JP2004334054A - Developing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a novel and improved developing apparatus which shortens the period of time until the toner stored in a toner container is packed into an empty developing chamber to the extent of permitting the start of development, and properly replenishes the toner from the toner housing container to the developing chamber according to a decrease of the toner in the developing chamber. <P>SOLUTION: The developing apparatus is provided with a stirring/carrying means 28 arranged in a developing chamber 14 of a housing 8 and a toner container 6. A toner receiving port 54 existing above a toner receiving area X1 is formed in the housing 8, and a toner discharge port 62 is formed in the toner container 6. Another toner receiving port 56 existing above another toner receiving area X2 is formed in the housing 8 and another toner discharge port is formed in the toner container 6. The other toner receiving area X2 is set on the immediate downstream side of a specific area Y. The bottom end of the annular peripheral edge of the other toner receiving port 56 is positioned in the position projecting downward lower than that of the toner receiving port 54. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image into a toner image used in an electrostatic image forming machine such as an electrostatic printer, a copying machine and a facsimile, and more specifically, a toner container or a toner hopper. The present invention relates to a developing device in which a toner discharge opening is formed to communicate with a toner receiving opening in a state where toner can be supplied to a developing chamber.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The developing device of the above-described embodiment has been developed by the present applicant, Kyocera Mita Corporation, and has already been filed (see Patent Document 1). The developing device includes a housing having a developing chamber that defines a toner circulation path, a stirring and conveying unit disposed in the development chamber for conveying the toner through the circulation path while stirring, and developing the toner in the development chamber. A toner application unit for applying an electrostatic latent image to be provided, and a toner container detachably mounted on a housing for replenishing toner into the developing chamber. The toner applying means includes a developing sleeve and a stationary permanent magnet provided in the developing sleeve. The developing chamber has a toner receiving opening located above the toner receiving area in the circulation path. The toner container includes a toner container main body containing the toner, and the toner container main body has a toner discharge opening located above and opposed to the toner receiving opening when the toner container is mounted on the housing. The toner container includes a toner transport unit that transports the toner stored in the toner container body toward the toner discharge opening. The transport capacity of the stirring transport unit provided in the developing chamber is locally reduced on the downstream side of the toner receiving area. More specifically, the agitating / conveying means is constituted by a rotating spiral blade extending along a circulation path, and locally reducing the outer diameter of the spiral blade downstream of the toner receiving area, or The transport capacity of the agitation transport unit is locally reduced on the downstream side of the toner receiving area by, for example, locally reducing the blade pitch.
[0003]
In the above-mentioned developing device, the conveying capacity of the stirring and conveying means for conveying the toner through the circulation path defined in the developing chamber while stirring the toner is located on the downstream side of the toner receiving area where the toner receiving opening is disposed above. Because of the local reduction, toner stagnation is generated in the toner receiving area. Such an amount of staying toner fluctuates according to the amount of toner in the developing chamber. The replenishment of toner from the toner container to the developing chamber does not depend directly on the drive control of the toner conveying means of the toner container, but is automatically performed in accordance with the amount of accumulated toner in the toner receiving area, and therefore in accordance with the amount of toner in the developing chamber. Is controlled.
[0004]
In the above-described conventional developing device, the amount of toner supplied to the developing chamber is controlled by controlling the driving of the toner conveying means of the toner container based on a detection signal from a toner amount detection sensor provided in the developing chamber. Therefore, it is not necessary to control the sensor and a dedicated driving source such as an electric motor provided only for driving the toner conveying means of the toner container is not required. An excellent effect is obtained that it is possible to appropriately supply toner to the developing chamber from the toner supply means in accordance with a decrease in the amount of toner in the room. In practical use of a developing device that can provide such excellent effects, it is possible to shorten the time required for the toner contained in the toner container to be filled in an empty developing chamber to the extent that development can be started, and After the development is started, it is desired that the toner can be appropriately replenished from the toner container to the developing chamber in accordance with the decrease of the toner in the developing chamber.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-235933 A (Claims 1 to 3, FIGS. 3 and 4)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to reduce the time required for the toner contained in a toner containing container to be filled into an empty developing chamber to the extent that development can be started, and to reduce the toner in the developing chamber after the start of development. An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved developing device capable of appropriately replenishing toner from a toner storage container to a developing chamber in response to a decrease in toner.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to one aspect of the present invention, a housing having a developing chamber that defines a toner conveying path, a stirring and conveying unit disposed in the developing chamber for conveying the toner through the conveying path while stirring, and a developing chamber A toner application means for applying the toner to the electrostatic latent image to be developed, and a toner storage container for replenishing the toner into the developing chamber, and a toner receiving opening located above the toner receiving area in the housing. Is formed, the conveying capacity of the stirring and conveying means is locally reduced in a specific area on the downstream side of the toner receiving area of the conveying path, and in a developing device in which a toner discharge opening is formed in the toner container,
Another toner receiving opening located above the other toner receiving area is formed in the housing, and another toner discharging opening is formed in the toner container,
The other toner receiving area is set immediately downstream of the specific area of the transport path,
The lower end of the annular peripheral portion of the other toner receiving opening is positioned at a lower position protruding below the lower end of the annular peripheral portion of the toner receiving opening,
In a state where the toner can be supplied to the developing chamber, the toner discharge opening of the toner storage container is communicated with the toner receiving opening of the housing, and the other toner discharge opening is communicated with another toner receiving opening.
A developing device is provided.
The toner conveyance path includes a circulation path, and the circulation path extends along the first conveyance path extending parallel to the toner application unit and between the first conveyance path and the toner application unit. A second conveyance path; and a communication path that communicates between both end areas of the first and second conveyance paths. The toner reception area, the specific area, and the other toner reception areas are set to the first conveyance path. Is preferable.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a housing having a developing chamber that defines a toner transport path, a stirring and transporting unit disposed in the developing chamber for transporting the toner through the transport path while stirring the toner, A toner application unit for applying the toner in the chamber to the electrostatic latent image to be developed; and a toner storage container for replenishing the toner in the development chamber. Is reduced locally in a specific area of the transport path, and in a developing device in which a toner discharge opening is formed in a toner container,
A toner receiving area is set across the specific area from the upstream side of the specific area of the transport path, and the toner receiving opening is positioned above the toner receiving area,
The lower end of the annular peripheral portion of the toner receiving opening is inclined downward such that the amount of downward projection gradually increases from the upstream end toward the downstream end,
In a state where the toner can be supplied to the developing chamber, the toner discharge opening of the toner container is communicated with the toner receiving opening of the housing.
A developing device is provided.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, a housing having a developing chamber that defines a toner conveying path, and a stirring and conveying unit disposed in the developing chamber for conveying the toner through the conveying path while stirring the toner, A toner application unit for applying the toner in the developing chamber to the electrostatic latent image to be developed; and a toner storage container for replenishing the toner into the developing chamber. A toner receiving opening is formed in the housing. The transport capacity of the means is locally reduced in a specific area of the transport path, and in a developing device in which a toner discharge opening is formed in a toner container,
A toner receiving area is set across the specific area from the upstream side of the specific area of the transport path, and the toner receiving opening is positioned above the toner receiving area,
In the housing, one end of the valve is rotatably supported by the upstream edge of the toner receiving opening in the transport path, and extends in a downstream direction below the toner receiving opening to adjust the opening amount of the toner receiving opening. The members are arranged,
In a state where the toner can be supplied to the developing chamber, the toner discharge opening of the toner container is communicated with the toner receiving opening of the housing.
A developing device is provided.
The valve member is preferably made of a synthetic resin sheet member.
The toner conveyance path includes a circulation path, and the circulation path extends along the first conveyance path extending parallel to the toner application unit and between the first conveyance path and the toner application unit. It is preferable that a second conveyance path and a communication path that communicates between both end areas of the first and second conveyance paths are provided, and the toner receiving area and the specific area are set to the first conveyance path. .
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a developing device configured according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although the illustrated toner container 6 has an overall length extending over substantially the entire area between the side walls 18 and 20 of the housing body 10, FIGS. 1, 2, 6, and 6 are provided for simplification of the drawings. 7, FIG. 11 and FIG.
[0009]
With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, the illustrated developing device indicated by reference numeral 2 as a whole includes a developing device main body 4 and a toner container 6 which is a toner storage container.
[0010]
The developing device main body 4 includes a housing 8, and the housing 8 includes a housing main body 10 and an upper wall member 12 mounted on the housing main body 10. In the left half of FIG. 1 of the housing body 10 which can be molded from an appropriate synthetic resin, a developing chamber 14 having an open upper surface (more specifically, a main portion excluding a left edge) and a left side surface is provided. Stipulated. The housing body 10 has a bottom wall 16, side walls 18 and 20, and a connecting wall 22. The connecting wall 22 extends between the upper edges of the left and right side walls 18 and 20 in FIG. The bottom wall 16 of the housing body 10 has three arc-shaped portions 16a, 16b, and 16c arranged in parallel and having a circular cross-sectional shape. A partition 24 extending substantially vertically upward is formed between the arc portion 16a and the arc portion 16b. On both sides of the partition 24, the first transport path 26a and the second transport path 26a, which are linear paths, are respectively provided. The transport path 26b is defined. Both ends of the partition 24 are separated from the inner surfaces of the side walls 18 and 20 of the housing body 10, and a required gap exists between both ends of the partition 24 and the inner surfaces of the side walls 18 and 20.
[0011]
A gap between one end (the right end in FIG. 2) of the partition wall 24 and the side wall 18 is a communication path that communicates with one end area (the right end area in FIG. 2) of each of the first transport path 26a and the second transport path 26b. 27a, and a gap between the other end (the left end in FIG. 2) of the partition wall 24 and the side wall 20 is formed in the other end region (FIG. 2) of each of the first transport path 26a and the second transport path 26b. At the left end area). Therefore, the first transport path 26a and the second transport path 26b extending in parallel to each other are communicated with each other at both end regions through the communication paths 27a and 27b. In this way, the first transport path 26a extends, and then extends from one end area of the first transport path 26a to one end area of the second transport path 26b via the communication path 27a. An endless circulation path extending along the second transport path 26b and extending from the other end area of the second transport path 26b to the other end area of the first transport path 26a is defined. In other words, the circulation path is formed by a first conveyance path 26a extending in parallel with the toner application unit 40 described later, and a first conveyance path 26a between the first conveyance path 26a and the toner application unit 40. A second conveying path 26b extending along the toner applying means 40; and communication paths 27a and 27b communicating between both end areas of the first conveying path 26a and the second conveying path 26b. .
[0012]
In the circulation path described above, which constitutes a conveyance path through which the toner is conveyed, a stirring and conveying unit 28 for conveying the toner through the circulation path while stirring the toner is provided. The stirring and conveying means 28 in the illustrated embodiment is a first stirring and conveying means disposed on the first conveying path 26a and extending along the first conveying path 26a, and in the embodiment, a first rotating spiral. A blade member 30a and a second stirring / transporting means disposed in the second transport path 26b and extending along the second transport path 26b, and in the embodiment, a second rotary spiral blade member 30b. Have been.
[0013]
The first rotary spiral blade member 30a, which can be molded from an appropriate synthetic resin, has a central shaft portion 32a and a spiral blade 34a. Similarly, the second rotary spiral blade member 30b, which can be molded from an appropriate synthetic resin, also has a central shaft portion 32b and a spiral blade 34b. The first rotary spiral blade member 30a is rotatably mounted between the side walls 18 and 20 of the housing body 10, and extends linearly along the first transport path 26a. The second rotary spiral blade member 30b is also rotatably mounted between the side walls 18 and 20 of the housing body 10, and extends linearly along the second transport path 26b.
[0014]
One end (right end in FIG. 2) of the central shaft portion 32a of the first rotary spiral blade member 30a and one end (right end in FIG. 2) of the central shaft portion 32b of the second rotary spiral blade member 30b are side walls 18. The input gears 32c and 32d are fixed to these protruding ends, respectively. When the developing device 2 is mounted at a predetermined position of the image forming machine, the input gear 32c of the first rotary spiral blade member 30a and the input gear 32d of the second rotary spiral blade member 30b mesh with a transmission gear (not shown). And a drive connection (not shown), which may be an electric motor. When a drive source (not shown) is energized, the first rotating spiral blade member 30a and the second rotating spiral blade member 30b are rotated at the same rotational speed in the same direction indicated by an arrow 36 in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. It is driven to rotate.
[0015]
As can be clearly understood with reference to FIG. 2, the spiral blades 34a of the first rotary spiral blade member 30a and the spiral blades 34b of the second rotary spiral blade member 30b have so-called spiral directions set in opposite directions. By rotating the first spiral blade member 30a in the direction indicated by the arrow 36, the toner is conveyed in the direction indicated by the arrow 37 through the first conveyance path 26a. Further, by rotating the second rotary spiral blade member 30b in the direction indicated by the arrow 36, the toner is transported in the reverse direction indicated by the arrow 38 through the second transport path 26b. A toner receiving area X1 is set in the first transport path 26a. The toner is introduced into the toner receiving area X1 through a toner receiving opening 54 (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5) described in detail later. In the embodiment, the toner receiving area X1 is set in an area upstream of the center of the first transport path 26a (an area closer to the left than the center in FIG. 5).
[0016]
In the illustrated embodiment, the transport capacity of the stirring transport unit 28 is locally reduced in a specific area Y on the downstream side of the toner receiving area X1 in the circulation path. More specifically, in the specific area Y in the first transport path 26a, the outer diameter of the spiral blade 34a of the first spiral blade member 30a is formed to be smaller than the outer diameter of other portions. The outer diameter of the spiral blade 34a in the other region of the first rotary spiral blade member 30a and the outer diameter of the spiral blade 34b in the entire second rotary spiral blade member 30b are substantially the same. . Therefore, the conveying capacity of the stirring and conveying means 28 in the area other than the specific area Y is substantially the same. In order to locally reduce the transfer capacity in the specific region Y, instead of setting only the outer diameter of the spiral blade to be small, for example, setting the pitch and outer diameter of the spiral blade to be small, only the pitch of the spiral blade Can be set by a small means, a notch is formed in the spiral blade, or the spiral blade is omitted.
[0017]
Another toner receiving area X2 is set in the first transport path 26a. Toner is introduced into another toner receiving area X2 through another toner receiving opening 56 (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5) described in detail later. In the embodiment, the other toner receiving area X2 is set immediately downstream of the specific area Y of the first transport path 26a.
[0018]
Above the arc-shaped portion 16c of the bottom wall 6 of the housing body 10, a toner applying unit 40 is disposed. The toner applying unit 40 includes a developing sleeve 41 rotatably mounted between the side walls 18 and 20 of the housing body 10. In the developing sleeve 41, a stationary permanent magnet (not shown) is arranged. One end of a rotating shaft 42 to which the developing sleeve 41 is fixed is projected through the side wall 18, and an input gear 43 is fixed to a projecting end of the rotating shaft 42. When the developing device 2 is mounted at a predetermined position of the image forming machine, the input gear 43 is meshed with one of transmission gears (not shown) and is drivingly connected to a drive source (not shown) which may be an electric motor. The rotating shaft 42 of the developing sleeve 41, the central shaft portion 32a of the first rotating spiral blade member 30a, and the central shaft portion 32b of the second rotating spiral blade member 30b are parallel to each other in the width direction of the housing body 10 (FIG. In the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, in the horizontal direction in FIG. 2).
[0019]
The drive source is a drive source common to the drive sources of the first and second rotary spiral blade members 30a and 30b. Therefore, when this driving source is energized, the developing sleeve 41 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow 39. A blade 44 is provided in association with the developing sleeve 41. The developing chamber 14 contains a one-component developer composed of only a magnetic toner. The developer, that is, the toner, is circulated and conveyed through the circulation path by the action of the first rotating spiral blade member 30a and the second rotating spiral blade member 30b rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow 36. The toner applying unit 40 holds the toner on the peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 41 rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow 39, and conveys the held toner through the developing area 45. The blade 44 is held on the peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 41 and regulates the layer thickness of the toner conveyed to the developing area 45. In the developing area 45, toner is applied to the electrostatic latent image to be developed, and the electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image.
[0020]
An upper wall member 12 is mounted on the housing body 10. The upper wall member 12 has an upper wall 50 that covers the upper surface of the developing chamber 14. An elongated immersion area 52 extending in the width direction of the housing body 10 is formed in the upper surface wall 50. The cross-sectional shape of the immersion area 52 is arc-shaped. In the immersion area 52, a toner receiving opening 54 and another toner receiving opening 56, each of which may be rectangular, are formed. The other toner receiving opening 56 has a rectangular shape substantially the same size as the toner receiving opening 54, and is arranged at a distance from the toner receiving opening 54 on the downstream side of the first toner conveying path 26 a. The annular peripheral portion of the toner receiving opening 54 projects downward from the lower surface of the immersion area 52 toward the first transport path 26a to form an annular projection 54a. The annular peripheral edge of the other toner receiving opening 56 projects downward from the lower surface of the immersion area 52 toward the first transport path 26a to form an annular projection 56a. The lower end of the annular peripheral portion of the other toner receiving opening 56, that is, the lower end of the annular protrusion 56a of the other toner receiving opening 56, is the lower end of the annular peripheral portion of the toner receiving opening 54, that is, the annular projecting portion of the toner receiving opening 54. It is at a lower position protruding below the lower end of the portion 54a. In the embodiment, the lower end of the annular protrusion 56a of the other toner receiving opening 56 is located at a position close to the top of the rotation trajectory of the outer diameter of the first rotary spiral blade 34a of the spiral blade member 30a. The toner receiving opening 54 is positioned above the toner receiving area X1, and the other toner receiving opening 56 is positioned above the other toner receiving area X2.
[0021]
The upper wall 50 is formed integrally with an upright wall 55 extending upward from the upper wall 50. The upright wall 55 extends in the width direction in parallel with the immersion area 52 at intervals with respect to the immersion area 52 in a direction perpendicular to the width direction (the left-right direction in FIGS. 3 and 4 and the up-down direction in FIG. 5). It is arranged to be. Between the housing body 10 of the housing 8 and the upright wall 55, a container-shaped receiving portion for the toner container 6 having an open top is provided.
[0022]
The toner container 6 constituting the toner container includes a box-shaped toner container main body 60 having an open upper surface, and a lid 61 fixed to the toner container main body 60 by appropriate fixing means such as ultrasonic welding. I have. The bottom wall of the toner container main body 60 has an arc-shaped portion 60a whose cross-sectional shape is arc-shaped. The radius of curvature of the arc portion 60a corresponds to the radius of curvature of the immersion area 52 formed on the upper surface wall 50 of the upper surface wall member 12 described above.
[0023]
The toner container main body 60 includes a pair of side walls 63 (only one of the side walls 63 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) facing each other at a distance in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. In FIG. 4, it has a pair of other side walls 64 facing each other at an interval in the left-right direction. The arc-shaped portion 60 a is formed so as to extend almost at the center between the other side walls 64 and almost all over the area between the side walls 63. The pair of other side walls 64 of the toner container main body 60 are mutually symmetrical with respect to the arc-shaped portion 60a as viewed in the axial direction of the toner conveying means 67. That is, each of the other side walls 64 has an inclined portion that is relatively gently inclined upward and separated from each of the upper ends of the arc-shaped portions 60a, and that is relatively steeply inclined from the upper end of the inclined portion. And an inclined portion extending upward. The arc-shaped portion 60a has a toner discharge opening 62 and another toner discharge opening 65 formed therein. The other toner discharge opening 65 has a rectangular shape substantially the same size as the toner discharge opening 62 and is formed downstream of the toner discharge opening 62 with an interval.
[0024]
A circular opening (not shown) is formed in the other side wall 63 of the toner container main body 60, and the toner container main body 60 is filled with a so-called one-component developer made of only magnetic toner through the opening. After the toner is filled in the toner container main body 60, a closing member (not shown) is fixed to the opening, and the opening is closed. Between both side walls 63 of the toner container main body 60, a toner conveying means 67 extending along the arc-shaped portion 60a, and a toner stirring / conveying means (not shown) extending above the toner conveying means 67 along the toner conveying means 67. And are arranged. The toner stirring / conveying means includes a rotation support shaft rotatably mounted between the side walls 63, a plurality of paddles fixed to the rotation support shaft, and a rectangular conveyance piece fixed to each end of the paddle. Have been. Each of the transporting pieces can be formed from an appropriate synthetic resin film or sheet. One end of the rotation support shaft of the toner stirring and conveying means protrudes through one of the side walls 63, and an input gear (not shown) is fixed to this one end.
[0025]
The toner conveying means 67 is composed of a rotating spiral blade member having a central shaft portion 67a and a spiral blade 67b. One end of the central shaft portion 67a protrudes through one of the side walls 63, and an input gear (not shown) is fixed to the one end. This input gear is meshed with the input gear of the toner stirring and conveying means. When the toner container 6 is mounted on the housing 8 as required, the input gear of the toner conveying means 67 is connected to the input gear 32c of the first rotary spiral blade member 30a and the input gear 32d of the second rotary spiral blade member 30b. It is meshed with one of the transmission gears for drivingly connecting the drive source (not shown). Therefore, when the driving source is energized, the first rotating spiral blade member 30a, the second rotating spiral blade member 30b, and the developing sleeve 41 disposed in the developing chamber 14 as described above move the arrow 36 and the developing sleeve 41, respectively. In addition to being rotated in the direction indicated by 39, the toner conveying means 67 and the toner stirring and conveying means of the toner container 6 are also rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow 69, respectively.
[0026]
When the toner conveying means 67 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow 69, the toner on the arc-shaped portion 60a is conveyed toward the toner discharge opening 62 and another toner discharge opening 65. In the illustrated embodiment constructed according to the present invention, a dedicated drive source such as an electric motor provided only for rotating the toner conveying means 67 and the toner stirring and conveying means of the toner container 6 is not required.
[0027]
A container shutter 70 is provided in the toner container main body 60. Both ends of the container shutter 70 have a cylindrical shape, and a shutter portion 72 located at an intermediate portion has an arc shape covering an angle range of approximately 200 degrees. The shutter section 72 has a toner passage opening 74 which may be rectangular and another toner passage opening 75. The size of the toner passage opening 74 may be substantially the same as the toner discharge opening 62 formed in the toner container main body 60. The size of the other toner passage openings 75 may be substantially the same as the size of the other toner discharge openings 65 formed in the toner container main body 60. A seal member 76, which may be rectangular and extends along the toner passage opening 74 and another toner passage opening 75, is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the shutter portion 72. Conveniently, the dimensions of the seal member 76, which can be formed from a flexible material such as a sponge, are somewhat larger than the toner discharge opening 62 and the other toner discharge openings 65. The container shutter 70 is disposed in the arc-shaped portion 60a of the toner container main body 60, and the toner conveying means 67 extends through both ends of the container shutter 70.
[0028]
A turning operation member (not shown) is rotatably arranged on the other side wall 63 of the toner container main body 60. One end of the turning operation member is connected to one end of the container shutter 70 in the axial direction, and the other end protrudes outward from the other of the side walls 63 of the toner container main body 60. By turning the above-mentioned turning operation member from the outside of the toner container main body 60, the container shutter 70 is moved to a closed position (not shown) for closing the toner discharge opening 62 and the other toner discharge openings 65, and the toner passage openings 74 and 75, It can be pivoted to any of the open positions (see FIGS. 3 and 4) that are positioned above the toner discharge opening 62 and the other toner discharge opening 65, respectively. When the toner container 6 is not detachably attached to the housing 8 of the developing device main body 4, the container shutter 70 is located at the closed position. When the container shutter 70 is positioned at the closed position, the seal member 76 seals and closes the toner discharge opening 62 and the other toner discharge openings 65, so that the leakage of the toner is sufficiently reliably prevented.
[0029]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the toner container 6 is detachably mounted on the housing 8 of the developing device main body 4. As described above, the receiving portion of the toner container 6 is provided between the housing main body 10 of the housing 8 and the upright wall 55 of the upper wall member 12, so that the toner container 6 is attached to the receiving portion. By being inserted from above and being releasably locked by an appropriate locking means (not shown), the housing 8 is positioned at a required position. The developing chamber 14 of the housing body 10 in which the toner container 6 is mounted contains no toner, and is completely empty. When the toner container 6 is mounted on the housing 8 as required, the arc-shaped portion 60 a of the toner container main body 60 faces above the immersion area 52 formed on the upper wall 50 of the upper wall member 12 of the housing main body 10. Is positioned. As a result, the toner discharge opening 62 is positioned above the toner receiving opening 54 so as to face the toner receiving opening 54 (the toner discharging opening 62 is communicated with the toner receiving opening 54), and the other toner discharging opening 65 is connected to the other toner receiving opening 54. (The other toner discharge opening 65 is communicated with the other toner receiving opening 56).
[0030]
In order to avoid the occurrence of so-called blocking of toner near the toner discharge opening 62 and / or the toner receiving opening 54, the width and length of the toner discharge opening 62 are substantially the same as the width and length of the toner receiving opening 54. Preferably, they are formed identically above or somewhat smaller as shown. Similarly, the width and length of the other toner discharge openings 65 may be substantially the same as the width and length of the other toner receiving openings 56, or may be somewhat smaller as shown. Is preferred.
[0031]
After the toner container 6 is mounted at a required position of the housing 8, the turning operation member is operated to position the container shutter 70 at the open position. As shown in FIG. 3, the toner passage opening 74 of the container shutter 70 is aligned with the toner discharge opening 62 of the toner container main body 60, and the upper part of the toner discharge opening 62 is opened together with the lower part. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the other toner passage opening 75 of the container shutter 70 is aligned with the other toner discharge opening 65 of the toner container main body 60, and the upper side of the other toner discharge opening 65 is It is opened with the lower part. As a result, the toner container 6 enters a state where toner can be supplied into the developing chamber 14.
[0032]
The toner container 6 is mounted on the housing body 10 with the developing chamber 14 empty. Therefore, the developing device 2 cannot perform the developing operation only by attaching the toner container 6 to the housing body 10. In order for the developing device 2 to perform a developing operation, the empty developing chamber 14 must be filled with toner to such an extent that development can be started. Therefore, after the toner container 6 is mounted on the housing body 10, the developing device 2 needs to perform a preparation operation for starting the first developing operation. This preparatory operation is performed by energizing the driving source to cause the first rotary spiral blade member 30a, the second rotary spiral blade member 30b, and the developing sleeve 41 provided in the developing chamber 14 and the developing sleeve 41 and the toner container 6 to rotate. This is performed by rotating the toner conveying means 67 and the toner stirring and conveying means.
[0033]
By the start of the preparation operation by the developing device 2, the toner in the toner container main body 60 is supplied to the first transport path 26a in the developing chamber 14 through the toner passage opening 74, the toner discharge opening 62, and the toner receiving opening 54. At the same time, the toner is supplied to the first transport path 26 a in the developing chamber 14 through another toner discharge opening 65 and another toner receiving opening 56. The toner supplied to the first transport path 26a is circulated and transported through the circulation path by the action of the first rotary spiral blade member 30a and the second rotary spiral blade member 30b. The preparation operation is continued at least until the toner contained in the toner container main body 60 is filled in the empty developing chamber 14 to such an extent that the development can be started. After the toner contained in the toner container body 60 is filled into the empty developing chamber 14 to such an extent that development can be started, the preparation operation is stopped. Whether the toner contained in the toner container body 60 has been filled into the empty developing chamber 14 to the extent that development can be started is determined by whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the preparation operation. Can be determined by The predetermined time can be easily and reliably confirmed by an experiment.
[0034]
According to the embodiment of the developing device 2, the housing 8 is provided with another toner receiving opening 56 located above the other toner receiving area X2, and the toner container 6 is provided with another toner discharging opening 65. The other toner receiving area X2 is set immediately downstream of the specific area Y of the first conveyance path 26a, and the lower end of the annular peripheral edge of the other toner receiving opening 56, that is, the lower end of the annular projection 56a is The toner outlet opening 62 of the toner container 6 is positioned at the lower end of the annular peripheral portion of the receiving opening 54, that is, at a lower position protruding below the lower end of the annular protrusion 54 a and in a state where toner can be supplied into the developing chamber 14. Is connected to a toner receiving opening 54 of the housing 8, and another toner discharging opening 65 is connected to another toner receiving opening 56. As a result, when the preparatory operation is started, the toner contained in the toner container main body 60 is simultaneously supplied through the toner discharge opening 62 and the other toner discharge opening 65, so that the toner discharge opening 62 As compared with the conventional apparatus in which only the toner container is provided, the time required for the toner contained in the toner container main body 60 to fill the empty developing chamber 14 to such an extent that the development can be started can be shortened. become. 1 to 4, reference numeral L1 indicates the maximum level of the toner stored in the toner container main body 60, and reference numeral L2 indicates the empty developing chamber in which the toner stored in the toner container main body 60 is empty. 14 shows the level of the toner contained in the toner container main body 60 when it is filled to such an extent that development can be started.
[0035]
After the preparation operation is started and the empty developing chamber 14 is filled with toner to such an extent that development can be started, the supply of toner from the other toner discharge opening 65 is automatically stopped, and the toner discharge opening is stopped. Replenishment of toner is performed only by 62. That is, after the development is started, the toner can be appropriately supplied from the toner container main body 60 to the developing chamber 14 according to the decrease of the toner in the developing chamber 14.
[0036]
That is, when the preparatory operation is started and the empty developing chamber 14 is filled with toner to such an extent that the development can be started, the toner level in the first transport path 26a becomes substantially equal to the reference level of a certain height. Maintained (see FIG. 2). As described above, the lower end of the other toner receiving opening 56 located on the downstream side of the specific area Y is located at a lower position protruding below the lower end of the toner receiving opening 54, so that other toner receiving openings The lower end of the opening 56 is located at a position lower than the reference level of the toner in the first transport path 26a. For this reason, the lower end opening of the other toner receiving opening 56 is positioned at a position buried inside from the surface of the toner. On the other hand, the lower end of the toner receiving opening 54 is located at a position higher than the lower ends of the other toner receiving openings 56. However, since the toner receiving opening 54 is located on the upstream side of the specific area Y, it is caused by the accumulation of toner. The toner level is raised until it reaches the lower end of the toner receiving opening 54. That is, the lower end of the other toner receiving opening 56 is located at a position lower than the reference level of the toner in the first transport path 26a, and the lower end of the toner receiving opening 54 is located in the first transport path 26a. Are positioned at positions higher than the reference level.
[0037]
When the development is performed in such a state, the toner is applied to the electrostatic latent image by the toner application unit 40, so that the toner is consumed according to the development. Therefore, it is important to appropriately replenish the toner in the developing chamber 14 in accordance with the consumption of the toner. In the illustrated developing device 2, as described above, the first transporting unit 28 constituting the stirring and conveying unit 28 is configured. Of the rotary spiral blade member 30a is locally reduced in the specific region Y on the downstream side of the toner receiving region X1 in which the toner is introduced into the developing chamber 14 through the toner receiving opening 54 as described above. The toner stays upstream of the specific area Y, that is, in the toner receiving area X1. Such stagnation of the toner suppresses the toner from entering the developing chamber 14 through the toner receiving opening 54.
[0038]
The amount of staying toner in the toner receiving area X <b> 1 varies according to the amount of toner in the developing chamber 14. Accordingly, the degree of suppression of the entry of the toner into the developing chamber 14 is changed by the amount of the toner in the developing chamber 14, and when the amount of the toner is reduced, the toner into the developing chamber 14 through the toner discharge opening 62 and the toner receiving opening 54. When the amount of toner increases and the amount of toner increases, the amount of toner introduced into the developing chamber 14 through the toner discharge opening 62 and the toner receiving opening 54 decreases. During this time, the lower end of the other toner receiving opening 56 is located at a position lower than the reference level of the toner in the first transport path 26a. The introduction is preferentially performed from the toner receiving opening 54 located at a position higher than the reference level of the toner in the first conveyance path 26a, and the other toner receiving opening 56 is substantially closed. Is maintained. In this manner, a dedicated driving source such as an electric motor provided only for driving the toner conveying means 67 and the toner stirring / conveying means of the toner container 6 becomes unnecessary, thereby reducing the cost and developing the image. The supply of toner to the chamber 14 is appropriately controlled.
[0039]
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This embodiment is a modified example of the developing device 2 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, in which a toner receiving opening 54 and another toner receiving opening 56 and a toner discharging opening 62 and another toner discharging opening 65 are respectively integrated. This is an embodiment as shown in FIG. In the developing device 2 shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, substantially the same parts as those of the developing device 2 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In the toner container main body 60, substantially the same toner stirring and conveying means as in the previous embodiment is provided, but is not shown as in the previous embodiment.
[0040]
In this embodiment, a toner receiving area X1 is set over the specific area Y from the upstream side of the specific area Y on the first transport path 26a. Correspondingly, a toner receiving opening 54 is formed in the immersion area 52 of the upper surface wall 50. Therefore, the toner receiving opening 54 has a rectangular shape longer than the toner receiving opening 54 in the previous embodiment, and is positioned above the toner receiving area X1. The lower end of the annular peripheral portion of the toner receiving opening 54 is inclined downward so that the amount of downward projection gradually increases from the upstream end to the downstream end. Specifically, an annular peripheral portion of the toner receiving opening 54 projects downward from the lower surface of the immersion area 52 toward the first transport path 26a to form an annular projection 54a. The lower end of the annular projection 56a is inclined downward so that the amount of downward projection gradually increases from the upstream end to the downstream end.
[0041]
In the arc-shaped portion 60a of the toner container main body 60, a toner discharge opening 62 having a rectangular shape longer than the toner discharge opening 62 in the previous embodiment is formed. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the toner container 6 is detachably mounted at a required position of the housing 8 of the developing device main body 4 in substantially the same manner as in the previous embodiment.
[0042]
The developing chamber 14 of the housing body 10 in which the toner container 6 is mounted contains no toner, and is completely empty. When the toner container 6 is mounted on the housing 8 as required, the arc-shaped portion 60 a of the toner container main body 60 faces above the immersion area 52 formed on the upper wall 50 of the upper wall member 12 of the housing main body 10. Is positioned. The toner discharge opening 62 is positioned above and opposite to the toner receiving opening 54 (the toner discharging opening 62 communicates with the toner receiving opening 54).
[0043]
In order to avoid the occurrence of so-called blocking of toner near the toner discharge opening 62 and / or the toner receiving opening 54, the width and length of the toner discharge opening 62 are substantially the same as the width and length of the toner receiving opening 54. Preferably, they are formed identically above or somewhat smaller as shown.
[0044]
After the toner container 6 is mounted at a required position of the housing 8, the turning operation member is operated to position the container shutter 70 at the open position. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the toner passage opening 74 of the container shutter 70 is aligned with the toner discharge opening 62 of the toner container main body 60, and the upper part of the toner discharge opening 62 is opened together with the lower part. . As a result, the toner container 6 enters a state where toner can be supplied into the developing chamber 14.
[0045]
Since the toner container 6 is mounted on the housing main body 10 with the developing chamber 14 being empty, the developing device 2 starts the first development after the toner container 6 is mounted on the housing main body 10 as described above. Perform preparatory operation to start operation.
[0046]
By the start of the preparation operation by the developing device 2, the toner in the toner container main body 60 is supplied to the first transport path 26a in the developing chamber 14 through the toner passage opening 74, the toner discharge opening 62, and the toner receiving opening 54. . The toner supplied to the first transport path 26a is circulated and transported through the circulation path by the action of the first rotary spiral blade member 30a and the second rotary spiral blade member 30b. In the preparation operation, the preparation operation is stopped after at least the toner contained in the toner container main body 60 is filled into the empty developing chamber 14 to such an extent that development can be started.
[0047]
According to the embodiment of the developing device 2, the toner receiving area X1 is set in the first transport path 26a from the upstream side of the specific area Y to the specific area Y, and the toner receiving opening 54 is formed in the toner receiving area X1. It is positioned above. The lower end of the annular peripheral portion of the toner receiving opening 54, that is, the annular projection 54a is inclined downward so that the amount of downward projection gradually increases from the upstream end to the downstream end. In a state where the toner can be supplied into the developing chamber 14, the toner discharge opening 62 of the toner container 6 is communicated with the toner receiving opening 54 of the housing 8. As a result, when the preparatory operation is started, the toner accommodated in the toner container main body 60 is discharged from the toner discharge opening 62 in the previous embodiment to the other toner discharge opening 65 in the form of an elongated rectangular toner discharge. Since the toner is supplied from the entire area from the upstream end to the downstream end of the opening 62, the time until the toner contained in the toner container main body 60 is filled into the empty developing chamber 14 to the extent that development can be started is reduced. It becomes possible to shorten. 6 to 9, reference numeral L1 indicates the maximum level of the toner stored in the toner container main body 60, and reference numeral L2 indicates that the toner stored in the toner container main body 60 is an empty developing chamber. 14 shows the level of the toner contained in the toner container main body 60 when it is filled to such an extent that development can be started.
[0048]
After the preparation operation is started and the empty developing chamber 14 is filled with toner to such an extent that development can be started, toner supply from the entire area from the upstream end to the downstream end of the toner discharge opening 62 is automatically performed. And the toner is replenished only in the upstream end area of the toner discharge opening 62, that is, only in the upstream end area located upstream of the specific area Y. That is, after the development is started, the toner can be appropriately supplied from the toner container main body 60 to the developing chamber 14 according to the decrease of the toner in the developing chamber 14.
[0049]
That is, when the preparatory operation is started and the empty developing chamber 14 is filled with toner to such an extent that development can be started, the toner level in the first transport path 26a becomes substantially equal to the reference level of a certain height. Maintained (see FIG. 7). Then, as described above, the lower end of the annular peripheral portion of the toner receiving opening 54, that is, the annular projection 54a is inclined downward so that the amount of downward projection gradually increases from the upstream end to the downstream end. Therefore, the lower end in the downstream area of the toner receiving opening 56 is positioned at a position lower than the reference level of the toner in the first transport path 26a. For this reason, the lower end opening in the downstream region of the toner receiving opening 54 is positioned at a position buried inside from the surface of the toner. On the other hand, the lower end of the upstream area of the toner receiving opening 54 is located at a position higher than the lower end of the downstream area of the toner receiving opening 54, but the toner receiving area X1 is located from the upstream side of the specific area Y to the specific area Y. Since the area is set over the toner receiving opening 54, the upstream area of the toner receiving opening 54 is located on the upstream side of the specific area Y, so that the toner level becomes higher than the toner receiving opening 54 due to the accumulation of the toner. It is raised until it reaches the lower end of the side area. That is, the lower end in the downstream area of the toner receiving opening 54 is positioned at a position lower than the reference level of the toner in the first conveyance path 26a, and the lower end in the upstream area of the toner receiving opening 54 is the first position. The toner is positioned at a position higher than the reference level of the toner in the transport path 26a.
[0050]
When the development is performed in such a state, the toner is applied to the electrostatic latent image by the toner application unit 40, so that the toner is consumed according to the development. Therefore, it is important to appropriately replenish the toner in the developing chamber 14 in accordance with the consumption of the toner. In the illustrated developing device 2, as described above, the first transporting unit 28 constituting the stirring and conveying unit 28 is configured. Of the rotary spiral blade member 30a is locally reduced in the specific region Y on the downstream side of the toner receiving region X1 in which the toner is introduced into the developing chamber 14 through the toner receiving opening 54 as described above. The toner stays in the toner receiving area X1 on the upstream side of the specific area Y, that is, in the upstream area of the toner receiving area X1. Such stagnation of the toner suppresses the toner from entering the developing chamber 14 through the upstream area of the toner receiving opening 54.
[0051]
The amount of staying toner in the toner receiving area X <b> 1 varies according to the amount of toner in the developing chamber 14. Therefore, the degree of suppression of the entry of the toner into the developing chamber 14 is changed by the amount of the toner in the developing chamber 14, and when the amount of the toner is reduced, the amount of the toner into the developing chamber 14 through the upstream area of the toner receiving opening 54 is reduced. As the introduction increases and the toner amount increases, the introduction of the toner into the developing chamber 14 through the upstream area of the toner receiving opening 54 decreases. During this time, the lower end in the downstream area of the toner receiving opening 54 is located at a position lower than the reference level of the toner in the first transport path 26a, so that even if the toner amount in the developing chamber 14 is reduced. The introduction of the toner is preferentially performed from the upstream area of the toner receiving opening 54 located at a position higher than the reference level of the toner in the first transport path 26 a, and the downstream area of the toner receiving opening 54. Is maintained in a substantially closed state. In this manner, a dedicated driving source such as an electric motor provided only for driving the toner conveying means 67 and the toner stirring / conveying means of the toner container 6 becomes unnecessary, thereby reducing the cost and developing the image. The supply of toner to the chamber 14 is appropriately controlled.
[0052]
Next, still another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the developing device 2 shown in FIGS. 11 to 15, substantially the same parts as those of the developing device 2 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 and FIGS. 6 to 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In the toner container main body 60, substantially the same toner stirring and conveying means as in the previous embodiment is provided, but is not shown as in the previous embodiment.
[0053]
In this embodiment, a toner receiving area X1 is set over the specific area Y from the upstream side of the specific area Y on the first transport path 26a. Correspondingly, a toner receiving opening 54 is formed in the immersion area 52 of the upper surface wall 50. The toner receiving opening 54 is located above the toner receiving area X1. A valve member 80 capable of adjusting the opening amount of the toner receiving opening 54 from the lower surface side is disposed in the first transport path 26 a of the housing 8. The immersion area 52 is formed on both sides of the upstream edge of the toner receiving opening 54 in the width direction (the horizontal direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the first transport path 26a and the horizontal direction in FIGS. 13 and 14). A pair of support flanges 81 extending downward from the lower surface are provided, and one end of the valve member 80 is rotatably supported between the support flanges 81 via a shaft 82.
[0054]
For example, a valve member 80 which can be made of a synthetic resin sheet having an appropriate rigidity, for example, Lumirror (registered trademark), has a portion below the toner receiving opening 54 from one end supported by each of the support flanges 81. It extends in the downstream direction. The valve member 80 has an arcuate cross-sectional shape, and its radius of curvature corresponds to the radius of curvature of the immersion area 52. The width of the valve member 80 (the horizontal direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the first transport path 26a and the width in the horizontal direction in FIGS. 13 and 14) is formed to be slightly larger than the width of the toner receiving opening 54. ing. In a state where the toner does not exist in the first transport path 26a, the lower surface of the other end of the valve member 82 which is located downstream with respect to the one end of the valve member 82 is in contact with the first rotary spiral blade member 30a. The rotary spiral blade 34a is mounted on the outer diameter portion of the small-diameter rotary spiral blade 34a that defines the specific region Y (see FIGS. 11 and 13). The lower part of the toner receiving opening 54 is opened to the maximum extent.
[0055]
As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the toner container 6 is detachably mounted at a required position of the housing 8 of the developing device main body 4 in substantially the same manner as in the previous embodiment. The developing chamber 14 of the housing body 10 in which the toner container 6 is mounted contains no toner, and is completely empty. When the toner container 6 is mounted on the housing 8 as required, the arc-shaped portion 60 a of the toner container main body 60 faces above the immersion area 52 formed on the upper wall 50 of the upper wall member 12 of the housing main body 10. Is positioned. The toner discharge opening 62 is positioned above and opposite to the toner receiving opening 54 (the toner discharging opening 62 communicates with the toner receiving opening 54).
[0056]
In order to avoid the occurrence of so-called blocking of toner near the toner discharge opening 62 and / or the toner receiving opening 54, the width and length of the toner discharge opening 62 are substantially the same as the width and length of the toner receiving opening 54. Preferably, they are formed identically above or somewhat smaller as shown.
[0057]
After the toner container 6 is mounted at a required position of the housing 8, the turning operation member is operated to position the container shutter 70 at the open position. As shown in FIG. 13, the toner passage opening 74 of the container shutter 70 is aligned with the toner discharge opening 62 of the toner container main body 60, and the upper part of the toner discharge opening 62 is opened together with the lower part. As a result, the toner container 6 enters a state where toner can be supplied into the developing chamber 14.
[0058]
Since the toner container 6 is mounted on the housing main body 10 with the developing chamber 14 being empty, the developing device 2 starts the first development after the toner container 6 is mounted on the housing main body 10 as described above. Perform preparatory operation to start operation.
[0059]
By the start of the preparation operation by the developing device 2, the toner in the toner container main body 60 is supplied to the first transport path 26a in the developing chamber 14 through the toner passage opening 74, the toner discharge opening 62, and the toner receiving opening 54. . The toner supplied to the first transport path 26a is circulated and transported through the circulation path by the action of the first rotary spiral blade member 30a and the second rotary spiral blade member 30b. The toner circulated and conveyed pushes the upstream rear surface of the valve member 82 extending at the maximum inclination angle downward from the upstream to the downstream in the first conveyance path 26a in the downstream direction. The member 82 is rotated about the axis 82 so that the downstream end rises away from the small-diameter rotary spiral blade 34a of the first rotary spiral blade member 30a. The lower part of the toner receiving opening 54 is narrowed from the widest opening state. In substantially the same manner as in the previous embodiment, in the preparatory operation, at least the toner contained in the toner container main body 60 is filled in the empty developing chamber 14 to such an extent that development can be started. Thereafter, the preparation operation is stopped.
[0060]
According to the embodiment of the developing device 2, the toner receiving area X1 is set in the first transport path 26a from the upstream side of the specific area Y to the specific area Y, and the toner receiving opening 54 is formed in the toner receiving area X1. It is positioned above. One end of the housing 8 is rotatably supported by the upstream edge of the toner receiving opening 54 in the first transport path 26a, and extends below the toner receiving opening 54 in the downstream direction to extend in the downstream direction. A valve member 80 is provided which can adjust the opening amount from the lower surface side. In a state where the toner can be supplied into the developing chamber 14, the toner discharge opening 62 of the toner container 6 is communicated with the toner receiving opening 54 of the housing 8. As a result, when the preparatory operation is started, the toner contained in the toner container main body 60 passes through the toner discharge opening 62 and the first toner receiving opening 54 opened by the valve member 80 to the first position. Since the developer is supplied to the transport path 26a, it is possible to reduce the time required for filling the empty developing chamber 14 to such an extent that development can be started. In FIGS. 11 to 14, reference numeral L1 indicates the maximum level of the toner stored in the toner container main body 60, and reference numeral L2 indicates that the toner stored in the toner container main body 60 is empty. 14 shows the level of the toner contained in the toner container main body 60 when it is filled to such an extent that development can be started.
[0061]
After the preparatory operation is started and the empty developing chamber 14 is filled with toner to such an extent that development can be started, the valve member 82 is pushed up and the lower part of the toner receiving opening 54 is opened from the widest possible state. It is maintained in a narrowed state (see FIGS. 12 and 14). That is, after the development is started, the toner can be appropriately supplied from the toner container main body 60 to the developing chamber 14 according to the decrease of the toner in the developing chamber 14.
[0062]
This will be described more specifically. When the preparatory operation is started and the empty developing chamber 14 is filled with toner to such an extent that development can be started, the toner level in the first transport path 26a is maintained at a reference level of a certain height. (See FIG. 12). As described above, the toner circulated and conveyed pushes the upstream back surface of the valve member 82 extending downward from the upstream to the downstream at a maximum inclination angle in the downstream direction. Is rotated about the axis 82 so that the downstream end rises away from the small-diameter rotary spiral blade 34a of the first rotary spiral blade member 30a. Since the valve member 82 extends from the upstream side of the specific area Y to the specific area Y, the valve member 82 is constantly pressed upward due to the stagnation of the toner. As a result, the opening of the toner receiving opening 54 is kept narrow from the maximum, and the toner is prevented from entering the developing chamber 14 (the first transport path 26a).
[0063]
When the development is performed in such a state, the toner is applied to the electrostatic latent image by the toner application unit 40, so that the toner is consumed according to the development. Therefore, it is important to appropriately supply the toner into the developing chamber 14 in accordance with the consumption of the toner. The amount of staying toner in the toner receiving area X <b> 1 varies according to the amount of toner in the developing chamber 14. When the amount of retained toner decreases, the pressing force against the valve member 82 decreases, the opening of the toner receiving opening 54 increases, and the introduction of toner into the developing chamber 14 increases. Conversely, when the amount of retained toner increases, the pressing force against the valve member 82 increases, the opening degree of the toner receiving opening 54 is narrowed, and the introduction of toner into the developing chamber 14 decreases. In this way, the toner supply amount from the toner container 6 is automatically adjusted. A dedicated driving source such as an electric motor provided only for driving the toner transporting means 67 and the toner stirring and transporting means of the toner container 6 becomes unnecessary, so that the cost is reduced and the toner to the developing chamber 14 is reduced. Supply is properly controlled.
[0064]
In the above-described embodiment, the toner storage container (in other words, the toner replenishing unit) for replenishing the toner into the developing chamber 14 is constituted by the toner container 6 detachably mounted on the housing 8. The toner container 6 is not limited, and may be any toner container 6 that is detachably attached to the housing 8 and / or the image forming apparatus main body. Furthermore, a toner hopper that is mounted on another toner container, for example, the housing 8 and / or the main body of the image forming apparatus, and to which toner is supplied when the stored toner is exhausted may be used. Regardless of the type of the toner container, the toner discharge opening 62 or the toner receiving opening 54 and the other toner receiving opening 56 that are communicated with the toner receiving opening 54 in a state where the toner can be supplied into the developing chamber 14. It is indispensable that a toner discharge opening 62 and another toner discharge opening 65 that are respectively connected to the toner discharge opening are formed. When the toner container is composed of at least a toner container 6 or a toner hopper mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, the toner container is positioned at a required position where toner can be supplied into the developing chamber 14. The toner discharge opening 62 communicates with the toner receiving opening 54, or the toner discharge opening 62 and the other toner discharge opening 65 communicate with the toner receiving opening 54 and the other toner receiving opening 56, respectively. As can be easily understood from the above description, in the developing device of the present invention, “provided with a toner container for supplying toner into the developing chamber” means that the toner container is directly mounted on the developing device main body 4. The embodiment, the embodiment in which the toner container is mounted or arranged on the image forming machine main body, or the embodiment in which the toner housing container is mounted across the image forming machine main body and the developing device main body 4 Is also included.
[0065]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the developing device by this invention, while the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating container can be shortened until it fills in an empty developing chamber to the extent that development can be started, after the start of development, As the amount of toner in the room decreases, the toner can be appropriately supplied from the toner container to the developing chamber.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of a developing device configured according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing another operation mode of the developing device shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the developing device shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the developing device shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the developing device main body in the developing device shown in FIG. 3, which is partially omitted.
FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing another embodiment of the developing device configured according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing another operation mode of the developing device shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the developing device shown in FIG.
9 is a sectional view of the developing device shown in FIG.
FIG. 10 is a plan view of the developing device main body in the developing device shown in FIG. 8, which is partially omitted.
FIG. 11 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing still another embodiment of the developing device constituted according to the present invention.
12 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing another operation mode of the developing device shown in FIG.
FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the developing device shown in FIG.
FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the developing device shown in FIG.
FIG. 15 is a plan view of the developing device main body in the developing device shown in FIG. 13, which is partially omitted.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Developing device
4 Developing device body
6 Toner container
8 Housing
10 Housing body
12 Upper wall member
14 Developing room
24 partition
26a First transport path
26b Second transport path
27a, 27b communication passage
28 Stirring and conveying means
30a First rotating spiral blade member (first stirring and conveying means)
32a center shaft
34a spiral blade
30b Second rotating spiral blade member (second stirring and conveying means)
32b center shaft
34b spiral blade
40 Toner application means
50 Top Wall
55 annular wall
54 Toner receiving opening
54a annular protrusion
56 Other toner receiving openings
56a annular protrusion
60 Toner container body
62 Toner discharge opening
65 Other toner discharge opening
80 Valve member
X1 Toner receiving area
X2 Other toner receiving area
Y Specific area

Claims (6)

A housing having a developing chamber for defining a toner conveying path; a stirring and conveying means arranged in the developing chamber for conveying the toner through the conveying path while stirring; and an electrostatic latent image for developing the toner in the developing chamber. A toner application unit for applying the toner to the image; and a toner container for replenishing the toner in the developing chamber. The housing has a toner receiving opening located above the toner receiving area. The capacity is locally reduced in a specific area on the downstream side of the toner receiving area of the transport path, and in a developing device in which a toner discharge opening is formed in a toner container,
Another toner receiving opening located above the other toner receiving area is formed in the housing, and another toner discharging opening is formed in the toner container,
The other toner receiving area is set immediately downstream of the specific area of the transport path,
The lower end of the annular peripheral portion of the other toner receiving opening is positioned at a lower position protruding below the lower end of the annular peripheral portion of the toner receiving opening,
In a state where the toner can be supplied to the developing chamber, the toner discharge opening of the toner storage container is communicated with the toner receiving opening of the housing, and the other toner discharge opening is communicated with another toner receiving opening.
A developing device, comprising: The toner conveyance path includes a circulation path, and the circulation path extends along the first conveyance path extending parallel to the toner application unit and between the first conveyance path and the toner application unit. A second conveyance path; and a communication path that communicates between both end areas of the first and second conveyance paths. The toner reception area, the specific area, and the other toner reception areas are set to the first conveyance path. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein: A housing having a developing chamber for defining a toner conveying path; a stirring and conveying means arranged in the developing chamber for conveying the toner through the conveying path while stirring; and an electrostatic latent image for developing the toner in the developing chamber. A toner application unit for applying the toner to the image, and a toner container for replenishing the toner in the developing chamber, a toner receiving opening is formed in the housing, and the conveying capacity of the stirring and conveying unit is limited to a specific area of the conveying path. In the developing device, which is locally reduced and has a toner discharge opening formed in the toner container,
A toner receiving area is set across the specific area from the upstream side of the specific area of the transport path, and the toner receiving opening is positioned above the toner receiving area,
The lower end of the annular peripheral portion of the toner receiving opening is inclined downward such that the amount of downward projection gradually increases from the upstream end toward the downstream end,
In a state where the toner can be supplied to the developing chamber, the toner discharge opening of the toner container is communicated with the toner receiving opening of the housing.
A developing device, comprising: A housing having a developing chamber for defining a toner conveying path; a stirring and conveying means arranged in the developing chamber for conveying the toner through the conveying path while stirring; and an electrostatic latent image for developing the toner in the developing chamber. A toner application unit for applying the toner to the image, and a toner container for replenishing the toner in the developing chamber, a toner receiving opening is formed in the housing, and the conveying capacity of the stirring and conveying unit is limited to a specific area of the conveying path. In the developing device, which is locally reduced and has a toner discharge opening formed in the toner container,
A toner receiving area is set across the specific area from the upstream side of the specific area of the transport path, and the toner receiving opening is positioned above the toner receiving area,
In the housing, one end of the valve is rotatably supported by the upstream edge of the toner receiving opening in the transport path, and extends in a downstream direction below the toner receiving opening to adjust the opening amount of the toner receiving opening. The members are arranged,
In a state where the toner can be supplied to the developing chamber, the toner discharge opening of the toner container is communicated with the toner receiving opening of the housing.
A developing device, comprising: The developing device according to claim 4, wherein the valve member is formed of a synthetic resin sheet member. The toner conveyance path includes a circulation path, and the circulation path extends along the first conveyance path extending parallel to the toner application unit and between the first conveyance path and the toner application unit. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a second conveyance path, and a communication path communicating between both end areas of the first and second conveyance paths, wherein the toner receiving area and the specific area are set in the first conveyance path. The developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein

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