JP2015087673A - Cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cartridge capable of surely preventing the inflow of developer from a developer storage part to a development part in a peripheral part of the upper part of a communication port.SOLUTION: A cartridge 1 comprises: a toner storage part 5 storing toner; a development part 47 supporting a development roller 2; a communication port 44 communicating the development part 47 with the toner storage part 5; and a rotary member 51 moving to an open position for opening the communication port 44 and a closed position for closing the communication port 44. A top open and close part 55 located upper than a rotary shaft 53 of the rotary member 51 is made to contact with a protrusion wall 46 constituting a peripheral part above the communication port 44, with contact pressure larger than the contact pressure, against a continuous part 36D of a bottom wall 36 constituting a peripheral part below the communication port 44, of a bottom open and close part 54 located lower than the rotary shaft 53.

Description

  The present invention relates to a cartridge mounted on an image forming apparatus employing an electrophotographic system.

  As an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, there is known an image forming apparatus including an image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image and a developing cartridge that supplies a developer to the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier.

  As a developing cartridge mounted on such an image forming apparatus, for example, a toner accommodating chamber that accommodates toner, a developing chamber that includes a developing roller and a supply roller, and an opening between the toner accommodating chamber and the developing chamber are opened and closed. There has been proposed a developing device including a partition member (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2008-176015 A

  In the developing device described in Patent Document 1, the partition member has a rotation shaft, an upper end portion provided on the upper side of the rotation shaft, and a lower end portion provided on the lower side of the rotation shaft. . And when a partition member closes an opening part, it contact | abuts to the upper wall of opening in the upper end part, and contact | abuts to the lower wall of opening in the lower end part.

  However, since a predetermined dimensional error usually occurs in the partition member and the upper and lower walls of the opening, the upper end of the partition member contacts the upper wall of the opening and the lower end of the partition member against the lower wall of the opening. It is difficult to realize the contact of the two at the same time.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a cartridge that can reliably prevent the developer from flowing from the developer accommodating portion to the developing portion at the peripheral edge above the communication port.

(1) In order to achieve the above-described object, the cartridge of the present invention includes a housing and a developer carrier configured to carry the developer.

  The housing includes a developer accommodating portion that accommodates the developer, a developing portion that supports the developer carrying member, a communication port that communicates the developing portion and the developer accommodating portion, and an open position that opens the communication port; A pivot member configured to pivot to a closed position for closing the communication port.

  The rotating member includes a rotating shaft, and a first portion configured to extend upward from the rotating shaft and to contact with a peripheral portion above the communication port in the housing in a state where the rotating member is in the closed position. And a second member configured to extend downward from the pivot shaft in contact with the lower peripheral edge of the communication port in the housing or to face each other with a gap therebetween in a state where the pivot member is in the closed position. And a portion.

  In a state where the rotating member is in the closed position, the contact pressure of the first portion with respect to the peripheral portion above the communication port is larger than the contact pressure of the second portion with respect to the peripheral portion below the communication port.

  Here, the toner accommodated in the lower end portion of the toner accommodating chamber is pressed by the weight of the toner, and therefore has a lower fluidity than the toner accommodated above and can be sealed relatively easily. it can. On the other hand, the toner accommodated in the upper end portion of the toner accommodating chamber has higher fluidity than the toner accommodated below and is difficult to seal.

  However, according to such a configuration, in a state where the rotating member is in the closed position, the rotating member comes into contact with the peripheral portion above the communication port with a contact pressure larger than the contact pressure with respect to the peripheral portion below the communication port. To do.

  Therefore, the 1st part of a rotation member can be made to contact reliably with respect to the peripheral part above a communicating port.

As a result, it is possible to reliably suppress the developer from flowing from the developer accommodating portion to the developing portion at the peripheral portion above the communication port.
(2) The second portion may be configured to contact the peripheral edge below the communication port in a state where the rotating member is in the closed position.

  According to such a configuration, the contact pressure of the first portion against the peripheral portion above the communication port can be reliably brought into contact with the peripheral portion above the communication port. The second portion of the rotating member can be brought into contact with the lower peripheral portion of the communication port with a smaller contact pressure.

As a result, it is possible to reliably suppress the developer from flowing from the developer accommodating portion to the developing portion even at the peripheral portion below the communication port.
(3) One of the peripheral portion above the communication port and the first portion has a first elastic member configured to contact the other of the peripheral portion above the communication port and the first portion. May be.

According to such a configuration, the first elastic member can more reliably prevent the developer from flowing from the developer accommodating portion to the developing portion.
(4) The second portion may include a second elastic member configured to contact a peripheral edge below the communication port.

  According to such a structure, the impact of the contact of the 2nd part of the rotation member with respect to the peripheral part below a communicating port can be buffered by the 2nd elastic member.

Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the sound when a 2nd part contacts the peripheral part below the communicating port can be reduced.
(5) With the rotating member in the closed position, the dimension from the rotating shaft to the upper end of the first portion may be shorter than the dimension from the rotating shaft to the lower end of the second portion.

  According to such a configuration, the first portion can be brought into contact with the peripheral portion above the communication port with a contact pressure that is surely greater than the contact pressure with respect to the peripheral portion below the communication port.

  According to the cartridge of the present invention, it is possible to reliably suppress the developer from flowing from the developer accommodating portion to the developing portion at the peripheral portion above the communication port.

FIG. 1 is a central sectional view of a developing cartridge as an example of the cartridge of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a central sectional view of a printer to which the developing cartridge shown in FIG. 1 is mounted. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the base frame shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the shutter shown in FIG. 1 and shows a state where the swinging member of the shutter is located at the closed position. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the shutter shown in FIG. 1 and shows a state in which the swing member of the shutter is located at the open position. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a first modification of the developing cartridge. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a second modification of the developing cartridge. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a third modification of the developing cartridge.

1. Overview of Developing Cartridge As shown in FIG. 1, a developing cartridge 1 as an example of a cartridge includes a developing roller 2 as an example of a developer carrier, a supply roller 3, a layer thickness regulating blade 4, and a developer container. And a toner container 5 as an example.

  In the following description, when referring to the direction of the developing cartridge 1, the state in which the developing cartridge 1 is horizontally placed is used as the upper and lower reference. That is, the upper side in FIG. 1 is the upper side, and the lower side in FIG. 1 is the lower side. Further, the left side of FIG. 1 is the front, and the right side of FIG. 1 is the rear. In addition, when the developing cartridge 1 is viewed from the front, the left and right reference is used. That is, the front side of the page of FIG. 1 is the right side, and the back side of the page is the left side.

  The developing roller 2 is rotatably supported at the rear end portion of the developing cartridge 1.

  The supply roller 3 is disposed on the front lower side of the developing roller 2. The supply roller 3 is rotatably supported by the developing cartridge 1. The supply roller 3 is in contact with the front lower end portion of the developing roller 2.

  The layer thickness regulating blade 4 is disposed on the front upper side of the developing roller 2. The layer thickness regulating blade 4 is in contact with the front end portion of the developing roller 2.

  The toner storage unit 5 is disposed in front of the supply roller 3. The toner storage unit 5 is configured to store toner as an example of a developer. The toner storage unit 5 includes an agitator 6.

The agitator 6 is rotatably supported in the toner storage unit 5.
2. Use Mode of Developer Cartridge As shown in FIG. 2, the developer cartridge 1 is mounted on an image forming apparatus 11 and used.

  The image forming apparatus 11 is an electrophotographic monochrome printer. The image forming apparatus 11 includes an apparatus main body 12, a process cartridge 13, a scanner unit 14, and a fixing unit 15.

  The apparatus main body 12 is formed in a substantially box shape. The apparatus main body 12 includes an opening 16, a top cover 17, a paper feed tray 18, and a paper discharge tray 19.

  The opening 16 is disposed at the front upper end of the apparatus main body 12. The opening 16 communicates the inside and outside of the apparatus main body 12 in the direction connecting the front upper side and the rear lower side so as to allow the process cartridge 13 to pass.

  The top cover 17 is disposed at the upper end portion of the apparatus main body 12. The top cover 17 has a substantially flat plate shape extending in the front-rear direction. The top cover 17 is swingably supported by the upper end portion of the rear wall of the apparatus body 12 with the rear end portion as a fulcrum. The top cover 17 opens or closes the opening 16.

  The paper feed tray 18 is disposed at the bottom of the apparatus main body 12. The paper feed tray 18 is configured such that the paper P is placed thereon.

  The paper discharge tray 19 is disposed in the rear half of the top cover 17. The paper discharge tray 19 is recessed downward from the top surface of the top cover 17 so that the paper P is placed thereon.

  The process cartridge 13 is disposed at the approximate center of the apparatus main body 12 in the vertical direction. The process cartridge 13 is configured to be attached to or detached from the apparatus main body 12 through the opening 16. The process cartridge 13 includes a drum cartridge 20 and a developing cartridge 1.

  The drum cartridge 20 includes a photosensitive drum 21, a scorotron charger 22, and a transfer roller 23.

  The photosensitive drum 21 is rotatably supported at the rear end portion of the drum cartridge 20.

  The scorotron charger 22 is disposed above the photosensitive drum 21 and spaced from the photosensitive drum 21.

  The transfer roller 23 is disposed behind the photosensitive drum 21. The transfer roller 23 is in contact with the rear end portion of the photosensitive drum 21.

  The developing cartridge 1 is mounted on the drum cartridge 20 so that the developing roller 2 is in contact with the front lower end of the photosensitive drum 21 at the front lower side of the photosensitive drum 21. The developing cartridge 1 can be attached to or detached from the drum cartridge 20.

  The scanner unit 14 is disposed in front of the process cartridge 13 in the front end portion of the apparatus main body 12. The scanner unit 14 is configured to emit a laser beam L based on image data toward the photosensitive drum 21.

  The fixing unit 15 is disposed above the process cartridge 13. The fixing unit 15 includes a heating roller 24 and a pressure roller 25 that is pressed against the rear upper end of the heating roller 24.

  When the image forming apparatus 11 starts an image forming operation, the scorotron charger 22 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. The scanner unit 14 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image based on the image data is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21.

  The agitator 6 agitates the toner in the toner storage unit 5 and supplies it to the supply roller 3. The supply roller 3 supplies the toner supplied from the agitator 6 to the developing roller 2. At this time, the toner is frictionally charged positively between the developing roller 2 and the supply roller 3 and is carried on the developing roller 2. The layer thickness regulating blade 4 regulates the layer thickness of the toner carried on the developing roller 2 to a constant thickness.

  Then, the toner carried on the developing roller 2 is supplied to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. As a result, the toner image is carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21.

  The paper P is fed from the paper feed tray 18 between the photosensitive drum 21 and the transfer roller 23 one by one at a predetermined timing by the rotation of various rollers. The toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is transferred to the paper P when the paper P passes between the photosensitive drum 21 and the transfer roller 23.

Thereafter, the sheet P is heated and pressed when passing between the heating roller 24 and the pressure roller 25. As a result, the toner image on the paper P is thermally fixed to the paper P. Thereafter, the paper P is discharged to the paper discharge tray 19.
3. Details of Developing Cartridge As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the developing cartridge 1 includes a developing frame 31 as an example of a housing.

The developing frame 31 has a substantially box shape extending in the left-right direction. The developing frame 31 supports the developing roller 2, the supply roller 3, the layer thickness regulating blade 4, and the agitator 6 described above. The development frame 31 includes a base frame 32, a cover frame 33, and a shutter 34.
(1) Base frame As shown in FIG. 3, the base frame 32 has a bottomed frame shape in which an upper end portion and a rear end portion are opened. The base frame 32 includes a pair of side walls 35, a lower wall 36, and a front wall 37.

  Each of the pair of side walls 35 is disposed at each of both end portions of the base frame 32 in the left-right direction. Each of the pair of side walls 35 has a substantially flat plate shape that is substantially rectangular in a side view extending in the front-rear direction.

  The lower wall 36 is disposed at the lower end of the base frame 32. Each of the left and right ends of the lower wall 36 is continuous with the lower ends of the pair of side walls 35. The lower wall 36 includes a first portion 36A, a second portion 36B, and a third portion 36C.

  The first portion 36 </ b> A is disposed in the front half of the lower wall 36. The first portion 36A has a substantially arc shape in sectional view. The substantially center of the first portion 36A in the front-rear direction is recessed downward.

  The second portion 36B is disposed behind the first portion 36A. The second portion 36B has a substantially arc shape in sectional view. The second portion 36B continues to the rear end portion of the first portion 36A and extends rearward so as to curve along the outer peripheral surface of the supply roller 3.

  The third portion 36C is disposed below the developing roller 2 behind the second portion 36B. The third portion 36C has a substantially linear shape in cross section. The third portion 36C is continuous with the rear end portion of the second portion 36B and extends rearward.

The front wall 37 is disposed at the front end of the base frame 32. The front wall 37 has a substantially flat plate shape extending continuously upward from the front end portion of the lower wall 36. Each of the left and right end portions of the front wall 37 is continuous with the respective front end portions of the pair of side walls 35.
(2) Cover Frame The cover frame 33 is disposed above the base frame 32 as shown in FIG. The cover frame 33 has a substantially rectangular flat plate shape extending in the left-right direction in plan view. The cover frame 33 includes a bulging portion 40 and a protruding wall 46.

  The bulging portion 40 is disposed in the front half of the cover frame 33. The bulging portion 40 has a substantially cylindrical shape that bulges upward from the upper surface of the cover frame 33. The upper end portion of the bulging portion 40 is closed and the lower end portion is opened.

  In the rear half of the cover frame 33, the protruding wall 46 is disposed above the continuous portion 36D of the first portion 36A and the second portion 36B of the lower wall 36 with a space therebetween. The protruding wall 46 has a substantially flat plate shape that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the cover frame 33.

A communication port 44 is formed between the protruding wall 46 and the continuous portion 36 </ b> D of the lower wall 36. That is, the lower end portion 46 </ b> A of the protruding wall 46 is an example of a peripheral portion above the communication port 44, and the continuous portion 36 </ b> D of the lower wall 36 is an example of a peripheral portion below the communication port 44. A portion of the developing frame 31 that is disposed in front of the communication port 44 is the toner storage unit 5. In the developing frame 31, a portion disposed behind the communication port 44 is a developing unit 47. That is, the developing unit 47 supports the developing roller 2, the supply roller 3, and the layer thickness regulating blade 4.
(3) Configuration Regarding Opening and Closing of Shutter The shutter 34 is disposed in front of and above the supply roller 3 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. In the following description of the shutter 34, description will be made based on the state shown in FIG. The shutter 34 includes a rotating member 51 as an example of a rotating member, and a coil spring 52.

  The rotating member 51 has a substantially flat plate shape extending in the left-right direction. The rotating member 51 swings between a closed position (see FIG. 1) extending in the vertical direction so as to close the communication port 44 and an open position (see FIG. 5) extending in the front-rear direction so as to open the communication port 44. Is possible. The rotating member 51 includes a rotating shaft 53, a lower opening / closing part 54 as an example of a second part, an upper opening / closing part 55 as an example of a first part, and a contact part 56.

  The rotation shaft 53 is disposed at the approximate center of the rotation member 51 in the vertical direction. The rotation shaft 53 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction. Each of both ends in the left-right direction of the rotation shaft 53 is swingably supported on each of the pair of side walls 35 above the supply roller 3.

  The lower opening / closing portion 54 continuously protrudes from the front lower end portion of the rotation shaft 53 toward the front lower side and extends in the left-right direction. The lower opening / closing part 54 has a substantially rectangular flat plate shape when viewed from the front. The front lower end portion of the lower opening / closing portion 54 is slightly curved downward toward the front lower side along the peripheral surface of the supply roller 3. The front lower end portion of the lower opening / closing portion 54 is slightly spaced from the continuous portion 36D of the lower wall 36 in a state where the rotating member 51 is located at the closed position. The lower opening / closing part 54 includes a film member 57 as an example of a second elastic member.

  The film member 57 is supported by the front lower end portion of the lower opening / closing portion 54. The film member 57 has a substantially rectangular flat plate shape extending in the left-right direction. The film member 57 is a film made of a flexible material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The rear upper end portion of the film member 57 is fixed to the rear surface of the front lower end portion of the lower opening / closing portion 54. The front lower end portion of the film member 57 projects forward and downward from the front lower end portion of the lower opening / closing portion 54 and is in contact with the continuous portion 36D of the lower wall 36 while being bent.

  The upper opening / closing portion 55 continuously protrudes upward from the upper end portion of the rotation shaft 53 and extends in the left-right direction. The upper opening / closing part 55 has a substantially rectangular flat plate shape when viewed from the front. An upper end portion 55 </ b> A of the upper opening / closing portion 55 is in contact with a lower end portion 46 </ b> A of the protruding wall 46. A distance D1 between the center axis A1 of the rotation shaft 53 and the upper end portion 55A of the upper opening / closing portion 55 is shorter than a distance D2 between the center axis A1 of the rotation shaft 53 and the front lower end portion 57A of the film member 57. Further, a straight line L1 connecting the central axis A1 of the rotation shaft 53 and the upper end 55A of the upper opening / closing portion 55, and a straight line L2 connecting the central axis A1 of the rotation shaft 53 and the front lower end 57A of the film member 57 are provided. The formed angle θ1 is a straight line L4 connecting the central axis A1 of the rotation shaft 53 and the lower end portion 46A of the protruding wall 46, and a straight line L4 connecting the central axis A1 of the rotation shaft 53 and the continuous portion 36D of the lower wall 36. Is smaller than the angle θ2 formed by.

  The contact portion 56 is disposed at the left end portion of the rotating member 51. The contact portion 56 has a substantially prismatic shape protruding forward from the front surface of the lower opening / closing portion 54.

  The coil spring 52 is wound around the left end portion of the rotating shaft 53. One end of the coil spring 52 is locked to the left side wall 35. The other end of the coil spring 52 is locked to the first opening / closing part of the rotating member 51. Thereby, the coil spring 52 urges the rotating member 51 counterclockwise as viewed from the right side so as to always go to the closed position.

  The agitator 6 is disposed in front of the shutter 34. The agitator 6 includes an agitator shaft 61, a cam member 63, and a stirring blade 62.

  The agitator shaft 61 has a substantially prismatic shape extending in the left-right direction. Each of the left and right end portions of the agitator shaft 61 is rotatably supported by the respective front end portions of the pair of side walls 35.

  The cam member 63 is supported on the left end portion of the agitator shaft 61 so as not to be relatively rotatable. The cam member 63 faces the front of the contact portion 56 of the shutter 34. The cam member 63 has a substantially flat plate shape having a thickness in the left-right direction. The cam member 63 includes a large diameter portion 63A, a small diameter portion 63B, and a displacement portion 63C.

  The large-diameter portion 63A has a substantially fan shape in a side view with a central angle of about 90 ° with the rotation axis A2 of the agitator shaft 61 as a center. The radius R1 of the large diameter portion 63A is the same over the entire circumferential direction of the large diameter portion 63A. The radius R1 of the large diameter portion 63A is longer than the distance D between the front end portion of the contact portion 56 and the rotational axis A2 of the agitator shaft 61 in a state where the rotating member 51 is located at the closed position. Thereby, it is possible to contact the contact portion 56 of the shutter 34.

  The small diameter portion 63B is continuously arranged downstream of the large diameter portion 63A in the clockwise direction when viewed from the right side. The small-diameter portion 63B has a substantially fan shape in a side view with a central angle of approximately 60 ° with the rotation axis A2 of the agitator shaft 61 as a center. The radius R2 of the small diameter portion 63B is smaller than the radius R1 of the large diameter portion 63A and is the same over the entire circumferential direction of the small diameter portion 63B. The radius R1 of the small diameter portion 63B is shorter than the distance D between the front end portion of the contact portion 56 and the rotation axis A2 of the agitator shaft 61 in a state where the rotating member 51 is located at the closed position. That is, the small diameter portion 63B cannot engage with the contact portion 56 of the shutter 34.

  The displacement part 63C is continuously arranged downstream in the clockwise direction in the right side view of the small diameter part 63B, and at the downstream end in the clockwise direction in the right side view in the right side view, the upstream part in the clockwise direction in the right side view in the large diameter part 63A. It is continuous. The displacement part 63 </ b> C has a substantially semicircular shape in side view having a center different from the rotation axis A <b> 2 of the agitator shaft 61. That is, the rotation axis A2 of the agitator shaft 61 is eccentric with respect to the center of the displacement portion 63C. The distance between the peripheral surface of the displacement portion 63C and the rotation axis A2 of the agitator shaft 61 is gradually reduced as it goes in the clockwise direction when viewed from the right side. A distance R3 between the peripheral surface of the upstream end portion in the clockwise direction of the displacement portion 63C and the rotation axis A2 of the agitator shaft 61 is the same as the radius R1 of the large diameter portion 63A. Further, a distance R4 between the peripheral surface of the downstream end portion in the clockwise direction of the displacement portion 63C and the rotation axis A2 of the agitator shaft 61 is the same as the radius R2 of the small diameter portion 63B. That is, the displacement portion 63C can engage with the contact portion 56 of the shutter 34 at the upstream end portion in the clockwise direction when viewed from the right side, and engage with the contact portion 56 of the shutter 34 at the downstream end portion in the clockwise direction when viewed from the right side. It is impossible.

The stirring blade 62 has a substantially flat plate shape extending in the left-right direction. The stirring blade 62 is a film made of a flexible material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The stirring blade 62 is fixed to the agitator shaft 61 at one end thereof so as to overlap the small diameter portion 63B of the cam member 63 in a side view. The other end of the stirring blade 62, that is, the free end, extends outward from the cam member 63 in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis A2 of the agitator shaft 61 so as to contact the lower inner surface of the base frame 32. .
(4) Shutter Open / Close Operation Next, the operation of the shutter 34 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the developing cartridge 1 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 11 with an inclination so that a rear end portion thereof is directed rearward and upward. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, before the driving force is input to the developing cartridge 1, the rotation member 51 of the shutter 34 is located at the closed position.

  In the image forming operation described above, when a driving force is input to the developing cartridge 1, the agitator shaft 61 rotates counterclockwise as viewed from the right side. As a result, the cam member 63 rotates counterclockwise in the right side view about the rotation axis A2 of the agitator shaft 61. In the following description, the counterclockwise direction viewed from the right side is referred to as a rotation direction R.

  Then, the downstream end portion in the rotation direction R of the large-diameter portion 63A of the cam member 63 comes into contact with the contact portion 56 of the shutter 34 from below and presses the contact portion 56 upward.

  Thereby, the rotating member 51 rotates counterclockwise from the closed position to the open position against the urging force of the coil spring 52.

  Next, when the agitator 6 further rotates, the rotating member 51 is maintained in the open position by the contact between the contact portion 56 of the shutter 34 and the large diameter portion 63A of the cam member 63.

  At this time, the stirring blade 62 supplies the toner in the toner storage unit 5 toward the developing unit 47 through the communication port 44.

  Next, when the agitator 6 further rotates, as shown in FIG. 5, the stirring blade 62 rotates at the timing when the contact between the contact portion 56 of the shutter 34 and the large diameter portion 63 </ b> A of the cam member 63 is released. The member 51 is brought into contact with the lower opening / closing portion 54 from below. Thereby, the rotation member 51 is maintained in the open position by the stirring blade 62. At this time, the downstream end portion in the rotational direction R of the displacement portion 63 </ b> C of the cam member 63 is positioned below the contact portion 56 of the shutter 34.

  Next, when the agitator 6 is further rotated, the stirring blade 62 passes through the front of the lower opening / closing portion 54 while being bent, and the downstream end portion in the rotation direction R of the displacement portion 63C of the cam member 63 is the contact portion 56 of the shutter 34. It contacts from below.

  When the agitator 6 further rotates, the rotating member 51 is viewed from the right side as viewed from the open position toward the closed position so that the abutting portion 56 follows the peripheral surface of the displacement portion 63C by the biasing force of the coil spring 52. As shown in FIG. 4, it returns to the closed position gradually and continuously turning counterclockwise.

  At this time, the rotating member 51 further conveys the toner conveyed toward the developing unit 47 by the agitator 6 toward the supply roller 3 and the developing roller 2.

  At this time, the rotating member 51 contacts the protruding wall 46 at the upper end portion 55A of the upper opening / closing portion 55, and contacts the continuous portion 36D of the lower wall 36 while being bent at the front lower end portion of the film member 57.

  As the film member 57 bends, the contact pressure of the film member 57 with respect to the continuous portion 36 </ b> D of the lower wall 36 becomes smaller than the contact pressure of the upper opening / closing part 55 with respect to the protruding wall 46. That is, the contact pressure of the upper opening / closing part 55 with respect to the protruding wall 46 is larger than the contact pressure of the film member 57 with respect to the continuous portion 36 </ b> D of the lower wall 36.

Thereby, the rotation member 51 is reliably in contact with the protruding wall 46 in the upper opening / closing part 55 and is reliably positioned at the closed position.
4). Action of shutter when disturbance is applied to developing cartridge When developing cartridge 1 is not used, as shown in FIG. 1, rotating member 51 of shutter 34 is located at the closed position. Further, the toner storage unit 5 stores the toner T up to a position indicated by a broken line in FIG.

  At this time, the toner accommodated in the lower end portion of the toner accommodating portion 5, more specifically, the toner accommodated in the vicinity of the lower end portion of the rotating member 51 located in the closed position is pressed by the total weight of the toner. The toner is pressed and hardened as compared with the toner contained above.

  For this reason, the toner accommodated in the lower end portion of the toner accommodating portion 5 hardly contains air and has low fluidity. On the other hand, the toner accommodated in the upper end portion of the toner accommodating portion 5 contains a relatively large amount of air and has high fluidity.

  Then, when a disturbance such as shaking or impact is applied to the developing cartridge 1 while the developing cartridge 1 is being transported, the relatively high-fluidity toner accommodated above flows.

  At this time, as described above, the rotating member 51 contacts the protruding wall 46 at the upper end portion 55A of the upper opening / closing portion 55, and contacts the continuous portion 36D of the lower wall 36 while bending at the front lower end portion of the film member 57. doing.

  That is, the rotating member 51 is pressed against the protruding wall 46 at the upper opening / closing portion 55 with a contact pressure larger than the contact pressure of the film member 57 with respect to the continuous portion 36 </ b> D of the lower wall 36.

  As a result, the toner in the toner container 5 is prevented from passing between the upper opening / closing part 55 and the protruding wall 46 and flowing into the developing part 47.

Even when the main casing 12 is transported with the developing cartridge 1 mounted, it is possible to suppress the leakage of toner from the developing cartridge 1 as in the case of transporting only the developing cartridge 1.
5. Action Effect (1) According to the developing cartridge 1, as shown in FIG. 1, the rotating member 51 contacts the protruding wall 46 at the upper end portion 55A of the upper opening / closing portion 55, and at the front lower end portion of the film member 57. Then, it contacts the continuous portion 36D of the lower wall 36 while being bent.

  That is, the rotating member 51 is in contact with the protruding wall 46 with a contact pressure larger than the contact pressure with respect to the continuous portion 36D of the lower wall 36 in the closed position.

  Therefore, the upper opening / closing part 55 of the rotating member 51 can be reliably brought into contact with the protruding wall 46.

As a result, in the upper opening / closing part 55, it is possible to reliably suppress the toner from flowing from the toner containing part 5 into the developing part 47.
(2) According to the developing cartridge 1, as shown in FIG. 1, the lower opening / closing part 54 of the rotating member 51 contacts the continuous portion 36D of the lower wall 36 in a state where the rotating member 51 is in the closed position. A film member 57 is provided.

  For this reason, the upper opening / closing portion 55 of the rotating member 51 can be reliably brought into contact with the protruding wall 46, but the lower opening / closing portion 54 with a contact pressure smaller than that of the upper opening / closing portion 55 with respect to the protruding wall 46. Can be brought into contact with the continuous portion 36D of the lower wall 36.

As a result, in the lower opening / closing part 54, it is possible to reliably suppress the toner from flowing from the toner containing part 5 into the developing part 47.
(3) According to the developing cartridge 1, as shown in FIG. 1, the impact of the contact of the lower opening / closing portion 54 of the rotating member 51 with respect to the continuous portion 36D of the lower wall 36 is buffered by bending the film member 57. can do.
(4) According to the developing cartridge 1, as shown in FIG. 1, the distance D1 between the center axis A1 of the rotation shaft 53 and the upper end 55A of the upper opening / closing portion 55 is the same as the center axis A1 of the rotation shaft 53. It is shorter than the distance D2 with the front lower end 57A of the film member 57.

Therefore, the upper opening / closing portion 55 can be brought into contact with the protruding wall 46 with a contact pressure that is surely greater than the contact pressure of the lower opening / closing portion 54 with respect to the continuous portion 36 </ b> D of the lower wall 36.
6). Modification (1) First Modification In the above-described embodiment, the lower opening / closing part 54 of the rotation member 51 has the film member 57, and the film member 57 contacts the continuous portion 36 </ b> D of the lower wall 36. ing.

  On the other hand, in the first modification, as shown in FIG. 6, the lower opening / closing part 54 of the rotating member 51 may not have the film member 57. In this case, the lower opening / closing portion 54 does not contact the continuous portion 36 </ b> D of the lower wall 36 and faces each other with an interval. That is, the contact pressure of the lower opening / closing part 54 with respect to the continuous part 36D of the lower wall 36 is zero.

Also in the first modified example, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment.
(2) Second Modified Example In the second modified example, as shown in FIG. 7, the upper opening / closing part 55 of the rotating member 51 may include a seal member 58 as an example of a first elastic member. . The seal member 58 is made of, for example, a resin sponge and is compressed between the upper opening / closing portion 55 and the protruding wall 46. In this case, the contact pressure of the seal member 58 with respect to the protruding wall 46 is larger than the contact pressure of the film member 57 with respect to the continuous portion 36 </ b> D of the lower wall 36.

  According to the second modified example, the seal member 58 can more reliably prevent the toner from flowing from the toner containing portion 5 into the developing portion 47.

  Also in the second modified example, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment.

  The seal member 58 can be provided on the protruding wall 46.

The seal member 58 can also be formed from an elastic material such as rubber.
(3) Third Modification The above-described first modification and second modification can be combined.

  That is, in the third modification, the upper opening / closing part 55 of the rotating member 51 has a seal member 58 made of rubber, and the lower opening / closing part 54 of the rotating member 51 does not have a film member 57.

Also in the third modified example, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment.
(4) Other Modified Examples The developing roller 2 described above is an example of a developer carrying member, but the developer carrying member includes a developing sleeve, a developing belt, a brush-like roller, etc. in addition to the developing roller 2. It is.

  The film member 57 described above is an example of a second elastic member. However, the second elastic member includes a plate-like member made of rubber or sponge in addition to the film member 57.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Developing cartridge 2 Developing roller 5 Toner accommodating part 31 Developing frame 36D Continuous part 44 Communication port 46 Protruding wall 47 Developing part 51 Rotating member 53 Rotating shaft 54 Lower opening / closing part 55 Upper opening / closing part 57 Film member 58 Seal member D1 Distance D2 distance

Claims (5)

A housing and a developer carrier configured to carry the developer;
The housing is
A developer accommodating portion for accommodating the developer;
A developing unit for supporting the developer carrying member;
A communication port communicating the developing unit and the developer containing unit;
A rotating member configured to rotate to an open position for opening the communication port and a closed position for closing the communication port;
The rotating member is
A pivot axis;
A first portion configured to extend upward from the pivot shaft and to contact a peripheral edge of the housing above the communication port in a state where the pivot member is in a closed position;
In a state where the rotating member is in the closed position, the rotating member extends downward from the rotating shaft, and is configured to come into contact with a lower peripheral edge portion of the communication port in the housing or to face each other with a gap therebetween. A second part,
In the state where the rotating member is in the closed position, the contact pressure of the first portion with respect to the peripheral portion above the communication port is higher than the contact pressure of the second portion with respect to the peripheral portion below the communication port. A cartridge that is large. 2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the second portion is configured to contact the peripheral portion below the communication port in a state where the rotating member is in a closed position. One of the peripheral portion and the first portion above the communication port is configured to be in contact with the other of the peripheral portion and the first portion above the communication port. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is characterized by comprising: The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second portion includes a second elastic member configured to contact the peripheral edge below the communication port. In a state where the rotating member is in the closed position, a dimension from the rotating shaft to the upper end portion of the first part is shorter than a dimension from the rotating shaft to the lower end portion of the second part. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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