EP2527925B1 - Developer case and image forming apparatus to which developer case is applied - Google Patents

Developer case and image forming apparatus to which developer case is applied Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2527925B1
EP2527925B1 EP12164241.7A EP12164241A EP2527925B1 EP 2527925 B1 EP2527925 B1 EP 2527925B1 EP 12164241 A EP12164241 A EP 12164241A EP 2527925 B1 EP2527925 B1 EP 2527925B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
toner
rotating shaft
developer
transport member
main body
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP12164241.7A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2527925A1 (en
Inventor
Shimizu Tamotsu
Tamaki Kenichi
Nakaue Takahisa
Nagashima Teruhiko
Morita Takashi
Nimura Eiji
Yamagishi Yoshihiro
Kuramashi Koji
Hayashi Masaki
Makie Ikuo
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Kyocera Document Solutions Inc
Original Assignee
Kyocera Document Solutions Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP2011091260A external-priority patent/JP5377564B2/ja
Priority claimed from JP2011232939A external-priority patent/JP5377612B2/ja
Application filed by Kyocera Document Solutions Inc filed Critical Kyocera Document Solutions Inc
Priority to EP13167132.3A priority Critical patent/EP2626749B1/en
Priority to EP13167141.4A priority patent/EP2626750B1/en
Publication of EP2527925A1 publication Critical patent/EP2527925A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2527925B1 publication Critical patent/EP2527925B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
    • G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
    • G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
    • G03G15/0877—Arrangements for metering and dispensing developer from a developer cartridge into the development unit
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
    • G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
    • G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
    • G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
    • G03G15/0865—Arrangements for supplying new developer
    • G03G15/0875—Arrangements for supplying new developer cartridges having a box like shape
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
    • G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
    • G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
    • G03G15/0887—Arrangements for conveying and conditioning developer in the developing unit, e.g. agitating, removing impurities or humidity
    • G03G15/0889—Arrangements for conveying and conditioning developer in the developing unit, e.g. agitating, removing impurities or humidity for agitation or stirring

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a developer case for storing developer, and an image forming apparatus to which the developer case is attached.
  • a toner container stores toner to be supplied to a developing unit, and is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus.
  • a toner container has a main body that serves as a storage space for toner, a discharge port located in the bottom wall of the main body, a transport screw that transports toner toward the discharge port, and an agitating paddle that moves toner in the main body.
  • the spiral of the transport screw has a double spiral structure consisting of a radially inner spiral and a radially outer spiral.
  • toner container One of the important considerations in a toner container is to discharge toner through the discharge port such that no toner remains in the main body.
  • shape of a toner container is determined based not only on the ease of toner discharge, but also the design of the image forming apparatus. Hence, depending on the shape of a container, toner can become packed in the vicinity of the discharge port, and the discharge of toner hindered.
  • US 5,307,129 describes an image forming apparatus carrying a toner cartridge set to a toner supply device, and tries to solve the problem of avoiding toner lumps blocking a copying machine.
  • Fig. 6 an upper and a lower spiral agitator transport toner in opposing directions, and an auger with one transport member is provided in a middle portion between both agitators transporting toner to supply hole.
  • US 5,307,129 does not disclose two distinct transport members on the same rotating shaft, wherein one transport member transports toner in a first direction and the other transport member transports toner in an opposite direction.
  • a developer case according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a main body, a cylindrical portion, and a rotating unit.
  • the main body has a bottom wall and contains developer.
  • the cylindrical portion connects to the bottom wall, extending from the main body, and has a discharge port.
  • the rotating unit is positioned so as to extend across the main body and the cylindrical portion and transports the developer in the main body.
  • the rotating unit includes a rotating shaft that extends in a direction in which the bottom wall extends and has a first portion located in the main body and a second portion located in the cylindrical portion.
  • the rotating unit further includes a first and a second transport member, as well as dispersing members.
  • the first transport member is located on the circumferential surface of the second portion of the rotating shaft and is also positioned on the circumferential surface of the first portion of the rotating shaft.
  • the first transport member spirally extends from the circumferential surface of the rotating shaft and rotates integrally with the rotating shaft and transports the developer in a first transport direction from the cylindrical portion to the main body.
  • the second transport member is spiral and has a hollow portion into which the rotating shaft with the first transport member can be inserted.
  • the second transport member is further located over the circumferential surface of the first portion of the rotating shaft and on the radially outer side of the first transport member, and rotates integrally with the rotating shaft and transports the developer at least in a second transport direction from the main body to the cylindrical portion.
  • an image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member that bears a developer image on the circumferential surface thereof, a developing unit that supplies developer to the image bearing member, and the above-described developer case according to an embodiment of the present invention, the developer case being detachably connected to the developing unit and supplying the developer to the developing unit.
  • Fig. 1 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of an image forming apparatus 1.
  • a monochrome printer will be used as an example of an image forming apparatus 1
  • other examples of image forming apparatus include a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a multifunction device having the functions of these, and an image forming apparatus that forms a color image.
  • the image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body housing 10 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing structure, and a paper feed portion 20, an image forming portion 30, a fixing portion 40, and a toner container 50 (developer case) contained in the main body housing 10.
  • a front cover 11 is located on the front side (the right side of Fig. 1 ) of the main body housing 10.
  • a rear cover 12 is located on the rear side of the main body housing 10.
  • the front cover 11 the user can take out the toner container 50 from the front side of the main body housing 10 when the image forming apparatus 1 is out of toner (developer).
  • the rear cover 12 is a cover that is opened to remove paper jams or perform maintenance.
  • the user can take out the image forming portion 30 and the fixing portion 40 from the rear of the main body housing 10.
  • the paper feed portion 20 includes a paper cassette 21 that contains sheets undergoing an image forming process. Part of the paper cassette 21 extends from the front of the main body housing 10.
  • the paper cassette 21 includes a sheet containing space in which a stack of the sheets is contained, and a lift plate lifting up the stack of sheets for paper feeding.
  • a sheet sending-out portion 21A is located above the rear end of the paper cassette 21. In the sheet sending-out portion 21A, a pickup roller (not shown) for sending out the sheets in the uppermost layer of the stack of sheets in the paper cassette 21 one at a time, is located.
  • the image forming portion 30 performs an image forming process, and more specifically, forms a toner image on a sheet sent out from the paper feed portion 20.
  • the image forming portion 30 includes a photosensitive drum 31 (image bearing member), and a charging unit 32, an exposing unit (not shown in Fig. 1 ), a developing unit 33, a transfer roller 34, and a cleaning unit 35 that are positioned around the photosensitive drum 31.
  • the photosensitive drum 31 rotates about its axis, and an electrostatic latent image and a toner image (developer image) is formed on the circumferential surface thereof.
  • a photosensitive drum formed of an amorphous silicon (a-Si) material is used as the photosensitive drum 31.
  • the charging unit 32 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 and includes a charging roller in contact with the photosensitive drum 31.
  • the exposing unit has a laser light source and optical system devices, such as mirrors and lenses, and irradiates the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 31 with light modulated based on the image data provided by an external device such as a personal computer, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image.
  • the developing unit 33 supplies toner to the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 31 in order to develop the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 31 and form a toner image.
  • the developing unit 33 includes a developing roller 331 that includes toner to be supplied to the photosensitive drum 31 and a first transport screw 332 and second transport screw 333 that circulate and transport developer while agitating it in a housing 60 (see Fig. 2 to Fig. 5 ).
  • the developing unit 33 will be described hereinafter.
  • the transfer roller 34 transfers a toner image formed on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 31 to a sheet.
  • the transfer roller 34 and the photosensitive drum 31 form a transfer nip portion therebetween.
  • a transfer bias of opposite polarity to toner is applied to the transfer roller 34.
  • the cleaning unit 35 has a cleaning roller or the like, and cleans the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 31 after the transfer of the toner image.
  • the fixing portion 40 fixes the transferred toner image to the sheet.
  • the fixing portion 40 includes a fixing roller 41 that has a heat source therein, and a pressure roller 42 that is pressed against the fixing roller 41.
  • the fixing roller 41 and the pressure roller 42 form a fixing nip portion therebetween.
  • the toner image is fixed to the sheet by being heated by the fixing roller 41 and being pressed by the pressure roller 42.
  • the toner container 50 includes a main body 51, in which toner is stored, a cylindrical portion 52 extending from the lower part of one side surface (the rear surface in Fig. 1 ) of the main body 51, a lid member 53 that covers another side surface of the main body 51, and a rotating unit 54 that is contained in the container and transports toner.
  • a rotating unit 54 By rotationally driving the rotating unit 54, toner stored in the toner container 50 is supplied to the inside of the developing unit 33 through a discharge port 521 located in the lower surface of the distal end of the cylindrical portion 52.
  • the toner container 50 will be described hereinafter with reference to Fig. 6 to Fig. 29 .
  • a main transport path 22F and a reverse transport path 22B are provided in order to transport sheets.
  • the main transport path 22F extends from the sheet sending-out portion 21A of the paper feed portion 20 through the image forming portion 30 and the fixing portion 40 to a paper ejection opening 14 located opposite to the paper ejection portion 13 on the upper surface of the main body housing 10.
  • the reverse transport path 22B is a transport path for returning a sheet that has undergone one-side printing to the upstream side of the image forming portion 30 in the main transport path 22F, and is used when duplex printing is performed on a sheet.
  • a registration roller pair 23 is located upstream of the transfer nip portion between the photosensitive drum 31 and the transfer roller 34 in the main transport path 22F.
  • the sheet is temporarily stopped by the registration roller pair 23, undergoes skew correction, and is then sent out to the transfer nip portion at a predetermined timing for image transfer.
  • a plurality of transport rollers for transporting sheets are disposed. For example, in the vicinity of the paper ejection opening 14, a paper ejection roller pair 24 is disposed.
  • the reverse transport path 22B is formed between the outer surface of a reversing unit 25 and the inner surface of the rear cover 12 of the main body housing 10. On the inner surface of the reversing unit 25, the transfer roller 34 and one of the registration roller pair 23 are mounted.
  • the rear cover 12 and the reversing unit 25 are each rotatable about the axis of a fulcrum portion 121 provided at the lower ends thereof. If a sheet jams in the reverse transport path 22B, the rear cover 12 is opened. If a sheet jams in the main transport path 22F, or when the unit of the photosensitive drum 31 and/or the developing unit 33 is taken out, the rear cover 12 and the reversing unit 25 are opened.
  • FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the developing unit 33 and the toner container 50 in a mounted state.
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view of same.
  • Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the developing unit 33 alone.
  • Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the developing unit 33.
  • Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 are perspective views of the toner container alone.
  • the developing unit 33 comprises a housing 60 having a box shape that is elongate in one direction (the axial direction of the developing roller 331).
  • the housing 60 has an opening extending in its longitudinal direction. Part of the circumferential surface of the developing roller 331 is exposed in this opening.
  • the housing 60 is mounted in the main body housing 10 such that its longitudinal direction corresponds to the left-right direction (first direction) of the main body housing 10.
  • a toner replenishment opening 60H for introducing toner supplied from the toner container 50 into the housing is located in the top plate 60T near the left end of the housing 60.
  • the developing unit 33 and the toner container 50 are mounted such that the toner replenishment opening 60H is located directly below the discharge port 521 of the toner container 50.
  • the toner container 50 is connected to and detached from the developing unit 33 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing 60 (front-rear direction/second direction).
  • the toner container 50 has a housing shape that is elongate in one direction in top view. Thus, when the toner container 50 is connected to the developing unit 33, they form a substantially L-shaped structure in top view (see Fig. 2 ).
  • a developing shutter plate 61 is disposed that can slide in the left-right direction.
  • the developing shutter plate 61 is always urged leftward by an urging spring 62.
  • the urging spring 62 is a coil spring.
  • One end of the urging spring 62 is attached to a spring seat 621 located on the right end edge of the developing shutter plate 61, and the other end thereof is attached to a spring seat 622 located on a rib adjacent to the developing shutter plate 61.
  • the toner replenishment opening 60H is open, when the toner container 50 is not connected, the developing shutter plate 61 is located on the left by being urged by the urging spring 62 and covers the toner replenishment opening 60H.
  • a pressing plate 522 is attached to the lower part of the distal end (second end portion 524) of the cylindrical portion 52 of the toner container 50.
  • a container gear 54G for inputting a rotational drive force into the rotating unit 54 is exposed on the distal end surface of the cylindrical portion 52.
  • a gear holder 63 having an input gear 631 and a coupling 632 is located in the back left part of the toner replenishment opening 60H of the housing 60.
  • a rotational drive force from a motor (not shown) provided in the main body housing 10 is applied to the coupling 632.
  • the cylindrical portion 52 of the toner container 50 approaches the toner replenishment opening 60H from the front.
  • the pressing plate 522 of the toner container 50 interferes with the developing shutter plate 61 covering the toner replenishment opening 60H and moves the developing shutter plate 61 to the right.
  • an oblique ridge 623 located on the upper substrate of the developing shutter plate 61 interferes with the pressing plate 522, and the developing shutter plate 61 is pushed to the right against the urging force of the urging spring 62.
  • the cylindrical portion 52 of the toner container 50 reaches a predetermined position, the toner replenishment opening 60H is completely opened, and the container gear 54G meshes with the input gear 631.
  • the housing 60 has an internal space 600.
  • the internal space 600 is filled with a developer consisting of toner and carrier.
  • carrier is mixed with toner by agitation, charges toner, and transports toner to the developing roller 331.
  • Toner is successively supplied to the developing roller 331 and consumed, and the same amount of toner as the toner consumed is appropriately supplied from the toner container 50.
  • the internal space 600 of the housing 60 is partitioned by a partition plate 601 extending in the left-right direction into a first path 602 and a second path 603 that are elongate in the left-right direction.
  • the partition plate 601 is shorter than the width of the housing 60 in the left-right direction.
  • a first communication portion 604 and a second communication portion 605 that connect the first path 602 and the second path 603 are provided.
  • a circulation route consisting of the first path 602, the first communication portion 604, the second path 603, and the second communication portion 605 is formed in the housing 60.
  • the toner replenishment opening 60H is located over the vicinity of the left end of the first path 602.
  • a first transport screw 332 is contained in the first path 602, and a second transport screw 333 is contained in the second path 603.
  • the first and second transport screws 332 and 333 each include a shaft and a spiral blade extending from the circumference of this shaft.
  • the first transport screw 332 is rotationally driven about its shaft and thereby transports developer in the direction of arrow a in Fig. 5 .
  • the second transport screw 333 is rotationally driven about its shaft and thereby transports developer in the direction of arrow b.
  • developer By rotationally driving the first and second transport screws 332 and 333, developer is circulated and transported along the above-described circulation route. Toner newly replenished through the toner replenishment opening 60H will be described.
  • the toner falls into the first path 602, is mixed with existing developer, and is transported by the first transport screw 332 in the direction of arrow a. At this time, toner is mixed with carrier and charged.
  • toner enters the second path 603 from the downstream end of the first path 602 through the first communication portion 604, and is transported by the second transport screw 333 in the direction of arrow b. During this transportation, toner is charged in the same manner, and part of the toner is supplied to the circumferential surface of the developing roller 331.
  • the remaining toner and carrier are returned through the second communication portion 605 to the upstream end of the first path 602.
  • a developing unit that uses a two-component development system is described, other development systems, such as a one-component development system, may be used.
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the toner container 50 as viewed from the cylindrical portion 52 side (the rear in Fig. 1 ).
  • Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the toner container 50 viewed from a direction opposite to that of Fig. 6 , and specifically viewed from the lid member 53 side.
  • Fig. 8 is a side view of the toner container 50.
  • Fig. 9 is a sectional side view of same.
  • Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a rotating unit 54 positioned in the toner container 50.
  • Fig. 11 is a partial sectional view of the rotating unit.
  • the toner container 50 includes a main body 51, a cylindrical portion 52, a lid member 53 (fourth side wall), and a rotating unit 54.
  • the main body 51 has a bottom wall 511 that is semicircular in cross-section, a first side wall 512 that extends upwardly from one end edge of the bottom wall 511, a second side wall 513 that extends upwardly from the other end edge of the bottom wall 511 and faces the first side wall 512, a third side wall 514 that connects the cylindrical portion 52 side edges of the first side wall 512 and the second side wall 513, a top wall 515 that connects the upper edges of the first side wall 512 and the second side wall 513, and a first flange portion 516 formed on the edge facing the lid member 53.
  • the main body 51 has a side opening on the first flange portion 516 side thereof.
  • the main body 51 has such a vertically long external shape that the distance between the first side wall 512 and the second side wall 513 increases from the bottom wall 511 toward the top.
  • the first side wall 512 and the second side wall 513 are flat plate-like members, and the first side wall 512 and the second side wall 513 have inner surfaces that are linear in cross-section.
  • a cap 517 that covers an opening for filling the main body 51 with toner is attached to the upper part of the third side wall 514.
  • a wireless tag 518, in which management information of the toner container 50 is recorded, is attached to the second side wall 513.
  • a pair of grooves 519 parallel to the direction in which the bottom wall 511 extends are formed. The grooves 519 are guided by guide members (not shown) on the main body housing 10 side when the toner container 50 is connected to the main body housing 10.
  • the cylindrical portion 52 is a cylindrical portion that extends from the third side wall 514 and connects to the bottom wall 511.
  • a first end portion 523 of the cylindrical portion 52 is connected to the upper end of the third side wall 514, and the internal space within the main body 51 and the internal space within the cylindrical portion 52 communicate with each other.
  • a second end portion 524 extends from the cylindrical portion 52 and the container gear 54G is positioned so as to extend outward from the second end portion 524.
  • the bottom portion 525 of the cylindrical portion 52 is flush with the bottom wall 511 of the main body 51, and thus a portion that is semicircular in cross-section is formed between the first flange portion 516 and the second end portion 524.
  • the cylindrical portion 52 has an inner wall surface that is circular in cross-section in the radial direction of the rotation axis 541, and is slightly tapered from the first end portion 523 toward the second end portion 524.
  • the cylindrical portion 52 includes a discharge port 521, and the cylindrical portion 52 is attached to the developing unit 33.
  • the discharge port 521 is a drop opening located in the bottom portion 525 (lower surface) of the cylindrical portion 52.
  • An engaging portion 526 that engages with part of the housing 60 at the time of the above-described attachment is disposed on the bottom portion 525.
  • Toner stored in the main body 51 is sent out to the cylindrical portion 52 by rotationally driving a rotating unit 54 (described later) and is discharged through the discharge port 521.
  • the cylindrical portion 52 has an inner wall surface that is circular in cross-section and corresponds to the rotation locus of the most radially extending part of the rotating unit 54 (second transport member 56).
  • the discharge port 521 is positioned in the vicinity of the second end portion 524 of the bottom portion 525.
  • a shutter plate 527 that slides along the direction in which the cylindrical portion 52 extends is attached to the lower surface of the discharge port 521.
  • the shutter plate 527 is urged by an urging member (not shown) in the direction to the second end portion 524 so as to always cover the discharge port 521.
  • the shutter plate 527 interferes with part of the housing 60 and slides in the direction to the first end portion 523.
  • Fig. 9 shows a state where the shutter plate 527 is retracted and opening the discharge port 521.
  • the shutter plate 527 and the above-described engaging portion 526 are integral with each other.
  • the lid member 53 covers the side opening of the main body 51, and has a lid main body portion 531 having a recessed shape, and a second flange portion 532 provided on the periphery of the lid main body portion 531 and abutting the first flange portion 516.
  • the lid main body portion 531 has an inclined surface that bulges upwardly, and a vertical surface connecting to the upper end of the inclined surface.
  • the vertical surface of the lid main body portion 531 is located in a part extending from the second flange portion 532. The user can pinch the part and attach and detach the toner container 50 to and from the main body housing 10.
  • a rotatably supporting portion 533 that rotatably supports a first end portion 542 of the rotating shaft of the rotating unit 54 (described later) is provided.
  • the first end portion 542 is inserted into the rotatably supporting portion 533, and the second flange portion 532 is welded to the first flange portion 516.
  • the rotating unit 54 is positioned across the bottom wall 511 of the main body 51 and the cylindrical portion 52, is rotationally driven about its axis, and thereby transports toner. As shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 , the rotating unit 54 has a rotating shaft 541, and a first transport member 55, a second transport member 56, and a pair of dispersing members 57 that rotate integrally with the rotating shaft 541.
  • the rotating shaft 541 is located so as to extend in the direction in which the bottom wall 511 extends, and has a first end portion 542 and a second end portion 543 at both ends thereof.
  • the first end portion 542 is rotatably supported by the rotatably supporting portion 533 of the lid member 53.
  • a tubular holding piece 544 (holding piece) is integrally attached to the second end portion 543.
  • a flexible film 546 (flexible pressing member) that moves toner to the discharge port (drop opening) is attached to the tubular holding piece 544.
  • the film 546 is a rectangular thin PET film, extending in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotating shaft 541, and is attached to the circumferential surface of the tubular holding piece 544.
  • the film 546 moves around the tubular holding piece 544, fluidizes toner existing in the vicinity of the second end portion 524 of the cylindrical portion 52, and moves the toner to the discharge port 521.
  • the first transport member 55 is a transport member that is integral with the rotating shaft 541 and spirally protruding from the circumferential surface of the rotating shaft 541.
  • the second transport member 56 is a hollow spiral transport member that is positioned around the rotating shaft 541, leaving a gap between it and the rotating shaft 541 and the first transport member 55. That is, the second transport member 56 is located over the circumferential surface of the rotating shaft 541 and on the radially outer side of the first transport member 55.
  • the pair of dispersing members 57 are rod-like members that are about the same length as the rotating shaft 541 and are positioned parallel to the rotating shaft 541 and connect the side portions of the second transport member 56. The pair of dispersing members 57 are spaced 180 degrees apart in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 541.
  • the second transport member 56 is formed of a plurality of semicircular arch-like transport pieces, these arch-like transport pieces are integrated by the pair of dispersing members 57, and as a result, a spiral second transport member 56 having a hollow portion near the axis thereof is formed.
  • the internal diameter of the hollow portion of the second transport member 56 is greater than the external diameter of the spiral of the first transport member 55.
  • the rotating shaft 541 having the first transport member 55 on the circumferential surface thereof is inserted concentrically into this hollow portion.
  • the rotating unit 54 of this embodiment is configured in such a manner.
  • the direction of the spiral of the first transport member 55 is opposite to the direction of the spiral of the second transport member 56.
  • a spiral piece 56R that is a semicircular arch-like transport piece is attached to the second end portion 543 side (the cylindrical portion 52 side end) of the second transport member 56.
  • the spiral piece 56R is substantially the same size as the arch-like transport pieces of the second transport member 56.
  • the spiral piece 56R is attached between the pair of dispersing members 57 such that the direction of the spiral thereof is opposite to that of the arch-like transport pieces of the second transport member 56.
  • the pair of dispersing members 57 are connected at their ends 571 by a connecting piece 572.
  • the connecting piece 572 is fixed, in its middle part, to part of the rotating shaft 541 near the first end portion 542.
  • the same connecting piece is located on the side of the second end portion 543. That is, the rotating shaft 541, the second transport member 56, and the dispersing members 57 are integrated by the connecting pieces 572, and when the rotating shaft 541 rotates, the second transport member 56 and the dispersing members 57 also rotate integrally therewith.
  • the rotating unit 54 (rotating shaft 541) is provided so as to straddle the main body 51 and the cylindrical portion 52. As shown in Fig. 10 , the rotating unit 54 includes a first portion 54A located in the main body 51 and a second portion 54B located in the cylindrical portion 52.
  • the first transport member 55 is formed over substantially the entire length of the rotating shaft 541 in the axial direction. That is, the first transport member 55 is formed on the circumferential surface of part of the rotating shaft 541 corresponding to both the first portion 54A and the second portion 54B.
  • the second transport member 56 is positioned only in the region corresponding to the first portion 54A.
  • the spiral piece 56R is located in part of the first portion 54A bordering the second portion 54B, so as to be connected to the end of the second transport member 56.
  • the dispersing members 57 are positioned so as to straddle the first portion 54A and the second portion 54B.
  • Fig. 11 is a partial sectional view of the rotating unit 54.
  • An embodiment concerning the relationship between the thickness of the dispersing members 57 and the distance between the outermost circumference of the spiral of the first transport member 55 and the radially inner surface of the pair of dispersing members 57 will be shown.
  • the thickness of the dispersing members 57 in the radial direction of the rotating shaft 541 is denoted by D1.
  • the distance between the outermost circumferential part 55A of the spiral of the first transport member 55 and the radially inner surface 57A of the pair of dispersing members 57 is denoted by D2.
  • the distance D2 is greater than the thickness D1 (D1 ⁇ D2). Since the distance D2 is greater than the thickness D1, a sufficient space exists between the outermost circumferential part 55A of the spiral of the first transport member 55 and the radially inner surface 57A of the pair of dispersing members 57. Thus, the region where toner is transported by the first transport member 55 is sufficiently secured in the hollow portion of the spiral of the second transport member 56. Thus, the first transport member 55 easily transports toner in the hollow portion.
  • the first transport member 55 and the second transport member 56 When a rotational drive force that rotates the rotating shaft 541 in a predetermined rotation direction is applied to the container gear 54G, the first transport member 55 and the second transport member 56 generate toner-transporting forces corresponding to their respective spiral directions.
  • the second transport member 56 transports toner in a direction from the main body 51 toward the cylindrical portion 52 (discharge port 521) (hereinafter referred to as "second transport direction"). That is, the second transport member 56 transports toner from the first end portion 542 of the rotating shaft 541 to the second end portion 543 thereof.
  • the first transport member 55 transports toner in a direction from the cylindrical portion 52 to the main body 51 (hereinafter referred to as "first transport direction”). That is, the first transport member 55 transports toner from the second end portion 543 of the rotating shaft 541 to the first end portion 542 thereof.
  • the dispersing members 57 serve to disperse toner transported by the first transport member 55 and the second transport member 56, in the radial direction of the rotating shaft 541. That is, the dispersing members 57 disperse toner existing around the toner propelled by the spirals of the first transport member 55 and the second transport member 56, in the radial direction. Thus, the movement of toner in the first transport direction or the second transport direction is encouraged.
  • the spiral piece 56R Since the spiral piece 56R is located in a direction opposite to the direction of the spiral of the second transport member 56, the spiral piece 56R transports toner in the first transport direction. In the vicinity of the border between the main body 51 and the cylindrical portion 52, the spiral piece 56R generates a transporting force that actively returns toner from the cylindrical portion 52 to the toner main body.
  • FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a rotating unit 54M1 according to another embodiment.
  • arch-like transport pieces 560 forming the spiral of the second transport member 56 are located up to the position where the spiral piece 56R exists in Fig. 10 . That is, in the rotating unit 54M1, the spiral of the second transport member 56 is formed throughout the first portion 54A.
  • the toner transport operation by the first transport member 55 and the second transport member 56 is the same as that of the rotating unit 54 of Fig. 10 .
  • Fig. 13 is a schematic sectional side view of a toner container 50A, for illustrating the toner transport operation by the rotating unit 54M1.
  • Fig. 14 is a schematic sectional side view of the toner container 50A with the rotating unit 54M1 rotated 90 degrees from the state of Fig. 13 .
  • the second transport member 56 is rotationally driven and thereby applies a pressing force in the second transport direction to toner.
  • Toner that moves toward the cylindrical portion 52 due to the second transport member 56 moves exclusively in the vicinity of the outer circumference of the rotating unit as shown by arrows C1 in the figures.
  • the second transport member 56 does not exist in the cylindrical portion 52.
  • the dispersing members 57 existing in about the same orbit as the second transport member 56 in the radial direction of the rotating shaft 541 cause the toner near the inner circumferential wall of the cylindrical portion 52 to flow and thus the force that propels toner in the second transport direction is maintained.
  • toner moves toward the second end portion 524 as shown by arrows C1.
  • Toner transported in the second transport direction finally reaches the second end portion 524 of the cylindrical portion 52. Being pressed by the film 546, part of toner that has reached falls through the discharge port 521 into the housing 60.
  • Toner that has not been discharged through the discharge port 521 is reversely transported by the driving of the first transport member 55, as shown by arrows C2 in the figures, exclusively in the part of the cylindrical portion 52 near the central axis, in the first transport direction.
  • the reversely transported toner passes across the border between the cylindrical portion 52 and the main body 51, and while being dispersed in the radial direction (the direction toward the central axis) by the dispersing members 57, the toner is returned to the main body 51.
  • the toner container 50 (50A) of this embodiment has such a circulation movement that toner sent out to the cylindrical portion 52 by the second transport member 56 is returned to the main body 51 by the first transport member 55. For this reason, even in a toner container 50 in which a discharge port 521 is located at the distal end of a cylindrical portion 52, toner can be prevented from clumping in the vicinity of the discharge port 521.
  • the cylindrical portion 52 has a tubular internal space that has an internal diameter slightly greater than the external diameter of the spiral of the second transport member 56.
  • the rotating unit 54 only transports toner in the second transport direction, and if the amount of discharged toner is less than the amount of moved toner, toner is trapped and packed in the cylindrical portion 52 and finally clumps. Clumps of toner block the discharge port 521, thereby preventing toner from being discharged.
  • the first transport member 55 is positioned in the cylindrical portion 52 and reversely transports toner in the first transport direction, and thus toner is not packed.
  • toner cannot move radially outward, and thus toner tries to move toward the axis of the cylindrical portion 52.
  • the first transport member 55 is positioned and transports toner in the first transport direction. Thus, before toner clumps, toner can be efficiently returned from the cylindrical portion 52 to the main body 51.
  • FIG. 15 is a schematic sectional side view of a toner container 50, for illustrating the toner transport operation by the rotating unit 54 of Fig. 10 .
  • the toner transport operation by the first transport member 55 and the second transport member 56 is the same as the operation described with reference to Fig. 13 and Fig. 14 .
  • the outward movement of toner in the radial direction of the rotating shaft 541 is limited. Also in the vicinity of the border between the cylindrical portion 52 and the main body 51, the movement of toner is limited compared to the toner in the main body 51. In the vicinity of the border, the spiral piece 56R can generate a pressing force in the direction of arrow C3 that sends out toner from the cylindrical portion 52 to the main body 51. Toner pushed back in the direction of arrow C3 is dispersed by the dispersing members 57, as shown by arrow C4, in the radial direction of the rotating unit 54.
  • the inclination angle ⁇ of the spiral of the second transport member 56 needs to be neither too steep nor too gradual in order to achieve appropriate transportation in the second transport direction.
  • the range of the preferable inclination angle ⁇ is at least 45 degrees but no more than 80 degrees, and is more preferably at least 55 degrees but no more than 70 degrees.
  • the inclination angle ⁇ of the spiral piece 56R is set in relation to such a preferable inclination angle ⁇ so as to satisfy the above expression (1).
  • a toner container 50 shown in Fig. 9 was made of the following components:
  • the cylindrical portion 52 of the above-described toner container 50 was filled with 4.3 grams of yellow toner, and the main body 51 was filled with 100 grams of black toner.
  • the rotating unit 54 was rotated for 15 minutes with the discharge port 521 closed. After that, part of toner was obtained from the upper layer of toner contained in the main body 51, and the density (L-value) thereof was measured with a Macbeth reflection densitometer RD-19I (manufactured by Macbeth). The same measurement was carried out on seven toner containers 50 that differ in the inclination angle ⁇ of the spiral piece 56R as described above. The results are shown in Table 1 and Fig. 17 .
  • a toner container 50 having a container shape including a main body 51 and a cylindrical portion 52 extending from the main body 51 and having a discharge port 521 toner can be prevented from clumping in the cylindrical portion 52.
  • a toner container 50 that can supply toner stored in a main body 51 to the developing unit 33 such that a little toner remains in the main body can be provided.
  • a toner container 50 is shown as a specific example of a developer case.
  • developer cases include a developing unit that combines a toner reservoir, a developing roller, and others, and an intermediate hopper interposed between a toner container and a developing unit.
  • Fig. 20B is a sectional view of the toner container 50D in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotating shaft 541.
  • a toner sensor 7 that detects the remaining amount of toner is attached to the outer surface of the second side wall 513 of the main body 51 in the vicinity of the border between the main body 51 and the cylindrical portion 52.
  • the toner sensor 7 is a flat plate-like magnetic sensor and outputs a voltage signal corresponding to the remaining amount of toner in the toner container. That is, when toner exists at a position facing the toner sensor 7 (the position shown by dotted line in Fig. 20A and Fig. 21 ), the toner sensor 7 outputs a high voltage; and when toner does not exist at the position, the toner sensor 7 outputs a low voltage.
  • the surface of toner is highest at the cylindrical portion 52 side end of the main body 51 and slopes downwardly as shown in Fig. 20A .
  • the toner container 50E when the amount of toner remaining in the container is small, the surface of toner is flat in the part of the main body 51 close to the cylindrical portion 52 as shown in Fig. 21 . This is caused by the fact that in the part close to the cylindrical portion 52, the pressing force exerted on toner by the second transport member 56 is relatively weak.
  • the pressing force exerted on toner by the second transport member 56 reaches the vicinity of the cylindrical portion 52.
  • Fig. 22 is a graph showing the sensitivities of the toner sensors 7 of the above-described toner containers 50D and 50E.
  • the first output curve 71 of the toner sensor 7 of the toner container 50D is flat until the remaining amount of toner becomes considerably small, and then decreases steeply.
  • the second output curve 72 of the toner sensor 7 of the toner container 50E starts to decrease while the remaining amount of toner is relatively large. From this graph, it can be seen that the toner sensor 7 of the toner container 50D is more sensitive than the toner sensor 7 of the toner container 50E in the stage where the remaining amount of toner is small.
  • the remaining amount of toner when the toner sensor 7 of the toner container 50D outputs a signal corresponding to "empty" is smaller than the remaining amount of toner when the toner sensor 7 of the toner container 50E outputs a signal corresponding to "empty.”
  • a rotating unit 54M1 in which the spiral of the second transport member 56 is formed over substantially the entire length of the main body 51 in the axial direction be used as a rotating unit and that the toner sensor 7 be attached to a position where the cylindrical portion 52 side end of the second transport member 56 exists.
  • the inclination angle of the bottom wall 511 of the toner container 50F with respect to the horizontal direction H be less than the angle of repose of toner contained in the toner container 50F.
  • the inclination angle is preferably less than 35 degrees. This can prevent the transportability of toner in the first transport direction from worsening.
  • the inclination angle exceeds the angle of repose, the reverse transportation of toner by the first transport member 55 becomes difficult.
  • FIG. 24 is a sectional side view of the toner container 500
  • Fig. 25 is a perspective view of a rotating unit 540 located in the toner container 500
  • Fig. 26 is a side view of the rotating unit 540 with accompanying partial sectional views.
  • This variant is the same as the previous embodiment except for the configuration of the rotating unit of the toner container. So, the same reference numerals will be used to designate the same components as those in the previous embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.
  • the rotating unit 540 is positioned so as to straddle the main body 51 and the cylindrical portion 52 and includes a first portion 54A located in the main body 51 and a second portion 54B located in the cylindrical portion 52.
  • the first transport member 55 and the second transport member 56 are formed over substantially the entire length of the rotating shaft 541 in the axial direction. That is, the first transport member 55 and the second transport member 56 exist in both the first portion 54A and the second portion 54B.
  • the dispersing members 57 are also positioned so as to straddle the first portion 54A and the second portion 54B.
  • the external diameter of the spiral of the first transport member 55 is uniform throughout the rotating shaft 541 in the axial direction.
  • the external diameter of the spiral of the second transport member 56 decreases from the first end portion 542 of the rotating shaft 541 toward the second end portion 543 thereof as shown in Fig. 26 .
  • Such a reduction in external diameter of the spiral is achieved by changing the thickness of the arch-like transport pieces of the second transport member 56 in the radial direction.
  • the internal diameter of the spiral of the second transport member 56 is uniform over the entire length of the rotating shaft 541 in the axial direction.
  • the thickness of the arch-like transport piece of the second transport member 56 in the radial direction (the extending height from the dispersing members 57) is T1. which is the thickest, as shown in the circle.
  • T1 the thickness of the arch-like transport piece in the radial direction
  • T3 the thickness of the arch-like transport piece in the radial direction
  • the envelope line L of arch-like transport pieces is inclined at an angle ⁇ to the dispersing members 57 extending in the horizontal direction H.
  • the spiral of the second transport member 56 has a tapered shape that tapers at an angle ⁇ .
  • the cylindrical portion 52 also has a tapered shape that tapers at an angle ⁇ .
  • the first transport member 55 and the second transport member 56 When a rotational drive force that rotates the rotating shaft 541 in a predetermined rotation direction is applied to the container gear 54G, the first transport member 55 and the second transport member 56 generate toner-transporting forces corresponding to their respective spiral directions.
  • the second transport member 56 transports toner in a direction from the main body 51 toward the cylindrical portion 52 (discharge port 521). That is, the second transport member 56 transports toner from the first end portion 542 of the rotating shaft 541 to the second end portion 543 thereof.
  • the first transport member 55 transports toner in a direction from the cylindrical portion 52 to the main body 51. That is, the first transport member 55 transports toner from the second end portion 543 of the rotating shaft 541 to the first end portion 542 thereof.
  • the dispersing members 57 serve to disperse toner transported by the first transport member 55 and the second transport member 56, in the radial direction of the rotating shaft 541. That is, the dispersing members 57 disperse toner existing around the toner propelled by the arch-like transport pieces of the first transport member 55 and the second transport member 56, in the radial direction. Thus, the movement of toner in the first transport direction or the second transport direction is promoted.
  • Fig. 27 is a schematic sectional side view of a toner container, for illustrating the toner transport operation by the rotating unit.
  • Fig. 28 is a schematic horizontal sectional view of the toner container and the developing unit.
  • the second transport member 56 is rotationally driven and thereby applies a pressing force in the second transport direction to toner.
  • Toner caused to move toward the cylindrical portion 52 by the second transport member 56 moves exclusively in the vicinity of the outer circumference of the rotating unit as shown by arrows C1. The same is true in the cylindrical portion 52.
  • Toner moves toward the second end portion 524.
  • the dispersing members 57 disperse toner in the vicinity of the second transport member 56 in the radial direction, and thus toner moves smoothly in the second transport direction.
  • Toner transported in the second transport direction finally reaches the second end portion 524 of the cylindrical portion 52. Being pressed by the film 546, part of toner falls through the discharge port 521 into the housing 60. The toner is circulated in the housing 60 by the first and second screws 332 and 333.
  • Toner that has not been discharged through the discharge port 521 is reversely transported by the driving of the first transport member 55, as shown by arrows C2 in the figures, exclusively in the part of the cylindrical portion 52 near the central axis, in the first transport direction.
  • the reversely transported toner passes across the border between the cylindrical portion 52 and the main body 51, and while being dispersed in the radial direction (the direction toward the central axis) by the dispersing members 57, the toner is returned to the main body 51.
  • the toner container 500 of this variant has such a circulation movement that toner moved to the cylindrical portion 52 by the second transport member 56 is returned to the main body 51 by the first transport member 55. For this reason, even in a toner container 500 in which a discharge port 521 is located at the distal end of a cylindrical portion 52, toner can be prevented from clumping in the vicinity of the discharge port 521.
  • the cylindrical portion 52 has an internal space that has a circular cross-sectional shape corresponding to the rotation locus of the second transport member 56, which is the most radially extending part of the rotating unit 540, that is, a tubular internal space that has an internal diameter slightly greater than the external diameter of the spiral of the second transport member 56.
  • the rotating unit 540 only transports toner in the second transport direction, and if the amount of discharged toner is less than the amount of sent toner, toner is trapped and packed in the cylindrical portion 52 and finally clumps. Clumps of toner block the discharge port 521, thereby preventing toner from being discharged.
  • the first transport member 55 has a transport function to reversely transport toner in the first transport direction in the cylindrical portion 52, and thus toner is not packed. In the cylindrical portion 52, toner cannot move radially outward, and thus toner tries to move toward the axis of the cylindrical portion 52. In the axis part, the first transport member 55 is disposed and transports toner in the first transport direction. Thus, before toner clumps, toner can be efficiently returned from the cylindrical portion 52 to the main body 51.
  • the external diameter of the spiral of the second transport member 56 decreases toward the second transport direction, and the internal diameter of the cylindrical portion 52 also decreases toward the distal end (second end portion 524). For this reason, toner is smoothly transported along these tapered shapes toward the discharge opening 521 (toward the distal end) of the cylindrical portion 52.
  • the internal diameter of the spiral of the second transport member 56 is substantially uniform over the entire length of the rotating shaft 541 in the axial direction. For this reason, the transportation of toner in the first transport direction by the first transport member 55 located inside is not hindered. Thus, toner can be stably returned from the cylindrical portion 52 to the main body 51 by the first transport member 55.
  • a toner container 500 having a container shape including a main body 51 and a cylindrical portion 52 extending from the main body 51 and having a discharge port 521 toner can be prevented from clumping in the cylindrical portion 52.
  • a toner container 500 that can supply toner stored in a main body 51 to the developing unit 33 such that little toner remains in the main body can be provided.
  • toner container 500 according to another variant of the present invention has been described, the present invention is not limited to this.
  • the following other variants can be made.
  • the distance D2 be greater than the thickness D1. Since the distance D2 is greater than the thickness D1, a sufficient space exists between the outermost circumferential part 55A of the spiral of the first transport member 55 and the radially inner surface 57A of the pair of dispersing members 57. Thus, the region where toner is transported by the first transport member 55 is secured in the inside of the spiral of the second transport member 56. Thus, toner can be reliably transported in the first transport direction by the first transport member 55.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Dry Development In Electrophotography (AREA)
EP12164241.7A 2011-04-15 2012-04-16 Developer case and image forming apparatus to which developer case is applied Active EP2527925B1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP13167132.3A EP2626749B1 (en) 2011-04-15 2012-04-16 Developer case and image forming apparatus to which developer case is applied
EP13167141.4A EP2626750B1 (en) 2011-04-15 2012-04-16 Developer case and image forming apparatus to which developer case is applied

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

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JP2011091259 2011-04-15
JP2011091260A JP5377564B2 (ja) 2011-04-15 2011-04-15 現像剤収容容器及びこれが適用された画像形成装置
JP2011232939A JP5377612B2 (ja) 2011-04-15 2011-10-24 現像剤収容容器及びこれが適用された画像形成装置

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EP13167132.3A Division-Into EP2626749B1 (en) 2011-04-15 2012-04-16 Developer case and image forming apparatus to which developer case is applied
EP13167132.3A Division EP2626749B1 (en) 2011-04-15 2012-04-16 Developer case and image forming apparatus to which developer case is applied
EP13167141.4A Division-Into EP2626750B1 (en) 2011-04-15 2012-04-16 Developer case and image forming apparatus to which developer case is applied
EP13167141.4A Division EP2626750B1 (en) 2011-04-15 2012-04-16 Developer case and image forming apparatus to which developer case is applied

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US9261815B2 (en) 2012-03-13 2016-02-16 Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. Container and image forming apparatus
JP5975966B2 (ja) * 2013-10-30 2016-08-23 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 画像形成装置
JP2015206822A (ja) * 2014-04-17 2015-11-19 シャープ株式会社 トナーカートリッジ、画像形成ユニット及び画像形成装置
CN108369395B (zh) * 2015-12-11 2021-05-28 株式会社村田制作所 墨粉瓶
JP6583225B2 (ja) * 2016-11-24 2019-10-02 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 現像剤容器およびこれを備えた画像形成装置
CN106773569A (zh) * 2016-12-16 2017-05-31 中山市宇之来打印科技有限公司 一种显影剂的传送方法和装置

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EP1158370B1 (en) * 2000-05-26 2010-02-17 Kyocera Mita Corporation Toner cartridge with toner agitator
JP4363035B2 (ja) * 2002-12-16 2009-11-11 富士ゼロックス株式会社 画像形成装置
JP4325425B2 (ja) * 2004-02-06 2009-09-02 富士ゼロックス株式会社 現像装置及びこれを用いた画像形成装置
JP4537258B2 (ja) * 2005-05-18 2010-09-01 シャープ株式会社 現像装置
JP4844222B2 (ja) * 2006-04-28 2011-12-28 富士ゼロックス株式会社 トナーカートリッジ
JP4710760B2 (ja) * 2006-08-29 2011-06-29 富士ゼロックス株式会社 現像剤搬送装置および画像形成装置
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JP5139468B2 (ja) 2010-04-27 2013-02-06 株式会社日立ビルシステム Ｉｄキーの点検支援装置および点検方法

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EP2527925A1 (en) 2012-11-28
CN102736478B (zh) 2014-07-16
CN102736478A (zh) 2012-10-17
KR101457759B1 (ko) 2014-11-03

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