JP2009186621A - Toner container and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner container and an image forming apparatus, reducing load variation in rotating a container body, and reducing variations in quantity of toner supplied to a developing device. <P>SOLUTION: A container body 32Y2 of a cylindrical toner container 32Y includes: an opening for discharging toner stored inside, which is provided at one end side in the longitudinal direction; and a plurality of engaging parts 32Y2b engaged with a plurality of claw members of a driving coupling installed in the image forming apparatus body, which are provided at the bottom of the other end side in the longitudinal direction. The plurality of engagement parts 32Y2b are disposed at distribution angles except 90° and 180° based on the rotation central axis of the container body 32Y2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner container installed in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a complex machine thereof, and an image forming apparatus in which the toner container is installed.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a cylindrical toner container (toner bottle) that is detachably installed in an image forming apparatus main body has been frequently used (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The toner accommodated in these toner containers is consumed in the developing process of the image forming process. When almost all the toner in the toner container is consumed, the toner container is appropriately replaced with a new one by the user.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a cylindrical toner container (toner cartridge) having an opening (toner replenishment) of a container body while rotationally driving the container body in which a spiral protrusion (spiral groove) is formed on an inner wall. A technique for discharging toner from the mouth) is disclosed.

Specifically, two engaging portions (projections) are provided on the bottom (bottom surface) of the container body of the toner container with a distribution angle of 180 degrees with respect to the rotation center axis of the container body. When the toner container is set in the image forming apparatus main body, the claw member (protrusion) of the drive coupling (drive shaft) installed in the image forming apparatus main body engages with the engaging portion of the toner container to form an image. The rotational driving force can be transmitted from the apparatus main body to the toner container main body.
When the toner container body is driven to rotate, the toner is discharged from the opening of the container body. Then, the toner discharged from the opening of the toner container is conveyed toward the developing device and consumed in the developing process.

JP 2003-330247 A

In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the like described above, there is a case where the load fluctuation when rotating the toner container main body is large and the amount of toner to be supplied to the developing device varies.
As a result of repeated research, the inventor of the present application has determined that the distribution angle of the engaging portion formed at the bottom of the toner container body is set to 180 degrees in the conventional technique, and the two claw members of the drive coupling are at the same timing. Load when driving the container main body in order to repeat the vertical state (the claw member is perpendicular to the horizontal plane) and the horizontal state (the claw member is parallel to the horizontal plane). I knew that the fluctuation would increase.
In addition, such a phenomenon occurs when the drive source of the drive coupling is also used as a drive source for driving a toner conveying screw that conveys the toner discharged from the toner container in addition to the driving of the toner container, For example, when a general-purpose small DC motor used for a plastic model or the like is used as a drive source for the purpose of cost reduction, it cannot be ignored.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and the toner container and image formation in which the load fluctuation when rotating the container body is small and the variation in the amount of toner supplied to the developing device is small. To provide an apparatus.

  A toner container according to a first aspect of the present invention is a cylindrical toner container that is detachably installed in a main body of an image forming apparatus, and has a spiral protrusion on an inner wall, and the image forming apparatus A container main body rotatably held by the main body, the container main body having an opening for discharging toner contained therein on one end side in the longitudinal direction, and installed in the image forming apparatus main body A plurality of engaging portions that engage with the plurality of claw members of the drive coupling are provided at the bottom on the other end side in the longitudinal direction, and the plurality of engaging portions are 90 degrees with respect to the rotation center axis of the container body. And a distribution angle other than 180 degrees.

  A toner container according to a second aspect of the present invention is the toner container according to the first aspect, wherein the plurality of engaging portions are disposed in the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface of the container main body.

  A toner container according to a third aspect of the present invention is the toner container according to the first or second aspect, wherein the plurality of engaging portions are fitted to the container main body. The fitting member is formed of a material having higher dimensional accuracy than the material forming the container body.

  A toner container according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the toner container according to the third aspect, wherein the fitting member is configured to be rotatable within a predetermined range with respect to the container main body. .

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the toner container according to the third or fourth aspect of the present invention, the fitting member is formed in a thin plate shape, and the plurality of engagement portions at the plurality of engagement portions. The tip on the side facing the claw member is tapered.

  The toner container according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the toner container according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the plurality of engaging portions are three engaging portions. The angle is 120 degrees.

  A toner container according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the toner container according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the toner container is fixedly held on the image forming apparatus main body by a mounting operation on the main body of the image forming apparatus. And a cap portion that is rotatably arranged relative to the container main body, the cap portion being connected to the toner discharge port that communicates with the opening of the container main body, and an attaching / detaching operation to the image forming apparatus main body. And a shutter member that opens and closes the toner discharge port in conjunction with each other.

  An image forming apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is such that the toner container according to any one of the first to seventh aspects is installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

  According to the present invention, a plurality of engaging portions that engage with the plurality of claw members of the drive coupling of the image forming apparatus main body are disposed at the bottom of the container main body at a distribution angle other than 90 degrees and 180 degrees. As a result, it is possible to provide a toner container and an image forming apparatus in which the load fluctuation when rotating the container main body is small and the variation in the amount of toner supplied to the developing device is small.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is the same or it corresponds, The duplication description is simplified or abbreviate | omitted suitably.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
First, the configuration and operation of the entire image forming apparatus will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, four toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K corresponding to the respective colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) are attached to and detached from the toner container accommodating portion 31 above the image forming apparatus main body 100. It is installed freely (changeable) (see also FIGS. 3 to 6).
An intermediate transfer unit 15 is disposed below the toner container housing 31. Image forming portions 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K corresponding to the respective colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) are arranged in parallel so as to face the intermediate transfer belt 8 of the intermediate transfer unit 15.
Below the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K, toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K are disposed, respectively. The toners stored in the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are supplied (supplemented) into the developing devices of the image forming units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K by the toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K, respectively. )

  Referring to FIG. 2, an image forming unit 6Y corresponding to yellow includes a photosensitive drum 1Y, a charging unit 4Y disposed around the photosensitive drum 1Y, a developing device 5Y (developing unit), a cleaning unit 2Y, It is comprised by the static elimination part (not shown) etc. Then, an image forming process (charging process, exposure process, developing process, transfer process, cleaning process) is performed on the photosensitive drum 1Y, and a yellow image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1Y.

  The other three image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K have substantially the same configuration as that of the image forming unit 6Y corresponding to yellow except that the color of the toner used is different. A corresponding image is formed. Hereinafter, description of the other three image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K will be omitted as appropriate, and only the image forming unit 6Y corresponding to yellow will be described.

Referring to FIG. 2, the photosensitive drum 1Y is driven to rotate clockwise in FIG. 2 by a drive motor (not shown). Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y is uniformly charged at the position of the charging unit 4Y (a charging process).
After that, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches the irradiation position of the laser beam L emitted from the exposure device 7 (see FIG. 1), and the electrostatic latent image corresponding to yellow by exposure scanning at this position. Is formed (this is an exposure step).

Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the developing device 5Y, and the electrostatic latent image is developed at this position to form a yellow toner image (developing process).
Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the first transfer bias roller 9Y, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1Y is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 at this position. (This is a primary transfer step.) At this time, a small amount of untransferred toner remains on the photosensitive drum 1Y.

Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the cleaning unit 2Y, and untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1Y at this position is mechanically collected by the cleaning blade 2a (in the cleaning process). is there.).
Finally, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing a neutralization unit (not shown), and the residual potential on the photosensitive drum 1Y is removed at this position.
Thus, a series of image forming processes performed on the photosensitive drum 1Y is completed.

The image forming process described above is performed in the other image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K in the same manner as the yellow image forming unit 6Y. That is, the laser beam L based on the image information is emitted from the exposure unit 7 disposed below the image forming unit onto the photosensitive drums of the image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K. Specifically, the exposure unit 7 emits laser light L from a light source, and irradiates the photosensitive drum through a plurality of optical elements while scanning the laser light L with a polygon mirror that is rotationally driven.
Thereafter, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the respective photosensitive drums through the developing process are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 in an overlapping manner. In this way, a color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  Here, referring to FIG. 1, the intermediate transfer unit 15 includes an intermediate transfer belt 8, four primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K, a secondary transfer backup roller 12, a plurality of tension rollers, and an intermediate transfer. It consists of a cleaning unit, etc. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched and supported by a plurality of roller members, and is endlessly moved in the direction of the arrow in FIG.

The four primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K respectively sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 8 with the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K to form a primary transfer nip. Then, a transfer bias reverse to the polarity of the toner is applied to the primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K.
The intermediate transfer belt 8 travels in the direction of the arrow and sequentially passes through the primary transfer nips of the primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K. In this way, the toner images of the respective colors on the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are primarily transferred while being superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 8 on which the toner images of the respective colors are transferred in a superimposed manner reaches a position facing the secondary transfer roller 19. At this position, the secondary transfer backup roller 12 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 8 with the secondary transfer roller 19 to form a secondary transfer nip. The four-color toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are transferred onto a recording medium P such as transfer paper conveyed to the position of the secondary transfer nip. At this time, untransferred toner that has not been transferred to the recording medium P remains on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 8 reaches the position of an intermediate transfer cleaning unit (not shown). At this position, the untransferred toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is collected.
Thus, a series of transfer processes performed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is completed.

Here, the recording medium P transported to the position of the secondary transfer nip is transported from a paper feeding unit 26 disposed below the apparatus main body 100 via a paper feeding roller 27, a registration roller pair 28, and the like. It is a thing.
Specifically, a plurality of recording media P such as transfer paper are stored in the paper supply unit 26 in a stacked manner. When the paper feed roller 27 is driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 1, the uppermost recording medium P is fed toward the rollers of the registration roller pair 28.

  The recording medium P transported to the registration roller pair 28 temporarily stops at the position of the roller nip of the registration roller pair 28 whose rotation drive has been stopped. Then, the registration roller pair 28 is rotationally driven in synchronization with the color image on the intermediate transfer belt 8, and the recording medium P is conveyed toward the secondary transfer nip. In this way, a desired color image is transferred onto the recording medium P.

Thereafter, the recording medium P on which the color image is transferred at the position of the secondary transfer nip is conveyed to the position of the fixing unit 20. At this position, the color image transferred to the surface is fixed on the recording medium P by heat and pressure generated by the fixing belt and the pressure roller.
Thereafter, the recording medium P is discharged to the outside of the apparatus through the rollers of the discharge roller pair 29. The transferred P discharged from the apparatus by the discharge roller pair 29 is sequentially stacked on the stack unit 30 as an output image.
Thus, a series of image forming processes in the image forming apparatus is completed.

Next, the configuration and operation of the developing device in the image forming unit will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.
The developing device 5Y includes a developing roller 51Y facing the photosensitive drum 1Y, a doctor blade 52Y facing the developing roller 51Y, two conveying screws 55Y disposed in the developer accommodating portions 53Y and 54Y, and toner in the developer. Consists of a density detection sensor 56Y for detecting density. The developing roller 51Y includes a magnet fixed inside, a sleeve rotating around the magnet, and the like. In the developer accommodating portions 53Y and 54Y, a two-component developer G composed of a carrier and a toner is accommodated. The developer accommodating portion 54Y communicates with the toner dropping path 64Y through an opening formed thereabove.

The developing device 5Y configured as described above operates as follows.
The sleeve of the developing roller 51Y rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The developer G carried on the developing roller 51Y by the magnetic field formed by the magnet moves on the developing roller 51Y as the sleeve rotates.

  Here, the developer G in the developing device 5Y is adjusted so that the ratio of toner in the developer (toner concentration) is within a predetermined range. Specifically, according to the toner consumption in the developing device 5Y, the toner accommodated in the toner container 32Y is replenished into the developer accommodating portion 54Y via the toner replenishing device 60Y (see FIG. 3 and the like). The The configuration and operation of the toner supply device will be described in detail later.

  Thereafter, the toner replenished in the developer accommodating portion 54Y is circulated through the two developer accommodating portions 53Y and 54Y while being mixed and stirred together with the developer G by the two conveying screws 55Y (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2). Direction movement.) The toner in the developer G is attracted to the carrier by frictional charging with the carrier, and is carried on the developing roller 51Y together with the carrier by the magnetic force formed on the developing roller 51Y.

  The developer G carried on the developing roller 51Y is conveyed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2 and reaches the position of the doctor blade 52Y. The developer G on the developing roller 51Y is conveyed to a position facing the photosensitive drum 1Y (development region) after the developer amount is made appropriate at this position. The toner is attracted to the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1Y by the electric field formed in the development area. Thereafter, the developer G remaining on the developing roller 51Y reaches above the developer containing portion 53Y as the sleeve rotates, and is detached from the developing roller 51Y at this position.

Next, the toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the toner in each toner container 32 </ b> Y, 32 </ b> M, 32 </ b> C, 32 </ b> K installed in the toner container container 31 of the apparatus main body 100 depends on the toner consumption in each color developing device. Each developing device is appropriately replenished by toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C and 60K provided for each toner color.
The four toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K and the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K have substantially the same structure except for the color of the toner used in the image forming process, and therefore correspond to yellow. Only the toner supply device 50Y and the toner container 32Y will be described, and descriptions of the toner supply devices 60M, 60C, and 60K and the toner containers 32M, 32C, and 32K corresponding to the other three colors will be omitted as appropriate.

When the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are attached to the toner container accommodating portion 31 of the apparatus main body 100, the shutter members of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K move in conjunction with the attaching operation, and the toner is discharged. The exit W is opened. As a result, the toner stored in the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K is discharged from the toner discharge port W and stored in the toner tanks of the toner supply devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K. .
Here, referring to the schematic diagram of FIG. 9, the toner container 32Y is a substantially cylindrical toner bottle, and has a spiral protrusion on its inner peripheral surface (when viewed from the outer peripheral surface side, the helical container 32Y has a spiral shape). It is a groove. The spiral projection is driven by a drive unit 71 (comprising a drive motor 80, drive coupling 90, gear trains 91 to 93, etc.) to rotate the toner container 32Y in the direction of the arrow in FIG. This is for discharging toner from the outlet W. In other words, the toner container 32Y is appropriately rotated by the driving unit 71, so that the toner is appropriately supplied to the toner tank unit 61Y. The toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are replaced with new ones when they reach the end of their lives (when almost all the toner to be stored is consumed and emptied).

  The toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K (toner container storage unit 31) include a toner tank unit 61Y, toner transport units 62Y and 63Y, a toner dropping path 64Y, a stirring member 65Y, a toner end sensor 66Y, a drive motor 80, and a drive. The coupling 90 includes gear trains 81 to 84 and 91 to 93, a drive transmission shaft 81a, a shutter 86, and the like.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 7, on the back side of toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K (the back side in the toner container attaching / detaching direction), engaging portion 32Y2b formed at the bottom of the toner container. A drive coupling 90 is provided that engages (see FIG. 14). The driving force of the driving motor 80 is transmitted to the driving coupling 90 via the motor gear 80a, the two-stage gear 91, and the driven gear 93, and the container main body 32Y2 of the toner container 32Y is rotationally driven by the driving coupling 90 in a predetermined direction. The
The drive motor 80 is a DC motor having the same size and output as a small motor often used in plastic models of automobiles and tanks, and has an input voltage of 24V. One drive motor 80 drives the container main body 32Y2 from its bottom, and drives a gear 92 having a transmission shaft 81a extending from the vicinity of the bottom to the cap 32Y1 that is the head. The agitating member 65Y and the toner conveying pipe 63Y in the toner tank portion 61Y are connected via the helical gears 81, 82 and the like whose torsion angles are set large to change the driving transmission direction by the driving force transmitted to the transmission shaft 81a. The inner toner conveying screw 62Y is driven. The above-described complicated drive transmission mechanism and the three drive objects 32Y2, 62Y, 65Y, all of which have a large load due to the conveyance and agitation of the toner, drive the container body 32Y2, which is one of the drive objects. Unevenness is likely to occur.

  Here, in the first embodiment, with reference to FIG. 7B, the drive coupling 90 is provided with three claw members 90a. The three claw members 90a are arranged so that the distribution angle θ with respect to the rotation center axis of the drive coupling 90 is 120 degrees. Then, the contact surface 90a1 of the claw member 90a of the drive coupling 90 is engaged with the contact surface R (see FIG. 19) of the engaging portion 32Y2b of the toner container 32Y, and the toner is removed from the drive coupling 90. The rotational driving force is transmitted to the engaging portion 32Y2b of the container 32Y.

  On the other hand, the gear 92 that meshes with the two-stage gear 91 applies driving force to the gear 81 that is installed on the front side of the toner supply device 60Y (on the front side in the attaching / detaching direction of the toner container) via the drive transmission shaft 81a. introduce. The toner conveying screw 62Y and the stirring member 65Y are rotationally driven through the gear trains 81 to 84 by the driving force transmitted to the front gear 81. The configuration of the front side of the toner replenishing device 60Y provided with the toner conveying screw 62Y and the stirring member 65Y will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS.

  Here, referring to FIG. 8, when the main body cover (not shown) installed on the front side of the apparatus main body 100 is opened, the toner container accommodating portions 31Y, 31M, 31C, 31K (toner container accommodating portions). 31) is exposed. Then, the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are attached / detached from the front side of the apparatus main body 100 (the attaching / detaching operation with the longitudinal direction of the toner container as the attaching / detaching direction).

Although illustration is omitted, the shapes of the insertion openings of the toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K are different for each color.
Specifically, the toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K are first engaged with guide ribs 32Y1f (see FIG. 13 and the like) formed on the cap portions of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K. A guide groove and a second guide groove that engages with projecting members 32Y1d and 32Y1e (see FIGS. 13, 16 and the like) formed on the cap portions of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are formed. ing. The second guide groove has a different shape for each color, and is configured so that toner containers of different colors are not erroneously set in predetermined insertion ports (toner supply devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, 60K).

Although not shown, the antenna substrate is provided in the holding portion of the toner container housing portion 31 (toner supply devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, 60K) in which the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K are detachably arranged in parallel. Is installed. Specifically, the antenna substrate includes an electronic substrate 32Y1c (see FIGS. 13, 16 and the like) installed on the peripheral surfaces of four toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K arranged in parallel with the holding unit. Four antennas for performing communication are arranged in parallel on the same plane so as to face the electronic substrate.
Necessary information is exchanged between the electronic substrate 32Y1c of the toner container 32Y and the image forming apparatus main body 100 on which an antenna (antenna substrate) is installed. Information communicated between the two includes information such as a toner container manufacturing number and the number of recycling, information such as toner capacity, lot number and color, and information such as usage history of the image forming apparatus main body 100. .

Next, the configuration and operation of the front side of the toner replenishing device 60Y will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
On the front side of the toner replenishing device 60Y, a toner tank unit 61Y, toner transport units 62Y and 63Y, a toner dropping path 64Y, a stirring member 65Y, a toner end sensor 66Y, gear trains 81 to 84, a shutter 86, and the like are installed. Yes.
The toner tank 61Y is disposed below the toner discharge port W of the cap unit 32Y1 of the toner container 32Y, and the toner discharged from the toner discharge port W of the toner container 32Y is stored through the supply port 60Ya. . The bottom part of the toner tank 61Y is connected to the upstream part of the toner conveying parts 62Y and 63Y.

  Further, a toner end sensor 66Y that detects that the amount of toner stored in the toner tank 61Y has become a predetermined amount or less is installed on the wall surface of the toner tank 61Y (position at a predetermined height from the bottom). ing. A piezoelectric sensor or the like can be used as the toner end sensor 66Y. Referring to FIG. 9, when the control unit 70 detects that the toner stored in the toner tank unit 61 </ b> Y has become a predetermined amount or less (toner end detection) by the toner end sensor 66 </ b> Y, the control unit 70. Under this control, the toner container 32Y is rotationally driven for a predetermined time by the drive unit 71 (drive motor 80, gear train 91 to 93, drive coupling 90), and toner is supplied to the toner tank unit 61Y. Further, if the toner end detection by the toner end sensor 66Y is not canceled even after such control is repeated, it is assumed that there is no toner in the toner container 32Y and is displayed on the display unit (not shown) of the apparatus main body 100. A message to prompt the user to replace the toner container 32Y is displayed.

  In addition, a stirring member 65Y that prevents aggregation of the toner stored in the toner tank 61Y is installed at the center of the toner tank 61Y (in the vicinity of the toner end sensor 66Y). The agitating member 65Y is provided with a flexible member 65Ya at the shaft portion, and agitates the toner in the toner tank portion 61Y by rotating clockwise in FIG. Further, the tip of the flexible member 65Ya of the agitating member 65Y is in sliding contact with the detection surface of the toner end sensor 66Y in a rotation cycle, so that the toner adheres to the detection surface of the toner end sensor 66Y and the detection accuracy is lowered. Is suppressed. Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, a helical gear 82 having a torsion angle of 45 degrees (illustration of the tooth trace is omitted) is installed at one end of the shaft portion of the stirring member 65Y. A driving force is transmitted to the agitating member 65Y via a helical gear 81 (a twist angle is set to 45 degrees; the illustration of the tooth trace is omitted) meshing with the helical gear 82.

Referring to FIG. 10, toner transport units 62Y and 63Y transport the toner stored in toner tank unit 61Y obliquely upward (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 10). Specifically, the toner transport units 62Y and 63Y linearly transport the toner from the bottom (lowermost point) of the toner tank unit 61Y to above the developing device 5Y (the position of the drop port 64Ya). Then, the toner transported by the toner transport sections 62Y and 63Y (the toner that has reached the position of the drop opening 64Ya) falls by its own weight on the toner drop path 64Y and enters the developing device 5Y (developer storage section 54Y). To be replenished.
The toner transport unit includes a toner transport screw 62Y that rotates and drives in a predetermined direction to transport toner, a toner transport pipe 63Y having an inner wall close to the toner transport screw 62Y, and the like.

  The toner conveying screw 62Y (screw member) has a screw formed in a spiral shape in a shaft portion, and is rotatably supported by the toner conveying tube 63Y via a bearing. 11 and 12, a bevel gear 84 is installed at one end of the toner conveying screw 62Y, and a bevel gear 83 meshing with the bevel gear 84 (installed on the shaft portion of the stirring member 65Y). The driving force is transmitted to the toner conveying screw 62Y via the tooth gears of which all the gears are omitted.

  The upstream side of the toner transport pipe 63Y communicates with the toner tank portion 61Y, and the downstream side thereof communicates with the toner dropping path 64Y via the drop port 64Ya. The toner conveying pipe 63Y is a tubular member made of a resin material, and the toner conveying screw 62Y is rotatably supported therein via a bearing. The gap between the outer diameter portion of the toner conveying screw 62Y and the inner wall of the toner conveying tube 63Y is set to about 0.1 to 0.2 mm. Thereby, the toner transport sections 62Y and 63Y can smoothly transport the toner diagonally upward against the direction of gravity.

As described above, in the first embodiment, after the toner stored in the toner tank 61Y is transported obliquely upward by the toner transport sections 62Y and 63Y, the toner is replenished to the developing device 5Y by its own weight drop through the toner drop path 64Y. is doing. As a result, even if the rotation of the toner conveying screw 62Y is stopped when the toner supply to the developing device 5Y is finished (pause), the toner remaining in the toner conveying tube 63Y passes through the toner dropping path 64Y. The problem of falling by its own weight in the developing device 5Y is reduced.
Specifically, the toner in the toner transport pipe 63Y remaining at a position away from the drop port 64Ya slides down or stays at the position along the inclined toner transport pipe 63Y toward the toner tank portion 61Y. Further, the toner in the toner conveyance tube 63Y remaining in a position close to the drop port 64Ya does not drop by a large amount from the drop port 64Ya even if a large impact or the like occurs, and the toner along the inclined toner conveyance tube 63Y. Either it slides down toward the tank part 61Y or stays in that position.

Therefore, even when the driving / stopping of the toner conveying screw 62Y is repeated, highly accurate toner replenishment (stable toner replenishment) to the developing device 5Y becomes possible, and the toner concentration of the developer G in the developing device 5Y (development) Variation of the toner in the agent) can be suppressed. That is, it is possible to suppress problems such as an increase in the image density of the output image, toner scattering, and a background stain image.
Further, even if the driving / stopping of the toner conveying screw 62Y is repeated, a large amount of toner remaining in the toner conveying tube 63Y is replenished into the developing device 5Y, so that the residual toner amount in the toner tank portion 61Y is reduced. Problems that fluctuate greatly are also suppressed. Therefore, erroneous detection of toner end detection by the toner end sensor 66Y is also prevented.

  Referring to FIG. 10, in order to ensure the above-described effect, it is preferable that toner conveying portions 62Y and 63Y are formed such that an inclination angle α with respect to the horizontal direction is 5 degrees or more (α ≧ 5 degrees). . However, if the inclination angle α of the toner transport units 62Y and 63Y is excessively increased, the toner transport performance by the toner transport units 62Y and 63Y is deteriorated and the height of the apparatus in the vertical direction is increased. . In the first embodiment, the inclination angle α of the toner conveying portions 62Y and 63Y is set to about 10 degrees.

  11 and 12, a shutter 86 that opens and closes in conjunction with the attaching / detaching operation of the developing device 5Y with respect to the apparatus main body 100 is installed in the toner dropping path 64Y. Specifically, when the developing device 5Y is mounted, the shutter 86 is pushed by the developing device 5Y so as to resist the urging force of the spring 87 and moves in a direction to open the toner dropping path 64Y. On the other hand, when the developing device 5Y is taken out, the shutter 86 moves in a direction to close the toner dropping path 64Y by the biasing force of the spring 87. With such a configuration, even when the developing device 5Y is taken out from the apparatus main body 100, it is possible to suppress a problem that toner is scattered from the toner dropping path 64Y into the apparatus main body 100.

Next, the toner container 32Y will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
Referring to FIGS. 13 to 19, the toner container 32Y is a cylindrical toner container and includes a cap portion 32Y1 and a container body 32Y2.
The container main body 32Y2 has an opening at the head (one end side) and communicates with the inside of the cap portion 32Y1. A spiral projection 32Y2a is formed on the inner wall of the container body 32Y2. The container main body 32Y2 receives a driving force from the drive coupling 90 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 (engaged with the engaging portion 32Y2b provided at the bottom of the other end of the container main body 32Y2) in a predetermined direction. The toner accommodated inside is rotated and conveyed toward the cap portion 32Y1. The toner discharged from the opening of the container body 32Y2 is discharged from the toner discharge port W provided on the peripheral surface of the cap portion 32Y1 (toner container 32Y), and is supplied to the toner tank portion 61Y of the toner supply device 60Y. (See also FIG. 18).

  Referring to FIG. 17, a scraper 32Y30 is installed in an opening provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction (rotation axis direction) of container body 32Y2. The scraper 32Y30 rotates with the container main body 32Y to efficiently transfer the toner near the opening in the container main body 32Y to the cap portion 32Y1 side.

Here, with reference to FIGS. 14 and 19, in the first embodiment, a plurality of engaging portions 32Y2b (drive couplings) provided on the bottom portion on the other end side in the longitudinal direction (rotational axis direction) of the container main body 32Y2. 90 is engaged at a distribution angle θ excluding 90 degrees and 180 degrees with respect to the rotation center axis of the container body 32Y2. Specifically, in the first embodiment, three engagement portions 32Y2b are provided at the bottom of the container body 32Y2, and the distribution angle θ (equal angle) is 120 degrees.
Compared to the case where the plurality of engaging portions 32Y2b provided at the bottom of the container main body 32Y2 are arranged at a distribution angle θ of 90 degrees or 180 degrees with respect to the rotation center axis of the container main body 32Y2, the container has a configuration as described above. When the main body 32Y2 is rotationally driven, a load fluctuation applied to the drive coupling 90 (or the drive motor 80) can be reduced, and variations in the amount of toner supplied to the developing device 5Y can be reduced.

FIG. 20 is a graph showing the results of experiments conducted by the inventors of the present application in order to confirm the above-described effects.
In FIG. 20, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the drive torque of the drive coupling 90. Further, the solid line graph shows fluctuations in driving torque when using the toner container 32Y (which has the configuration of the first embodiment) in which the distribution angle θ of the engaging portion 32Y2b (claw member 90a) is 120 degrees. Indicates. On the other hand, the broken line graph shows fluctuations in driving torque when using the toner container 32Y (having a conventional configuration) in which the distribution angle θ of the engaging portion 32Y2b (claw member 90a) is 180 degrees. Show.

  As shown in FIG. 20, when the distribution angle θ is 180 degrees, the two claw members 90a of the drive coupling 90 are in the vertical state at the same timing (the claw member 90a is orthogonal to the horizontal plane). And the horizontal state (the state in which the claw member 90a is parallel to the horizontal plane) are repeated, the load fluctuation when the container body 32Y2 is driven becomes large. The load of the drive motor 80 also fluctuates greatly, and the variation in the amount of toner supplied to the developing device 5Y by the toner transport screw 62Y of the toner supply device 60Y has increased. Specifically, referring to the engaging portion 320Y surrounded by a broken line in the drawing, the driving torque becomes maximum when the claw member 320Y2b of the engaging portion 320Y is in the horizontal state, and the claw member 320Y2b of the engaging portion 320Y is vertical. The driving torque is minimized during the state, and these cycles H are repeated. The toner replenishment amount and its variation were 0.18 grams / second ± 30 to 48%.

On the other hand, when the distribution angle θ is 120 degrees as in the first embodiment (the distribution angle θ is set to other than 90 degrees and 180 degrees), the three claw members 90a of the drive coupling 90 are used. Are not in a horizontal state or a vertical state at the same timing, the load fluctuation when driving the container main body 32Y2 is reduced. The load fluctuation of the drive motor 80 is also small, and the variation in the amount of toner supplied to the developing device 5Y by the toner transport screw 62Y of the toner supply device 60Y is small. Specifically, the toner replenishment amount and its variation were 0.18 grams / second ± 10 to 20%. Thus, when the variation in the toner replenishment amount is small, the toner concentration of the developer stored in the developing device 5Y is stabilized, and the image density on the output image is also stabilized.
The toner replenishment amount is measured by operating the drive motor 80 for a predetermined time and dividing the weight of toner falling from the drop port 64Ya of the toner replenishing device 60Y by the measurement time.

In the first embodiment, referring to FIGS. 14 and 19, the plurality of engaging portions 32Y1b are disposed at positions away from the outer peripheral surface of the container main body 32Y2. Thereby, the drive coupling 90 that engages with the engaging portion 32Y1b of the container main body 32Y2 can be formed relatively compactly.
In FIG. 19, the area surrounded by the broken line is when the claw member 90a interferes with the engaging portion 32Y2b when the toner container 32Y is attached to the toner replenishing device 60Y (the contact surface 90a1 of the claw member 90a). And the abutment surface R of the engaging portion 32Y2b are not fitted, and the claw member 90a and the engaging portion 32Y2b do not collide with each other at the tip end surface). This is a retreat area for changing from a non-fitted state to a fitted state.

On the other hand, the cap portion 32Y1 is fixedly held on the toner replenishing device 60Y (image forming apparatus main body) by the mounting operation on the toner replenishing device 60Y (image forming apparatus main body). That is, the cap part 32Y1 after the setting to the toner replenishing device 60Y is completed is not rotationally driven, and only the container body 32Y2 that is rotatably installed with respect to the cap part 32Y1 is rotationally driven. .
In addition, the sealing performance between the cap portion 32Y1 and the container main body 32Y2 is ensured by a sealing material 32Y20b (see FIGS. 17, 18 and the like) attached to the gripping portion main body 32Y120 of the cap portion 32Y1. That is, referring to FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, the opening of the container main body 32Y2 bites into and slides on the sealing material 32Y20b of the cap portion 32Y1, thereby preventing the toner from leaking from between both members.

  Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, the cap portion 32Y1 includes a toner discharge port W, a shutter member 32Y1a, an electronic substrate 32Y1c, an incompatible protrusion member 32Y1d, a color identification rib 32Y1e (protrusion member), a guide rib 32Y1f, A grip portion 32Y1b, an elastic member 125, and the like are provided.

The shutter member 32Y1a is configured to open and close the toner discharge port W in conjunction with the attachment / detachment operation of the toner container 32Y with respect to the toner supply device 60Y (image forming apparatus main body 100).
Specifically, when the toner container 32Y is attached to the toner replenishing device 60Y (image forming apparatus main body 100), the user holds the toner container 32Y while holding the grip portion 32Y1b (in the state of FIG. 13) of the toner container 32. 32Y is pushed in from the insertion port (see FIG. 8) of the apparatus main body 100. Then, after the engaging portion 32Y2b provided at the bottom of the toner container 32Y is engaged with the drive coupling 90, the shutter portion 32Y1a is manually rotated by about 90 degrees in the clockwise direction so that the shutter member 32Y1a becomes the toner replenishing device. Engagement with the 60Y restricting member restricts the rotation, and the toner discharge port W is opened. At this time, the toner discharge port W faces downward and engages with the supply port 60Ya of the toner tank unit 61Y (the state shown in FIG. 18), and the cap unit 32Y1 is fixedly held by the toner supply device 60Y. On the other hand, when the toner container 32Y is taken out from the toner replenishing device 60Y (image forming apparatus main body 100), the operation is performed in a procedure reverse to the operation at the time of mounting described above.

  Referring to FIG. 16, a standing portion W1 is provided around the toner discharge port W, and a flange W2 is provided around the standing portion W1. When the shutter member 32Y1a closes the toner discharge port W, the upright portion W1 bites into the elastic member 125 adhered to the back surface of the shutter member 32Y1a to improve the sealing performance of both members, or the shutter member 32Y1a When the toner discharge port W is opened, the seal member (not shown) stuck around the replenishment port 60Ya is bitten to improve the sealing performance of both members.

The electronic substrate 32Y1c is an RFID or the like, and is used for communicating information regarding the toner container 32Y and the image forming apparatus main body 100 with the image forming apparatus main body (antenna substrate).
The incompatible protrusion member 32Y1d is engaged with the image forming apparatus main body 100 when the toner container 32Y is mounted in the longitudinal direction with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 100 to prevent erroneous setting of different types of containers. belongs to. For example, the incompatible projection member 32Y1d is a case where a company different from the manufacturer sells the image forming apparatus under a different brand and the manufacturer supplies a toner container to the other company. It is provided when the toner container is distinguished from that of another company. The incompatible projection member 32Y1d is formed on the peripheral surface of the toner container 32Y so as to sandwich the electronic substrate 32Y1c together with the shutter member 32Y1a (with the toner discharge port closed).

Referring to FIG. 16, the color identification rib 32Y1e (protruding member) has toner containers 32M, 32C, and 32K having colors different from the yellow toner container 32Y at the yellow insertion opening (toner supply device 60Y). It is configured not to be set incorrectly. That is, the yellow color identification rib 32Y1e, the magenta color identification rib, the cyan color identification rib, and the black color identification rib shown in FIG. , It is formed to match only the corresponding insertion opening.
Referring to FIG. 13, the guide rib 32Y1f is for guiding the toner container 32Y to be attached and detached in a correct posture with respect to the insertion opening (see FIG. 8) of the toner replenishing device 60Y. is there.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the plurality of engaging portions 32Y2b that engage with the plurality of claw members 90a of the drive coupling 90 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 are distributed at angles other than 90 degrees and 180 degrees. It arrange | positions at the bottom part of the container main body 32Y2 with (theta). Thereby, the load fluctuation when rotating the container main body 32Y2 is small, and the variation in the amount of toner to be replenished to the developing device 5Y can be reduced.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
The second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing the bottom of the toner container according to the second embodiment. The toner container 32Y in the second embodiment is different from that in the first embodiment in the shape of the bottom of the container main body 32Y2 provided with the engaging portion 32Y2b.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the toner container 32Y in the second embodiment also includes a cap portion 32Y1 and a container main body 32Y2. As in the first embodiment, referring to FIG. 21, three engaging portions 34Y2b having a distribution angle θ of 120 degrees are arranged at the bottom of the toner container 32Y.

Here, in the second embodiment, the engaging portion 32Y2b is formed on the outer periphery of the container main body 32Y2 at the bottom of the toner container 32Y. Therefore, the toner is filled into the container main body 32Y2 up to the bottom portion (the convex tip portion of FIG. 21A) where the engaging portion 32Y2b is formed.
Thus, by forming the engaging portion 32Y2b on the outer periphery of the container main body 32Y2, the retractable region (retractable region) of the claw member 90a described above with reference to FIG. 19 can be widened. The claw member 90a of the ring 90 can be set large, and the container main body 32Y2 can be rotationally driven with a small force. The shape of the claw member 90a of the drive coupling 90 is such that it engages with the engaging portion 32Y2b by fitting to the bottom portion (convex portion) of the container body 32Y2.

The configuration of the toner container 32Y as in the second embodiment exhibits the above-described effect as the number of the engaging portions 32Y2b (claw members 90a) increases. That is, when the number of the engaging portions 32Y2b (claw members 90a) increases, the retraction area of the claw members 90a becomes narrower. Therefore, when the toner container 32Y is attached to the toner supply device 60Y, the claw members 90a and the engaging portions 32Y2b Increases the probability of interference. In the case of the toner container 32Y in the first embodiment, since the claw member 90a is configured to enter the concave bottom portion of the container main body 32Y2, the claw member 90a can be formed compactly. If the claw member 90a is set to a certain size in consideration of strength, the above-described retraction area becomes small. If the interference load between the claw member 90a and the engaging portion 32Y2b is small, the claw member 90a is engaged with the engaging portion 32Y2b by the spring force of a compression spring (not shown) that urges the claw member 90a toward the container body 32Y2. Even if they interfere with each other, the claw member 90a slides on the engaging portion 32Y2b and enters the concave portion. However, if the number of the claw members 90a (engagement portions 32Y2b) increases and the interference load increases, the claw members 90a may not enter the recess and may cause a setting failure. The configuration of the toner container 32Y as in the second embodiment can surely prevent such a problem.
In Embodiment 2, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or the like that is relatively inexpensive and has high rigidity can be used as the material of the container body 32Y2. Thereby, the dimensional accuracy of the engaging portion 32Y2b can be improved.

In addition, the shape of the bottom part of the container main body 32Y2 can also be formed without providing a convex part as shown in FIG.22 and FIG.23.
As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the plurality of engaging portions 32Y1b are disposed in the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface of the container main body 32Y2. With such a configuration, driving is performed as compared with the case where the plurality of engaging portions 32Y1b are disposed at positions away from the outer peripheral surface of the container main body 32Y2 (as in the case of FIG. 19 in the first embodiment). The claw member 90a of the coupling 90 can be set large, and the container body 32Y2 can be driven to rotate with a small force.
Specifically, in the case of FIG. 23, since the retraction area of the claw member 90a (the area surrounded by the broken line) is larger than that of FIG. 19, the size of the claw member 90a in the circumferential direction is increased. Can be set. Therefore, the mechanical strength of the claw member 90a can be increased. Further, in the case of FIG. 23, compared with the case of FIG. 19, since the claw member 90a contacts the engaging portion 32Y2b at a position away from the rotation center, the load for rotationally driving the container main body 32Y2 is reduced. can do.

  As described above, the toner container 32Y in the second embodiment is also engaged with the plurality of claw members 90a of the drive coupling 90 of the image forming apparatus main body 100, as in the first embodiment. The engaging portion 32Y2b is disposed at the bottom of the container body 32Y2 with a distribution angle θ excluding 90 degrees and 180 degrees. Thereby, the load fluctuation when rotating the container main body 32Y2 is small, and the variation in the amount of toner to be replenished to the developing device 5Y can be reduced.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 24 is a schematic view showing the bottom of the toner container in the third embodiment. The toner container 32Y according to the third embodiment is different from that according to the first embodiment in that a fitting member 111 provided with an engaging portion 111b is fitted to the bottom of the container main body 32Y2.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the toner container 32Y according to the third embodiment also includes a cap portion 32Y1 and a container body 32Y2. As in the first embodiment, referring to FIG. 24, three engaging portions 111a having a distribution angle θ of 120 degrees are disposed at the bottom of the toner container 32Y.

  Here, in the third embodiment, the fitting member 111 provided with the three engaging portions 111b is fitted to the bottom of the container main body 32Y2. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 24 (A), the bottom portion of the container body 32Y2 is provided with a neck portion, and the hole portion of the fitting member 11 is fitted (tightly fitted) to the neck portion. The fitting member 11 is fixed to the main body 32Y2. Thereby, a rotational driving force is transmitted from the drive coupling 90 to the engaging portion 111a (fitting member 111), and the container body 32Y2 is rotationally driven together with the fitting member 111 in a predetermined direction.

With such a configuration, the container main body 32Y2 and the fitting member 111 provided with the engaging portion 111a can be formed of different materials. That is, the container body 32Y2 that does not require dimensional accuracy and high mechanical strength is formed of a material that is inexpensive and has high injection moldability, and includes a fitting member 111 that includes an engaging portion 111a that requires dimensional accuracy and high mechanical strength. Can be formed of a material with high dimensional accuracy and mechanical strength.
Specifically, in the third embodiment, PP (polypropylene) is used as the material of the container body 32Y2, and POM (polyacetal) is used as the material of the fitting member 111.

  As described above, the toner container 32Y according to the third embodiment also has a plurality of claw members 90a that engage with the plurality of claw members 90a of the drive coupling 90 of the image forming apparatus main body 100, as in the above-described embodiments. The engaging portion 111a is disposed at the bottom of the container main body 32Y2 at a distribution angle θ excluding 90 degrees and 180 degrees. Thereby, the load fluctuation when rotating the container main body 32Y2 is small, and the variation in the amount of toner to be replenished to the developing device 5Y can be reduced.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
The fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 25 is a schematic view showing the bottom of the toner container in the fourth embodiment. In the toner container 32Y according to the fourth embodiment, the fitting member 111 fitted to the bottom of the container main body 32Y2 rotates within a predetermined range, and the tip of the engaging portion 111b is tapered. This is different from the third embodiment.

  Similarly to the third embodiment, the toner container 32Y according to the fourth embodiment also includes a cap portion 32Y1 and a container main body 32Y2. As in the third embodiment, referring to FIG. 25, the bottom of the toner container 32Y is provided with three engaging portions 111a having a distribution angle θ of 120 degrees. Is fitted.

Here, in the fourth embodiment, the fitting member 111 is configured to be rotatable within a predetermined range α with respect to the container main body 32Y2.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 25, the engaging member 111 is formed with three engaging portions 111a, claws 111b, a wall portion 111c, and the like. When the fitting member 111 is pushed so that the hole (bearing portion) of the fitting member 111 is aligned with the bottom (boss portion) of the container main body 32Y2, the groove V of the container main body 32Y2 (see FIG. 25A) can be referred to. The claws 111b are engaged with each other, and the fitting member 111 is fitted to the container main body 32Y2 so as not to come off in the axial direction. At this time, the fitting member 111 is fitted so as to be able to rotate by a range of about 65 degrees in the circumferential direction with respect to the container main body 32Y2 (a range from the stopper portion S of the container main body 32Y2 to the side surface of the claw 111b). Match.
Then, the contact surface 90a1 of the claw member 90a of the drive coupling 90 and the contact surface (side surface) of the engaging portion 111a of the fitting member 111 come into contact with each other, and the engaging portion 111a ( When the rotational driving force is transmitted to the fitting member 111), the fitting member 111 rotates and the wall portion 111c comes into contact with the stopper portion S of the container main body 32Y2, and the rotational driving force from the fitting member 111 to the container main body 32Y2. Is transmitted. Thus, the container main body 32Y2 is rotationally driven together with the fitting member 111 in a predetermined direction.

  With such a configuration, also in the fourth embodiment, the container main body 32Y2 and the fitting member 111 provided with the engaging portion 111a can be formed of different materials. Specifically, in the fourth embodiment, a resin material having high dimensional accuracy and high rigidity such as polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyacetal, and ABS is used as the material of the fitting member 111. In addition, as the material of the container main body 32Y2, a low-priced material that can be easily blow-molded, such as polypropylene or polypropylene terephthalate, is used.

In the fourth embodiment, the fitting member 111 is formed in a thin plate shape. Further, as shown in FIGS. 25 (B) and 25 (C) (a view of FIG. 25 (B) viewed in the Z direction), the three engaging portions 111a are directed to the three claw members 90a. The tip on the side is formed in a tapered shape.
With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the probability that the claw member 90a and the engaging portion 111a interfere with each other when the toner container 32Y is attached to the toner supply device 60Y. Even if the claw member 90a and the engaging portion 111a interfere with each other, the engaging portion 111a is formed in a tapered shape, and the fitting member 111 is rotated within a predetermined range α with respect to the container body 32Y2. Since it is configured freely, the claw member 90a is easily retracted to the retracting area.
In the fourth embodiment, the thickness of the engaging portion 111a is set to about 2 mm. As a result, the effect of reducing the probability that the claw member 90a and the engaging portion 111a interfere with each other can be secured, and the strength of the engaging portion 111a when the engaging portion 111a and the claw member 90a collide with each other is sufficiently increased. It can be secured.

  As described above, the toner container 32Y according to the fourth embodiment also has a plurality of claw members 90a that engage with the plurality of claw members 90a of the drive coupling 90 of the image forming apparatus main body 100, as in the above-described embodiments. The engaging portion 111a is disposed on the bottom of the container body 32Y2 with a distribution angle θ excluding 90 degrees and 180 degrees. Thereby, the load fluctuation when the container main body 32Y2 is rotationally driven is small, and the variation in the amount of toner supplied to the developing device 5Y can be reduced.

  In each of the above embodiments, only the toner is accommodated in the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K. However, image formation is performed by appropriately supplying a two-component developer composed of toner and carrier to the developing device. For the apparatus, the two-component developer can be accommodated in the container bodies of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K. Even in that case, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, some or all of the image forming units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K may be a process cartridge. Even in that case, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, the embodiments can be modified as appropriate in addition to those suggested in the embodiments. Is clear. In addition, the number, position, shape, and the like of the constituent members are not limited to the above embodiments, and can be set to a number, position, shape, and the like that are suitable for carrying out the present invention.

1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows an image formation part. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a toner supply device. FIG. 3 is a top view illustrating a toner supply device. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a toner supply device. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a toner supply device. It is a figure which shows a drive part. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of a toner container housing portion of the image forming apparatus main body. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state where a toner container is installed in the toner supply device. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a toner supply device. FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating an appearance of a toner supply device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a toner supply device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a toner container. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the toner container as viewed from the bottom side. 3 is a three-side view illustrating a toner container. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a cap portion of a toner container. FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the head of a toner container. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a head side of a toner container installed in a toner supply device. FIG. 6 is a rear view showing the bottom of the toner container. It is a graph which shows an experimental result. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a bottom portion of a toner container according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another type of toner container as viewed from the bottom side. FIG. 23 is a rear view showing the bottom of the toner container of FIG. 22. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a bottom portion of a toner container according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a bottom portion of a toner container according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

5Y developing device,
31, 31Y, 31M, 31C, 31K toner container housing,
32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K toner containers,
32Y1 cap part,
32Y1a shutter member, 32Y1b gripping part,
32Y2 container body,
32Y2b engagement part,
60Y, 60M, 60C, 60K toner supply device,
80 drive motor,
90 Drive coupling,
90a claw member,
100 Image forming apparatus body (apparatus body),
111 fitting member,
111a engaging portion, W toner discharge port, θ distribution angle.

Claims (8)

A cylindrical toner container that is detachably installed in the image forming apparatus main body,
An inner wall having a spiral projection and a container body rotatably held by the image forming apparatus body;
The container body has an opening for discharging toner contained therein on one end side in the longitudinal direction, and a plurality of engaging members engaging with a plurality of claw members of a drive coupling installed in the image forming apparatus body. Is provided at the bottom of the other end side in the longitudinal direction,
The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of engaging portions are disposed at a distribution angle excluding 90 degrees and 180 degrees with respect to a rotation center axis of the container body.   The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of engaging portions are disposed in the vicinity of an outer peripheral surface of the container main body. The plurality of engaging portions are formed on a fitting member configured to be fitted to the container body,
3. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the fitting member is formed of a material having higher dimensional accuracy than a material forming the container body.   The toner container according to claim 3, wherein the fitting member is configured to be rotatable within a predetermined range with respect to the container main body.   The said fitting member is formed in thin plate shape, and the front-end | tip of the side which goes to these claw members in these engagement parts is formed in the taper shape. Toner container.   The toner according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of engaging portions are three engaging portions, and are arranged so that the distribution angle is 120 degrees. container. The image forming apparatus main body includes a cap portion that is fixedly held by the image forming apparatus main body by a mounting operation and is relatively rotatably installed with respect to the container main body.
The cap part is
A toner discharge port communicating with the opening of the container body;
A shutter member that opens and closes the toner discharge port in conjunction with an attachment / detachment operation with respect to the image forming apparatus main body;
The toner container according to claim 1, further comprising:   8. An image forming apparatus, wherein the toner container according to claim 1 is installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Images