JP2013003217A - Developer storage container and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developer storage container that stably supplies a large and constant amount of developer.SOLUTION: A toner cartridge 1 includes: a cylindrical toner bottle 2 that is driven around an axial line L1 to convey toner inside and discharge it from a toner bottle outlet 31; and a toner supply part 3 that rotatably supports the toner bottle 2, temporarily stores the toner discharged from the toner bottle outlet 31, and discharges the toner from a supply part outlet 5 to the outside. The toner bottle 2 is located in the toner supply part 3, and has a vent hole 34 formed opposite the toner bottle outlet 31 across the axial line L1.

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer storage container that stores a developer, and in particular, a developer storage container that discharges a developer stored by being rotated, a developer replenishing device including the developer storage container, and The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with the developer supply device.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a developing device visualizes an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of a photoreceptor with toner (developer). The toner used for developing the electrostatic latent image is stored in a toner container, and the toner is sequentially supplied from the toner container to the developing device.

  Since an image forming apparatus that operates at high speed consumes a large amount of toner, a toner container having a large capacity is used. Under such circumstances, in recent years, a toner cartridge that supplies toner to a developing device by rotating a toner container is known. Many of such rotating toner containers are formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and one end of the cylinder is closed and a discharge port is provided near the other end. Hereinafter, this toner container is referred to as a toner bottle.

  The toner cartridge including the toner bottle is disposed so that the rotation axis of the toner bottle is horizontal when the toner cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus. Furthermore, some toner bottles are provided with spiral protrusions on the inner peripheral surface. When the toner bottle is driven to rotate about the rotation shaft, the projecting portion provided on the inner peripheral surface conveys the toner while guiding the toner toward the discharge port, and the toner is discharged from the discharge port.

  Further, in a toner cartridge equipped with such a toner bottle, a toner that regulates the upper limit of the amount of toner discharged from the toner bottle near the toner bottle outlet and discharges a fixed amount of toner to the outside of the toner cartridge. A replenishment unit is provided. A conventional toner cartridge provided with such a toner replenishing section is shown in FIG. FIG. 10 shows a conventional toner bottle 20 provided in the conventional toner cartridge 101 shown in FIG. In the toner bottle 20 shown in FIG. 10, the toner bottle outlet 30 is provided near the outer periphery of the toner bottle on the end surface 29 of the toner bottle 20. As shown in FIG. 9, the toner cartridge 101 including the toner bottle 20 has a toner replenishment unit 3 that controls the amount of toner discharged from the toner bottle 20 above the vicinity of the toner bottle outlet 30. A discharge position regulation screen 6 is provided. The toner discharge position regulating screen 6 discharges toner from the supply unit discharge port 5 of the toner supply unit 3 when the toner bottle discharge port 30 is below the toner cartridge 101. On the contrary, when the toner bottle discharge port 30 is above the toner cartridge 101, the backflow of the toner discharged from the toner bottle 20 to the toner supply unit 3 is blocked.

  Thus, when the toner discharge position regulating screen 6 is provided, when the amount of toner in the toner bottle 2 is large, the toner in the toner bottle 20 blocks the toner bottle discharge port 30 from the inside, and the toner bottle 20 Prevent inflow of outside air into Therefore, the pressure in the toner bottle 20 does not drop. For this reason, the toner is prevented from being discharged from the toner bottle 20, and the amount of discharged toner is reduced.

JP 2007-102135 A

  However, the above conventional technique cannot stably discharge a large amount of toner from the toner cartridge. In particular, a large amount of toner cannot be stably discharged at the beginning of rotation (when rising) or at the end of rotation (when falling) of the toner bottle.

  For this reason, when a conventional toner cartridge is used in an image forming apparatus that operates at a high speed, the amount of toner replenished to the developing device is insufficient, causing problems such as an image abnormality and a long standby time for toner replenishment.

  Also, if the rotation speed of the toner bottle is increased in order to increase the amount of toner replenishment, the cost increases for securing the driving force, and problems such as wear of the rubbing portion of the toner bottle and heat generation due to friction may occur. To do.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a developer storage container capable of stably supplying a large amount of a constant amount of developer, and the developer storage. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus provided with a container.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the developer storage container according to the present invention has a cylindrical shape and is driven to rotate around an axis so that the developer stored therein is conveyed and discharged from the first discharge port. A developer container that surrounds the first discharge port, a cylindrical temporary storage portion that temporarily stores the developer discharged from the first discharge port, and a second discharge port that discharges the developer to the outside And a developer replenishing section that supports the developer container so as to be rotatable about the axis, and a developer replenishing section that conveys the developer from the temporary storage section to the second discharge port. A developer storage container that discharges the developer inside through the first discharge port and the second discharge port, wherein the developer replenishment section covers the first discharge port. It has an emission control part with a flat part installed in parallel with the vertical surface, When the developer container is rotated and the first discharge port comes below the installation direction of the developer container, the developer discharged from the developer container through the first discharge port is stored in the temporary storage unit. The developer container is located inside the developer replenishing portion and has a vent hole on the side opposite to the side where the first discharge port is provided with the axis as the center. It is characterized by having.

  When the developer is discharged from the developer container in a state where the developer container is filled with the developer, such that air is blocked from entering the developer container from the first discharge port by the developer. In some cases, the internal pressure of the developer container instantaneously decreases, and the developer discharge amount decreases.

  However, according to the above configuration according to the present invention, the developer container is located inside the developer replenishing portion, and has a vent hole on the side opposite to the side where the first discharge port is provided around the axis, Even when the first discharge port is closed, air flows into the developer container from the vent hole. Therefore, even when the developer container is full of developer, a decrease in the internal pressure of the developer container can be suppressed, and the developer discharge amount from the first discharge port can be stabilized.

  Furthermore, according to the above-described configuration of the present invention, the discharge amount of the developer can be made large and constant by having the discharge amount regulating portion. Specifically, when the developer container is rotated and the first discharge port comes to the lower part of the developer container in the installation direction and passes through the opening, the developer is easily discharged from the first discharge port in the gravity direction. The developer is discharged from the first discharge port to the developer supply unit through an opening provided in the flat portion of the discharge amount regulating unit. Further, when the developer container is rotated and the first discharge port comes to the upper side in the direction of installation of the developer container, the first discharge port and a surface installed in parallel with the vertical surface of the axis of the discharge amount regulating portion; From this gap, it becomes easy to draw outside air into the developer container, and a large amount of developer can be discharged from the developer container.

  As can be seen from the above, according to the above configuration, a large amount of a constant amount of developer can be stably supplied from the developer storage container regardless of the amount of developer in the developer container.

  In the developer container according to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the vent hole may be provided as a slit having a width of 1 mm or less.

  According to the above configuration, since the vent hole is provided as a slit having a width of 1 mm or less, air can be effectively flowed into the developer container while suppressing developer leakage from the vent hole. Therefore, the internal pressure of the developer container is unlikely to decrease, and a stable developer discharge amount can be obtained.

  In the developer container according to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the vent hole may be provided on a vertical surface of the developer container at the end of the developer container.

  According to the above configuration, toner gravity is not directly applied in the vicinity of the vent hole, and toner leakage from the vent hole can be suppressed.

  In the developer container according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, the first discharge port is inclined toward the upstream side in the developer conveyance direction in the axial direction from the vertical surface of the axis at the end of the developer container. It may be formed on the inclined surface.

  According to the above configuration, the first discharge port is formed on the inclined surface inclined toward the upstream side in the developer conveying direction in the axial direction with respect to the vertical surface of the developer container at the end of the developer container. . Therefore, when a large amount of developer is contained in the developer container, when the developer container is rotated around the axis, the developer in the vicinity of the first discharge port is agitated by the inclined surface and becomes easy to flow. At the same time, a large amount of developer can be discharged from the developer container through the first discharge port provided on the inclined surface.

  Further, in the developer container according to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the inclined surface has an angle of 20 degrees to 60 degrees with respect to a vertical plane of the axis, and is upstream of the developer conveyance direction on the axis. It is preferable to be inclined.

  According to the above configuration, since the inclined surface has an angle of 20 degrees to 60 degrees, a large amount of a constant stable amount of developer is appropriately discharged from the first discharge port divided into the plurality of openings. It becomes possible to do.

  In the developer container according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, the developer container is located at the end of the developer container, on the upstream side of the inclined surface of the developer container in the rotation direction of the developer container. A method of using the guide inclined surface, which has a developer retreat space that sinks to the inside of the container and is surrounded by a side surface provided on the side of the inclined surface and a guide inclined surface that is inclined in the inclination direction of the inclined surface. The line may be inclined downstream in the developer container rotation direction.

  Between the inclined surface on which the first discharge port is formed and the flat portion of the discharge amount regulating portion, the first discharge port is not moved unless the first discharge port comes to the position of the opening of the flat portion during rotation of the developer container. The developer discharged from the discharge port accumulates. If the developer container continues to rotate in such a state, the developer tends to aggregate due to stress due to frictional energy generated between the developer container and the flat portion of the discharge amount regulating portion.

  However, according to the above-described configuration according to the present invention, since the developer retracting space is provided, the developer discharged from the first discharge port and collected between the inclined surface and the flat portion of the discharge amount regulating portion is , And can move to the developer retracting space. Therefore, the stress of the developer can be reduced. The guide inclined surface surrounding the developer retracting space is inclined in the inclination direction of the inclined surface, and the normal line is inclined downstream in the developer container rotation direction. Therefore, by the rotation of the developer container, a force that pushes the developer toward the flat portion of the discharge amount regulating portion acts on the guide inclined surface. It works the same as a so-called screw. Therefore, when the guiding inclined surface comes to the position of the opening of the flat portion, the developer can be guided from the developer retracting space toward the opening of the flat portion. In this way, it is possible to prevent the developer from accumulating in the developer retracting space. Therefore, the stress applied to the developer can be reduced and discharged from the developer storage container.

  In addition, the inclination angle of the induction inclined surface may be the same as or different from the inclination angle of the inclined surface where the first discharge port is formed.

  In the developer container according to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the first discharge port may be divided into a plurality of openings.

  Here, when the amount of air in the developer container increases in the process of decreasing the developer in the developer container, the developer container is rotated, so that the developer in the developer container is stirred together with air. Therefore, it tends to be in a state where the fluidity becomes extremely high (aerosol state). At that time, the developer discharge amount may be remarkably increased. However, according to the above configuration according to the present invention, since the first discharge port is formed by being divided into a plurality of openings, it is possible to suppress oversupply when the flowability of the developer is high. Insufficient replenishment when the fluidity of the water is low can be prevented.

  In the developer container according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, the inclined surface includes a plurality of partial inclined surfaces that are continuous in the circumferential direction of the developer container, and the plurality of openings include the plurality of openings. Each may be formed on the partially inclined surface.

  According to the above configuration, the inclined surface is formed from a plurality of partial inclined surfaces that are continuous in the circumferential direction of the developer container, so that even if the opening area of the plurality of openings is widened, for example, a plurality of openings are provided by a seal tape The part can be surely sealed (sealed) without a gap. Here, the seal (tape) is a member for sealing the first discharge port so that the developer is not discharged from the developer container through the first discharge portion. The seal is removed when the developer container is in use (after being mounted on the image forming apparatus). According to the above configuration, it is possible to effectively prevent the leakage of the developer from the first discharge port during transportation of the developer storage container.

  Further, in order to solve the above problems, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the developer storage container described above is detachably mounted.

  According to the above configuration, since the developer storage container described above is detachably mounted, it is possible to always perform development by supplying an appropriate amount of developer. Accordingly, the developer can be replenished accurately, and an image can be formed while maintaining the quality of image quality. Further, it is possible to prevent the image forming apparatus from becoming large and increasing in cost.

  Since the developer storage container includes a developer replenishment unit, the developer storage container can be employed in an image forming apparatus that does not include a developer replenishment device between the developer storage container and the developing device.

  In the developer storage container of the present invention, as described above, the developer storage container for discharging the developer in the developer container to the outside via the first discharge port and the second discharge port, The developer replenishing section includes a discharge amount regulating section that covers the first discharge port and has a flat portion that is installed in parallel with the vertical plane of the axis. The developer container rotates on the flat portion. When the first discharge port comes to the lower side in the installation direction of the developer container, an opening is provided for allowing the developer discharged from the developer container through the first discharge port to pass to the temporary storage unit. The developer container is provided with a vent hole on the side opposite to the side where the first discharge port is provided with the axis as a center.

  The developer container is located inside the developer replenishment portion and has a vent hole on the side opposite to the side where the first discharge port is provided with the axis as the center, so that the first discharge port is closed. Even if it exists, air flows into the developer container from the vent hole. Therefore, even when the developer container is full of developer, a decrease in the internal pressure of the developer container can be suppressed, and the developer discharge amount from the first discharge port can be stabilized.

  Furthermore, according to the above-described configuration of the present invention, the discharge amount of the developer can be made large and constant by having the discharge amount regulating portion. Specifically, when the developer container is rotated and the first discharge port comes to the lower part of the developer container in the installation direction and passes through the opening, the developer is easily discharged from the first discharge port in the gravity direction. The developer is discharged from the first discharge port to the developer supply unit through an opening provided in the flat portion of the discharge amount regulating unit. Further, when the developer container is rotated and the first discharge port comes to the upper side in the direction of installation of the developer container, the first discharge port and a surface installed in parallel with the vertical surface of the axis of the discharge amount regulating portion; From this gap, it becomes easy to draw outside air into the developer container, and a large amount of developer can be discharged from the developer container.

  As can be seen from the above, according to the above configuration, a large amount of a constant amount of developer can be stably supplied from the developer storage container regardless of the amount of developer in the developer container.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration around a toner replenishing portion of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus equipped with a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a toner cartridge according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of a toner cartridge according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the vicinity of a discharge port of a toner bottle of a toner cartridge according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a shape of a toner discharge position regulating partition provided in a toner replenishing portion of the toner cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating an internal structure around a discharge port included in a toner replenishing portion of the toner cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration around a toner replenishing portion of a toner cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration around a toner replenishing portion of a conventional toner cartridge. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the vicinity of a first discharge port of a toner bottle of a conventional toner cartridge. 6 is a graph showing a comparison of toner discharge amounts when toner cartridges of Examples 1 and 2 and a comparative example are used. FIG.

[Embodiment 1]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is an example of an embodiment for carrying out the present invention, and is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention in which a toner cartridge (developer storage container) according to the present invention to be described later is used. . The image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described using the copying machine shown in FIG. 2 as an example. However, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to this, and an image of a printer, a facsimile machine, a copying machine, or the like. Any device that performs the formation may be used. In other words, any device that can detachably mount a toner cartridge according to the present invention, which will be described later, and performs image formation may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a document reading unit (scanner device) 43, an image forming unit 40, an electrophotographic process unit 60, and a sheet supply unit 50.

  The document reading unit 43 is arranged on the upper part of the image forming apparatus 100, reads a document, and creates image data.

  The image forming unit 40 is provided below the document reading unit 43 and includes a photoconductor 44, a charging device 45, and an exposure unit 46.

  The photosensitive member 44 is a substantially cylindrical electrostatic latent image carrier and is rotatably installed. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 44 according to image data created by the document reading unit 43 or image data transmitted from the outside via a communication network or the like.

  The charging device 45 is a device that uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductor 44 to a predetermined potential. As the charging device 45, a contact roller type charger, a contact brush type charger, a non-contact charger type charger, or the like can be used.

  The exposure unit 46 includes a laser beam scanner, and exposes the photoconductor 44 charged by the charging device 45 according to the image data, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image according to the image data on the surface of the photoconductor 44. .

  A cleaning unit 49 for removing toner (developer) remaining on the surface of the photoconductor 44 is provided around the photoconductor 44.

  The electrophotographic process unit 60 includes a developing device 47, a transfer unit 48, and a fixing unit 51.

  The developing device 47 is a device that supplies toner to the surface of the photoreceptor 44 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed, and develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image.

  Above the developing device 47, a toner replenishing device 10 including a toner cartridge 1 that contains toner and a toner hopper 13 is provided. The toner hopper 13 is supplied with toner from the toner cartridge 1. Details of the toner cartridge 1 will be described later.

  The transfer unit 48 transfers the toner image of the photoconductor 44 developed by the developing device 47 onto a sheet (recording paper, recording material) conveyed from the sheet supply unit 50.

  The fixing unit 51 fixes the image on the sheet on which the toner image is formed. The paper on which the toner image is fixed is discharged onto a paper discharge tray.

  Next, the toner cartridge (developer storage container) 1 of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the toner cartridge 1 includes a cylindrical toner bottle (developer container) 2 and a toner replenishment section (developer replenishment section) 3.

  The toner bottle 2 includes a bottomed cylindrical toner storage portion 21 that stores toner (developer) for replenishment, and a toner bottle discharge port (first discharge port) 31 that discharges toner in the toner storage portion 21. I have. The toner bottle 2 is driven to rotate about the axis L <b> 1, so that the toner stored in the toner bottle 2 (toner storage unit 21) is transported and discharged from the toner bottle discharge port 31.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the toner bottle 2 is located inside the toner replenishing portion 3, and has a vent hole 34 on the side opposite to the side where the toner bottle discharge port 31 is provided with the axis L <b> 1 as the center. It has. In this embodiment, the vent hole 34 is provided as a slit having a width of 1 mm or less. The shape of the air hole 34 may be any shape other than a slit having a width of 1 mm or less as long as air can flow into the toner bottle 2 while suppressing toner leakage.

  The toner replenishing unit 3 includes a toner replenishing unit outer wall (temporary storage unit) 3a surrounding the toner bottle discharge port 31 and a replenishing unit discharge port (second discharge port) 5 for discharging the toner to the outside. The toner discharged from the toner bottle discharge port 31 is temporarily stored inside the toner replenishing portion outer wall (temporary storage portion) 3a. In addition, the toner replenishing unit 3 includes a toner transporting member (conveying unit) 9 that transports toner from the inside of the toner replenishing unit outer wall 3 a to the replenishing unit discharge port 5.

  A minute gap (for example, about 1 mm) is formed between the air hole 34 and the toner replenishing portion outer wall 3a in order to suppress friction.

  In the present embodiment, the toner replenishing unit 3 has a cylindrical shape, surrounds a part of the toner bottle 2 including the toner bottle discharge port 31 over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface, and the toner bottle 2 around the axis L1. Support for rotation. By rotating the toner bottle 2 around the axis L1, the toner in the toner bottle 2 (toner storage unit 21) is discharged from the toner bottle discharge port 31 to the toner supply unit 3 and is transported by the toner transport member 9 to be replenished. The toner is discharged from the part discharge port 5 to the outside of the toner cartridge 1.

  Here, when the toner bottle 2 is full of toner, the toner is discharged from the toner bottle 2 in a state in which the toner is blocked from entering the toner bottle 2 from the toner bottle discharge port 31. As a result, the internal pressure of the toner bottle 2 may drop instantaneously, and the toner discharge amount may decrease.

  However, since the toner bottle 2 of the present embodiment includes the vent hole 34, air flows into the toner bottle 2 from the vent hole 34 even when the toner bottle discharge port 31 is closed. Therefore, even when the toner bottle 2 is full of toner, a decrease in internal pressure in the toner bottle 2 can be suppressed, and the amount of toner discharged from the toner bottle discharge port 31 can be stabilized.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 6, the toner replenishing unit 3 includes a toner discharge position regulating screen (discharge amount regulating unit) 6 that regulates the amount of toner discharged from the toner bottle discharge port 31. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the toner discharge position regulating partition 6 has a flat portion 6 a that covers the toner bottle discharge port 31 and is installed in parallel with the vertical surface of the axis L <b> 1. The toner bottle 2 is rotated on the flat surface portion 6a, and when the toner bottle discharge port 31 comes to the lower part of the toner bottle 2 in the installation direction (lower part of the toner cartridge 1), the toner replenishing part 3 receives toner from the toner bottle 2. A notch (passage port) 6b is provided for passing through the temporary storage section.

  The toner is discharged as follows by the toner discharge position regulating partition 6 provided with the notch 6b in the flat portion 6a. When the toner bottle 2 is rotated and the toner bottle discharge port 31 provided on the inclined surface 32 comes to the lower portion in the installation direction of the toner bottle 2 and passes through the notch 6b, the toner bottle discharge port provided on the inclined surface 32 is discharged. The toner is easily discharged from the outlet 31 in the direction of gravity. The toner is discharged from the toner bottle discharge port 31 to the toner supply unit 3 through the notch 6b. Further, when the toner bottle 2 is rotated and the toner bottle discharge port 31 provided on the inclined surface 32 comes to the upper part in the installation direction of the toner bottle 2, the following occurs. It becomes easier to draw outside air into the toner bottle 2 through a gap between the toner bottle discharge port 31 provided on the inclined surface 32 and the flat surface portion 6a installed in parallel with the vertical surface of the axis L1 of the toner discharge position regulating partition 6. A large amount of toner can be discharged from the toner bottle 2.

  Here, the toner discharge position regulating screen 6 is arranged so that the notch 6 b of the flat surface portion 6 a is at the lowest point in the installation direction of the toner bottle 2. With this arrangement, the toner discharged from the notch 6b is most susceptible to the influence of gravity.

  As can be seen from the above, the toner cartridge 1 of the present embodiment can stably supply a large amount and a constant amount of toner regardless of the amount of toner in the toner bottle 2. If the air hole 34 is provided as a slit having a width of 1 mm or less, air can be effectively introduced into the toner bottle 2 while suppressing toner leakage from the air hole 34. In addition, since the toner cartridge 1 includes the toner replenishing section 3 that surrounds the periphery of the toner bottle discharge port 31, an increase in size and cost of the image forming apparatus 100 can be prevented.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, toner guide protrusions 4, which are a plurality of convex portions protruding to the inside of the toner containing portion 21, are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the toner bottle 2. The toner guide protrusion 4 is formed in a spiral shape that is divided (interrupted) corresponding to the rotation direction of the toner bottle 2. As a result, the toner bottle 2 rotates around the axis L 1, so that the toner in the toner container 21 is conveyed (guided) along the toner guide protrusion 4 toward the toner bottle discharge port 31.

  In addition, a stirring base 2b including a drive connection recess 2a is provided in a cylindrical shape at the end (tip) of the toner bottle 2 on the downstream side in the toner conveyance direction in the direction of the axis L1. As shown in FIG. 4, the stirring base 2 b is formed in a cylindrical shape having a diameter smaller than that of the toner containing portion 21. The toner bottle 2 is connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 by the drive connection recess 2 a and receives a rotational driving force transmitted from the image forming apparatus 100.

  Next, the shape around the toner bottle outlet 31 will be described in more detail.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the toner bottle discharge port 31 is located upstream of the toner conveyance direction upstream in the direction of the axis L <b> 1 with respect to the vertical surface of the axis L <b> 1 of the toner bottle 2. An inclined surface 32 inclined by an angle θ is provided.

  When a large amount of toner is contained in the toner bottle 2, when the toner bottle 2 is rotated around the axis L <b> 1, the toner near the toner bottle discharge port 31 is agitated by the inclined surface 32 and becomes easy to flow. At the same time, a large amount of toner can be discharged from the toner bottle 2 from the toner bottle discharge port 31 provided on the inclined surface 32.

  Therefore, the toner cartridge 1 having the toner bottle 2 of the present embodiment is similar to the toner cartridge 101 having the conventional toner bottle 20 shown in FIGS. Compared to the case where the bottle 20 is provided on the end surface 29 which is the vertical surface of the axis, a large amount of toner can be discharged stably.

  When the toner in the toner bottle 2 is reduced, the toner bottle 2 is rotated, so that the toner in the toner bottle 2 is easily stirred, and the toner discharge port 31 is blocked by the toner in the toner bottle 2. Time is reduced and it becomes easier to draw outside air into the toner bottle 2. Therefore, a large amount of toner can be continuously discharged.

  Here, the angle θ of the inclined surface 32 is preferably in the range of 20 degrees to 60 degrees. Since the inclined surface 32 has an angle of 20 degrees to 60 degrees, it is possible to appropriately discharge a large amount and a constant amount of toner from the toner bottle discharge port 30 appropriately. Further, it is preferable that the angle θ of the inclined surface 32 is larger as the image forming apparatus 100 is operated at higher speed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the toner bottle 2 has a retreat space 33 that sinks to the inside of the toner bottle 2 at the end of the inclined surface 32 on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the toner bottle 2. The retreat space 33 is a space surrounded by a side surface provided on the side of the inclined surface 32 upstream of the rotation direction of the toner bottle 2 and a guide inclined surface 35 inclined in the inclination direction of the inclined surface 32. Further, the normal direction of the guide inclined surface 35 is inclined downstream in the rotation direction of the toner bottle 2.

  As described above, since the toner bottle 2 has the retreat space 33, the toner discharged from the toner bottle discharge port 31 and accumulated between the inclined surface 32 and the flat portion 6 a moves to the retreat space 33. be able to. Therefore, the stress of the toner can be alleviated.

Here, the guide inclined surface 35 is inclined in the inclination direction of the inclined surface 32, and the normal line is inclined downstream in the rotation direction of the toner bottle 2. Therefore, as the toner bottle 2 rotates, a force that pushes toward the flat portion 6 a of the toner discharge position regulating partition 6 acts on the guide inclined surface 35. It works the same as a so-called screw. Therefore, when the guiding inclined surface 35 comes to the position of the opening 6b of the flat portion 6a, the toner can be guided from the retreat space 33 toward the notch 6b. In this way, toner can be prevented from collecting in the retreat space 33.
The edge 35 a of the guide inclined surface 35 is disposed in non-contact with the toner supply unit 3. That is, a minute gap is provided between the edge 35 a of the guide inclined surface 35 and the toner supply unit 3. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the toner from being rubbed and stressed between the edge 35a of the guide inclined surface 35 and the toner replenishing portion 3.

  The length of the guide inclined surface 35 in the direction of the axis L1 is preferably longer in the designable range, but is preferably longer than the length of the toner bottle discharge port 31 in the direction of the axis L1. When the length of the guide inclined surface 35 in the direction of the axis L1 is equal to or longer than the length of the toner bottle discharge port 31 in the direction of the axis L1, toner is easily discharged from the notch 6b of the flat portion 6a of the toner discharge position regulating partition 6. Become. Therefore, it is possible to prevent toner from being collected in the retreat space 33.

  Next, the conveyance of the toner discharged from the toner bottle 2 to the replenishment portion discharge port 5 will be described. FIG. 7 shows a cut perspective view of the toner supply unit 3 at the supply unit discharge port 5. As shown in FIG. 7, the toner discharged from the toner bottle 2 to the toner replenishing unit 3 is transported to the replenishing unit discharge port 5 by the toner transporting member 9 that rotates in synchronization with the toner bottle 2, and is external to the toner cartridge 1. To be discharged. When the toner bottle 2 rotates around the axis L1 and the toner bottle discharge port 31 passes through the notch 6b, the toner in the toner bottle 2 is discharged to the toner replenishing unit 3 and the toner transport member 9 Can be prevented from flowing back from the toner replenishing portion 3 to the toner bottle 2. Therefore, the amount of toner discharged from the replenishing portion discharge port 5 to the outside of the toner cartridge 1 is further stabilized.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the toner cartridge according to the present invention is applied to the image forming apparatus 100 as shown in FIG. 2 has been described. However, the toner cartridge according to the present invention is provided with the toner cartridge and the developing device, or provided so that the toner cartridge and the developing device can be mounted. The present invention is not limited to a forming apparatus or a copying machine, and can be applied to other image forming apparatuses.

(Example)
An experiment was conducted to examine the relationship between the amount of toner remaining in the toner bottle and the amount of toner discharged from the toner cartridge. In the experiment, toner cartridges of Examples 1 and 2 below and a toner cartridge of a comparative example were prepared.

  The toner cartridge of Example 1 has the shape of the toner cartridge 1 of Embodiment 1 described above, a slit having a width of 1 mm and a length of 4 mm is provided as the air hole 34 of the toner bottle 2, and the toner bottle discharge port 31 is provided. The inclined angle of the surface 32 was set to θ = 0 degrees. In the first embodiment, the evacuation space 33 is not provided.

  The toner cartridge of Example 2 has the shape of the toner cartridge 1 of Embodiment 1 described above, a slit having a width of 1 mm and a length of 4 mm is provided as the air hole 34 of the toner bottle 2, and the toner bottle discharge port 31 is provided. The inclined angle of the surface 32 was set to θ = 40 degrees. In the second embodiment, the retreat space 33 is provided.

  The toner cartridge of the comparative example has the shape of the conventional toner cartridge 101 described with reference to FIGS. That is, the toner bottle of the toner cartridge of the comparative example is not provided with a vent hole, and the inclination angle of the inclined surface 32 provided with the toner bottle discharge port 30 is θ = 0 degrees. Also in the comparative example, no evacuation space is provided.

  In the toner cartridges of Examples 1 and 2 and the comparative example, all except for the presence / absence of a toner bottle vent, the difference in the inclination angle of the surface provided with the toner bottle discharge port, and the presence / absence of the retreat space 33 Same configuration. In Examples 1 and 2 and the comparative example, the area of the toner bottle discharge port is also the same. In Examples 1 and 2 and the comparative example, the same amount of toner was initially stored in the toner bottle.

  The results of experiments using the toner cartridges of Examples 1 and 2 and the comparative example are shown in Table 1 and FIG. From Table 1 and FIG. 11, it can be seen that a larger amount of toner was stably discharged in Example 1 in which the vent holes were provided in the toner bolt than in the comparative example. In Example 2 in which the toner bottle discharge port is provided on the inclined surface in addition to the vent hole, and the retreat space is further provided, it can be seen that more toner is discharged. In addition, it can be seen that even when the amount of toner remaining in the toner bottle is large, Example 1 and Example 2 discharge more toner than the comparative example.

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a toner bottle 200 included in the toner cartridge according to the second embodiment. In the following, only the configuration different from that of the first embodiment will be described, and description of the same configuration will be omitted.

  Unlike the toner bottle 2 of the first embodiment, in the toner bottle 200 of the present embodiment, the toner bottle outlet 310 is divided into a first opening 31a and a second opening 31b. Further, in the toner bottle 200, the air hole 34 a is provided on the end surface 36 that is a vertical surface of the axis of the toner bottle 200.

  By providing the air hole 34a on the end surface 36 of the toner bottle 200 as in the present embodiment, the gravity of the toner near the air hole rather than providing the air hole 34 on the outer peripheral curved surface of the toner bottle 2 as in the first embodiment. The toner leakage can be suppressed without being applied directly.

  The shape around the toner bottle outlet 310 will be described in more detail. In this embodiment, the toner bottle discharge port 310 is divided into two, but may be divided into three or more. In FIG. 8, the first opening 31a and the second opening 31b are different in size and shape, but may be the same. The toner in the toner bottle 200 is discharged to the toner replenishing portion 3 from the toner bottle discharge port 310 divided into the first opening portion 31a and the second opening portion 31b.

  Here, the area of the toner bottle discharge port depends on the discharge amount (discharge speed) at a predetermined rotation speed when a certain amount (for example, full) of toner is stored in the toner bottle 200 (toner supply unit 210). It is determined. Therefore, the area (total area) obtained by adding the area of the second opening 31b to the area of the first opening 31a may be set to the area determined by the discharge amount as described above.

  Further, the first opening 31a and the second opening 31b are inclined surfaces that are inclined at an angle θ toward the upstream side in the toner conveyance direction in the direction of the axis L1 with respect to the vertical surface of the axis L1 of the toner bottle 200 at the end of the toner bottle 200 320 is provided. The inclined surface 320 includes a first inclined plane 32 a and a second inclined plane 32 b that are a plurality of partial inclined surfaces that are continuous in the circumferential direction of the toner bottle 200. Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the angle inside the toner bottle formed by the first inclined plane 32 a and the second inclined plane 32 b is less than 180. This angle formed by the first inclined plane 32a and the second inclined plane 32b is passively determined from the width (length in the circumferential direction) of the first opening 31a and the second opening 31b. That is, the line of intersection between the first inclined plane 32 a and the second inclined plane 32 b protrudes toward the outer peripheral surface side of the toner bottle 200.

  The first opening 31a and the second opening 31b are formed in the first inclined plane 32a and the second inclined plane 32b, respectively. Thus, in this embodiment, although there are two continuous partial inclined surfaces, three or more may be sufficient. One or more openings may be provided on one partial inclined surface.

  In the toner cartridge 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the toner bottle discharge port 310 is divided into the first opening 31a and the second opening 31b, and the first opening 31a and the second opening 31b are It is formed on the inclined surface 320 at the end of the toner bottle 200. The inclined surface 320 is inclined at an angle θ with respect to the vertical surface of the toner bottle 200 on the axis L1 on the upstream side in the toner conveyance direction in the axis direction.

  Therefore, when a large amount of toner is contained in the toner bottle 200, when the toner bottle 200 is rotated about the axis L1, the toner divided into the first opening 31a and the second opening 31b by the inclined surface 320. The toner in the vicinity of the bottle outlet 310 is agitated and easily flows. At the same time, a large amount of toner can be discharged from the toner bottle 200 from the toner bottle discharge port 310 provided on the inclined surface 320 and divided into the first opening 31 a and the second opening 31 b. Because of such a configuration, like the toner bottle 20 of the conventional toner cartridge 101 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the toner bottle outlet 30 is at the end of the toner bottle 20 on the vertical surface of the axis L <b> 1 of the toner bottle 20. A large amount of toner can be stably discharged by a fixed amount as compared with the case where the toner is provided on a certain end surface 29.

  Here, in the process in which the toner in the toner bottle 200 decreases, when the amount of air in the toner bottle 200 increases, the toner bottle 200 is rotated, so that the toner in the toner bottle 200 is agitated together with the air and flows. It tends to be in a state (aerosol state) where the property is extremely high. At that time, the amount of toner discharged may increase remarkably (toner avalanche). However, since the toner bottle discharge port 310 is divided into a plurality of (two in this embodiment) openings, oversupply when the toner fluidity is high can be suppressed, and the toner fluidity. It is possible to prevent insufficient replenishment when is low.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the inclined surface 320 includes the first inclined plane 32a and the second inclined plane 32b that are continuous in the circumferential direction of the toner bottle 200, and includes the first opening 31a and the second opening 31b. Are formed on the first inclined plane 32a and the second inclined plane 32b, respectively.

  As described above, the inclined surface 320 is formed of the first inclined plane 32a and the second inclined plane 32b that are continuous in the circumferential direction of the toner bottle 200, so that the opening of the first opening 31a and / or the second opening 31b is formed. Even if the area is increased, for example, the first opening 31a and the second opening 31b can be surely sealed (sealed) without a gap by a sealing tape.

  Here, the seal (tape) is a member for sealing the toner bottle discharge port 310 so that the toner is not discharged from the toner bottle 200 through the toner bottle discharge port 310. The seal is removed when the toner bottle 200 is used (after being attached to the image forming apparatus 100). According to this configuration, it is possible to reliably prevent toner leakage from the toner bottle 200 when the toner cartridge is transported.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made. 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.

  The present invention can be applied to a toner cartridge used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, for example, a printer, a copier, a facsimile, a multi function printer (MFP), and the like.

1 Toner cartridge (developer storage container)
2 Toner bottle (developer container)
2a Drive connection recess 3 Toner supply part (developer supply part)
3a Toner supply part outer wall 4 Toner guide protrusion (convex part)
5 Supply port outlet (second outlet)
6 Toner discharge position control screen (Discharge amount control section)
6a Plane part 6b Notch (passage port)
9 Toner transport member (transport section)
9b Toner conveying blade 10 Toner replenishing device 20 Conventional toner bottle 21 Toner container 29 End surface of conventional toner bottle 30 Conventional toner bottle outlet 31, 310 Toner bottle outlet (first outlet)
31a First opening (opening)
31b Second opening (opening)
32,320 Inclined surface 32a First inclined plane (partial inclined surface)
32b Second inclined plane (partially inclined plane)
34, 34a Ventilation hole 33 Retraction space (developer retraction space)
35 guide inclined surface 35a edge 47 developing device 100 image forming device 101 conventional toner cartridge

Claims (9)

A developer container that has a cylindrical shape and is driven to rotate around an axis to convey the developer contained therein and discharge the developer from the first discharge port;
A cylindrical temporary storage portion that surrounds the periphery of the first discharge port and temporarily stores the developer discharged from the first discharge port, a second discharge port that discharges the developer to the outside, and the temporary storage portion A developer replenishment unit that supports the developer container so as to be rotatable about the axis, and a conveyance unit that conveys the developer from the first discharge port to the second discharge port.
A developer storage container for discharging the developer in the developer container to the outside via the first discharge port and the second discharge port;
The developer replenishing section includes a discharge amount regulating section that covers the first discharge port and has a flat portion that is installed in parallel with the vertical plane of the axis. The developer container rotates on the flat portion. When the first discharge port comes below the installation direction of the developer container, a passage port through which the developer discharged from the developer container through the first discharge port passes to the temporary storage unit is provided. And
The developer container is provided with a vent hole on a side opposite to the side on which the first discharge port is provided with the axis as a center, the developer container being located inside the developer replenishing portion. container.   The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the vent hole is provided as a slit having a width of 1 mm or less.   The first discharge port is formed on an inclined surface inclined at an upstream side in a developer conveying direction in the axial direction from a vertical surface of the axial line of an end portion of the developer container. The developer storage container according to 2.   4. The developer according to claim 3, wherein the inclined surface has an angle of 20 degrees to 60 degrees with respect to a vertical plane of the axis, and is inclined upstream in the developer transport direction on the axis. Storage container. The developer container sinks to the inside of the developer container on the upstream side of the developer container in the rotation direction of the inclined surface at the end of the developer container, and a side surface provided on the side of the inclined surface. And a developer retreat space surrounded by a guide inclined surface inclined in the inclination direction of the inclined surface,
5. The developer storage container according to claim 3, wherein a normal line of the guide inclined surface is inclined downstream in a rotation direction of the developer container. 6.   The developer storage container according to claim 3, wherein the first discharge port is divided into a plurality of openings. The inclined surface is composed of a plurality of partial inclined surfaces that are continuous in the circumferential direction of the developer container,
The developer storage container according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of openings are formed in the plurality of partial inclined surfaces, respectively.   8. The developer storage container according to claim 1, wherein the vent hole is provided on a vertical surface of the developer container at an end of the axis. 9.   An image forming apparatus, wherein the developer storage container according to claim 1 is detachably mounted.

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