JP2007086322A - Toner cartridge, developing device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner cartridge whose aperture part for discharging toner is easily opened and closed and which contributes to the thinning of an image forming apparatus without making toner storage amount small, and to provide technique related to the same. <P>SOLUTION: Inside the housing 41 of the toner cartridge 40, the peripheral wall of a partition 42 where the aperture parts S2 and S3 are formed abuts on the curved surface of an insertion hole 411, and the partition 42 is turned while the peripheral wall of the partition 42 is along the curved surface of the insertion hole 411. A crank mechanism 44 and an agitator 45 generate motive power for conveying toner in a storage part 417 to the partition 42 side, and an agitator 46 generates motive power for conveying the toner inside the partition 42 to the aperture part S1 side. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner cartridge that is attached to a developing device that develops an electrostatic latent image as a toner image by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image, and supplies the toner contained in the housing to the developing device. , And related technologies.

  Conventionally, a developing device that develops an electrostatic latent image as a toner image by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image, and a toner that is attached to the developing device and accommodated in the housing is supplied to the developing device. Various image forming apparatuses that include a toner cartridge and form an image on a recording medium by transferring the toner image onto the recording medium have been developed.

  As one of them, the first opening is opened by facing the first opening and the cylindrical casing in which the first opening for discharging the toner is formed on the outer peripheral surface. There is an image forming apparatus in which a toner cartridge including a cylindrical slide cover that covers the outer peripheral surface of a housing is mounted on a developing device (see Patent Document 1).

In this image forming apparatus, when the user mounts the toner cartridge on the developing device, the user holds the toner cartridge with the other hand while holding the slide cover of the toner cartridge with the other hand. The first opening of the toner cartridge can be easily opened simply by rotating the housing of the toner cartridge so that the opening of the toner cartridge faces the opening. Also, when removing the toner cartridge from the developing device, the first opening and the second opening of the toner cartridge are not opposed to each other while holding the slide cover of the toner cartridge with one hand. Thus, the first opening of the toner cartridge can be easily closed only by rotating the housing of the toner cartridge.
JP 2004-61757 A (paragraph [0083], FIG. 12)

Incidentally, in recent years, it has been desired to reduce the thickness of the image forming apparatus so that the image forming apparatus can be installed in an office or the like without occupying a large space.
Here, when the above-described image forming apparatus is thinned, for example, by reducing the diameter of the housing of the toner cartridge, it is possible to contribute to the thinning of the image forming apparatus.

However, when the diameter of the housing of the toner cartridge is reduced, there arises a problem that the amount of toner contained in the toner cartridge is reduced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides a toner cartridge that can easily open and close an opening for discharging toner and contributes to a reduction in the thickness of an image forming apparatus without reducing the amount of toner, and a technology related thereto. The purpose is to provide.

  The first invention made to achieve the above object is capable of being attached to a developing device that attaches toner to an electrostatic latent image and develops the electrostatic latent image as a toner image. A toner cartridge capable of supplying toner accommodated in a body to a developing device, wherein the casing has an inner wall formed in a semi-cylindrical shape with a curved surface protruding outward of the casing, and the casing A curved end that is an end formed with a first opening through which the toner is discharged to the outside of the housing. A second opening that is inserted into the outside of the housing by facing the first opening, and an opposite side of the first opening by the second opening facing the first opening A third opening located at the end of the curved surface. , A partition wall that rotates in a state along the curved surface, a space that extends from the opposite side of the curved surface end to the partition wall, a storage unit for storing toner, and power for conveying the toner in the storage unit to the curved surface end side First power generating means for generating the power, second power generating means for generating power for transporting the toner in the partition toward the first opening, and rotation operating means for rotating the partition. It is characterized by providing.

  That is, in this toner cartridge, although the first opening for discharging the toner is closed from the inside of the housing by the partition wall, the user rotates the first opening and the second opening so as to face each other. The first opening for discharging the toner can be easily opened only by rotating the partition by the moving operation means. Further, the user can easily close the first opening only by rotating the partition wall by the rotation operation means so that the first opening and the second opening are not opposed to each other.

  Further, in this toner cartridge, the first power generation means generates power for transporting the toner in the storage portion toward the curved end, and the second power generation means causes the toner in the partition to pass through the first opening. Since power to be conveyed to the side is generated, toner can be conveyed in a direction perpendicular to gravity (that is, in a horizontal direction).

  In other words, since the toner cartridge can supply toner in the horizontal direction to the developing device, it is not necessary to secure a large space in the housing portion in the vertical direction, as long as the space in the housing portion is secured in the horizontal direction. Further, the housing can be thinned without reducing the toner storage amount.

  As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner cartridge that can easily open and close the opening for discharging the toner and contributes to a reduction in the thickness of the image forming apparatus without reducing the amount of toner accommodated. it can.

However, the “horizontal direction” here includes not only the complete horizontal direction but also a direction inclined so that the toner is not conveyed by gravity (the same applies hereinafter).
In the first aspect of the present invention, the first power generation means may be configured in any way as long as it generates power for conveying the toner in the storage portion toward the curved end portion, and itself is a power source. May be configured to generate power, or may be configured to generate power upon receiving power from an external power generation source.

  Further, the second power generation means may be configured in any way as long as it generates power for transporting the toner in the partition wall to the first opening, so that itself generates power. You may be comprised, and you may be comprised so that the motive power may be received from the external motive power generation source.

  In addition, the third opening is formed at any part of the curved surface of the partition wall as long as the second opening is located on the opposite side of the first opening by facing the first opening. Although it may be, it is desirable that it is formed in a portion facing the second opening.

  If the third opening is formed in this way, when the first opening is opened, the first opening, the second opening, and the third opening all face each other, and the first opening Since the opening to the third opening communicate with each other, the toner in the container can be efficiently conveyed to the first opening, and the toner can be efficiently supplied to the developing device.

  The opening areas of the first opening and the second opening may be set in any way, but the opening area of the third opening is set larger than the opening area of the second opening. It is desirable that

  As described above, if the opening area of the third opening is set, the first opening no matter how the opening area of the first opening is set with respect to the opening area of the second opening. When the opening is opened, the toner can be transported into the partition more efficiently than the toner is discharged outside the housing. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the toner in the partition wall from being reduced even though a large amount of toner remains in the storage portion.

  Here, when the outer wall of the curved end portion is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape along the curved surface of the inner wall and the curved surface protrudes toward the outside of the housing, the housing is on the curved surface of the outer wall, It is preferable that a recess is provided in at least one of the end portions along the rotation direction of the partition wall.

  If the housing is configured in this way, the developing device to which the toner cartridge is mounted faces the first opening of the toner cartridge and takes in the toner from the first opening, And a shutter for closing the inlet from the outside, and the shutter is configured to be movable along the rotation direction of the partition wall of the toner cartridge. The cartridge can be retracted into the recess of the cartridge.

  Next, a second invention is a developing device for developing toner as a toner image by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image, and the toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The toner cartridge is mounted in a state in which the toner transport direction is horizontal.

According to this developing device, the toner conveying direction can be set to the horizontal direction when the toner cartridge of the first invention is mounted.
If the image forming apparatus is configured to be mounted with the developing device while maintaining the toner conveyance direction in the horizontal direction, the developing device can contribute to a reduction in the thickness of the image forming device.

  Next, a third invention includes a developing device that attaches toner to an electrostatic latent image and develops the electrostatic latent image as a toner image, and the toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on the recording medium by transferring the toner image onto the recording medium, wherein the toner cartridge is developed in a state where the toner conveyance direction in the toner cartridge is horizontal. It is characterized by being attached to.

  That is, in this image forming apparatus, since the toner transport direction in the toner cartridge of the first invention attached to the developing device is set to the horizontal direction, the image forming apparatus can be thinned.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
First, FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically showing an internal structure of a printer 1 to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, the left direction in the drawing is the direction toward the front of the printer 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes a main body 2 and a paper feed cassette 3, and the paper feed cassette 3 is attached to the lower part of the main body 2.
The paper feed cassette 3 includes a support plate 5 whose front side is urged upward by a spring 4, and sheets (not shown) as a recording medium are stacked on the upper surface of the support plate 5. .

  On the other hand, the main body 2 has an opening 6 formed in the front portion of the main body 2. The main body 2 includes a lid 7 that can be freely opened and closed outside the opening 6, and is configured so that the opening 6 can be opened and closed by the lid 7.

The main body 2 includes a paper feed mechanism 8, an image forming mechanism 9, and a paper discharge mechanism 10.
Here, the paper feed mechanism 8 is provided with a paper feed roller 11 and a transport roller 12 on the front upper side of the support plate 5 so as to face each other, and the paper feed roller 11 and the transport roller 12 cooperate to support the support plate. The sheet on the support plate 5 is taken one by one from the front of the sheet 5.

  The paper feed mechanism 8 includes a guide 13 that forms a path from the front of the paper feed roller 11 to the top of the paper feed roller 11. The paper taken in by the paper feed roller 11 and the transport roller 12 is guided along the guide 13. And is configured to be reversed to the rear of the main body 2.

  Further, the paper feed mechanism 8 includes registration rollers 14 and 15 behind the paper feed roller 11 so as to come into contact with each other, and the registration rollers 14 and 15 cooperate to form an image on the paper reversed by the guide 13. It is configured to be conveyed to the mechanism 9.

The image forming mechanism 9 includes a process mechanism 16, a scanner mechanism 17, and a fixing mechanism 18.
Here, the process mechanism 16 includes a developing device 19 above the sheet feeding mechanism 8. The developing device 19 includes a toner cartridge 40 and a developing cartridge 50, and the toner cartridge 40 is attached to the developing cartridge 50 in the horizontal direction from the front of the developing cartridge 50. Details of the toner cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 will be described later.

  Further, the process mechanism 16 includes a photosensitive drum 20 behind the developing cartridge 50 so as to contact the developing roller 51d provided in the developing cartridge 50, and an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 20 is formed. The toner on the developing roller 51d is attached, and the electrostatic latent image is developed as a toner image.

  Further, the process mechanism 16 includes a scorotron charger 21 at the upper rear side of the photosensitive drum 20, and is configured to charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 20 by the scorotron charger 21.

  Further, the process mechanism 16 includes a transfer roller 22 below the photoconductive drum 20 so as to contact the photoconductive drum 20, and the photoconductive drum 20 and the transfer roller 22 cooperate to supply a sheet from the paper supply mechanism 8. And the toner image on the photosensitive drum 20 is transferred to the captured paper.

  The scanner mechanism 17 is provided above the process mechanism 16. The scanner mechanism 17 includes a polygon mirror 23 that is rotationally driven at an equiangular speed, and reflects a laser beam generated by a laser beam generator (not shown) by a polygon mirror 23 so that the laser beam is emitted. L is configured to scan at an angular velocity.

  Further, the scanner mechanism 17 includes an fθ lens 24 at the upper front of the polygon mirror 23, and transmits the laser beam reflected by the polygon mirror 23 to the fθ lens 24 so that the scanning speed of the laser beam is changed from a constant angular speed to a constant speed. It is configured to correct.

  Further, the scanner mechanism 17 includes a folding mirror 25 at the upper front side of the fθ lens 24, and is configured so that the laser beam transmitted through the fθ lens 24 is reflected by the folding mirror 25 to the lower rear side of the folding mirror 25.

  Further, the scanner mechanism 17 includes a cylindrical lens 26 below the folding mirror 25, transmits the laser beam reflected by the folding mirror 25 to the cylindrical lens 26, and is different from the direction defined by the polygon mirror 23. The laser beam reflected in the direction is deflected in the sub-scanning direction.

  In addition, the scanner mechanism 17 includes a reflection mirror 27 below and below the cylindrical lens 26, and the laser beam transmitted through the cylindrical lens 26 is reflected on the photosensitive drum 20 by the reflection mirror 27, and is statically applied on the photosensitive drum 20. An electrostatic latent image is formed.

  In addition, the fixing mechanism 18 includes a heating roller 28 and a pressing roller 29 so as to come into contact with each other behind the process mechanism 16, and the heating roller 28 and the pressing roller 29 cooperate to feed a sheet from the process mechanism 16. The toner image transferred onto the captured paper is heat-fixed on the paper while being captured.

  Further, the paper discharge mechanism 10 includes a pair of conveyance rollers 30 so as to contact each other behind the fixing mechanism 18, and the conveyance rollers 30 cooperate to take in the paper from the fixing mechanism 18. Yes.

  The paper discharge mechanism 10 includes guides 31 and 32 that form a path from the rear of the pair of transport rollers 30 to the top of the main body 2. The paper taken in by the pair of transport rollers 30 is used as the guides 31 and 32. It is comprised so that it may guide along the main body 2 along.

  Further, the paper discharge mechanism 10 includes a pair of paper discharge rollers 33 in the vicinity of the upper ends of the guides 31 and 32 so as to contact each other, and these paper discharge rollers 33 cooperate to take in paper from the guides 31 and 32. The sheet is discharged to a sheet discharge tray 34 formed on the outer upper surface of the main body 2.

  That is, the printer 1 forms an electrostatic latent image with a laser beam, attaches toner to the electrostatic latent image, develops the electrostatic latent image as a toner image, and then transfers the toner image onto a sheet. It is configured as a so-called laser printer that forms an image on a sheet.

Hereinafter, the toner cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 will be described in detail.
First, FIG. 2 is an external view of the toner cartridge 40. 2A is a front view of the toner cartridge 40, FIG. 2B is a rear view of the toner cartridge 40, and FIG. 2C is a left view of the toner cartridge 40 with respect to the front. FIG. 4 is a left side view of the toner cartridge 40 as viewed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the toner cartridge 40 includes a housing 41 that stores toner therein.
And the housing | casing 41 is shape | molded flatly, the horizontal length L (refer FIG.2 (c)) from a front to a back surface, and the horizontal width W (FIG.2 (b) from a left side surface to a right side surface. )) Is set larger than the vertical height H from the bottom surface to the top surface (see FIG. 2B). More specifically, the housing 41 is formed to be large in the width direction, and the width W is set to be about twice the length L.

  Moreover, the housing | casing 41 is formed in the front edge part with the cylindrical insertion hole 411 which penetrates the said housing | casing 41 along the width direction. The front outer wall is formed into a semi-cylindrical shape with a curved surface protruding along the curved surface of the insertion hole 411 toward the outside of the housing 41, and the inside and outside of the housing 41 are connected to the center of the curved surface. An opening S1 to be inserted is formed. More specifically, the opening S <b> 1 is formed to have a long planar shape that is long in the width direction of the housing 41.

In addition, the housing 41 has a recess 412 formed on the bottom surface of the front end portion so as to be continuous with the curved surface of the front outer wall.
Further, the casing 41 has a cylindrical partition wall 42 inserted in the insertion hole 411. More specifically, in the partition wall 42, projections 421 having a long planar shape are formed on both side surfaces forming a circle in the partition wall 42. A wide portion 421 a whose width increases toward the outer peripheral edge of the side surface of the partition wall 42 is formed at one end of the protrusion 421.

  In addition, the housing 41 is pivotally supported by a pair of lever members 43 at the center of both side surfaces so as to be rotatable. More specifically, one end of the pair of lever members 43 extends in the horizontal direction to the vicinity of the partition wall 42, and the other end extends to the back surface of the housing 41. The pair of lever members 43 are bent upward in the vicinity of the central portion of the portion from the portion where the lever member 43 is pivotally supported to the back surface of the housing 41.

  Note that an engagement portion 431 having an arcuate planar shape is formed at one end portion (tip portion) of the pair of lever members 43 extending in the vicinity of the partition wall 42. In the engaging portion 431, a plurality of teeth are formed on the outer edge toward the front of the housing 41.

  In addition, a connecting member 433 that connects the pair of lever members 43 to each other is integrally connected to one end (rear end) of the pair of lever members 43 that extends to the back surface of the housing 41. Yes. That is, the pair of lever members 43 are connected to the other lever member 43 on the back surface of the housing 41.

  Further, the housing 41 is provided with a connecting portion 413 that is connected to a drive shaft (not shown) on the main body 2 side on the left side surface of the rear end portion. More specifically, the connecting portion 413 is formed of a cylinder, and a pair of protrusions 413a are provided on the inner peripheral edge so as to face each other, and the drive shaft on the main body 2 side is fitted.

  In addition, the outer wall of the back surface of the housing 41 is also formed in a semi-cylindrical shape in which a curved surface protrudes toward the outside of the housing 41. Limiting members 414 and 415 are provided at the upper and lower ends of the rear surface so as to protrude in the horizontal direction from the rear surface and restrict the rotation range of the lever member 43 by contacting the connecting member 433 of the lever member 43.

  Next, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the toner cartridge 40. 3A is a cross-sectional view when the toner cartridge 40 is cut in the length direction at the central portion in the width direction and the toner cartridge 40 is viewed from the left direction with respect to the front surface (A in FIG. 2A). -A sectional view). 3B is a cross-sectional view when the toner cartridge 40 is cut in the length direction at the left end portion of the housing 41 and the toner cartridge 40 is viewed from the left direction with respect to the front surface (FIG. 2A). BB sectional view in FIG. FIG. 3C illustrates a toner cartridge in which a portion from the center in the height direction of the casing 41 (the CC plane in FIG. 3A) to the upper surface is cut (only the casing 41 is cut). It is a top view at the time of seeing 40 from an upper direction. Of these drawings, however, in FIGS. 3A and 3C, the rear end of the lever member 43 is lowered downward until the connecting member 433 comes into contact with the restricting member 415, and the wide portion of the partition wall 42 is widened. The state inside the casing 41 in a state in which the partition wall 42 is rotated so that 421a is positioned on the upper surface side of the casing 41 is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 3, inside the housing 41 of the toner cartridge 40, the peripheral wall of the partition wall 42 and the curved surface of the insertion hole 411 are in contact, and the peripheral wall of the partition wall 42 is along the curved surface of the insertion hole 411. 42 rotates. However, a sponge 416 is attached to the curved surface of the insertion hole 411 so as to surround the outer edge portion of the opening S1.

  An opening S <b> 2 is formed in the peripheral wall of the partition wall 42 so as to face the opening S <b> 1 so as to be inserted outside the housing 41 and to discharge the toner to the outside of the housing 41. More specifically, the opening S2 has the same planar shape as the opening S1, and is formed to have substantially the same opening area. In the partition wall 42, the opening S2 is formed so that the opening S2 faces the opening S1 when the wide portions 421a on both sides are positioned on the upper surface side of the housing 41.

  Further, an opening S3 having an opening area larger than that of the opening S2 is formed on the peripheral wall of the partition wall 42 at a portion facing the opening S2. More specifically, the opening S3 is formed to have a long planar shape like the opening S2, and the length of the casing 41 in the width direction is set larger than the opening S2. .

  In addition, a housing portion 417 that is a space for housing toner is formed inside the housing 41. More specifically, the accommodating portion 417 is formed so as to reach the insertion hole 411 from the inner wall on the back surface of the housing 41.

In addition, a crank mechanism 44 and agitators 45 and 46 are sequentially arranged in the housing 41 from the rear end portion to the front end portion of the housing 41.
Here, the crank mechanism 44 includes a crankshaft 44a and a suspension member 44b. More specifically, the crankshaft 44a is disposed from the left end portion to the right end portion of the housing 41, and both end portions thereof are bent in an L shape. One end portion is inserted into the right side wall of the housing 41, while the other end portion is disposed in the left end portion of the housing 41, and the central portion of the gear 441 that rotates integrally with the connecting portion 413. It is connected to.

  In addition, the suspension member 44b includes a pair of rods suspended from both ends of the crankshaft 44a toward the bottom surface of the housing portion 417, and extends from the left end portion to the right end portion of the casing 41 at their lower end portions. It is formed into a shape that is connected to each other by a bar disposed on the bottom surface of the accommodating portion 417.

  That is, the crank mechanism 44 is configured such that when the crankshaft 44a rotates, the suspension member 44b reciprocates in the horizontal direction, and the casing 41 is driven by the rotation movement of the crankshaft 44a and the reciprocation movement of the suspension member 44b. While the toner in the rear end portion of the toner is agitated, power to be conveyed to the agitator 45 side is generated.

  The agitator 45 includes a rotating shaft 45a and a pair of film members 45b. More specifically, the rotation shaft 45a is disposed from the left end portion to the right end portion of the casing 41, and one end portion is inserted through the right side wall of the casing 41 while the other end portion is disposed in the casing. It is connected to the central part of the gear 451 disposed in the left end of the body 41. The gear 451 is engaged with a gear 442 that is engaged with the gear 441. However, the diameter of the gear 442 is set to be approximately the same as the diameter of the gear 441. The diameter of the gear 451 is set smaller than the diameter of the gear 442.

  The rotation shaft 45a is formed with a frame 45c surrounding the rotation shaft 45a from the left end portion to the right end portion. The frame 45c is provided with a partition 45d for each predetermined section along the axial direction of the rotation shaft 45a. And the frame 45c is shape | molded so that the planar shape seen from the left direction or the right direction with respect to the front surface of the housing | casing 41 may become a parallelogram shape.

  Each of the pair of film members 45b is made of a resin sheet having the same width as the pair of long sides of the frame 45c of the rotating shaft 45a, and projects in a direction opposite to each other from the pair of long sides of the frame 45c. In this way, they are attached to a pair of long sides of the frame 45c. However, the pair of film members 45b are formed with notches at the left and right ends of each protruding end so that each protruding end can protrude into the opening S3.

  That is, the agitator 45 is configured such that when the rotation shaft 45a rotates, the frame 45c rotates together with the pair of film members 45b, and the toner in the storage portion 417 is formed by the frame 45c and the pair of film members 45b. The power to convey to the partition 42 side is generated while stirring.

  The agitator 46 includes a rotating shaft 46a, a pair of film members 46b, and saw-like members 46c and 46d. More specifically, the rotating shaft 46 a is disposed from the left end to the right end of the partition wall 42, and one end portion is inserted through the right side wall of the partition wall 42, while the other end portion is the partition wall 42. It is connected to the center of a gear 461 disposed in the left end. The gear 461 is engaged with a gear 452 that is engaged with the gear 451. However, the diameter of the gear 452 is set to be approximately the same as the diameter of the gear 451. The diameter of the gear 461 is set to be approximately the same as the diameter of the gears 441 and 442.

  In addition, the rotation shaft 46a is formed with a frame 46e surrounding the rotation shaft 46a at the center in the axial direction. The frame 46e is formed such that the planar shape viewed from the left or right direction with respect to the front surface of the housing 41 is a parallelogram. The width of the frame 46e is set to be approximately the same as the width of the opening S2.

  Further, the rotation shaft 46a has a pair of triangular prism-shaped projections 46f protruding in the outer peripheral direction of the rotation shaft 46a in a section from the left end to the frame 46e and a section from the right end to the frame 46e. Is formed. However, each of the pair of protrusions 46f protrudes in the same direction.

  Each of the pair of film members 46b is a rectangular resin sheet having the same width as that of the pair of long sides of the frame 46e of the rotating shaft 46a (that is, the width approximately the same as the width of the opening S2). And affixed to the pair of long sides of the frame 46e so as to protrude in a direction opposite to each other from the pair of long sides of the frame 46e.

Further, the saw-like member 46c is formed as shown in FIG.
Here, FIG. 4 is a drawing showing details of the saw-like member 46c. 4A is a plan view of the saw-like member 46c, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a portion from the left end portion to the central portion of the rotating shaft 46a.

  As shown in FIG. 4 (a), the saw-like member 46c is made of a resinous sheet and has a shape in which a plurality of teeth 46h are formed in a row on one long side of the sticking portion 46g formed in a long shape. It is molded into. More specifically, each of the teeth 46h is formed in a shape in which the tip is inclined so that one side is long and the other side is short. As shown in FIG. 4B, the serrated member 46c has a longer side of the tooth 46h toward the center of the rotation shaft 46a and a shorter side of the left side of the rotation shaft 46a. The direction is set so as to face, and the affixing portion 46g is affixed on the protrusion 46f extending from the left end of the rotating shaft 46a to the frame 46e.

  In addition, the saw-like member 46d is merely the one in which the saw-like member 46c is turned over and stuck to the protrusion 46f extending from the right end of the rotation shaft 46a to the frame 46e, and the longer side of the tooth 46h is the rotation shaft 46a. The direction is set so that the short side is directed to the right end of the rotation shaft 46a toward the center (see FIG. 3C).

  In other words, when the rotating shaft 46a rotates, the agitator 46 has a power to scrape the toner at the left and right end portions in the partition wall 42 to the central portion in the partition wall 42 while stirring the toner on the left and right end portions in the partition wall 42. appear. Further, the agitator 46 also generates power for conveying the toner in the central portion in the partition wall 42 to the opening S1 side while stirring the toner in the central portion in the partition wall 42 by the frame 46e of the rotating shaft 46a and the pair of film members 46b.

  In the toner cartridge 40, the gear 441 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3B by the drive shaft on the main body 2 side. Therefore, the crank shaft 44a of the crank mechanism 44, the rotation shaft 45a of the agitator 45, The rotating shaft 46a of the agitator 46 also rotates counterclockwise. For this reason, the toner circulates counterclockwise in the housing 41.

  Next, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of the developing cartridge 50. 5A is a front view of the developing cartridge 50, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge 50 as viewed from the right side with respect to the front surface when cut at the center of the front surface. It is DD sectional drawing in 5 (a).

As shown in FIG. 5, the developing cartridge 50 includes a housing 52 that houses the developing mechanism 51 therein.
Here, the developing mechanism 51 includes an upper auger 51a, a lower auger 51b, a supply roller 51c, a developing roller 51d, and a developing blade 51e. More specifically, the upper auger 51 a is made of a shaft-like member, and is disposed above the inside of the front side of the casing 52 from the left end portion to the right end portion of the casing 52. However, in the upper auger 51a, spiral teeth are formed in a section from the left end to the right end so that the toner at both ends of the casing 52 is agitated and collected in the central portion of the casing 52.

  The lower auger 51b is made of a shaft-like member, and is disposed in the center inside the front side of the casing 52 from the left end portion to the right end portion of the casing 52. However, in the lower auger 51b, spiral teeth are formed in a section from the left end to the right end so that the toner at the center of the case 52 is conveyed to both ends of the case 52 while stirring.

Further, the supply roller 51c is disposed below the lower auger 51b from the left end portion to the right end portion of the housing 52.
Further, the developing roller 51d is disposed on the back of the supply roller 51c from the left end to the right end of the housing 52 in a state of being in contact with the supply roller 51c.

  The developing blade 51e is disposed between the lower end auger 51b and the developing roller 51d from the left end portion to the right end portion of the housing 52 in contact with the developing roller 51d.

Further, the housing 52 is open on the back side, and the developing roller 51d is exposed from the back side.
Further, the front side of the casing 52 is molded so as to accommodate the toner cartridge 40. More specifically, the casing 52 has a front outer wall formed into a curved surface along the front outer wall of the toner cartridge 40. A pair of side walls 521 are formed at the left end and the right end with respect to the front surface, and a flat bottom wall 522 protruding in the horizontal direction is formed at the lower end portion of the front surface.

  In addition, the housing 52 has an opening S4 that is inserted through the inside and outside of the housing 52 in the center of the front outer wall, and has a planar shape and an opening area that is the same as the opening S1 of the toner cartridge 40. Is formed. And sponge 523 is stuck on the front outer wall so that the outer edge of opening S4 may be enclosed.

  Further, the casing 52 is provided with a pair of arc-shaped guide members 53 along the curved surface of the front outer wall at the left end and the right end of the front outer wall. A pair of guide members 53 sandwich a long shutter 54 that closes the opening S4 so as to be movable along the curved surface of the front outer wall.

  The casing 52 is rotatably supported by a pair of side walls 521 so that a disk member 55 that locks the toner cartridge 40 is rotatable. More specifically, each of the disk members 55 has a long engagement groove 551 formed on the surface facing the side wall 521 opposite to the side wall 521 to which the disk member 55 is attached. The engaging groove 551 is formed so that the protrusion 421 in the partition wall 42 of the toner cartridge 40 is engaged, and a wide portion 421a of the protrusion 421 is engaged with one end of the engaging groove 551. A portion 551a is formed.

In addition, the disk member 55 has a protrusion 552 that protrudes from the outer edge of the disk member 55 on the outer edge of the engagement groove 551 opposite to the wide portion 551a.
The disk member 55 has a gear 553 formed on the back surface facing the side wall 521 to which the disk member 55 is attached. The gear 553 is a gear that engages with the engaging portion 431 of the lever member 43 of the toner cartridge 40. The diameter of the gear 553 is set smaller than the diameter of the disk member 55.

  Here, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing how to attach the disk member 55. 6 shows how to attach the left disk member 55 to the front surface of the casing 52, the method of attaching the right disk member 55 to the front surface is the same.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the side wall 521 is formed with an insertion hole 521a having a circular planar shape. In addition, guide grooves 524 are formed in the vicinity of the pair of guide members 53 in the vicinity of the pair of guide members 53 from the center of the front outer wall to the bottom wall 522 along the guide members 53.

  The shutter 54 has a rectangular planar shape at each of the left end and the right end with respect to the front surface, and a communication hole 54 a that communicates with the guide groove 524 when sandwiched between the pair of guide members 53 is formed. ing. More specifically, the communication hole 54 a is formed in the central portion of the shutter 54 in the short direction.

  When the disk member 55 is attached to the side wall 521, the protrusion 552 of the disk member 55 is inserted into the guide groove 524 through the communication hole 54 a of the shutter 54, and is formed on the back surface of the disk member 55. The rotation shaft 554 is fitted into the insertion hole 521a.

  That is, on the front side of the housing 52, when the disk member 55 is rotated so that the protrusion 552 of the disk member 55 faces the front outer wall, the shutter 54 moves in conjunction with the outer wall on the front surface of the housing 52. Move upward to close the opening S4. Further, when the disk member 55 is rotated so that the protrusion 552 of the disk member 55 faces the bottom wall 522, the shutter 54 moves onto the bottom wall 522 and opens the opening S4.

  In the toner cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 configured as described above, when the user attaches the toner cartridge 40 to the developing cartridge 50, first, as shown in FIG. The orientation of the partition wall 42 is set in advance so that the wide portion 421a of the protrusion 421 faces the back side of the housing 41, and the rear end portions of the pair of lever members 43 are raised. At this time, the opening S1 of the toner cartridge 40 is closed by the partition wall 42.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the toner cartridge 40 is detached, the developing cartridge 50 has the wide portion 551 a of the engaging groove 551 in the disk member 55 facing the front side of the developing cartridge 50. The opening S4 is closed by the shutter 54.

  Then, the user inserts the front end portion of the toner cartridge 40 into the front surface of the developing cartridge 50 so that the protrusion 421 of the toner cartridge 40 is engaged with the engaging groove 551 of the developing cartridge 50, and the toner cartridge 40 is inserted. The developer cartridge 50 is mounted in the horizontal direction. At this time, the teeth of the engaging portion 431 in the lever member 43 are engaged with the teeth of the gear 553 in the disk member 55.

  Then, as shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D, when the user lowers the rear end portion of the lever member 43 of the toner cartridge 40, the disk member 55 of the developing cartridge 50 is widened in conjunction with this. It rotates so that the part 551a may be located upwards. As a result, the shutter 54 moves to the bottom wall 522, and the opening S4 is opened. Further, since the protrusion 421 of the toner cartridge 40 is engaged with the engaging groove 551 of the developing cartridge 50, the rotation operation of the lever member 43 is transmitted to both side surfaces of the partition wall 42 as the disk member 55 rotates. Then, the partition wall 42 is also rotated so that the opening S2 of the partition wall 42 faces the opening S1 of the housing 41, and the opening S1 is opened. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of each part in the toner cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50.

  That is, in the toner cartridge 40, when the user installs the toner cartridge 40 in the developing cartridge 50, the user simply moves the partition 42 42 downward by lowering the rear end portion of the lever member 43. The opening S1 can be easily opened. Further, when the toner cartridge 40 is detached from the developing cartridge 50, the opening S1 of the toner cartridge 40 can be easily closed only by raising the rear end portion of the lever member 43 and rotating the partition wall 42.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the toner cartridge 40, the crank mechanism 44 and the agitator 45 generate power for conveying the toner in the storage portion 417 to the partition wall 42 side, and the agitator 46 opens the toner in the partition wall 42 to the opening portion. Since power to be conveyed to the S1 side is generated, the toner can be conveyed in a direction perpendicular to gravity (that is, in a horizontal direction).

  That is, since the toner cartridge 40 can supply toner to the developing cartridge 50 in the horizontal direction, it is not necessary to secure a large space in the storage portion 417 in the vertical direction, and a large space in the storage portion 417 is ensured in the horizontal direction. As long as this is done, the housing 41 can be made thinner without reducing the amount of toner accommodated, and as a result, the printer 1 can be made thinner.

  In the toner cartridge 40, since the openings S2 and S3 are formed to face each other, when the opening S1 is opened, all the openings S1, S2, and S3 face each other, and the openings S1 to S3 are opened. Since communication up to S3 is communicated, the toner in the storage portion 417 can be efficiently conveyed to the opening S1, and as a result, the toner can be efficiently supplied to the developing cartridge 50.

  Further, in the toner cartridge 40, the opening area of the opening S3 is set larger than the opening area of the opening S2, so that when the opening S1 is opened, the toner is discharged to the outside of the housing 41. The toner can be transported into the partition wall 42 more efficiently. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the toner in the partition wall 42 from being reduced although a large amount of toner remains in the storage portion 417.

  Further, in the toner cartridge 40, since the recess 412 is formed on the bottom surface of the front end portion of the housing 41, the shutter 54 can be retracted into the recess 412 when the opening S4 of the developing cartridge 50 is opened.

  Further, since the front surface of the housing 52 is formed so that the toner transport direction in the toner cartridge 40 is set to the horizontal direction, the developing cartridge 50 can contribute to the thinning of the printer 1.

  8 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the toner cartridge 50 and the developing cartridge 50 when the toner cartridge 40 is mounted on the developing cartridge 50 and the opening S1 is opened.

  As described above, in the printer 1 of this embodiment, the toner cartridge 40 is mounted in the developing cartridge 50 in the horizontal direction, and the toner transport direction in the toner cartridge 40 is set in the horizontal direction. 1 (particularly the main body 2) can be thinned.

  In this embodiment, the toner cartridge 40 corresponds to the toner cartridge of the present invention, the developing cartridge 50 corresponds to the developing device in the present invention, and the printer 1 corresponds to the image forming apparatus in the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, the housing 41 corresponds to the housing in the present invention. The insertion hole 411 of the casing 41 corresponds to the inner wall in the present invention, the opening S1 of the casing 41 corresponds to the first opening in the present invention, and the front end of the casing 41 is the curved surface in the present invention. Corresponds to the end.

  In the present embodiment, the partition wall 42 corresponds to the partition wall in the present invention. The opening S2 of the partition wall 42 corresponds to the second opening in the present invention, and the opening S3 of the partition wall 42 corresponds to the third opening in the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the housing portion 417 corresponds to the housing portion in the present invention, and the crank mechanism 44 and the agitator 45 correspond to the first power generation means in the present invention.
In the present embodiment, the agitator 46 corresponds to the second power generation means in the present invention, and the pair of lever members 43 corresponds to the rotation operation means in the present invention.

In this embodiment, the depression 412 corresponds to the depression in the present invention.
By the way, in the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a laser printer. However, the electrostatic latent image is developed by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image, and the developed electrostatic latent image is transferred onto a recording medium. Thus, the present invention can be applied to any type of image forming apparatus (for example, a copying machine, a multifunction machine, a facsimile machine, etc.) as long as it forms an image on a recording medium. The image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied may form a monochrome image using one type of toner, or may form a color image using a plurality of types of toner. .

  In the present embodiment, the crank mechanism 44 and the agitators 45 and 46 are configured to generate power by receiving power from the drive shaft on the main body 2 side, but receive power from an external power generation source. Instead, the crank mechanism 44 and the agitators 45 and 46 themselves may be configured to generate power.

  In the present embodiment, the toner cartridge 40 has the depression 412 formed on the bottom surface of the front end, but the depression may be formed on the upper surface of the front end. The developing cartridge 50 may be configured to retract the shutter 54 in a recess formed in the upper surface of the toner cartridge 40.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various forms can be taken as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present invention. .

Hereinafter, modifications of the toner cartridge and the developing cartridge according to the present invention will be exemplified.
[Modification 1]
First, FIG. 9 is a left side view of the toner cartridge 60 when the toner cartridge 60 according to the first modification is viewed from the left with respect to the front. FIG. 9A shows the state of the toner cartridge 60 before being attached to the developing cartridge, and FIG. 9B shows the state of the toner cartridge 60 when being attached to the developing cartridge.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the toner cartridge 60 includes a casing 61 having an outer shape similar to that of the casing 41 in the above embodiment. However, the limiting member is not provided at the upper and lower ends of the back surface of the housing 61.

  The partition wall 62 of the toner cartridge 60 is provided with one lever member 621 on the left side surface thereof. More specifically, the lever member 621 has an end portion (a protruding end portion) that protrudes from the peripheral edge of the left side surface of the partition wall 62 when the toner cartridge 60 is attached to the developing cartridge. It is provided on the left side surface of the partition wall 62 so as to face.

  Further, the partition wall 62 of the toner cartridge 60 has a left end portion and a right end portion protruding from the casing 61, and a pair of protrusions 622 are formed on the protruding peripheral wall of the left end portion and the peripheral wall of the right end portion, respectively. Has been. However, when the partition wall 62 is rotated so that the protruding end portion of the lever member 621 faces the rear surface of the housing 61, one of the pair of protrusions 622 is positioned on the front side of the housing 61, and the other Is formed on the bottom surface side of the housing 61. In the toner cartridge 60, when the partition wall 62 is rotated so that the protruding end portion of the lever member 621 faces the back surface of the housing 61, an opening (not shown) formed on the front surface of the housing 61 is formed. ) Is released.

  Next, FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration on the right side of the toner cartridge 60. FIG. 10A is a right side view of the toner cartridge 60 when the toner cartridge 60 is viewed from the right direction with respect to the front. FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge 60 cut in the length direction at the right end portion of the casing 61 and viewed from the right side with respect to the front.

As shown in FIG. 10, the toner cartridge 60 is provided with a connecting portion 623 that is connected to the drive shaft on the main body 2 side on the right side surface of the partition wall 62.
The toner cartridge 60 is provided with a plurality of gears in the right end portions of the casing 61 and the partition wall 62, and power from the drive shaft on the main body 2 side is provided in the casing 61 and the partition wall 62 by these gears. Is transmitted to a crank mechanism or agitator.

  Next, FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the developing cartridge 70 in the first modification. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge 70 as viewed from the right side with respect to the front surface when cut at the center of the front surface.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the developing cartridge 70, a frame 721 having a cross-sectional shape that is shaped like an outer edge of the side surface shape of the toner cartridge 60 is formed on the front side of the housing 72. The frame 721 is closed on the left side by the side wall 722 and open on the right side. That is, the developing cartridge 70 is configured to mount the toner cartridge 60 from the right direction.

  Here, the side wall 722 is provided with a connecting portion 723 that is connected to the drive shaft on the main body 2 side, and the connecting portion 723 engages with the connecting portion 623 of the toner cartridge 60, thereby driving on the main body 2 side. The shaft power is transmitted to the connecting portion 623 of the toner cartridge 60.

  In addition, the housing 72 is formed with an opening S5 that is inserted into the inside of the housing 72 on the inner wall of the frame 721, and a long shutter 74 that closes the opening S5 outside the opening S5. Is provided.

  Note that the shutter 74 is sandwiched between the left and right ends of the shutter 74 by the protrusions 622 of the toner cartridge 60 when the toner cartridge 60 is mounted. Then, when the partition wall 62 is rotated so that the protruding end portion of the lever member 621 in the toner cartridge 60 is directed toward the back surface of the housing 61, the partition member 62 is moved to the bottom surface of the frame 721 in conjunction with the rotation. S5 is released.

  Incidentally, a lever member 624 shown in FIG. 12 may be provided on the left side surface of the partition wall 62 in the toner cartridge 60 in place of the lever member 621. FIG. 12 is a left side view of the toner cartridge 60 when the toner cartridge 60 including the lever member 624 is viewed from the left direction with respect to the front. However, FIG. 12A shows the state of the toner cartridge 60 before being attached to the developing cartridge, and FIG. 12B shows the state of the toner cartridge 60 when being attached to the developing cartridge.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the lever member 624 has the same shape as the lever member 621, but its length is set larger than that of the lever member 621. The lever member 624 is located on the left side surface of the partition wall 62 so that one end portion protruding from the peripheral edge of the left side surface of the partition wall 62 faces the developing cartridge 70 side when the toner cartridge 60 is mounted on the development cartridge 70. Is provided.

That is, when the lever member 624 is formed of a conductive member and the toner cartridge 60 is attached to the developing cartridge 70 and is brought into contact with the developing cartridge 70, the toner cartridge 60 and the developing cartridge 70 are electrically connected. Therefore, the lever member 624 can be used to reduce the wiring in the housing 2.
[Modification 2]
Next, Modification 2 will be described.

  First, FIG. 13 is a left side view of the toner cartridge 80 when the toner cartridge 80 according to the second modification is viewed from the left with respect to the front. 13A shows the state of the toner cartridge 80 before being attached to the developing cartridge, and FIG. 13B shows the state of the toner cartridge 80 when being attached to the developing cartridge.

  As illustrated in FIG. 13, the toner cartridge 80 includes a casing 81 having an outer shape similar to that of the casing 61 in the first modification. However, a limiting member 814 is provided at the upper end of the back surface of the housing 81.

  The partition wall 82 of the toner cartridge 80 is provided with a pair of lever members 821 on both side surfaces thereof. More specifically, the lever member 821 has one end fixed to the center of both side surfaces of the partition wall 82 and the other end protruding from the peripheral edge of both side surfaces of the partition wall 82. Note that the protruding end portion (protruding end portion) is bent so that the tip thereof faces in the horizontal direction when facing upward on the front side of the housing 81.

  Similarly to the partition wall 62 in the first modification, the partition wall 82 of the toner cartridge 80 has a pair of protrusions 822 formed on the peripheral wall at the left end and the peripheral wall at the right end. However, one pair of the protrusions 822 is positioned on the front side of the casing 81 when the partition wall 82 is rotated so that the protruding end of the lever member 821 faces upward on the front side of the casing 81. The other is formed so as to be located on the bottom surface side of the casing 81.

  Next, FIG. 14 is a right side view of the developing cartridge 90 when the developing cartridge 90 in Modification 2 is viewed from the right direction with respect to the front. In FIG. 14, the developing cartridge 90 with the toner cartridge 80 attached is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the housing 92 of the developing cartridge 90 is formed by removing the side wall 521 from the housing 52 of the developing cartridge 50 in the above embodiment, extending the bottom wall 522 to the back of the toner cartridge 80, and The extended end portion is bent upward along the back surface of the toner cartridge 80. That is, the housing 92 of the developing cartridge 90 is formed so that the toner cartridge 80 is mounted from above.

  Further, the bottom wall 922 of the developing cartridge 90 is provided with a lock member 923 for fixing the toner cartridge 80 at a portion where the back surface of the toner cartridge 80 abuts.

  That is, the rear end portion of the housing 81 of the toner cartridge 80 is fixed to the housing 92 of the developing cartridge 90 by the lock member 923 when the toner cartridge 80 is attached to the developing cartridge 90.

  On the other hand, the front end portion of the housing 81 of the toner cartridge 80 is fixed to the housing 92 by the protruding end portions of the pair of lever members 821 sandwiching the housing 92 of the developing cartridge 90.

  Here, FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the toner cartridge 80 and the developing cartridge 90. FIG. 15A shows the inside of the toner cartridge 80 and the developing cartridge 90 when the protruding end of the lever member 821 of the toner cartridge 80 faces upward. FIG. 15B shows the inside of the toner cartridge 80 and the developing cartridge 90 when the protruding end of the lever member 821 faces upward from the front of the housing 81.

  As shown in FIG. 15A, in the toner cartridge 80, the opening S5 formed on the front surface of the housing 81 is blocked by the peripheral wall of the partition wall 82 when the protruding end of the lever member 821 faces upward. Has been. At this time, in the developing cartridge 90, the opening S <b> 6 inserted through the housing 92 is closed by the shutter 94.

As shown in FIG. 15B, in the toner cartridge 80, when the partition wall 82 is rotated so that the protruding end of the lever member 821 faces upward on the front side of the housing 81, the opening S5 is formed. Opened. At this time, in the developing cartridge 90, the shutter 94 moves to the bottom surface of the toner cartridge 80 by the protrusion 822 of the toner cartridge 80, and the opening S6 is opened.
[Other variations]
In the above embodiment, the toner cartridge 40 is formed so that the front end portion has a circular side surface shape, but may be formed so as to have a circular planar shape.

1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal structure of a printer 1 to which the present invention is applied. 2 is an external view of a toner cartridge 40. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal structure of the toner cartridge 40. FIG. It is drawing which shows the detail of the saw-shaped member 46c. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a developing cartridge 50. 6 is a perspective view showing how to attach the disk member 55. FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the operation of each part in the toner cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the toner cartridge 50 and the developing cartridge 50 when the toner cartridge 40 is mounted on the developing cartridge 50 and the opening S1 is opened. FIG. FIG. 3 is a left side view of the toner cartridge 60 when the toner cartridge 60 is viewed from the left direction with respect to the front. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration on the right side of the toner cartridge 60. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge 70. FIG. FIG. 6 is a left side view of the toner cartridge 60 when the toner cartridge 60 including the lever member 624 is viewed from the left direction with respect to the front surface. FIG. 3 is a left side view of the toner cartridge 80 when the toner cartridge 80 is viewed from the left with respect to the front. FIG. 3 is a right side view of the developing cartridge 90 when the developing cartridge 90 is viewed from the right direction with respect to the front. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the toner cartridge 80 and the developing cartridge 90. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer, 2 ... Main body, 3 ... Paper feed cassette, 4 ... Spring, 5 ... Support plate, 6 ... Opening part, 7 ... Cover, 8 ... Paper feed mechanism, 9 ... Image forming mechanism, 10 ... Paper discharge mechanism , 11 ... paper feed roller, 12 ... transport roller, 13, 31, 32 ... guide, 14, 15 ... registration roller, 16 ... process mechanism, 17 ... scanner mechanism, 18 ... fixing mechanism, 19 ... developing device, 20 ... photosensitive Body drum, 21 ... scorotron charger, 22 ... transfer roller, 23 ... polygon mirror, 24 ... fθ lens, 25 ... folding mirror, 26 ... cylindrical lens, 27 ... reflection mirror, 28 ... heating roller, 29 ... pressure roller, 30 ... Conveying roller, 33 ... Discharge roller, 34 ... Discharge tray, 40,60,80 ... Toner cartridge, 41,52,61,72,81,92 ... Case, 42,62,82 ... Partition wall, 43 621, 624, 821 ... lever member, 44 ... crank mechanism, 44a ... crankshaft, 44b ... suspension member, 45, 46 ... agitator, 45a, 46a, 554 ... rotating shaft, 45b, 46b ... film member, 45c, 46e, 721 ... Frame, 45d ... Partition, 46c, 46d ... Saw-like member, 46f, 413a, 421, 552, 622, 822 ... Projection, 46g ... Paste, 46h ... Teeth, 50, 70, 90 ... Developer cartridge, 51 ... Developing mechanism, 51a ... Upper auger, 51b ... Lower auger, 51c ... Supply roller, 51d ... Developing roller, 51e ... Developing blade, 53 ... Guide member, 54,74,94 ... Shutter, 54a ... Communication hole, 55 ... Disk member , 411, 521a ... insertion hole, 412 ... depression, 413, 623, 723 ... connecting part, 414, 415, 814 ... limiting member 416, 523 ... sponge, 417 ... housing part, 421a, 551a ... wide part, 431 ... engaging part, 433 ... connecting member, 441, 442, 451, 452, 461, 553 ... gear, 521, 722 ... side wall, 522, 922 ... bottom wall, 524 ... guide groove, 551 ... engagement groove, 923 ... lock member.

Claims (5)

It can be attached to a developing device that attaches toner to the electrostatic latent image and develops the electrostatic latent image as a toner image, and when it is attached, the toner contained in the housing is supplied to the developing device. A possible toner cartridge,
The housing is
An inner wall formed in a semi-cylindrical shape with a curved surface protruding outward from the housing, and a first opening through which the inside and outside of the housing are inserted and toner is discharged to the outside of the housing It has a curved end that is the formed end,
Furthermore,
A second opening that is inserted into the outside of the housing by facing the first opening on the peripheral wall of the cylinder; and the second opening is the first opening. A third opening located on the opposite side of the first opening is formed by facing each other, and the cylindrical peripheral wall is made to follow the curved surface of the inner wall at the curved end in the curved end. A partition wall rotating in a state;
A storage portion for storing toner, comprising a space from the opposite side of the curved end to the partition;
First power generation means for generating power for conveying the toner in the storage portion toward the curved end portion;
Second power generation means for generating power for conveying the toner in the partition wall toward the first opening;
A toner cartridge comprising: a rotation operation means for rotating the partition wall. The opening area of the third opening is
The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the toner cartridge is set larger than an opening area of the second opening. The outer wall of the curved end is
Along the curved surface of the inner wall, the curved surface is molded into a semi-cylindrical shape protruding toward the outside of the housing,
The housing is
3. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a recess is provided in at least one of end portions of the curved surface of the outer wall along the rotation direction of the partition wall. A developing device that attaches toner to an electrostatic latent image and develops the electrostatic latent image as a toner image,
4. A developing device, wherein the toner cartridge is mounted in a state in which the toner transport direction in the toner cartridge according to claim 1 is horizontal. A developing device that attaches toner to the electrostatic latent image and develops the electrostatic latent image as a toner image;
An image forming apparatus comprising: the toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the toner image is transferred onto a recording medium, thereby forming an image on the recording medium.
An image forming apparatus, wherein the toner cartridge is attached to the developing device in a state where a toner transport direction in the toner cartridge is horizontal.

Images