JP2015148644A - Developer storage section, image forming unit, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect the amount of residual toner with high accuracy.SOLUTION: A developer storage section includes: displacement regulation units 30-1, 40-1 for regulating displacement of developer; a conveyance member 43 arranged turnably vertically above the displacement regulation units, to convey the developer along a regulation direction of the displacement regulation units; a detection member 44 which is arranged turnably, turns in a range according to the amount of residual developer as the conveyance member turns, and detects the developer; and an agitation member 45 arranged between the detection member and the displacement regulation units, to rock as the conveyance member turns.

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer container used in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic process.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic process, there is a toner remaining amount management unit that manages a toner remaining amount in an image forming unit or a toner container that replenishes toner in order to detect that the toner has been consumed. It was. Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2013-15625 (Patent Document 1) discloses a toner residue that is disposed in a toner storage unit in an image forming unit and detects the remaining amount of toner based on the rotation state of a toner stirring member that stirs the toner. A quantity detection mechanism is disclosed. When the agitating member rotates, it is faster than the rotational speed of the drive shaft until it abuts against the surface on which the toner is accumulated from above in the vertical direction, and can be rotated by free fall due to its own weight.

JP 2013-15625 A

  However, the conventional technique has a problem that the stirring member sinks downward from the toner accumulation surface depending on the conditions when the stirring member freely falls, and is detected as a remaining amount less than the actual toner remaining amount.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a developer container that can detect the remaining amount of toner with higher accuracy without hindering the supply of toner when detecting the remaining amount of toner.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the developer accommodating portion according to the present invention is disposed so as to be freely rotatable in a vertically upward direction of the movement restricting portion and a movement restricting portion that restricts the movement of the developer, and a restriction direction of the movement restricting portion And a detection member that detects the developer by rotating the range according to the amount of the residual developer as the conveyance member rotates. And a stirring member disposed so as to be swingable with the rotation of the transport member between the detection member and the movement restricting portion.

  According to the present invention having the above-described configuration, the detection member rotates the range corresponding to the amount of the residual developer as the conveying member rotates, and detects the developer. Therefore, it is possible to provide a developer container that can detect the remaining amount of developer with higher accuracy without sinking downward from the toner accumulation surface.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an image forming unit 11 relating to the first embodiment. It is a side view which shows the structure of the stirring and conveyance member 43 regarding 1st Embodiment. It is an external view which shows the structure of the detection member 44 regarding 1st Embodiment. It is an external view which shows the structure of the stirring member 45 regarding 1st Embodiment. It is an external view which shows the structure of the synchronizing member 46 regarding 1st Embodiment. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a part of the configuration of a wall surface of a frame 60 of the image forming unit 11. FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an assembly state of a toner remaining amount detection mechanism according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the image forming apparatus 1 relating to the first embodiment. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the appearance of the image forming unit 11 relating to the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of a toner remaining amount detection mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the remaining toner amount detection mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the remaining toner amount detection mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the remaining toner amount detection mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming unit 11, and an exposure device 14 is installed with a predetermined gap. The medium tray 15 has a separation roller 17 that stores the medium P and separates the medium P one by one. A conveyance roller 18, a transfer device 19 that transfers toner T onto the medium P, a fixing device 20 that fixes toner T transferred onto the medium P, and a paper discharge roller 21 are installed in the medium conveyance path 16 of the medium P. The paper discharge tray 23 holds the medium P after printing.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the image forming unit 11 according to the first embodiment. A frame 60 is formed on the outer periphery of the image forming unit 11. The frame 60 includes a toner storage chamber 30 serving as a developer storage section that stores toner T and a development chamber 40 that contributes the toner T to development. The developing chamber 40 supplies the toner T to the photosensitive drum 13 that forms the electrostatic latent image, the developing roller 31 that carries and conveys the toner T that develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 13, and the developing roller 31. And a supply roller 33.

The toner storage chamber 30 as a developer storage section is provided with an agitation / transport member 43 as a transport member for transporting the toner T along the first wall portion 30-1. The agitation / conveyance member 43 is rotatably arranged vertically above the first wall portion 30-1. In the toner storage chamber 30, in order to move the toner T from the stirring / conveying member 43 to the supply roller 33, a first wall portion serving as a first movement restricting portion that restricts the movement of the toner T along the restricting direction. 30-1 is formed. The first wall 30-1 regulates the movement of the toner T in a range from the upstream side of the agitation / conveyance member 43 in the toner T conveyance direction to a partition 42 described later.
The developing chamber 40 is formed with a second wall portion 40-1 as a second movement restricting portion for restricting the movement of the toner T in order to move the toner T from the stirring / conveying member 43 to the supply roller 33. . The second wall portion 40-1 is disposed on the opposite side of the first wall portion 30-1 across the partition portion 42, and restricts the movement of the toner T in a range from the partition portion 42 to the supply roller 33.

  The first wall 30-1 of the toner storage chamber 30 is formed in an arc shape, and the second wall 40-1 of the developing chamber 40 is also formed in an arc shape. The partition portion 42 is formed between the toner storage chamber 30 and the developing chamber 40. The partition portion 42 is shaped like a mountain together with the first wall portion 30-1 and the second wall portion 40-1, whereby the image forming unit 11 is separated from the toner storage chamber 30 and the developing chamber 40. It is divided into two rooms.

  The image forming unit 11 also includes a charging roller 32 that contacts the photosensitive drum 13 to charge the photosensitive drum 13, a developing blade 34 that thins the toner T on the developing roller 31, and an untransferred toner on the photosensitive drum 13. And a waste toner storage chamber 50 for storing the toner T scraped off by the cleaning blade 39.

  Further, the image forming unit 11 includes a stirring / conveying member 43, a detection member 44, a stirring member 45, and a synchronization member 46 that constitute the toner remaining amount detection mechanism 100. The toner storage chamber 30 is provided with an agitating / conveying member 43. The toner T in the toner accommodating chamber 30 is agitated and charged by the rotation of the agitating / conveying member 43, and mechanically developed beyond the partition 42. It is conveyed to the chamber 40 and supplied to the supply roller 33. In the developing chamber 40, a detection member 44 for detecting the remaining amount of toner is rotatably provided. As will be described later, the detection plate 442 stays in contact with the toner accumulation surface without entering the toner accumulation surface. Accordingly, the detection member 44 rotates within a range corresponding to the remaining amount of toner. Further, a stirring member 45 is provided in the developing chamber 40 and has a function of stirring the toner T in the developing chamber 40. A synchronizing member 46 is provided in the vicinity of the partition portion 42. The synchronization member 46 is for taking a timing of rotation of the stirring / conveying member 43, the detection member 44, and the stirring member 45 and for transmitting a driving force to the detection member 44 and the stirring member 45.

  Next, the agitation / conveyance member 43, the detection member 44, the agitation member 45, and the synchronization member 46 constituting the remaining toner amount detection mechanism 100 according to the present embodiment will be specifically described. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the configuration of the agitation / conveyance member 43 relating to the first embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the stirring / conveying member 43 includes a rotating shaft 432 and blades 431 a and 431 b provided on the rotating shaft 432. The blades 431a and 431b are arranged linearly with the rotation shaft 432 interposed therebetween. Further, of the blades 431 a and 431 b, the distance from at least one blade 431 a from the rotation shaft 432 is set to a length that rubs the bottom of the toner storage chamber 30. At least one of the blades 431a has flexibility. An eccentric cam 433 is attached to the end of one or both sides of the rotating shaft 432. The rotary shaft 432 is attached to a shaft hole 55 provided in the wall surface of the frame 60 shown in FIG. 7 so as to rotate in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a part of the configuration of the wall surface of the frame 60 of the image forming unit 11. Thus, the toner T is stirred and charged by the rotation of the blades 431a and 431b of the stirring / conveying member 43.

  FIG. 4 is an external view showing the configuration of the detection member 44 according to the first embodiment. 4A is a perspective view of the detection member 44, FIG. 4B is a side view of the detection member 44, and FIG. 4C is an explanatory view showing the front of the detection member 44. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the detection member 44 for detecting the remaining amount of toner is provided with shafts 441a and 441b, a detection plate 442, and an engaging portion 443. The detection plate 442 is a rectangular plate that comes into contact with the toner T in order to detect the remaining amount of toner. Shafts 441a and 441b are formed on an extension of one side of the long side of the rectangular shape of the detection plate 442. The detection member 44 is driven by a synchronization member 46 as will be described later. The synchronization member 46 is driven by the rotation of the stirring / conveying member 43. Therefore, the detection member 44 rotates with the rotation of the stirring / conveying member 43.

As the detection member 44 rotates, the detection plate 442 stays in contact with the toner T accumulation surface T-40 (see FIG. 13) without entering the toner accumulation surface as described later. This is because the so-called surface tension of the toner T is superior to the rotational force of the detection plate 442 as a result of the plate-shaped detection plate 442 being placed substantially parallel to the deposition surface T-40 of the toner T.
Further, the detection member 44 contacts the deposition surface T-40 of the toner T and then rotates above the deposition surface T-40. Therefore, the detection member 44 rotates in a range corresponding to the remaining amount of toner T.

  The shaft 441a is rotatably attached to a shaft hole 54 provided in the wall surface of the frame 60 shown in FIG. Further, the detection plate 442 is urged in a downward direction (see arrow B) approaching the supply roller 33 located below the detection plate 442 by a spring member 84 provided at the end of the shaft 441a as shown in FIG. Yes. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an assembled state of the remaining toner amount detection mechanism according to the first embodiment. That is, the stirring / conveying member 43, the detection member 44, the stirring member 45, and the synchronization member 46 constituting the toner remaining amount detection mechanism 100 are combined.

  The detection plate 442 of the detection member 44 moves up and down in the space in the developing chamber 40 by the rotation of the detection member 44. When it rises, it moves away from the supply roller 33 located below the detection plate 442, and when it goes down, it approaches the supply roller 33. The engaging portion 443 is integrally provided with the detection plate 442 on one or both sides of the shafts 441a and 441b. The lower side of the engaging portion 443 engages with the foot 464a of the synchronization member 46. Thus, the driving force when the detection plate 442 of the detection member 44 rises is transmitted from the synchronization member 46. The engaging portion 443 and the detection plate 442 are provided at a predetermined angle (θ1 = 22 degrees), and the engaging portion 443 is in the upper position. The detection plate 442 is made of a material that has rigidity and is difficult to deform.

  As described above, the detection member 44 is biased by the spring member 84 in the downward direction (arrow B direction) approaching the supply roller 33 located below the detection member 44. That is, when the detection member 44 rotates in the direction away from the second wall 40-1, that is, the supply roller 33 (the direction opposite to the arrow B), it engages with the foot 464a of the second lever 464 of the synchronization member 46. By engaging with the joint portion 443, it operates in conjunction with the rotation of the stirring / conveying member 43. On the other hand, when the detection member 44 rotates in the direction approaching the second wall portion 40-1 (arrow B direction), if the toner T remains in the developing chamber 40, the second lever 464. The engagement between the foot 464a and the engaging portion 443 is released. When the toner T does not remain in the developing chamber 40, the foot 464 a of the second lever 464 and the engaging portion 443 are maintained in an engaged state, so that the stirring / conveying member 43 is interlocked with the rotation. Works.

  FIG. 5 is an external view showing the configuration of the stirring member 45 relating to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the stirring member 45 includes a stirring bar 451, and an engaging portion 452 extending at a right angle from both ends of the stirring bar 451 is provided. A guide protrusion 453 is provided on at least one of the end portions of the stirring bar 451 of the stirring member 45. The guide protrusion 453 is inserted into the guide groove 48 that is recessed vertically upward on the wall surface of the frame 60 shown in FIG. 7, so that the stirring bar 451 operates along the guide groove 48 to stir the toner T. I have to. A fitting hole 452-1 is provided at the distal end of the engaging portion 452, and is rotatably fitted to the foot 464b of the second lever 464 of the synchronization member 46. In this way, the engaging portion 452 of the stirring member 45 is moved up and down by the driving force transmitted from the second lever 464 of the synchronizing member 46.

  The stirring member 45 is swingably disposed, but is connected to the foot 464b of the second lever 464 of the synchronizing member 46, and the first lever 463 of the synchronizing member 46 is connected to the eccentric cam 433 of the stirring / conveying member 43. Always in contact. Accordingly, the stirring member 45 swings along the guide groove 48 of the frame 60 between the detection plate 442 and the second wall portion 40-1 as the stirring / conveying member 43 rotates.

  FIG. 6 is an external view showing the configuration of the synchronization member 46 according to the first embodiment. The synchronization member 46 is provided between the agitation / conveyance member 43 and the detection member 44, and transmits the rotation of the agitation / conveyance member 43 to the detection member 44. The synchronizing member 46 is also connected to the stirring member 45, and transmits the rotation of the stirring / conveying member 43 to the stirring member 45. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the synchronization member 46 is provided with a first lever 463 and a second lever 464 in a cylindrical portion 461 serving as an axis. The first lever 463 and the second lever 464 are not in a linear positional relationship across the cylindrical portion 461 but in a relationship having an inclination of θ2≈150 degrees. The first lever 463 is in contact with an eccentric cam 433 that is coaxial with the stirring / conveying member 43. Thus, the synchronization member 46 obtains the rotation timing from the stirring / conveying member 43.

  The second lever 464 is provided with feet 464a and 464b. One foot 464a is engaged with the lower side of the engaging portion 443 of the detecting member 44, and the other foot 464b is an engaging portion of the stirring member 45. It is fitted in the fitting hole 452-1 of 452. Thus, the synchronization member 46 transmits driving force to the detection member 44 and the stirring member 45.

  A shaft hole 462 whose one end is closed is formed in the cylindrical portion 461, and a shaft protrusion 49 provided on the wall surface of the frame 60 shown in FIG. 7 is inserted into the shaft hole 462. A toner storage chamber 30 is rotatably mounted. As shown in FIG. 8, a spring member 86 is attached to the end of the shaft of the cylindrical portion 461, so that the synchronization member 46 is urged in a direction in which the first lever 463 contacts the eccentric cam 433. ing.

  Next, the configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the image forming apparatus 1 is not illustrated under the control of an interface unit 71 that receives print data, a control unit 72 that performs print control and drive control of a medium transport motor, and a control unit 72. The motor driving circuit 73 is configured to rotate the driving motor to convey the print medium P and to rotate each roller and the photosensitive drum 13. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an exposure device 14 that causes an electrostatic latent image of print data such as images and characters on the photosensitive drum 13, a voltage setting unit 74 that sets a bias voltage of each roller, and a rotation detection unit 56 that will be described later. The display unit 75 includes a display unit 75 for notifying the user of an abnormality in the image forming apparatus 1 such as when the amount of toner is insufficient.

  Next, a configuration for detecting the toner end in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a part of the appearance of the image forming unit 11 according to the first embodiment. The reflection plate 52 is attached to the shaft 441 a of the above-described detection member 44 so as to be exposed on the outer wall of the image forming unit 11 so as to rotate in synchronization with the detection member 44. A concave portion 53 is formed on the side surface of the image forming unit 11 over a range in which the reflective plate 52 can rotate, and the reflective plate 52 is disposed in the concave portion 53. The rotation of the reflection plate 52 is optically detected by a rotation detection unit 56 attached to the image forming apparatus 1.

  When the remaining amount of toner T in the developing chamber 40 is small, the range in which the detection member 44 can be rotated is widened, so that the rotation range of the reflecting plate 52 is also widened. When the rotation detection unit 56 detects that the rotation of the reflecting plate 52 is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the rotation detection unit 56 notifies the control unit 72, and the control unit 72 determines that the toner end is reached. be able to.

  Next, an operation related to the first embodiment will be described. When a printing command is issued, the medium P is separated by the separation roller and conveyed to the transfer device 19 by the conveyance roller 18. At this time, the image forming unit 11 receives a control signal from the control unit 72, and the supply roller 33 is rotated by a drive motor (not shown) to supply the toner T onto the developing roller 31. The developing roller 31 is rotated by driving transmitted from a driving motor (not shown) and supplied with toner T. On the other hand, the toner T on the developing roller 31 is formed into a thin layer by the developing blade 34 and is charged. Thereafter, the photosensitive drum 13 whose surface is charged by the charging roller 32 is rotated by a driving motor (not shown) and exposed by the exposure device 14. Then, the toner T on the developing roller 31 moves to the exposure part, and the exposure part is developed. Further, the image is transferred onto the medium P by the transfer device 19 and then fixed onto the medium P by the fixing device 20, and the medium P is discharged onto the discharge tray 23 by the discharge roller 21.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the toner remaining amount detection mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment. In particular, FIG. 11 shows the conveyance of the toner T by the stirring / conveying member 43 in the toner remaining amount detection mechanism 100 of the image forming unit 11. FIG. 11A shows a state in which the first lever 463 of the synchronization member 46 driven by the eccentric cam 433 is in the uppermost position, and FIG. 11B similarly shows the first lever 463 in the lowermost front. FIG. 11C shows a state where the first lever 463 is at the lowest position.

  Now, it is assumed that the toner T exists in the toner storage chamber 30 with the partition 42 as a boundary, and the toner T does not exist in the developing chamber 40. As shown in FIG. 11A, the agitating / conveying member 43 disposed in the toner storage chamber 30 receives the driving force of a driving motor (not shown) and rotates in the direction of arrow A about the rotating shaft 432. 11B, the blades 431a and 431b provided on the rotating shaft 432 agitate the toner T in the toner storage chamber 30, and then the toner T is conveyed toward the partition 42. Further, as shown in FIG. 11C, since the length of one blade 431a is long enough to rub against the bottom of the toner storage chamber 30, the first wall portion of the toner storage chamber 30 by the blade 431a. The toner T in the toner storage chamber 30 is supplied to the developing chamber 40 while sliding and rubbing 30-1.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the remaining toner amount detecting mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 shows details of the operation of the toner remaining amount detection mechanism 100. Therefore, the blades 431a and 431b of the stirring / conveying member 43 and the toner T are not shown. 12A shows a state in which the first lever 463 of the synchronization member 46 driven by the eccentric cam 433 is in the uppermost position, and FIG. 12B similarly shows the first lever 463 in the lowermost position. A certain state is shown, and FIG. 12C returns to the original state and shows a state in the same position as FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12A, the first lever 463 of the synchronization member 46 is biased by the spring member 86 in the direction of the eccentric cam 433 indicated by the arrow C. Therefore, the synchronization member 46 is driven by the stirring / conveying member 43 through the eccentric cam 433 and swings along the shape of the eccentric cam 433. That is, when the first lever 463 of the synchronization member 46 is lowered, the second lever 464 is raised.

  Since the leg 464a of the second lever 464 of the synchronization member 46 is engaged with the lower side of the engagement portion 443 of the detection member 44, the detection member 44 rotates as the synchronization member 46 swings. To do. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12B, the engaging portion 443 of the detection member 44 is rotated upward by being pushed up by the second lever 464 of the synchronization member 46. Further, as shown in FIG. 12C, the detection member 44 is moved to a position where the movement is hindered by the toner T in the second lever 464 or the developing chamber 40 by the downward biasing force indicated by the arrow D by the spring member 84. Rotate downward.

  Furthermore, since the leg 464b of the second lever 464 of the synchronizing member 46 is fitted in a rotatable state in the fitting hole 452-1 of the engaging portion 452 of the stirring member 45, the stirring member 45 is the synchronizing member. It reciprocates as 46 swings. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 12B, the stirring member 45 is pulled up by the second lever 464 of the synchronization member 46, so that the guide protrusion 453 moves upward along the guide groove 48. Then, as shown in FIG. 12C, the stirring member 45 moves downward along the guide groove 48 by being pushed down by the second lever 464 of the synchronization member 46. By this reciprocation, the toner T in the developing chamber 40 is agitated.

  FIG. 13 is also an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the toner remaining amount detection mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 shows the operation when the remaining amount of toner T in the developing chamber 40 is sufficient. FIG. 13A shows a state where the first lever 463 of the synchronization member 46 driven by the eccentric cam 433 is at the uppermost position. As shown in FIG. 13A, when the second lever 464 of the synchronizing member 46 is lowered and the foot 464a is embedded in the toner accumulation surface T-40, the engaging portion 443 of the detecting member 44 and the foot 464a is not in contact, and the drive of the agitation / conveyance member 43 is not transmitted and the detection member 44 does not rotate. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 13B, when the foot 464 a moves upward and comes into contact with the engaging portion 443, the drive of the agitation / conveyance member 43 is transmitted to the detection member 44.

  And the detection member 44 rotates upwards until it will be in the state shown in FIG.13 (c). FIG. 13C shows a state where the first lever 463 is in the lowest position, that is, the second lever 464 is in the highest position. After the state shown in FIG. 13C, the foot 464 a moves downward, and the detection member 44 moves downward due to the urging by the spring member 84. As shown in FIG. 13D, the detection member 44 is rotated downward. When the detection plate 442 of the detection member 44 contacts the toner accumulation surface T-40, the rotation of the detection member 44 stops and only the foot 464a moves below the toner accumulation surface T-40. Thereafter, the process returns to the state shown in FIG. Thus, since the detection member 44 rotates above the toner accumulation surface T-40, the rotation range of the reflecting plate 52 detected by the rotation detection unit 56 does not reach the threshold value. As a result, the control unit 72 does not determine the toner end.

  Next, FIG. 14 shows an operation when the remaining amount of toner T in the developing chamber 40 is small. FIG. 14 is also an explanatory view showing the operation of the toner remaining amount detecting mechanism 100 related to the first embodiment. 14A shows a state in which the first lever 463 of the synchronization member 46 driven by the eccentric cam 433 is in the lowest position, and FIG. 14B similarly shows the first lever 463 in the uppermost position. Indicates a certain state.

  When the remaining amount of toner T in the developing chamber 40 is small, the detection member 44 can be rotated downward to a position close to the supply roller 33 as shown in FIG. The movement range is widened, and the rotation range of the reflecting plate 52 is also widened. Then, the rotation detection unit 56 attached to the image forming apparatus 1 detects that the rotation of the reflecting plate 52 is equal to or greater than the threshold value, and the control unit 72 can determine that the toner end has occurred. Thereafter, the image forming apparatus 1 can stop the printing operation and display a toner end message on the display unit 75.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the detection member 44 is allowed to stay on the toner accumulation surface T-40 and the remaining amount of the toner T is detected without causing the detection member 44 to freely fall onto the toner. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the detection member 44 from being detected as a remaining amount less than the actual remaining amount of toner by entering the toner T as in the prior art. Thus, it is possible to accurately determine the toner end with the set remaining toner amount. Furthermore, since the stirring member 45 that stirs the toner T in the developing chamber 40 is always operated between the detection member 44 and the supply roller 33, the operation of the detection member 44 is not hindered. The toner T can be prevented from agglomerating and the toner T can be supplied stably.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to an example in which an image forming unit is used in an image forming apparatus, the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus used in a copying machine, an LED printer, a laser beam printer, a facsimile machine, an MFP, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 11 Image forming unit 30 Toner storage chamber 30-1 1st wall part 33 Supply roller 40 Developing chamber 40-1 2nd wall part 43 Stirring / conveying member 44 Detection member 45 Stirring member 46 Synchronizing member T Toner P Medium

Claims (8)

A movement restricting section for restricting the movement of the developer;
A conveying member that is rotatably arranged vertically above the movement restricting portion and conveys the developer along a restriction direction of the movement restricting portion;
A detection member that is rotatably arranged and rotates a range corresponding to the amount of residual developer as the transport member rotates, and detects the developer;
A developer container, comprising: a stirring member that is swingably disposed with the rotation of the transport member between the detection member and the movement restricting unit.   The range according to the amount of the residual developer is a range in which the detection member rotates above the deposition surface after contacting the deposition surface of the residual developer. Developer container.   The developer storage unit according to claim 1, further comprising a synchronization member that is provided between the transport member and the detection member and transmits the rotation of the transport member to the detection member. A developer storage chamber and a developer chamber provided across the partition with the developer storage chamber;
The first movement restriction part of the movement restriction part restricts the movement of the developer in a range from the conveyance member to the partition part,
2. The developer accommodating portion according to claim 1, wherein a second movement restricting portion of the movement restricting portion restricts the movement of the developer within a range from the partition portion to the developer supply roller. When the detection member rotates in a direction away from the second movement restricting portion, the detection member operates in conjunction with the rotation of the transport member by engaging with the synchronization member;
When rotating in the direction approaching the second movement restricting portion, when the developer remains in the developing chamber, the engagement with the synchronizing member is released, and the developer is released in the developing chamber. 5. The developer container according to claim 4, wherein when the toner does not remain, the developer member is operated in conjunction with the rotation of the conveying member by maintaining the engaged state with the synchronizing member.   The agitation member is connected to the synchronization member, and the synchronization member is always in contact with an eccentric cam provided on the conveyance member, and follows the movement of the conveyance member, between the detection member and the second movement restriction unit. The developer accommodating portion according to claim 4, wherein the developer accommodating portion swings along a guide groove provided in the frame.   An image forming unit comprising the developer accommodating portion according to claim 1. An image forming apparatus comprising the image forming unit according to claim 7.

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