Figure 61 B is the synoptic diagram of another kind of toner container;
Figure 62 A is the synoptic diagram of another toner container;
Figure 62 B is the synoptic diagram of another toner container;
Figure 63 is the overall schematic according to the imaging device of fourteenth embodiment of the invention;
Figure 64 is the cut-open view of the image-generating unit in the imaging device of Figure 63;
Figure 65 is the synoptic diagram of the toner supply section in the imaging device of Figure 63;
Figure 66 is the skeleton view of the toner bottle in the imaging device that will be placed in Figure 63;
Figure 67 is the cut-open view of a side of the toner bottle of Figure 66;
Figure 68 A is installed in toner bottle for how the synoptic diagram on the bottle rack;
Figure 68 B is installed in toner bottle for how the synoptic diagram on the bottle rack;
Figure 69 A is the synoptic diagram that is installed in the toner bottle on the bottle rack;
Figure 69 B is the synoptic diagram that is installed in the toner bottle on the bottle rack;
Figure 70 is the cut-open view according to the part of the toner bottle of fifteenth embodiment of the invention; And
Figure 71 is the cut-open view according to the part of the toner bottle of sixteenth embodiment of the invention.
The 5Y developing apparatus
31,1631 toner container supports (bottle rack)
The 31a slipping plane
The 31c align member
The 31d mounting structure
The 31g driven wheel
132Y，132M，132C，132K，
232Y，332Y，432Y，532Y，
632Y，732Y，832Y，932Y，
1032Y，1132Y，1232Y，1332Y，1532Y，
1632Y，1632M，1632C，1632K，
1732Y, 1832Y toner container (powder storage container, toner bottle)
133Y，233Y，333Y，433Y，533Y
633Y，733Y，833Y，933Y，1033Y
1133Y，1233Y，1333Y，1533Y，
1633Y, 1733Y, 1833Y container body (powder storage unit, bottle main body)
134Y，234Y，334Y，434Y，534Y，
634Y，734Y，834Y，934Y，1034Y，
1134Y，1234Y，1334Y，1534Y，
1634Y, 1734Y, 1834Y are held part (cap portion, shell)
33a front end (another of opposed area)
The 33b teat
The 33c gear
33d, 1335d, 1433d, 1533d grasping part (gripper)
The 34a block
34a1 outshot (the anti-unit of erectting)
34a2 wall portion
34a3 adhesive region (control section, in the opposed area one)
The 34a4 bearing part
34b blocks a shot
The 34b1 jaw
34c support (gate support)
34c1,34c2 slipper (contact portion)
34d plug member (gate, opening/closing member)
The 34e package
34g bonding part (help element)
The 34h notch part
34m recessed portion (help element)
34n convex part (help element)
35ID chip (electronic unit helps element)
37 seals (flexible member, containment member)
40 packages
59 toner supply devices
60 screw pumps
61 rotors
62 stators
70 nozzles (toner delivery pipe)
70a toner supply opening
71 pipes (delivery pipe)
73 retained parts
74 telecommunication circuits
76 clip claw members (bias unit)
78 supporting members
80 arms are to (biasing member, second biasing member)
81 the first arms
82 second arms
83 main shafts
84 torsion springs
90 blocks (containment member)
The 180Y rotation
181Y coil (transfer member)
The 183Y screw rod
The 183Ya male thread portion
184Y board member (transfer member)
The 184Ya inner threaded member
185 leaders
201 filler cells
210 support sections
The main body of 100,200 imaging devices (equipment body)
The A opening
The outlet of B toner
The H surface level
Embodiment
With reference to these accompanying drawings exemplary of the present invention is elaborated below.In these accompanying drawings, identical or be equal to part and give identical reference symbol or label, and if not necessary, then simplify or deletion to the explanation of repeating part.
(first embodiment)
Be elaborated with reference to Fig. 1 to 14 pair of first embodiment of the present invention below.At first the structure and the operation of whole imaging device are described referring to figs. 1 through Fig. 4.Fig. 1 is the overall schematic as the printer of imaging device, and Fig. 2 is the cut-open view of the image-generating unit of imaging device, and Fig. 3 is the synoptic diagram of its toner feed lines, and Fig. 4 is a part of toner container perspective views of supports according.
As shown in Figure 1, four toner container 132Y, 132M, 132C and 132K are corresponding to different colours (yellow, magenta, cyan and black), and removably (replaceably) is arranged in the toner container support 31 in the main body upside that is located at imaging device 100.In the downside of toner container support 31, be provided with intermediate transfer unit 15.Image-generating unit 6Y, 6M, 6C and the 6K corresponding with different colours (yellow, magenta, cyan and black) arrange according to the mode of tandem, thereby facing to the intermediate transfer belt 8 of intermediate transfer unit 15.
With reference to Fig. 2, comprise photosensitive drums 1Y and comprise charging device 4Y, developing apparatus 5Y (developing cell), cleaning unit 2Y and electric discharge device (not shown) that with yellow corresponding image-generating unit 6Y they are arranged round photosensitive drums 1Y.On photosensitive drums 1Y, carry out imaging process (charging process, exposure process, developing process, transfer process and cleaning course), and on photosensitive drums 1Y, form yellow image.
Other three image-generating unit 6M, 6C and 6K have with corresponding to the image-generating unit 6Y structure much at one of yellow, except employed toner color difference, and formation and the corresponding image of corresponding toner color.Omitted the explanation of other three image-generating unit 6M, 6C and 6K below, and below will only describe being used for yellow image-generating unit 6Y.
With reference to Fig. 2, photosensitive drums 1Y is clockwise rotated in Fig. 2 by the drive motor (not shown).The surface of photosensitive drums 1Y is in the charging (charging process) equably of the position of charging device 4Y quilt.Afterwards, the surface of photosensitive drums 1Y arrives the position (referring to Fig. 1) of the laser L that irradiation sends from exposure device 7, making exposure scanning to form yellow electrostatic latent image (exposure process) there.
Afterwards, the surface of photosensitive drums 1Y arrives the position facing to developing apparatus 5Y, makes latent electrostatic image developing there and forms yellow toner image (developing process).Then, the surface of photosensitive drums 1Y arrives the position facing to intermediate transfer belt 8 and first transfer bias roller 9Y, will be transferred to intermediate transfer belt 8 (first transfer process) there at the toner image on the photosensitive drums 1Y.At this moment, a small amount of not toner of transfer printing is stayed on the photosensitive drums 1Y.
Afterwards, the surface of photosensitive drums 1Y arrives the position facing to cleaning unit 2Y, and the not transfer printing toner of staying there on the photosensitive drums 1Y is mechanically collected (cleaning course) by cleaning doctor 2a.The final position that arrives facing to the electric discharge device (not shown), the surface of photosensitive drums 1Y is removed the rest potential on photosensitive drums 1Y there.
According on other image-generating unit 6M, 6C and 6K, carrying out imaging process with those same way as of yellow image-generating unit 6Y.In other words, the exposure device from be located at the image-generating unit downside 7 is towards each photosensitive drums irradiation of image-generating unit 6M, 6C and 6K laser L based on image information.More particularly, exposure device 7 goes out laser L from its light emitted, and at the polygonal mirror by rotation this laser L scan period is shone laser L on the photosensitive drums by a plurality of optical elements.Then, be formed on the overlapping transfer printing of respective color toner image on these photosensitive drums on intermediate transfer belt 8 by developing process.Like this, on intermediate transfer belt 8, form coloured image.
With reference to Fig. 1, intermediate transfer unit 15 comprises intermediate transfer belt 8, four first transfer bias roller 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K, secondary transfer printing backing roll 12, cleaning backing roll 13, idler roller 14 and intermediate transfer cleaning unit 10.Intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched by three rollers 12 to 14 and supports, and along with the rotation of roller 12 along the direction of arrow in Fig. 1 (that is, along by the direction shown in the arrow) circulatory motion.
Four first transfer bias roller 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K clip intermediate transfer belt 8 to form each first transfer printing gap with photosensitive drums 1Y and photosensitive drums 1M, 1C and 1K.And will be applied on first transfer bias roller 9Y, 9M, 9C and the 9K with the opposite polarity transfer bias of toner.Then, intermediate transfer belt 8 is along arrow direction, and order is passed the first transfer printing gap of first transfer bias roller 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K.Like this, will overlap in proper order at the toner image of each color on photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C and the 1K on the intermediate transfer belt 8 to carry out first transfer printing.
Afterwards, the intermediate transfer belt 8 with toner image that is used for different colours of overlapping transfer printing arrives the position facing to secondary transfer roller 19.In this position, secondary transfer printing backing roll 12 clips intermediate transfer belt 8 to form the secondary transfer printing gap with secondary transfer roller 19.The transfer materials P that four colour toners images on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are transferred to the position that is transported to the secondary transfer printing gap, for example transfer paper sheet will be formed on.At this moment, the not transfer printing toner that is not transferred on the transfer materials P is stayed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.
Afterwards, intermediate transfer belt 8 arrives the position of intermediate transfer cleaning unit 10, is collected in the not transfer printing toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 there.Like this, a series of transfer process of on intermediate transfer belt 8, carrying out have been finished.
The transfer materials P that is transported to the secondary transfer printing interstitial site is that the paper supply unit 26 from the downside that is located at equipment body 100 is carried the there by paper feed roller 27 and registration roller to 28.More particularly, the material P of transfer printing, for example transfer paper sheet is many and leaves in the paper supply unit 26.Make paper feed roller 27 when the counter clockwise direction of Fig. 1 is rotated, uppermost transfer materials P is being flowed to registration roller to 28 roller.
Be transported to registration roller 28 transfer materials P was once stopped at nip location place between the registration roller that stops its rotation is to 28.Then, registration roller rotates with coloured image on intermediate transfer belt 8 synchronously to 28, and transfer materials P is carried towards the secondary transfer printing gap.Like this, desired coloured image is transferred on the transfer materials P.
Have the position that is fed to fixation unit 20 at the transfer materials of the coloured image of secondary transfer printing interstitial site place's transfer printing, utilize heat and pressure to make to be transferred to the lip-deep coloured image of transfer materials P to anchor on the transfer materials P by fixing roller and pressure roller there.Afterwards, by exit roller 29 roller is discharged to the equipment outside with transfer materials P.By exit roller 29 P of transfer materials that are discharged to the equipment outside are placed on the laminated portions 30 as the output image order stack.Like this, a series of imaging processes in imaging device have been finished.
With reference to Fig. 2 the structure and the operation of the developing apparatus in image-generating unit are described in more detail below.Developing apparatus 5Y comprises developer roll 51Y facing to photosensitive drums 1Y, facing to the developing blade 52Y of developer roll 51Y, be located at two conveying screw rod 55Y among developer storage unit 53Y and the 54Y and be used for detecting concentration detection sensor 56Y at the toner concentration of developer.Developer roll 51Y comprises the sleeve that is fixed on its inner magnet and rotates round magnet.The two component formula developer G that comprise carrier and toner are stored among developer storage unit 53Y and the 54Y.Developer storage unit 54Y is communicated with toner delivery pipe 43Y by the opening in the upside that is formed on developer storage unit 54Y.
The following operation of developing apparatus 5Y that constitutes according to top mode.The sleeve of developer roll 51Y rotates along the direction of arrow of Fig. 2.Owing to the magnetic field that is formed by magnet is carried on developer G on the developer roll 51Y and the rotation of sleeve is moved along developer roll 51Y explicitly.
So be controlled at the developer G among the developing apparatus 5Y, thereby the toner ratio (toner density) in the developer that makes is in the preset range.More particularly, offer developer storage unit 54Y according to the toner consumption in developing apparatus 5Y by the toner that toner supply device 59 (referring to Fig. 3) will be included among the toner container 132Y.It is to be noted that each structure and the operation to toner supply device 59 and toner container 132Y is elaborated below.
Afterwards, the toner that offers developer storage unit 54Y circulates (on the paper at Fig. 2 along movement in vertical direction) in two developer storage unit 53Y and 54Y, mixes with developer G simultaneously and is stirred.Toner in developer G is by being adsorbed on the carrier with the carrier triboelectric charging, and is carried on the developer roll 51Y with carrier by the magnetic force that is formed on the developer roll 51Y.
Be carried on developer G on the developer roll 51Y along the direction of arrow (counterclockwise) of Fig. 2 thus carry the position that arrives scraper 52Y.In this position, make the amount of developer suitable, will be transported to position (developing regional) then at the developer G on the developer roll 51Y facing to photosensitive drums 1Y.Be adsorbed on the sub-image that is formed on the photosensitive drums 1Y under the electric field action of toner in being formed at developing regional.Then, developer G and the sleeve stayed on the developer roll 51Y rotate the upside that arrives developer storage unit 53Y explicitly, and developer G separates with developer roll 51Y there.
Guide toner supply device 59 to describe below with reference to Fig. 3 to the toner that will be contained among the toner container 132Y (reagent storage container) to developing apparatus 5Y.For the ease of understanding, Fig. 3 demonstrate toner container 32Y, toner service duct 43Y, 60,70 and 71 and the variation of developing apparatus 5Y arrange.In fact, in Fig. 3, the longitudinal direction of toner container 32Y and part toner passage is arranged (referring to Fig. 1) along vertical direction on paper.
With reference to Fig. 4, consumption according to every kind of color toner in developing apparatus, toner service duct by being provided with for every kind of color toner will offer each developing apparatus at the toner among toner container 132Y, 132M, 132C and the 132K in being arranged in the toner container support 31 of equipment body 100 if necessary.Article four, the toner service duct has structure much at one each other, except being used for the toner color difference of each imaging process.
More particularly, toner container 132Y is arranged in the toner container support 31 of equipment body 100, and the nozzle 70 of toner container support 31 is connected with the part 134Y (block) that is held of toner container 132Y.The plug member 34d of toner container 132Y (opening/closing member) opens the toner outlet (supply opening) that is held part 34Y in this state.This makes the toner among the container body 133Y that is contained in toner container 132Y to be transported in the nozzle 70 by the toner outlet.
On the other hand, another end of nozzle 70 is connected with a end as the pipe 71 of delivery pipe (71).Pipe 71 is by making at the flexible material of excellence aspect the anti-toner, and its another end is connected with the screw pump 60 (Mohno pump) of toner supply device 59.Pipe 71 as delivery pipe (71) so forms, thereby its internal diameter is 4 to 10mm.Allow the material of pipe 71 to adopt elastomeric material for example polyurethane, nitrile, EPDM and silicone, and resin material for example tygon and nylon.This flexible pipe 71 is used for improving the dirigibility in the layout of toner service duct, therefore reduces the size of imaging device.
By utilizing rotor 61 that motor 66 makes stator 62 to rotate, thereby produce suction force (air in pipe 71 is drawn out of to produce negative pressure in pipe 71) at pump orifice 63 places according to the screw pump 60 that top mode constitutes along predetermined direction (from the counter clockwise direction when the upstream side of toner throughput direction is seen).This makes the toner in toner container 132Y be sucked into pump orifice 63 with air by pipe 71.The toner that is sucked into pump orifice 63 is sent to gap between stator 62 and rotor 61, and supplies with another end side along the rotation direction of rotor 61.The toner of sending into is discharged from the supply opening 67 of screw pump 60, thereby offers developing apparatus 5Y (along moving by the direction of arrow shown by the broken line in FIG. 3) by toner delivery pipe 43Y.In the first embodiment, the rotor 61 of screw pump 60 is being rotated from the counter clockwise direction of seeing along the upstream side of toner throughput direction.The hand of spiral of rotor 61 (rotation direction) is set to right.This setting of rotor 61 and rotation make that generation is along the spiral air stream of counter clockwise direction helical rotation in screw pump 60.
With reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 7 toner container is described below.As the same as described in reference Fig. 1 and Fig. 4, four are essentially cylindrical toner container 132Y, 132M, 132C and 132K (toner bottle) and are removably disposed in the toner container support 31.These toner containers 132Y, 132M, 132C and 132K when they reach its serviceable life (the nearly all toner that will be held consume and during container emptied) can be with new replacing.Be contained in every kind of color toner among toner container 132Y, 132M, 132C and the 132K and be provided to each developing apparatus of image-generating unit 6Y, 6M, 6C and 6K in case of necessity by described every the toner service duct of reference Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is the skeleton view of toner container 132Y.Fig. 6 is the cut-open view of the head side (being provided with a side that is held part 134Y) of toner container 132Y.Fig. 7 is the synoptic diagram of toner container 132Y when the M direction from Fig. 6 is seen of Fig. 6.Other three toner container 132M, 132C and 132K have and the toner container 132Y structure much at one of Yellow toner are housed, except toner and the recessed portion 34m that is holding different colours different with the position of bossing 34n.Below, omitted the explanation of other three toner container 132M, 132C and 132K, and only the toner container 132Y that includes Yellow toner has been described.
As shown in Figure 5, toner container 132Y (toner bottle) mainly comprises container body 133Y (toner bottle) and is located at and is held part 134Y (bottle cap, cap portion) in its head.In the first embodiment, being held part 134Y forms by the jut with rectangularity and is added in the shape that obtains on the right cylinder, but jut can form semisphere, taper and the shape that obtains by the top of using the plane parallel with its bottom to cut away cone etc., erects so that prevent container body 133Y.
The head of container body 133Y comprises gear 33c and the opening A (referring to Fig. 6) with container body 133Y unitary rotation.Opening A is located in the head of container body 133Y (front position when it is installed), and the toner that is used for being contained among the container body 133Y is discharged in the space (cavity) that is held part 134Y.
With reference to Fig. 5, in the rear end part (bottom) of container body 133Y, be provided with grasping part 33d, attaching/detaching toner container 132Y thereby the user can catch it.Inner circumferential surface along container body 133Y is provided with spirality teat 33b (being spiral groove) when outer circumferential side is seen.This spirality teat 33b is used for by making container body 133Y rotate and toner is discharged from opening A along predetermined direction.The container body 133Y of Gou Chenging can make by blow molding after forming the gear 33c that is located on its circumferential surface by injection mo(u)lding like this.Has the agitating member 33f that rotates with container body 133Y that is located among the opening A according to the toner container 132Y of first embodiment.This agitating member 33f is rod component or tabular component, and it extends and be arranged to be a certain angle (shown in the dot-and-dash line in Fig. 6) with rotation from the space during being held part 134Y towards container body 133Y.Agitating member 33f can improve the ability of discharging toner from opening A with the rotation of container body 133Y.
In the first embodiment, the container body 133Y of toner container 132Y is being rotated from the counter clockwise direction of seeing along the upstream side of toner throughput direction.And the hand of spiral (rotation direction) of the teat 33b in container body 133Y is set to right.Under the situation of this setting, the rotation of container body 133Y causes the spiral air stream (with the identical direction of sense of rotation of the spiral air stream that produces) that produces along clockwise helical motion in screw pump 60 in toner container 132Y.
With reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, be held part 134Y and comprise block main part 34a, cover 34b, support 34c, the plug member 34d as the opening/closing member, package 34e and ID chip (electronic unit) 35.With reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 7, on the both sides that are held part 134Y, be provided with the bonding part 34g (trench portions) that engages with the align member 31c of toner container support 31.On the end face that is held part 134Y, be provided with the mounting structure 31d assembling recessed portion 34m thereon that is used for toner container support 31.On the circumferential surface that is held part 134Y, be provided with the bossing 34n in another mounting structure (not shown) that is assembled to toner container support 31.In addition, on the upside that is held part 134Y, be provided with the notch part 34h that a part of gear 33c is therefrom come out.
Be held part 134Y and be communicated with container body 133Y, and will discharge (along moving) from the toner that opening A discharges by the direction of arrow shown in the dotted line of Fig. 6 from toner outlet B by opening A.In the first embodiment, being formed on the cavity (space) that is held in the part 134Y almost forms cylindrical.Form mortar shape (mortar shape) from being formed on the almost cylindrical cavity that is held in the part 134Y to the toner passing away (vertical channel) that toner exports B.Adopt this shape, the toner of the rotational conveyance by container body 33Y temporarily is layered in the mortar, and the suction force of screw pump 60 on equipment body 100 sides passes to effectively stacked toner.Therefore, improved from toner outlet B and discharged and along the toner transport capacity of the toner of the internal motion of pipe 71.
Be held the motion that part 134Y can not follow container body 133Y, but bonding part 34g with when align member 31c engages according to retained part 73 (referring to Fig. 4 and Fig. 8) maintenance of the mode that does not turn by toner container support 31.Like this, bonding part 34g is used for mechanically helping the fitting operation (or attaching/detaching operation) of toner container 132Y (helping it at hardware aspect) on toner container support 31 as helping member.In an application of the invention, term " mechanically helps toner container is installed in fitting operation on the toner container support " and refers to the help operation of so carrying out, thereby helps inserting operation or positioning action with its stationkeeping the time toner container being installed on the toner container support.Therefore, the mechanical assistant element comprises the bonding part 34g, the recessed portion 34m that engage with align member 31c and the barrier structure (not shown) of described bossing 34n in back and toner container.
In the first embodiment, be arranged in the upside along vertical direction as the bonding part 34g that helps element with respect to toner outlet B (or plug member 34d).This structure above adopting, even loose under the situation of toner container 132Y outside from toner outlet B at toner, the toner that scatters also is difficult to arrive the position of bonding part 34g (perhaps align member 31c).Therefore can reduce the bond failure between bonding part 34g and align member 31c, because the toner contamination that bonding part 34g (or align member 31c) becomes and scattered.
In the first embodiment, be located in the upside of and the more close toner outlet B that compares higher than toner outlet B as the bonding part 34g that helps element along vertical direction.More particularly, bonding part 34g is located to be higher than in the upside of toner outlet B and to be located at along vertical direction along vertical direction and is lower than in the downside of ID chip 35 (information record chip).Adopt this structure, even exist between bonding part 34g and the align member 31c under the situation of big click sound, even perhaps be held under the situation that part 134Y is out of shape owing to environmental change, nozzle 70 and plug member 34d are difficult to move, and can reduce this fault that nozzle 70 can not push plug member 34d.
The block lid 34g that is held part 134Y is bonded on the circumferential surface of block main part 34a.Be provided with a jaw 34b1 in the front portion of covering 34b.Jaw 34b1 engages with engagement member in the head that is formed on container body 33Y, and container body 133Y is held in can rotates with respect to being held part 134Y thus.For container body 133Y is rotated smoothly, be held the jaw 34b1 of part 134Y and the engagement member of container body 133Y and be bonded with each other by between them, keeping suitable gap.
The ID chip 35 that is held part 134Y constitutes and toner container 132Y is installed in operation on the toner container support 31 synchronously with the telecommunication circuit 74 (terminal) of the preset distance between them facing to toner container support 31.ID chip (electronic unit) 35 can be to be processed into for example by RFID (radio-frequency (RF) identification: the noncontact automatic identification technology that adopts radiowave) label that uses or the IC chip of label.More particularly, ID chip 35 is located on the outshot 34a1 that is held part 134Y, and this outshot is installed in direction on the toner container support 31 (promptly along by the direction shown in the arrow among Fig. 5) and stretches out and be located on the plane vertical with installation direction along being held part 34Y.In other words, toner container 132Y so is installed on the toner container support 31, thereby ID chip 35 is positioned at the position more forward than toner outlet B.ID chip 35 carries out contactless communication (wireless communication) with the telecommunication circuit 74 of equipment body, keeps being held part 134Y simultaneously in toner container support 31.Be located at the bossing 34a1 that is held among the part 134Y and have the 34a2 of wall portion of the periphery that is covered with ID chip 35.The 34a2 of portion covers ID chip 35 by the usefulness wall, thereby the toner that scatters is difficult to be deposited on the ID chip 35.
The information that ID chip 35 storage relates to toner is the information used of the recycle of toner color, toner sequence number (product batch number) and toner date of manufacture and relevant toner container 132Y for example the recycle number of times, the date of recycle use and the manufacturer of recycle use that use for example.35 storages of ID chip relate to the information of toner container.When being arranged on toner container 132Y in the toner container support 31, the information in the ID chip 35 of being stored in sends the controller 75 of equipment body 100 to by circuit 74.Equipment body 100 preferably is optimized control according to these information.For example,, then can stop the operation of toner supply device 59, perhaps can use manufacturer change image formation state according to sequence number or recycle if the toner color is different with toner color in should being arranged on the toner container support.
Like this, ID chip 35 is as helping element, is used for helping toner container 132Y is installed in fitting operation (or attaching/detaching operation) on the toner container support 31 in electric mode.Term " help toner container is installed in fitting operation on the toner container support 31 " in this application in electric mode expression in order to detect (set and detect) toner container in case set or whether operationally be arranged on afterwards in the toner container support traffic operation that carries out.Therefore, the information communication on toner container directly related with fitting operation do not represent that it is not the information of " being used for helping fitting operation with electric means ".
In the first embodiment, vertically be located in the upside with respect to toner outlet B (or plug member 34d) as the ID chip 35 that helps element.In addition, ID chip 35 is located on the bossing 34a1 that stretches out from the toner outlet B (or plug member 34d) that is surrounded by the 34a2 of wall portion.Therefore, shed under the situation of toner container 132Y outside even export B (or plug member 34d) from toner at toner, the toner of dispersion also is difficult to arrive the position of ID chip 35 (perhaps telecommunication circuit 74).In other words, can reduce and these troubles occur, for example communication between ID chip 35 and telecommunication circuit 74 trouble and because the leakage that the toner contamination that ID chip 35 (perhaps telecommunication circuit 74) quilt is shed causes.
In being held the support 34c of part 134Y, be provided with slipper 34c1 and 34c2, be used for and synchronously slide along toner container support 31 with respect to toner container support 31 attaching/detachings.More particularly, the first slipper 34c1 is for (it is to upper surface according to the slipping plane 31a with toner container support 31; Referring to Fig. 8) flat that forms of parallel mode, this flat is located at by it and is undertaken in the bottom that is held part 134Y of attaching/detaching operation.In addition, the flat of the second slipper 34c2 for forming according to the mode parallel with the slipping plane (it is the side) of toner container support 31, this flat are located at by it and are undertaken in the sidepiece that is held part 134Y of attaching/detaching operation.Therefore, the slipper 34c1 of toner container 132Y and 34c2 slide along toner container support 31, and this can set the rotational angle of toner container 132Y.
With reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 7, the recessed portion 34m that is equipped with the mounting structure 31d of toner container support 31 is located at as the end face that is held part 134Y and near in the part of bossing 34a1.Recessed portion 34m forms according to the mode that (when being installed in toner container support 31 on the normal position) and corresponding mounting structure 31d when correct with respect to the fitting operation of toner container support 31 are assembled together.Therefore, the slipper 34c1 of toner container 132Y and 34c2 finish along the slip of toner container support 31, and this makes toner container 132Y to locate in a longitudinal direction.
More particularly, as shown in Figure 7, the position of recessed portion 34m is arranged according to the every kind of color that is contained in the toner in the toner container (container body) with differing from one another.The recessed portion 34m (C) of the toner container corresponding with cyan and the corresponding mounting structure (not shown) of toner container support are arranged in the top side, and the recessed portion 34m (M) of the toner container corresponding with magenta and the corresponding mounting structure of toner container support are arranged in the upside of interlude.The recessed portion 34m (Y) of the toner container corresponding with yellow and the corresponding mounting structure 31d of toner container support are arranged in the downside of interlude, and the corresponding mounting structure (not shown) of the recessed portion 34m (K) of the toner container corresponding with black and this toner container support is arranged in the lower side.This structure can prevent the fault that the toner container (for example being used for yellow toner container) that will be used for incorrect color is arranged on the toner container support (for example cyan toner pan straddle) that is used for predetermined color, and this fault has caused the image that does not form desired color.
Equally, with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 7, the bossing 34n that is assembled together with another mounting structure (not shown) is located on the circumferential surface that is held part 134Y.34m is identical with recessed portion, and when correctly being installed in toner container on the toner container support 31, bossing 34n is assembled in the corresponding mounting structure.Just so constitute, thereby the position of bossing 34n is differently arranged mutually according to the every kind of color that is contained in the toner in the toner container (container body).34m is similar with recessed portion, can prevent from the toner container mistake is arranged in the toner container support as top this structure.
Like this, be located at the recessed portion 34m that is held among the part 134Y and bossing 34n, be used for mechanically helping toner container 132Y is installed in fitting operation on the toner container support 31 as helping element.In the first embodiment, exporting B (or plug member 34d) as the recessed portion 34m that helps element and bossing 34n with respect to toner vertically is located in the upside.Therefore, even export B (or plug member 34d) from toner under situation about shedding outside the toner container 132Y at toner, the toner that is shed also is difficult to arrive the position of recessed portion 34m and bossing 34n (perhaps mounting structure).In other words, can reduce this problem, for example the assembly problem between recessed portion 34m or bossing 34m and mounting structure that becomes and caused by the toner contamination that sheds owing to recessed portion 34m and bossing 34n (perhaps mounting structure).
In the first embodiment, as the toner that is contained among the toner container 132Y, use that to have the average spherical degree be 0.90 or bigger spherical toner.So spherical toner is because its shape is mobile excellent, so this toner can not stop that the toner service duct is for example carried under the situation of pipe 71 effectively reliably.The sphericity of toner-particle is limited by equation.
Sphericity=(having circumferential length)/(circumferential length of the projected image of particle) with the projected area circle of the same area of particle
Therefore, be 1.00 o'clock in sphericity, toner-particle is preferably sphere.Can by exemplary apparatus for example flow particles image analyzer " FPIA-2100 " (by Toa1yo Electric, Co.Ltd. make) measure the average spherical degree of toner.
Below with reference to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 the structure of toner container support 31 is described.With reference to Fig. 8, toner container support 31 comprises slipping plane 31a, and the slipper that is held in the part in each of four toner container 132Y, 132M, 132C and 132K slides along each slipping plane; The retained part 73 that is used for fixing the position of the support 34c that is held part; Nozzle 70; The driver element (not shown), each is used for rotary driving force is passed to container body; Telecommunication circuit 74; Arm is used for synchronously being held part towards retained part 73 bias voltages with the fitting operation of toner container to 80; Operating rod (biasing member) 76, each is used for along the direction bias voltage plug member 34d of the toner outlet B that closes toner container.
Retained part 73 is keeping the part that is held of each toner container 132Y, 132M, 132C and 132K according to non rotatable mode.Retained part 73 comprises the slipping plane that contacting support 34c and is contacting a part and cover the surface of contact of 34b.In the slipping plane (side) of retained part 73, be provided with and be used for the align member 31c (referring to Fig. 5) that synchronously locatees with the fitting operation that is held part 34Y.Align member 31c is the bossing that extends along the attaching/detaching direction of toner container 132Y.In addition, telecommunication circuit 74 and mounting structure 31d are located on the surface of retained part 73 in its rear side.The nozzle 70 that is used for every kind of toner color as shown in Figure 9 is arranged in retained part 73.In nozzle 70, be provided with and the toner supply opening 70a that the toner outlet B among the part 134Y is communicated with that is held that is formed on toner container 132Y.
With reference to Figure 10 to Figure 12 toner container 132Y is described with respect to the attaching/detaching operation of toner container support 31 below.Figure 10 is at the synoptic diagram that how Yellow toner container 132Y is installed in (direction along arrow Q is moved) on the toner container support 31 when longitudinal direction is seen.Figure 11 is at the synoptic diagram of seeing installation (when toner outlet B begins to open) how to carry out toner container 132Y from longitudinal direction.Figure 12 is at the synoptic diagram that is installed in the toner container 132Y (when opening of toner outlet B finished) on the toner container support when longitudinal direction is seen.
In the time of on the toner container support 31 that toner container 132Y is installed in equipment body 100, at first, the body cover (not shown) that is located on the front (at the nearside on the paper of Fig. 1) of the main body of imaging device 100 is opened so that toner container support 31 exposes to the front side.Then, with reference to Figure 10, toner container 132Y is pushed toner container support 31 into (along moving of the direction of arrow Q).More particularly, along the longitudinal direction of container body 133Y (or toner container 132Y) toner container 132Y is installed on the toner container support 31, thereby is held the head that part 134Y becomes container body 133Y.
At this moment, slipping plane 31a's slipper 34c1 along toner container support 31 slides at the head side place of toner container 132Y, and when sliding, the user pushes toner container 132Y in the toner container support 31 with good balance by catching the grip portion 33d on the back side of toner container 132Y.
Afterwards, when the support 34c of toner container 132Y arrives the retained part 73 of toner container support 31, the location that is held part 134Y begins, simultaneously except the first slipper 34c1 along the slip of slipping plane 31a, the second slipper 34c2 slides along slipping plane (side).More particularly, being held the bonding part 34g (help element) of part 134Y and the align member 31c of toner container support 31 begins to be bonded with each other.
Afterwards, when further carrying out the fitting operation of toner container 132Y, plug member 34d begins to open toner outlet B bonding part 34g and align member 31c be bonded with each other (state as shown in figure 11) simultaneously.More particularly, be inserted into the pushing that plug member 34d relevant in the hole of support 34c is subjected to nozzle 70 with the front end of nozzle 70.At this moment, arm is held part 134Y towards retained part 73 bias voltages (along the direction bias voltage of arrow Q) to 80 with toner container 132Y.
Then, with reference to Figure 12, the stationkeeping that is held part 34Y is in such position, support 34c is resisted against (reference position that is used for adjacency) on the retained part 73 there, and plug member 34d opens toner outlet B fully simultaneously, and the driven wheel 31g of the driver element of the gear 33c of toner container 132Y and toner container support 31 engagement.As the ID chip 35 of electric substrate in the position that can carry out wireless communication facing to telecommunication circuit 74.In addition, be used for guaranteeing the recessed portion 34m of incompatibility of toner container and mounting structure 31d and the 31e that bossing 34n is assemblied in equipment body.The toner outlet B of toner container 132Y is communicated with the toner supply opening 70a of nozzle 70, and has finished the fitting operation of toner container 132Y.
When in wanting the toner container support 31 of slave unit main body 100, toner container 132Y being taken out (dismountings), operate according to the mode opposite with installation.In this case, synchronous with this operation, nozzle 70 also separates with support 34c, thereby toner container 132Y separates with retained part 73, and plug member 34d moves to the position of closing toner outlet B by the biasing force of operating rod (biasing member).Like this, finished the disassembling section of toner container 132Y by an action (except the opening of body door), thereby the slipper 34c1 of toner container 132Y slides along slipping plane 31a.
According to the toner container 132Y of first embodiment comprise have the toner outlet B that is provided with vertically downward be held part 134Y, and toner outlet B is located in the lower downside of vertical direction ratio open A.And after synchronously plug member 34d reliably being located with fitting operation, plug member 34d exports B by nozzle 70 pushings with the toner of opening by package 34e sealing.Therefore, in toner outlet B, less toner contamination is arranged, and prevented to occur user's hand because contact toner outlet B and the problem of being made dirty by toner.And, even under the situation that toner leaks from toner outlet B, be infected with those parts for example the toner among ID chip 35, bonding part 34g, recessed portion 34m and the bossing 34n reduce, thereby can safeguard its function corresponding, because be arranged in the upside of vertical direction (wherein the toner of Guo Louing overcomes the direction that gravity flies upward) with respect to toner outlet B as the ID chip 35, bonding part 34g, recessed portion 34m and the bossing 34n that help element.
In addition, toner container 132Y does not have from it, and side is arranged in the toner container support 31 (equipment body 100), but carry out attaching/detaching from the front of toner container support 31 (equipment body 100), therefore improved the flexible arrangement of the upside of toner container support 31.For example, even under the situation that scanner (document reader) just in time is arranged on toner container support top, but the operability/workability when the attaching/detaching of toner container 132Y can variation yet.And the flexible arrangement of the bonding station D between the driven wheel 31g of the gear 33c of toner container 132Y and equipment body 100 also is improved.Under with the situation of its longitudinal direction as horizontal direction, toner container 132Y is arranged in the equipment body 100, therefore increased the toner capacity of toner container 132Y, thereby can reduce the replacing frequency, and can aspect the layout of the short transverse of whole imaging device 100, not have any influence.
As mentioned above, in imaging device, be used for machinery or electrically help help element (ID chip 35, bonding part 34g, recessed portion 34m and bossing 34n) to be located at upside along vertical direction with respect to toner outlet B with respect to the fitting operation of toner container support 31 according to first embodiment.Therefore, even under the situation that toner sheds to the outside from toner outlet B, the toner that sheds also is difficult to arrive the position that helps element (ID chip 35, bonding part 34g, recessed portion 34m and bossing 34n).Therefore, under the situation that does not reduce the function that helps element (ID chip 35, bonding part 34g, recessed portion 34m and bossing 34n), can improve the operability when the attaching/detaching operation of toner container 132Y." help element " in toner container 132Y is not limited to ID chip 35, bonding part 34g, recessed portion 34m and bossing 34n, so the present invention is applicable to that expection can not deposit any " the help element " of the toner that scatters on it.
Below with reference to Figure 13 in the first embodiment the structure of individual toner container is described.In order how to make toner container 132Y's be held part 134Y vertically downward towards with the synoptic diagram facing to horizontal plane H (it is the arbitrary plane in imaging device outside, there on end toner container 132Y) to Figure 13.Can not operate because the toner container 132Y of imaging device in being arranged on toner container support 31 exhausts under the situation of toner, use in the future so many user storage have new toner container 132Y.Between this storage period, to deposit towards a kind of like this mode downwards with respect to container body 133Y according to the side that is held part 134Y in order to stop toner container 132Y, the anti-unit of erectting is located among the toner container 132Y according to first embodiment.In other words, as shown in figure 13, because comprise according to the toner container 132Y of first embodiment and anti-ly to erect the unit, so toner container 132Y can not be erected on the horizontal plane H being held under the situation that part 134Y guides vertically downward.Therefore, have such psychological effects, promptly the user is irresolute to according to top mode its being erect, because toner container 132Y can balance and dropped along the direction of arrow F.Therefore, exist prevent the user be held part 134Y vertically downward towards situation under toner container 132Y is erected at effect on the horizontal plane.
More particularly, toner container 132Y according to first embodiment so constitutes, thereby makes the area of the contact area that is held part 134Y (outshot 34a1) that is contacting horizontal plane H be held part 134Y projects to the projecting plane on the surface level vertically downward towards (state of Figure 13) a kind of like this mode area (area of the xsect vertical with rotation) less than container body 133Y according to making.According to top structure, there is such psychological effects, it is irresolute to according to top mode its being erect to be the user, even because make be held part 134Y vertically downward towards situation under the toner container 132Y that erects can balance and under it is erected at situation on the horizontal plane H, also be easy to.
The same as previously described, the 34a2 of wall portion forms round jut 34a1, and its peripheral ID chip 35 (electronic unit) that covers with the 34a2 of wall portion is according to not being located at the mode that horizontal plane H directly contacts on the outshot 34a1.Therefore, the contact area that is contacting horizontal plane says it is the 34a2 of wall portion of bossing 34a1 in strictness.
Be located at ID chip 35 on the outshot 34a1 also as the anti-unit of erectting, be used to stop toner container 132Y be held part 134Y vertically downward towards situation under be erected at horizontal plane H.In other words, because the electronic unit of ID chip 35 for communicating by letter with the telecommunication circuit of equipment body 100, so it seems that impact resistance is poor.Therefore, there is such psychological effects, promptly by ID chip 35 is arranged on the maintained portion subregion facing to horizontal plane H (be held part 134Y vertically downward towards the time), the user can be held part 134Y vertically downward towards situation under be erected on the horizontal plane H toner container 132Y irresolute.
In addition, toner container 132Y according to first embodiment so constitutes, thereby the central authorities' (area geometric center of this contact area) that contacting the contact area that is held part 134Y (outshot 34a1) of horizontal plane H are offset according to the center (rotation of container body 133Y) of a kind of like this mode with respect to the projecting plane that projects to the container body 133Y on the horizontal plane H, just are held part 147Y vertically downward towards (state of Figure 13).According to top structure, there is such psychological effects, be that the user is to erectting it irresolute according to top mode, because be held part 134Y vertically downward towards situation under be erected at that even toner container 132Y on the horizontal plane is erected under the situation on the horizontal plane H also at it can balance, and can be easy to impact owing to slight.When toner container 132Y (container body 133Y) is filled with toner (also not use), toner container 132Y attempt to be held part 134Y downwards towards situation under attempt to stand and compare gravity with the situation that is not full of toner (in use) under thereon the situation and be arranged in higher upside.Therefore, more be difficult to make toner container 132Y be held part 134Y downwards towards situation under keep erectting thereon, this enable further to improve during depositing the toner container 132Y that also not have to use, prevent toner container 132Y be held partly vertically downward towards situation under be erected at effect on the horizontal plane H.
In addition, in toner container 132Y according to first embodiment, as the seal 37 that is located at container body 133Y and is held the flexible member between the part 134Y as the anti-unit of erectting.In other words, by at container body 133Y be held between the part 134Y and insert flexible seal 37, thereby even make container body 133Y unstable and toner container 132Y attempt to be held part 134Y vertically downward towards situation under (state of Figure 13) correctly be erected at and also be easy to become unstable under the situation on the horizontal plane H.Therefore, have such psychological effects, promptly the user is irresolute to according to the sort of mode it being erected on it, because toner container 132Y can be easy to fall down along the direction of arrow F.
As current described, in being held part 134Y, be provided with the anti-unit of erectting according to the imaging device of first embodiment, be used for stoping toner container 132Y be held part 134Y with respect to container body 133Y vertically downward towards feelings be erected on the horizontal plane H under anti-.Therefore, can prevent to occur toner in the part 134Y side and assemble being held between the storage period of toner container 132Y.Therefore, the toner of the toner container 132Y of toner from the main body that is located at imaging device 100 outlet B discharges, and this can prevent such as breaking down in developing apparatus 5Y supplying toner or the fault of abnormal image occurring.
With reference to Figure 14 the package 40 that is used to pack toner container 132Y is elaborated below.Figure 14 is used for the skeleton view that the package of toner container is deposited by portion within it.When selling the toner container 132Y that leaves in the package 40, it keeps being erected in the package 40 sometimes and deposits.
The packed bulk density (packaging volume/whole volume) that is contained in the toner among the container body 133Y of toner container 132Y is preferably set to 0.7 or littler (more preferably 0.6 or littler).If the packed bulk density of toner surpasses 0.7, even then under the situation that container body 133Y rotates, also can reduce the ability that teat 33b carries toner.Therefore, toner can not be transported to and be held part 134Y, this causes reducing from the toning dosage that toner outlet B discharges.But, if the packed bulk density of toner surpasses 0.6, though then packed bulk density be 0.7 or littler situation under, caking also appears in being transported to the toner that is held among the part 134Y easily.When discharging toner, because the toner piece can enter toner outlet B, so toner discharge ability can variation by the use screw pump.Therefore, more preferably, the packed bulk density of toner can be set at 0.6 or littler.
To use the manufacture method of toner container 132Y to describe to recycle below.Can be by reusing toner container 132Y according to first embodiment to carry out process recycling with the product of crossing (in imaging device, using afterwards toner container) without any toner.
More particularly, exist following two kinds of recycle to use the manufacture method of toner container.
According to the manufacture method that first kind of recycle is used, at first carry out demolishing process and be held part 134Y from the container body 133Y of the toner container 132Y that reclaims, to remove.Afterwards, carry out filling process to use toner (or double component developing) filling containers main body 133Y inside.Subsequently, carrying out fixation procedure is fixed on the container body 133Y will be held part 134Y.Use manufacture method according to second kind of recycle, at first carry out machining process in the part (for example, grip portion 33d) of container body 133Y, to form through hole.Then, carry out filling process to use the inside of toner filling containers main body 133Y by described through hole.At last, carry out seal process with sealing through hole (for example, containment member is bonded on the through hole process).By recycling toner container 132Y in this manner, thus environment for use resource effectively.
As mentioned above, in being held part 134Y, be provided with the outshot 34a1 that erects the unit as anti-according to the imaging device of first embodiment, be used for preventing toner container 132Y be held part 134Y with respect to container body 133Y vertically downward towards situation under be erected on the horizontal plane H.Therefore, can prevent to occur toner in the part 134Y side and assemble being held between the storage period of toner container 132Y.In addition, in the first embodiment, the grip portion 33d of container body 133Y causes certain psychological effects of generation.Since the psychological effects that causes of grip portion 33d make the user can prevent toner container 132Y container body 133Y with respect to be held part 134Y vertically downward towards situation under be erected on the horizontal plane H.Therefore, prevented that toner from accumulating in grip portion 33d (rear end side) side of container body 133Y, and this makes the user in that longitudinal direction automatically is placed on toner container 132Y on the horizontal plane H under as the situation of horizontal direction, and is just as described above.
In the first embodiment, have only toner container to be contained in each container body of toner container 132Y, 132M, 132C and 132K, but offer in the situation of imaging device of each developing apparatus at the double component developing that will include toner and carrier, in each container body of toner container 132Y, 132M, 132C and 132K, also can comprise double component developing.Even in this situation, also can realize the effect identical with first embodiment.
In the first embodiment, teat 33b is formed in the inner circumferential surface of container body 133Y, and container body 133Y is rotated.On the other hand, also coil or screw rod can be remained in the container body 133Y rotationally, and container body 133Y can not rotate, but can coil or screw rod be rotated by gear 33c.Also have in this case, can obtain the effect identical with first embodiment.
In the first embodiment, in toner supply device, be provided with the drawing-in type screw pump 60 that is used for sending into air to the inside of pipe 71.Simultaneously, in toner supply device, also can be provided for sending into the discharge formula screw pump of air to pipe 71 inside.Even in these situations, also can obtain the effect identical with first embodiment.
Second embodiment
With reference to Figure 15 to Figure 18 second embodiment of the present invention is elaborated below.Figure 15 is the cut-open view according to the head side of the toner container of second embodiment, and it is corresponding with cut-open view according to Fig. 6 of first embodiment.
With reference to Figure 15, be according to the toner container 232Y of second embodiment and the difference of first embodiment, in being held part 234Y, be provided with compression spring 34f as biasing member.More particularly, on the right-hand side of plug member 34d, be provided with the compression spring 34f (biasing member) that is used for along the direction bias voltage plug member 34d that closes toner outlet B.As the ID chip 35 of electronic unit (storage unit) according to constituting with mode that the telecommunication circuit 74 of equipment body directly contacts.In being held part 234Y, be not provided as the anti-outshot of erectting the unit, but ID chip 35 and seal 37 are as the anti-unit of erectting.
The ID chip 35 that is held part 234Y is according to synchronously contacting with the telecommunication circuit 74 (splicing ear) of toner container support 31 with respect to the attaching/detaching operation of toner container support 31 with toner container 232Y or separating.More particularly, ID chip 35 is located at such position, this position be held part 234Y with respect to the vertical plane of toner container support 31 attaching/detaching directions (direction of arrow of Figure 16 A and 16B), and when attaching/detaching is operated facing to telecommunication circuit 74.
As mentioned above, ID chip 35 with the attaching/detaching operation (linear operation) undertaken by an action with toner container 232Y synchronously be located at equipment body 100 in telecommunication circuit 74 contact, and this has improved the contact performance between ID chip 35 and telecommunication circuit 74.More particularly, the surface of ID chip 35 contacts with the telecommunication circuit 74 in being fixed on equipment body 100 (toner container support 31) is linear, and this has just prevented to occur this fault in advance, be ID chip 35 and the telecommunication circuit 74 inhomogeneous contact faults that caused that contact, thereby perhaps 74 wearing and tearing of part ID chip 35 and telecommunication circuit cause damage to some parts.
In second embodiment, ID chip 35 is located at according to the mode that is arranged in the upside higher than the position that plug member 34d is set (upside of the attitude when toner container 232Y is arranged on toner container support 31) and is held part 234Y.Because ID chip 35 is located at than in the higher vertical upper side of plug member 34d, even, be attached to this fault that makes the mistake on the ID chip 35 and operate near plug member 34d thereby also reduced toner so the toner in toner container 232Y leaks.
Describe with respect to the attaching/detaching operation of toner container support 31 with reference to Figure 16 to 18 couple of toner container 232Y below.Figure 16 A is at the synoptic diagram that how Yellow toner container 232Y is installed in (along moving of the direction of arrow) on the toner container support 31 when longitudinal direction is observed, and Figure 16 B is the synoptic diagram in the support 34c that the is held part 234Y part on every side that state when upside is observed.Figure 17 A is for seeing the synoptic diagram of installation (beginning to be held the location of part 234Y) how to carry out toner container 232Y from longitudinal direction, and Figure 17 B is the synoptic diagram of the part around the support 34c that state when upside is seen.Figure 18 A is being for being installed in the synoptic diagram of (finishing installations) on the toner container support 31 with toner container 232Y when longitudinal direction is seen, and Figure 18 B is the synoptic diagram at a part of support 34c that state when upside is seen.
In the time of on the toner container support 31 that toner container 232Y is installed in equipment body 100, will be located at first that body cover (not shown) on the main body front (at rear side on the paper of Fig. 1) of the main body of imaging device 100 is opened so that toner container support 31 to face exposure.Then, with reference to Figure 16 A and 16B, toner container 232Y pushing is entered toner container support 31 (along moving of the direction of arrow).More particularly, along the longitudinal direction of container body 233Y (perhaps toner container 232Y) toner container 232Y is installed on the toner container support 31, thereby is held the head that part 234Y is provided as container body 233Y.
At this moment, slipping plane 31a's first slipper 34c1 along toner container support 31 slides at the head side place of toner container 232Y, and when sliding, the user enters toner container support 31 with good balance with toner container 232Y pushing by catch grip portion 33d on the rear side of toner container 232Y.
With reference to Figure 17 A and Figure 17 B, when the support 34c of toner container 232Y arrives the retained part 73 of toner container support 31, the location that is held part 234Y begins, simultaneously except the first slipper 34c1 along the slip of slipping plane 31a, the second slipper 34c2 slides along slipping plane 31b.More particularly, being held the bonding part 34g of part 234Y and the align member 31c of toner container support 31 begins to be bonded with each other.
Then, the fitting operation of toner container 232Y further carries out, and plug member 34d begins to open toner outlet B, and bonding part 34g and align member 31c are bonded with each other simultaneously.That is to say that the front end of nozzle 70 is inserted in the hole of support 34c, and simultaneously, plug member 34d is subjected to the pushing of nozzle 70.As Figure 18 A with the same shown in the 18B, the stationkeeping that is held part 234Y is in such position, support 34c is resisted against (reference position that is used for adjacency) on the retained part 73 there, and plug member 34d opens toner outlet B fully simultaneously, and ID chip 35 is connected with telecommunication circuit 74.This allows the toner outlet B of toner container 232Y and the toner supply opening 70a of nozzle 70 to be interconnected at hardware aspect, and allowing exchange message between ID chip 35 and controller 75 aspect the software, and finishing the fitting operation of toner container 232Y.
As mentioned above, in second embodiment, attended operation between the telecommunication circuit 74 of the ID of toner container 232Y chip 35 and toner container support 31 is finished (except the opening of body door) by an action, thereby the slipper 34c1 of toner container 232Y slides along slipping plane 31a.More particularly, making the slipper 34c1 of toner container 232Y when slipping plane 31a slides, synchronously begin to be held the positioning action of part 234Y (toner container 232Y) with sliding, begin the insertion operation of nozzle 70 then, and ID chip 35 and telecommunication circuit 74 are interconnected.By this connection, the surface of set ID chip 35 contacts with telecommunication circuit 74 in being fixed on equipment body 100 (toner container support 31), and this has just prevented to occur this fault in advance, be thereby that ID chip 35 causes contact fault with telecommunication circuit 74 inhomogeneous contacts, perhaps the part of ID chip 35 and telecommunication circuit 74 is along with it contacts/lock out operation and being worn, thereby some parts are caused damage.
When in wanting the toner container support 31 of slave unit main body 100, toner container 232Y being taken out (dismountings), operate according to the mode opposite with installation.In this case, operate synchronous nozzle 70 with this and also separate, thereby toner container 232Y separates with retained part 73, and the biasing force of plug member 34d by compression spring 34f moves to the position of closing toner outlet B with support 34c.Simultaneously, ID chip 35 also separates with telecommunication circuit 74.Like this, finished ID chip 35 from the disassembling section of telecommunication circuit 74 and the disassembling section of toner container 232Y by an action (except the opening of body door), thereby the slipper 34c1 of toner container 132Y slides along slipping plane 31a.
Comprise having according to the toner container 232Y of second embodiment and be held part 234Y along what gravity direction was located at toner outlet B in the downside, after synchronously plug member 34d reliably being located with fitting operation, plug member 34d exports B by nozzle 70 pushings with the toner of opening by package 34e sealing.Therefore, the toner of being infected with in toner outlet B still less and has prevented to occur user's hand because contact toner outlet B and this problem of being made dirty by toner.
In addition, toner container 232Y is not arranged on the toner container support 31 (equipment body 100) from upside, but carry out attaching/detaching from the front of toner container support 31 (equipment body 100), therefore improved the flexible arrangement of the upside of toner container support 31.For example, even under the situation that scanner (document reader) just in time is arranged on toner container support top, but the operability/workability when the attaching/detaching of toner container 232Y can variation yet.Longitudinal direction is being arranged on toner container 232Y in the equipment body 100 under as the situation of horizontal direction, and therefore increased the toner capacity of toner container 232Y, and can not have any influence aspect the layout of the short transverse of whole imaging device 100, this can reduce the replacing frequency.
As mentioned above, in being held part 234Y, be provided with the anti-unit of erectting according to the imaging device of second embodiment, be used to stop toner container 232Y be held part 234Y with respect to container body 233Y vertically downward towards situation under be erected at horizontal plane H.Therefore, can prevent to occur toner in the part 234Y side and assemble being held between the storage period of toner container 232Y.In addition, in second embodiment, the ID chip 35 that stores the information that is used for toner container 232Y is held part 234Y according to operating synchronously to be arranged on the mode of separating with telecommunication circuit 74 contacts with respect to the attaching/detaching of toner container support 31 with toner container 232Y.Therefore, ID chip 35 can contact and separate mutually reliably and smoothly with telecommunication circuit 74.But this is except the hardware aspect even at the operability/workability that also can improve aspect the software when toner container 232Y changes, and has reduced the appearance of toner contamination reliably.
The 3rd embodiment
With reference to Figure 19 the 3rd embodiment of the present invention is elaborated below.Figure 19 is the cut-open view according to the toner container of the 3rd embodiment.Rotating the different place of embodiment that flows to opening A with the toner that will be mounted in it according to the toner container of the 3rd embodiment and container body wherein is, have the container body 333Y that is held part 334Y and keeping by toner container support 31, and be arranged in the toner container as the coil 181Y of transfer member according to non rotatable mode.
As shown in figure 19, toner container 332Y mainly comprises container body 333Y and is held part 334Y.Opening A is located in the head of container body 333Y, and gear 33c is located at around the neighboring of opening A rotationally.The driven wheel engagement of gear 33c and equipment body 100 is so that coil 181Y rotation.
Turning axle 180Y and gear 33c form as one, and spiral coil 181Y is connected with turning axle 180Y.The end of turning axle 180Y is supported by the bearing portions 34a4 that is held part 334Y.Coil 181Y extends across rear end (bottom) among container body 333Y from opening A.Gear 33c rotates so that turning axle 180Y and coil 181Y rotate around container body 333Y.
Therefore, the toner that is contained among the container body 333Y is carried towards opening A under the effect of the toner carrying capacity of coil 181Y.Because the external diameter of coil 181Y is less than the internal diameter of container body 333Y, so the toner carrying capacity can be applied on away near the toner the rotary middle spindle of the inner circumferential surface of container body 333Y.In addition, its shape of coil 181Y is flexible relatively, and it has only an end to be supported, and therefore, during turning swing this position.This can be applied to the toner carrying capacity on the rotary middle spindle fully from the inner circumferential surface of container body 333Y.Therefore, even a large amount of toners are housed and in container body 333Y because environmental change or " retention time is oversize " and occur therein under the situation of toner cohesion, also can make the state of aggregation reduction by the toner carrying capacity that causes because of coil 181Y, and can prevent that thus the toning dosage that will discharge from reducing.
Also be provided with the anti-unit of erectting according to the toner container 332Y of the 3rd embodiment and those embodiments are similar, be used to stop toner container 332Y be held part 334Y with respect to container body 333Y vertically downward towards situation under be erected at horizontal surface H.
As mentioned above, with similar the 3rd embodiment of these embodiments in, prevented toner container 332Y be held part 334Y with respect to container body 333Y vertically downward towards situation under be erected on the horizontal surface H, and this makes it possible to prevent occur toner in the part 334Y side and assemble being held between the storage period of toner container 332Y.Though in the 3rd embodiment, use coil 181Y as transfer member, also can use screw rod as transfer member.In this case, also can obtain the effect identical with the 3rd embodiment.
The 4th embodiment
With reference to Figure 20 and Figure 21 four embodiment of the invention is elaborated below.Figure 20 is the cut-open view according to the toner container of the 4th embodiment, and it is with corresponding according to Figure 19 of the 3rd embodiment.Be according to the toner container of the 4th embodiment and the difference of the 3rd embodiment, adopt board member 184Y as transfer member.
As shown in figure 20, toner container 432Y mainly comprises container body 433Y and is held part 434Y.In the head of container body 433Y, be provided with opening A, and gear 33c is provided with round the neighboring of opening A rotationally.The driven wheel engagement of gear 33c and equipment body 100 is so that rotate, and is similar with the 3rd embodiment.
With reference to Figure 20, screw rod 183Y is supported by the bearing portions 34a4 that is held part 434Y at the one end thereof place, and is supported by the bearing portions in the back side that is located at container body 433Y at another place, end.Gear 33c is rotated around container body 433Y, and screw rod 183Y also rotate thus integratedly.Along with this rotates, the board member 184Y that engages with screw rod 183Y moves (along the arrow direction towards opening A) along the screw rod direction of feed, simultaneously by leader 185Y guiding (not along with screw rod 183Y rotates).The movement velocity of board member 184Y is set relatively slowly according to the toner spending rate of container body 433Y.
Like this, the toner carrying capacity of toner by board member 184Y that is contained among the container body 433Y flows to opening A side.Here, the internal diameter that the external diameter of board member 184Y forms container main body 433Y is slightly little, and the toner carrying capacity can be applied in addition the toner away from the inner circumferential surface of container body 433Y near rotation axis of centres A on.Therefore, even a large amount of toners are housed and in container body 433Y owing to environmental change or " retention time is oversize " cause occurring therein under the situation of toner cohesion, make the state of aggregation reduction by the toner carrying capacity that produces owing to this board member 184Y, and can prevent that thus the toning dosage of being discharged from reducing.
Similar with those embodiments, also be provided with the anti-unit of erectting according to the toner container 432Y of the 4th embodiment, be used to prevent toner container 432Y be held part 434Y with respect to container body 433Y vertically downward towards situation under be erected at horizontal H.
As mentioned above, in the 4th embodiment, similar with those embodiments, prevented toner container 432Y be held part 434Y with respect to container body 433Y vertically downward towards situation under be erected on the horizontal H, and this can prevent to occur toner in the part 434Y side and assemble being held between the storage period of toner container 432Y.
The 5th embodiment
To be elaborated to fifth embodiment of the invention below.Those of the structure of whole imaging device and operation and Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 are identical, therefore, and by with reference to having omitted its explanation referring to figs. 1 through the explanation of Fig. 4.In the 5th embodiment, screw pump is connected with pipe 71, but the diaphragm type pneumatic pump also is connected with pipe 71.
With reference to Figure 22 to Figure 24 toner container is described below.As described referring to figs. 1 through Fig. 4, four are essentially columniform toner container 132Y, 132M, 132C and 132K and are removably disposed in the toner container support 31, but replace these containers, removably be provided with toner container 532Y, 532M, 532C and 532K (toner bottle) therein.These toner containers 532Y, 532M, 532C and 532K when they arrive its serviceable life when container emptied (be contained in nearly all toner in the container is consumed and) use new replacing respectively.The toner that is contained in each color among toner container 532Y, 532M, 532C and the 532K respectively offers each developing apparatus of image-generating unit 6Y, 6M, 6C and 6K as required by every toner service duct described with reference to Figure 3.
Figure 22 is the skeleton view of toner container 532Y.Figure 23 is the cut-open view of the head side (being provided with that side that is held part 534Y) of toner container 532Y.Figure 24 is the synoptic diagram at the toner container 532Y of Figure 23 when arrow M direction is seen.Other three toner container 532M, 532C and 532K have and the toner container 532Y structure much at one that Yellow toner is housed, and be different with the position of bossing 34n except different toner colors and recessed portion 34m are housed.Below, the explanation of having save other three toner container 532M, 532C and 532K, below only the toner container 532Y that Yellow toner is housed is described.
As shown in figure 22, toner container 532Y mainly comprises container body 533Y and is located at and is held part 534Y (bottle cap) in its head.The head of container body 533Y comprises gear 33c and the opening A (referring to Figure 23) with container body 533Y unitary rotation.In the head of container body 533Y, be provided with opening A (front position when it is installed), and the toner that this opening is used for being contained among the container body 533Y is discharged in the space (cavity) that is held part 534Y.
In the 5th embodiment, toner container 532Y and equipment body 100 so constitute, thus be held part 534Y (perhaps container body 533Y) driven wheel 31g when rotating by the direction shown in the W of Figure 24 (mainly during the toner supply) by be applied to from driven wheel 31g on the gear 33c power and by biased downward.More particularly, with reference to Figure 24, gear 33c and driven wheel 31g rotate on 1/4 position of changeing in the optional position from the scope of the top part of gear 33c at it and are meshing with each other.In other words, the bonding station D between gear 33c and driven wheel 31g is located at from the top part of gear 33c and rotates (it does not comprise that the top part and gear 33c rotate 1/4 position of changeing) the 1/4 scope X that changes to its downstream.
According to top structure, in power R, produce along the downward component Rv of effect of vertical direction, thereby driven wheel 31g vertically acts on the face of gear of gear 33c (also producing the component Rh along the horizontal direction effect).By vertically downward the effect component Rv vertically downward bias voltage be held part 534Y, thereby make slipper 34c1 contact (effect that slipper 34c1 stands component Rv) with the bottom of the retained part of toner container support 31 as contact portion.In addition, the component Rh horzontal deflecting voltage by horizontal force is held part 534Y, thereby makes the slipper 34c2 as contact portion contact (effect that slipper 34c2 is subjected to component Rh) with the respective side of the retained part of toner container support 31.Therefore, even under the situation of the rotation of carrying out driven wheel 31g repeatedly and nonrotational (toner supply operation), be held part 534Y and also can vertically do not carry out very big motion, and can keep the sealing ability of the nozzle 70 that is communicated with toner outlet B thus, prevent that therefore toner from shedding near toner exports B.But, if bonding station D not in scope X, does not then produce the component of effect vertically downward, also can be very little even perhaps produced, therefore can not obtain above-mentioned effect.
With reference to Figure 22, grip portion 33d is located in the rear end part (bottom) of container body 533Y, carries out the attaching/detaching of toner container 532Y thereby the user can catch it.In the inner circumferential surface of container body 533Y, be provided with spirality teat 33b (when outer circumferential sides is seen, being spiral groove).Spirality teat 33b is used for discharging toner by container body 533Y is rotated from opening A along predetermined direction.The container body 533Y of Gou Chenging can produce by blow molding with the gear 33c that is located in its circumferential surface like this.Have according to the toner container 532Y of the 5th embodiment and to be located at the agitating member 33f that rotates with container body 533Y among the opening A.This agitating member 33f is a rod component, and it is provided with at an angle from the space during being held part 534Y towards container body 533Y extension and with respect to rotation (being represented by the dot-and-dash line in Figure 23).Agitating member 33f rotates with container body 533Y can improve the ability of discharging toner from opening A.
In the 5th embodiment, make the container body 533Y of toner container 532Y rotate from the counter clockwise direction when the upstream side of toner throughput direction is seen.And the hand of spiral (rotation direction) of the teat 33b in container body 533Y is set to right.This setting and the rotation of container body 533Y causes the spiral air flow (direction identical with the sense of rotation of the spiral air flow that produces) that produces clockwise spiral rotation in toner container 532Y in screw pump.
With reference to Figure 22 and Figure 23, be held part 534Y and comprise block 34a, cover 34b, support 34c, the plug member 34d as the opening/closing member, package 34e and ID chip 35.With reference to Figure 22 and Figure 24, the bonding part 34g (trench portions) that engages with the align member 31c of toner container support 31 is arranged on the both sides that are held part 534Y.The recessed portion 34m that wherein is equipped with the mounting structure 31d of toner container support 31 is located on the end face that is held part 534Y.The bossing 34n that is assembled in another mounting structure (not shown) of toner container support 31 is located on the circumferential surface that is held part 534Y.In addition, the notch part 34h that therefrom comes out of a part of gear 33c is located on the upside that is held part 534Y.
Be held part 534Y and be communicated with container body 533Y, and will discharge (along moving) from the toner that opening A discharges by the direction of arrow shown in the dotted line of Figure 23 from toner outlet B by opening A.In the 5th embodiment, be formed on the cavity (space) that is held in the part 534Y and almost form cylindrical.Form mortar shape from being formed on the almost cylindrical cavity that is held in the part 534Y to the toner passing away that toner exports B.Adopt this shape, the spiral air flow that the rotation by container body 533Y produces in container body 533Y can not disappear but keep, and thus toner is carried towards toner outlet B effectively.Therefore, improved from toner outlet B and discharged and along the toner transport capacity of the toner of the internal motion of pipe 71.
Be held the rotation that part 534Y can not follow container body 533Y, but bonding part 34g with keep according to the retained part 73 (referring to Fig. 8) of not rotatable mode when align member 31c engages by toner container support 31.The block lid 34b that is held part 534Y is bonded on the circumferential surface of block 34a.Be provided with jaw 34b1 covering the 34b front.Jaw 34b1 engages with engagement member in the head that is formed on container body 533Y, and container body 533Y is kept can rotate with respect to being held part 534Y thus.For container body 533Y is rotated smoothly, be held the jaw 34b1 of part 534Y and the engagement member of container body 533Y and be bonded with each other by between them, keeping suitable gap.
The ID chip 35 that is held part 534Y constitutes and toner container 532Y is installed in operation on the toner container support 31 synchronously by the telecommunication circuit 74 (terminal) of the preset distance between them facing to toner container support 31.More particularly, ID chip 35 is located on the outshot 34a1 that is held part 534Y, this outshot stretches out along the direction (shown in the arrow of Figure 22) that is installed on the toner container support 31, and this outshot 34a1 is positioned on the plane vertical with installation direction.ID chip 35 carries out contactless communication (wireless communication) with the telecommunication circuit 74 of equipment body, is held part 534Y simultaneously and remains in the toner container support 31.
Be provided with slipper 34c1 and 34c2 in being held the support 34c of part 534Y, they are used for and carry out the attaching/detaching operation with respect to toner container support 31 synchronously along 31 slips of toner container support.More particularly, the first slipper 34c1 is for (it is to upper surface according to the slipping plane 31a with toner container support 31; Referring to Fig. 8) flat that forms of parallel mode, this flat is located at by it and is undertaken in the bottom that is held part 534Y of attaching/detaching operation.In addition, the flat of the second slipper 34c2 for forming according to the mode parallel with the slipping plane (it is the side) of toner container support 31, this flat are located at by it and are undertaken in the sidepiece that is held part 534Y of attaching/detaching operation.As mentioned above, the part of slipper 34c1 and 34c2 is as the contact portion that contacts toner container support 31 by the biasing force that causes owing to driven wheel 31g.
With reference to Figure 22 and Figure 24, the recessed portion 34m that is equipped with the mounting structure 31d of toner container support 31 is arranged in the end face that is held part 534Y and close bossing 34a1.Recessed portion 34m forms according to the mode that (when being installed in toner container support 31 on the normal position) and corresponding mounting structure 31d when correct with respect to the fitting operation of toner container support 31 are assembled together.
More particularly, as shown in figure 24, the position of recessed portion 34m is arranged according to the every kind of color that is contained in the toner in the toner container (container body) with differing from one another.The recessed portion 34m (C) of the toner container corresponding with cyan and the corresponding mounting structure (not shown) of toner container support are arranged in the top side, and the corresponding mounting structure (not shown) of the recessed portion 34m (M) of the toner container corresponding with magenta and toner container support is arranged in the upside of interlude.The recessed portion 34m (Y) of the toner container corresponding with yellow and the corresponding mounting structure 31d of toner container support are arranged in the downside of interlude, and the corresponding mounting structure (not shown) of the recessed portion 34m (K) of the toner container corresponding with black and this toner container support is arranged in the bottom side.This structure can prevent this fault that the toner container (for example being used for yellow toner container) that will be used for incorrect color is arranged on the toner container support (for example cyan toner pan straddle) that is used for predetermined color, and this fault causes the image that does not form desired color.
Equally, with reference to Figure 22 and Figure 24, the bossing 34n that is assemblied in another mounting structure (not shown) is located on the circumferential surface that is held part 534Y.34m is identical with recessed portion, bossing 34n is constituted when correctly being installed in toner container on the toner container support 31 be assemblied in the corresponding mounting structure.Just so constitute (not shown), thereby the position of bossing 34n is arranged differently mutually according to the every kind of color that is contained in the toner in the toner container (container body).34m is similar with recessed portion, can prevent from the toner container mistake is arranged in the toner container support as top this structure.
In the 5th embodiment, as the toner that is contained among toner container 532Y, 532M, 532C and the 532K, the toner that employing forms according to the mode that keeps following relational expression, wherein Dv (μ m) is a volume average particle size, and Dn (μ m) is the quantity mean grain size.
3≤Dv≤8 (1)
1.00≤Dn≤1.40 (2)
Therefore, select toner-particle, and keep excellent picture quality thus, even and in developing apparatus, also can keep gratifying development capability in the long-time condition of stirring at toner according to the picture pattern in developing process.And toner can be effectively and is carried reliably and can not stop the toner service duct, and for example pipe 71.Can for example CoulterCounter formula size distribution measurement mechanism " Coulter Counter-TA-II " (being made by Coulter ElectronicsLimited) or " Coulter Multisizer II " (being made by Coulter Electronics Limited) be measured the volume average particle size and the quantity mean grain size of toner by using typical devices.
In addition, in the 5th embodiment, as the toner that is contained among toner container 532Y, 532M, 532C and the 532K, use is essentially spherical toner, this toner so forms, thereby shape coefficient SF-1 is in 100 to 180 scope, and shape coefficient SF-2 is in 100 to 180 scope.This can suppress clean-up performance and reduces, and keeps high transmission efficiency simultaneously.And toner can be effectively and is carried reliably and can not stop the toner service duct, and for example pipe 71.Here, shape coefficient SF-1 represents the sphericity of toner-particle, and it is determined by equation.
SF-1＝(M
2/S)×(100π/4)
In this equation, M is the maximum particle diameter (maximum particle diameter in inhomogeneous particle diameter) in the projecting plane of toner-particle, and S is the projected area of toner-particle.Therefore, its shape coefficient SF-1 is that 100 toner-particle is a full spherical, and sphericity descends greater than 100 along with this coefficient becomes.
Shape coefficient SF-2 represents the degree of irregularity of toner-particle, and it is determined by following equation.
SF-2＝(N
2/S)×(100/4π)
In this equation, N is the circumferential length in the projecting plane of toner-particle, and S is the projected area of toner-particle.Therefore, its shape coefficient SF-2 be 100 toner-particle without any scrambling, and scrambling becomes big along with this coefficient becomes greater than 100.By taking the photo of toner-particle with scanning electron microscope " S-800 " (making) and analyze the toner-particle photo that is obtained with analyser " LUSEX3 " (making) by Nireco company by Hitachi company, thus acquisition shape coefficient SF-1 and shape coefficient SF-2.
Therefore the structure of toner container support 31 will save its explanation by reference with reference to the explanation of Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 with identical with described that structure of Fig. 9 with reference to Fig. 8.
With reference to Figure 25 to Figure 27 toner container 532Y is described with respect to the attaching/detaching operation of toner container support 31 below.Figure 25 is at the synoptic diagram that how Yellow toner container 532Y is installed in (direction along arrow Q is moved) on the toner container support 31 when longitudinal direction is seen.Figure 26 is at the synoptic diagram of seeing installation (when toner outlet B begins to open) how to carry out toner container 532Y from longitudinal direction.Figure 27 is for being installed on the toner container support synoptic diagram of 31 toner container 532Y (when the opening of toner outlet B is finished) when longitudinal direction is seen.
In the time of on the toner container support 31 that toner container 532Y is installed in equipment body 100, at first, will be located at that body cover (not shown) on the front (at the nearside on the paper of Fig. 1) of the main body of imaging device 100 is opened so that toner container support 31 to face exposure.Then, with reference to Figure 25, toner container 532Y is pushed toner container support 31 into (along moving of the direction of arrow Q).More particularly, along the longitudinal direction of container body 533Y (or toner container 532Y) toner container 532Y is installed on the toner container support 31, thereby is held the head that part 534Y is provided as container body 533Y.
At this moment, slipping plane 31a's slipper 34c1 along toner container support 31 slides at the head side place of toner container 532Y, and when sliding, the user pushes toner container 532Y in the toner container support 31 with good balance by catching the grip portion 33d on the back side of toner container 532Y.
Afterwards, when the support 34c of toner container 532Y arrives the retained part 73 of toner container support 31, the location that is held part 534Y begins, simultaneously except the first slipper 34c1 along the slip of slipping plane 31a, the second slipper 34c1 slides along slipping plane (side).More particularly, being held the bonding part 34g of part 534Y and the align member 31c of toner container support 31 begins to be bonded with each other.
Afterwards, when further carrying out the fitting operation of toner container 532Y, plug member 34d begins to open toner outlet B, simultaneously bonding part 34g and align member 31c be bonded with each other (state as shown in figure 26).More particularly, be inserted in the hole of support 34c with the front end of nozzle 70 and be associated, plug member 34d is subjected to the pushing of nozzle 70.At this moment, arm is held part 534Y towards retained part 73 bias voltages (along the direction bias voltage of arrow Q) to 80 with toner container 532Y.
Then, with reference to Figure 27, the stationkeeping (joint between bonding part 34g and the align member 31c) that is held part 534Y is in such position, support 34c is resisted against (reference position that is used for adjacency) on the retained part 73 there, and plug member 34d opens toner outlet B fully simultaneously, and the driven wheel 31g of the driver element of the gear 33c of toner container 532Y and toner container support 31 engagement.As the ID chip 35 of electric substrate in the position that can carry out wireless communication facing to telecommunication circuit 74.In addition, be used for guaranteeing the recessed portion 34m of incompatibility of toner container and mounting structure 31d and the 31e that bossing 34n is assemblied in equipment body.Then, the toner of toner container 532Y outlet B is communicated with the toner supply opening 70a of nozzle 70, and has finished the fitting operation of toner container 532Y.
When in wanting the toner container support 31 of slave unit main body 100, toner container 532Y being taken out (dismountings), operate according to the mode opposite with installation.In this case, operate synchronous nozzle 70 with this and also separate, thereby toner container 532Y separates with retained part 73, and plug member 34d moves to the position of closing toner outlet B by the biasing force of operating rod (biasing member) with support 34c.Like this, finished the disassembling section of toner container 532Y by an action (except the opening of body door), thereby the slipper 34c1 of toner container 532Y slides along slipping plane 31a.
According to the toner container 532Y of the 5th embodiment comprise have the toner outlet B that is provided with vertically downward be held part 534Y, and toner outlet B is located in the lower downside of vertical direction ratio open A.And after synchronously plug member 34d reliably being located with fitting operation, plug member 34d exports B by nozzle 70 pushings with the toner of opening by package 34e sealing.Therefore, the toner of being infected with in toner outlet B still less and has prevented to occur user's hand because contact toner outlet B and this problem of being made dirty by toner.
In addition, toner container 532Y is not arranged on the toner container support 31 (equipment body 100) from upside, but carry out attaching/detaching from the front of toner container support 31 (equipment body 100), therefore improved the flexible arrangement of the upside of toner container support 31.For example, even under the situation that scanner (document reader) just in time is arranged on toner container support top, but the operability/workability when the attaching/detaching of toner container 532Y can variation yet.And the flexible arrangement of the bonding station D between the driven wheel 31g of the gear 33c of toner container 532Y and equipment body 100 also improves.Its longitudinal direction is being arranged on toner container 532Y in the equipment body 100 under as the situation of horizontal direction, therefore increased the toner capacity of toner container 132Y, and can not have any influence aspect the layout of the short transverse of whole imaging device 100, this can reduce the replacing frequency.
As mentioned above, so constitute, when driven wheel 31g rotates, come biased downward to be held part 534Y by the power that is applied to from driven wheel 31g on the gear 33c according to the imaging device of the 5th embodiment.Therefore, but the operability/workability when the replacing of toner container 532Y is higher, even and also can prevent the problem that toner scatters from toner container 532Y under the situation that repeats toner supply operation.
In the 5th embodiment, in each container of toner container 532Y, 532M, 532C and 532K, toner only is housed, but offer the situation of the imaging device of each developing apparatus at the double component developing that will include toner and carrier (developer that is used for replenishing), in each container body of toner container 532Y, 532M, 532C and 532K, also can hold double component developing.Even in this situation, also can realize the effect identical with the 5th embodiment.
Double-component developing device hypothesis in this case is as the developing apparatus of following formation.This developing apparatus is based on the system that carries out imaging, simultaneously in developing apparatus, always keep 3 to 15wt%, be preferably 5 to 10wt% toner concentration state, this toner concentration is the percentage by weight of toner and double component developing, the replenishment developer that includes carrier is provided, this developer can not weaken when the toner of the toning dosage that is used for imaging is provided, thereby has prolonged the serviceable life of developer.
This developing apparatus comprises unnecessary developer output mechanism, is used for being discharged to the developing apparatus outside owing to its some developers that become unnecessary from the part supply of the transfer passage of developing apparatus.And adopt this action, can make that the developer level in developing apparatus is constant.
From aspect keeping developer serviceable life and prolonging compatible between the replacing at interval of toner container, be preferably 3wt% to 20wt% as the carrier concn of the vehicle weight number percent in replenishment developer.
In the 5th embodiment, teat 33b is formed in the inner circumferential surface of container body 533Y, and makes container body 533Y rotate.On the other hand, coil or screw rod can be remained in the container body 533Y rotationally, and container body 533Y do not rotate yet, and can coil or screw rod be rotated by gear 33c.Also have in this case,, then can obtain the effect identical with the 5th embodiment if be held part 534Y by gear 33c suffered power biased downward when driven wheel 31g rotates that coil or screw rod are rotated.
In the 5th embodiment, the drawing-in type screw pump 60 that is used for air is sent to pipe 71 inside is located at toner supply device.Simultaneously, in toner supply device, also can be provided for sending into the discharge formula screw pump of air to pipe 71 inside.In addition, the diaphragm type pneumatic pump can be set and replace screw pump.Even in these situations,, then can obtain the effect identical with the 5th embodiment if come biased downward to be held part 534Y by the power that when driven wheel 31g rotates, is applied on the gear 33c from driven wheel 31g.
The 6th embodiment
With reference to Figure 28 to Figure 31 A and Figure 31 B the 6th embodiment of the present invention is elaborated below.Figure 28 is the cut-open view according to the head side of the toner container of the 6th embodiment, and it is corresponding with toner container according to Figure 23 of the 5th embodiment.
Describe with reference to Figure 28 below.Be according to the toner container 632Y of the 6th embodiment and the difference of the 5th embodiment, in being held part 634Y, be provided with compression spring 34f as biasing member.More particularly, on the right-hand side of plug member 34d, be provided with the compression spring 34f (biasing member) that is used for along the direction bias voltage plug member 34d that closes toner outlet B.
As the ID chip 35 of electronic unit (storage unit) according to constituting with mode that the telecommunication circuit 74 of equipment body directly contacts.The ID chip 35 that is held part 634Y constitutes according to operating the mode that synchronously contacts with the telecommunication circuit 74 (joint Terminal) of toner container support 31 or separate with toner container 632Y with respect to the attaching/detaching of toner container support 31.More particularly, ID chip 35 is located on such position, this position be with the plane that is held part 634Y of the attaching/detaching direction with respect to toner container support 31 vertical (direction of arrow of Figure 29 A and 29B) and when attaching/detaching is operated facing to telecommunication circuit 74.
Like this, the attaching/detaching operation (linear operation) of ID chip 35 and the toner container 632Y that is undertaken by an action synchronously be located at equipment body 100 in telecommunication circuit 74 contact, and this has improved the contact performance between ID chip 35 and telecommunication circuit 74.More clearly, the surface of ID chip 35 contacts with the telecommunication circuit 74 in being fixed on equipment body 100 (toner container support 31) is linear, and this has just prevented to occur this fault in advance, be thereby that ID chip 35 causes contact fault with telecommunication circuit 74 inhomogeneous contacts, thereby perhaps 74 wearing and tearing of part ID chip 35 and telecommunication circuit cause damage to some parts.
With reference to Figure 29 A, 29B to 31A and 31B toner container 632Y is described with respect to the attaching/detaching operation of toner container support 31 below.Figure 29 A is being for seeing the synoptic diagram that how Yellow toner container 632Y is installed in (along moving of the direction of arrow) on the toner container support 31 from longitudinal direction, and Figure 29 B for when when upside is seen that state at the synoptic diagram of the support 34c that is held part 634Y part on every side.Figure 30 A is for seeing the synoptic diagram of installation (beginning to be held the location of part 634Y) how to carry out toner container 632Y from longitudinal direction, and Figure 30 B for when upside is seen that state the synoptic diagram of the part around support 34c.Figure 31 A is for when being installed in the synoptic diagram of (finishing installation) on the toner container support 31 with toner container 632Y when longitudinal direction is seen, and Figure 31 B be when when upside is seen that state the synoptic diagram of a part of support 34c.
In toner container support 31, be provided with respectively and four four toner container supports that toner container 632Y, 632M, 632C and 632K are corresponding.Each of these four toner container supports comprises slipping plane 31a and the 31b that allows the slipper 34c1 that is held part and 34c2 slide along their; Retained part 73 is used for fixing the position that is held support 34c partly; Nozzle 70 (toner delivery pipe); Driver element (being provided with driven wheel 31g herein) is used for rotary driving force is passed to container body; And telecommunication circuit 74.Retained part 73 comprises that the slipping plane 31a that contacting support 34c is with 31b and contacting the contact area (not shown) that a part is covered 34b.In the slipping plane 31b (side) of retained part 73, be provided with and be used for and the align member 31c that synchronously positions of fitting operation that is held part.Align member 31c is the bossing that extends along the attaching/detaching direction of toner container.
In the time of on the toner container support 31 that toner container 632Y is installed in equipment body 100, at first, will be located at that body cover (not shown) on the front (at the nearside on the paper of Fig. 1) of the main body of imaging device 100 is opened so that toner container support 31 to face exposure.Then, with reference to Figure 29 A and 29B, toner container 632Y is pushed into toner container support 31 (along moving of the direction of arrow).More particularly, along the longitudinal direction of container body 633Y (or toner container 632Y) toner container 632Y is installed on the toner container support 31, thereby is held the head that part 634Y is provided as container body 633Y.
At this moment, slipping plane 31a's first slipper 34c1 along toner container support 31 slides at the head side place of toner container 632Y, and when sliding, the user pushes toner container 632Y in the toner container support 31 with good balance by catching the grip portion 33d on the back side of toner container 632Y.
With reference to Figure 30 A and Figure 30 B, when the support 34c of toner container 632Y arrives the retained part 73 of toner container support 31, the location that is held part 634Y begins, simultaneously except the first slipper 34c1 along the slip of slipping plane 31a, the second slipper 34c2 slides along slipping plane 31b (side).More particularly, being held the bonding part 34g of part 634Y and the align member 31c of toner container support 31 begins to be bonded with each other.
Afterwards, when further carrying out the fitting operation of toner container 632Y, plug member 34d begins to open toner outlet B while bonding part 34g and align member 31c is bonded with each other.More particularly, be inserted in the hole of support 34c the pushing that plug member 34d explicitly is subjected to nozzle 70 with the front end of nozzle 70.Then, as Figure 31 A with the same shown in Figure 31 B, the stationkeeping that is held part 634Y is in such position, support 34c is resisted against (reference position that is used for adjacency) on the retained part 73 there, and plug member 34d opens toner outlet B fully simultaneously, and the driven wheel 31g of the driver element of the gear 33c of toner container 632Y and toner container support 31 engagement.In addition, ID chip 35 is connected with telecommunication circuit 74.Like this, the toner supply opening 70a of the toner of toner container 632Y outlet B and nozzle 70 is interconnected, and has finished the fitting operation of toner container 632Y.
As mentioned above, in the 6th embodiment, the positioning action and the action (except the opening of body door) that are held part 634Y (toner container 632Y) synchronously begin, thereby the slipper 34c1 of toner container 632Y slides along slipping plane 31a, begin the insertion operation of nozzle 70 then, and finish the engagement of gear 33c and driven wheel 31g at last.Nozzle 70 preferably is inserted in the position away from the bonding station D of gear 33c and is held among the part 634Y, and this can prevent this fault, thereby the external force of not expecting that is promptly produced when nozzle 70 contact with plug member 34d can be applied to and makes it on the nozzle 70 to be out of shape.In other words, if the connection of gear 33c is preferably carried out near being held part 634Y rather than nozzle 70 is inserted into is held among the part 634Y, then can cause toner container 632Y to move by the inappropriate engagement between driven wheel 31g and gear 33c, this causes the skew of the position that insert nozzle 70.
When in wanting the toner container support 31 of slave unit main body 100, toner container 632Y being taken out (dismountings), operate according to the mode opposite with installation.At this moment, synchronous from the operation that retained part 73 separates with toner container 632Y, nozzle 70 also separates with support 34c, and the biasing force of plug member 34d by compression spring 34f moves to the position of closing toner outlet B.Like this, finished the disassembling section of toner container 632Y by an action (except the opening of body door), thereby the slipper 34c1 of toner container 632Y slides along slipping plane 31a.
In addition, toner container 632Y is not arranged on the toner container support 31 (equipment body 100) from upside, but carry out attaching/detaching from the front of toner container support 31 (equipment body 100), therefore improved the flexible arrangement of the upside of toner container support 31.For example, even under the situation that scanner (document reader) just in time is arranged on toner container support top, but the operability/workability when the attaching/detaching of toner container 632Y can variation yet.In addition, the flexible arrangement of the position of engagement D between the driven wheel 31g of gear 33c that has improved at toner container 632Y and equipment body 100.Longitudinal direction is being arranged on toner container 632Y in the equipment body 100 under as the situation of horizontal direction, and therefore increased the toner capacity of toner container 632Y, and can not have any influence aspect the layout of the short transverse of whole imaging device 100, this can reduce the replacing frequency.
With reference to Figure 28, in the toner container 632Y according to the 6th embodiment, toner outlet B is located at along being installed to direction ratio container body 633Y (or opening A) on the toner container support 31 more in the position in back (left side of Figure 28).This makes that toner outlet B can the synchronously level and smooth and non-fault ground opening and closing along the attaching/detaching operation of its longitudinal direction and toner container 632Y.In other words, when toner container 632Y will be installed, begin to be held the location of part 634Y, nozzle 70 and plug member 34d preferably are in contact with one another then.In addition, because the toner supply section that comprises nozzle 70 can be located in the back side (left side of Figure 28) along installation direction, so simplified the layout of equipment body 100.
In addition, in the toner container 632Y according to the 6th embodiment, toner outlet B is being arranged on the direction that is installed to toner container support 31 than being arranged on the container body 633Y periphery and near the gear 33c of opening A more the position of back (left side of Figure 28).This makes that toner outlet B toner outlet B can operate synchronously level and smooth in a longitudinal direction with the attaching/detaching of toner container 632Y and non-fault ground opens and closes.In other words, when toner container 632Y will be installed, begin to be held the location of part 634Y, nozzle 70 and plug member 34d preferably are in contact with one another then, and gear 33c and driven wheel 31g are meshing with each other afterwards.In addition, except the toner supply section that comprises nozzle 70, at the driver element that in the back side (left side of Figure 28) of installation direction, can also be provided for rotary driving force is passed to gear 33c.Therefore, layout that can simplified apparatus main body 100, and the back side that can slave unit main body 100 is keeping toner supply section and driver element jointly.
As mentioned above, in imaging device according to the 6th embodiment, similar with the 5th embodiment, the gear 33c of container body 633Y so is provided with, thereby gear 33c is along vertical direction and be held the relative position of the toner outlet B of part 634Y and mesh via the opening A of container body 633Y and the driven wheel 31g of the main body of imaging device 100.Therefore, toner is exported the operation that B opens or closes and gear 33c is contacted or the operation that separates can be carried out with the attaching/detaching operation of toner container 632Y synchronously smooth and reliablely with driven wheel 31g.But this can improve the operability/workability when toner container 632Y changes, and has reduced the appearance of toner contamination reliably.In addition, in the 6th embodiment, similar with the 5th embodiment, the toner outlet B that is held part 634Y is located at along installation direction container main body 634Y more in the position of back, thus toner outlet B can with the attaching/detaching operation of toner container 632Y level and smooth and reliably opening/closing synchronously.But this can improve the operability/workability when toner container 632Y changes, and has reduced the appearance of toner contamination reliably.In addition, in the 6th embodiment, similar with the 5th embodiment, the toner outlet B that is held part 634Y is located in the lower downside of the opening A of vertical direction container main body 633Y, thereby therefore can discharge toner from the toner outlet B that synchronously opens with the fitting operation of toner container 632Y smooth and reliablely.But this can improve the operability/workability when toner container 632Y changes, and has reduced the appearance of toner contamination reliably.
The 7th embodiment
With reference to Figure 32 the 7th embodiment of the present invention is elaborated below.Figure 32 is the cut-open view according to the toner container of the 7th embodiment.Rotate will be contained in the difference that wherein toner flows to the embodiment of opening A according to the toner container of the 7th embodiment and container body wherein and to be, container body 733Y is being kept according to not rotatable mode by toner container support 31 with being held part 734Y, and is located among the container body 733Y as the coil 181Y of transfer member.
As shown in Figure 32, toner container 732Y mainly comprises container body 733Y and is held part 734Y.Opening A is located in the head of container body 733Y, and gear 33c is located at around the neighboring of opening A rotationally.The driven wheel engagement of gear 33c and equipment body 100 is so that coil 181Y rotation.
Turning axle 180Y and gear 33c form as one, and spiral coil 181Y is connected with turning axle 180Y.The end of turning axle 180Y is supported by the bearing portions 34a4 that is held part 734Y.Coil 181Y extends across rear end (bottom) among container body 733Y from opening A.Gear 33c rotates so that turning axle 180Y and coil 181Y rotate around container body 733Y.
Therefore, the toner that is contained among the container body 733Y is carried towards opening A under the effect of the toner carrying capacity of coil 181Y.Because the external diameter of coil 181Y is less than the internal diameter of container body 733Y, so the toner carrying capacity can be applied on away near the toner the rotary middle spindle of the inner circumferential surface of container body 733Y.In addition, the shape of coil 181Y is flexible relatively, and it has only an end to be supported, so wave in rotation process its position.This can be applied to the toner carrying capacity on the rotary middle spindle fully from the inner circumferential surface of container body 733Y.Therefore, even a large amount of toners are housed and in container body 733Y because environmental change or " retention time is oversize " and occur therein under the situation of toner cohesion, can make the state of aggregation reduction by the toner carrying capacity that causes owing to coil 181Y, and can prevent that thus the toning dosage that will discharge from reducing.
Similar with these embodiments, also so constitute according to the toner container 732Y of the 7th embodiment, thereby when driven wheel 31g rotates by being held part 734Y to the power biased downward that gear 33c applies from driven wheel 31g.In addition, the gear 33c of container body 733Y so is provided with, thereby gear 33c is along vertical direction and be held the relative position of the toner outlet B of part 734Y and mesh via the opening A of container body 733Y and the driven wheel 31g of the main body of imaging device 100.In addition, the toner outlet B that is held part 734Y is located at along installation direction container main body 733Y more in the position of back.In addition, the toner outlet B that is held part 734Y is located in the lower downside of the opening A of vertical direction container main body 733Y.
As mentioned above, similar with those embodiments in the 7th embodiment, but improved operability/workability when toner container 732Y changes, and can reliably reduce the appearance of toner contamination.In the 7th embodiment, adopt coil 181Y as transfer member, but also can adopt screw rod as transfer member.Also can obtain the effect identical in this case with the 7th embodiment.
The 8th embodiment
With reference to Figure 33 and Figure 34 the 8th embodiment of the present invention is elaborated below.Figure 33 is the cut-open view according to the toner container of the 8th embodiment, and it is with corresponding according to Figure 32 of the 7th embodiment.Be according to the toner container of the 8th embodiment and the difference of the 7th embodiment, adopt board member 184Y as transfer member.
As shown in figure 33, toner container 832Y mainly comprises container body 833Y and is held part 834Y.Opening A is located in the head of container body 833Y, and gear 33c is located at around the neighboring of opening A rotationally.Similar with the 7th embodiment, the driven wheel engagement of gear 33c and equipment body 100 is so that rotate.
With reference to Figure 33, screw rod 183Y is supported by the bearing portions 34a4 that is held part 834Y at the one end thereof place, and is supported by the bearing portions in the back side that is located at container body 833Y at another place, end.Gear 33c is rotated around container body 833Y, and screw rod 183Y also rotate thus integratedly.Therefore, the board member 184Y that engages with screw rod 183Y by (not can along with screw rod 183Y rotates) in the leader 185Y guiding along screw rod direction of feed move (along moving) towards the direction of arrow of opening A.The movement velocity of board member 184Y is set relatively slowly according to the toner spending rate of container body 833Y.
Like this, the toner carrying capacity of toner by board member 184Y that is contained among the container body 833Y flows to opening A side.Here, the internal diameter that the external diameter of board member 184Y forms container main body 833Y is slightly little, and the toner carrying capacity can be applied on the toner near rotation axis of centres A away from the inner circumferential surface of container body 833Y.Therefore, even a large amount of toners are housed and in container body 833Y owing to environmental change or " retention time is oversize " cause occurring therein under the situation of toner cohesion, make the state of aggregation reduction by the toner carrying capacity that produces owing to this board member 184Y, and can prevent that thus the toning dosage of being discharged from reducing.
Similar with those embodiments, also so constitute according to the toner container 832Y of the 8th embodiment, thereby when driven wheel 31g rotates, by being held part 834Y from driven wheel 31g to the power biased downward that gear 33c applies.In addition, the gear 33c of container body 833Y so is provided with, thereby gear 33c is along vertical direction and be held the relative position of the toner outlet B of part 834Y and mesh via the opening A of container body 833Y and the driven wheel 31g of the main body of imaging device 100.In addition, the toner outlet B that is held part 834Y is located at along installation direction container main body 833Y more in the position of back.In addition, the toner outlet B that is held part 834Y is located in the lower downside of the opening A of vertical direction container main body 833Y.
As mentioned above, similar with those embodiments in the 8th embodiment, but improved operability/workability when toner container 832Y changes, and can reliably reduce the appearance of toner contamination.
The 9th embodiment
With reference to Figure 35 to Figure 51 the 9th embodiment of the present invention is elaborated below.The structure of whole imaging device and operation be with identical at shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 those, so provide explanation to Figure 35 and Figure 36 by reference Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and explanation thereof.
Guide toner supply device 59 to be elaborated with reference to Figure 35 to the toner that is used for to be contained among the toner container 932Y below to developing apparatus 5Y.For the ease of understanding, Figure 35 demonstrates the variation structure of toner container 932Y, toner passage 43Y, 60,70 and 71 and developing apparatus 5Y.In fact, in Figure 35, the longitudinal direction setting of toner container 932Y and part toner service duct vertical direction (referring to Fig. 1) on paper.With reference to Figure 36, according to every kind of toner consumption at the developing apparatus that is used for these colors, the toner among toner container 932Y, 932M, 932C and the 932K in being arranged in the toner container support 931 of equipment body 100 offers each developing apparatus by the toner service duct that is equipped with for every kind of toner color when needed.
More particularly, toner container 932Y is arranged in the toner container support 931 of equipment body 100 (referring to Figure 37), and the nozzle 70 of toner container support 931 is connected with the part 934Y that is held of toner container 932Y.At this moment, the plug member 34d of toner container 932Y (opening/closing member) is clipped between nozzle 70 and the clip claw member 76, and opens the toner outlet that is held part 934Y in this state.In addition, the container body 933Y of toner container 932Y is supported by the supporting member 78 of toner container support rotationally in the position that is positioned on the rear side of installation direction.Then, the toner that is contained among the container body 933Y is discharged from the toner outlet by the rotation of the container body 933Y of toner container 932Y, and will be transported to the nozzle 70 from the toner that the toner outlet is discharged.
On the other hand, another end of nozzle 70 is connected with a end as the pipe 71 of delivery pipe.Pipe 71 is by making at the flexible material of excellence aspect the anti-toner, and its another end is connected with the screw pump 60 (Mohno pump) of toner supply device.Pipe 71 as delivery pipe so forms, thereby its internal diameter is 4 to 10mm.The material of pipe 71 allows to adopt elastomeric material, for example polyurethane, nitrile, EPDM and silicone and resin material, for example tygon and nylon.This flexible pipe 71 is used for improving the flexible arrangement of toner service duct, has therefore reduced the size of imaging device.
By utilizing rotor 61 that motor 66 makes stator 62 to rotate, thereby produce suction force (air in pipe 71 is drawn out of to produce negative pressure in pipe 71) at pump orifice 63 places according to the screw pump 60 that top mode constitutes along predetermined direction (from the counter clockwise direction when the upstream side of toner throughput direction is seen).This makes the toner in toner container 932Y be sucked into pump orifice 63 with air by pipe 71.The toner that is sucked into pump orifice 63 is sent to gap between stator 62 and rotor 61, and is supplied to another end side of screw pump 60 along the rotation of rotor 61.The toner of being sent into is discharged from the supply opening 67 of screw pump 60, thereby offers developing apparatus 5Y (along moving by the direction of arrow shown by the broken line in FIG. 35) by toner delivery pipe 43Y.
Like this, in the 9th embodiment, utilized the suction force that causes owing to screw pump 60, the aperture of nozzle 70 (perhaps plug member 34d) can form lessly relatively thus, and can fully transfer to the outside from the toner that the toner of toner container 932Y outlet B discharges under situation about not shedding.In the 9th embodiment, the rotor 61 of screw pump 60 is being rotated from the counter clockwise direction of seeing along the upstream side of toner throughput direction.The hand of spiral of rotor 61 (rotation direction) is set to right.This setting of rotor 61 and rotation make that generation is along the spiral air stream of counter clockwise direction helical rotation in screw pump 60.
The same as shown in figure 37, near the grip portion 33d of toner container 932Y, 932M, 932C and 932K in being arranged on the equipment body 100 (or toner container support 931) that its body cover 110 opens, without any driving mechanism that is used for making container body to rotate and the anti-slip mechanism that is used for toner container along the attaching/detaching direction.Therefore, can fully guarantee the required space (space that is used for user's hand) of attaching/detaching operation near the grip portion 33d of toner container 932Y, 932M, 932C and the 932K in being arranged on equipment body 100.In addition, can make near the outward appearance the grip portion 33d of toner container 932Y, 932M, 932C and 932K in being arranged on equipment body 100 better.In other words, can provide imaging device with good operability and design outward appearance.Above this structure can be by will being used for making the container body rotation driving mechanism and realize along the back side that the anti-slip mechanism (the described arm in back is to 80) that the attaching/detaching direction is used for toner container is arranged on equipment body 100.
With reference to Figure 38 to Figure 41 toner container is described below.As mentioned above, four are essentially columniform toner container 932Y, 932M, 932C and 932K and are removably disposed in the toner container support 931.These toner containers 932Y, 932M, 932C and 932K when they arrive its serviceable life when container emptied (be contained in nearly all toner in the container is consumed and) use new replacing respectively.The toner that is contained in those colors among toner container 932Y, 932M, 932C and the 932K respectively as required by as offer each developing apparatus of image-generating unit with reference to described every the toner service duct of Figure 35.
Figure 38 is the skeleton view of toner container 932Y.Figure 39 is the cut-open view of the head side (being provided with that side that is held part 934Y) of toner container 932Y.Figure 40 is the synoptic diagram as the toner container 932Y of Figure 39 when arrow M direction is seen.Figure 41 is the cut-open view at the back side of toner container 932Y.Other three toner container 932M, 932C and 932K have and the toner container 932Y structure much at one that Yellow toner is housed, and be different with the position of bossing 34n except different toner colors and recessed portion 34m are housed.Below, the explanation of having save other three toner container 932M, 932C and 932K, and following describe the toner container 932Y that Yellow toner is housed.
As shown in figure 38, toner container 932Y mainly comprises container body 933Y and is located at and is held part 934Y (bottle cap) in its head.The head of container body 933Y comprises gear 33c and the opening A (referring to Figure 39) that rotates integratedly with container body 933Y.In the head of container body 933Y, be provided with opening A (front position when it is installed), and the toner that this opening is used for being contained among the container body 933Y is discharged in the space (cavity) that is held part 934Y.This toner carries (by the rotation of container body 933Y) to the space that is held part 934Y from container body 933Y in case of necessity, thereby the toner in being held part 934Y can not be lower than the predetermined line that loads.
In the 9th embodiment, toner container 932Y and equipment body 100 so constitute, thus be held part 934Y (perhaps container body 933Y) driven wheel 31g when rotating by the direction shown in the W of Figure 40 (mainly during the toner supply) by be applied to from driven wheel 31g on the gear 33c power and by biased downward.More particularly, with reference to Figure 40, the bonding station D between gear 33c and the driven wheel 31g is located at from the top part of gear 33c and rotates (it does not comprise that the top part and gear 33c rotate 1/4 position of changeing) the 1/4 scope X that changes to its downstream.According to top structure, in power, produce the component that acts on along vertical direction downwards, thereby driven wheel 31g acts on vertically on the face of gear of gear 33c.Therefore, kept the sealing ability of the nozzle 70 that is communicated with toner outlet B, and be held part 934Y and bigger vertical fluctuation can not occur, prevented that therefore toner from shedding near toner exports B.
With reference to Figure 38 and Figure 41, grip portion 33d is located in the rear end face (in the bottom in the back side of installation direction) of container body 933Y, carries out the attaching/detaching of toner container 932Y thereby the user can catch it.As shown in figure 41, in grip portion 33d, be formed with limited part 33d1 (hook portions), thereby its external diameter begins to diminish in the container body side from the end face side.The limited part of limited part 33d1 so forms, thereby common people's finger can be contained in this limited part.By this structure, the user carries out the attaching/detaching operation of toner container 932Y when catching grip portion, and any uncomfortable feeling can not occur.In addition, grip portion 33d is provided with on the front (along the back side of installation direction) according to the main body of the imaging device 100 that is positioned at user operation, but and has improved operability/workability of user thus.
And grip portion 33d so forms, thereby its projecting plane vertical with the attaching/detaching direction can not surpass the projecting plane of the container body 933Y vertical with the attaching/detaching direction.This form makes toner container 932Y to carry out level and smooth attaching/detaching operation with respect to toner container support 931, and grip portion 33d can not become obstacle (grip portion 33d can not blocked by toner container support 931).In addition, the installing port that is located in the toner container support 931 can be set at minimum required size with the size that is held part 934Y according to container body 933Y.
When being arranged on this toner container 932Y in the toner container support 931, the container body 933Y of Gou Chenging supports (referring to Figure 40 and 49) by the supporting member 78 that is located at toner container support 931 being arranged in two positions of container body 933Y on the oblique downside of the back location 33Ya of installation direction like this.Be held part 934Y and kept according to not rotatable mode by toner container support 931, and toner main body 933Y supports by supporting member 78 rotationally two positions, container body 933Y rotates under this state when supplying toner.Rotate under the situation that container body 933Y is good in balance and vibration is lower thus, thereby reduced load on rotating, and the toner that can reduce the damage of driver element or abnormal noise reliably or from toner container 932Y, shed.In order to make container body 933Y rotate, can use roller as supporting member 78 with better balance and lower vibration.
Here, when being arranged on toner container 932Y in the toner container support 931, teat 33b is not formed among the regional 33Ya (container body 933Y is contacting supporting member 78 there) that container body 933Y there supports by supporting member 78 (referring to Figure 49).In other words, teat 33b is not located in the back side of container body 933Y, thereby the external peripheral surface overleaf is without any scrambling.Therefore, container body 933Y is supported by supporting member 78 simultaneously there not being rotation reposefully under the situation of bigger vibration.
Have according to the toner container 932Y of the 9th embodiment and to be located at the agitating member 33f that rotates with container body 933Y among the opening A.This agitating member 33f is a rod component, and it extends and be arranged to and rotation tilt (shown in the dot-and-dash line in Figure 39) from the space during being held part 934Y towards container body 933Y.Agitating member 33f can improve the ability of discharging toner from opening A with the rotation of container body 933Y.
In the 9th embodiment, the container body 933Y that makes toner container 932Y is from seeing along the upstream side of toner throughput direction along counterclockwise rotating.And the hand of spiral (rotation direction) of the teat 33b in container body 933Y is set to right.The rotation of this setting and container body 933Y causes the spiral air stream (direction identical with the sense of rotation of the spiral air stream that produces) that produces along clockwise helical motion in screw pump 60 in toner container 932Y.
With reference to Figure 38 and Figure 39, be held part 934Y and comprise block 34a, cover 34b, support 34c, the plug member 34d as the opening/closing member, package 34e and ID chip 35.With reference to Figure 38 and Figure 40, on the both sides that are held part 934Y, be provided with the bonding part 34g (trench portions) that engages with the align member 31c of toner container support 31.On the end face that is held part 934Y, be provided with the mounting structure 31d that is used for toner container support 931 and be assemblied in wherein recessed portion 34m.On the circumferential surface that is held part 934Y, be provided with the bossing 34n in another mounting structure (not shown) that is assembled to toner container support 931.In addition, on the upside that is held part 934Y, be provided with the notch part 34h that a part of gear 33c is therefrom exposed.
Be held part 934Y and be communicated with container body 933Y, and will discharge (along moving) from the toner that opening A discharges by the direction of arrow shown in the dotted line of Figure 39 from toner outlet B by opening A.In the 9th embodiment, be formed on the cavity (space) that is held in the part 934Y and almost form cylindrical.Form mortar shape from being formed on the almost cylindrical cavity that is held in the part 934Y to the toner passing away that toner exports B.Adopt this shape, carry towards toner outlet B effectively to the toner that is held part 934Y discharge by the rotation of container body 933Y.Therefore, improved from toner outlet B and discharged and along the toner transport capacity of the toner of pipe 71 internal motions.
Be held the rotation that part 934Y can not follow container body 933Y, but bonding part 34g with when align member 31c engages according to retained part 73 (referring to Figure 36 and Figure 42) maintenance of the mode that does not turn by toner container support 31.The block lid 34g that is held part 934Y is bonded on the circumferential surface of block main part 34a.In the front end that covers 34b, be provided with a jaw 34b1.Jaw 34b1 engages with engagement member in the head that is formed on container body 933Y, and container body 933Y is kept can rotate with respect to being held part 934Y thus.For container body 933Y is rotated smoothly, be held the jaw 34b1 of part 934Y and the engagement member of container body 933Y and be bonded with each other by between them, keeping suitable gap.
In addition package for example O shape ring be located in the bonding part between support 34c and block 34a, be used for preventing that toner is from clearance leakage.Toner container 932Y is arranged in the toner container support 931, clip claw member 76 (referring to Figure 38 and Figure 46) engages with the right of plug member 34d then, and clip claw member 76 is as being used for along the biasing member of the direction bias voltage plug member 34d that closes toner outlet B.
The ID chip 35 that is held part 934Y constitutes and toner container 932Y is installed in operation on the toner container support 31 synchronously by the telecommunication circuit 74 of the preset distance between them facing to toner container support 931.More particularly, ID chip 35 is located on the outshot 34a1 that is held part 934Y, and this outshot is installed in direction (being the arrow of Figure 38) on the toner container support 931 and stretches out and be located on the plane vertical with installation direction along being held part 34Y.ID chip 35 carries out contactless communication (wireless communication) with the telecommunication circuit 74 of equipment body, is held part 934Y simultaneously and is maintained in the toner container support 931.
In being held the support 34c of part 934Y, be provided with slipper 34c1 and 34c2, be used for following with respect to the operation of toner container support 931 attaching/detachings and slide along toner container support 931.More particularly, the first slipper 34c1 be according to the slipping plane 31a of toner container support 31 (to upper surface; Referring to Figure 42) flat that forms of parallel mode, this flat is located at by it and is undertaken in the bottom that is held part 934Y of attaching/detaching operation.In addition, the flat of the second slipper 34c2 for forming according to the mode parallel with the slipping plane (side) of toner container support 931, this flat are located at by it and are undertaken in the sidepiece that is held part 934Y of attaching/detaching operation.
With reference to Figure 38 and Figure 40, the recessed portion 34m that is equipped with the mounting structure 31d of toner container support 931 is located at end face and the close bossing 34a1 that is held part 934Y.Recessed portion 34m forms according to the mode that (when being installed in toner container support 931 on the normal position) and corresponding mounting structure 31d when correct with respect to the fitting operation of toner container support 931 are assembled together.
More particularly, as shown in figure 40, the position of recessed portion 34m is arranged according to the every kind of color that is contained in the toner in the toner container (container body) with differing from one another.The recessed portion 34m (C) of the toner container corresponding with cyan and the corresponding mounting structure (not shown) of toner container support are arranged in the top side, and the recessed portion 34m (M) of the toner container corresponding with magenta and the corresponding mounting structure of toner container support are arranged in the upside of interlude.The recessed portion 34m (Y) of the toner container corresponding with yellow and the corresponding mounting structure 31d of toner container support are arranged in the downside of interlude, and the corresponding mounting structure (not shown) of the recessed portion 34m (K) of the toner container corresponding with black and this toner container support is arranged in the bottom side.Thereby this structure can prevent that the toner container that will be used for incorrect color (for example being used for yellow toner container) is arranged on the toner container support (for example cyan toner pan straddle) that is used for predetermined color the fault that causes the image that does not form desired color.
Equally, with reference to Figure 38 and Figure 40, the bossing 34n that is assembled together with another mounting structure (not shown) is located on the circumferential surface that is held part 934Y.34m is identical with recessed portion, when correctly being installed in toner container on the toner container support 931, bossing 34n is assembled in the corresponding mounting structure.Just so constitute, thereby the position of bossing 34n basis is contained in every kind of color of the toner in the toner container (container body) and differently arranges mutually, although it does not illustrate.34m is similar with recessed portion, can prevent from the toner container mistake is arranged in the toner container support as top this structure.
In the 9th embodiment, as the toner that is contained among toner container 932Y, 932M, 932C and the 932K, employing forms toner according to the mode that keeps following relational expression, and wherein Dv (μ m) is a volume average particle size, and Dn (μ m) is the quantity mean grain size.
3≤Dv≤8 (1)
1.00≤Dn≤1.40(2)
Therefore, select toner-particle, and keep excellent picture quality thus, even and in developing apparatus, also can keep gratifying development capability under the long-time condition of stirring at toner according to the picture pattern in developing process.And toner can be effectively and is carried reliably and can not stop for example pipe 71 of toner service duct.Can for example CoulterCounter formula size distribution measurement mechanism " Coulter Counter-TA-II " (being made by Coulter ElectronicsLimited) or " Coulter Multisizer II " (being made by Coulter Electronics Limited) be measured the volume average particle size and the quantity mean grain size of toner by using typical devices.
In addition, in the 9th embodiment, as the toner that is contained among toner container 932Y, 932M, 932C and the 932K, can use the toner that is essentially spherical, this toner so forms, thereby shape coefficient SF-1 is in 100 to 180 scope, and shape coefficient SF-2 is in 100 to 180 scope.This can suppress clean-up performance and reduces, and keeps high transmission efficiency simultaneously.And toner can be effectively and is carried reliably and can not stop for example pipe 71 of toner service duct.Here, shape coefficient SF-1 represents the sphericity of toner-particle, and it is determined by equation.
SF-1＝(M
2/S)×(100π/4)
In this equation, M is the maximum particle diameter (maximum particle diameter in inhomogeneous particle diameter) in the projecting plane of toner-particle, and S is the projected area of toner-particle.Therefore, its shape coefficient SF-1 is that 100 toner-particle is a full spherical, and sphericity descends greater than 100 along with this coefficient becomes.
Shape coefficient SF-2 represents the degree of irregularity of toner-particle, and it is determined by following equation.
SF-2＝(N
2/S)×(100/4π)
In this equation, N is the circumferential length in the projecting plane of toner-particle, and S is the projected area of toner-particle.Therefore, its shape coefficient SF-2 be 100 toner-particle without any scrambling, and scrambling becomes big along with this coefficient becomes greater than 100.By taking the photo of toner-particle with scanning electron microscope " S-800 " (making) and analyze the toner-particle photo that is obtained with analyser " LUSEX3 " (making) by Nireco company by Hitachi company, thus acquisition shape coefficient SF-1 and shape coefficient SF-2.
With reference to Figure 42 to Figure 44 the structure of toner container support 931 is described below.With reference to Figure 42, this toner container support 931 comprises slipping plane 31a, and the slipper that is held in the part in each of four toner container 932Y, 932M, 932C and 932K slides along slipping plane; The retained part 73 that is used for fixing the position of the support 34c that is held part; Be used to support the supporting member 78 of the rear side of each container body; Nozzle 70; Driver element (being provided with driven wheel 31g herein), each is used for rotary driving force is passed to container body; Telecommunication circuit 74; Arm is to 80, and synchronously each is held part towards retained part 73 bias voltages to be used for fitting operation with toner container; And clip claw member (biasing member) 76, be used for inserting matrix component 34d along the direction bias voltage of the toner outlet B that closes toner container.
Retained part 73 is keeping the part that is held of each toner container 932Y, 932M, 932C and 932K according to non rotatable mode.Retained part 73 comprises the slipping plane that contacting support 34c and is contacting a part and cover the contact area of 34b.In the slipping plane (side) of retained part 73, be provided with and be used for the align member 31c (referring to Figure 38) that synchronously positions with the fitting operation that is held part 34Y.Align member 31c is the bossing that extends along the attaching/detaching direction of toner container 932Y.
In the slipping plane (bottom) of retained part 73, be provided with clip claw member 76, be used for along the pent direction of toner outlet B and the disassembling section that is held part 934Y bias voltage plug member 34d (referring to Figure 38, Figure 45, Figure 47 and Figure 49) synchronously.Clip claw member 76 can be round rotary main shaft 76a along Figure 38 the direction of four-headed arrow keeping by toner container support 931 pivotally.More particularly, the direction bias voltage (along the arrow R2 direction bias voltage of Figure 47) that stretches out to the position that is used to engage plug member 34d of clip claw member 76 advanced position that never can hinder the attaching/detaching that is held part 934Y by the leaf spring (not shown) along clip claw member 76.
In addition, be provided with telecommunication circuit 74 and mounting structure 31d on the plate in the back side of retained part 73.Nozzle 70 is arranged in the retained part 73 that is used for every kind of toner color as shown in fig. 9.In nozzle 70, be provided with and the toner supply opening 70a that the toner outlet B among the part 934Y is communicated with that is held that is formed on toner container 932Y.
With reference to Figure 42 and Figure 43, arm is arranged near the retained part 73 in the toner container support 931 (and then with toner container be held the position of part before being inserted into retained part) to 80 for every kind of toner color.As shown in figure 43, arm is located on the both sides that are held part that clip toner container 80.With reference to Figure 44, arm comprises the first arm 81, second arm 82, main shaft 83 and torsion spring 84 to 80.Arm is arranged to one to 80 by main shaft 83, and is applying power by torsion spring 84 on the both direction on the rotation direction of main shaft 83.More particularly, the first arm 81 and second arm 82 are along apply power on the both direction of the rotation direction of main shaft 83.This power increases along with the increase of the angle that forms between the first arm 81 and second arm 82.
The arm that constitutes according to top mode synchronously will be held the biasing member of part 934Y (toner container 932Y) towards retained part 73 bias voltages (with its direction bias voltage towards the arrow Q of Figure 36) to the fitting operation that 80 usefulness act on toner container 932Y.Arm is to 80 also as second biasing member, is used for synchronously being held part 934Y and being held part 934Y (toner container 932Y) with direction (direction opposite with the arrow Q of Figure 36) bias voltage that retained part 73 separates along making with the disassembling section of toner container 932Y.
Supporting member 78 is located near the installing port of toner container 932Y in toner container support 931.When being arranged on toner container 932Y in the toner container support 931, toner container 932Y is supported by supporting member 78 in two positions of the oblique downside of the back location 33Ya that is arranged in toner container 932Y.And, the part 934Y that is held of toner container 932Y is being kept according to not rotatable mode by retained part 73, and during two positions were supported rotationally by supporting member 78, container body 933Y rotated when supplying toner at the container body 933Y of toner container 932Y.Rotate under the situation that container body 933Y is good in balance and vibration is lower thus, thereby reduced load when rotating, and can reduce the toner that from toner container 932Y, sheds reliably.
With reference to Figure 45 to Figure 50 toner container 932Y is described with respect to the attaching/detaching operation of toner container support 931 below.Figure 45 is at the synoptic diagram that how Yellow toner container 932Y is installed in (direction along arrow Q is moved) on the toner container support 931 when longitudinal direction is seen, and Figure 46 for when upside is seen under that state at arm to 80 be held the synoptic diagram that the position between the part 934Y (support 34c) concerns.Figure 47 is being for seeing how to carry out the synoptic diagram that toner container 932Y installs (when toner outlet B begins to open) from longitudinal direction, and Figure 48 for when upside is seen under that state at arm to 80 be held the synoptic diagram that the position between the part 934Y (support 34c) concerns.Figure 49 is at the synoptic diagram that is installed in toner container 932Y on the toner container support 931 (when the opening of toner outlet B is finished) when longitudinal direction is seen, and Figure 50 for when upside is seen under that state at arm to 80 be held the synoptic diagram that the position between the part 934Y (support 34c) concerns.
In the time of on the toner container support 931 that toner container 932Y is installed in equipment body 100, at first, will be located at that body cover 110 (seeing Figure 37) on the front (at the nearside on the paper of Fig. 1) of the main body of imaging device 100 is opened so that toner container support 931 to face exposure.Then, with reference to Figure 45, the user pushes toner container support 931 into (along moving of the direction of arrow Q) by catching grip portion 33d with toner container 932Y.More particularly, along the longitudinal direction of container body 933Y (or toner container 932Y) toner container 932Y is installed on the toner container support 931, thereby is held the head that part 934Y is provided as container body 933Y.
At this moment, slipping plane 31a's slipper 34c1 along toner container support 931 slides at the head side place of toner container 932Y, and when sliding, the user is by catching grip portion 33d on the dorsal part toner container 932Y is pushed in the toner container support 931 with good balance on the installation direction of toner container 932Y.
Then with reference to Figure 46, when the support 34c of toner container 932Y (being held part 934Y) arrives arm in the toner container support 931 to 80 position, the preceding end in contact of the first arm 81 beginnings and support 34c (being held part 934Y), and the contacts side surfaces of second arm 82 and support 34c (being held part 934Y), and arm is widened along the direction of the corresponding black arrow of Figure 46 thus to 80.Then, arm is widened 80, thereby under the spring force effect of torsion spring 84, the first arm 81 applies power along the direction of arrow R1 on support 34c, and second arm applies power thereon along the direction of arrow R2 by direction along corresponding black arrow.In this case, second arm 82 is faced on two sides of support 34c mutually, and from offsetting by the power of the both direction shown in the arrow R2.Therefore, the masterpiece that is only applied along the direction of arrow R1 by the first arm 81 is used in and is held on the part 934Y.These power are the power along the direction that toner container 932Y is removed from retained part 73.
Here, be held part 934Y (slipper 34c1 and 34c2) according to can not constituting during with respect to toner container support 931 attaching/detachings with the mode that supporting member 78 contacts at it.More particularly, with reference to Figure 40, toner container 932Y so constitutes, thereby the projecting plane that be held part 934Y vertical with its attaching/detaching direction can not surpass the projecting plane of container body 933Y along its attaching/detaching direction near supporting member 78.In other words, toner container 932Y so constitutes, thereby when being held part 934Y side and regarding toner container 932Y as the plane vertical (Figure 40) with the attaching/detaching direction, contact portion between supporting member 78 and container body 933Y visually is observed (perhaps, thereby be held the profile of part 934Y and contact portion coupling).The operation of the attaching/detaching of toner container 932Y is carried out thus smoothly, and supporting member 78 can not become obstacle (toner container 932Y not can beared part 78 block).
Afterwards, when the support 34c of toner container 932Y arrives the retained part 73 of toner container support 931, the location that is held part 934Y begins, simultaneously except the first slipper 34c1 along the slip of slipping plane 31a, the second slipper 34c1 slides along slipping plane (side).More particularly, being held the bonding part 34g of part 934Y and the align member 31c of toner container support 931 begins to be bonded with each other.In the meantime, arm is held part 934Y (along the direction bias voltage of arrow Q) to 80 towards retained part 73 bias voltage toner container 932Y.In addition, in the meantime, the clip claw member 76 that is located in the retained part 73 of toner container support 931 retracts to the position (this is round the rotation of rotary main shaft 76a along the direction of arrow R1) that can not hinder the installation that is held part 934Y.That is to say that clip claw member 76 is by the be directed downwards pushing of slipper 34c1 along the biasing force of resisting leaf spring.
Afterwards, when further carrying out the fitting operation of toner container 932Y, plug member 34d begins to open toner outlet B, simultaneously bonding part 34g and align member 31c be bonded with each other (state as shown in figure 47).More particularly, be inserted in the hole of support 34c the pushing that plug member 34d relatively is subjected to nozzle 70 with the front end of nozzle 70.At this moment, clip claw member 76 reaches from the advanced position among Figure 45 and is used for the position (this is round the rotation of rotary main shaft 76a along the direction of arrow R2) that engages with plug member 34d.That is to say that clip claw member 76 is removed and pushed under slipper 34c1 effect, and be pushed into its default location on the quilt under the partial pressure of leaf spring (not shown).
State as shown in Figure 47 is such, thereby plug member 34d is kept by nozzle 70 and clip claw member 76, and its stationkeeping is in toner container support 931 (retained part 73).If toner container 932Y is further motion from the state of Figure 47 along installation direction (direction of arrow Q), then toner outlet B is opened, simultaneously with the stationkeeping (plug member 34d relative motion) in retained part 73 of plug member 34d.
At this moment, toner container 932Y be held part 934Y by as the arm of biasing member to 80 towards retained part 73 bias voltages (along the direction bias voltage of arrow Q).More particularly, with reference to Figure 48, the front end by support 34c (being held part 934Y) with the first arm 81 widen with the contacts side surfaces of support 34c.Simultaneously, the back end in contact of 82 beginnings of second arm and support 34c.In this operating period, be cancelled from the power that applies by the both direction shown in the arrow R1 by the first arm 81, and only be used in from the masterpiece that applies by the direction shown in the arrow R2 and be held on the part 934Y by second arm 82.These power are along wherein with the power of toner container 932Y towards the direction (direction of arrow Q) of retained part 73 bias voltages.Like this, in the 9th embodiment, be held part 934Y and 80 biasing force carried out with respect to opening of the toner outlet B of the motion of retained part 73 and toner container 932Y by arm.
Then, with reference to Figure 49, the stationkeeping that is held part 934Y is in such position, support 34c is resisted against (reference position that is used for adjacency) on the retained part 73 there, and plug member 34d opens toner outlet B fully simultaneously, and the driven wheel 31g of the driver element of the gear 33c of toner container 932Y and toner container support 931 engagement.As the ID chip 35 of electric substrate in the position that can carry out wireless communication facing to telecommunication circuit 74.In addition, be used to guarantee the recessed portion 34m of incompatibility of toner container and bossing 34n and be assembled together at the mounting structure 31d and the 31e of equipment body.In addition, the regional 33Ya that does not comprise the container body 933Y of spiral fashion teat 33b is supported rotationally by supporting member 78.The toner outlet B of toner container 932Y is communicated with the toner supply opening 70a of nozzle 70, and has finished the fitting operation of toner container 932Y.
At this moment, with reference to Figure 50, the contacts side surfaces of the first arm 81 and support 34c, and the back end in contact of second arm 82 and support 34c.In this case, the masterpiece that is only applied along arrow R2 direction by second arm 82 is used in and is held on the part 934Y.These power are the power (detent force) that part 934Y remains on retained part 73 that is held that is used for toner container 932Y.
Like this, because the arm that is located in the back side of equipment body 100 has prevented container body 932Y along the slippage of attaching/detaching direction reliably to 80, thus needn't be near the grip portion 33d of the toner container 932Y in being arranged at toner container support 931 (with respect to the nearside of equipment body 100) install and be used for preventing the mechanism of toner container 932Y along the slippage of attaching/detaching direction.This can guarantee to be used for the required enough spaces of attaching/detaching operation near the grip portion 33d of the toner container 932Y in being arranged at equipment body 100.In addition, can improve near the grip portion 33d of the toner container 932Y in being arranged at equipment body 100 outward appearance thus.
Figure 51 is a curve map, demonstrate the movement position that is being held part 934Y (toner container 932Y) during the fitting operation of toner container and from arm to 80 relations that are applied between the load that is held on the part 934Y.Shown in Figure 51, when being held the position (position in Figure 45 and Figure 46) that part 934Y moves to W1, be held part 934Y stand along with the rightabout power of installation direction (direction of arrow Q).In other words, the power along the direction that toner container 932Y and retained part 73 are separated was just in time applied thereon before retained part 73 bias voltages 80 by arm at toner container 932Y.This makes the user the enough strength that overcomes this power toner container 932Y to be pushed into retained part 73 sides.Therefore, the pushing strength that is applied by the user joins by arm and is applied to the biasing force that is held on the part 934Y backward to 80, and thus toner is exported B and throw open.
When being held part 934Y and further moving to W2 position (position in Figure 47 and Figure 48) in Figure 51, be held part 934Y and be subjected to power (by arm to 80 biasing forces that apply) along installation direction (direction of arrow Q).At this moment, will switch to nozzle 70 from plug member 33d by the object of the package 34e sealing that is held part 934Y.Quicken switch speed by arm to 80, and this can reduce sealing ability owing to switching the time that descends between want sealed object.Be held in the position (position among Figure 49 and Figure 50) of the W3 of stationkeeping in Figure 51 of part 934Y.
Like this, in the 9th embodiment, under situation about need not judge, determine mechanically that to 80 the toner of toner container 932Y exports the opening speed of B by arm according to user's operating speed (speed of pushing toner container).Therefore, the time that the sealing ability in being held part 934Y descends can be very not long, but locate weak point about the same at any time, reduced thus near the toner that sheds the toner outlet B.
On the other hand, when in wanting the toner container support 931 of slave unit main body 100, toner container 932Y being taken out (dismountings), operate according to the mode opposite with installation.At first, synchronous with the user by catching grip portion 33d to make toner container 932Y separate (disassembling section) with retained part 73, in by nozzle 70 and clip claw member 76 positions of Fixing plug member 34d in retained part 73, by clip claw member 76 bias voltage plug member 34d, thereby close toner outlet B (motion) from the state of Figure 49 to the state of Figure 47.At this moment, the end face of plug member 34d (the right-hand side end face of Figure 47) is assemblied in and is formed in the assembled portion that is held among the part 934Y, and finishes closing of toner outlet B by plug member 34d.Afterwards, at toner container 932Y from the state of Figure 47 along detaching direction (direction opposite) when further moving with arrow Q, clip claw member 76 moves to such position, and the separation that is held part 934Y there is not subjected to hindering (state of Figure 45).Be held the complete after separating of part 934Y, clip claw member 76 is removed pushing under the effect of slipper 34c1, thereby turns back to default location under the partial pressure of leaf spring.Carry out the disassembling section of toner container 932Y thus smoothly, and supporting member 78 does not become obstacle (toner container 932Y not can beared part 78 block).
As mentioned above, in imaging device according to the 9th embodiment, finish fitting operation and the disassembling section of toner container 932Y by an action (except the opening of body door 110), thereby when the user catches grip portion 33d, carry out the slip of the slipper 34c1 of toner container 932Y along slipping plane 31a.According to the toner container 932Y of the 9th embodiment comprise have the toner outlet B that is provided with vertically downward be held part 934Y, and toner outlet B (or plug member 34d) is located in the lower downside of vertical direction ratio open A.And after synchronously plug member 34d reliably being located with fitting operation, plug member 34d exports B by nozzle 70 pushings with the toner of opening by package 34e sealing.Therefore, the toner of being infected with in toner outlet B still less and has prevented to occur user's hand because contact toner outlet B and this problem of being made dirty by toner.
In addition, toner container 932Y is not arranged on the toner container support 931 (equipment body 100) from upside, but carry out attaching/detaching from the front of toner container support 31 (equipment body 100), therefore improved the flexible arrangement of the upside of toner container support 931.For example, even under the situation that scanner (document reader) just in time is arranged on the toner feed device top, but the operability/workability when the attaching/detaching of toner container 932Y can variation yet.In addition, the flexible arrangement of the bonding station D between the driven wheel 31g of the gear 33c of toner container 932Y and equipment body 100 also improves.Its longitudinal direction is being arranged on toner container 932Y in the equipment body 100 under as the situation of horizontal direction, therefore increased the toner capacity of toner container 932Y, and can not have any influence aspect the layout of the short transverse of whole imaging device 100, this can reduce the replacing frequency.
As mentioned above, in imaging device according to the 9th embodiment, with respect to toner container support 931 attaching/detaching toner container 932Y the time, when the user caught grip portion 33d in the back side that is located at container body 933Y, the plug member 34d that is held part 934Y operated synchronously opening/closing toner outlet B along longitudinal direction and the attaching/detaching of container body 933Y.Therefore, the opening of toner outlet B reliably and is reposefully carried out with the attaching/detaching operation.Therefore, but improve operability/workability when toner container 932Y changes, and reduced the appearance of toner contamination reliably.
In imaging device according to the 9th embodiment, toner container 932Y constitutes according to a kind of like this mode, toner container 932Y is installed on the toner container support 931 along the longitudinal direction of container body 932Y, thereby the part 934Y that is held of toner container 932Y is provided as the head of container body 933Y along installation direction, and container body 933Y is being supported by the supporting member 78 of toner container support 931 along the back position place of installation direction.Even the attitude of whole toner container 932Y also is stable when attaching/detaching is operated and when toner is supplied thus, but and improved operability/workability when toner container 932Y changes, thereby reduced the appearance of toner contamination reliably.
In the 9th embodiment, toner container support 931 so constitutes, thus arm to the fitting operation of 80 (biasing members) and toner container 932Y synchronously towards the retained part 73 bias voltage toner container 932Y of toner container support 931.No matter how the user carries out the replacing operation of toner container 932Y, can both reduce the appearance that toner scatters reliably, and can not reduce the toning dosage of discharging from toner container 932Y and can not be reduced in operability when changing.
In the 9th embodiment, in each container body of toner container 932Y, 932M, 932C and 932K, toner is housed just, but offer at the double component developing that will include toner and carrier under the situation of imaging device of each developing apparatus, in each container body of toner container 932Y, 932M, 932C and 932K, also can comprise double component developing.Even in this situation, also can realize the effect identical with the 9th embodiment.
In the 9th embodiment, teat 33b is formed in the inner circumferential surface of container body 933Y, and container body 933Y is rotated.On the other hand, coil or screw rod can be remained in the container body 933Y rotationally, and container body 933Y can not rotate yet, but can coil or screw rod be rotated by gear 33c.Also have in this case, can obtain the effect identical with the 9th embodiment.
In the 9th embodiment, in toner supply device, be provided with the drawing-in type screw pump 60 that is used for sending into air to the inside of pipe 71.Simultaneously, in toner supply device, also can be provided for sending into the discharge formula screw pump of air to pipe 71 inside.In addition, also can use the diaphragm type pneumatic pump as the pump that is connected with pipe 71.Even when using these pumps, also can obtain the effect identical with the 9th embodiment.
The tenth embodiment
With reference to Figure 52 to Figure 56 A and 56B tenth embodiment of the invention is described below.Figure 52 is the cut-open view according to the head side of the toner container of the tenth embodiment, and this is corresponding with the diagram according to Figure 39 of the 9th embodiment.
With reference to Figure 52, be according to the toner container 1032Y of the tenth embodiment and the difference of the 9th embodiment, in being held part 1034Y, be provided with compression spring 34f as biasing member.More particularly, be used for being located at the right-hand side of plug member 34d along the compression spring 34f (biasing member) of the direction bias voltage plug member 34d that closes toner outlet B.As the ID chip 35 of electric substrate (storage unit) according to constituting with mode that the telecommunication circuit (terminal) 74 of equipment body directly contacts.
The ID chip 35 that is held part 1034Y synchronously constitutes with telecommunication circuit 74 (splicing ear) contact of toner container support 31 or the mode of separating with respect to the attaching/detaching operation of toner container support 31 according to toner container 1032Y.More particularly, ID chip 35 is located on such position, it for the vertical plane that is held part 1034Y of attaching/detaching direction (direction of arrow of Figure 53 A and 53B) with respect to toner container support 31, and when attaching/detaching is operated facing to telecommunication circuit 74.
Like this, the attaching/detaching operation (linear operation) of ID chip 35 and the toner container 1032Y that is undertaken by an action synchronously be located at equipment body 100 in telecommunication circuit 74 contact, and this has improved the contact performance between ID chip 35 and telecommunication circuit 74.More particularly, the surface of ID chip 35 contacts with the telecommunication circuit 74 in being fixed on equipment body 100 (toner container support 31) is linear, and this has prevented to occur this fault in advance, be thereby that ID chip 35 contacts unevenly with telecommunication circuit 74 and causes contact fault, thereby perhaps the part wearing and tearing of ID chip 35 and telecommunication circuit 74 cause damage to some parts.
With reference to Figure 53 A and 53B to Figure 55 A and 55B toner container 1032Y is described with respect to the attaching/detaching operation of toner container support 31 below.Figure 53 A is being for seeing the synoptic diagram that how Yellow toner container 1032Y is installed in (along moving of the direction of arrow) on the toner container support 31 from longitudinal direction, and Figure 53 B for when upside is seen that state the synoptic diagram of the part around the support 34c that is held part 1034Y.Figure 54 A is for seeing the synoptic diagram of installation (beginning to be held the location of part 1034Y) how to carry out toner container 1032Y from longitudinal direction, and Figure 54 B for when upside is seen that state the synoptic diagram of the part around support 34c.Figure 55 A is being for being installed in the synoptic diagram of (finishing installations) on the toner container support 31 with toner container 1032Y when longitudinal direction is seen, and Figure 55 B be when upside is seen that state the synoptic diagram of a part of support 34c.
In toner container support 31, be provided with respectively and four four toner container supports that toner container 1032Y, 1032M, 1032C and 1032K are corresponding.Each of these four toner container supports comprises slipping plane 31a and the 31b that allows the slipper 34c1 that is held part 1034Y and 34c2 slide along their; Retained part 73 is used for fixing the position of the support 34c that is held part 1034Y; Nozzle 70 (toner delivery pipe); Driver element (being provided with the place of driven wheel 31g) is used for rotary driving force is passed to container body 1033Y; And telecommunication circuit 74.Retained part 73 comprises that the slipping plane 31a that contacting support 34c is with 31b and contacting the contact area (not shown) that a part is covered 34b.In the slipping plane 31b (side) of retained part 73, be provided with and be used for the align member 31c that synchronously positions with the fitting operation that is held part 1034Y.Align member 31c is the bossing that extends along the attaching/detaching direction of toner container 1032Y.
In the time of on the toner container support 31 that toner container 1032Y is installed in equipment body 100, at first, will be located at that body cover 110 (referring to Figure 37) on the front (at the nearside on the paper of Fig. 1) of the main body of imaging device 100 is opened so that toner container support 31 to face exposure.Then, with reference to Figure 53 A and 53B, toner container 1032Y is pushed into toner container support 31 (along moving of the direction of arrow).More particularly, along the longitudinal direction of container body 1033Y (or toner container 1032Y) toner container 1032Y is installed on the toner container support 31, thereby is held the head that part 1034Y is provided as container body 1033Y.
At this moment, slipping plane 31a's first slipper 34c1 along toner container support 31 slides at the head side place of toner container 1032Y, and when sliding, the user pushes toner container 1032Y in the toner container support 31 with good balance by catching the grip portion 33d on the back side of toner container 1032Y.
With reference to Figure 54 A and Figure 54 B, when the support 34c of toner container 1032Y arrives the retained part 73 of toner container support 31, the location that is held part 1034Y begins, simultaneously except the first slipper 34c1 along the slip of slipping plane 31a, the second slipper 34c2 slides along slipping plane (side).More particularly, being held the bonding part 34g of part 1034Y and the align member 31c of toner container support 31 begins to be bonded with each other.
Afterwards, when further carrying out the fitting operation of toner container 1032Y, plug member 34d begins to open toner outlet B while bonding part 34g and align member 31c is bonded with each other.More particularly, the front end of nozzle 70 is inserted in the hole of support 34c, and plug member 34d is subjected to the pushing of nozzle 70.Then, shown in Figure 55 A and Figure 55 B, the stationkeeping that is held part 1034Y is in such position, support 34c is resisted against (reference position that is used for adjacency) on the retained part 73 there, and plug member 34d opens toner outlet B fully simultaneously, and the driven wheel 31g of the driver element of the gear 33c of toner container 1032Y and toner container support 31 engagement.In addition, ID chip 35 is connected with telecommunication circuit 74.Like this, the toner supply opening 70a of the toner of toner container 1032Y outlet B and nozzle 70 is interconnected, and has finished the fitting operation of toner container 1032Y.
Like this, in the tenth embodiment, the positioning action and the action (except the opening of body door) that are held part 1034Y (toner container 1032Y) synchronously begin, thereby the slipper 34c1 of toner container 1032Y slides along slipping plane 31a, begin the insertion operation of nozzle 70 then, and finish the engagement of gear 33c and driven wheel 31g at last.Nozzle 70 preferably is inserted in the position away from the bonding station D of gear 33c and is held among the part 1034Y, and this can prevent this fault, thereby the external force of not expecting that promptly produces when nozzle 70 contact with plug member 34d can be applied to and makes it on the nozzle 70 to be out of shape.In other words, if the connection of gear 33c is preferably carried out rather than nozzle 70 is inserted into being held among the part 1034Y near being held part, then can cause toner container 1032Y to move by the inappropriate engagement between driven wheel 31g and gear 33c, this can cause the skew of nozzle 70 insertion positions.
When in wanting the toner container support 31 of slave unit main body 100, toner container 1032Y being taken out (dismountings), operate according to the mode opposite with installation.In other words, the user holds grip portion 33d and moves toner container 1032Y towards user's layback.In this case, operate synchronous nozzle 70 with this and also separate, thereby toner container 1032Y separates with retained part 73, and the biasing force of plug member 34d by compression spring 34f moves to the position of closing toner outlet B with support 34c.Like this, finished the disassembling section of toner container 1032Y by an action (except the opening of body door), thereby the slipper 34c1 of toner container 1032Y slides along slipping plane 31a.
According to the toner container 1032Y of the tenth embodiment comprise have the toner outlet B that is provided with vertically downward be held part 1034Y, and toner outlet B is located in the lower downside of ratio open A.After synchronously plug member 34d reliably being located with fitting operation, plug member 34d exports B by nozzle 70 pushings with the toner of opening by package 34e sealing.Therefore, the toner of being infected with in toner outlet B still less and has prevented to occur user's hand because contact toner outlet B and this problem of being made dirty by toner.
In addition, toner container 1032Y is not arranged on the toner container support 31 (equipment body 100) from upside, but carry out attaching/detaching from the front of toner container support 31 (equipment body 100), therefore improved the flexible arrangement of the upside of toner container support 31.For example, even under the situation that scanner (document reader) just in time is arranged on toner container support top, but the operability/workability when the attaching/detaching of toner container 1032Y can variation yet.In addition, the flexible arrangement of the position of engagement D between the driven wheel 31g of gear 33c that has improved at toner container 1032Y and equipment body 100.Longitudinal direction is being arranged on toner container 1032Y in the equipment body 100 under as the situation of horizontal direction, and therefore increased the toner capacity of toner container 1032Y, and can not have any influence aspect the layout of the short transverse of whole imaging device 100, this can reduce the replacing frequency.
With reference to Figure 56 A and Figure 56 B the manufacture process when recycling toner container 1032Y is described below.At first, in the grip portion 33d of the toner container 1032Y that had used that is recovered to recycle factory, form the hole 33d2 (through hole) (machining process) that is communicated with container body 1033Y.Then, the inside of this hole 33d2 with cleaning container main body 1033Y is passed in the cleaning nozzle insertion.Afterwards, with reference to Figure 56 A, the toner container 1032Y that forms porose 33d2 is arranged in the filling machine 201.More particularly, will be assemblied on the support section 210 of filling machine 201 as the limited part 33d1 of the hook portions of grip portion 33d, and with toner container 1032Y hook thereon, thereby grip portion 33d upwards is provided with.In addition, the nozzle 220 of filling machine 201 is inserted among the toner container 1032Y, to fill toner container 1032Y (filling process) from filling machine 201 usefulness toners by its hole 33d2.
With reference to Figure 56 B, after finishing the toner filling, the block 90 that is used as containment member seals hole 33d2.By this operation, can guarantee the sealing ability of toner container 1032Y after filling toner.In the tenth embodiment, to cover the block 90 of grip portion 33d as containment member, but also can use the connector that is inserted among the 33d2 of hole as containment member, the seal that perhaps also can use coverage hole 33d2 for example polyurethane foam as containment member.As mentioned above, in the tenth embodiment, during the recycle of toner container 1032Y is made, can fill toner container 1032Y with toner need not will being held from container body 1033Y under the situation that part 1034Y unloads.This can improve the operability when its recycle is made.
As mentioned above, in the tenth embodiment, similar with the 9th embodiment, because grip portion 33d is located in relative with the position that the is formed with opening A in a longitudinal direction side, so the user catch grip portion 33d during, can reliably carry out the attaching/detaching operation of toner container 1032Y smoothly, and by using grip portion 33d can carry out the manufacturing work of toner container 1032Y effectively.Therefore, but improved in the replacing of toner container 1032Y and the operability/workability when making, and can reduce the appearance of toner contamination certainly.
The 11 embodiment
With reference to Figure 57 the 11 embodiment of the present invention is described below.Figure 57 is the cut-open view according to the toner container of the 11 embodiment.Rotate will be contained in the difference that wherein toner flows to the embodiment of opening A according to the toner container of the 11 embodiment and toner container wherein and to be, container body 1133Y is being kept according to not rotatable mode by toner container support 31 with being held part 1134Y, and is provided with the coil 181Y as transfer member in container body.
Shown in Figure 57, toner container 1132Y mainly comprises container body 1133Y and is held part 1134Y.Opening A is located in the head of container body 1133Y, and gear 33c is located at around the neighboring of opening A rotationally.The driven wheel engagement of gear 33c and equipment body 100 is so that coil 181Y rotation.
Turning axle 180Y and gear 33c form as one, and spiral coil 181Y is connected with turning axle 180Y.The end of turning axle 180Y is supported by the bearing portions 34a4 that is held part 1134Y.Coil 181Y extends across rear end (bottom) among container body 1133Y from opening A.Gear 33c rotates so that turning axle 180Y and coil 181Y rotate around container body 1133Y.
Therefore, the toner that is contained among the container body 1133Y is carried towards opening A under the effect of the toner carrying capacity of coil 181Y.Because the external diameter of coil 181Y is less than the internal diameter of container body 1133Y, so the toner carrying capacity can be applied to away near the toner the rotary middle spindle of the inner circumferential surface of container body 333Y.In addition, its shape of coil 181Y is flexible relatively, and it has only an end to be supported, and therefore, during turning swing this position.This can be applied to the toner carrying capacity on the rotary middle spindle fully from the inner circumferential surface of container body 1133Y.Therefore, even a large amount of toners are housed and in container body 1133Y because environmental change or " retention time is oversize " and occur therein under the situation of toner cohesion, can make the state of aggregation reduction by the toner carrying capacity that causes owing to coil 181Y, and can prevent that thus the toning dosage that will discharge from reducing.
Similar with those embodiments, in relative with the position that is formed with opening A in a longitudinal direction side, also be provided with grip portion 33d according to the toner container 1132Y of the 11 embodiment.With respect to toner container support 31 attaching/detaching toner container 1132Y the time, the user catching grip portion 33d in the back side that is located at container body 1133Y during, be held the plug member 33d of part 1134Y and operate synchronously opening/closing toner outlet B with the attaching/detaching that longitudinal direction along container body 1133Y carries out.And, toner container 1132Y so constitutes, thereby the part 1134Y that is held of toner container 1132Y is installed on the toner container support 31 along the longitudinal direction of container body 1133Y, thereby be provided as the head of container body 1133Y, and container body 1133Y is supported on the back location place of container body 1133Y along installation direction by the supporting member 78 of toner container support 31 along installation direction.In addition, toner container support 31 so constitutes, thus with the fitting operation of toner container 1132Y synchronously toner container 1132Y by arm to retained part 73 bias voltages of 80 (biasing members) towards toner container support 31.
As mentioned above, similar with those embodiments in the 11 embodiment, but improved in the replacing of toner container 1132Y and the operability/workability when making, and reduced the appearance of toner contamination reliably.Though in the 11 embodiment, adopt coil 181Y as transfer member, also can adopt screw rod as transfer member.In this case, also can realize the effect identical with the 11 embodiment.
The 12 embodiment
With reference to Figure 58 and Figure 59 the 12 embodiment of the present invention is elaborated below.Figure 58 is the cut-open view according to the toner container of the 12 embodiment, and it is with corresponding according to Figure 57 of the 11 embodiment.Be according to the toner container of the 12 embodiment and the difference of the 11 embodiment, adopt board member 184Y as transfer member.
Shown in Figure 58, toner container 1232Y mainly comprises container body 1233Y and is held part 1234Y.In the head of container body 1233Y, be provided with opening A, and gear 33c be provided with rotationally round the neighboring of opening A.The driven wheel engagement of gear 33c and equipment body 100 is so that rotate, and is similar with the 11 embodiment.
With reference to Figure 58, screw rod 183Y is supported by the bearing portions 34a4 that is held part 1234Y at the one end thereof place, and is supported by the bearing portions in the back side that is located at container body 1233Y at another place, end.Gear 33c is rotated around container body 1233Y, and screw rod 183Y also rotate thus integratedly.Therefore, the board member 184Y that engages with screw rod 183Y moves (along the arrow direction towards opening A) along the screw rod direction of feed, simultaneously by leader 185Y guiding (not along with screw rod 183Y rotates).The movement velocity of board member 184Y is set relatively slowly according to the toner spending rate of container body 1233Y.
Like this, the toner carrying capacity of toner by board member 184Y that is contained among the container body 1233Y flows to opening A side.Here, the internal diameter that the external diameter of board member 184Y forms container main body 1233Y is slightly little, and the toner carrying capacity can be applied on the toner near rotation axis of centres A away from the inner circumferential surface of container body 1233Y.Therefore, even a large amount of toners are housed and in container body 1233Y owing to environmental change or " retention time is oversize " cause occurring therein under the situation of toner cohesion, make the state of aggregation reduction by the toner carrying capacity that produces owing to this board member 184Y, and can prevent that thus the toning dosage of being discharged from reducing.
Similar with those embodiments, in relative with the position that is formed with opening A in a longitudinal direction side, also be provided with grip portion 33d according to the toner container 1232Y of the 12 embodiment.With respect to toner container support 31 attaching/detaching toner container 1232Y the time, the user catching grip portion 33d in the back side that is located at container body 1233Y during, be held the plug member 34d of part 1234Y and operate synchronously opening/closing toner outlet B with the attaching/detaching that longitudinal direction along container body 1233Y carries out.And, toner container 1232Y so constitutes, thereby the part 1234Y that is held of toner container 1232Y is installed on the toner container support 31 along the longitudinal direction of container body 1233Y, thereby be provided as the head of container body 1233Y, and container body 1233Y is supported on the back location place of container body 1233Y along installation direction by the supporting member 78 of toner container support 31 along installation direction.In addition, toner container support 31 so constitutes, thus with the fitting operation of toner container 1232Y synchronously toner container 1232Y by arm to retained part 73 bias voltages of 80 (biasing members) towards toner container support 31.
As mentioned above, similar with those embodiments in the 12 embodiment, but improved in the replacing of toner container 1232Y and the operability/workability when making, and reduced the appearance of toner contamination.
The 13 embodiment
With reference to Figure 60 A and Figure 60 B to Figure 62 A and Figure 62 B the 13 embodiment of the present invention is elaborated below.Figure 60 A and 60B to Figure 62 A and Figure 62 B are the synoptic diagram according to the toner container of the 13 embodiment.More particularly, Figure 60 A for this toner container at the synoptic diagram when its rear side is seen, and Figure 60 B for this toner container at the synoptic diagram when its longitudinal direction is seen.Figure 61 A is another kind of toner container at the synoptic diagram when its rear side is seen, and Figure 61 B for this another kind toner container at the synoptic diagram when its longitudinal direction is seen.Figure 62 A is another kind of toner container at the synoptic diagram when its rear side is seen, and Figure 62 B for this another kind toner container at the synoptic diagram when its longitudinal direction is seen.Different according to the shape of the grip portion 1333d of the toner container of the 13 embodiment and those embodiments.
Shown in Figure 60 A and Figure 60 B, grip portion 1333d is located in the rear end face (in the bottom in the rear side of installation direction) of the container body 1333Y of toner container 1332Y, carries out the attaching/detaching operation of toner container 1332Y thereby the user catches it.Grip portion 1333d forms the riding boots shape.This shape of grip portion 1333d is not limited to the shape of Figure 60 A and Figure 60 B, and therefore as Figure 61 A with the same shown in the 61B, grip portion 1433d can form handle shapes.In addition, shown in Figure 62 A and Figure 62 B, grip portion 1533d can form (this grip portion 1533d is along the retraction of the direction of arrow in Figure 62 B) according to the mode in the bottom that can retract to container body 1533Y.When grip portion 1533d forms according to the mode in the above-mentioned bottom that can retract to container body 1533Y, can reduce the space that when main body is provided with, is used for grip portion 1533Y, and therefore the bottom position of container body 1533Y can extend to the nearside (body cover 110 sides) of equipment body.This can improve the capacity (the toning dosage of being adorned) of container body 1533Y.
Similar with those embodiments, in relative with the position that is formed with opening A in a longitudinal direction side, also be provided with grip portion 1333d according to the toner container 1332Y of the 13 embodiment.With respect to toner container support 31 attaching/detaching toner container 1332Y the time, the user catching grip portion 1333d in the back side that is located at container body 1333Y during, be held the plug member 34d of part 1334Y and operate synchronously opening/closing toner outlet B with the attaching/detaching that longitudinal direction along container body 1333Y carries out.And, toner container 1332Y so constitutes, thereby the part 1334Y that is held of toner container 1332Y is installed on the toner container support 31 along the longitudinal direction of container body 1333Y, thereby be provided as the head of container body 1333Y, and container body 1333Y is supported on the back location place of container body 1333Y along installation direction by the supporting member 78 of toner container support 31 along installation direction.In addition, toner container support 31 so constitutes, thus with the fitting operation of toner container 1332Y synchronously toner container 1332Y by arm to retained part 73 bias voltages of 80 (biasing members) towards toner container support 31.Described toner container 1432Y and 1532Y are with recited above identical.
As mentioned above, similar with those embodiments in the 13 embodiment, but improved in the replacing of toner container and the operability/workability when making, and reduced the appearance of toner contamination.
The 14 embodiment
With reference to Figure 63 to Figure 69 A and Figure 69 B the 14 embodiment of the present invention is described below.With reference to Figure 63 to Figure 65 the structure and the operation of whole imaging device are described at first, below.Figure 63 is the overall schematic as the printer of imaging device, and Figure 64 is the cut-open view of its image-generating unit, and Figure 65 is the synoptic diagram of its toner supply section.
Shown in Figure 63, four toner bottle 1632Y, 1632Y, 1632C and 1632K are corresponding with different colours (yellow, magenta, cyan and black) respectively, and removably (replaceably) is arranged in the bottle rack 1631 in the main body upside that is located at imaging device 200.In the downside of bottle rack 1631, be provided with intermediate transfer unit 15.Image-generating unit 6Y, 6M, 6C and the 6K corresponding with those colors (yellow, magenta, cyan and black) arrange according to the mode of tandem, thereby facing to the intermediate transfer belt 8 of intermediate transfer unit 15.
With reference to Figure 64, comprise photosensitive drums 1Y with yellow corresponding image-generating unit 6Y, and comprise charging device 4Y, developing apparatus 5Y (developing cell), cleaning unit 2Y and electric discharge device (not shown) that they are all arranged round photosensitive drums 1Y.On photosensitive drums 1Y, carry out imaging process (charging process, exposure process, developing process, transfer process and cleaning course), and on photosensitive drums 1Y, form yellow image.
Other three image-generating unit 6M, 6C and 6K have with corresponding to the image-generating unit 6Y structure much at one of yellow, except employed toner color difference, and formation and the corresponding image of corresponding toner color.Omitted the explanation of other three image-generating unit 6M, 6C and 6K below, and below will only describe being used for yellow image-generating unit 6Y.
With reference to Figure 64, photosensitive drums 1Y is clockwise rotated in Figure 64 by the drive motor (not shown).The surface of photosensitive drums 1Y is in the charging (charging process) equably of the position of charging device 4Y quilt.Afterwards, the surface of photosensitive drums 1Y arrives the position (referring to Figure 63) of the laser L that irradiation sends from exposure device 7, making exposure scanning to form yellow electrostatic latent image (exposure process) there.
Afterwards, the surface of photosensitive drums 1Y arrives the position facing to developing apparatus 5Y, makes latent electrostatic image developing there and forms yellow toner image (developing process).Then, the surface of photosensitive drums 1Y arrives the position facing to intermediate transfer belt 8 and first transfer bias roller 9Y, will be transferred to intermediate transfer belt 8 (first transfer process) there at the toner image on the photosensitive drums 1Y.At this moment, a small amount of not toner of transfer printing is stayed on the photosensitive drums 1Y.
Afterwards, the surface of photosensitive drums 1Y arrives the position facing to cleaning unit 2Y, and the not transfer printing toner of staying there on the photosensitive drums 1Y is mechanically collected (cleaning course) by cleaning doctor 2a.The final position that arrives facing to the electric discharge device (not shown), the surface of photosensitive drums 1Y is removed the rest potential on photosensitive drums 1Y there.Like this, a series of imaging processes on photosensitive drums 1Y have been finished.
According on other image-generating unit 6M, 6C and 6K, carrying out imaging process with those identical modes of yellow image-generating unit 6Y.In other words, the exposure device from be located at the image-generating unit downside 7 is towards each photosensitive drums irradiation of image-generating unit 6M, 6C and 6K laser L based on image information.More particularly, exposure device 7 goes out laser L from its light emitted, and at the polygonal mirror by rotation this laser L scan period is shone laser L on the photosensitive drums by a plurality of optical elements.
Then, be formed on the overlapping transfer printing of respective color toner image on these photosensitive drums on intermediate transfer belt 8 by developing process.Like this, on intermediate transfer belt 8, form coloured image.
With reference to Figure 63, intermediate transfer unit 15 comprises intermediate transfer belt 8, four first transfer bias roller 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K, secondary transfer printing backing roll 12, cleaning backing roll 13, idler roller 14 and intermediate transfer cleaning unit 10.Intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched by three rollers 12 to 14 and supports, and along with the rotation of roller 12 along the direction of arrow circulatory motion in Figure 63.
Four first transfer bias roller 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K clip intermediate transfer belt 8 to form each first transfer printing gap with photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C and 1K.And will be applied on first transfer bias roller 9Y, 9M, 9C and the 9K with the opposite polarity transfer bias of toner.Then, intermediate transfer belt 8 is along arrow direction, and order is passed the first transfer printing gap of first transfer bias roller 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K.Like this, will overlap in proper order at the toner image that is used for different colours on photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C and the 1K on the intermediate transfer belt 8 to carry out first transfer printing.
Afterwards, the intermediate transfer belt 8 of toner image with different colours of overlapping transfer printing arrives the position facing to secondary transfer roller 19.In this position, secondary transfer printing backing roll 12 clips intermediate transfer belt 8 to form the secondary transfer printing gap with secondary transfer roller 19.The transfer materials P that four colour toners images on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are transferred to the position that is transported to the secondary transfer printing gap, for example transfer paper sheet will be formed on.At this moment, the not transfer printing toner that is not transferred on the transfer materials P is stayed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.
Afterwards, intermediate transfer belt 8 arrives the position of intermediate transfer cleaning unit 10, is collected in the not transfer printing toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 there.Like this, a series of transfer process of on intermediate transfer belt 8, carrying out have been finished.
The paper supply unit 26 of the P of transfer materials from the downside that is located at equipment body 200 that is transported to the secondary transfer printing interstitial site is transported to the there by paper feed roller 27 and registration roller to 28.More particularly, many material P of transfer printing, for example transfer paper sheet becomes many and leaves in the paper supply unit 26.Make paper feed roller 27 when the counter clockwise direction of Figure 63 is rotated, will be topmost transfer materials P be transported to registration roller between 28.
Be transported to registration roller 28 the P of transfer materials was once stopped at nip location place between the registration roller that stops its rotation is to 28.Then, registration roller rotates with coloured image on intermediate transfer belt 8 synchronously to 28, and transfer materials P carries towards the secondary transfer printing gap.Like this, desired coloured image is transferred on the transfer materials P.
The transfer materials that has at the coloured image of secondary transfer printing interstitial site place's transfer printing is fed to fixation unit 20, utilizes heat and pressure to make to be transferred to the lip-deep coloured image of transfer materials P to anchor on the transfer materials P by fixing roller and pressure roller there.Afterwards, transfer materials P is discharged to the equipment outside by exit roller between 29.By exit roller 29 P of transfer materials that are discharged to the equipment outside are placed on the laminated portions 30 as the output image order stack.Like this, a series of imaging processes in imaging device have been finished.
With reference to Figure 64 the structure and the operation of the developing apparatus in image-generating unit are described in more detail below.Developing apparatus 5Y comprises developer roll 51Y facing to photosensitive drums 1Y, facing to the developing blade 52Y of developer roll 51Y, be located at two conveying screw rod 55Y among developer storage unit 53Y and the 54Y and be used for detecting concentration detection sensor 56Y at the toner concentration of developer.Developer roll 51Y comprises the sleeve that is fixed on its inner magnet and rotates round magnet.The two component formula developer G that comprise carrier and toner are stored among developer storage unit 53Y and the 54Y.Developer storage unit 54Y is communicated with toner delivery pipe 43Y by the opening in the upside that is formed on developer storage unit 54Y.
The following operation of developing apparatus 5Y that constitutes according to top mode.The sleeve of developer roll 51Y rotates along the direction of arrow of Figure 64.Owing to the magnetic field that is formed by magnet is carried on developer G on the developer roll 51Y and the rotation of sleeve is moved along developer roll 51Y explicitly.
So be controlled at the developer G among the developing apparatus 5Y, thereby the toner ratio (toner concentration) in developer is in the preset range.More particularly, offer developer storage unit 54Y according to the toner consumption in developing apparatus 5Y by the toner that toner supply section 43Y, 60,70 and 71 will be included among the toner container 1632Y.It is to be noted that structure and the operation to toner bottle 1632Y is elaborated below.
Afterwards, the toner that offers developer storage unit 54Y circulates (on the paper at Figure 64 along movement in vertical direction) in two developer storage unit 53Y and 54Y, mixes with developer G simultaneously and by two conveying screw rod 55Y stirrings.Toner in developer G is by being adsorbed on the carrier with the carrier triboelectric charging, and is carried on the developer roll 51Y with carrier by the magnetic force that is formed on the developer roll 51Y.
The developer G that is carried on the developer roll 51Y carries to arrive the position of scraper 52Y along the direction of arrow (counterclockwise) of Figure 64.In this position, make the amount of developer suitable, will be transported to position (developing regional) then at the developer G on the developer roll 51Y facing to photosensitive drums 1Y.Be adsorbed on the sub-image that is formed on the photosensitive drums 1Y under the electric field action of toner in being formed on developing regional.Then, developer G and the sleeve stayed on the developer roll 51Y rotate the upside that arrives developer storage unit 53Y explicitly, and developer G separates with developer roll 51Y there.
Guide toner supply section 43Y, 60,70 and 71 to be elaborated below with reference to Figure 65 to the toner that will be contained among the toner container 1632Y (reagent storage container) that is located in the bottle rack 1631 to developing apparatus 5Y.For the ease of understanding, Figure 65 demonstrate toner container 1632Y, toner service duct 43Y, 60,70 and 71 and the variation of developing apparatus 5Y arrange.In fact, in Figure 65, the longitudinal direction of toner container 1632Y and part toner passage is arranged along vertical direction on paper.The toner supply section that will be used for every kind of toner color is arranged in equipment body 200.Four toner supply sections have roughly the same each other structure, except the toner color difference that is used for each imaging process.
The toner that the toner supply section will be arranged in case of necessity according to toner consumption in developing apparatus 5Y among the toner bottle 1632Y in the bottle rack 1631 of equipment body 200 is fed among the developing apparatus 5Y.More particularly, toner bottle 1632Y is arranged in the bottle rack 1631 of equipment body 200, and the toner delivery pipe 70 (nozzle) of bottle rack 1631 is connected with the shell 1634Y of toner bottle 1632Y.At this moment, the gate 34d of toner bottle 1632Y (opening/closing member) opens the toner outlet of shell 1634Y.This makes the toner among the bottle main body 1633Y that is contained in toner bottle 1632Y to be transported in the toner delivery pipe 70 by the toner outlet.
On the other hand, another end of toner delivery pipe 70 is connected with an end of pipe 71.Pipe 71 is by making at the flexible material of excellence aspect the anti-toner, and its another end is connected with the powder pump 60 (screw pump) of toner supply section.Powder pump 60 comprises rotor 61, stator 62, pump orifice 63, universal joint 64 and motor 66.Rotor 61 so forms, thus the axle that spiralization is made by metal material.An end of rotor 61 is rotatably connected on the motor 66 by universal joint 64.Stator 62 is made by elastomeric material, and its hole so forms, thus its oval cross section spiralization.Rotor 61 is inserted in the hole of stator 62.
The powder pump 60 that constitutes according to top mode makes motor 66 allow rotor 61 rotate in stator 62 will take out to pump orifice 63 at the toner among the toner bottle 1632Y by pipe 71.Take out toner to pump orifice 63 and be fed in the gap between stator 62 and rotor 61, and be sent to another end along the rotation direction of rotor 61.The toner of being sent into is discharged from the mouth 67 of sending into of powder pump 60, thereby offers developing apparatus 5Y (along moving by the direction of arrow shown in the dotted line in Figure 65) by toner delivery pipe 43Y.
With reference to Figure 66 to Figure 69 A and 69B the toner bottle characteristic in the 14 embodiment is described below.As reference Figure 63 is described, four toner bottle 1632Y, 1632M, 1632C and 1632K are removably disposed in the toner container support 1631, and these toner bottles 1632Y, 1632M, 1632C and 1632K when they arrive its serviceable life when container emptied (be contained in nearly all toner in the container is consumed and) use new replacing respectively.The toner that is contained in those colors among toner bottle 1632Y, 1632M, 1632C and the 1632K respectively as required by as offer each developing apparatus of image-generating unit 6Y, 6M, 6C and 6K with reference to described every the toner service duct of Figure 65.
Figure 66 is the skeleton view of toner bottle 1632Y.Figure 67 is the cut-open view of the head side (being provided with that side of shell 1634Y) of toner bottle 1632Y.Other three toner bottle 1632M, 1632C and 1632K have and the toner bottle 1632Y structure much at one that Yellow toner is housed, except different toner colors is housed.Below, the explanation of having omitted other three toner bottle 1632M, 1632C and 1632K, and following describe the toner bottle 1632Y that Yellow toner is housed.
Shown in Figure 66, toner bottle 1632Y mainly comprises bottle main body 1633Y and the shell 1634Y (bottle cap) that is located in its head.The head of bottle main body 1633Y comprises gear 33c and the opening A (referring to Figure 67) that rotates integratedly with bottle main body 1633Y.Gear 33c and the driven wheel (not shown) engagement that is located at the driver element in the toner container support 1631 of equipment body 200, thus make bottle main body 1633Y around its rotation (by shown in the dot-and-dash line of Figure 67) rotation.The toner that opening A is used for being contained among bottle main body 1633Y is discharged in the space of shell 1634Y.
With reference to Figure 66, grip portion 33d is located in bottle bottom of main body 1633Y, carries out the attaching/detaching of toner bottle 1632Y thereby the user can catch it.Spirality teat 33b from the external peripheral surface of bottle main body 1633Y to the inner circumferential surface setting.This spirality teat 33b is used for discharging toner by bottle main body 1633Y is rotated from opening A.Bottle main body 1633Y of Gou Chenging and gear 33c can be by the blow molding manufacturings like this.
With reference to Figure 66 and Figure 67, shell 1634Y comprises block 34a, covers 34b, gate support 34c, as the gate 34d and the package 34e of opening/closing member.Shell 1634Y is communicated with bottle main body 1633Y by opening A, and will discharge (along moving by the direction of arrow shown in the dotted line of Figure 67) from the toner that opening A discharges from toner outlet B.Shell 1634Y can not follow bottle rotation of main body 1633Y, but is being kept by the retained part of bottle rack 1631.
The block lid 34b of shell 1634Y is bonded on the circumferential surface of block 34a.Jaw 34b1 is arranged on the place, front of covering 34b.This jaw 34b1 engages with engagement member in being formed on bottle head of main body 1633Y, and a bottle main body 1633Y can be held with respect to shell 1634Y with relatively rotating thus.For a bottle main body 1633Y is rotated smoothly, the engagement member of the jaw 34b1 of shell 1634Y and bottle main body 1633Y is bonded with each other by keep suitable gap between them.
The adhesive region 34a3 that is bonded with seal 37 is with acting on the control section of control along the vibration of the radial direction of opening A.More particularly, the adhesive region 34a3 of shell 1634Y is according to facing to the parallel mode of the front end 33a of the bottle main body 1633Y of this adhesive region not forming.More particularly, adhesive region 34a3 is not the plane with respect to the rotation direction perpendicular of bottle main body 1633Y, but the conical surface.In addition, form greater than area as the area of one adhesive region 34a3 in the opposed area as the front end 33a of another opposed area.
According to top structure, though front end 33a (opening A) will with the rotation of bottle main body 1633Y explicitly under the situation of radial direction (direction vertical) vibration with sense of rotation, the adhesive region 34a3 that is bonded with seal 37 is controlling this motion.For example, even under the situation that front end 33a is just moving upward in Figure 67, act on the front end 33a of the upside that is arranged in adhesive region 34a3 along the power of the direction of downward pulling front end 33a (power that applies by seal 37), and this makes it possible to control moving upward of front end 33a.
Prevented the vibration of the opening A of bottle main body 1633Y along radial direction, and fixed the deformed shape (wanting the shape of seal clearance) of rubber-like seal 37 thus, thereby allowed under the situation that does not reduce its restoring force, to keep for a long time the sealing ability of seal 37.In other words, prevented from the such trouble in some gaps in the sealing area of seal 37, to occur owing to opening A causes along the vibration of radial direction.Therefore, suppressed toner and leaked, thereby prevented from advance to leak the waste of toner in the main body of imaging device 200 that is associated and the problem of toner contamination with toner from seal 37.
With reference to Figure 68 A and Figure 68 B and Figure 69 A and Figure 69 B toner bottle 1632Y is described with respect to the attaching/detaching operation of bottle rack 1631 below.Figure 68 A is being for seeing the synoptic diagram that how Yellow toner container 1632Y is installed in (along moving of the direction of arrow) on the toner container support 1631 from longitudinal direction, and Figure 68 B for when upside is seen that state the synoptic diagram of the part around the support 34c that is held part 1634Y.Figure 69 A is being for being installed in the synoptic diagram of (finishing installations) on the toner container support 1631 with toner container 1632Y when longitudinal direction is seen, and Figure 69 B be when upside is seen that state the synoptic diagram of a part of support 34c.
In the time of on the bottle rack 1631 that toner bottle 1632Y is installed in equipment body 200, the body cover (not shown) that at first will be located on the main body front (at rear side on the paper of Figure 63) of the main body of imaging device 200 is opened so that toner container support 1631 exposes.Then, with reference to Figure 68 A and 68B, toner container 1632Y is pushed into toner container support 1631 (along moving of the direction of arrow).Then, when two ends of the gate support 34c of toner bottle 1633Y were by retained part 73 guiding, toner bottle 1632Y was to the motion of the back side of bottle rack 1631.Gate 34d is according to being inserted into the mode movement of being released by toner delivery pipe 70 relatively in the through hole of gate support 34c with front end with toner delivery pipe 70.The stationkeeping of shell 1634Y is in such position, and gate support 34c is resisted against on the retained part 73 there, and gate 34d opens toner outlet B fully simultaneously.By this operation, with the same shown in the 69B, the toner supply opening 70a of the toner of toner bottle 1632Y outlet B and toner delivery pipe 70 is interconnected, and has finished the fitting operation of toner bottle 1632Y as Figure 69 A.
When in the bottle rack 1631 of wanting slave unit main body 200, toner bottle 1632Y being taken out, according to opposite mode be installed carry out this operation.In this case, toner delivery pipe 70 also synchronously separates with gate 34d with this operation, thereby toner bottle 1632Y separates with retained part 73, and gate 34d moves to the position that is used for closing by the biasing force of compression spring toner outlet B.
As mentioned above, the 14 embodiment is provided with and is used for controlling the adhesive region 34a3 of the opening A of bottle main bodys along the vibration of radial direction with seal 37.Therefore, but improved operability/workability when toner bottle is changed, even and in toner bottle, be equipped with and also can prevent under the situation of a large amount of toners toner to occur and leak (toner sheds) along with the time.
In the 14 embodiment, in each bottle main body of toner bottle 1632Y, 1632M, 1632C and 1632K, toner only is housed, but, in each bottle main body of toner bottle 1632Y, 1632M, 1632C and 1632K, also comprise double component developing providing under the situation of the double component developing that comprises toner and carrier for each developing apparatus.Even in this case, by being provided for coming together to control the adhesive region of the opening A of bottle main body, thereby can prevent that developer from leaking out from the bottle main body along the vibration of radial direction with seal 37.
In the 14 embodiment, control section 34a3 is located on the shell 1634Y side, but control section also can be located on bottle main body 1633Y side.In addition, seal 37 also can be bonded on the front end 33a of bottle main body 1633Y.Even in these situations, also can obtain the effect identical with the 14 embodiment.
The 15 embodiment
With reference to Figure 70 the 15 embodiment of the present invention is elaborated below.Figure 70 is the cut-open view according to the part of the toner bottle of the 15 embodiment, and it is with corresponding according to that of Figure 67 of the 14 embodiment.The difference of the 15 embodiment and the 14 embodiment is, as the shape of the adhesive region 34a3 of control section.
Shown in Figure 70, similar with the 14 embodiment, comprise bottle main body 1733Y and shell 1734Y according to the toner bottle 1732Y of the 15 embodiment.In addition, shell 1734Y has and is used for the seal 37 bonding adhesive region 34a3 as containment member (control section) thereon.Adhesive region 34a3 according to the 15 embodiment forms V-arrangement, and this shape with the 14 embodiment is different.Adhesive region 34a3 with bonding seal 37 thereon is with acting on the control section of control opening A along the vibration of radial direction.
More particularly, the bonding region 34a3 that forms V-arrangement forms according to a kind of like this mode, thereby it is not with parallel facing to the front end 33a of the bottle main body 1733Y of this adhesive region and greater than the area of front end 33a.According to top structure, the adhesive region 34a3 with bonding seal 37 thereon controlling will be along with the rotation of bottle main body 1733Y along the motion of the front end 33a (opening A) of radial direction vibration.For example, even under the situation that front end 33a will move upward in Figure 70, act on the front end 33a at the place, an end of the V-arrangement of adhesive region 34a3 along the power of downward pulling front end 33a (power that applies by seal 37), and this has controlled moving upward of front end 33a.
Control opening A is along the vibration of radial direction, even make the sealing ability that also can keep seal 37 after long-time reliably thus like this.Therefore, suppressed toner and leaked out, thereby prevented from advance to leak the waste of toner in the main body of imaging device 200 be associated and the problem of toner contamination with toner from seal 37.
As mentioned above, the 15 embodiment also is provided with and is used for controlling the adhesive region 34a3 of the opening A of bottle main body 1733Y along the radial direction vibration with seal 37.Therefore, but improved operability/workability when toner bottle 1732Y changes, even and in toner bottle 1732Y, be equipped with under the situation of a large amount of toners and can prevent that also the toner that occurs along with the time from leaking (toner sheds).
The 16 embodiment
With reference to Figure 71 the 16 embodiment of the present invention is described below.Figure 71 is the cut-open view according to the part of the toner bottle of the 16 embodiment, and it is with corresponding according to that of Figure 67 of the 14 embodiment.The difference of the 16 embodiment and the 14 embodiment is, as the shape of the adhesive region 34a3 of control section.
Shown in Figure 71, similar with the 14 embodiment, comprise bottle main body 1833Y and shell 1834Y according to the toner bottle 1832Y of the 16 embodiment.In addition, shell 1834Y has and is used for the seal 37 bonding adhesive region 34a3 as containment member (control section) thereon.Similar with the 14 embodiment, form taper according to the adhesive region 34a3 of the 16 embodiment, but the direction of tapering part forms different with the tenth cubic case.Adhesive region 34a3 with bonding seal 37 thereon is with acting on the control section of control opening A along the vibration of radial direction.
More particularly, the bonding region 34a3 that forms taper forms according to a kind of like this mode, thereby it is not with parallel facing to the front end 33a of the bottle main body 1833Y of this adhesive region and greater than the area of front end 33a.According to top structure, have bonding adhesive region 34a3 thereon controlling will be along with the rotation of bottle main body 1833Y along the motion of the front end 33a (opening A) of radial direction vibration.For example, even under the situation that front end 33a will move upward in Figure 71, act on the front end 33a at the downside of adhesive region 34a3 along the power of downward pulling front end 33a (power that applies by seal 37), and this has controlled moving upward of front end 33a.
Control opening A is along the vibration of radial direction, even make the sealing ability that also can keep seal 37 after long-time reliably thus like this.Therefore, suppressed toner and leaked, thereby prevented from advance to leak the waste of toner in the main body of imaging device 200 that is associated and the problem of toner contamination with toner from seal 37.
As mentioned above, the 16 embodiment also is provided with and is used for controlling the adhesive region 34a3 of the opening A of bottle main body 1833Y along the vibration of radial direction with seal 37.Therefore, but improved operability/workability when toner bottle 1832Y changes, even and in toner bottle 1832Y, be equipped with and also can prevent under the situation of a large amount of toners toner to occur and leak (toner sheds) along with the time.
Obviously, the present invention can not be subjected to the restriction of these embodiments, and can change these embodiments outside the proposed projects in these embodiments in technical conceive scope of the present invention in case of necessity.In addition, the number of these parts, position and shape can not be subjected to the restriction of these embodiments, and therefore for enforcement of the present invention, can carry out suitable change to these.
The present invention includes to be located to be held and be used for mechanically in the part or help help element, and help element to be located in the upside of vertical direction with respect to the toner outlet with respect to the fitting operation of toner container support in electric mode.
Helping element is the electronic unit that is used for storing the information relevant with toner container.
This electronic unit carries out contactless communication with the telecommunication circuit that is located in the toner container support, and the maintained portion branch remains in the toner container support simultaneously.
This electronic unit is installed on the toner container support according to the mode that is provided with more forward than the toner outlet.
The maintained portion branch comprises the jut that stretches out to pan straddle along installation direction, and electronic unit is located at as on jut and the plane vertical with installation direction.
Jut comprises the wall portion that covers round electronic unit.
Electronic component, stores have be contained in container body in the relevant information of toner and with recycling relevant information at least one.
Help element for be located at the toner container support in the bonding part that engages of align member.
This bonding part synchronously engages with align member with fitting operation with respect to the toner container support.
The bonding part is located near the toner outlet.
Help element for be located at bossing or the recessed portion in the diverse location according to the toner container type.
When correct with respect to the fitting operation of toner container support, bossing or recessed portion and the mounting structure that is located in the toner container support are assembled together.
Bossing or recessed portion are located in the diverse location according to the toner color that is contained in the container body.
The package that is used to pack toner container constitutes according to the mode that can not be erected on the horizontal plane under the situation of the longitudinal direction that will be packaged in toner container wherein as vertical direction.
Package end face in a longitudinal direction forms any in inclined-plane, sphere and the band angle head portion.
The manufacture method that is used to recycle toner container comprises and is used for removing the demolishing process that is held part, be used for demolishing process after with the filling process of toner or developer filling containers body interior and be used for will being held the fixation procedure that partly is fixed on the container body after filling process from container body.
Other manufacture method that recycles toner container comprise be used for container body form through hole machining process, be used for by through hole with the filling process of toner or developer filling containers body interior be used for after filling process, sealing the seal process of through hole.
The toner container that removably is located in the toner container support of imaging equipment body comprises container body, and it will be contained in wherein toner from opening and discharge and have and driven wheel meshed gears the main body of imaging device; And be held part, it will be discharged from the toner that the opening of container body is discharged from the toner outlet, and keeping according to not rotatable mode by the toner container support, wherein when driven wheel rotates, be held part by the power biased downward that is applied to from driven wheel on the gear.
The gear of container body and the driven wheel optional position in the scope of having rotated 1/4 position of changeing from the top part of gear to it is meshing with each other.
The maintained portion branch comprises by being applied to power biased downward on the gear with the contact portion of contact toner container support.
The maintained portion branch comprises the slipper that synchronously slides along the toner container support with the attaching/detaching operation of carrying out with respect to the toner container support, and contact portion is a slipper.
The toner container that removably is located in the toner container support of imaging equipment body comprises container body, and it will be contained in wherein toner from opening and discharge and have and driven wheel meshed gears the main body of imaging device; And be held part, it will be discharged from the toner that the opening of container body is discharged from the toner outlet, and kept according to not rotatable mode by the toner container support, wherein said gear is according to being provided with being positioned at the mode that position on the side relative with the toner outlet along vertical direction and driven wheel mesh by opening.
Toner outlet is located at along vertical direction with respect in the open underside, and described gear according to be provided with along the mode of vertical direction with respect to the engagement of the driven wheel in the open upper side.
The toner container that removably is located in the toner container support of imaging equipment body comprises container body, and it is discharged from the toner that opening will be contained in wherein; And be held part, it will be discharged from the toner that the opening of container body is discharged from the toner outlet, and kept according to not rotatable mode by the toner container support, the toner outlet that wherein is held part is located at along with respect to the installation direction container main body of toner container support more in the position of back.
The toner container that removably is located in the toner container support of imaging equipment body comprises container body, and it is discharged from the toner that opening will be contained in wherein; And be held part, it will be discharged from the toner that the opening of container body is discharged from the toner outlet, and kept according to not rotatable mode by the toner container support, the toner outlet that wherein is held part is located in the lower downside of the opening of vertical direction container main body.
Being held part is installed on the toner container support according to the mode of the head that is provided as container body.
Opening is arranged on such position, thus when the fitting operation of toner container support as the head of container body.
From imaging equipment body rotary driving force being delivered to gear on it is located on the circumferential surface of container body and is positioned near the opening.
Container body rotates the toner that synchronously will be contained in wherein with the gear that causes by the rotary driving force that is delivered on it and carries towards opening.
Container body comprises that the gear rotation that is used for and causes by the rotary driving force that is delivered on it synchronously will be contained in the transfer member that toner is wherein carried towards opening.
Toner so forms, thereby keeps following relational expression,
3≤Dv≤8
1.00≤Dn≤1.40
Wherein Dv (μ m) is a volume average particle size, and Dn (μ m) is the quantity mean grain size.
So form toner, thus shape coefficient SF-1 in 100 to 180 scope, and shape coefficient SF-2 is in 100 to 180 scope.
In imaging device, toner container removably is located in the toner container support of imaging equipment body.
The toner container that removably is located in the toner container support of imaging equipment body comprises container body, and it is discharged from the toner that opening will be contained in wherein; And be held part, it will be discharged from the toner that the opening of container body is discharged from the toner outlet, and keeping according to not rotatable mode by the toner container support, wherein container body is installed on the toner container support along the longitudinal direction of container body, thereby the maintained portion branch is provided with as the head of container body along installation direction, the maintained portion branch comprises and being used for and the opening/closing member of operating the outlet of opening/closing toner synchronously with respect to the attaching/detaching of toner container support, and container body is included in the grip portion in the back side of installation direction.
This grip portion is located in the rear end face of container body.
Grip portion is according to forming in the central point symmetrical manner with respect to rear end face when the attaching/detaching direction is seen.
This grip portion so forms, thereby its projecting plane vertical with the attaching/detaching direction can not exceed the projecting plane of the container body vertical with the attaching/detaching direction.
The container body spiral fashion teat in the circumferential surface that included can rotate, and carry towards opening with the toner that its rotational synchronization ground will be contained in wherein, and grip portion is formed on the rotation axis of centres of container body simultaneously.
The toner container that removably is located in the toner container support of imaging equipment body comprises container body, and it is discharged from the toner that opening will be contained in wherein; And be held part, it will be discharged from the toner that the opening of container body is discharged from the toner outlet, and kept according to not rotatable mode by the toner container support, wherein container body comprises the grip portion that is located on relative with the position that the is provided with opening in a longitudinal direction side.
Toner container so is installed on the toner container support, thereby the maintained portion branch is provided with the rear end that head and grip portion as container body are positioned at container body.
Grip portion has the hole with the container body internal communication.
Grip portion has the containment member that is used to seal this hole.
Grip portion comprises hook portions, is used for container body being hooked in filling machine by described hole during with toner filling containers main body.
The toner container that removably is located in the toner container support of imaging equipment body comprises container body, and it is discharged from the toner that opening will be contained in wherein; And be held part, it will be discharged from the toner that the opening of container body is discharged from the toner outlet, and keeping according to not rotatable mode by the toner container support, wherein container body is installed on the toner container support along the longitudinal direction of container body, thereby the maintained portion branch is provided with as the head of container body along installation direction, and container body is being positioned at position on the back side of installation direction by the support member support of toner container support.
The longitudinal direction of container body is being installed in container body on the toner container support under as the situation of horizontal direction, and supporting member is supporting container body in two positions of the oblique downside that is arranged in container body.
Be held part and when carrying out attaching/detaching, can not contact supporting member with respect to the toner container support.
The projecting plane that be held part vertical with the attaching/detaching direction can not exceed the projecting plane of container body along the attaching/detaching direction near supporting member.
The container body spiral fashion teat in the circumferential surface that included, can rotate, and carry towards opening with the toner that its rotational synchronization ground will be contained in wherein, simultaneously container body in the zone that it is supported rotationally by supporting member without any teat.
Plug member exports with the opening/closing toner along the attaching/detaching direction relative motion that is held part.
Plug member is located in the open underside.
Be held part and have the slidably package of the external peripheral surface of contact plunger member and nozzle.
Toner outlet is located at along with respect to the installation direction container main body of toner container support more in the side of back.
Container body comprises on the circumferential surface that is positioned at container body and the gear of close opening.
The method that manufacturing is removably disposed in the toner container in the toner container support of imaging equipment body is that toner container comprises container body, and it is discharged from the toner that opening will be contained in wherein; And be held part, it will be discharged from the toner that the opening of container body is discharged from the toner outlet, and keeping according to not rotatable mode by the toner container support, container body comprises the grip portion that is located on relative with the position that the is provided with opening in a longitudinal direction side, and this method comprises machining process, thereby promptly forms this hole, hole and container body internal communication in grip portion; And filling process, promptly by described hole toner filling containers main body.
This method of making toner container also is included in the seal process that filling process seals described hole afterwards.
In filling process, toner container uses the hook portions of grip portion to be hooked on the filling machine.
The toner bottle that is removably disposed in the bottle rack of imaging equipment body comprises a bottle main body, and it can rotate and with its rotational synchronization ground the toner that is mounted in it be carried towards opening; Shell, it is communicated with the bottle main body by opening, will discharge from the toner that opening is discharged from the toner outlet, and kept by bottle rack under the situation of the rotation that can not follow bottle main body; Containment member, it is sealing in around openings and the gap between the opposed area of bottle main body and shell; And control section, be used for controlling the vibration of opening along radial direction with containment member.
The opposed area of bottle main body and shell forms according to the mode that is not parallel to each other, and so forms, thereby an area in the opposed area is greater than the area of another opposed area.Control section is in the opposed area that is formed in shell or the bottle main body, and is controlling another opposed area moving along its radial direction with seal.
One in the opposed area is taper.
One in the opposed area forms V-arrangement.
Containment member is bonded on the control section.
In imaging device, toner bottle is removably mounted on the bottle rack of imaging equipment body, and bottle rack comprises the retained part that is used for fixing enclosure location and is used to make bottle driver element of main body rotation.
Claims (11)
1. toner container is connected on the toner container support of main body of imaging device, and described toner container comprises:
Container body is used to hold toner;
Block is being kept by the toner container support according to not rotatable mode;
Outlet is arranged on the described block, is used to discharge toner, and be arranged to, when described toner container being connected on the described toner container support, if described toner container is installed to the horizontal nozzles of imaging device, then described outlet is towards vertical direction;
Plug member is used for and the synchronously described outlet of opening/closing of the operation that is connected or separates described toner container and described toner container support;
Gear is exposed to the outside of described toner container to small part; With
Transfer member is used for carrying along with the rotation of described gear the toner of described toner container,
Wherein, whether described container body or not when described gear rotates.
2. toner container as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described block is fixed in described container body.
3. toner container as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described transfer member is a coil.
4. toner container as claimed in claim 1 wherein, also comprises the opening that is arranged in described container body, is used for along with the rotation of described gear and described transfer member is discharged toner from described container body.
5. toner container as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described gear is arranged near the described opening.
6. toner container as claimed in claim 5, wherein, described gear is arranged to the head around described container body.
7. toner container as claimed in claim 1 wherein, also comprises the turning axle integrally formed with described gear.
8. toner container as claimed in claim 7, wherein, described transfer member is connected to described turning axle.
9. toner container as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described container body inside does not have the spirality teat.
10. toner container as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described gear rotates by engaging with the driver element of described imaging device.
11. toner container as claimed in claim 1 wherein, also comprises the toner that is contained in the described container body.
Applications Claiming Priority (26)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2005129866A JP4368331B2 (en) | 2005-04-27 | 2005-04-27 | Toner bottle and image forming apparatus |
| JP129866/05 | 2005-04-27 | ||
| JP2005179200 | 2005-06-20 | ||
| JP179200/05 | 2005-06-20 | ||
| JP2005180082 | 2005-06-21 | ||
| JP180082/05 | 2005-06-21 | ||
| JP180153/05 | 2005-06-21 | ||
| JP2005180153 | 2005-06-21 | ||
| JP181371/05 | 2005-06-22 | ||
| JP2005181371 | 2005-06-22 | ||
| JP2005191090 | 2005-06-30 | ||
| JP191090/05 | 2005-06-30 | ||
| JP2005198355 | 2005-07-07 | ||
| JP198355/05 | 2005-07-07 | ||
| JP2005223438 | 2005-08-01 | ||
| JP223438/05 | 2005-08-01 | ||
| JP302636/05 | 2005-10-18 | ||
| JP2005302636 | 2005-10-18 | ||
| JP311112/05 | 2005-10-26 | ||
| JP311787/05 | 2005-10-26 | ||
| JP2005311112 | 2005-10-26 | ||
| JP315311/05 | 2005-10-28 | ||
| JP346038/05 | 2005-11-30 | ||
| JP021362/06 | 2006-01-30 | ||
| JP026258/06 | 2006-02-02 | ||
| JP029859/06 | 2006-02-07 |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNB2006800001915A Division CN100555107C (en) | 2005-04-27 | 2006-04-27 | Toner container and imaging device |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN101639650A true CN101639650A (en) | 2010-02-03 |
| CN101639650B CN101639650B (en) | 2012-06-13 |
Family
ID=37475760
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN2009101730532A Active CN101639650B (en) | 2005-04-27 | 2006-04-27 | Toner container and image forming device |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP4368331B2 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN101639650B (en) |
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Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP2006308781A (en) | 2006-11-09 |
| CN101639650B (en) | 2012-06-13 |
| JP4368331B2 (en) | 2009-11-18 |
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