JP2010113262A - Toner container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner container capable of sufficiently loosening flocculated toner while preventing damage of a stirring device and a drive 24 even if toner for supply stored in a toner supply container body is flocculated. <P>SOLUTION: The toner container includes: a toner container body 19 in which the toner for supply is stored; the drive 24 which is arranged on one side surface of the toner container body 19 in order to stir the toner for supply stored in the toner container body 19 by rotating in the toner container body 19; rotary shafts 28, 29, 30 and 31 which extend over from one side surface to the other side surface of the toner container body 19 and are divided to integrally rotate by driving by the drive 24 through joints 25, 26 and 27; and a stirring part 32 which is provided to the plurality of rotary shafts 28, 29, 30 and 31. The joints 25, 26 and 27 cooperate with each other to idle with weak torque from the stirring part 32 as they are away from the drive 24. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes a toner storage container main body in which replenishment toner is stored, and an agitator that stirs the replenishment toner stored in the toner storage container main body by rotating in the toner storage container main body. The present invention relates to a toner storage container.

  Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine equipped with these functions has stored replenishment toner to be supplied to a developing device such as a toner cartridge or a toner container. It is well known that a toner storage container including a toner storage container main body and a stirring device that stirs the replenishment toner stored in the toner storage container main body by rotating in the toner storage container main body is known.

  Further, such a toner storage container can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus, and is configured to be replaced with a new toner storage container when the replenishment toner in the toner storage container is used up. Things are common.

  Therefore, since the toner container is configured independently of the developing device, in general, the supply toner is housed inside as a replacement part, and a distribution path such as storage or transportation alone is provided. Be handled via.

  At this time, in the toner storage container, the replenishment toner stored in the toner storage container main body may be aggregated during storage and transportation.

  Further, such agglomeration of the replenishing toner is placed and transported in a state where the longitudinal direction (transfer paper width direction) of the toner storage container main body stands up with respect to the ground (usually, the toner storage container as a whole is along the transfer paper width direction). When the installation space in the distribution process is taken into consideration, it tends to be particularly noticeable when the longitudinal direction is often placed and transported in a standing state with respect to the ground.

  Such agglomeration of the replenishing toner is not possible because the agglomerated replenishing toner cannot be efficiently supplied to the developing device if the toner storage container is mounted and used in the image forming apparatus as it is. It became a factor causing.

  In addition, a stirrer such as an agitation paddle and a conveying screw for agitating and supplying the replenishing toner is disposed inside the toner storage container so as to be rotatable by power transmission from a drive source such as a motor. If the toner for use is agglomerated, the load on the agitator and the drive source is high, causing damage and the like.

  For this reason, for example, “Please shake the container before use” on the outer wall or storage box of a general toner storage container, or specify the top / bottom direction for the storage method. A user is prompted to remove the replenishing toner that has been aggregated before being attached to the image forming apparatus.

  However, it is not preferable for the user to work on the contents of the description such as the precautionary statements from the viewpoint of user friendliness, and there is a problem that the user rarely performs such work. It was.

  In addition, even if the work is performed according to the notice, the notice may be stored in the same manner when the toner storage container is temporarily removed from the image forming apparatus for maintenance or other reasons. Is extremely low, and when reattached, the work may not be performed as written.

  Therefore, Patent Document 1 has a cylindrical tray member having an opening in a part of the side surface in the toner storage container, and the tray member is aggregated by rotating in the toner storage container body. A configuration has been proposed in which the replenishment toner is released and the replenishment toner flowing out from the opening of the tray member is sent to the developing device.

In Patent Document 2, a lock member for fixing / releasing the toner storage container to / from the image forming apparatus is provided in the housing of the toner storage container body, and the rotation shaft of the toner stirring member stored in the toner storage container body is locked. There has been proposed a configuration in which the toner for replenishment is manually released when the toner container main body is fixed to or released from the developing device by being engaged with the member.
JP 2007-199162 A JP 2007-316447 A

  However, for example, in the case of the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the amount of the replenishment toner filled in the toner storage container main body is equal to the capacity of the tray member, the replenishment filled in the toner storage container main body is performed. There was a problem that the amount of toner used was small and the replacement time was not only advanced, but also the running cost was increased.

  Further, in the case of the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 2, the amount of rotation of the lock member when operating the lock member for fixing / unlocking is extremely small, and it is not always possible to sufficiently solve the aggregated toner. Further, depending on the operator's operating force, the stirring member may be damaged.

  In view of the above, the present invention takes into account the above situation, and even if the replenishment toner stored in the toner replenishing container body is agglomerated, the agglomerated toner is sufficiently removed while preventing the agitator and the drive unit from being damaged. It is an object of the present invention to provide a toner container that can be solved.

  The toner storage container of the present invention includes a toner storage container main body in which replenishment toner is stored, and an agitating device that stirs the replenishment toner stored in the toner storage container main body by rotating in the toner storage container main body. The stirring device includes a drive unit disposed on one side surface of the toner storage container body, and a joint portion extending from one side surface to the other side surface of the toner storage container body. A plurality of rotating shaft portions divided so as to rotate integrally by driving the driving portion, and a stirring portion provided on the plurality of rotating shaft portions, wherein the joint portion has a torque of a certain level or more. It is characterized by cooperation so that it will idle when it is applied.

  At this time, it is preferable that the joint portion has a weaker engaging force as it is separated from the driving portion.

  In addition, it is preferable that the plurality of rotating shaft portions have a larger number of the stirring portions as they are separated from the driving portion.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the rotating shaft portion is provided with a cover that covers at least the joint portion.

  The toner storage container of the present invention can sufficiently release the agglomerated toner while preventing the stirrer and the drive unit from being damaged even if the replenishment toner stored in the toner replenishing container body is agglomerated. it can.

  Next, a toner container according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a printer as an image forming apparatus equipped with a toner container according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a main portion of the image forming apparatus equipped with a toner container according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is an external perspective view of the toner container according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the toner container according to the embodiment of the present invention with the cover removed, and FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of a toner storage container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(Overall configuration of MFP)
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a multifunction peripheral as an image forming apparatus having functions of a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, and a scanner.

  The multifunction device 1 reads a document as a paper feed tray 3 that can be pulled out from the front surface (front side of the paper) of the apparatus main body 2, a manual paper feed tray 4 provided on the side surface of the apparatus main body 2, and a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a scanner. Laser beam (not shown) according to image data based on automatic document feeder 5 for printing and read data of a document read using automatic document feeder 5 or output data output from a personal computer (not shown) or the like ), An image forming unit 7 that forms a toner image on the surface of transfer paper (not shown) sent from the paper feed tray 3 or the manual paper feed tray 4, and the toner image Fixing unit 8 for fixing on the surface of the transfer paper, discharge unit 9 for discharging the image-fixed transfer paper, main switch 10 of the image forming apparatus, and display unit 1 such as a liquid crystal panel switch It has a, and.

  The laser unit 6 irradiates laser light based on image data processed by a control circuit for various drive control related to image forming processing or the like, a memory or the like (not shown).

  The image forming unit 7 includes a photosensitive drum 12 as an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed by the laser light emitted from the laser unit 6, and the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 12 as a toner image. And a toner storage container 14 for supplying replenishing toner to the developing device 13.

  The toner container 14 can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 2 (replaceable), and the toner container 14 can be attached and detached by opening the front cover of the apparatus main body 2.

(Configuration of developing device 13)
The developing device 13 supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 12 while circulating and moving the toner therein. As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of spiral feeders (stirring mixers) 15, 16 and a developing roller 17 facing the photosensitive drum 12 are rotatably provided.

  In addition, a partition wall 13 a that isolates the spiral feeders 15 and 16 is formed inside the developing device 13. A gap is formed between both ends of the partition wall 13a and the vertical wall of the developing device 13, and one side of the developing device 13 (in the depth direction of the paper surface of FIG. 2) is formed by a spiral feeder 15 provided below the toner supply hole 13b. ) Is agitated and conveyed (forward path) to the other side, and is then folded back in the gap on one side and is agitated and conveyed (returned) by the spiral feeder 16 to the other side of the developing device 13 (frontward in FIG. 2). A circulation path is formed which is turned back again in the gap on the other side of the lever.

  Further, a toner sensor 18 for detecting the toner amount of the developing device 13 is provided on the wall surface of the developing device 13 near the toner supply hole 13b.

  The developing roller 17 is disposed so that the peripheral surface thereof faces the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 12. Therefore, the toner being conveyed to the developing roller 17 is supplied to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 12 via the developing roller 17, and thereby a toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 12. It is formed.

  The toner sensor 18 is provided in the vicinity of the toner supply hole 13b. Based on the output signal, the toner amount in the vicinity of the toner supply hole 13b is detected, and the toner supply amount and supply timing from the toner storage container 14 are detected by the control circuit. Etc. are controlled.

(Configuration of toner storage container 14)
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the toner storage container 14 includes a toner storage container main body 19 that stores toner for replenishment, and a container cover 20 that closes the upper surface opening of the toner storage container main body 19. . Further, inside the toner storage container 14, as a stirring device according to the present invention, a pair of toner stirring members 21 and 22, a spiral spiral rod 23, and a drive source (not shown) such as a drive motor are driven. And a drive unit 24 constituting a power transmission system for rotating the toner agitating members 21 and 22 and the spiral rod 23.

  The toner agitating members 21 and 22 are provided from one side surface (driving unit 24 side) of the toner storage container main body 19 to the other side surface. Further, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the toner agitating members 21 and 22 include a plurality of rotating shaft portions 28 that are divided so as to rotate integrally by driving the driving portion 24 via joint portions 25, 26, and 27. , 29, 30, 31, the blade-like stirring unit 32 provided on the plurality of rotating shaft portions 28, 29, 30, 31, and the rotating shaft portions 28, 29, 30, 31 on one side (the drive portion 24 side). ) To the other side, and a holding portion 34 for holding the toner stirring members 21 and 22 in the toner container main body 19.

  Each joint portion 25, 26, 27 has an engagement structure formed in a sawtooth shape (or a mountain shape) so as to coincide with the peripheral end surfaces of the pipe-shaped rotation shaft portions 28, 29, 30, 31, The torque resistance (engagement force) is set to be smaller toward the drive unit 24 side by decreasing the size of the saw blade (mountain) as the distance from the drive unit 24 side increases.

  When each joint portion 25, 26, 27 is formed in a sawtooth shape, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, it is caught against rotation in the toner stirring direction (see arrow A in FIG. 6). As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the side away from the drive unit 24 is idling with respect to the rotation (reaction force) in the anti-toner stirring direction (see arrow B in FIG. 7). It is easy to do.

  Therefore, the rotary shafts 29, 30, and 31 are linked so that the rotating shafts 29, 30, and 31 are sequentially idled with a weaker torque as the distance from the drive unit 24 increases. Further, the urging member 33 always maintains the engaged state of the joint portions 25, 26, and 27 to maintain the integral rotation (stirring) of the toner stirring members 21 and 22, and a torque exceeding a certain level is generated. In this case, by repeating compression / extension, the engaged state of each joint portion 25, 26, 27 is released to allow idling.

  At this time, the blade-shaped stirring portions 32 provided on the plurality of rotating shaft portions 28, 29, 30, and 31 are attached so as to be separated from the driving portion 24, so that they are separated from the driving portion 24. The load when stirring the replenishing toner is set to be large. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the number of divided rotary shaft portions 28, 29, and 30 and the number of stirring portions 32 provided in each rotary shaft portion 28, 29, 30 are particularly limited. is not.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, at least the joint portions 25, 26, and 27 (the joint portion 25 in the drawing) are covered on the respective rotation shaft portions 28, 29, 30, and 31 (the rotation shaft portions 28 and 29 in the drawing). Film-like covers 35 and 36 are provided to prevent replenishment toner from entering a gap formed in the joint portion 25 when the rotary shaft portions 29, 30, and 31 (rotary shaft portion 29 in the figure) are idling. It is desirable to do. At this time, it is preferable that the covers 35 and 36 are provided on the respective rotary shaft portions 28 and 29 and both cover the joint portion 25. For example, the replenishment toner enters between the cover and the rotary shaft portion. In addition, the number of the toners is not particularly limited as long as the toner for replenishment from the joint part 25 into the shaft and the approach / separation of the joint part 25 can be allowed and the deviation can be prevented.

  Further, the joint portions 25, 26, and 27 are joined in an inlay manner, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, and a friction resistance member 37 such as a felt is provided on at least one of the inner and outer peripheral surfaces thereof. The configuration of the resistance member 37 is not particularly limited. For example, the coefficient of frictional resistance of the resistance member 37 is made smaller (easy to slip) as the distance from the drive unit 24 increases.

  The spiral rod 23 rotates in synchronization with the toner agitating member 22, whereby toner is supplied to the developing device 13 from the toner supply hole 19 a formed in the toner container main body 19 so as to be positioned above the toner supply hole 13 b. The spiral direction and the rotation direction are set so as to replenish.

  At this time, the pair of toner agitating members 21 and 22 and the spiral spiral rod 23 are rotated by transmitting the power of a drive motor or the like (not shown) by the drive unit 24, but the toner agitating members 21 and 22 are rotated. The driving device for rotating the screw and the driving device for rotating the spiral rod 23 may be used together or independently. In addition, when toner is supplied to the developing device 13, at least the spiral rod 23 is driven, and the toner supply timing to the spiral rod 23 by the toner agitating members 21 and 22 is simultaneously with the toner supply timing to the developing device 13. There is no need to be.

  In the above configuration, when the replenishment toner stored in the toner storage container 14 is aggregated, if a torque exceeding a certain level is applied to the rotary shaft portions 29, 30, 31 via the stirring portion 32, the divided joints By causing the sections 25, 26, and 27 to idle, it is possible to prevent the stirring section 32, the joint sections 25, 26, and 27, the rotating shaft sections 28, 29, 30, and 31, and the drive section 24 from being damaged. Further, by adopting a configuration in which each rotary shaft portion 29, 30, 31 is easily idled from the drive portion 24 side, each rotary shaft portion 28, 29, By reducing the amount of agitation of the replenishment toner as much as 30, 31, the replenishment toner that has been agglomerated little by little from the drive unit 24 side with a small load can be released. It is possible to prevent the idling from continuing.

  In the above embodiment, the toner container of the present invention is applied to the monochrome multifunction device 1. However, it is needless to say that the toner container can be applied to, for example, a color printer and other image forming apparatuses in general. .

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a printer as an image forming apparatus equipped with a toner storage container according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of an image forming apparatus equipped with a toner storage container according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a toner storage container according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a toner storage container according to an embodiment of the present invention with a cover removed. 3A and 3B show a main part of a toner storage container according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 3A is a plan view of a toner stirring member, and FIGS. 3A and 3B show a main part of a toner storage container according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 3A is a plan view of the main part of a toner stirring member in a joint engagement state, and FIG. 3A and 3B show a main part of a toner storage container according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 3A is a plan view of the main part of a toner stirring member in a joint-released state, and FIG. 3A and 3B show a main part of a toner container according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 3A is a plan view of another toner stirring member, and FIGS. 3A and 3B show an essential part of a toner storage container according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 3A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an essential part of a toner stirring member, and FIG. 2A and 2B show a main part of a toner storage container according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a main part of another toner stirring member, and FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of a main part of another toner stirring member. is there.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Toner container 19 ... Toner container body 24 ... Drive part 25 ... Joint part 26 ... Joint part 27 ... Joint part 28 ... Rotating shaft part 29 ... Rotating shaft part 30 ... Rotating shaft part 31 ... Rotating shaft part 32 ... Stirring Part 35 ... Cover 36 ... Cover

Claims (4)

A toner storage container comprising: a toner storage container main body that stores replenishment toner; and a stirring device that stirs the replenishment toner stored in the toner storage container main body by rotating in the toner storage container main body. ,
The stirrer is integrated with a drive unit disposed on one side surface of the toner container main body by driving the drive unit across one side surface to the other side surface of the toner container main body and via a joint unit. A plurality of rotating shaft portions divided so as to rotate, and a stirring portion provided on the plurality of rotating shaft portions,
The toner storage container, wherein the joint portion cooperates so as to idle when a certain torque or more is applied.   The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the joint portion has a smaller engaging force as it is separated from the driving portion.   3. The toner storage container according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of rotating shaft portions has a larger number of the stirring portions as they are separated from the driving portion. 4.   The toner storage container according to claim 1, wherein the rotating shaft portion is provided with a cover that covers at least the joint portion.

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