JP2010145657A - Developer replenishment container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developer replenishment container for discharging a developer stably from an initial time, in the developer replenishment container of conveying the developer, using a conveying pipe. <P>SOLUTION: This developer replenishment container constituted attachably and detachably to/from an image forming device body, and discharging the developer stored in an inside from a developer discharge port includes a developer conveying part including the first storage part for storing the developer, the second storage part for receiving the developer discharged from the first opening part, the second opening part for taking the developer in, and the conveying pipe for conveying the taken-in developer toward the developer discharge port, by rotation of the container, and the first opening part sealing member for sealing the first opening part and for releasing the sealing when replenishing the developer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer supply container for supplying a developer to an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a printer.

  Conventionally, a fine powder developer has been used in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses such as electrophotographic copying machines and printers. When the developer in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body is consumed, the developer is supplied to the image forming apparatus main body using a developer supply container. Here, at the time of developer replenishment, a method has been proposed and put into practical use in which a developer replenishment container is placed inside the image forming apparatus main body so that the developer does not scatter, and the developer is discharged little by little from a small opening. .

An example of the developer supply container as described above is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In this embodiment, the developer conveyed to the discharge port side by the developer guide rib is guided to the discharge port through a bent conveyance tube connected to the discharge port and discharged. . Further, it is disclosed that by providing this transport pipe, there is little back flow of the developer, and a constant discharge amount can always be secured regardless of the remaining amount.
JP-A-56-146171

  However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, the following problems may occur.

  The transport pipe connected to the discharge port is provided with a take-in port and a flow path for taking in and transporting the developer. When the developer supply container is transported in such a posture that the discharge port is downward in the direction of gravity or stored for a long period of time, the developer aggregates and closes in the vicinity of the intake port or in the flow path. was there. Due to this blockage, when the developer supply container is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus and the developer supply operation is started, there is a problem that the developer is not supplied for a while.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a developer supply container that can stably discharge developer from the beginning in a developer supply container that transports developer using a transfer tube.

  The present invention for solving the above problems is as follows. That is, it is configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, and develops the developer stored in the interior by being rotated by receiving a drive from the image forming apparatus main body while being attached to the image forming apparatus main body. In the developer supply container discharged from the developer discharge port, a first storage portion for storing the developer, a second storage portion for receiving the developer discharged from the first opening provided in the first storage portion, A second opening for taking in the developer in the second container, and conveyance for conveying the developer provided in the second container from the second opening toward the developer discharge port by rotation of the container; And a developer conveying section provided with a tube; and a first opening sealing member that can seal the first opening and is opened when the developer is replenished. To do.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the developer can be stably discharged from the beginning in the developer supply container that transports the developer using the transport pipe.

  Examples of the developer supply container according to the present invention will be described below. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, various configurations of the developer supply container can be replaced with other known configurations having similar functions within the scope of the inventive concept. That is, unless otherwise specified, there is no intention to limit the configuration of the developer supply container described in the embodiments described later.

Example 1
First, the configuration of an electrophotographic copying machine as an example of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which the developer supply container according to the first embodiment is mounted will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus will be described, and then the configuration of the developer supply container will be described.

(Image forming device)
A configuration of a copying machine adopting an electrophotographic system in which a developer supply container (so-called toner cartridge) is configured to be detachable from a developer receiving device in the image forming apparatus main body will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes an image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as “apparatus main body 100”). A document 101 is placed on the document glass 102. An optical image corresponding to the image information is imaged on an electrophotographic photosensitive member 104 (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive drum) as an image carrier by a plurality of mirrors M and lenses Ln of the optical unit 103, thereby electrostatic latent. Form an image. This electrostatic image is visualized by the developing device 201 using a developer.

  In this example, a developer containing toner and carrier is used. Therefore, the developer supply container 1 described later contains both supply toner and carrier.

  Reference numerals 105 to 108 denote cassettes for storing recording media (hereinafter referred to as “sheets”) S. Among the sheets S stacked in these cassettes 105 to 108, an optimum cassette is selected based on information input by an operator (user) from the liquid crystal operation unit of the copying machine or the sheet size of the original 101. Here, the recording medium is not limited to paper, and can be appropriately used and selected, for example, an OHP sheet.

  Then, one sheet S conveyed by the feeding / separating devices 105 </ b> A to 108 </ b> A is conveyed to the registration roller 110 via the conveying unit 109, and the rotation timing of the photosensitive drum 104 and the scanning timing of the optical unit 103 are set. Transport in synchronization.

  Reference numerals 111 and 112 denote a transfer discharger and a separation discharger. Here, an image formed by the developer formed on the photosensitive drum 104 is transferred to the sheet S by the transfer discharger 111. Then, the sheet S on which the developer image is transferred is separated from the photosensitive drum 104 by the separation discharger 112.

  Thereafter, the sheet S conveyed by the conveying unit 113 is fixed on the developer image on the sheet by heat and pressure in the fixing unit 114, and then passes through the discharge reversing unit 115 in the case of single-sided copying. The paper is discharged to the discharge tray 117 by the roller 116. In the case of multiple copying, after being conveyed to the registration roller 110 via the re-feed conveyance units 119 and 120 under the control of the flapper 118 of the discharge reversing unit 115, the same path as in the case of single-sided copying is followed. Then, it is discharged to the discharge tray 117.

  In the case of duplex copying, the sheet S passes through the discharge reversing unit 115 and is once discharged out of the apparatus by the discharge roller 116. Thereafter, the trailing edge of the sheet S passes through the flapper 118, and is controlled by the flapper 118 at the timing when it is still nipped by the discharge roller 116, and is reversely rotated to be conveyed into the apparatus again. . Thereafter, the sheet is conveyed to the registration roller 110 via the re-feed conveyance units 119 and 120, and then discharged to the discharge tray 117 along the same path as in the case of single-sided copying.

  In the apparatus main body 100 configured as described above, an image forming process device such as a developing device 201 as a developing unit, a cleaner unit 202 as a cleaning unit, and a primary charger 203 as a charging unit is installed around the photosensitive drum 104. Yes. The cleaner unit 202 is for removing the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum 104. The primary charger 203 is for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum in order to form a desired electrostatic image on the photosensitive drum 104.

  Next, the developing device will be described. The developing device 201 develops information on the document 101 by attaching a developer to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 104 by the optical unit 103. A developer supply container 1 for supplying developer to the developing device 201 is detachably provided on the apparatus main body 100 by an operator.

  Here, a developer receiving device (developer supply device) provided in the apparatus main body for transporting the developer (toner) stored in the developer supply container 1 to the outside (developer 201) of the developer supply container. ) 140 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The developer supply container 1 is detachable from a developer receiving device provided in the image forming apparatus main body. When the developer supply container 1 is mounted, the discharge port sealing member 2 provided at the opening of the container 1 engages with the engagement portion 131 on the main body side. Through this engagement, the sealing member 2 is opened or sealed, and the rotational driving force is transmitted.

  A motor 130 serving as a driving unit is provided on the main body side, and when the engaging part 131 that is drivingly connected to the motor rotates, the sealing member 2 that is engaged with the engaging part 131 rotates. Drive is transmitted. Even when the sealing member 2 is in the opening position, a part of the sealing member 2 is engaged with the developer supply container, so that the rotational drive of the motor is transmitted to the developer supply container, and the developer supply container 1 rotates. To do. Therefore, the sealing member 2 serves as a drive receiving portion for receiving a rotational driving force for rotating the developer supply container from the apparatus main body.

  The toner discharged from the developer discharge port 1 a by the rotation of the developer supply container 1 is supplied to the opening of the developer receiving device 140. The developer receiving device 140 is provided with a stirring member 141 for stirring the received developer, and a transport member 142 for transporting the stirred developer toward the developing device 201a.

  The developing device 201a includes a developing roller 201b and a feeding member 201c. The developer replenished from the developer replenishing container 1 is sent to the developing roller 201b by the feeding member 201c, and is supplied to the photosensitive drum 104 by the developing roller 201b.

(Developer supply container)
The developer supply container 1 in this embodiment will be described. The developer supply container 1 is arranged in a substantially horizontal direction in the image forming apparatus main body, and is configured to supply developer to the image forming apparatus main body by rotating by receiving rotational driving from the image forming apparatus main body. .

The developer supply container 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 3 is a partial sectional perspective view of the developer supply container 1 in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view near the discharge port. FIG. 5 is a view showing a state when the discharge port sealing member is sealed and opened. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the state of the developer transport unit during the developer replenishment operation.

  In FIG. 3, the container main body 1 </ b> A is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a cylindrical portion 1 b smaller than the outer diameter of the container main body protrudes from the center of one end surface of the container main body 1 </ b> A. The front end side of the cylindrical portion 1B serves as a developer discharge port 1a for discharging the developer to the developing device side. The developer discharge port 1a is sealed by press-fitting the discharge port sealing member 2. The sealing member 2 slides relative to the container main body 1A in the direction of the rotation axis of the container main body 1A (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3), so that the developer discharge port 1a is sealed and opened. Do. Further, the developer supply container 1 is arranged in a substantially horizontal direction in the image forming apparatus main body, and is configured to rotate by receiving a rotational drive from a drive unit of the image forming apparatus main body. In FIG. 3, the discharge port 1a is in a sealed state.

  Next, the internal configuration of the developer supply container will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the inside of the container body 1A is divided into a first storage portion 1c that stores the developer by the partition member 3, and a buffer portion (first storage) that passes when the developer is transported from the storage portion 1c to the discharge port 1a. 2 housing part) 1d. A communication port (first opening) 4 is provided at the center of the partition member 3 to communicate the accommodating portion 1c and the buffer portion 1d. The communication port 4 can be sealed by press-fitting a communication port sealing member (first opening sealing member) 5. Furthermore, the communication port sealing member (first opening portion sealing member) 5 is configured to be connected to a connecting member 6 configured integrally with the discharge port sealing member 2. Thereby, the communication port sealing member 5 moves in conjunction with the opening operation of the discharge port sealing member 2 and opens the communication port 4.

  In addition, on the inner peripheral surface of the accommodating portion 1c, a developer conveying portion (conveying projection portion) 7a for conveying the developer toward the communication port 4 by the rotation of the container body 1A is formed in a spiral shape over the length. Is provided.

  Furthermore, a developer feeding portion 7 b that scoops up the developer in the vicinity of the communication port 4 and sends it to the communication port 4 is provided in the housing portion 1 c. The developer feeding portion 7b includes a partition plate 7b1 that partitions the inside of the accommodating portion 1c, an inclined plate 7b2 provided on both surfaces of the partition plate 7b1, and a hole 7b3 provided in the partition plate 7b1. As the container rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 4, the partition plate 7b1 pumps up the developer, and the pumped developer is guided to the communication port 4 along the inclined surface of the inclined plate 7b2. Further, since the developer can travel back and forth on both sides of the partition plate 7b1 by the hole 7b3, the air is taken in, the fluidity is increased, and the discharge property is improved.

  The buffer unit 1d is provided with a developer transport unit 7c that transports the developer fed by the developer feed unit 7b toward the developer discharge port 1a by the rotation of the container body 1A.

  FIG. 4 shows a configuration around the developer transport unit 7c. The developer transport section 7c includes an intake port (second opening) 7d for taking in the developer, a bent flow path (transport pipe) 7e for transporting the developer, and a flow for discharging the developer from the flow path. A road exit (third opening) 7h is provided. The channel outlet 7h is provided with an inclined plate 7f for discharging the developer conveyed through the channel 7e using gravity. In addition, between the buffer part 1c and the cylindrical part 1b, parts other than the flow-path exit 7h are partitioned off by the wall part 7j. Moreover, the hole 7g which the above-mentioned connection member 6 penetrates and is slidable is provided.

  Next, the flow until the developer stored in the developer supply container 1 having the above-described configuration is discharged will be described.

  5A shows the developer supply container 1 before the start of use (before opening), and FIG. 5B shows the use after the start of use (after opening).

  First, in the state shown in FIG. 5 (a), when the container 1c is filled with the developer, the communication port 4 is sealed, so the developer is not stored in the buffer 1d and is empty. It has become.

  Then, after the developer supply container 1 is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, when the developer is supplied, it is necessary to perform the opening operation of the opening. As shown in FIG. 5 (b), the communication port sealing member 5 connected by the discharge port sealing member 2 and the connecting member 6 is reliably opened in conjunction with the opening operation of the discharge port sealing member 2. . Then, the developer is transported from the storage portion 1c to the buffer portion 1d by the rotation of the container body 1A.

  The developer transported to the buffer unit 1d is transported toward the discharge port 1a by the developer transport unit 7c. Here, the state of developer conveyance in the developer conveyance unit 7c will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6, the wall portion 7j is omitted, and the wall portion 7j is originally arranged on the front side of the drawing.

  In FIG. 6, as shown in FIG. 6A, the developer in the second container is taken in by the intake port 7d by the rotation of the container body 1A. When the rotation gradually proceeds as shown in FIG. 6B, the taken-in developer passes through the flow path 7e and proceeds to the flow path outlet 7h. When the container is in the posture shown in FIG. 6C, a predetermined amount of developer on the inclined plate 7f slides down due to the action of gravity and is conveyed toward the discharge port 1a. In this way, a predetermined amount of developer is discharged along with the rotation by the developer transport unit 7c, so that a stable developer supply operation can be performed over a long period of time.

  In the case where the developer transport unit 7c is provided, the partition member 3 and the communication port sealing member 5 are not provided, the developer transport unit 7c is transported or stored in a position that is downward in the direction of gravity, The agent may be blocked. This is because the developer pressure tends to be solidified around the intake port 7d and the flow path 7e because the developer pressure increases below the container.

  In this embodiment, therefore, the communication port 4 can be sealed at the time of shipping of the container. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the developer pressure from increasing near the intake port 7d, and the problem of the above-mentioned blockage. Does not occur.

  Here, in order to confirm the effect of the present embodiment, the performance was compared with the following comparative example.

  As a comparative example, a configuration as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 was used.

  In the comparative example, the inside of the container main body 1A is configured only by the developer conveying portion 7a and the developer conveying portion 7c, and the partition member 3, the communication port 4, the communication port sealing member 5, and the developer feeding portion 7b in this embodiment. Is not provided. Other configurations are the same as those in the embodiment.

  Using the developer supply container having the structure of this comparative example and the structure of the first embodiment, the developer supply container 1 is filled with the developer while the developer is filled therein, and the developer discharge port 1a is directed directly below. Tapping was performed with the posture fixed. The tapping was performed by fixing the developer supply container 1 to a tapping table and dropping it freely 1000 times continuously at a height of 20 mm and a vibration frequency of 2 Hz. Thereafter, a container was mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the developer discharge state was confirmed.

  As a result, in the configuration of Example 1, the developer was confirmed to be discharged immediately after the container was opened after the container was opened. On the other hand, in the configuration of the comparative example, the developer was not discharged from the developer supply container 1 for 10 minutes or more even when the rotation of the container was started.

  This is presumably because in the comparative example, the developer was present in the vicinity of the intake port 7d of the developer conveying portion 7a from the state before opening, and the developer was blocked in the vicinity of the intake port 7d. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, in the state before opening, since there is no developer in the vicinity of the intake port 7d of the developer conveying portion 7a, it is considered that this blockage did not occur even when tapping was performed.

  From the above examination results, the effectiveness of the present example could be confirmed.

  By the way, since the degree of blockage differs depending on the type of developer, the shape of the container body 1A, and the like, the opening area of the communication port 4 needs to be set to a size that allows the developer to pass through without being blocked. The intake port 7d desirably has a smaller opening area in order to obtain a stable quantitative discharge property and a dirt reduction effect. In this embodiment, the developer is transported to the buffer unit 1D without being blocked at the communication port 4, so that the opening area of the intake port (second opening) 7d is the communication port (first opening) 4. It is possible to make it smaller than the opening area. That is, this makes it possible to obtain a more stable quantitative discharge property and dirt reduction effect.

  Further, it is desirable that the buffer unit 1D is empty before the discharge port is opened. However, as long as the developer is not clogged in the developer conveying portion 7c, the developer may be somewhat interposed in the buffer portion 1D before the discharge port is opened.

(Example 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the first embodiment, the discharge port sealing member 2 and the communication port sealing member 5 are connected by the connecting member 6, whereas in the present embodiment, they are connected by the developer conveying portion 7c as shown in FIG. It is characterized by that.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the communication port sealing member 5 is attached to the developer conveying portion 7c and is configured to be movable integrally.

  The developer transport portion 7c of this embodiment includes an intake port 7d, a flow path 7e, an inclined plate 7f, and a cylindrical portion 7h. Moreover, the cylinder part 7h is provided with the engagement hole 7i, and can engage with the engagement part 2a provided in the discharge port sealing member 2. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Here, the state at the time of opening of the discharge port sealing member 2 in a present Example is demonstrated with FIG. 9 (a), (b). FIG. 9A shows the state before opening the sealing member, and FIG. 9B shows the state after opening the sealing member.

  When the discharge port sealing member 2 is opened, since the engaging portion 2a and the engagement hole 7i are engaged, the developer transport portion 7c moves so as to be pulled by the discharge port sealing member 2. And since the developer conveyance part 7c and the communication port sealing member 5 are comprised integrally, the communication port sealing member 5 also moves with the movement of the developer conveyance member 7c, and sealing of the communication port 4 is carried out. Canceled. Thereby, the developer can be conveyed from the storage unit 1C to the buffer unit 1D.

  According to the present embodiment, in addition to the operational effects of the first embodiment, the developer conveying portion 7c also serves as a connecting portion, so that the number of parts is reduced, and cost reduction and productivity can be facilitated.

  Further, the hole 7g provided in the developer conveying portion 7c for the connection member 6 to pass in the first embodiment can be eliminated. As a result, the leakage of the developer through the hole 7g and the obstruction of the transport path by the connecting member 6 are eliminated, and the discharging performance by the developer transport section 7c becomes more stable.

(Example 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in this embodiment, the opening center position of the communication port 4 is located at a position other than the rotation center axis of the container main body 1A, and the communication port 4 is positioned close to the inner peripheral surface 1e of the accommodating portion 1c. It is characterized by being arranged in. The opening center position referred to here is the position of the center of gravity in the opening area.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the central position of the communication port sealing member 5 is also provided at the same central position as the communication port 4. The partition member 3 is provided so as to partition a place other than the communication port 4. Other configurations are the same as those in the second embodiment.

  The state at the time of opening of the discharge port sealing member 2 in a present Example is shown to Fig.12 (a), (b). The connection configuration of the discharge port sealing member 2 and the developer transport portion 7c in this embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment. Therefore, as described in the second embodiment, the communication port sealing member 5 is opened in conjunction with the opening of the discharge port sealing member 2, and the developer can be conveyed from the storage portion 1c to the buffer portion 1d. Become.

  When the communication port 4 is positioned below the container main body 1A as shown in FIG. 12B, the developer can pass through the communication port 4 only by being transported by the developer transport member 7a. Therefore, it is preferable that the position of the communication port 4 is closer to the inner peripheral surface of the container because the developer can be more easily transported to the buffer unit 1D.

  In the present embodiment, since the developer conveying portion 7c moves in conjunction with the discharge port sealing member 2 as in the second embodiment, productivity is easy and stable discharge performance is obtained. be able to. Further, it is not necessary to scoop up and convey the developer by the developer feeding unit 7b or the like, and the developer can be conveyed to the buffer unit 1D only by the developer conveying unit 7a, so that the configuration becomes simple.

1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an image forming apparatus main body in which the present invention is used. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view near a developer supply device. 4 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a developer supply container according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view near a developer discharge port according to Embodiment 1. FIG. (A), (b) is sectional drawing which showed the state at the time of the developer outlet opening concerning Example 1. FIG. (A), (b), (c) is the cross-sectional perspective view which showed the flow of the developer in the developer conveyance part which concerns on Example 1. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a developer supply container according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view near a discharge port according to Embodiment 2. FIG. (A), (b) is sectional drawing which showed the state at the time of the developer outlet opening concerning Example 2. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a developer supply container according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view near a developer discharge port according to Embodiment 3. FIG. (A), (b) is sectional drawing which showed the state at the time of the developer outlet opening concerning Embodiment 3 of this invention opening. It is the fragmentary sectional perspective view which showed the example of the developer supply container of a comparative example. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the vicinity of a discharge port of a developer supply container of a comparative example.

Explanation of symbols

1 developer supply container 1c container (first container)
1d buffer section (second housing section)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a Developer discharge port 2 Discharge port sealing member 3 Partition member 4 Communication port (1st opening part)
5 communication port sealing member (first opening sealing member)
6 connecting member 7c developer conveying portion 7d intake port (second opening)
7e Flow path (conveying pipe)
100 Electrophotographic copying machine body (image forming apparatus body)

Claims (7)

It is configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, and is rotated by receiving a drive from the image forming apparatus main body while being attached to the image forming apparatus main body. In the developer supply container discharged from the outlet,
A first containing portion for containing a developer;
A second container for receiving the developer discharged from the first opening provided in the first container;
A second opening for taking in the developer in the second container, and conveyance for conveying the developer provided in the second container from the second opening toward the developer discharge port by rotation of the container; A developer conveying section comprising a tube,
A first opening sealing member that can seal the first opening and is opened when the developer is replenished;
A developer supply container characterized by comprising: The developer discharge port can be sealed, and a discharge port sealing member that is opened at the time of developer replenishment operation,
A connecting member that connects the discharge port sealing member and the first opening portion sealing member so as to open the first opening portion sealing member in conjunction with the opening operation of the discharge port sealing member;
The developer replenishing container according to claim 1, comprising: The first opening sealing member is attached to the developer transport unit, and the first opening sealing member and the developer transport unit are configured to be integrally movable,
The developer discharge port can be sealed, and a discharge port sealing member that is opened during the developer replenishment operation;
The discharge port sealing member and the developer transporting portion are provided in the discharge port sealing member, and the first opening portion sealing member is opened in conjunction with the opening operation of the discharge port sealing member. An engaging portion to be engaged;
The developer replenishing container according to claim 1, comprising:   2. The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein the first opening is disposed at a position close to an inner peripheral surface of the first storage portion.   5. The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein an opening area of the second opening is smaller than an opening area of the first opening. 6.   6. The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein the transport pipe has a bent shape.   7. The developer supply container according to claim 2, wherein the developer supply container rotates when the discharge port sealing member receives driving from the image forming apparatus main body.

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