JP2009244565A - Toner cartridge, and process unit and image forming apparatus using the toner cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner cartridge for reducing an amount of toner remaining without being discharged from the toner cartridge and to provide a process unit and image forming apparatus that use the process cartridge. <P>SOLUTION: The toner cartridge 1 includes: a cylindrical toner container 2 having a toner storage part 21 storing supply toner and a toner discharge opening 38 for discharging toner in the toner storage part 21 out of the container; and a toner container support member 3 for rotatably supporting the toner container 2 around the axis of the toner container 2. The toner cartridge discharges the toner in the toner storage part 21 out of the container by rotating the toner container 2. In the toner cartridge, the toner discharging opening 38 is formed adjacent to the toner container support member 3, and the toner storage part 21 decreases in its inside diameter in the axial direction as it extends away from the toner discharge opening 38. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner cartridge, a process unit using the same, and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a toner cartridge used in an image forming apparatus such as an electrostatic copying machine, a laser printer, and a facsimile machine that forms an image using toner. The present invention relates to a process unit and an image forming apparatus using the same.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile machine using toner, toner is supplied to a developing device by a toner replenishing device using a toner cartridge or the like, and continuous operation of image output is performed.

  In recent years, as a method for supplying toner to a developing device, a method of replacing an empty toner cartridge with a new one has become the mainstream, instead of a method of supplying toner from a toner container to a toner hopper. According to this method, toner can be replenished without soiling the operator's hand.

  However, such a toner cartridge has a problem that the toners aggregate and harden due to the weight of the toner, and the toner cannot be smoothly supplied into the image forming apparatus. A toner cartridge in which a stirring blade for stirring the toner is provided inside the toner cartridge is also known, but there is a problem that the cost increases.

Therefore, as a countermeasure against the above-described conventional problems, a toner cartridge that can be accommodated without aggregating toner with a relatively simple configuration is known.
For example, the toner cartridge is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and a convex portion protruding inward is formed in a spiral shape on the inner surface thereof, and the toner cartridge itself is rotated inside the image forming apparatus with its axis as a rotation axis. Thus, there has been proposed one in which toner is conveyed by the convex portion and supplied to the main body of the image forming apparatus (see Patent Document 1).

According to this method, toner aggregation in the toner cartridge can be prevented with a low-cost configuration, and the toner can be replenished smoothly. The toner cartridge can be rotated by applying a driving force from one end of the toner cartridge. Therefore, when this toner cartridge is used, it is not necessary to provide a complicated toner stirring mechanism, and a toner replenishing device that hardly causes toner aggregation can be obtained.
JP 2004-271995 A

  However, in the toner cartridge as described above, in order to convey the toner toward the toner discharge port, around a convex portion (hereinafter referred to as a toner guide protrusion) formed in a spiral shape provided on the inner wall of the toner cartridge. There has been a problem that the toner tends to adhere and accumulate.

  In particular, when the toner is consumed and the amount of toner in the toner cartridge is reduced, the far side (toner from the toner discharge port) of the two concave portions formed by sandwiching the base portion of the convex portion in the toner cartridge. The toner adhering to the concave portion (that is, the back side of the toner guide protrusion) on the upstream side in the transport direction is discharged from the toner cartridge because there is less chance of coming into contact (sliding) with other fluid toner. Therefore, there is a problem that the remaining amount of toner increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and provides a toner cartridge capable of reducing the amount of toner remaining without being discharged from the toner cartridge, and a process unit and an image forming apparatus using the toner cartridge. The purpose is to provide.

The configurations of the toner cartridge according to the present invention and the process unit and image forming apparatus using the toner cartridge according to the present invention for solving the above-described problems are as follows.
The present invention relates to a cylindrical toner container having a toner container for storing replenished toner and a toner outlet for discharging the toner in the toner container to the outside, and rotating the toner container about the axis of the toner container. A toner cartridge that discharges the toner in the toner container to the outside of the container by rotating the toner container, and the toner discharge port is formed adjacent to the support member. The toner accommodating portion is configured such that the inner diameter thereof becomes smaller as the distance from the toner discharge port increases in the axial direction.
In other words, the toner cartridge according to the present invention is characterized in that the toner storage portion gradually becomes thinner toward the tip.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the toner containing portion has a rotationally symmetric shape with an axis as a symmetry axis. In other words, the toner accommodating portion has a point-symmetric cross-sectional shape centered on the axis, and includes, for example, a conical shape or a truncated cone shape.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the inner surface of the toner containing portion is formed as a smooth surface.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the inner diameter of the toner containing portion is reduced stepwise in a stepwise manner as the toner container is separated from the toner discharge port in the axial direction.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the step portion is continuously formed in a spiral shape that circulates around the axis of the toner storage portion.

  Further, according to the present invention, a continuous portion that continuously configures the step portions is provided between the step portion adjacent to the step portion, and the angle at which the continuous portion rises from the step portion toward the adjacent step portion is an obtuse angle. It is preferable to form it as follows.

  According to the present invention, the stepped portion is formed by a surface inclined with respect to the axis of the toner containing portion, and the inclined surface of the step is close to the toner outlet with respect to the axis of the toner containing portion. It is preferable to form it so as to be closer to the side farther from the side.

  The present invention further includes a developing device that supplies toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum on which the electrostatic latent image is formed to form a toner image, and a toner cartridge that supplies toner to the developing device, and an electrophotographic system A process unit used in an image forming apparatus for forming an image by using the toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 7 as the toner cartridge.

  The present invention also provides a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a charging device that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum, an exposure device that forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum, In an image forming apparatus, comprising: a developing device that supplies toner to an electrostatic latent image on the surface of a photosensitive drum to form a toner image; and a toner cartridge that supplies toner to the developing device, and forms an image by electrophotography The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is used as the toner cartridge.

  According to the present invention, a cylindrical toner container having a toner storage portion for storing replenished toner and a toner discharge port for discharging the toner in the toner storage portion to the outside, and the toner container around the axis of the toner container. A toner cartridge for rotating the toner container to discharge the toner in the toner container to the outside of the container, wherein the toner discharge port is formed adjacent to the support member. In addition, since the inner diameter of the toner storage portion is reduced as it moves away from the toner discharge port in the axial direction, the toner is not provided on the inner surface of the toner storage portion without providing a toner transfer protrusion. Since the toner can be conveyed toward the toner discharge port, the amount of toner remaining without being discharged into the toner storage portion can be reduced.

  In addition, according to the present invention, since the toner accommodating portion has a rotationally symmetric shape with the axis as the axis of symmetry, the toner flows smoothly by the rotation of the toner accommodating portion, so that collision and friction between toners are reduced. Further, it is possible to prevent the toner external additive from being embedded in the binder resin constituting the core particles, and to maintain the fluidity of the toner for a long period of time.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the inner surface of the toner containing portion is formed with a smooth surface, it is possible to prevent toner from adhering to the concave portions formed before and after the protrusions, so that the amount of toner remaining in the toner containing portion Can be reduced.

  According to the present invention, the inclination angle of the inner surface (inner peripheral wall) of the toner storage portion is reduced stepwise in a stepwise manner as the inner diameter of the toner storage portion moves away from the toner discharge port in the axial direction. Therefore, when toner in the toner container is consumed and the amount of toner is reduced, the toner transported around the toner discharge port is aggregated to prevent the toner from diffusing. The amount of remaining toner can be reduced. That is, when the toner is collected, the toner is easily transported.

  According to the present invention, the stepped portion is continuously formed in a spiral shape that circulates around the axis of the toner accommodating portion, so that the toner is concentrated along the spiral stepped portion and directed toward the toner discharge port. Therefore, even if the toner in the toner container is consumed and the amount of toner is reduced, it is possible to prevent the toner replenishment amount from decreasing.

  Further, according to the present invention, a continuous portion that continuously configures the step portions is provided between the step portion adjacent to the step portion, and the angle at which the continuous portion rises from the step portion toward the adjacent step portion is an obtuse angle. By forming in this way, it is possible to make it difficult for the toner to adhere to the corner of the stepped portion, so that the remaining amount of toner in the toner containing portion can be reduced.

  According to the present invention, the stepped portion is formed by a surface inclined with respect to the axis of the toner containing portion, and the inclined surface of the step is close to the toner outlet with respect to the axis of the toner containing portion. By inclining so as to be closer to the side farther from the toner, the toner falls down due to the inclination without being dispersed on the stepped portion and is concentrated on the lower side, so that the toner is easily conveyed.

  The present invention further includes a developing device that supplies toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum on which the electrostatic latent image is formed to form a toner image, and a toner cartridge that supplies toner to the developing device, and an electrophotographic system In a process unit used in an image forming apparatus for forming an image by using the toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 7 as the toner cartridge, toner remaining without being discharged into a toner storage unit The remaining amount can be reduced, and a process unit that is easy to recycle and environmentally friendly can be realized.

  The present invention also provides a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a charging device that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum, an exposure device that forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum, In an image forming apparatus, comprising: a developing device that supplies toner to an electrostatic latent image on the surface of a photosensitive drum to form a toner image; and a toner cartridge that supplies toner to the developing device, and forms an image by electrophotography By using the toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 7 as the toner cartridge, it is possible to reduce the remaining amount of toner that remains without being discharged into the toner storage portion, and it is easy to recycle and environmentally friendly images. A forming apparatus can be realized.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an example of an embodiment of the invention, and is an explanatory view showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus using a toner cartridge according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a state in which the toner cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the toner cartridge is detached from the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the toner cartridge is completely pulled out from the image forming apparatus.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a photosensitive drum 44 on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a charging device 45 that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 44, and a static on the surface of the photosensitive drum 44. An exposure device 46 that forms an electrostatic latent image; a process unit 10 that includes a developing device 47 that supplies toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum 44 and visualizes the electrostatic latent image as a toner image; In an image forming apparatus 100 that includes a toner cartridge 1 that supplies toner and that visualizes an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 44 by electrophotography as a toner image, the toner cartridge 1 The configuration of the toner cartridge according to the invention is employed.

First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a scanner 43 for reading a document image at the top of the apparatus, and forms a scanned document image below the scanner 43. A rotatable photosensitive drum 44, a charging device 45 for charging the photosensitive drum 44, and an exposure device 46 having a laser beam scanner for supporting the electrostatic latent image corresponding to the original image on the photosensitive drum 44, A process unit 10 including a developing device 47 that develops an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 44, and a toner image of the photosensitive drum 44 developed by the developing device 47 on a sheet. An electrophotographic process section 60 including a transfer unit 48 for transferring and a fixing unit 51 for fixing a sheet on which an image is formed is provided. Below the electrophotographic process unit 60, a sheet supply unit 50 that supplies sheets toward the photosensitive drum 44 is provided.

  Around the photosensitive drum 44, a cleaning means 49 for removing the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum 44 is provided.

  The developing device 47 includes a toner cartridge 1 and a toner hopper 13 that store toner. The toner hopper 13 is supplied with toner from the toner cartridge 1. The toner replenished to the toner hopper 13 is supplied to the developing device 47 and finally fixed as an image on the sheet. In the present embodiment, the toner cartridge 1 is arranged side by side with the toner hopper 13.

  The outer periphery of the image forming apparatus 100 is covered with an exterior part 100a, and the exterior part 100a has a front exterior part 14 and a back exterior part 15 that face each other as shown in FIG. The front exterior part 14 is usually a part located in front of the user when the user uses the image forming apparatus. The rear exterior portion 15 is a portion that corresponds to the back side of the image forming apparatus 100 as viewed from the user on the front exterior portion 14 side.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the toner cartridge 1 is mounted on a toner container holding member 7 formed between a front exterior portion 14 and a back exterior portion 15 of the image forming apparatus 100. The toner cartridge 1 mounted on the toner container holding member 7 is fixed at a specified position in the toner container holding member 7.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the toner container holding member 7 includes a bottom wall portion 22 and a toner container fixing portion 61, and is coupled to the front wall portion 12.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the toner container holding member 7 includes a bottom wall portion 22, a toner container fixing portion 61, and a front wall portion 12.

  The bottom wall portion 22 extends in the front-rear direction (front side to back side) of the image forming apparatus 100, and constitutes a base portion for arranging the toner cartridge 1. The toner container fixing portion 61 is provided on the bottom wall portion 22 and detachably holds the toner container support member 3 of the toner cartridge 1 disposed on the bottom wall portion 22 so that the toner cartridge 1 does not move in the direction of the axis L1. To fix.

  The front wall portion 12 is provided at the front side position of the image forming apparatus 100 in the toner container holding member 7 and constitutes a part of the front exterior portion 14. Further, a handle (not shown) for pulling out the toner container holding member 7 from the inside of the image forming apparatus is formed on the front surface of the front wall portion 12.

  The space in which the toner container holding member 7 is arranged in the image forming apparatus 100 is a toner cartridge housing space 23 for housing the toner cartridge 1 as shown in FIG. The rear end position of the toner cartridge housing space 23 is the housing rear surface portion 17, and the front end position penetrates the housing front portion (fixing member) 16 and reaches the front exterior portion 14. The housing front part 16 and the housing back part 17 are located between the front exterior part 14 and the back exterior part 15.

  The toner container holding member 7 moves back and forth between the position stored in the toner cartridge storage space 23 and the position pulled forward (front direction) from the toner cartridge storage space 23 (movement from the front side to the back side). It is possible.

  In order to enable the movement of the toner container holding member 7 described above, the bottom wall portion 22 of the toner container holding member 7 extends in parallel with the axis L1 from the housing back surface portion 17 side to the housing front surface portion 16 side. An extendable guide member 8 is provided. That is, the toner container holding member 7 is held by the guide member 8 beyond the housing back surface portion 17 side and the housing front surface portion 16 side.

  Thus, the toner container holding member 7 can be pulled out from the inside of the image forming apparatus 100 to the outside of the front exterior portion 14 in the toner container holding member pulling direction along with the toner cartridge 1 along the extending and contracting direction of the guide member 8.

  The image forming apparatus 100 also includes a movement prevention mechanism 9 as a mechanism for reliably maintaining the toner container holding member 7 and the toner cartridge 1 in the toner cartridge housing space 23.

  The movement prevention mechanism 9 includes a hook member 9 a provided on the toner container holding member 7 and a locking member 9 b provided on the housing front portion 16. The hook member 9a and the locking member 9b are engaged with the locking member 9b when the toner container holding member 7 is completely stored in the toner cartridge storage space 23 of the image forming apparatus 100. It is like that. The arrangement positions of the hook member 9a and the locking member 9b are not limited to the above-described configuration, and the locking member 9b is provided on the front wall portion 12 (toner container holding member 7 side), and the hook member 9 a may be provided on the front surface portion 16 of the housing.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 has a detection mechanism (detection means) 19 at a position corresponding to the movement prevention mechanism 9 in a state where the toner container holding member 7 is completely stored in the toner cartridge storage space 23. It has. The detection mechanism 19 is in a state where the toner container holding member 7 is locked in the toner cartridge housing space 23 by the movement preventing mechanism 9, that is, the toner container holding member 7 is moved from the toner cartridge housing space 23 by the movement preventing mechanism 9. A state is detected in which movement to the front of the image forming apparatus 100 (direction in which the toner container holding member is pulled out to the front side) is blocked.

  The detection mechanism 19 includes a locking sensor 19a provided on the locking member 9b and a sensor action portion 19b provided on the hook member 9a. The sensor operation part 19b is disposed at a position where it acts on the locking sensor 19a in a state where the hook member 9a is locked to the locking member 9b.

  When the toner cartridge 1 is removed from the image forming apparatus 100, the toner container holding member 7 is removed from the state in which the toner container holding member 7 is housed inside the image forming apparatus 100 as shown in FIG. In this state, the toner cartridge 1 can be removed above the toner container holding member 7. Therefore, since the toner cartridge 1 can be attached and detached at the position of the toner container holding member 7, the replacement operation can be easily performed even when the toner cartridge 1 is heavy.

  When the toner cartridge 1 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100, the toner container holding member 7 moves along the expansion / contraction direction of the guide member 8 together with the toner cartridge 1 after the toner cartridge 1 is attached to the toner container holding member 7. The image forming apparatus 100 is inserted toward the toner cartridge housing space 23 (the direction in which the toner container holding member 7 is inserted into the apparatus).

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a driving force transmission mechanism 65 at a position facing the toner cartridge housing space 23 in the housing rear surface portion 17.

  The driving force transmission mechanism 65 transmits a rotational driving force to the toner container 2 and includes a main body side connecting portion 11, a rotating shaft 24, a push spring 25, a bearing portion 26, and a transmission gear 27. The rotating shaft 24 passes through the housing back surface portion 17 and is provided on the housing back surface portion 17 via a bearing portion 26. Thereby, the rotating shaft 24 is freely rotatable.

  The main body side connecting portion 11 is disposed in the toner cartridge housing space 23, is formed in a substantially disk shape, and is fixed to the rotating shaft 24 so as to be rotatable around the axis L1 integrally with the rotating shaft 24. On the surface of the main body side connecting portion 11 that comes into contact with the toner cartridge 1, a cross-shaped fitting concave portion into which the container side connecting portion 6 of the toner cartridge 1 can be fitted with the toner cartridge 1 mounted in the toner cartridge housing space 23. 11a is formed.

  The pressing spring 25 is composed of a coil spring (compression spring), and is disposed between the housing back surface portion 17 and the main body side connecting portion 11 without hindering the rotation of the rotating shaft 24 and the main body side connecting portion 11. The main body side connecting portion 11 is urged in a direction away from the housing back surface portion 17.

  The transmission gear 27 is provided at the end of the rotating shaft 24 opposite to the main body side connecting portion 11, and drives the driving force from a driving source (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 100 to the toner container 2 side as a rotational force. To communicate.

Next, the characteristic toner cartridge 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a toner cartridge that constitutes the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, and is a diagram viewed from an arrow A in FIG. 2, and FIG. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the toner cartridge 1 includes a toner container including a bottomed cylindrical toner container 21 that stores replenished toner and a toner discharge port 38 that discharges the toner in the toner container 21. 2 and a toner container supporting member (supporting member) 3 that surrounds a part of the toner container 2 including the toner discharge port 38 over the entire circumference and supports the toner container 2 rotatably. Then, by rotating the toner container 2, the toner in the toner container 21 is discharged to the outside of the container.

  Specifically, the toner container support member 3 is configured to support the toner container 2 so as to be rotatable about the axis L1 with the axial direction of the toner container 2 as the rotation axis direction.

First, the characteristic toner containing portion 21 constituting the toner container 2 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 6, the toner storage unit 21 includes a first storage unit 31, a second storage unit 32, a third storage unit 33, and a container side connection unit 6 that are filled with replenishing toner. 33 is arrange | positioned in the center, and the 1st accommodating part 31 and the 2nd accommodating part 32 are comprised continuously so that each accommodating part may be connected to the both ends. As shown in FIG. 2, the container side connecting portion 6 is a portion that receives a rotational driving force transmitted from the image forming apparatus main body via the main body side connecting portion 11.

  The 1st accommodating part 31 is formed in the truncated cone shape so that the internal diameter may become small as it goes to the front-end | tip part 31a in an axial direction. The inner surface of the 1st accommodating part 31 is formed with the smooth surface without a protrusion. A container-side coupling portion 6 is formed at the distal end portion 31 a of the first housing portion 31. As shown in FIG. 2, the container side connecting portion 6 is configured to be fitted into the main body side connecting portion 11.

  Similar to the first housing portion 31, the second housing portion 32 is formed in a truncated cone shape so that its inner diameter becomes smaller toward the tip portion 32a in the axial direction, and its inner surface is a smooth surface without projections. Is formed.

  The third accommodating portion 33 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a toner discharge port 38 that communicates the inside and the outside is formed. As shown in FIG. 3, the third housing portion 33 has an axis L <b> 1 in a state where the outer peripheral surface of a part of the third housing portion 33 including the toner discharge port 38 is surrounded by the toner container support member 3 over the entire circumference. It is supported so that it can rotate around.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the toner accommodating portion 21 is configured such that the one axial end of the third accommodating portion 33 and the opening end of the first accommodating portion 31 are connected, and the other axial end of the third accommodating portion 33 is connected. And the opening end of the second storage portion 32 are connected to each other. And each axis of the 1st accommodating part 31, the 2nd accommodating part 32, and the 3rd accommodating part 33 is in agreement with the same axis L1.

Here, the 3rd accommodating part 33 is demonstrated in detail with reference to drawings.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the third storage portion of the toner storage portions constituting the toner cartridge according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, the third housing portion 33 is generally formed in a cylindrical shape.
And in the substantially central part of the outer peripheral part of the 3rd accommodating part 33 in the axis line L1 direction, as shown in FIG.7, FIG.8, and the 1st recessed part 36 depressed inward (toward a center direction) in radial direction, and A second recess 37 is formed. The first recess 36 and the second recess 37 are arranged at point-symmetric positions with the axis L1 as the center.

  A toner discharge port 38 for discharging toner is formed in the first recess 36. The toner discharge port 38 is for discharging the toner in the toner container 21 to the inside of the toner container support member 3.

  The first recess 36 has an end wall 39 that is substantially perpendicular to the circumferential direction and downstream in the rotation direction (arrow R direction) of the third housing portion 33 and toward the center in the radial direction of the third housing portion 33. A bottom wall portion 36b is formed so that the recessed state becomes shallower from the end wall portion 39 toward the upstream end portion 36a in the rotation direction, and the bottom wall portion 36b is sandwiched along the axial direction. A first sidewall portion 36c1 and a second sidewall portion 36c2 are formed.

  The toner discharge port 38 is a substantially central portion in the axial direction of the end wall portion 39 of the first recess 36, and is opened in a rectangular shape with the axial direction as a longitudinal direction at a position closer to the outer side in the radial direction of the third housing portion 33. Is formed.

  The first recess 36 is configured to temporarily store the toner discharged from the toner discharge port 38 and discharge the toner stored in the first recess 36 from the toner container support member 3. That is, the first concave portion 36 functions as a toner discharge portion that discharges the toner discharged from the toner storage portion 21 to the outside.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the second concave portion 37 is formed in a state of being depressed toward the central direction in the radial direction of the third housing portion 33 with the same width as the first concave portion 36 along the axial direction. ing. In addition, the second concave portion 37 has a bottom wall portion from the substantially central portion in the circumferential direction toward the upstream end portion 37a1 and the downstream end portion 37a2 in the rotation direction (arrow R direction) of the third housing portion 33. 37b is formed to be shallow.

  The second recess 37 is configured to collect the toner leaking from the first recess 36 and entering the outer peripheral surface of the third storage portion 33 and the inner peripheral surface of the toner container support member 3. That is, the second concave portion 37 functions as a toner collecting unit that collects toner.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the third accommodating portion 33 has a first end portion in the axial direction excluding the first concave portion 36 and the second concave portion 37 and the entire outer periphery of the region in the other end portion in the axial direction. A plurality of toner discharge guide pieces 40 projecting outward in the radial direction of the three storage portions 33 are arranged in parallel at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

  The toner discharge guide piece 40 is provided so as to be inclined so that the outer end 40b is positioned downstream in the rotational direction (arrow R direction) in which the outer end 40b rotates about the axis rather than the inner end 40a closer to the center in the axial direction. Yes. The toner discharge guide piece 40 collects the toner leaking from the first recess 36 on the inner end 40a side along the slope so that the toner does not come out from both ends of the outer peripheral portion of the third storage portion 33, The recess 36 and the second recess 37 have a function of facilitating recovery.

Next, the toner container support member 3 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the toner container support member 3 is generally formed in a cylindrical shape, wraps the outer peripheral surface of the third storage portion 33 of the toner storage portion 21 over the entire circumference, and allows the toner container 2 to rotate. It is configured to support.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 9, the toner container support member 3 is opposed to the first recess 36 of the third housing portion 33 that circulates in the toner container support member 3, and is provided with a toner supply port provided in the toner hopper 13. A toner conduction hole 5 is provided at a position facing 13a. The toner conduction hole 5 guides the toner discharged from the toner storage portion 21 to the toner supply port 13 a of the toner hopper 13.

  In other words, the toner container 2 held rotatably on the toner container support member 3 discharges the toner from the toner container 21 to the inside of the toner container support member 3 when the toner container 2 is driven to rotate about the axis. The toner is supplied to the toner hopper 13 from the toner conduction hole 5.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the toner conduction hole 5 is provided with a shutter portion 41 that switches the opening on the downstream side in the toner discharge direction of the toner conduction hole 5 between an open state and a closed state. The shutter portion 41 includes a shutter 41a and a shutter guide portion 41b, and is provided so as to be slidable in a direction parallel to the axis L1 of the toner cartridge 1.

As shown in FIG. 5, the shutter 41a slides and displaces along the shutter guide portion 41b to close the opening of the toner conduction hole 5 indicated by a two-dot chain line, and the toner conduction indicated by a solid line. It can be arranged at the open position P2 where the opening of the hole 5 is opened.
Further, the shutter 41a is restricted from slidingly moving beyond the closed position P1 and the open position P2.

  The toner hopper 13 is provided with shutter displacing means (not shown) for slidably displacing the shutter 41 a of the shutter portion 41.

  The shutter displacing means slides and displaces the shutter 41a disposed at the closed position P1 when the toner container holding member 7 containing the toner cartridge 1 is inserted into the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. The shutter 41a is arranged at the open position P2 while being arranged at a predetermined mounting position.

  Further, the shutter displacing means slides the shutter 41a disposed at the open position P2 to the closed position P1, particularly when the toner container holding member 7 containing the toner cartridge 1 is pulled out from the inside of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. It is supposed to be arranged.

  Further, the toner container support member 3 is provided with a toner lead-out member 34 for leading the toner from the inside of the toner container support member 3 to the outside, and a sealing sheet 35 for sealing the toner discharge port 38 of the toner container 2. (See FIG. 10).

  The toner lead-out member 34 is made of, for example, a polymer resin such as polyethylene terephthalate (abbreviation: PET), is formed in a sheet shape having flexibility and elasticity, and the toner container support member 3 at the end of the toner conduction hole 5. It is provided in the part which faces the inner peripheral part, and protrudes inward.

  Specifically, the toner lead-out member 34 enters the first concave portion 36 and the second concave portion 37 of the toner container 2 that circulates inside the toner container support member 3, scoops the toner accumulated therein, and removes toner from the toner conduction hole. 5 to be carried out.

  The sealing sheet 35 is formed into a flexible sheet made of, for example, polyethylene, and is provided at a portion facing the inner periphery of the toner container support member 3 at the end of the toner conduction hole 5. The toner discharge port 38 arranged in the interior of the printer is formed with a length that can be sealed. The base end portion of the toner outlet member 34 is laminated on the upper surface portion of the base end portion of the sealing sheet 35.

  Specifically, the third container 33 of the toner container 2 is disposed inside the toner container support member 3, and the toner container 2 is in a state before the toner container 2 starts to rotate for the first time. The sealing sheet 35 is adhered to the toner container 2 so as to seal the toner discharge port 38 in a state where the outlet 38 is disposed at a position adjacent to the toner conduction hole 5 of the toner container supporting member 3.

Next, the operation of the toner cartridge 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a state when the toner discharge port of the toner container is positioned above the toner layer in the toner cartridge according to the present embodiment. FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a state in which toner begins to enter the first recess when positioned below the position, and FIG. 12 illustrates a state when the toner container further rotates and the toner discharge port is positioned above the toner layer. FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the toner container further rotates and the toner accumulated in the first recess is discharged to the outside of the toner container support member.

  In the toner cartridge 1, when the toner container 2 is supported by the toner container support member 3 so as to be rotatable about the axis L <b> 1, as shown in FIG. 10, the third container 33 is provided inside the toner container support member 3. The first holding space 36S facing the first recess 36 and the inner peripheral portion of the toner container support member 3, and the second holding facing the second recess 37 of the third container portion and the inner peripheral portion of the toner container support member 3. A space 37S is formed.

  The first holding space 36 </ b> S is generally a closed space except for the toner discharge port 38, and is configured upstream of the rotation direction (arrow R direction) of the toner discharge port 38, via the toner discharge port 38. And communicated with the space in the toner container 2. Further, the second holding space 37S is also a closed space as in the first holding space 36S.

  In a state where the toner cartridge 1 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 100, in the toner cartridge 1, the toner lead-out member 34 is disposed in the first holding space 36 </ b> S so that the toner discharge port 38 of the first recess 36 is formed. The sealing sheet 35 is hermetically sealed.

  When the driving force is transmitted to the driving force transmission mechanism 65 and the main body side connecting portion 11 rotates while the toner cartridge 1 is mounted on the apparatus main body, the toner container 2 engaged with the main body side connecting portion 11 rotates. As a result, the sealing sheet 35 is peeled off. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the toner container 2 rotates in the arrow R direction from the state where the toner discharge port 38 and the first holding space 36 </ b> S are disposed above the upper surface of the toner D layer in the toner container 2.

  As the toner container 2 further rotates, as shown in FIG. 11, the toner discharge port 38 and the downstream portion of the first holding space 36 </ b> S are disposed below the upper surface of the toner D layer in the toner container 2. Then, the toner D in the toner D layer in the toner container 2 flows into the downstream portion in the rotation direction of the first holding space 36S through the toner discharge port 38 as indicated by an arrow G1.

  The toner discharge port 38 is an intermediate portion in the axis L1 direction of the end wall portion 39 of the first recess 36, and opens in a rectangular shape with the axis L1 direction as the longitudinal direction toward the outside in the radial direction. Therefore, the toner discharge port 38 is closer to the outer side in the radial direction than the downstream end portion in the rotational direction of the bottom wall portion 37b of the first concave portion 36 in the end wall portion 39 of the first concave portion 36, and the first side wall portion 36c1 ( The opening is closer to the other end in the axial direction than the downstream end in the rotational direction of FIG. 7) and closer to the one end in the axial direction than the downstream end of the second side wall 36c2 (see FIG. 7). is doing.

  For example, when the toner discharge port 38 is opened in the entire region of the end wall portion 39, the toner D is supported by the toner container 2 in the first recess 36 and the toner container as the toner container 2 rotates in the direction of arrow R. The toner 3 is discharged from the toner discharge port 38 to the first holding space 36 </ b> S so as to be extruded in a dense state along the inner periphery of the member 3.

  When the toner container 2 further rotates in the direction of arrow R from the state shown in FIG. 11, the toner D of the toner D layer in the toner container 2 passes through the toner discharge port 38 as shown in FIG. The toner discharge port 38 is disposed above the upper surface of the toner D layer in the toner container 2 while flowing into the downstream portion in the rotation direction of 36S, and the first holding space 36S is located above the upper surface of the toner D layer in the toner container 2. It will be in the state arranged below. In this state, a predetermined amount of toner D is held in the first holding space 36S.

  When the toner container 2 further rotates in the arrow R direction from the state shown in FIG. 12, as shown in FIG. 13, the free end portion 34a of the toner outlet member 34 of the toner container support member 3 enters the first holding space 36S. Is arranged on the upstream side in the rotational direction and slides against the outer peripheral surface while elastically contacting the outer peripheral surface of the bottom wall portion 36b of the first recess 36 at an angle θ exceeding 90 degrees. It becomes a state to do. At this time, the toner D held in the first holding space 36S on the upstream side in the rotation direction with respect to the toner outlet member 34 is rotated into the toner conduction hole 5 of the toner container support member 3 by the rotation of the toner container 2 in the arrow R direction. It flows toward.

  The toner lead-out member 34 guides the toner D flowing in this way, that is, the toner D discharged from the toner discharge port 38 of the toner container 2 in the direction of arrow G along the upper surface of the toner lead-out member 34. Lead to the conduction hole 5. Further, since the toner lead-out member 34 slides with respect to the outer peripheral surface so as to scrape the toner D from the outer peripheral surface of the bottom wall portion 36b of the first recess 36, the toner held in the first holding space 36S. All D can be guided to the toner conduction hole 5 as much as possible.

  The toner D guided to the toner conduction hole 5 is guided to the outside of the toner cartridge 1 and discharged. In this way, each time the toner container 2 rotates once in the direction of the arrow R around the axis L1, the above-mentioned predetermined amount of toner D is discharged to the outside.

  Since it is configured as described above, according to the present embodiment, the first storage unit 31 and the second storage unit 32 formed in the toner storage unit 21 are configured with the rotation axis (axis line L1) of the toner storage unit 21 as the axis of symmetry. The toner container has a rotationally symmetric shape and has a smaller inner diameter as it moves away from the toner container support member 3 in the direction of the axis L1, specifically, a conical shape or a truncated cone shape. Since the toner can be transported toward the toner discharge port 38 without providing a toner transport protrusion on the inner surface of the toner 2, the remaining amount of toner remaining inside the toner container 21 without being discharged from the toner container 21 can be reduced.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the inner surfaces of the first storage portion 31 and the second storage portion 32 are formed as smooth surfaces without protrusions, the toner adheres to the recesses formed before and after the protrusions as in the prior art. Can be prevented. Furthermore, since the toner flows smoothly in the toner container 21, collision and friction between the toners are reduced, and the external additive of the toner is prevented from being buried in the binder resin constituting the core particle. The effect that fluidity can be maintained over a long period of time is obtained.

Next, another embodiment of the toner cartridge according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Note that a toner cartridge according to the following embodiment is mounted on an image forming apparatus similar to the image forming apparatus 100 according to the above-described embodiment. Accordingly, in the second embodiment, the same components as those of the image forming apparatus 100 and the toner cartridge 1 according to the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
In addition, a toner cartridge according to the following embodiment has a basic configuration similar to that of the toner cartridge 1 described above. Therefore, in the following embodiments, description of basic driving, operation, and the like is omitted, and only characteristic items are described.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the toner cartridge according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing a configuration of a toner cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the toner cartridge 201 according to the second embodiment includes a toner storage unit 221 that stores replenishment toner and a toner discharge port (not shown) that discharges the toner in the toner storage unit 221. The container 202 includes a toner container supporting member 203 that rotatably supports the toner container 202 around the axis L1.

  The toner container support member 203 is configured to support a part of the toner container 202 so as to wrap around a whole circumference of the outer peripheral surface. The toner container support member 203 is provided with a toner conduction hole 5 that guides the toner discharged from the toner container 202 to the toner hopper 13. By the toner conduction hole 5, the toner container 202 rotates around the axis L <b> 1, so that toner discharged from the toner container 202 is supplied to the toner hopper 13.

First, a characteristic toner storage portion 221 constituting the toner container 202 will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 14, the toner storage unit 221 includes a first storage unit 231, a second storage unit 232, a third storage unit 233, and a container side connecting unit 6 that are filled with replenishing toner. 233 is arrange | positioned in the center, and the 1st accommodating part 231 and the 2nd accommodating part 232 are continuously comprised so that each accommodating part may be connected to the both ends.

  Since the third storage portion 233 has the same configuration as the third storage portion 33 in the toner cartridge 1 described above, the description of the configuration and operation is omitted.

Here, the characteristic 1st accommodating part 231 and the 2nd accommodating part 232 are demonstrated.
The first accommodating portion 231 is formed with a step portion 231b whose inner diameter gradually decreases in a stepped manner toward the tip end portion 231a in the axial direction, and a continuous portion 231c that continuously configures adjacent step portions. Has been.

  The continuous portion 231c is formed with a surface having a large inclination angle locally on the inner wall surface of the first housing portion 231. The continuous portion 231c is formed such that the angle θ rising from the step portion 231b toward the adjacent step portion 231b is an obtuse angle. Specifically, the rising angle θ is preferably 100 to 135 degrees.

  Further, the stepped portion 231b and the continuous portion 231c are continuously formed in a spiral shape that circulates around the axis L1 of the toner containing portion 221.

  Also in the second housing part 232, a step part 232 b and a continuous part 232 c configured similarly to the step part 231 b and the continuous part 231 c in the first housing part 231 are formed.

  Since it is configured as described above, according to the second embodiment, by forming the step portions 231b and 232b and the continuous portions 231c and 232c in the toner containing portion 221, the toner in the toner containing portion 221 is consumed and the toner is consumed. When the amount decreases, the stepped portions 231b and 232b and the continuous portions 231c and 232c can prevent the toner conveyed around the toner conduction hole 5 from diffusing again, that is, preventing the toner from returning.

  Further, according to the second embodiment, the stepped portions 231b and 232b and the continuous portions 231c and 232c are continuously formed in a spiral shape, so that the toner is rotated by the continuous portion 231c and 232c by the rotation of the toner container 202. Can be conveyed toward the toner conduction hole 5, so that even if the toner in the toner storage portion 221 is consumed and the amount of toner decreases, a decrease in the amount of toner replenishment can be prevented.

  Further, according to the second embodiment, by setting the angle θ rising from the stepped portion 231b toward the adjacent stepped portion 231b to be an obtuse angle, particularly 100 to 135 degrees, a toner pushing effect can be appropriately obtained. Therefore, the remaining amount of toner remaining in the toner container 202 can be reduced.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment according to the toner cartridge of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing the structure of a toner cartridge according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 15, a toner cartridge 301 according to the third embodiment includes a toner container 302 including a toner storage unit 321 that stores replenished toner, and a toner container that rotatably supports the toner container 302 about an axis L1. A supporting member 303 is provided.

  The toner container support member 303 supports a part of the toner container 302 so as to wrap around the entire outer peripheral surface.

  The toner container 302 is provided with a toner conduction hole 5 that guides the toner discharged from the toner container 302 to the toner hopper 13, and the toner container 302 is rotated around the axis L <b> 1 to perform a toner replenishing operation.

First, a characteristic toner storage portion 321 constituting the toner container 302 will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 15, the toner storage unit 321 includes a first storage unit 331, a second storage unit 332, a third storage unit 333, and a container side connecting unit 6 that are filled with replenishing toner, and includes a third storage unit. 333 is arranged in the center, and the first housing portion 331 and the second housing portion 332 are continuously configured to communicate with the respective housing portions at both ends thereof.

  Since the third storage portion 333 has the same configuration as the third storage portions 33 and 233 in the toner cartridges 1 and 201 described above, description of the configuration and operation is omitted.

Here, the characteristic 1st accommodating part 331 and the 2nd accommodating part 332 are demonstrated.
The first accommodating portion 331 is formed with a step portion 331b whose inner diameter gradually decreases in a stepwise manner toward the tip portion 331a in the axial direction, and a continuous portion 331c that continuously configures adjacent step portions. Has been.

  The step portion 331b and the continuous portion 331c are continuously formed in a spiral shape that circulates around the axis L1 of the toner storage portion 321.

  The stepped portion 331b is formed by a surface inclined with respect to the axis L1 of the toner containing portion 321, and this inclined surface is a third in which a toner discharge port (not shown) is provided with respect to the axis L1 of the toner containing portion 321. The side closer to the accommodating part 333 is inclined so as to be closer than the side far from the third accommodating part 333.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, the stepped portion 331b is inclined with respect to the axis L1 so that the end portion 331b1 close to the third accommodating portion 333 is closer to the end portion 331b2 far from the third accommodating portion 333. Is formed.

  Also in the second housing part 332, a step part 332b and a continuous part 332c configured in the same manner as the step part 331b and the continuous part 331c in the first housing part 331 are formed.

  Since it is configured as described above, according to the third embodiment, by forming the step portions 331b and 332b and the continuous portions 331c and 332c in the toner containing portion 321, the toner in the toner containing portion 221 is consumed and the toner is consumed. When the amount decreases, the stepped portions 331b and 332b and the continuous portions 331c and 332c can prevent the toner conveyed around the toner conduction hole 5 from diffusing again, that is, preventing the toner from returning.

  Further, according to the third embodiment, the step portions 331 b and 332 b are formed by a surface inclined with respect to the axis L 1 of the toner storage portion 321, and this inclined surface is the third storage with respect to the axis L 1 of the toner storage portion 321. By forming the end portions 331b1 and 332b1 close to the portion 333 so as to be closer to the end portions 331b2 and 332b2 far from the third storage portion 333, the toner is inclined without being dispersed on the step portions 331b and 332b. It is easy to be transported because it is dropped and collected on the lower side.

  In this embodiment, an example in which the toner cartridge 1 according to the present invention is applied to the image forming apparatus 100 as shown in FIG. 1 has been described. However, a toner replenishing device and a developing device are mounted, and toner is supplied from the toner cartridge. The image forming apparatus that needs to be replenished is not limited to the image forming apparatus and the copying machine having the above-described configuration, and can be developed to other image forming apparatuses.

  As described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately changed within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus using a toner cartridge according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where a toner cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where a toner cartridge is detached from the image forming apparatus. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the toner cartridge is completely pulled out from the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of the toner cartridge, and is a view as seen from an arrow A in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a toner storage unit that configures the toner cartridge. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a third storage portion of the toner storage portion. It is a BB cross-sectional arrow view of FIG. It is CC sectional view taken on the line of FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state when a toner discharge port of a toner container in the toner cartridge is positioned above a toner layer. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which toner begins to enter a first recess when the toner container rotates and a toner discharge port is positioned below the toner layer. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a state when the toner container further rotates and the toner discharge port is positioned above the toner layer. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the toner container further rotates and the toner accumulated in the first recess is discharged to the outside of the toner container support member. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a toner cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a toner cartridge according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1,201,301 Toner cartridge 2,202,302 Toner container 3,203,303 Toner container support member (support member)
5 Toner conduction hole 13 Toner hopper 13a Toner replenishment port 21, 221, 321 Toner accommodating portion 22 Bottom wall portion 23 Toner cartridge accommodating space 31, 231, 331 First accommodating portion 32, 232, 332 Second accommodating portion 33, 233, 333 3rd accommodating part 34 Toner lead-out member 35 Sealing sheet 36 1st recessed part 36S 1st holding space 37 2nd recessed part 37S 2nd holding space 38 Toner discharge port 39 End wall part 40 Toner discharge guide piece 41 Shutter part 65 Driving force transmission Mechanism 100 Image forming apparatuses 231b, 232b, 331b, 332b Stepped portions 231c, 232c, 331c, 332c Continuous portions 331b1, 332b1 End portions (end portions close to the third housing portion 333)
331b2, 332b2 end part (end part far from the 3rd accommodating part 333)
D Toner L1 Axis P1 Closed position P2 Open position

Claims (9)

A cylindrical toner container having a toner storage portion for storing replenished toner and a toner discharge port for discharging the toner in the toner storage portion to the outside, and the toner container is rotatably supported about the axis of the toner container. A toner cartridge comprising: a support member; and discharging the toner in the toner container to the outside of the container by rotating the toner container.
The toner discharge port is formed adjacent to the support member;
The toner cartridge is configured such that the inner diameter of the toner storage portion becomes smaller as the distance from the toner discharge port increases in the axial direction.   The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the toner container has a rotationally symmetric shape with an axis as a symmetry axis.   The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the toner storage portion is a smooth surface.   4. The step according to claim 1, wherein the toner containing portion is formed with a step portion that gradually decreases in a stepped manner as the inner diameter thereof moves away from the toner discharge port in the axial direction. The toner cartridge according to claim 1.   The toner cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the stepped portion is continuously formed in a spiral shape that circulates around an axis of the toner storage portion.   Between the stepped portion and the adjacent stepped portion, a continuous portion that continuously forms the stepped portions is provided, and the continuous portion is formed so that the angle rising from the stepped portion toward the adjacent stepped portion becomes an obtuse angle. The toner cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the toner cartridge is formed.   The step portion is formed by a surface inclined with respect to the axis of the toner storage portion, and the inclined surface is closer to the axis near the toner discharge port than the side far from the toner discharge port with respect to the axis of the toner storage portion. The toner cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the toner cartridge is inclined so as to be inclined. An image for forming an image by an electrophotographic method, comprising: a developing device that supplies toner to the surface of a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed to form a toner image; and a toner cartridge that supplies toner to the developing device. In a process unit used for a forming apparatus,
A process unit using the toner cartridge according to claim 1 as the toner cartridge. A photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a charging device for charging the surface of the photosensitive drum, an exposure device for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum, and a static on the surface of the photosensitive drum. In an image forming apparatus, comprising: a developing device that supplies toner to an electrostatic latent image to form a toner image; and a toner cartridge that supplies toner to the developing device, and forms an image by electrophotography.
An image forming apparatus using the toner cartridge according to claim 1 as the toner cartridge.

Images