CN108227436B

CN108227436B - Toner container and image forming apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN108227436B
Application number: CN201711297278.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 三村大辅; 福间信宏
Original assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc
Current assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2016-12-09
Filing date: 2017-12-08
Publication date: 2021-08-13
Anticipated expiration: 2037-12-08
Also published as: AU2017272313A1; CN108227436A; RU2664790C1; AU2017272313B2

Abstract

The invention provides a toner container and an image forming apparatus. A toner container of the present invention includes a container body, a rotating member, a transmission member, and a moving mechanism. The container body contains toner. The rotating member is housed in the container body and rotates about a rotating shaft. The transmission member is disposed outside the container body and transmits rotation to the rotating member. The moving mechanism moves the transmission member between a first position and a second position located outward of the first position in the direction of the rotation axis. The moving mechanism has a holding member that holds the transmission member. The transmission member moves between the first position and the second position as the holding member is movable relative to the container body.

Description

Toner container and image forming apparatus

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a toner container and an image forming apparatus having the same.

Background

An image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction machine has a toner container for supplying toner (developer) to a developing device. For example, there is a toner container having a container main body, a rotating member, and a transmission member, wherein the container main body contains toner; the rotating component is accommodated in the container body and rotates around the rotating shaft; the transmission member is disposed outside the container body and transmits rotation to the rotating member. In such a toner container, rotation is transmitted from the transmission member to the rotating member, whereby the rotating member agitates or conveys toner in the container main body.

When the toner container is used, the transmission member is intended to be moved outward in the rotation axis direction to a position where the transmission member can receive a rotational driving force from an external driving source in order to transmit the rotation to the rotating member. However, if the operation for moving the transmission member outward in the rotation axis direction is complicated, the burden on the operator who performs the work of attaching and detaching the toner container may increase.

Disclosure of Invention

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to move a transmission member outward in a rotation axis direction by a simple operation.

A toner container according to an aspect of the present invention includes a container body, a rotating member, a transmission member, and a moving mechanism. The container body contains toner. The rotating member is housed in the container body and rotates about a rotating shaft. The transmission member is disposed outside the container body and transmits rotation to the rotating member. The moving mechanism moves the transmission member between a first position and a second position located outward of the first position in the direction of the rotation axis. The moving mechanism has a holding member that holds the transmission member. The transmission member moves between the first position and the second position as the holding member is movable relative to the container body.

An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes the toner container and a mounting portion to which the toner container is mounted.

A toner container according to an aspect of the present invention is attached to an attachment portion of an image forming apparatus. The toner container has a container body, a rotating member, a transmission member, and a moving mechanism. The container body contains toner. The rotating member is housed in the container body and rotates about a rotating shaft. The transmission member is disposed outside the container body and transmits rotation to the rotating member. The moving mechanism moves the transmission member between a first position and a second position located outward of the first position in the direction of the rotation axis. The moving mechanism has a holding member that holds the transmission member. The mounting portion has a restricting portion that restricts rotation of the holding member by coming into contact with the holding member. The transmission member moves from the first position to the second position as the container body rotates relative to the holding member in a state where the restricting portion abuts against the holding member.

An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a toner container and a mounting portion to which the toner container is mounted. The toner container has a container body, a rotating member, a transmission member, and a moving mechanism. The container body contains toner. The rotating member is housed in the container body and rotates about a rotating shaft. The transmission member is disposed outside the container body and transmits rotation to the rotating member. The moving mechanism moves the transmission member between a first position and a second position located outward of the first position in the direction of the rotation axis. The moving mechanism has a holding member that holds the transmission member. The mounting portion has a restricting portion that restricts rotation of the holding member by coming into contact with the holding member. The transmission member moves from the first position to the second position as the container body rotates relative to the holding member in a state where the restricting portion abuts against the holding member.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a right side portion of a toner cartridge and a right side portion of a mounting portion according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a toner cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a container main body of a toner cartridge is positioned at a first rotational position in the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a container main body of a toner cartridge is located at a second rotational position in the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a support member, a transmission member, a moving mechanism, and a cover member in the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the transmission member is located at the first position in the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the transmission member is located at the second position in the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the holding member is positioned at the first holding position in the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is an X-X sectional view of fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which the holding member is located at the second holding position in the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view XII-XII of fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which the top cover and the front cover are closed in the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing a state in which the top cover and the front cover are opened in the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing a right side portion of the mounting portion according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a toner cartridge is inserted to a predetermined position of a mounting portion in the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the toner cartridge is attached to the mounting portion and the container body is positioned at the first rotational position in the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the toner cartridge is attached to the mounting portion and the container body is positioned at the second rotational position in the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the holding member is positioned at the first holding position in the toner cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the holding member is located at the second holding position in the toner cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a container main body of a toner cartridge is positioned at a first rotational position in a printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a container main body of a toner cartridge is located at a second rotational position in a printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 23 is a perspective view showing a state in which the operation member is positioned at the first operation position in the toner cartridge according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 24 is a perspective view showing a state in which the operation member is located at the second operation position in the toner cartridge according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 25 is a perspective view showing a state in which the holding member is positioned at the first holding position in the toner cartridge according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 26 is a perspective view showing a state in which the holding member is located at the second holding position in the toner cartridge according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

< embodiment 1 >

A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to fig. 1 to 18.

First, the overall configuration of the printer 1 (an example of an image forming apparatus) will be described. For convenience of explanation, the left side in fig. 1 is taken as the front side of the printer 1. Further, arrows Fr, Rr, L, R, U, Lo appropriately marked in the respective drawings indicate the front side, the rear side, the left side, the right side, the upper side, and the lower side of the printer 1, respectively.

Referring to fig. 1, a printer 1 includes a box-shaped printer main body 2 (an example of an apparatus main body). A paper feed cassette 3 for storing paper S (an example of a recording medium) is housed in a lower portion of the printer main body 2. A paper output tray 4 is provided on the upper surface of the printer main body 2. An exposure unit 5 is housed in the upper portion of the printer main body 2 below the sheet discharge tray 4.

A conveyance path P for the sheet S is provided inside the printer main body 2. A paper feed unit 6 is provided at an upstream end of the conveyance path P. An image forming unit 7 is provided in the midstream section of the conveyance path P. The image forming portion 7 has a photosensitive drum 8 and a developing device 10. A fixing device 12 is provided in a downstream portion of the conveying path P.

A toner cartridge 15 (an example of a toner container) is housed in an upper front portion of the printer main body 2. The toner cartridge 15 is detachably mounted to the mounting portion 16.

Next, the operation of the printer 1 having such a configuration will be described.

First, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 8 by laser light (see the two-dot chain line in fig. 1) from the exposure unit 5. Next, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 8 is developed by the developing device 10 to form a toner image. Accordingly, the image forming operation is completed.

On the other hand, the sheet S taken out of the sheet cassette 3 by the sheet feeding unit 6 is conveyed to the image forming unit 7 in synchronization with the above-described image forming operation, and the above-described toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 8 to the sheet S in the image forming unit 7. The sheet S on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the downstream side in the conveying path P, enters the fixing device 12, and the toner image is fixed to the sheet S in the fixing device 12. The sheet S with the toner image fixed thereon is discharged from the downstream end of the conveying path P to the sheet discharge tray 4.

Next, the toner cartridge 15 will be further described.

Arrow O, which is appropriately noted in each of fig. 2 and subsequent thereto, indicates the outside of the toner cartridge 15 in the left-right direction, and arrow I, which is appropriately noted in each of fig. 2 and subsequent thereto, indicates the inside of the toner cartridge 15 in the left-right direction.

Referring to fig. 2 and 3, the toner cartridge 15 includes a container main body 21, an agitating member 22 (an example of a rotating member), a conveying member 23 (an example of a rotating member), a support member 24, a transmission member 25, a moving mechanism 26, a cover member 27, a shutter member 28, and a connecting member 29, wherein the agitating member 22 is housed in a central portion of the container main body 21; the conveying member 23 is housed in the rear lower portion of the container body 21; the support member 24 is disposed on the right end side of the container body 21; the transmission member 25 and the moving mechanism 26 are disposed on the right side (outside in the left-right direction) of the support member 24; the lid member 27 covers the right side (the outside in the left-right direction) of the container body 21; the shutter member 28 is disposed on the rear lower side of the right side portion of the container body 21; the connecting member 29 is disposed on the rear lower side of the support member 24.

Referring to fig. 4 and 5, the container body 21 of the toner cartridge 15 is rotatably provided between a first rotational position (see fig. 4) and a second rotational position (see fig. 5) in a state where the toner cartridge 15 is mounted on the mounting portion 16 (details will be described later). Hereinafter, with respect to the container body 21, terms indicating the up-down, left-right, front-back, and other directions are used with reference to the state in which the container body 21 is located at the second rotational position. Further, an arrow RD1 appropriately marked in the drawings indicates a rotation direction when container body 21 rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position (hereinafter referred to as "rotation direction RD 1").

Referring to fig. 2 and 3, the container body 21 is long in the left-right direction. The container main body 21 contains toner (developer). The container body 21 includes a housing portion 31 and a lid portion 32 provided above the housing portion 31.

The storage portion 31 of the container body 21 has a box shape with an open upper side. A discharge port 33 for discharging toner is provided at a right rear portion of the bottom wall 31Lo of the housing portion 31. An engaging portion 34 protruding to the left (outside in the left-right direction) is provided at the center of the left side wall 31L of the housing portion 31. A support hole 35 is provided in the center of the right side wall 31R of the storage portion 31. A lower flange 36 is provided on the outer periphery of the upper end of the storage portion 31.

The lid portion 32 of the container main body 21 has a box shape with an open lower side. An upper flange 37 is provided on the outer periphery of the lower end of the cover 32. The upper flange 37 is fixed to the lower flange 36 of the housing 31. Accordingly, the housing portion 31 and the lid portion 32 are integrated. The inner space of the lid 32 communicates with the inner space of the storage 31.

Referring to fig. 3, the stirring member 22 of the toner cartridge 15 is housed in the housing portion 31 of the container main body 21. The stirring member 22 is provided to be rotatable about a first rotation axis X extending in the left-right direction. That is, in the present embodiment, the left-right direction is the rotation axis direction of the stirring member 22. The stirring member 22 has a stirring shaft 40 extending in the left-right direction and a stirring blade 41 attached to the stirring shaft 40. The stirring blade 41 is made of a resin sheet, for example, and has a sheet shape.

The conveying member 23 of the toner cartridge 15 is housed in the housing portion 31 of the container main body 21. The conveyance member 23 is provided to be rotatable about a second rotation axis Y extending in the left-right direction. That is, in the present embodiment, the left-right direction is the rotation axis direction of the conveying member 23. The conveying member 23 includes a conveying shaft 43 extending in the left-right direction and a spiral conveying blade 44 provided to protrude from the outer periphery of the conveying shaft 43.

Referring to fig. 6, the support member 24 of the toner cartridge 15 has an annular exposed piece 47, a connecting piece 48, a projecting piece 49, and a pair of insertion pieces 50, wherein the connecting piece 48 projects to the left (inside in the left-right direction) from the central portion of the exposed piece 47; the projecting piece 49 projects rightward (outward in the left-right direction) from the center of the exposed piece 47; the pair of insertion pieces 50 protrude from the exposure piece 47 to the right side (the left-right direction outer side) on the outer periphery of the boss piece 49.

Referring to fig. 3, the exposure piece 47 of the support member 24 is disposed on the right side (outside in the left-right direction) of the storage section 31 of the container body 21 and exposed to the outside of the container body 21. A drive gear 52 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the exposure piece 47.

The connecting piece 48 of the support member 24 is inserted through the support hole 35 provided in the right side wall 31R of the storage portion 31 of the container body 21. Accordingly, the support member 24 is rotatably supported by the container main body 21. The connecting piece 48 is inserted at its distal end into the housing portion 31 and fixed to the right end of the stirring shaft 40 of the stirring member 22. Accordingly, the support member 24 is connected to the stirring member 22, and the support member 24 and the stirring member 22 are rotatable around the first rotation axis X integrally.

Referring to fig. 6, a hook 54 is provided at the right end (the end on the outer side in the left-right direction) of each insertion piece 50 of the support member 24. The hook 54 protrudes radially outward (away from the first rotation axis X).

Referring to fig. 7 and 8, the transmission member 25 of the toner cartridge 15 is disposed on the right side (outside in the left-right direction) of the storage portion 31 of the container main body 21 and outside the container main body 21. The transmission member 25 is provided so as to be linearly movable in the left-right direction between a first position (see fig. 7) and a second position (see fig. 8) on the right side (outside in the left-right direction) of the first position.

Referring to fig. 6, the transmission member 25 has a transmission piece 56, a cylindrical piece 57, a pair of protruding pieces 58, and a substantially annular fixing piece 59, wherein the cylindrical piece 57 protrudes leftward (leftward and rightward inward) from a central portion of the transmission piece 56; a pair of projecting pieces 58 projecting from the transmission strap 56 to the left (inside in the left-right direction) on the outer periphery of the cylindrical strap 57; the fixing piece 59 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the left side portion of the pair of protruding pieces 58. A transmission coupling 61 is provided on the right surface (the surface on the outer side in the left-right direction) of the transmission strap 56. The boss piece 49 of the support member 24 is inserted into the cylindrical piece 57. A pair of insertion grooves 62 are formed in the space formed by the pair of protruding pieces 58. The insertion pieces 50 of the support member 24 are inserted into the insertion grooves 62. With the above configuration, the transmission member 25 is supported by the support member 24 in a state in which it is movable in the left-right direction and relatively non-rotatable. The fixing piece 59 locks the hook 54 of each insertion piece 50. Accordingly, the insertion pieces 50 are prevented from being removed from the insertion grooves 62.

Referring to fig. 6, the movement mechanism 26 of the toner cartridge 15 includes a holding member 64 and a coil spring 65 (an example of an urging member).

Referring to fig. 9 to 12, the holding member 64 of the moving mechanism 26 is provided with: in a state where the toner cartridge 15 is detached from the mounting portion 16, the driving member 25 is rotatable between a first holding position (see fig. 9 and 10) for holding the driving member 25 at the first position and a second holding position (see fig. 11 and 12) for holding the driving member 25 at the second position. Further, an arrow RD2 appropriately marked in the drawings indicates a rotation direction (hereinafter referred to as "rotation direction RD 2") when the holding member 64 is rotated from the first holding position to the second holding position. In addition, the holding member 64 is provided: the toner cartridge 15 is mounted on the mounting portion 16 so as to be movable in the left-right direction between the first holding position and the second holding position.

Referring to fig. 6, the holding member 64 has a base portion 67, an arm portion 68, and a projection portion 69, wherein the arm portion 68 linearly extends from the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 67 to the radially outer side (the side away from the first rotation axis X); the projection 69 linearly extends rightward (outward in the left-right direction) from the radially outer end of the arm 68.

The base portion 67 of the holding member 64 is cylindrical with the first rotation axis X as the axis. A pair of protruding pieces 58 of the transmission member 25 are rotatably inserted into the inner periphery of the base portion 67. Accordingly, the base 67 rotatably holds the transmission member 25. The left edge (the edge on the left-right inner side) of the base portion 67 abuts against the fixing piece 59 of the transmission member 25.

A pair of guided portions 71 (only 1 on the front side in the drawing is shown in fig. 6) is provided so as to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 67 of the holding member 64. Each guided portion 71 has an inclined piece 72 and a non-inclined piece 73, and is substantially V-shaped, wherein the non-inclined piece 73 is provided downstream of the inclined piece 72 in the rotation direction RD 2. The inclined piece 72 is inclined rightward (leftward and rightward outward) from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the rotation direction RD 2. The non-inclined pieces 73 are arranged in the rotation direction RD 2.

Referring to fig. 7 and 8, the coil spring 65 of the moving mechanism 26 is installed between the support member 24 and the transmission member 25. The coil spring 65 is attached to the outer periphery of the cylindrical piece 57 of the transmission member 25. The coil spring 65 urges the transmission member 25 to the second position (see fig. 8) by pressing the transmission member 25 to the right (outward in the left-right direction), and urges the holding member 64 to the second holding position (see fig. 11 and 12).

Referring to fig. 7 and 8, the cover member 27 of the toner cartridge 15 has a flat plate-like main wall 75, a guide wall 76, an engagement wall 77, and a peripheral wall 78, wherein the guide wall 76 and the engagement wall 77 are disposed on the center side of the main wall 75; the peripheral wall 78 is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the main wall 75.

The main wall 75 of the cover member 27 is disposed along a plane intersecting the first rotation axis X. A circular through hole 79 is provided in the center of the main wall 75. Referring to fig. 2, a notch 80 is provided in the lower portions of the main wall 75 and the peripheral wall 78, and the projection 69 of the holding member 64 penetrates the notch 80. Accordingly, the tip end portion of the boss portion 69 is exposed to the right side (the left-right direction outer side) of the cover member 27.

Referring to fig. 10 and 12, the guide wall 76 of the cover member 27 is cylindrical. The guide wall 76 protrudes leftward (leftward and rightward) from the main wall 75 at the outer periphery of the through hole 79. The base portion 67 of the holding member 64 is inserted into the guide wall 76. Accordingly, the cover member 27 rotatably supports the holding member 64.

A pair of guide portions 82 (only the front 1 in fig. 10 and 12) are provided at the left edge portion (the inner edge portion in the left-right direction) of the guide wall 76 of the cover member 27. Each guide portion 82 has an upstream-side inclined portion 83, a downstream-side inclined portion 84, and a non-inclined portion 85, wherein the downstream-side inclined portion 84 is provided on the downstream side of the upstream-side inclined portion 83 in the rotation direction RD 2; the non-inclined portion 85 is provided on the downstream side of the downstream-side inclined portion 84 in the rotation direction RD 2. The upstream-side inclined portion 83 and the downstream-side inclined portion 84 are inclined rightward (leftward and rightward outward) from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the rotation direction RD 2. The inclination of the upstream-side inclined portion 83 with respect to the rotating direction RD2 is smaller than the inclination of the inclined pieces 72 of the guided portions 71 provided to the base portion 67 of the holding member 64 with respect to the rotating direction RD 2. The inclination of the downstream-side inclined portion 84 with respect to the rotation direction RD2 is the same as the inclined piece 72. The non-inclined portion 85 is provided in the rotation direction RD 2.

Referring to fig. 9 and 11, the engaging wall 77 of the cover member 27 protrudes rightward (outward in the left-right direction) from the main wall 75 on the outer periphery of the through hole 79. The engaging wall 77 includes a square cylindrical outer tube 88 and a cylindrical inner tube 89 provided on the inner periphery of the outer tube 88.

Referring to fig. 4 and 5, the shutter member 28 of the toner cartridge 15 is curved in an arc shape along the outer surface of the container body 21 of the container 31. The shutter member 28 is provided to be able to open and close the discharge port 33 of the housing portion 31.

Referring to fig. 3, the connecting member 29 of the toner cartridge 15 has a connecting shaft 91 and a connecting gear 92 provided on the outer periphery of the connecting shaft 91. The connecting shaft 91 penetrates the right side wall 31R of the storage portion 31 of the container body 21 and is fixed to the right end of the conveying shaft 43 of the conveying member 23. The connecting gear 92 is disposed on the right side (outside in the left-right direction) of the storage section 31 of the container body 21 and is exposed to the outside of the container body 21. The connecting gear 92 is connected to the drive gear 52 of the exposed piece 47 of the support member 24 via an idler gear 93. With the above-described structure, the support member 24 is connected to the conveying member 23 via the idler pulley 93 and the connecting member 29.

Next, the mounting portion 16 will be further described.

Referring to fig. 13 and 14, the upper side of the mounting portion 16 is covered by an openable top cover 100, and the front side of the mounting portion 16 is covered by an openable front cover 101. The toner cartridge 15 can be attached to and detached from the mounting portion 16 by opening the top cover 100 and the front cover 101. Referring to fig. 14, the toner cartridge 15 is detachably mounted to the mounting portion 16 in a mounting direction Z from the upper side toward the lower side.

Referring to fig. 15, the mounting portion 16 includes a pair of left and right frames 103 (only the right frame 103 is shown in fig. 15) and a drive coupling 104 disposed substantially at the center of the right frame 103.

An installation groove 110 is provided on an inner surface of each frame 103 of the installation portion 16. The mounting groove 110 has a first groove 111, a second groove 112, and a third groove 113, wherein the second groove 112 is provided on the deep side in the mounting direction Z of the first groove 111; the third groove 113 is provided on the deep side in the mounting direction Z of the second groove 112. The width of the first groove 111 is narrowed toward the depth side in the mounting direction. The width of the second groove 112 is narrower than the widths of the first groove 111 and the third groove 113.

A communication hole 114 is provided in the inner surface of the right frame 103 at a position corresponding to the third groove 113. An insertion groove 115 is provided on the inner surface of the right frame 103. A restricting portion 116 is provided on the surface on the depth side in the mounting direction Z of the insertion groove 115.

Referring to fig. 7 and 8, the drive coupling 104 of the mounting portion 16 is exposed through the communication hole 114 of the right frame 103. The drive coupling 104 is rotatably held by a holding member 118. The drive coupling 104 is connected to a drive source 119 constituted by a motor or the like.

Next, an operation of discharging toner from the toner cartridge 15 will be described.

Referring to fig. 3, when toner is discharged from the toner cartridge 15, the transmission coupling 61 of the transmission member 25 is connected to the drive coupling 104, and the drive source 119 is driven in a state where the discharge port 33 of the housing portion 31 is opened. Thus, when the drive source 119 is driven, the drive coupling 104 is rotated by the rotational drive force from the drive source 119. When the driving coupling 104 rotates, the rotation is transmitted to the stirring member 22 by the transmission member 25 and the support member 24, thereby rotating the stirring member 22. Accordingly, the toner accommodated in the accommodating portion 31 is stirred by the stirring member 22.

When the drive coupling 104 rotates as described above, the rotation is transmitted to the conveying member 23 via the transmission member 25, the support member 24, the idler pulley 93, and the connection member 29, and the conveying member 23 is rotated. Accordingly, as shown by an arrow a in fig. 3, the toner accommodated in the accommodating portion 31 is conveyed to the discharge port 33 of the accommodating portion 31 by the conveying member 23. In this way, the toner conveyed to the discharge port 33 of the storage unit 31 is discharged from the discharge port 33 of the storage unit 31 to the outside of the toner cartridge 15. Further, the toner discharged to the outside of the toner cartridge 15 is supplied to the developing device 10 (see fig. 1).

Next, an operation of confirming the operation of the transmission member 25 by an operator such as a user or an after-sales person will be described.

When the toner cartridge 15 is detached from the mounting portion 16, the holding member 64 is positioned at the second holding position (see fig. 11 and 12), and the inclined portion 72 and the non-inclined portion 73 of the guided portion 71 of the holding member 64 are in contact with the downstream inclined portion 84 and the non-inclined portion 85 of the guide portion 82 of the cover member 27, respectively. The transmission member 25 is held at the second position (see fig. 8) by the holding member 64, and the transmission coupling 61 of the transmission member 25 protrudes to the right (outward in the left-right direction) from the engaging wall 77 of the cover member 27.

From this state, the operator presses the projection 69 of the holding member 64 upward. Accordingly, the holding member 64 rotates from the second holding position (see fig. 11 and 12) to the first holding position (see fig. 9 and 10) with respect to the container main body 21 against the biasing force of the coil spring 65. Accordingly, the inclined piece 72 of the guided portion 71 of the holding member 64 moves along the downstream inclined portion 84 of the guide portion 82 of the cover member 27, and the boundary portion between the inclined piece 72 and the non-inclined piece 73 of the guided portion 71 abuts against the upstream inclined portion 83 of the guide portion 82. Accordingly, the holding member 64 moves to the left (inward in the left-right direction), and the transmission member 25 held by the holding member 64 moves from the second position (see fig. 8) to the first position (see fig. 7). Accordingly, the transmission coupling 61 of the transmission member 25 recedes inside the engagement wall 77 of the cover member 27. In this state, the entire transmission member 25 is retracted inside the cover member 27.

Next, the operator releases the pressing of the boss 69 of the holding member 64. Accordingly, the holding member 64 is rotated from the first holding position (see fig. 9 and 10) to the second holding position (see fig. 11 and 12) with respect to the container main body 21 by the biasing force of the coil spring 65. Accordingly, the inclined piece 72 of the guided portion 71 of the holding member 64 moves along the downstream inclined portion 84 of the guide portion 82 of the cover member 27, and the inclined piece 72 and the non-inclined piece 73 of the guided portion 71 come into contact with the downstream inclined portion 84 and the non-inclined portion 85 of the guide portion 82, respectively. Accordingly, the holding member 64 moves to the right (outward in the left-right direction), and the transmission member 25 held by the holding member 64 moves from the first position (see fig. 7) to the second position (see fig. 8). Accordingly, the transmission coupling 61 of the transmission member 25 protrudes to the right (outward in the left-right direction) from the engagement wall 77 of the cover member 27.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the transmission member 25 moves between the first position and the second position as the holding member 64 rotates relative to the container body 21. By adopting such a configuration, the transmission member 25 can be moved in the left-right direction by a simple operation. Accordingly, the operator can easily confirm whether or not the transmission member 25 is operating normally.

Next, an operation of setting the toner cartridge 15 in the mounting portion 16 by an operator such as a user or an after-market worker will be described.

When the toner cartridge 15 is detached from the mounting portion 16, the holding member 64 is positioned at the second holding position (see fig. 11 and 12), and the inclined portion 72 and the non-inclined portion 73 of the guided portion 71 of the holding member 64 are in contact with the downstream inclined portion 84 and the non-inclined portion 85 of the guide portion 82 of the cover member 27, respectively. The transmission member 25 is held at the second position (see fig. 8) by the holding member 64, and the transmission coupling 61 of the transmission member 25 protrudes to the right (outward in the left-right direction) from the engaging wall 77 of the cover member 27. Further, the shutter member 28 closes the discharge port 33 of the housing portion 31.

When the operator sets the toner cartridge 15 in the mounting portion 16, the operator inserts the toner cartridge 15 into the mounting portion 16 in the mounting direction Z as shown in fig. 2. As shown in fig. 16, when the toner cartridge 15 is inserted to a predetermined position of the mounting portion 16, the regulating portion 116 provided to the insertion groove 115 of the mounting portion 16 abuts against the projection portion 69 of the holding member 64. Accordingly, the rotation of the holding member 64 is restricted.

When the worker further inserts the toner cartridge 15 into the mounting portion 16 in the mounting direction Z from this state, the toner cartridge 15 is mounted to the mounting portion 16 as shown in fig. 17. Accordingly, the restricting portion 116 provided in the insertion groove 115 of the mounting portion 16 presses the projecting portion 69 of the holding member 64, and the holding member 64 moves from the second holding position (see fig. 11 and 12) to the first holding position (see fig. 9 and 10) against the biasing force of the coil spring 65. Accordingly, the inclined piece 72 of the guided portion 71 of the holding member 64 moves along the downstream inclined portion 84 of the guide portion 82 of the cover member 27, and the boundary portion between the inclined piece 72 and the non-inclined piece 73 of the guided portion 71 abuts against the upstream inclined portion 83 of the guide portion 82. Accordingly, the holding member 64 moves to the left (inward in the left-right direction), and the transmission member 25 held by the holding member 64 moves from the second position (see fig. 8) to the first position (see fig. 7). Accordingly, the transmission coupling 61 of the transmission member 25 recedes inside the engagement wall 77 of the cover member 27, and faces the drive coupling 104.

As the toner cartridge 15 is mounted on the mounting portion 16 as described above, the engaging wall 77 of the cover 27 passes through the first groove 111 and the second groove 112 of the mounting groove 110 of the right frame 103 and engages with the third groove 113 as shown in fig. 17. Although not shown, the engaging portion 34 of the container main body 21 passes through the first groove 111 and the second groove 112 of the mounting groove 110 of the left frame 103, and engages with the third groove 113.

Next, in a state where the restricting portion 116 abuts against the boss portion 69 of the holding member 64 and the rotation of the holding member 64 is restricted, the operator rotates the container main body 21 in the rotation direction RD1 with respect to the holding member 64 from the first rotation position (see fig. 4) to the second rotation position (see fig. 5). In conjunction with this, the shutter member 28 opens the discharge port 33 of the housing portion 31.

As container main body 21 rotates from the first rotational position to the second rotational position as described above, lid member 27 rotates integrally with container main body 21. Accordingly, as shown in fig. 18, the pressing of the holding member 64 to the first holding position (see fig. 9 and 10) by the regulating portion 116 is released, and the holding member 64 is moved from the first holding position (see fig. 9 and 10) to the second holding position (see fig. 11 and 12) by the biasing force of the coil spring 65. Accordingly, the inclined piece 72 of the guided portion 71 of the holding member 64 moves along the downstream inclined portion 84 of the guide portion 82 of the cover member 27, and the inclined piece 72 and the non-inclined piece 73 of the guided portion 71 come into contact with the downstream inclined portion 84 and the non-inclined portion 85 of the guide portion 82, respectively. Accordingly, the holding member 64 moves to the right (outward in the left-right direction), and the transmission member 25 held by the holding member 64 moves from the first position (see fig. 7) to the second position (see fig. 8). Accordingly, the transmission coupling 61 of the transmission member 25 protrudes to the right (outward in the left-right direction) than the engagement wall 77 of the cover member 27, and is connected to the drive coupling 104.

As container main body 21 rotates from the first rotational position to the second rotational position as described above, engagement wall 77 of cover member 27 rotates in third groove 113 of mounting groove 110 of right frame 103 as shown in fig. 17 and 18. Although not shown, the engagement portion 34 of the container main body 21 rotates in the third groove 113 of the mounting groove 110 of the left frame 103. Accordingly, the engaging wall 77 and the engaging portion 34 can be prevented from coming out of the mounting groove 110 of each frame 103, and the toner cartridge 15 can be prevented from being detached from the mounting portion 16. Accordingly, the toner cartridge 15 is set to the mounting portion 16.

When detaching the toner cartridge 15 from the mounting portion 16, the operator rotates the container body 21 from the second rotational position (see fig. 5) to the first rotational position (see fig. 4), and then pulls out the toner cartridge 15 from the mounting portion 16 in a direction opposite to the mounting direction Z.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the moving mechanism 26 that moves the transmission member 25 between the first position and the second position on the right side (the outer side in the left-right direction) of the first position is provided in the toner cartridge 15, and the moving mechanism 26 moves the transmission member 25 from the first position to the second position as the container body 21 rotates from the first rotational position to the second rotational position. With this configuration, the transmission member 25 can be moved to the right side by a simple operation, and the burden on the worker who performs the attachment/detachment operation of the toner cartridge 15 can be reduced.

In addition, the moving mechanism 26 has a holding member 64, and the holding member 64 rotates between a first holding position that holds the transmission member 25 at the first position and a second holding position that holds the transmission member 25 at the second position. By adopting such a configuration, the structure of the moving mechanism 26 can be simplified.

The base portion 67 of the holding member 64 is inserted into the guide wall 76 of the cover member 27. With this configuration, the holding member 64 can be rotatably supported by the cover member 27 with a simple configuration.

The upstream-side inclined portion 83 and the downstream-side inclined portion 84 of the guide portion 82 of the cover member 27 are inclined rightward (leftward and rightward outward) from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the rotation direction RD2, and the holding member 64 has the guided portion 71 abutting against the upstream-side inclined portion 83 and the downstream-side inclined portion 84. With this configuration, the holding member 64 can be reliably moved in the left-right direction in accordance with the rotation of the cover member 27.

The transmission member 25 is supported by the support member 24 in a state of being movable in the left-right direction and being relatively non-rotatable, and the coil spring 65 is interposed between the support member 24 and the transmission member 25. With this configuration, the support member 24, the transmission member 25, and the coil spring 65 can be integrally disposed in a narrow space.

The printer 1 includes a toner cartridge 15 and a mounting portion 16, and the toner cartridge 15 is detachably mounted on the mounting portion 16. By adopting such a configuration, the toner cartridge 15 can be easily replaced.

In addition, the following structures exist: the drive coupling 104 is moved in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the top cover 100 provided in the printer main body 2 and the mounting operation of the toner cartridge 15 to the mounting portion 16, and the drive coupling 104 is connected to the transmission coupling 61. However, with such a configuration, since a drive mechanism for moving the drive coupling 104 needs to be provided in the mounting portion 16, the structure of the mounting portion 16 may become complicated.

However, in the present embodiment, as the container main body 21 rotates from the first rotational position to the second rotational position in a state where the toner cartridge 15 is mounted on the mounting portion 16, the moving mechanism 26 moves the transmission member 25 from the first position to the second position, and the transmission coupling 61 is connected to the drive coupling 104. By adopting such a configuration, since it is not necessary to provide a mechanism for moving the drive coupling 104 to the mounting portion 16, it is possible to suppress the structure of the mounting portion 16 from being complicated and to achieve space saving in the printer main body 2.

Further, as the toner cartridge 15 is mounted to the mounting portion 16, the regulating portion 116 provided in the mounting portion 16 presses the holding member 64 to move the holding member 64 from the second holding position to the first holding position against the biasing force of the coil spring 65, and as the container body 21 rotates from the first rotational position to the second rotational position in a state where the toner cartridge 15 is mounted to the mounting portion 16, the pressing of the holding member 64 to the first holding position by the regulating portion 116 is released, and the holding member 64 moves from the first holding position to the second holding position by the biasing force of the coil spring 65. By adopting such a structure, the holding member 64 can be moved between the first holding position and the second holding position with a simple structure.

In the present embodiment, the stirring member 22 and the conveying member 23 are integrally housed in the container main body 21. On the other hand, in other different embodiments, a part of the stirring member 22 and/or the conveying member 23 may be housed in the container body 21.

In the present embodiment, the transmission member 25 is disposed entirely outside the container body 21. On the other hand, in other different embodiments, a part of the transmission member 25 may be disposed outside the container body 21.

In the present embodiment, a case where the configuration of the present invention is applied to the printer 1 is described. On the other hand, in other different embodiments, the configuration of the present invention may be applied to other image forming apparatuses such as a copier, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction machine.

< embodiment 2 >

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 19 to 22.

First, the toner cartridge 151 according to the second embodiment will be described. Note that the same configuration as the toner cartridge 15 according to the first embodiment will not be described.

Referring to fig. 19 and 20, the moving mechanism 153 of the toner cartridge 151 includes a locking mechanism 154 in addition to the holding member 64 and the coil spring 65. The lock mechanism 154 has a pair of first protrusions 155 (in fig. 19, 20, only the front 1 on the drawing is shown) and a pair of second protrusions 156 (in fig. 19, 20, only the front 1 on the drawing is shown). Each first protrusion 155 protrudes rightward (outward in the left-right direction) from each guided portion 71 of the holding member 64. The second protrusions 156 protrude leftward (leftward and rightward) from the guide portions 82 of the cover member 27.

Next, the mounting portion 152 according to the second embodiment will be described. Note that the same structure as the mounting portion 16 according to the first embodiment will not be described.

Referring to fig. 21 and 22, an insertion groove 115 is provided on the inner surface of the frame 103 on the right side of the mounting portion 152. A restricting portion 161 is provided on a surface on the depth side in the mounting direction Z of the insertion groove 115. The insertion groove 115 is provided with a pressing rib 162 extending in the mounting direction Z adjacent to the restricting portion 161. The pressing rib 162 is provided with a pressing surface 163 on the rear upper side (downstream side in the rotation direction RD 1) of the restriction portion 161.

Next, an operation of setting the toner cartridge 151 in the mounting portion 152 by an operator such as a user or an after-market worker will be described. Note that, the same portions as those of the first embodiment will not be described.

In a state where the toner cartridge 151 is detached from the mounting portion 152, the first protrusions 155 and the second protrusions 156 of the lock mechanism 154 are engaged with each other, and the holding member 64 is held at the first holding position against the biasing force of the coil spring 65 (see fig. 19). That is, the holding member 64 is held in the first holding position by the locking mechanism 154. Therefore, the transmission coupling 61 of the transmission member 25 recedes inside the engagement wall 77 of the cover member 27.

When the operator sets the toner cartridge 151 in the mounting portion 152, the operator mounts the toner cartridge 151 in the mounting direction Z on the mounting portion 152. Accordingly, as shown in fig. 21, the boss 69 of the holding member 64 abuts against the restricting portion 161 and the pressing surface 163 of the insertion groove 115 of the attachment portion 152.

Next, the operator rotates the container body 21 from the first rotational position to the second rotational position. Accordingly, as shown in fig. 22, the pressing surface 163 of the insertion groove 115 presses the projection 69. By this pressing, the engagement between the first protrusions 155 and the second protrusions 156 of the lock mechanism 154 is released. That is, the holding of the holding member 64 to the first holding position by the lock mechanism 154 is released. Accordingly, the holding member 64 is rotated from the first holding position (see fig. 19) to the second holding position (see fig. 20) by the biasing force of the coil spring 65. Accordingly, the holding member 64 moves to the right (outward in the left-right direction), and the transmission member 25 held by the holding member 64 moves from the first position to the second position. Accordingly, the transmission coupling 61 of the transmission member 25 protrudes to the right (outward in the left-right direction) than the engagement wall 77 of the cover member 27, and is connected to the drive coupling 104.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the coil spring 65 that biases the holding member 64 to the second holding position and the lock mechanism 154 that holds the holding member 64 in the first holding position against the biasing force of the coil spring 65 are provided in the toner cartridge 151. Therefore, in a state where the toner cartridge 151 is detached from the mounting portion 152, the transmission member 25 is held at the first position by the holding member 64, and the transmission coupling 61 of the transmission member 25 can be retracted to the inside of the engaging wall 77 of the cover member 27. Therefore, damage to the transmission coupling 61 due to external impact can be suppressed when the toner cartridge 151 is conveyed.

The lock mechanism 154 includes a first protrusion 155 provided on the holding member 64 and a second protrusion 156 provided on the cover member 27 and engaged with the first protrusion 155. With this configuration, the lock mechanism 154 can be formed without adding a dedicated component.

Further, as the container main body 21 rotates from the first rotational position to the second rotational position in a state where the toner cartridge 151 is mounted on the mounting portion 152, the pressing surface 163 provided on the mounting portion 152 presses the holding member 64, the holding of the holding member 64 to the first holding position by the lock mechanism 154 is released, and the holding member 64 moves from the first holding position to the second holding position by the biasing force of the coil spring 65. By adopting such a configuration, the holding member 64 can be reliably moved from the first holding position to the second holding position.

< embodiment 3 >

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 23 and 24.

The toner cartridge 171 (an example of a toner container) according to the third embodiment includes an operation member 172 in addition to the components of the toner cartridge 15 according to the first embodiment. The components of the toner cartridge 171 other than the operation member 172 are substantially the same as those of the toner cartridge 15 according to the first embodiment except for the point at which the projection 69 of the holding member 64 extends leftward (leftward and rightward inward) from the radially outer end of the arm portion 68 and the point at which the shutter member 28 is cylindrical, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

The operation member 172 of the toner cartridge 171 is disposed on the right side (outside in the left-right direction) of the storage section 31 of the container body 21. That is, operation member 172 is disposed outside container body 21. The operating member 172 is provided to be rotatable about the first rotation axis X between a first operating position (see fig. 23) and a second operating position (see fig. 24). The operation member 172 is connected to the shutter member 28 via a gear mechanism (not shown).

The operating member 172 includes a main body 173, an operated portion 174, and a pressing portion 175, wherein the operated portion 174 linearly extends from the outer peripheral surface of the main body 173 to the radially outer side (the side away from the first rotation axis X); the pressing portion 175 linearly extends from the outer peripheral surface of the body portion 173 to the radially outer side (the side away from the first rotation axis X). The pressing portion 175 has a horizontal U-shape. The boss 69 of the holding member 64 is engaged with the inner periphery of the pressing portion 175.

In the toner cartridge 171 configured as described above, in a state in which the operation member 172 is disposed at the first operation position (see fig. 23), the pressing portion 175 of the operation member 172 presses the projection portion 69 of the holding member 64, and the holding member 64 is held at the first holding position. Accordingly, the transmission member 25 is held at the first position by the holding member 64, and the transmission coupling 61 of the transmission member 25 is retracted inside the through hole 79 of the cover member 27 (only a part of which is shown in fig. 23 and 24). Further, the shutter member 28 closes the discharge port 33 of the container body 21.

When the operator such as a user or a post-sale person pushes the operated portion 174 of the operating member 172 rearward from this state, the operating member 172 rotates from the first operating position (see fig. 23) to the second operating position (see fig. 24). Accordingly, the pressing of the holding member 64 to the first holding position by the operating member 172 is released, and the holding member 64 is rotated from the first holding position to the second holding position with respect to the container main body 21 by the biasing force of the coil spring 65. Accordingly, the holding member 64 moves to the right (outward in the left-right direction) by the same action as that of the first embodiment, and the transmission member 25 held by the holding member 64 moves from the first position to the second position. Accordingly, the transmission coupling 61 of the transmission member 25 protrudes to the right (outward in the left-right direction) from the through hole 79 of the cover member 27. Accordingly, the transmission coupling 61 can be connected to the drive coupling 104.

When the operating member 172 is rotated from the first operating position (see fig. 23) to the second operating position (see fig. 24) as described above, the rotation is transmitted to the shutter member 28, and the shutter member 28 is rotated. Accordingly, the shutter member 28 opens the discharge port 33 of the container body 21.

When the operator pushes the operated portion 174 of the operating member 172 forward from this state, the operating member 172 rotates from the second operating position (see fig. 24) to the first operating position (see fig. 23). Accordingly, the pressing portion 175 of the operating member 172 presses the projection 69 of the holding member 64, and the holding member 64 rotates from the second holding position to the first holding position with respect to the container main body 21 against the urging force of the coil spring 65. Accordingly, the holding member 64 moves to the left (inward in the left-right direction) by the same action as that of the first embodiment, and the transmission member 25 held by the holding member 64 moves from the second position to the first position. Accordingly, the transmission coupling 61 of the transmission member 25 escapes to the inside of the through hole 79 of the cover member 27. Accordingly, the connection of the transmission coupling 61 and the drive coupling 104 is restricted.

When the operating member 172 is rotated from the second operating position (see fig. 24) to the first operating position (see fig. 23) as described above, the rotation is transmitted to the shutter member 28, and the shutter member 28 is rotated. Accompanying this, the shutter member 28 closes the discharge port 33 of the container main body 21.

In the present embodiment, as the operating member 172 rotates between the first operating position and the second operating position, the holding member 64 rotates between the first holding position and the second holding position. By adopting such a configuration, the transmission member 25 can be moved in the left-right direction by a simple operation.

In the present embodiment, the operating member 172 rotates between the first operating position and the second operating position. On the other hand, in other embodiments, the operating member 172 may be linearly movable between the first operating position and the second operating position.

< embodiment 4 >

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 25 and 26.

Components other than the moving mechanism 182 and the shutter member 183 in the toner cartridge 181 (an example of a toner container) according to the fourth embodiment are substantially the same as those in the toner cartridge 15 according to the first embodiment, and therefore, description thereof is omitted.

The moving mechanism 182 of the toner cartridge 181 includes a holding member 186 and a coil spring 187 (an example of a pressing member).

The holding member 186 of the moving mechanism 182 is provided so as to be movable in the left-right direction (the direction of the rotation axis of the stirring member 22 and the conveying member 23) with respect to the container main body 21 between a first holding position (see fig. 25) at which the transmission member 25 is held at the first position and a second holding position (see fig. 26) at which the transmission member 25 is held at the second position.

The holding member 186 includes a base 189, an arm 190, and a first rack piece 191, wherein the base 189 has a cylindrical shape with the first rotation axis X as an axis; the arm 190 linearly extends from the outer peripheral surface of the base 189 to the radially outer side (the side away from the first rotation axis X); the first rack piece 191 linearly extends from the radially outer end of the arm 190 to the left (inward in the left-right direction). The base 189 rotatably holds the transmission member 25. First rack teeth 192 are provided on the lower surface of the first rack piece 191. The first rack teeth 192 mesh with the pinion gear 193 from the upper side.

The coil spring 187 of the moving mechanism 182 is installed between the support member 24 and the transmission member 25. The coil spring 187 presses the transmission member 25 against the holding member 186 by pressing the transmission member 25 to the right (outward in the left-right direction).

The shutter member 183 of the toner cartridge 181 includes a shutter main body 194 and a second rack 195 extending rightward (outward in the left-right direction) from a right end portion of the shutter main body 194. The shutter main body 194 is disposed along the lower surface (outer surface) of the storage unit 31 of the container main body 21. A second rack tooth 196 is provided on the upper surface of the second rack plate 195. The second rack gear 196 meshes with the pinion gear 193 from the lower side.

In the toner cartridge 181 configured as described above, in a state where the holding member 186 is disposed at the first holding position (see fig. 25), the transmission member 25 is held at the first position by the holding member 186, and the transmission coupling 61 of the transmission member 25 is retracted to the inside of the through hole 79 of the cover member 27 (not shown in fig. 25 and 26). Further, the shutter body 194 of the shutter member 183 closes the discharge port 33 of the container body 21.

When the shutter member 183 moves to the left side (one side in the left-right direction) from this state, the shutter body 194 of the shutter member 183 opens the discharge port 33 of the container body 21. Accordingly, the holding member 186 connected to the shutter member 183 via the pinion 193 moves from the first holding position (see fig. 25) to the second holding position (see fig. 26) to the right side (the other side in the left-right direction) of the container main body 21. Accordingly, the transmission member 25 held by the holding member 186 moves from the first position to the second position, and the transmission coupling 61 of the transmission member 25 protrudes to the right (outward in the left-right direction) from the through hole 79 of the cover member 27. Accordingly, the transmission coupling 61 can be connected to the drive coupling 104.

When the shutter member 183 moves to the right side (the other side in the left-right direction) from this state, the shutter body 194 of the shutter member 183 closes the discharge port 33 of the container body 21. Accordingly, the holding member 186 connected to the shutter member 183 via the pinion 193 moves to the left (one side in the left-right direction) from the second holding position (see fig. 26) to the first holding position (see fig. 25) with respect to the container main body 21. Accordingly, the transmission member 25 held by the holding member 186 moves from the second position to the first position, and the transmission coupling 61 of the transmission member 25 escapes to the inside of the through hole 79 of the cover member 27. Accordingly, the connection of the transmission coupling 61 and the drive coupling 104 is restricted.

In the present embodiment, the holding member 186 of the moving mechanism 182 moves in the left-right direction between a first holding position (see fig. 25) in which the transmission member 25 is held at the first position and a second holding position (see fig. 26) in which the transmission member 25 is held at the second position. By adopting such a structure, the transmission member 25 can be moved in the left-right direction with a simple structure.

Claims

1. A toner container characterized in that,

comprises a container body, a rotating component, a transmission component and a moving mechanism, wherein,

the container main body contains toner;

the rotating member is housed in the container body and rotates around a rotating shaft;

the transmission member is disposed outside the container body and transmits rotation to the rotating member;

the moving mechanism linearly moves the transmission member in the rotation axis direction with respect to the rotating member between a first position and a second position outside one end in the rotation axis direction with respect to the first position;

the moving mechanism has a holding member, a biasing member, and a locking mechanism, wherein,

the holding member rotates between a first holding position holding the transmission member at the first position and a second holding position holding the transmission member at the second position;

the urging member urges the holding member to the second holding position;

the locking mechanism holds the holding member in the first holding position against the urging force of the urging member,

the transmission member moves between the first position and the second position as the holding member is movable relative to the container body.

2. The toner container according to claim 1,

further comprising a lid member for covering an outer side of one end of the container main body in the rotation axis direction,

the locking mechanism has a first protrusion and a second protrusion, wherein,

the first protrusion is provided on either the holding member or the lid member;

the second projection is provided on the other of the holding member and the cover member, and engages with the first projection.

3. The toner container according to claim 1,

further comprising an operating member disposed outside the container body and movable between a first operating position and a second operating position,

the holding member is rotated between the first holding position and the second holding position as the operating member is movable between the first operating position and the second operating position.

4. The toner container according to claim 1,

and a support member connected to the rotating member,

the transmission component is supported by the supporting component,

the urging member is mounted between the support member and the transmission member.

5. The toner container according to claim 1,

the holding member moves in the direction of the rotation shaft between a first holding position that holds the transmission member in the first position and a second holding position that holds the transmission member in the second position.

6. A toner container characterized in that,

comprising a container body, a rotating member, a transmission member, a moving mechanism, and a lid member, wherein,

the container main body contains toner;

the cap member covers an outer side of one end of the container main body in the rotation axis direction,

the moving mechanism has a holding member that holds the transmission member,

the holding member rotates between a first holding position holding the transmission member at the first position and a second holding position holding the transmission member at the second position,

the transmission member moves between the first position and the second position as the holding member is movable relative to the container body,

the cover member has a main wall and a guide wall, wherein,

the main wall has a through hole;

the guide wall protrudes from the main wall toward the inside of one end in the rotation axis direction at the outer periphery of the through hole,

a part of the holding member is inserted into the guide wall.

7. The toner container according to claim 6,

a guide portion is provided at an edge portion on an inner side of one end in the rotation axis direction of the guide wall, and at least a part of the guide portion is inclined to an outer side of the one end in the rotation axis direction toward a downstream side in an upstream side in a rotation direction when the holding member rotates from the first holding position to the second holding position,

the holding member has a guided portion that abuts the part of the guide portion.

8. An image forming apparatus is characterized in that,

a toner container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and a mounting portion to which the toner container is mounted.

9. A toner container to be mounted to a mounting portion of an image forming apparatus,

the container main body contains toner;

the moving mechanism linearly moves the transmission member in the rotation axis direction with respect to the rotating member between a first position and a second position outside one end in the rotation axis direction with respect to the first position,

the moving mechanism has a holding member that holds the transmission member,

the mounting portion has a restricting portion that restricts rotation of the holding member by coming into contact with the holding member,

the transmission member moves from the first position to the second position as the container body rotates relative to the holding member in a state where the restricting portion abuts against the holding member.

10. An image forming apparatus is characterized in that,

having a toner container and a mount portion to which the toner container is mounted,

the toner container has a container main body, a rotating member, a transmission member, and a moving mechanism, wherein,

the container main body contains toner;

the moving mechanism has a holding member that holds the transmission member,

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10,

the transmission component is provided with a transmission coupling,

the mounting portion has a drive coupling that is rotated by a rotational driving force from a driving source,

the transmission member moves from the first position to the second position as the container body rotates relative to the holding member with the restricting portion in contact with the holding member, and the transmission coupling is connected to the drive coupling.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11,

the holding member moves between a first holding position that holds the transmission member in the first position and a second holding position that holds the transmission member in the second position,

the moving mechanism further includes a biasing member that biases the holding member to the second holding position,

the restricting portion abuts on the holding member as the toner container is mounted to the mounting portion, and moves the holding member from the second holding position to the first holding position against the biasing force of the biasing member,

the holding member is moved from the first holding position to the second holding position by the biasing force of the biasing member as the container body rotates relative to the holding member in a state where the toner container is mounted on the mounting portion.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10 or 11,

the moving mechanism further has a biasing member and a lock mechanism, wherein the biasing member biases the holding member to the second holding position; the locking mechanism holds the holding member in the first holding position against the urging force of the urging member,

when the container body rotates relative to the holding member with the toner container attached to the attachment portion, a pressing surface provided on the attachment portion presses the holding member to release the holding of the holding member to the first holding position by the lock mechanism, and the holding member moves from the first holding position to the second holding position by the biasing force of the biasing member.

14. An image forming apparatus is characterized in that,

the container main body contains toner;

the moving mechanism has a holding member and a force applying member, wherein,

the holding member moves between a first holding position that holds the transmission member in the first position and a second holding position that holds the transmission member in the second position;

the urging member urges the holding member to the second holding position,

as the container body rotates relative to the holding member with the toner container attached to the attachment portion and the restricting portion in contact with the holding member, the holding member moves from the first holding position to the second holding position by the biasing force of the biasing member, and the transmission member moves from the first position to the second position.

15. An image forming apparatus is characterized in that,

the container main body contains toner;

the urging member urges the holding member to the second holding position;

as the container body rotates relative to the holding member with the toner container attached to the attachment portion and the restricting portion in contact with the holding member, the pressing surface provided on the attachment portion presses the holding member to release the holding of the holding member to the first holding position by the lock mechanism, and the holding member moves from the first holding position to the second holding position and the transmission member moves from the first position to the second position by the biasing force of the biasing member.