JP2002099136A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device which has its developing container replaced at low cost and can form an image of good quality less affected by vibration. SOLUTION: A toner replenishment device 10 which has a replaceable toner container 11 and replenishes a developing device 2 as a toner replenishment destination with toner T in the toner container uses a toner container having a toner discharge opening 11a close to an end part of one side wall as the toner container 11. Further, a spring 15 which urges a container holding member 12 and the toner container 11 and a cam 16 are provided as a reciprocal motion means which moves the toner container 11 reciprocally along the line connecting the end part of the above side wall and the end part on the opposite side. Furthermore, a leaf spring 24 and a cam 26 are provided as a collision means which causes a weight 25 moving in the opposite direction (arrow B) to repeatedly collide against the toner container 11 moving forward in the direction (arrow C) wherein toner is to move toward the discharge opening 11a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developing device having a replaceable developer container and a developer replenishing device for replenishing the developer in the developer container to the developing device. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that employs an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a replaceable toner container has been provided as a toner supply device for supplying toner to a developing device of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, and the like. 2. Description of the Related Art A toner replenishing device for replenishing toner to a developer replenishing unit of a developing device to which a toner is replenished is known. In such a toner replenishing device, when the toner in the toner container runs out, the toner is replaced with a new toner container containing toner.

[0003] As the toner replenishing device, for example, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, there is known a device in which a movable member 112 such as a screw or a coil spring is provided in a toner container 111. In this toner supply device, the movable member 112
By rotating the rotating shaft 112a, the toner in the toner container 111 is transferred in a direction toward the discharge port 111a, discharged from the discharge port 111a, and supplied to the developer supply section.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the toner supply device.
As shown, a screw bottle 211 using a cylindrical toner container having a spiral projection 212 formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof along the circumferential direction is also known. In this toner supply device, the screw bottle 211
Is rotated to transfer the toner in the screw bottle in the direction of the outlet 211a, and the outlet 211a
And supply it to the developer supply section.

[0005]

However, when the above-mentioned movable member is used, it is necessary to provide the movable member in the toner container, so that there is a problem that the replacement cost of the toner container increases. Further, since the movable member is driven by a driving source outside the toner container, an opening is formed in the toner container. For this reason, it is necessary to provide a sealing member for sealing the opening, and there is a problem that the structure of the toner container becomes complicated. Further, even when the above-mentioned screw bottle is used, it is necessary to provide a spiral projection on the inner peripheral surface, so that the structure of the toner container is inevitably complicated. Further, since the container is a cylindrical toner container, there are dead spaces at four corners of the cylindrical container, and there is a disadvantage that the amount of toner that can be held is smaller than that of a rectangular container. Furthermore, there are drawbacks in handling properties such as the hand being slippery and difficult to hold during replacement.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present inventors have disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-230582 "a powder container which is provided so as to be replaceable, and a powder container in the powder container. Powder supply device for supplying powder to a powder supply destination, a powder container having a powder discharge port formed near an end of one side wall is used as the powder container, and the powder container is connected to the discharge port. Powder replenishing means provided with reciprocating means for reciprocating the powder container so that the powder moves toward the discharge port in a state where the powder container faces downward in the vertical direction. Device "was proposed. In this powder replenishing apparatus, the powder in the powder container is moved toward the discharge port formed near the end by the inertial force generated in the powder in the container by the reciprocating motion of the powder container. Move slowly. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide a special structure such as a spiral projection or a groove and a movable member such as a screw in the powder container. Further, since the discharge port is directed downward in the vertical direction, the powder does not accumulate on the discharge port, and the discharge port is clogged and the discharge amount is reduced due to the compressed powder being compressed by gravity. No reduction occurs. Therefore, using a low-cost powder container with a simple structure,
The powder in the powder container can be reliably discharged.

[0007] Further, in the same patent application, in order to enable such movement of the powder, "the powder container is moved in a direction in which the powder moves forward with respect to a direction toward the discharge port. Urging means for urging, pressing moving means for moving by pressing the powder container in the retreating direction against the urging force of the urging means, pressing releasing means for releasing the pressing movement, A powder replenishing device comprising: a stopper that stops the powder container by pressing the powder container that moves in the forward direction by the urging force of the urging means when the pressing is released. is suggesting. In this powder replenishing device, the pressing and moving means presses the powder container to move the powder container in the retreating direction, and the pressing releasing means presses the powder container at the moment when the pressing movement is released. The urging force moves the powder container in the forward direction. Then, the powder container moving in the forward direction collides with the stopper, whereby the movement in the forward direction is suddenly stopped. As described above, when the powder container that moves at a high speed due to the urging force is suddenly stopped by the stopper, a large acceleration is generated when the advancing powder container is stopped. This acceleration causes an inertial force on the powder in the powder container.

In the powder replenishing apparatus, a large impact force is generated when the powder container moving at high speed and the stopper collide with each other due to the urging force. For this reason,
Loud vibration and contact noise are generated when the stopper and the powder container collide. This vibration is transmitted to the developing device, the image forming apparatus main body, the writing system, and the like via the stopper, and adversely affects the image due to the vibration.

Therefore, in the same application, in order to reduce the impact force when the powder container moving in the forward direction and the stopper collides with each other, "the stopper is moved by contact with the powder container. A powder replenishing device characterized by being provided movably in the forward direction and having an elastic member for urging the stopper in the backward direction between the stopper and the device body in the forward direction. .

In this powder replenishing device, when the stopper comes into contact with the powder container, the stopper moves in the forward direction to absorb an impact generated between the stopper and the powder container. I do. In addition, the impact transmitted secondarily through the stopper is absorbed by the elastic deformation of the elastic member. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the vibration and the contact noise generated when the stopper and the powder container are in contact with each other.

However, it is difficult to completely absorb the impact by the movement of the stopper in the forward direction and the elastic deformation of the elastic member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to reduce the cost of replacing a developing container.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of obtaining a high-quality image with less influence of vibration.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer container having a replaceable developer container, wherein the developer in the developer container is provided. An image forming apparatus that develops a latent image formed on an image carrier using a developing device having a developer replenishing device that replenishes the inside of the developing device, the developer container is disposed near an end of one side wall as the developer container. Reciprocating means for reciprocating the developer container in a direction along a line connecting the end of the one side wall and the end opposite to the end using a discharge outlet; In the direction of moving toward the above-mentioned outlet,
The present invention is characterized in that a developer replenishing device having a collision means for repeatedly colliding a moving member moving in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the developer container with a forwardly moving developer container is used.

In the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the moving developer moves in the direction opposite to the direction in which the developer moves toward the discharge port. The members collide, and the movement of the developer container in the forward direction is suddenly stopped. At this time, a large negative acceleration is generated in the developer container in the forward direction. As a result, an inertial force in the forward direction is generated in the developer inside the developer container. The developer in the developer container moves in the forward direction, that is, in the direction toward the discharge port, due to the inertial force in the forward direction. By repeating such collisions, the developer in the developer container can be gradually moved toward the discharge port.
Then, the developer that has reached the discharge port by the above movement drops by the gravity of the developer itself, and is satisfactorily replenished into the developing device. In this way, the collision between the reciprocating developer container and the moving member moving in the opposite direction to the developer container causes
Since the developer in the developer container can be discharged by the inertial force generated in the developer in the developer container, a special structure such as a helical protrusion or a groove and a movable screw or the like are provided in the developer container. There is no need to provide members. Therefore, a low-cost developer container having a simple structure can be used. In addition, since the developer container and the moving member moving in opposite directions collide with each other, the collision energy generated at the time of the collision cancels each other. That is, the shock generated at the time of collision is absorbed. As a result, the vibration generated at the time of collision can be suppressed efficiently. in this way,
Since the vibration generated in the developer supply device is small, the developing device,
Vibration transmitted to the image forming apparatus main body and the like is reduced. Therefore, the cost of replacing the developing container can be reduced, and a high-quality image with less influence of vibration can be obtained.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the weight of the moving member is substantially equal to the weight of the developer container. Things. Here, the weight of the developer container refers to a weight including a portion that reciprocates by the reciprocating means, for example, a holding member that holds the developer container.

In the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, by making the weight of the developer container and the moving member substantially equal, the collision energy generated at the time of the collision becomes substantially equal, so that it is possible to efficiently cancel each other. On the other hand, if the weight of the developer container and the weight of the moving member are significantly different, a large difference occurs in the collision energy, and the collisions cancel each other, but a large impact remains.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first or second aspect, an elastic member is provided between the developer container and the moving member.

In the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, at the time of the collision, the elastic member is elastically deformed, so that the vibration caused by the impact can be further absorbed and the impact sound can be reduced.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 1, 2 or 3.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the discharge port is arranged to face downward in the vertical direction.

In the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, since the discharge port is directed downward in the vertical direction, the developer that has reached the discharge port by the reciprocating motion drops by gravity and is supplied into the developing apparatus. Here, when the discharge port is arranged so as to open on one side wall of the developer container, the developer gradually moving toward the side wall is deposited near the discharge port by hitting the side wall. . Then, the accumulated developer is compressed by gravity, and the discharged developer partially or completely blocks the discharge port, or a lump larger than the discharge port is generated and the replenishment amount is reduced. As a result, there is a possibility that good discharge of the developer is hindered. Therefore, in the present image forming apparatus, the discharge port is arranged so as to face downward in the vertical direction to prevent the developer from being deposited on the discharge port, and the deposited developer is compressed by gravity. To prevent clogging of the discharge port and decrease in discharge amount.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first, second, third, or fourth aspect, the one side wall is inclined such that the developer in the developer container becomes lower toward the discharge port. It is characterized by having been provided.

In the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect, the developer gravity is generated in a direction in which the developer in the developer container is directed toward the discharge port. By the synergistic effect of the developer gravity and the inertial force, the amount of the developer in the developer container that moves toward the discharge port can be increased. Therefore, the developer in the developer container can be more reliably discharged.

The invention of claim 6 is the invention of claims 1, 2, 3, 4
Alternatively, in the developer supply device of 5, the drive source of the developer container and the drive source of the moving member are commonly used.

In the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, by unifying the driving source, the apparatus can be made compact and low in cost, and the timing deviation of collision can be prevented.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the developer supply device of the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic copying machine (hereinafter, referred to as a copying machine) will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image forming portion of the copying machine according to the present embodiment. Around the photoreceptor 1 as a latent image carrier, a charger for uniformly charging the surface of the photoreceptor 1 is formed, and a light image of a document is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1 to form an electrostatic latent image. An exposure optical system, a developing device 2, a transfer device for transferring a toner image obtained by developing the electrostatic latent image with the developing device 2 to a transfer paper as a recording medium,
A cleaning device or the like (both not shown) for scraping off the toner remaining on the photoreceptor 1 after the transfer of the toner image is provided so as to approach or contact each other. The developing device 2 is provided with a toner replenishing device 10 for replenishing the developing device 2 with toner. Since the copying operation of the entire copying machine is a well-known electrophotographic process, the description thereof is omitted.

The developing device 2 is a two-component developing device using a so-called two-component developer composed of a toner and a carrier. In a developing casing 6 of the developing device 2, a developer 7 in which a toner and a carrier are mixed is contained. Is housed. In the developing casing 6, the toner T supplied via the developing roller 3 and the toner receiving portion 19 of the toner replenishing device 10 is mixed and stirred with the developer 7 in the developing casing 6 and supplied to the developing roller 3. And a regulating blade 8 for regulating the amount of the developer on the developing roller 3.

The transport screws 4 and 5 are arranged in parallel so as to extend in the depth direction in the drawing, and are driven to rotate in opposite directions in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 3 by a drive system (not shown). I have. A partition plate 9 is provided between the transport screws 4 and 5.
Thereby, a developer accommodating space for accommodating the developer 7 is individually secured around the both. However, no partition plate 9 is provided in a region corresponding to the vicinity of both ends of the conveying screws 4 and 5 (near the front end and near the rear end in the figure), and two developer accommodating spaces are provided near the both ends. It is designed to communicate. The toner T supplied from the toner supply device 10 into the developing device 2 is conveyed to the developing roller 3 while being mixed and agitated with the developer 7 with the rotation of the conveying screws 4 and 5. Then, with the rotation of the developing roller 3, the toner T in the developer carried on the surface of the developing roller 3 is supplied to the latent image formed on the photoconductor 1, and the latent image is developed.

Next, the configuration and operation of the toner replenishing device 10 which is a feature of the present invention will be described. The toner supply device 10 includes a toner container 11 and a container holding member 12.
And a support 13. The outer shape of the toner container 11 of the present embodiment is a rectangular parallelepiped, and a discharge port 11a protruding outside the container body is formed near an end of one side wall of the container. The toner container 11 is replaced with a new toner container containing toner when the toner T in the container is exhausted. The outer shape of the toner container 11 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped, and
For example, a cylindrical container can be used.

The support table 13 is fixed and supported substantially horizontally on a developing device side plate (not shown).
Is configured to be detachable from the support base 13. Further, the toner container 11 is configured to be detachable from the container holding member 12 and the support base 13. When setting a new toner container 11 in the toner replenishing device 10, first, the container holding member 12 and the toner container 11 previously removed from the toner replenishing device 10 are integrated. Specifically, the outlet 11a of the toner container 11 is
Both are integrated by penetrating through an opening 12 a formed in the container holding member 12. Then, the toner container 11 integrated with the container holding member 12 is made to pass through the outlet 13 a of the toner container 11 integrated with the container holding member 12 through an opening 13 a formed in the support base 13. Roller 14
It is set on the support table 13 via a and 14b. By setting the toner container 11 in the toner replenishing device 10 in this manner, the toner container 11
a is arranged so as to face downward in the vertical direction. The opening 12a of the container holding member 12 is formed in such a shape as to restrict the movement of the outlet 11a of the toner container in the opening 12a, while the opening 13a of the support 13 is formed as an opening 13a.
The outlet 11a is formed in such a shape as to allow movement in the direction of arrow BC in the drawing. As a result, the toner container 11 is integrated with the container holding member 12 and
3 can be moved in the direction of arrow BC.

Next, in the toner supply device 10,
Means for moving the toner T in the toner container 11 toward the outlet 11a will be described. In the present embodiment, reciprocating means for reciprocating the toner container 11 in a direction along a line connecting both ends in the longitudinal direction of one side wall (hereinafter, referred to as a bottom surface) of the toner container 11 in which the discharge port 11a is formed; , The toner container 11 that moves forward in the direction in which the toner moves toward the discharge port 11a.
And collision means for repeatedly colliding a moving member moving in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the toner container. In this embodiment, the support table 13 is used as the reciprocating means.
And a spring 15 as urging means for urging the toner container 11 rightward (in the direction of arrow C) in FIG. 1 via the container holding member 12, and the container holding member 1 against which the spring 15 abuts.
And a cam 16 rotatably disposed such that the peripheral surface thereof abuts on the end opposite to the end of the cam 2. Cam 16
Is driven to rotate at an appropriately set rotational speed by a motor and a speed reducer (not shown) fixed to the support base 13. The cam 16 comprises an eccentric cam surface and a stepped portion as shown in the figure. As will be described later, with rotation in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 12 is pressed to the left in the figure to move the toner container 11 together with the container holding member 12 and to release the pressing movement. Here, a spring 15 is used as an urging means for urging the container holding member 12 and the toner container 11 in the right direction (the direction of arrow C) in FIG. 1, but as shown in FIG. Alternatively, an elastic body 18 such as a sponge may be used. When an elastic body is used, there is an advantage that elasticity can be obtained in a small space.

Further, the collision means is moved toward the toner container 11 by the elastic force of the leaf spring 24 supported by the leaf spring 24 slidably attached to the support table 13. The weight 25 is used as a moving member that collides with the toner container 11 via the container holding member 12.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of the collision means. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bases of the two leaf springs 24a and 24b are attached to the support 13 while a weight 25 is fixed to each free end. Further, a cam contact member 27 is fixed to the weight 25, and the cam 26 is disposed so that a peripheral surface of the cam contact member 27 comes into contact with a surface opposite to the surface fixed to the weight 25. ing.

When the cam 16 is also rotated in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1 by the drive of a motor (not shown), the eccentric cam surface of the cam 16 comes into contact with the end of the container holding member 12 and resists the urging force of the spring 15. The end of the container holding member 12 is pressed. Due to this pressing, the container holding member 12 and the toner container 11 move in the left direction (the direction of the arrow B) in the figure (forward). at the same time,
When the cam 26 is rotated in the direction of the arrow A by driving the motor M, the eccentric cam surface of the cam 26
7, and the cam contact member 27 is pushed rightward (in the direction of arrow C) in the figure against the urging force of the leaf spring 24. As a result, the leaf spring 24 and the weight 25 swing about the portion fixed to the support table 13 and move rightward (in the direction of arrow C) in the figure. Next, when the cam 16 further rotates and the end of the container holding member 12 reaches the step, the pressing movement by the cam surface with respect to the container holding member 12 is released,
Due to the urging force of the spring 15, the container holding member 12 and the toner container 11 move (return) while accelerating in the right direction (the direction of arrow C) in the figure. Thus, each time the cam 16 makes one rotation, the toner container 11 makes one reciprocating motion in the direction of arrow BC in the figure. At the same time, when the cam 26 further rotates and the end face of the cam contact member 27 reaches the step of the cam 26, the pressing movement of the cam contact member 27 by the cam 26 is released,
Due to the urging force of the leaf spring 24, the weight 25 moves while accelerating in the left direction (the direction of arrow B) in the figure. Then, the container holding member 12 and the toner container 11 that move while accelerating in the right direction (arrow C direction) in the figure collide with the weight 25 that moves while accelerating in the left direction (arrow B direction) in the figure.
Stop. At the time of this stop, a large negative acceleration is generated in the toner container 11 in the right direction (arrow C direction) in the figure, so that the toner T in the toner container 11 is moved rightward in the figure (arrow C direction). Inertia force is generated. Due to the inertial force in the right direction in the drawing (direction of arrow C), the toner in the toner container 11 moves in the right direction in the drawing (direction of arrow C), that is, the direction toward the discharge port 11a. By repeating such a collision, the toner in the toner container 11 arranged substantially horizontally can be gradually moved toward the discharge port 11a. By this movement, the outlet 1
The toner having reached 1a falls due to the gravity of the toner itself, and is satisfactorily supplied to the developing device 2 which is a toner supply destination.

In the toner replenishing apparatus 10, as described above, the weight 25 collides with the container holding member 12 and the toner container 11 which are moving in the opposite direction with acceleration. Therefore, the container holding member 12, the toner container 11, and the weight 2
5 collide with each other, and the collision energy generated when they collide with each other. That is, the impact generated at the time of the collision is absorbed. As a result, vibration generated at the time of collision can be suppressed.

Further, when the weights of the container holding member 12 and the toner container 11 and the weight 25 are substantially equal, the collision energy becomes substantially equal, so that they can be canceled efficiently. For this reason, it is preferable that the weight of the weight 25 be made substantially equal to the container holding member 12 and the toner container 11. On the other hand, if the weights of the container holding member 12 and the toner container 11 and the weight 25 are significantly different, a large difference occurs in the collision energy, and the collisions cancel each other out, but may remain as a large impact.

Further, an elastic member 28 for reducing an impact force on the toner container 11 is provided at a contact portion between the container holding member 12 and the weight 25. Due to the elastic deformation of the elastic member 28, vibration due to impact can be further absorbed,
Noise due to impact can also be reduced. As the elastic member 28, general rubber, sponge, metal spring, or the like can be used. In order to quickly absorb vibration,
It is preferable to use rubber, sponge, or the like having high viscosity resistance.

The reciprocating means for reciprocating the toner container 11 and the moving direction of the toner container 11 in the toner container 11 moving forward with respect to the direction in which the toner moves toward the discharge port 11a. By providing the toner replenishing device 10 with a collision means for repeatedly colliding the weight 25 moving in the opposite direction to the above, the toner T in the toner container 11 can be discharged by the above-mentioned inertial force. It is not necessary to provide a special structure such as a spiral projection or a groove and a movable member such as a screw inside the inside 11. Further, since the discharge port 11a faces downward in the vertical direction, the toner T does not accumulate on the discharge port 11a, and the discharge port 1a is caused by the accumulated toner T being compressed by gravity.
There is no blockage of 1a or a decrease in the discharge amount.

Further, since a rectangular parallelepiped container having only a flat outer shape is used as the toner container 11, it can be stacked, for example, when storing in large quantities or during transportation, and can be stacked like a conventional screw bottle. The handling of the container is easier than when a cylindrical container is used.
Also, if you set the width of the side of the rectangular parallelepiped to be easy to hold by hand,
Unlike the case of using a cylindrical container, there is no problem that the hand slips and is difficult to hold. Furthermore, the use of the rectangular parallelepiped container increases the toner storage capacity by eliminating dead spaces at the four corners of the cylindrical container as compared with the case where a cylindrical container that can be mounted on the container holding member 12 is used. You can also.

[Modification 1] Next, a modification of the reciprocating means and the collision means in the above embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a toner replenishing device 10 including a reciprocating unit according to the present modified example, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a part of the toner replenishing device 10. In the present modification, as shown in FIG. 4, the bottom surface of the toner container 11 is provided so as to be inclined so that the toner T in the container becomes lower toward the discharge port 11a.
Is to move the toner T in the container toward the discharge port 11a even when the reciprocating motion is performed with the same magnitude of acceleration at the time of going and returning.

In this modification, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, as the reciprocating means, leaf springs 22a, b, leaf springs 23a, b longer than the leaf springs 22a, b, and a container holding member are provided. 12, the toner T in the container is
A cam 16 is provided in the vicinity of the end on the opposite side to a so as to be rotatable so that the peripheral surface abuts. Each base of the leaf spring 22 and the leaf spring 23 is attached to the support 13. With such a configuration, the bottom surface of the toner container 11 is disposed so as to be inclined such that the toner T in the container becomes lower toward the discharge port 11a. In addition, each leaf spring 2
Each of 2a, b, 23a, and b is swingable about a base attached to the support base 13, whereby the container holding member 12 swings in the direction of arrow BC by the leaf springs 22 and 23. Supported as possible. The cam 16 includes an eccentric cam surface and a stepped portion as shown in the figure. As will be described later, the rotation of the cam 16 against the urging force of the leaf spring 23 along with the rotation in the direction of arrow A in FIG. Is pressed to the left in the figure to move the toner container 11 together with the container holding member 12 and to release the pressing movement.

The cam 16 is rotated in the direction of the arrow A, and the toner T in the container is
Is in contact with the end opposite to the discharge port 11a,
The end is pushed leftward in the figure by the cam 16,
As a result, the leaf springs 22 and 23 swing about the portions fixed to the support table 13, respectively. And
This swing causes the toner container 11 and the container holding member 1
No. 2 moves substantially horizontally to the left in the figure (outgoing). next,
The cam 16 further rotates, and the cam 16 is moved to the container holding member 12.
When the end reaches the step, the pressing of the container holding member 12 by the cam surface 16 is released, and the container holding member 12 and the toner container 11 move substantially horizontally to the right in the drawing (return). Thus, each time the cam 16 makes one rotation, the toner container 11 and the container holding member 12 make one reciprocating motion in the direction of arrow C in the figure.

In the present modification, since the bottom surface of the toner container 11 is inclined as described above,
When the toner T is directed toward the discharge port 11a, the toner T
A component force of gravity is generated. Therefore, not only the inertia force of the toner due to the impact but also the toner is moved by utilizing the own weight of the toner because the container is inclined. According to the present modification, the toner T in the toner container 11 can be more reliably moved toward the discharge port by a synergistic effect of the large inertial force of the toner T in the right direction and the gravity.

[Modification 2] Next, a modification of the cam 16 forming the reciprocating means and the cam 26 forming the collision means described in the above embodiment will be described. FIG.
Is a toner supply device 1 having a cam 29 according to the present modification.
It is a schematic block diagram which shows 0. Instead of the cams 16 and 26 described in the above embodiment, a cam 29 which can perform the functions of two cams as shown in FIG. 6 is used. The weight 25 is urged by the coil spring 30 instead of the plate spring 24 described in the above embodiment. Note that an elastic body such as rubber or sponge may be used instead of the coil spring.

The cam 29 has an elliptical shape from 0 degree to 90 degrees, and 1 degree.
It is a shape obtained by cutting out a portion between 80 and 270 degrees. Also, the peripheral surface abuts on the end opposite to the end of the container holding member 12 with which the spring 15 abuts, and on the end opposite to the surface fixed to the weight 25 of the cam abutting member 27. It is arranged to be rotatable. When the cam 29 rotates in the direction of arrow A in the figure, the cam surface of 270 to 360 degrees
And presses the end of the container holding member 12 against the urging force of the spring 15. Due to this pressing, the container holding member 12 and the toner container 11 move in the left direction in the figure (arrow B direction).
Go to At the same time, the cam surface of 90 to 180 degrees comes into contact with the end of the cam contact member 29 opposite to the surface fixed to the weight 25, and the cam contact member 27 is pressed against the urging force of the coil spring 30. It is pushed out in the middle right direction (arrow C direction). Thereby, the coil spring 30 and the weight 25
Swings around a portion fixed to the support table 13 and moves rightward in the figure (arrow C direction). Next, when the cam 29 further rotates and the end portion of the container holding member 12 reaches a portion of the cam 29 cut out from 0 degree to 90 degrees, the container holding member 12
The pressing movement by the cam surface 29 with respect to the
Due to the urging force of 5, the container holding member 12 and the toner container 11 move while accelerating in the right direction (the direction of arrow C) in the figure (return). In this manner, each time the cam 16 makes a half turn, the toner container 11 makes one reciprocating motion in the direction of arrow BC in the figure. At the same time, the end face of the cam contact member 27
It comes into contact with the portion cut out from 0 to 270 degrees, the pressing movement of the cam abutting member 27 against the cam abutting member 27 is released, and the weight 25 accelerates in the left direction (the direction of arrow B) in the figure by the urging force of the coil spring 30. Moving. Then, the container holding member 12 and the toner container 11 that move while accelerating in the right direction (arrow C direction) in the figure collide with the weight 25 that moves while accelerating in the left direction (arrow B direction) in the figure.
Stop. At the time of this stop, a large negative acceleration is generated in the toner container 11 in the right direction (arrow C direction) in the figure, so that the toner T in the toner container 11 is moved rightward in the figure (arrow C direction). Inertia force is generated. Due to the inertial force in the right direction in the drawing (in the direction of arrow C), the toner in the container is discharged in the right direction in the drawing (in the direction of arrow C), that is, the discharge port 1.
It moves in the direction toward 1a. By repeating such a collision, the toner in the toner container 11 arranged substantially horizontally can be gradually moved toward the discharge port 11a.

Since the container holding member 12, the toner container 11 and the weight 25 are moved by one cam as described above, the operation timing is not disturbed, and a long-term accurate shock operation can be performed. Also, space and cost can be reduced.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the toner T in the toner container 11 can be reliably discharged using the low-cost toner container 11 having a simple structure. The toner T can be supplied to the developing device 2 stably. As described above, since the toner container 11 having a simple structure and low cost can be used, the replacement cost of the toner container 11 can be reduced.
Further, since the occurrence of vibration of the toner replenishing device 10 can be suppressed, the vibration transmitted to the developing device 2, the image forming apparatus main body, and the like can be reduced, and the adverse effect on the image due to the vibration can be prevented.

Although the embodiment has been described using an example in which the developer is a toner only, the present invention can be applied to any of a toner alone, a carrier only, and a two-component developer containing a toner and a carrier. And the same effect can be obtained.

[0048]

According to the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, there is an excellent effect that the replacement cost of the developer container is low and a high-quality image with little influence of vibration can be obtained.

In particular, according to the invention of claim 2, there is an excellent effect that vibration can be efficiently absorbed.

In particular, according to the third aspect of the present invention, there is an excellent effect that vibration can be further absorbed and impact noise can be reduced.

In particular, according to the fourth aspect of the invention, it is possible to prevent the developer from accumulating on the discharge port, and to block the discharge port and reduce the discharge amount due to the accumulated developer being compressed by gravity. There is an excellent effect that reduction can be prevented.

In particular, according to the invention of claim 5, there is an excellent effect that the developer in the developer container can be more reliably discharged by the synergistic effect of the inertial force and the developer gravity. .

In particular, according to the invention of claim 6, there are excellent effects that the device can be made compact and low-cost, and the timing deviation of the collision can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming portion of a copying machine according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a toner supply device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another example of an urging unit.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a toner supply device according to a first modification.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a part of the toner supply device.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a toner supply device according to a second modification.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conventional toner container.

FIG. 8 is a view showing another example of a conventional toner container.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photoreceptor 2 Developing device 3 Developing roller 4, 5 Conveyor screw 6 Developing casing 7 Developer 8 Regulator blade 10 Toner replenishing device 11 Toner container 11a Outlet 12 Container support member 13 Support stand 14a, b Roller 15 Spring 16 Cam 18 Elastic body 19 Toner receiving part 22a, b Leaf spring 23a, b Leaf spring 24a, b Leaf spring 25 Weight 26 Cam 27 Cam contact member 28 Elastic member 29 Cam 30 Coil spring 111 Toner container 111a Discharge port 112 Movable member 112a Rotating shaft 211 Screw bottle 211a Discharge port 212 Projection

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Nobuo Iwata 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Company (72) Inventor Satoshi Muramatsu 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Stock In Ricoh Company (72) Inventor Tomoyuki Ichikawa 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Ricoh Company (reference) 2H077 AA00 AA02 AA05 AA14 AA25 AA35 AB02 AB07 AC02 AD06 AD13 CA02

Claims (6)

[Claims] An image bearing device having a replaceable developer container and having a developer replenishing device for replenishing the developer in the developer container to the developing device. In an image forming apparatus for developing a latent image formed on a body, a developer container having an outlet formed near an end of one side wall is used as the developer container, and the developer container is attached to the side wall on the one side wall. Reciprocating means for reciprocating in a direction along a line connecting the end and the end on the opposite side, and a developer container which advances in a direction in which the developer moves toward the discharge port, An image forming apparatus comprising: a developer replenishing device including a collision unit that repeatedly collides a moving member that moves in a direction opposite to a moving direction of the developer container. 2. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the weight of said moving member is substantially equal to the weight of said developer container. 3. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an elastic member is provided between said developer container and said moving member. 4. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said discharge port is arranged so as to face downward in the vertical direction. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one side wall is provided so as to be inclined so that a developer in a developer container becomes lower toward the discharge port. An image forming apparatus comprising: 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a driving source for said developer container and a driving source for said moving member are made common. .