JP2003162137A - Toner cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate the trouble on a stationary type toner cartridge that difficulty is found in driving and coupling in attaching the toner cartridge though space is effectively used when the toner cartridge is put transversely under a main body operation part for upsizing the toner cartridge and to improve operability at the time of attaching the toner cartridge. <P>SOLUTION: When a cover 203 having a rib 203h whose end face is spiral is turned in a direction shown by an arrow E2, a collar 211 and a coupling 209 go to the right against a spring 210, and the coupling 209 is housed in the cover 203. The collar 211 can move only in an axial direction by a guide member 202a. When the toner cartridge is attached to an image forming apparatus so as to be put transversely and the cover 203 is turned in a reverse direction to the direction E2, the coupling 209 is projected by the spring force of the spring 210 and engaged with the coupling of the image forming apparatus main body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toner cartridge for supplying a developer to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as an image forming apparatus) which forms an image using the developer.

Here, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium by using an electrophotographic image forming system. Examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include, for example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, laser beam printer, LED printer, etc.), a facsimile machine, a word processor, and the like.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or LBP forms a latent image by selectively exposing a uniformly charged photosensitive drum to form a latent image and developing the latent image with a developer. A developed image is formed, and the developed image is transferred to a recording medium to record an image. In such an image forming apparatus, the developer must be replenished each time it runs out, but the toner cartridge for replenishing the developer in the image forming apparatus receives the stored developer in the developer receiving unit of the image forming apparatus. A so-called replenishment type cartridge that replenishes the entire amount of the device at one time, and a toner cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, then the toner cartridge is placed as it is, and the developer (toner) is gradually supplied to the developing device until the developer is used up. , Roughly classified as stationary cartridges.

In recent years, in order to make the image forming apparatus compact, a stationary cartridge 40 as shown in FIG. 15 tends to be used, and a developer discharge opening for residual developer when the toner cartridge is replaced. In order to prevent the scattering of the developer, an opening / closing member 41 that seals the developer discharge opening is provided in many cases.

Further, in order to reliably discharge the developer in the toner cartridge, there is also a toner cartridge having a stirring and conveying member in the toner cartridge, which is rotationally driven to send the toner to a discharge port and discharge it.

As a method of transmitting drive to the agitating / conveying member, a drive transmitting means such as a coupling 42 is provided at one end of the toner cartridge and the toner cartridge 4 is used.
0 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 1 in the rotation axis direction (arrow G) of the stirring / conveying member and is engaged with a drive side coupling (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus main body 1. There is.

[0007]

In such a stationary cartridge, it is necessary to increase the capacity of the developer to be stored. This is because if the developer capacity is small, it is necessary to replace the cartridge frequently, which is not only troublesome, but also leads to a decrease in productivity of the image forming apparatus and an increase in running cost.

Considering downsizing of the apparatus, it is space efficient to dispose the toner cartridge 40 horizontally under the operation panel 24 of the apparatus body 1 as shown by a broken line in FIG. This is because the operation panel 24 is generally arranged so as to project above the front surface of the main body of the apparatus, and a space below the operation panel 24 becomes a dead space.

In this case, as a method of mounting the toner cartridge 40, as shown by an arrow K in FIG. 16, the toner cartridge 40 is formed at right angles to the rotation axis of the agitating / conveying member incorporated in the toner cartridge 40 in the longitudinal direction of the long cylindrical toner cartridge 40. The best operability is to move it in parallel with the direction of installation.
As shown by the solid line in FIG. 16, there is also a method in which the device is once mounted in an oblique direction (arrow H) and then rotated in a horizontal plane (arrow J) for horizontal placement, but the operation becomes complicated. In addition, if the cartridge capacity decreases due to the space required by the rotation mechanism of the cartridge receiving part, or if the user accidentally puts weight on the free end side of the toner cartridge, the rotation This is because a large amount of force is applied to the mechanical part, which leads to damage.

When the toner cartridge is mounted in the direction perpendicular to the rotating shaft of the agitating / conveying member, the coupling part of the toner cartridge cannot be engaged with the drive part of the apparatus main body due to the mounting operation. Therefore, after mounting the toner cartridge, shift the entire toner cartridge to engage the coupling part with the drive part of the device body, or move the drive part on the device body side to move the drive part on the device body side to the coupling part. Had to engage. However, it is not easy to move a large toner cartridge in the axial direction, and in order to move the drive unit on the main body of the apparatus, a large-scale configuration is required to move a motor and a gear train. It will be up.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a toner cartridge having improved operability when mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and in a toner cartridge having a developer transport member that rotates around a rotation axis, a drive that receives drive from the main assembly of the apparatus. The transmission means is movable in a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis, and can take a first position where it is driven by the apparatus body and a second position where it is not driven by the apparatus body. By this,
It becomes easy to place the toner cartridge horizontally with respect to the main body of the apparatus, and the capacity of the toner cartridge can be increased.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner container portion having a developer conveying member for accommodating and rotating the developer to convey the developer in the direction of the rotation center line, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. And a drive transmission member for transmitting drive to the developer conveying member, which is mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in parallel movement from a direction intersecting with the rotation center line of the developer conveying member. The drive transmission member is movable in a direction substantially parallel to the developer transport direction, and can have a first position for transmitting drive from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus and a second position for not transmitting drive, The toner cartridge has a total length which is longer when the drive transmission member is at the first position than when the drive transmission member is at the second position. It is a cartridge.

A second invention according to the present application has a cover member that covers the drive transmission member when the drive transmission member is at the second position, and the drive transmission member when the drive transmission member is at the first position. The toner cartridge according to the first invention is characterized in that it projects from the cover member.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the cover member is rotatable relative to the container portion, the drive transmission member is engaged with the cover member, and the cover member is rotated to engage the engagement position. The toner cartridge according to the second aspect of the invention is characterized in that there is provided engagement means for moving the drive transmission member between the first position and the second position.

According to a fourth aspect of the present application, the engaging means is a substantially spiral slope formed on the inner wall surface of the cover member, and the biasing means for biasing the drive transmission member against the substantially spiral slope. The toner cartridge according to the third invention is characterized in that.

A fifth invention according to the present application is the third invention, wherein the cover member has an engaging portion which engages with a rotating member provided in the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The toner cartridge described above.

A sixth invention according to the present application is characterized in that the drive transmission member engages with the positioning hole of the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus at the first position to position the toner cartridge. The toner cartridge according to the invention.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus having a toner cartridge of the present invention. An image of the document Q sent onto the platen glass 2 by a document feeder (not shown) or the like is optically scanned by the optical system 3 and converted into an electric signal by the CCD 4. The laser 5 blinks based on the converted electric signal, and the laser light is guided to the photosensitive drum 8 of the image forming unit 7 via the polygon mirror 6 and the like.

On the other hand, the surface of the photosensitive drum 8 is uniformly charged by the charger 9, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 8 by shining light on the surface.
Toner is applied to the electrostatic latent image in the developing device 10 to be visualized.

At the same time, the photosensitive drum 8 is fed from the paper feeding section 11.
Paper feed cassette 11 at the same timing as the above image formation
A sheet S as a recording medium accommodated in a is supplied,
It is sent to the transfer unit 12 by the carrying means 11b. Transfer part 1
At 2, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 8 is transferred onto the sheet S, is conveyed to the fixing device 14 by the conveying portion 13, and is heated and pressed and fixed. After that, the sheet S is discharged from the paper discharge unit 15 onto the paper discharge tray 16. Alternatively, after being turned upside down in the reversing unit 17, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 8 is transferred to the transfer unit 12 again via the re-feeding conveyance path 18, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 8 is transferred to the rear surface of the sheet S and then passes through the conveyance unit 13. Fixing device 1
4 fixes the image on the back surface of the sheet S. afterwards,
An image is also formed on the back side, and the double-sided copied sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 16.

The developing device 10 has a developing roller 10a with a slight gap between the photosensitive drum 8 and the developing roller 10a. At the time of development, the developing blade 10b imparts a triboelectric charge to the toner and forms a thin toner layer on the developing roller 10a. , A latent image on the photosensitive drum 8 is developed by applying a developing bias between the photosensitive drum 8 and the photosensitive drum 8.

The toner reduced by the development is replenished from a toner replenishing device 19 surrounded by a broken line. The toner replenishing device 19 is provided long in the lateral direction on the front side (upper surface side of the paper) of the apparatus main body 1.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the toner supply device 19. The toner replenishing device 19 includes a toner cartridge 20 and a cartridge receiving portion 21, and the cartridge receiving portion 21 temporarily stores the toner supplied from the toner cartridge 20 in the buffer portion 213 and the buffer portion 2.
Conveying screw 2 for conveying the toner of 13 to the developing device 10.
12 and a buffer shutter (not shown) that covers the toner receiving opening of the buffer unit 213.

When the toner in the toner cartridge 20 is exhausted, the cartridge receiving portion 21 is exposed by opening the cartridge cover 31 provided on the upper front surface of the apparatus main body 1 as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 2, this cartridge receiving portion 2
1. The toner cartridge 20 is inserted into the printer 1 by moving it in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (arrow A).

(Toner Cartridge) The toner cartridge 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention is attached to a toner replenishing device 19 incorporated in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine,
This is a so-called stationary toner cartridge that is left stationary and gradually supplies toner to the developing device 10 until it is used up.

As shown in the exploded view of FIG. 3, the toner cartridge 20 includes a toner container 201 and a flange 20 attached to the end of the toner container 201.
2. Toner supply port 2 at the end of the toner container 201
01a, the sealing member 204, the drive transmission member 205 incorporated in the flange 202, and the toner container 201.
20 for opening and closing the toner discharge opening 201b of
7. A toner stirring member 208 provided inside the toner container 201. Here, the toner stirring member 208
Form a developer transport member. The toner stirring member 208 has a longitudinal direction that is the same as the longitudinal direction of the toner container 201.

(Construction of Toner Container) As shown in FIG. 3, the toner container 201 is composed of a hollow cylindrical member whose one end is closed, and a toner discharge opening 201b is provided on the outer surface of the cylinder. . Further, around the toner discharge opening 201b, there is provided an engaging portion 201c which engages with the shutter 207 and allows the shutter 207 to slide in the circumferential direction so that the toner discharge opening 201b can be opened and closed.

On the outer surface of the cylinder of the toner container 201, a rectangular rib 201d is formed as a guide when the toner cartridge 20 is mounted. The rib 201d has a plate shape orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the toner container 201, and is provided at two places with a gap in the longitudinal direction of the container 201.

In the present embodiment, the toner container 201 has a cylindrical shape as an integrated product, but the shape is not limited to the cylindrical shape, and the configuration of the toner container 201 and the number of parts are also particularly limited. Does not have.

The rib 201d may also be realized by other means as a guide means when the toner cartridge 20 is mounted, and the presence and the shape thereof are not limited to the above-mentioned form.

(Structure of Flange) As shown in FIG. 3, the flange 202 has a substantially disk shape and has a toner container 201.
The other end of the toner container 201
Is sealed. A drive transmission member 205 that transmits a driving force to the stirring member 208 is incorporated in the flange 202. A cover 203 for protecting the drive transmission member 205 is attached to the flange 202. Here, the cover 203 is in the shape of a cylindrical container, has a hole 203g in the center, and has a guide hole 203a in the outer periphery. The guide hole 203a penetrates the outer circumference of the cover 203 in and out.

(Drive transmitting portion) As shown in FIG.
The drive transmission member 205 and the stirring member 208 are connected by fitting the cross-shaped output portion 206b of the drive shaft 206 into the cross hole 208a1 at one end of 08a.

The drive transmission member 205 is rotatably held by the flange 202 and has a drive shaft 206 for transmitting a drive force to the stirring member 208, and a cross hole 209b for fitting with a cross shaft 206a of the drive shaft 206 (see FIG. 8). And a compression coil spring 210 which is an urging member for pressing the coupling 209 in the direction opposite to the toner container 201, and the boss 2 of the coupling 209.
It is configured by a collar 211 which is rotatable with respect to 09c and is immovable in the axial direction. Here, as means for making the coupling 209 immovable in the axial direction, for example, a shaft retaining ring (not shown) is used as the boss 209 of the coupling 209.
It is fitted in c. The collar 211 has a rod-shaped portion 211a in a direction (radial direction) perpendicular to the axial direction.
One end of 1a is a guide hole 203 formed in the cover 203.
It is movably fitted to a and further protrudes from the cover 203 to the outside.

Here, the drive shaft 206 has a flange-like spring seat 206d integrally with the shaft portion 206c. The compression coil spring 210 is compressed between the collar 211 and the spring seat 206d.

As shown in FIG. 4, the guide hole 203a of the cover 203 has a guide portion 203b having a length substantially the same as the moving length of the coupling 209 and a locking portion 203c formed slightly longer than the diameter of the rod portion 211a. It has a substantially U-shape that is connected by a vertical hole 203d, and has a rod-like portion 211a.
Is urged toward the end surface of the locking portion 203c by the compression coil spring 210, and the rod-shaped portion 211a is locked by the locking portion 203c. At the center of the end plate of the cover 203, a hole 203g through which the coupling 209 can come and go is provided.

As shown in FIG. 5, the collar 211 is attached to the rod-shaped portion 2.
By operating with 11a the coupling 20
When 9 is moved in the axial direction and engaged with the drive unit 30 of the device body 1, the rotational driving force of the drive unit 30 of the device body 1 is transmitted to the coupling 209 and further driven with the cross hole 209b of the coupling 209. When the cross shaft 206a of the shaft 206, the output portion 206b of the drive shaft 206, and the cross hole 208a1 of the stirring shaft 208a are fitted, the power is transmitted from the drive shaft 206 to the stirring member 208.

Here, the coupling 2 of the toner container
Reference numeral 09 denotes a coupling concave portion 2 on the end face facing the driving unit 30.
09d, the drive unit 30 has a coupling recess 209d.
It has a coupling projection 30a that can be fitted to. The coupling recess 209d has the coupling 2 when viewed from the axial direction.
09 is a circular arc centered on the center of rotation by equally arranging the circumferential direction of 09, and the coupling protrusion 30a is formed in the coupling recess 2
It has an arc shape similar to that of the coupling recess 209d that is loosely fitted to the 09d.

The flange 202 is the toner container 2
01 or a part of the toner container 201 may be integrated. The configuration of the drive transmission member 205 is not limited to the above configuration as long as it has a coupling that is movable in the axial direction and transmits the driving force to the stirring member 208.

(Toner Stirring Member) As shown in FIG. 3, in the toner cartridge 20, a flexible shaft 208a is rotatably supported by the end plate of the flange 202 and is connected to the drive shaft 206 of the drive connecting member 205. The stirring blade 208b to which the member is fixed is used as the toner stirring member 208. Here, the toner stirring member 208 is a developer transport member.
The stirring blade 208b is provided with a plurality of blades having a claw portion 208c that is inclined toward the toner discharge opening 201b, so that the toner in the toner container 201 is stirred while the toner in the toner container 201 is stirred as shown by an arrow (B) in the drawing. It can be sent to 201b (see FIG. 3).

Here, the toner stirring member 208 is the stirring shaft 2.
Both ends of 08a are rotatably supported by both ends of the toner container 201 so as not to move in the axial direction. The other end of the stirring shaft 208a is supported by the end of the drive shaft 206 (see FIGS. 9 and 10 and FIGS. 9 and 10 show the second embodiment, but the toner stirring member 208 is not supported). Form 1
Is the same as in the second embodiment).

(Shutter) As shown in FIG. 3, the shutter 207 is a toner discharge opening 20 of the toner container 201.
It engages with an engaging portion 201c provided around 1b, and slides the toner discharge opening 201b in the circumferential direction so as to be openable and closable. That is, the cross section of the shutter 207 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge 20 has an arc shape and is along the toner container 201.

Here, the engaging portion 201c is integrally formed with the toner container 201 along the circumferential direction of the toner container 201. The engaging portions 201c are provided on both sides of the toner discharge opening 201b in the axial direction of the toner container 201. The shutter 207 has a length that reaches the engaging portions 201c on both sides of the toner discharge opening 201b, and has an arc shape along the toner container 201. The engaging portion 201c has a key-shaped cross section, and the edge 207a of the shutter 207 that engages with the engaging portion 201c has a key-shaped cross section so as to hold the engaging portion 201c.

The opening and closing of the shutter 207 is performed by operating means (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body 1. This operation means is, for example, for operating a segment gear provided on the outer periphery of the shutter 207 from the outside of the apparatus main body 1 via a gear mechanism.

(Toner Replenishing Device) As shown in FIG. 6, the toner replenishing device 19 is provided with a cartridge cover 31 for opening and closing the toner replenishing device portion, which is pivotally attached to the main body 1 of the apparatus by a hinge having a horizontal axis and is opened. When the cover 31 is in a substantially horizontal position, a stopper (not shown) covers the cover 31.
Is designed to hold. The back surface of the cover 31 is provided with a guide groove 31a along which a rectangular rib 201d of the toner supply container 20 is movably fitted along the back surface.

The toner replenishing device 19 includes end plates 19 on both left and right sides.
The toner cartridge 20 is just accommodated in the space a. Both end plates 19a of the toner replenishing device 19 are the cartridge receiving portion 2
It is 1. The cartridge receiving portion 21 is provided with a lock member 32. As shown in FIG. 7, the lock member 32 provided on the cartridge receiving portion 21 has an end plate 19a.
A pair of levers 32, each of which has its root pivotally attached by a pin 32d.
A has a roller 32b integrally. The roller 32b is inserted through a hole 21a formed in the end plate 19a, and the toner replenishing device 19 is inserted.
, The lever 32a further extends on the outer side, and a tension coil spring 32c is provided between the tips of the pair of levers 32a.
Attracted by. The roller 32b projects toward the front side of the paper surface of FIG. The hole 21a has an arc shape centered on the pin 32d, and the lever 32a can be rocked in a limited manner. A toner cartridge receiver 43 is provided in the cartridge receiver 21 so that the toner cartridge 20 is at the toner supply position when the toner cartridge 20 is inserted into the toner supply device 19. The toner cartridge receiver 43 has an arc shape, and the toner cartridge 20 just contacts the inside of the arc. The center of the arc of the toner cartridge receiver 43 is located to the left of the roller 32b in FIG.

(Toner Replenishing Operation) Next, a toner replenishing operation using the toner cartridge 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

(1) Attachment of Toner Cartridge 20 Before attachment of the toner cartridge 20 to the toner replenishing device 19, as shown in FIG. 4, the rod-like portion 211 is fitted into the engaging portion 203c, and the coupling 209 is covered. Located within 203. Further, in the toner replenishing device 19, the rollers 32b, 32b are attracted by the spring force of the tension coil spring 32c and abut against the end of the hole 21a.

As shown in FIG. 6, the front cover 31 of the toner replenishing device 19 of the apparatus main body 1 is opened, and the toner cartridge 20 having the above-described structure is moved into the toner replenishing device 19 in the direction of the arrow D of the toner container 201. Square rib 201
d is fitted into a guide groove 31a formed on the back surface of the cover 31 and inserted along the guide groove 31a.

Toner cartridge 20 toward a predetermined position
When you insert, the roller 3
2b and 32b are spread apart against the spring force of the tension coil spring 32c, the lever 32a is rotated about the pin 32d, the toner cartridge 20 passes between the rollers 32b and 32b, and the toner cartridge receiver 43 Rollers 32b provided at both ends of the toner replenishing device 19 while abutting each other cause the spring force of the tension coil spring 32c to cause the toner cartridge 20 to move.
The toner cartridge 20 is held by pressing and sandwiching the peripheral surface of the toner cartridge as shown by an arrow L in FIG. 7 (see FIG. 2).

The peripheral surface of the cover 203 is also held by the same structure (illustration and description omitted).

Here, the tip of the rod-shaped portion 211a protruding from the cover 203 to the outside is temporarily resisted against the spring force of the compression coil spring 210 as shown by the arrow (C) with the fingertip (see FIGS. 4 and 5). And move it to the right from the locking portion 203c to the vertical hole 20.
When it is moved to the guide portion 203b through 3d, the coupling 209 is pushed by the spring force of the compression coil spring 210, and the coupling 209 moves to the cover 2 as shown in FIG.
It projects from 03 and engages with the drive unit 30 of the apparatus main body 1.
Then, the coupling 209 can be stopped from moving leftward in a state where the rod-shaped portion 211a is pressed against the left end of the guide hole 203a and protrudes. Note that, when the coupling 209 moves toward the drive unit 30, even if the surface of the tip of the coupling 209 without the coupling recess 209d contacts the tip of the coupling projection 30a, the coupling 209 will not It is only pressed by the spring force of the compression coil spring 210 against 30a, and when the drive unit 30 rotates, the coupling protrusion 30a fits into the coupling recess 209d.

(2) Toner Replenishment After the toner cartridge 20 is mounted, the shutter 207 of the toner cartridge 20 is opened by an operating means (not shown), and the rotational driving force is transmitted from the driving unit 30 to the coupling 209, the toner is agitated. The member 208 rotates. The toner in the toner container 201 is the stirring blade 208b described above.
Is sent to the discharge opening 201b by the discharge opening 201
It is dropped from b to the buffer part 213, and is supplied to the developing device 10 by the conveying screw 212.

(3) Removal of Toner Cartridge 20 The toner cartridge 20 is operated by the operating means (not shown).
The shutter 207 of FIG.
11a is moved in the direction opposite to the arrow C direction first along the guide portion 203b against the spring force of the compression coil spring 210, and then along the vertical hole 203d, the rod-shaped portion 211a is engaged with the locking portion 203.
When it moves to c, the bar-shaped portion 211a hits the inner part of the locking portion 203c and is locked by the spring force of the compression coil spring 210 (see FIG. 4). By this, the coupling 209
Are housed and held inside the cover 203 together with the collar 211. After that, the toner cartridge 20 is pulled in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction in the direction opposite to the arrow A of FIG. 2 to resist the spring force of the tension coil spring 32c, and to rotate the roller 32.
The space between b and 32b is expanded by the toner cartridge 20 and pulled out from the toner replenishing device 19. When the toner cartridge 20 is taken out, the rollers 32b and 32b come close to each other due to the spring force of the tension coil spring 32c, and the rollers 32b and 32 come into contact with the ends of the holes 21a and stop.

With the above-described structure, the toner cartridge can be mounted only by the parallel movement in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and the driving force can be transmitted to the stirring member. As a result, a large-capacity toner cartridge can be installed at a position where the space can be effectively used in the apparatus main body.

Further, since the coupling is housed inside the cover when it is not mounted, the drive transmission portion will not be damaged even if the toner cartridge is dropped during handling. Even when mounted, since the coupling is pressed by the compression coil spring toward the drive unit of the apparatus main body, the drive connecting unit does not come off.

In the drive connecting portion between the apparatus main body and the toner cartridge, the coupling on the toner cartridge side is moved and connected to the drive portion of the apparatus main body, so that the motor and gear train of the drive portion of the apparatus main body are moved. There is no need, and it becomes possible to construct an inexpensive and solid drive unit.

(Second Embodiment) Next, FIG. 8 shows a modification of the drive transmission member 205 as a second embodiment. The parts having the same functions as those in the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals.

In the second embodiment, the cover 203 is attached to the flange 202 so as to be rotatable about the center line of the toner container 201 by a predetermined angle. Cover 2
A rib 203h having a double spiral slope 203h1 is formed inside 03.

The collar 211 has a rod-like portion 211b between the two sets of guide members 202 axially protruding from the flange 202.
Is fitted to guide the rod-shaped portion 211b,
It is regulated not to rotate. The rod-shaped portion 211b is pressed against the spiral rib 203h by the compression coil spring 210, so that when the cover 203 rotates, the collar 2 is pressed.
11 moves in the axial direction by relative movement of the rod-shaped portion 211b along the slope 203h1 of the spiral rib 203h. In other words, the rod-shaped portion 211b has the spiral slope 20.
When the cover 203 is rotated in the direction of the arrow E2 while being in contact with 3h1, the collar 211 causes the compression coil spring 210 to move.
The coupling 209 moves toward the toner container 201 side in the direction of the rotation axis against the spring force of the cover 2.
When the cover 203 is housed inside, and the cover 203 is rotated in the direction of arrow E1, the coupling 209 moves the compression coil spring 21.
It projects from the cover 203 with a spring force of zero.

A knob 203e for rotating the cover 203 is formed on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the cover 203.

A mounting operation of the toner cartridge 20 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

Similar to the first embodiment, the coupling 209 remains inside the cover 203 as shown in FIG. 9 until the toner cartridge 20 is mounted in the predetermined position of the toner replenishing device 19 of the main assembly 1 of the apparatus.

After mounting the toner replenishing device 19 at a predetermined position,
When the knob 203e on the outer peripheral surface of the cover 203 is operated to rotate the cover 203 by a predetermined amount in the arrow E2 direction shown in FIG. 10, the rod-shaped portion 211b of the collar 211 is guided by the guide portion 202.
While being guided by a, the collar 211 and the coupling 209 move in the direction of arrow E3 by the spring force of the compression coil spring 210, the coupling 209 projects from the cover 203, and the drive unit 30 (FIG. 9, FIG. (Not shown, see FIGS. 4 and 5).

When the toner cartridge 20 is taken out, the coupling 209 is housed in the cover 203 by the reverse operation.

With such a structure, the operation of projecting the coupling 209 can be increased, and the knob 203e for operating can be set to an arbitrary size, so that the operability can be improved. . Further, by appropriately selecting the inclination of the spiral surface 203h1, the projecting amount of the coupling 209 and the operation angle of the cover 203 can be arbitrarily selected, the degree of freedom in design is increased, and the surrounding configuration and operability are improved. An optimal configuration can be taken according to the conditions.

(Third Embodiment) As a third embodiment, an example in which a knob 203e on the outer peripheral surface of the cover 203 is replaced with a shape for engaging with a rotary member 22 provided in the apparatus main body 1 is shown in FIG. It shows using FIG. The internal structure of the toner cartridge 20 is similar to that of the second embodiment.

A rotary member 22 rotatable by a predetermined angle is provided on one end plate 19a of the main body cartridge receiving portion 21, and a lever 23 that rotates integrally with the rotary member 22 is provided. A hole 22d is provided at the center of rotation of the rotating member 22. A U-shaped rib 22 a is formed on the side of the rotating member 22 facing the toner cartridge 20. On the end surface of the cover 203 of the toner cartridge 20, a one-face width portion, that is, a two-sided chamfered portion 203f is formed so as to substantially engage with the U-shaped rib 22a of the rotating member 22. For example, the other end plate 19a of the main body cartridge receiving portion 21 is fixedly provided with a U-shaped rib, and the toner discharge side of the toner container 201 is provided with a two-face width portion that fits to this rib (not shown). .

When mounting the toner cartridge 20, the U-shaped rib 22a makes the plane portion 22b horizontal.
The opening of the U-shaped rib 22a is located at the position where the outside of the apparatus main body is peeled off. The toner cartridge 20 is mounted while the two-sided shape portion 203f of the cover 203 thereof is guided by the U-shaped rib 22a.

After the toner cartridge 20 is mounted at a predetermined position and the lever 23 is operated to rotate the rotating member 22 in the direction of arrow F shown in FIG. 12, the rotational driving force thereof is the U-shaped rib 22a and the toner cartridge. 20 covers 20
The cover 20 is formed by the engagement of the three-way chamfered portion 203f.
3 and the cover 203 rotates in the F direction by a predetermined amount as shown in FIG. As a result, the coupling 209
Is protruded from the cover 203, inserted into the hole 22d, and connected to the main body drive unit 30. The configuration and operation are the same as those in the second embodiment.

According to this structure, a lever 23 for operation is provided on the apparatus main body 1 side, and the toner cartridge 20 has an engaging shape for engaging with the rotating member 22 of the apparatus main body 1, for example, a two-sided shape portion 203f. By providing the cover 20,
Toner cartridge 20 to obtain the force to rotate 3
It is possible to lengthen the operating lever 23 and obtain a large rotational force without increasing the outer diameter of the. As a result, the operability is further improved without increasing the time and effort required for transportation due to the increase in size of the toner cartridge 20.

In any of the above first to third embodiments, the outer peripheral shape of the coupling 209 may be shaped so as to fit into the concave surface or hole on the apparatus body 1 side, for example, the hole 22d in FIGS. 13 and 14. In this case, the toner cartridge 20 itself can be positioned at the same time as the coupling 209 is projected, so that the coupling 209 can be easily coupled and the operation stability can be further increased. Also,
At this time, the guide shape to the coupling 209 and the hole 20d,
For example, the chamfers 209a and 22c in FIGS.
It is even better to apply a chamfered shape such as. Although the hole 22d of the rotating member 22 is described here, the first embodiment
Alternatively, in 2, the alignment portion may be fixedly provided on the apparatus main body side as indicated by reference numeral 22.

(Embodiment 4) In Embodiment 2 described above, the knob 203e and the cover 203 are interlocked. Also, in the third embodiment, the lever 23 and the cover 203 are configured to interlock. These configurations can be easily realized by the link device. In this way, the cover 203
When the coupling 209 is closed, the coupling 209 moves forward to engage with the drive unit 30 of the apparatus main body 1, and when the cover 203 is opened, the coupling 209 separates from the drive unit 30 and retracts. It is not necessary to rotate the cover 203 of the toner cartridge 20 in order to advance and retract the toner cartridge 20, there is no room for forgetting to turn the cover 203, and the user disengages the coupling 209 and the drive unit 30 of the apparatus main body 1. You don't have to be aware of it, and you don't need to be aware of it.

[0075]

As described above, the developer transport member for accommodating and rotating the developer and transporting the developer in the rotation center line direction is provided, and the developer transport member is rotated to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. A toner cartridge having a container portion mounted in parallel with the center line in a direction parallel to the center line and a drive transmitting member for transmitting the drive from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus to a developer conveying member. Is movable in a direction substantially parallel to the conveying direction of the developer, and has a first position for transmitting drive from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus and a second position for not transmitting drive, and the drive transmission member A toner cartridge in which the drive transmission member is in the first position is longer than the total length of the toner cartridge in the second position. It becomes easy to insertion and removal to the rotation axis at right angles with the direction of the agitating member which is incorporated in the toner cartridge by the, it is possible to increase the cartridge capacity while keeping the apparatus main body compact.

Further, by providing the cover member for covering the drive transmission member, it is possible to reduce the risk of accidentally damaging the drive transmission portion during handling of the cartridge.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus having a toner replenishing device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a toner replenishing device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a separated state of a main body drive unit and a coupling in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing the connected state of the main body drive unit and the coupling in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a process of mounting the toner cartridge on the apparatus main body.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view showing a mechanism for fixing the toner cartridge to the toner replenishing device.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a configuration around a drive transmission unit in the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a coupling is stored in the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a protruding state of a coupling according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a means for projecting a coupling in the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing means for projecting a coupling in the third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a toner cartridge positioning mechanism by coupling.

FIG. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a toner cartridge positioning mechanism by coupling.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a conventional image forming apparatus including a toner cartridge.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a method for mounting a conventional toner cartridge.

[Explanation of symbols]

A, B, C, D, E1, E2, F, G, H, J, K,
L, ... Arrow S ... Sheet Q ... Original document 1 ... Device body 2 ... Platen glass 3 ... Optical system 4 ... CCD 5 ... Laser 6 ... Polygon mirror 7 ... Image forming unit 8 ... Photosensitive drum 9 ... Charger 10 ... Developer 10a ... developing roller 10b ... developing blade 11 ... sheet feeding unit 11a ... sheet feeding cassette 11b ... transporting unit 12 ... transfer unit 13 ... transporting unit 14 ... fixing unit 15 ... sheet discharging unit 16 ... sheet discharging tray 17 ... reversing unit 18 ... Paper feeding / conveying section 19 ... Toner replenishing device 19a ... End plate 20 ... Toner cartridge 21 ... Cartridge receiving section 21a ... Hole 22 ... Rotating member 22a ... U-shaped rib 22b ... Flat section 22c ... Chamfer 22d ... Hole 23 ... Lever 24 ... operation panel 30 ... drive part 30a ... coupling projection 31 ... cartridge cover 31a ... guide groove 32 ... lock member 32a ... lever 32b ... roller 3
2c ... tension coil spring 32d ... pin 40 ... stationary cartridge 41 ... opening / closing member 42 ... coupling 43 ... toner cartridge receiver 201 ... toner container 201a ... toner supply port 2
01b ... Ejection opening 201c ... Engaging part 201d ... Rectangular rib 202 ... Flange 202a ... Guide member 203 ... Cover 203a ... Guide hole 203b ... Guide part 203c ... Locking part 203d ... Vertical hole 203g ... Hole 2
03h ... Spiral rib 203h1 ... Spiral slope 203e ... Knob 203f ... Two-way chamfered part 204 ... Sealing member 205 ... Drive transmission member 206 ... Drive shaft 206a ... Cross shaft 206b ... Output part 206c ... Shaft part 206d ... Spring seat 207 ... Shutter 207a ... Edge 208 ... Stirring member 208a ... Shaft 208a1 ... Cross hole 208b ... Stirring blade 208c ... Claw 209 ... Coupling 209a ... Chamfer 209b ...
Cross hole 209c ... Boss 209d ... Coupling recess 210 ... Compression coil spring 211 ... Collar 211a ... Rod-shaped portion 211b ... Rod-shaped portion 212 ... Conveying screw 213 ... Buffer portion

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A toner container portion having a developer conveying member for accommodating and rotating the developer to convey the developer in a rotation center line direction, and a drive from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is transmitted to the developer conveying member. And a drive transmission member for driving the developer, which is mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in parallel with the rotation center line of the developer conveying member. The drive transmission member is movable in a direction substantially parallel to the direction, and has a first position for transmitting drive from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus and a second position for not transmitting drive, and the drive transmission member has a second position. The toner cartridge is characterized in that the total length of the toner cartridge in the state in which the drive transmission member is in the first position is longer than the total length of the toner cartridge in the state in FIG. 2. When the drive transmission member is in the second position,
The toner cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a cover member that covers the drive transmission member, the drive transmission member protruding from the cover member when the drive transmission member is at the first position. 3. A cover member is rotatable relative to a container portion, a drive transmission member is engaged with the cover member, and the engagement position is changed by the rotation of the cover member. 3. The toner cartridge according to claim 2, further comprising an engagement unit that moves between the first position and the second position. 4. The engagement means includes a substantially spiral slope formed on the inner wall surface of the cover member, and a biasing means for biasing the drive transmission member to the substantially spiral slope. Item 4. The toner cartridge according to Item 3. 5. The toner cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the cover member has an engaging portion that engages with a rotating member provided in the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. 6. The drive transmission member engages with a positioning hole of the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus at the first position to position the toner cartridge.
The toner cartridge described in.