JP2015227996A - Developer container, developer supply apparatus, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent reduction in rigidity of an elastic blade member, to improve developer agitation/conveyance performance of a rotation agitation member for low-fluidity developer, and to prevent increase in rotation torque of the rotation agitation member.SOLUTION: A developer container 50A includes: a rotation agitation member 53A which rotates around a rotation shaft 54 to convey developer G to an outlet while agitating it; grid-like first and second rotation support members 55C and 55D having base ends which rotate integrally with the rotation shaft 54, ends arranged close to a container inner wall 51c, and a plurality of openings 58 formed across a longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft; a plurality of ring-shaped members 67 arranged at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft; a projecting blade member 69 which protrudes from an outer peripheral surface of the ring-shaped member 67 in a centrifugal direction of the rotation shaft to approach the container inner wall; and elastic blade members 56, 57 having tips 56a, 57a in contact with the container inner wall 51c at least, to convey the developer G to the outlet 51a.

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer storage container that stores a developer therein, a developer supply device that includes the developer storage container, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that includes the developer supply container.

In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, a plotter, or a multifunction machine having these functions, a developing device supplies a developer to a latent image on an image carrier, thereby The image is visualized. For this reason, since the developer in the developing device decreases with use, the image forming apparatus includes a developer replenishing device for supplying (supplementing) the developer, which is a powder such as toner, to the developing device. . The developer supply device includes a developer storage container and a mounting portion that detachably mounts the developer storage container.
The developer storage container includes a container main body for storing the developer and the developer transport means therein, a discharge port for discharging the developer to the outside of the container, and a developer transport means for transporting the developer in the container main body to the discharge port. And have. When the amount of the developer in the developing device decreases, the developer replenishing device rotates and drives the developer conveying means by a drive unit (not shown) to discharge the developer in the container body to the outside of the container and supply it to the developing device. Operates as follows.

The developer conveying means includes a screw that conveys the developer to the discharge port, and a rotating agitating member that agitates the developer so as to prevent the developer from forming a lump and conveys the developer to the screw. . A rotary stirring member is known that includes a relatively high-rigidity rotation support member that is rotatably provided, and a flexible blade member that is disposed on the free end side of the rotation support member (for example, a patent). Reference 1). By rotating the rotation support member, the flexible blade member is brought into sliding contact with the inner wall surface (hereinafter referred to as “container inner wall”) of the container main body to convey the developer. Here, “sliding contact” means contacting in a sliding state. Hereinafter, the container body is also simply referred to as “container”.
In the developer container having such a developer conveying means, when the developer is stirred by the flexible blade member, if the projected area in the rotational direction of the flexible blade member is large, the developer This causes a problem that the rotational torque of the rotary stirring member is remarkably increased.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and it is an object of the present invention to avoid an increase in the rotational torque of the rotary stirring member.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a rotating stirring member that is disposed in a container body and conveys the developer stored in the container body to a discharge port while stirring around the rotation shaft. Provided in the rotating stirring member, the base end rotates integrally with the rotating shaft, the free end is disposed close to the inner wall of the container body, and a plurality of members extends in the longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft. A rotation support member in the form of a lattice having a plurality of openings formed on a circumference in the vicinity of the free end of the rotation support member with the rotation axis as a center, and in a longitudinal direction of the rotation axis. A plurality of ring-shaped members provided at intervals, a protruding blade member provided to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the ring-shaped member in the centrifugal direction of the rotation shaft so as to be close to the inner wall of the container body, and the rotation support member Base end to free end It held a developer accommodating container tip and a flexible blade member for conveying the developer to the outlet by at least contacting the inner wall of the container body.

  According to the present invention, with the above configuration, it is possible to avoid an increase in the rotational torque of the rotary stirring member.

1 is a schematic front view of an image forming apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a developer supply device according to an embodiment, in which (a) illustrates a state in which the door of the developer supply device is open and a developer storage container is mounted, and (b) illustrates a developer. The state where the door of the replenishing device is closed is shown. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the developer storage container which concerns on a reference example. It is an enlarged front view which shows the structure of the developer storage container which concerns on a reference example. It is a figure explaining the increase / decrease state of the rotational torque by the rotation position of the rotation stirring member in the developer storage container which concerns on a reference example, Comprising: (a) is a state in which a rotation stirring member is located substantially horizontal, (b) is rotation. It is a cross-sectional front view which respectively shows the state in which the stirring member is located substantially perpendicularly. It is an expansion perspective view which shows an example of the rotation stirring member of FIG. It is a figure explaining the subject and function of a rotary stirring member, Comprising: (a) is a figure explaining the conventional subject, (b) is a figure which shows the effect of a reference example. It is a figure explaining the relationship between the dimension of each part which comprises the rotation stirring member in a reference example, and the clearance gap between a container main body. It is an expansion perspective view which shows the rotary stirring member of the reference example different from FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration and the like of a developer storage container according to Embodiment 1. (A) is an external appearance perspective view of the rotation stirring member incorporated in the developer storage container of FIG. 10, and (b) is a schematic front view of the rotation stirring member.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention including examples will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, components (members and components) having the same function, shape, and the like will be omitted by giving the same reference numerals after being described once unless there is a possibility of confusion. First, the overall configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus will be described, and then the features and the like according to the present invention will be described. In order to make it easier to understand the embodiments described later, first, a reference example related to the invention filed by the present applicant will be described, and then compared with the conventional example. The subject of the invention is embodied.
An electrophotographic printer as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing an electrophotographic printer as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this printer, a color image is formed using developers of four colors of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black. In the figure, the suffixes Y, C, M, and K attached to the end of the reference numerals indicate members for yellow, cyan, magenta, and black.

  The printer includes a transfer unit 20 as transfer means inside the apparatus main body 100. The transfer unit 20 has a configuration in which an endless intermediate transfer belt 23 serving as an intermediate transfer member is wound around a plurality of rollers 21 and 22. The intermediate transfer belt 23 is moved endlessly in the counterclockwise direction in the figure by a drive motor (not shown). In the inner loop of the intermediate transfer belt 23, four primary transfer rollers 24Y, 24C, 24M, and 24K serving as primary transfer members are disposed so as to contact the back surface of the intermediate transfer belt 23. A secondary transfer roller 25 serving as a secondary transfer member is disposed outside the intermediate transfer belt 23 at a position facing the roller 21. Reference numeral 26 denotes a belt cleaning device as belt cleaning means for cleaning the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 23. A primary transfer bias is supplied from a power source (not shown) to the primary transfer rollers 24Y, 24C, 24M, and 24K. A secondary transfer bias is supplied to the secondary transfer roller 25 from a power source (not shown).

  Above the transfer unit 20, four image forming units for Y, C, M, and K as image forming means are arranged along the upper stretched surface of the intermediate transfer belt 23 in the belt moving direction. Yes. Each image forming unit includes drum-shaped photoreceptors 11Y, 11C, 11M, and 11K as image carriers, charging devices 12Y, 12C, 12M, and 12K as charging units, and developing devices 13Y, 13C, and 13M as developing units. It has 13K. Each image forming unit is provided with drum cleaning devices 14Y, 14C, 14M, and 14K as cleaning means for the photoconductor. These members are integrated for each unit by a casing (not shown) and are configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body 100. Each of the photoconductors 11Y, 11C, 11M, and 11K is configured such that the lower part of the peripheral surface thereof is brought into contact with the upper stretched surface of the intermediate transfer belt 23 that faces the primary transfer rollers 24Y, 24C, 24M, and 24K. , C, M, and K primary transfer nips are formed. Here, “tension” means to hang over in a tensioned state, and “abutment” means to contact the abutted state.

  A writing unit 30 is disposed above the image forming unit. The writing unit 30 drives a light source (not shown) based on the image information and irradiates the corresponding photoconductors 11Y, 11C, 11M, and 11K with exposure light for Y, C, M, and K, and performs optical scanning. As a result, electrostatic latent images are formed on the peripheral surfaces of the photoconductors 11Y, 11C, 11M, and 11K that are driven to rotate clockwise in the drawing.

  In the developing devices 13Y, 13C, 13M, and 13K, developers containing corresponding Y, C, M, and K color toners are stored, and by a developer carrier such as a developing roller to which a developing bias is supplied, Corresponding developer is supplied to the surfaces of the photoreceptors 11Y, 11C, 11M, and 11K. As a result, the electrostatic latent images on the photoconductors 11Y, 11C, 11M, and 11K are developed to form toner images and visualized. Developer replenishing devices 40Y, 40C, 40M, and 40K are arranged above the developing devices 13Y, 13C, 13M, and 13K. In the developer supply devices 40Y, 40C, 40M, and 40K, developer storage containers 50Y, 50C, 50M, and 50K that store a supply developer are detachably installed. The developing devices 13Y, 13C, 13M, and 13K are each provided with a toner density sensor (not shown). When the toner concentration sensor detects that the toner concentration in the developer is below a predetermined value, the control means (not shown) operates the developer replenishing devices 40Y, 40C, 40M, and 40K. As a result, the developers in the developer storage containers 50Y, 50C, 50M, 50 are developed by the developer replenishing means (not shown) provided in the developer replenishing devices 40Y, 40C, 40M, 40K, and the developing devices 13Y, 13C, 13M, Replenished and supplied at 13K.

  Below the transfer unit 20, a paper feed unit 60 that stores a recording material P as a sheet-like recording medium such as paper or OHP is disposed. The recording material P of the paper feed unit 60 is sent from the paper feed unit 60 to the paper feed path 62 by the paper feed roller 61. In the paper feed path 62, a conveyance roller 63 and a registration roller 64 that convey the recording material P fed from the paper feed unit 60 toward the secondary transfer nip are arranged. The recording material P sent out to the paper feed path 62 is conveyed by the registration roller 64 to the secondary transfer nip in synchronization with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 23. A fixing device 70 is disposed above the secondary transfer nip, and a paper discharge roller 65 is disposed downstream of the fixing device 70 in the recording material conveyance direction.

In the printer having such a configuration, when color images are formed, the toner images formed on the surfaces of the photoreceptors 11Y, 11C, 11M, and 11K of the respective colors are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 23 in a primary transfer nip. The The transferred superimposed toner image is collectively transferred to the recording material P in the secondary transfer nip. The photoreceptors 11Y, 11C, 11M, and 11K after the transfer are transferred to the drum cleaning devices 14Y, 14C, 14M, and 14K, and the intermediate transfer belt 23 after the transfer is transferred to the toner remaining on the surface by the belt cleaning device 26. Paper dust and the like are removed.
The recording material P to which the superimposed toner image is transferred passes through the fixing device 70 to fix the toner image, and is discharged to the outside of the apparatus main body 100 by the paper discharge roller 65. In this example, the recording material P discharged to the outside of the apparatus main body 100 is stacked on a stacking portion 66 formed on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 100.

The configuration of the developer supply device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the developer supply device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2A illustrates a state in which the door of the developer supply device is open and a developer storage container is mounted. 2 (b) shows a state in which the door of the developer supply device is closed.
In this embodiment, the developer replenishing devices 40Y, 40C, 40M, and 40K for the respective colors and the developer storage containers 50Y, 50C, 50M, and 50K have the same configuration except that the colors of the developers including the toner are different. A common configuration will be described below. The subscripts Y, C, M, and K are omitted.

2A and 2B, the developer supply device 40 includes a developer storage container 50 and a mounting portion 41 that detachably supports the developer storage container 50. The developer in the storage container 50 is supplied to the developing device 13 of the corresponding color.
The mounting portion 41 has an opening 42 for storing the developer storage container 50 therein and a door 43 for opening and closing the opening 42. The mounting portion 41 has an internal shape that is similar to the external shape of the developer storage container 50, and holds the developer storage container 50 so as to be movable in the attaching / detaching direction indicated by the symbol A. Reference symbol A1 indicates an insertion direction, and reference symbol A2 indicates a removal direction.

  FIG. 2A shows a configuration in which openings 42 for storing the four developer storage containers 50 are formed, a state in which one developer storage container 50 is stored in the mounting portion 41, and a door 43. The open state is shown. FIG. 2B shows a closed state of the door 43, and the opening 42 is closed in this state. The door 43 is located on the exterior surface of the apparatus main body 100 of the image forming apparatus, and can be opened and closed from the outside of the apparatus main body 100.

  Before describing Embodiment 1 according to the present invention, a reference example according to the present invention will be described below. This reference example is made in order to solve the problems of the prior art including the above-described Patent Document 1, and supplements the problems other than those described in the background art. In the developer container having the developer conveying means as described in Patent Document 1, the developer is eliminated in order to efficiently convey the developer to the screw portion by the rotating stirring member and to save the developer. It is necessary to reduce residual developer at the time of container replacement. Therefore, the rigidity of the flexible blade member must be increased to some extent, and as a result, a developer agglomerate is easily generated due to a large pressure generated on the sliding contact surface between the inner wall of the container and the flexible blade member.

  In the rotary stirring member as described above, in order to reduce the pressure generated on the sliding contact surface between the inner wall of the container and the flexible blade member and to prevent the formation of developer aggregates, the rigidity of the flexible blade member Need to be small. However, on the other hand, the flexible blade member with reduced rigidity cannot efficiently transport the developer.

  In addition, when the developer storage container filled with the developer is transported by a transportation means such as a truck, the volume of the developer inside the container is reduced by the slight vibration and gravity during transportation, thereby increasing the bulk density. The phenomenon that it rises remarkably occurs. In the developer container in which this phenomenon has occurred, the fluidity of the developer deteriorates, and with the flexible blade member with small rigidity, the flexible blade member bends before the developer is transported, and the developer is completely conveyed. There is a risk of falling into a situation where it becomes impossible.

[Reference example]
Next, the developer storage container 50 according to the reference example will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a developer storage container according to a reference example, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional front view illustrating a configuration of the developer storage container according to the reference example. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an increase / decrease state of the rotational torque depending on the rotational position of the rotational stirring member in the developer container according to the reference example, and FIG. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional front view showing a state where the rotary stirring member is positioned substantially vertically. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing an example of the rotary stirring member of FIG. 3, FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the problems and functions of the rotary stirring member, and FIG. 7 (a) shows the conventional problems (problems). FIG. 7B, which is a diagram for explanation, is a diagram showing the operational effects of the reference example.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the developer storage container 50 includes a container main body 51 in which an outlet 51 a is formed, a developer G (not shown in FIG. 3) stored in the container main body 51, and A rotating stirring member 53 and a screw 52 are provided that stir and convey the developer G and send it to the discharge port 51a. The rotary stirring member 53 and the screw 52 function as a developer transport unit that stirs and transports the developer G and sends it to the discharge port 51a. The rotary stirring member 53 and the screw 52 are arranged in the container main body 51 so as to be parallel to each other from the near side to the far side of the sheet.
As shown in FIG. 4, when the developer container 50 is set in the mounting portion 41 of the developer supply device 40 shown in FIG. 2, a drive mechanism provided with a drive means (not shown) provided on the developer supply device 40 side. The rotary shaft 54 is coupled to the rotary shaft 54 so as to be capable of rotating. The same applies to the screw 52. As a result, the rotary stirring member 53 and the screw 52 in the developer container 50 are driven to rotate by driving means (not shown), whereby the rotary stirring member 53 and the screw 52 rotate in the directions of the arrows in FIG. Then, the developer G is stirred by the rotation of the rotary stirring member 53 and the developer G is conveyed by the rotation of the screw 52, so that the developer G in the container body 51 is discharged from the discharge port 51a to the outside of the container. Discharged.

  The container body 51 has a container inner wall 51b whose bottom is formed on an arcuate surface 51c, the container inner walls 51b located on both sides of the arcuate surface 51c are substantially vertical, and the box has a depth in the vertical direction (attachment / detachment direction A). It has a shape. A discharge port 51a that connects the inside and the outside of the container main body 51 is formed at one end of the discharge unit 51d in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface. A screw 52 extending in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 3 for conveying the developer G to the discharge port 51a is disposed inside the discharge portion 51d. The developer G in the discharge part 51d is conveyed to the discharge port 51a when the screw 52 is rotationally driven by a driving means (not shown).

  The rotary stirring member 53 is for stirring the developer G in the container main body 51 so as to prevent the developer G from being agglomerated, and for transporting the developer G to the discharge portion 51d where the screw 52 is disposed. The rotating agitating member 53 includes a rotating shaft 54 that is driven to rotate by a driving means (not shown), and rotates the developer G around the rotating shaft 54 counterclockwise in FIG. Transport to.

  The developer container 50 is equipped with a shutter 110 that opens and closes the discharge port 51a. The shutter 110 is configured to close the discharge port 51a before the developer storage container 50 is mounted on the mounting unit 41, and to open and open the discharge port 51a when mounted on the mounting unit 41. . A transport port 41a is formed in the mounting portion 41 facing the discharge port 51a. When the shutter 110 is opened, the developer G that is discharged from the discharge port 51a and falls is supplied from the transfer port 41a into the developing device 13 through a transfer path (not shown).

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the rotary stirring member 53 includes a rotation support member 55 that rotates integrally with the rotation shaft 54, and flexible blade members 56 and 57. The rotation shaft 54 and the rotation support member 55 are simple and preferable to be integrally formed of metal or resin, but other materials or manufacturing methods may be used. Thus, the rotation shaft 54 and the rotation support member 55 can be regarded as substantially rigid bodies having sufficient rigidity, and have a function of stirring and unraveling the developer G. The rotation shaft 54 serving as the rotation center of the rotary stirring member 53 is disposed so that the rotation center O is concentric with the arc center of the arc surface 51c.
The rotation support member 55 is a plate-like member composed of support portions 55A and 55B, and a rotation shaft 54 is integrally formed at a base end 55c located on the center side thereof. End portions 55a and 55b, which are free ends of the support portions 55A and 55B in the rotation support member 55, are formed with shapes and dimensions so as to be close to the container inner wall 51b. In other words, the end portions 55a and 55b of the support portions 55A and 55B are disposed in the container body 51 close to the container inner wall 51b without contacting the container inner wall 51b. An opening 58 that penetrates the rotation support member 55 in the rotation direction R is formed in the base end 55c (in FIG. 4, the openings 58 other than the opening 58 formed in the base end 55c are omitted). . The rotation support member 55 is formed as support portions 55 </ b> A and 55 </ b> B that are line-symmetric on both sides except for the opening 58 with respect to the center line (symmetry axis) of the rotation center O of the rotation shaft 54.

The flexible blade members 56 and 57 are formed of Mylar which is a so-called resin-made low-rigidity material, and the base end portions 56b and 56B are disposed on the rotation free end sides of the support portions 55A and 55B of the rotation support member 55, respectively. 57b is attached. The flexible blade member 57 is formed of a single mylar, and the tip 57a protrudes outside the end 55b of the support portion 55B. The flexible blade member 56 is formed by dividing two mylars, and the tip 56a of the flexible blade member 56 is projected outside the end portion 55a of the support portion 55A. In particular, the flexible blade member 56 has a support portion 55A so that the side surface tip 56c protrudes outward (inner wall on the front and back sides of the paper) from the side end portions 55d and 55e on both sides of the support portion 55A. Is mounted on the mounting surface 55A1. The flexible blade member 57 is formed of a single mylar, and the tip 57a protrudes outside the end 55b of the support portion 55B.
In FIGS. 3 and 6, 59 is a cut portion formed in a portion of the flexible blade member 57 protruding from the end portion 55b of the support portion 55B, and 59A is protruded from the side end portions 55d and 55e of the support portion 55A. The cut portions formed at the portions of the flexible blade member 56 are shown.

The flexible blade members 56 and 57 are not limited to the above-mentioned materials, and are materials having low rigidity. In addition to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) commonly called mylar, for example, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyphenylene, etc. It consists of flexible and elastic members such as sulfide (PPS) or polyurethane sheet. The thickness is preferably about 50 to 500 μm, particularly 50 to 300 μm. If the thickness is less than 50 μm, the elasticity cannot be maintained in a durable manner, and if the thickness exceeds 500 μm, it is not preferable because the following effects cannot be achieved.
The distal ends 56a and 57a, which are at least a part of the flexible blade members 56 and 57, protrude outward from the end portions 55a and 55b of the support portions 55A and 55B, and are in sliding contact with the container inner wall 51b and the arc surface 51c. Arranged to be possible. For this reason, when the rotating shaft 54 of the rotary stirring member 53 is rotationally driven by a driving means (not shown), the distal ends 56a and 57a of the flexible blade members 56 and 57 are in sliding contact with the container inner wall 51b and the arc surface 51c. Thereby, the developer G is conveyed toward the discharge port 51a through the screw 52.

In general, the generation rate of agglomerates of developer G, which is a powder, increases in proportion to the pressure (stress) generated on the sliding contact surfaces of the flexible blade members 56 and 57 and the container main body 51. This is an abnormal image. Cause. Recent low-temperature fixing of toner further promotes the formation of this aggregate. For this reason, the rigidity of the flexible blade members 56 and 57 must be further reduced.
Here, when the definition of the rigidity of the flexible blade members 56 and 57 is defined as an elastic deformation amount δ with respect to the load F, a member having a small elastic deformation amount δ when the same load F is applied is a member having a high rigidity, and conversely, an elastic property. A member having a large deformation amount δ is a member having low rigidity. Then, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7B, a concentrated load F is applied to the distal ends 56a and 57a which are free ends of the flexible blade members 56 and 57 fixed to the rotation support member 55 whose one side is a rigid body. The amount of elastic deformation δ is given by the following formula 1.

From the above equation 1, the following method can be considered as a method of reducing the rigidity of the flexible blade members 56 and 57 (increasing δ of the equation 1).
• Use of materials with low elastic modulus.
-Extension of the length of the flexible blade member.
-Change the shape (size) of the cross section (perpendicular to the external force) of the flexible blade member (reduce the moment of inertia of the cross section. For example, reduce the thickness or make a notch).
Thus, it is easy to reduce the rigidity of the flexible blade members 56 and 57.

Of the functions of stirring and transporting the developer G that the rotary stirring member 53 in the container body 51 has, the developer transporting function is mostly handled by the flexible blade members 56 and 57. However, the smaller the rigidity of the flexible blade members 56 and 57, the worse the developer G conveyance performance and the more difficult it is to convey the developer.
Specifically, as shown in the conventional example of FIG. 7A, before the developer G is moved, the flexible blade members 56 and 57 constituting the rotary stirring member 53X are deformed, so that the developer The conveyance function of G is lost. This phenomenon occurs with a higher probability for a low-fluidity developer such as a recent low-temperature fixing toner or a developer that is tightened by vibration during transportation. As shown in FIG. 7A, this is because the flexible blade members 56 and 57 are the mounting surfaces 55A2 of the support portions 55A and 55B of the rotation support member 55X, which is the surface on the downstream side in the rotation direction R of the rotation stirring member 53X. , 55B2 is particularly noticeable. That is, when the rotary stirring member 53X rotates, the flexible blade members 56 and 57 are elastically deformed upstream in the rotation direction R due to the resistance of the developer G and convey the developer G.

  At this time, when the flexible blade members 56 and 57 are mounted on the mounting surfaces 55A2 and 55B2 of the support portions 55A and 55B, elastic deformation in the rotational direction R upstream by the edges 55a1 and 55b1 of the end portions 55a and 55b. Is hindered and breaks with the edges 55a1 and 55b1 as fulcrums. Further, if the flexible blade members 56 and 57 are broken in this way, the rigidity that has been weakened becomes strong, and the plate is not elastically deformed. Then, the sliding contact between the tips 56a, 57a of the flexible blade members 56, 57 and the container inner wall 51b or the arc surface 51c becomes too strong, and the developer G is rubbed against the container inner wall 51b or the arc surface 51c. It becomes a cause of generation of residual developer. As described above, the conventional configuration has a problem that the rigidity of the flexible blade members 56 and 57 is not compatible with the conveyance function.

  Therefore, in this reference example, as shown in FIG. 4, the flexible blade members 56 and 57 are mounted on the mounting surfaces 55A1 and 55B1 of the support portions 55A and 55B located on the upstream side in the rotation direction R of the rotary stirring member 53. Thus, the rotation agitating member 53 is configured not to contact the edges 55a1 and 55b1 when rotating. With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 7B, the flexible blade members 56 and 57 projecting outward from the end portions 55a and 55b of the rotation support member 55 (support portions 55A and 55B). The ends 56a and 57a are not in contact with the edges 55a1 and 55b1 of the ends 55a and 55b. As a result, even when the rotary stirring member 53 rotates and deforms upstream in the rotation direction R due to resistance with the developer G, the deformation is not hindered and bending can be prevented. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the developer G from being rubbed against the container inner wall 51b and the arcuate surface 51c and the deterioration of the transport function of the developer G. In addition, the generation of residual developer can be reduced, and both the reduction in rigidity of the flexible blade members 56 and 57 and the conveyance function can be achieved.

In addition to the above-described configuration, in this reference example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7B, the end portions 55a and 55b of the support portions 55A and 55B of the rotation support member 55 are close to the container inner wall 51b. Consists of geometric dimensions.
With such a configuration, the end portions 55a and 55b of the support portions 55A and 55B of the rotation support member 55 that can be regarded as a substantially rigid body do not contact the container inner wall 51b, but exist until the container inner wall 51b passes, so that the rotation support member 55 can stir and convey more developer G. Finally, the amount of developer G that the flexible blade members 56 and 57 must carry alone exists in the gap between the container inner wall 51b and the arcuate surface 51c and the end portions 55a and 55b of the support portions 55A and 55B. Only the amount of developer G is needed. For this reason, the developer G can be carried without causing the phenomenon that the flexible blade members 56 and 57 having low rigidity are completely deformed by being defeated by the developer G.

With reference to FIG. 8, the relationship of the length of the rotary stirring member 53 will be described. Here, description will be made using flexible blade members 56 and 57 as the flexible blade members.
In FIG. 8A, it is desirable that the total length L1 in the rotational radius direction of the rotation support member 55 is extended so as to be close to the container inner wall 51b and the arc surface 51c unless they contact the container inner wall 51b and the arc surface 51c. . Specifically, it is preferable that the distance (gap) L2 between the arcuate surface 51c (the container bottom surface) and the end portions 55a and 55b of the rotation support member 55 be about 0.5 to 5 mm. Further, the rotation locus shape of the rotation support member 55 is preferably a shape that matches the internal shape of the container main body 51 so that the distance (gap) L2 becomes small enough not to contact the container inner wall 51b and the circular arc surface 51c. . In other words, it can be expressed that the rotation locus shape of the rotation support member 55 substantially matches the container inner wall 51b and the arcuate surface 51c.
With such a dimensional relationship, the amount of developer conveyed by the rotation support member 55 is increased, and the amount of developer that the flexible blade members 56 and 57 must carry is decreased. The rigidity of 57 can be further reduced.

The flexible blade members 56 and 57 have their tips 56 a and 57 a at least in contact with the container inner wall 51 b and the arc surface 51 c of the container body 51 to convey the developer G. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 8B, the protrusion amount (protruding length, free length) L3 from the end portions 55a and 55b of the rotation support member 55 is at least 5 mm or more, and the container inner wall 51b, arc Contact the surface 51c or bite into the surface about 0 to 20 mm. When the amount of biting exceeds 20 mm, the range of the flexible blade members 56 and 57 that come into contact with the container inner wall 51b and the arcuate surface 51c is wide, and the contact resistance increases. The protrusion amount (protruding length, free length) L3 is an amount of protrusion in the direction perpendicular to the rotation center O of the rotating shaft 54.
The amount of biting of the flexible blade members 56 and 57 into the container main body 51 affects the developer conveying force (the remaining amount of developer when the developer container is replaced). Therefore, the amount of biting depends on the type of developer, the material of the flexible blade members 56 and 57, and the distance (gap) L2 between the arc surface 51c (container bottom surface) and the end portions 55a and 55b of the rotation support member 55. Is preferably set within a range of 0 to 20 mm.
As shown in FIG. 8B, the amount of biting here refers to the flexible blade members 56 and 57 attached to the rotation support member 55 and the inner wall 51b of the container when the rotation stirring member 53 is stopped. It is the length L4 from the contact portion with the arc surface 51c to the tip. For this reason, the biting amount of 0 mm indicates a state where the tip of each flexible blade member is in contact with the container inner wall 51b or the arcuate surface 51c.
When the flexible blade members 56 and 57 are made of a polyurethane film, the thickness is preferably about 200 μm to 2 mm. In this case, the protrusion L3 is preferably 5 mm or more. When the polyurethane film is 1 mm or more in thickness, the protrusion L3 is more preferably 10 mm or more.
As the developer G used in the present reference example, a toner that is a low-temperature fixing compatible developer having an outflow temperature of 90 ° C. or less, that is, a developer (toner) having relatively poor fluidity is used.

  Since the flexible blade members 56 and 57 are formed with the cut portions 59, the rigidity can be reduced. In addition, it is assumed that the conveyance performance of the developer G of the flexible blade members 56 and 57 is lowered by this, but the container main body 51 is not only reduced in stress to the developer G but also in a complicated container shape. This is preferable because the follow-up performance increases. Whether or not the cut portion 59 is formed is preferably determined by the relationship between the flexible blade members 56 and 57 and the internal shape of the container body 51 and the developer conveying force.

  In the conventional configuration, as described with reference to FIG. 7A, the flexible blade members 56 and 57 are deformed before the developer is moved, and the developer G cannot be conveyed any more. However, by using the rotary stirring member 53 shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 as a reference example, the rotation support member 55 exists until the container inner wall 51b or the arcuate surface (bottom surface) 51c of the container body 51 passes. 55 can stir and convey more toner. In addition, the amount of developer that the flexible blade members 56 and 57 must finally carry alone is in the gap L2 between the container inner wall 51b or the arcuate surface (bottom surface) 51c and the tips 55a and 55b of the rotation support member 55. Only the amount of development that exists is available. For this reason, the developer can be transported without causing the phenomenon that the flexible blade members 56 and 57 having a small rigidity lose the developer G and are completely deformed. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the amount of residual developer while ensuring the transportability of the developer.

The shape of the flexible blade member or the rotation support member can be any shape according to the shape of the container, and is not limited to that shown in FIGS. Also, the number of flexible blade members may be two or more, and may have different shapes.
As another reference example of the reference examples shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, a rotary stirring member 53 as shown in FIG. 9 may be used. In this reference example, an opening 58 is formed in the rotation support member 55 so that the developer G can pass through the opening 58 when the rotation stirring member 53 rotates, so that the rotation resistance applied to the rotation support member 55 is as low as possible. did. For this reason, since the rotational resistance of the rotation support member 55 increases when the opening 58 is closed, the flexible blade members 56 and 57 have openings on the mounting surfaces 55A1 and 55B1 so as to avoid the openings 58. It was attached to the outer region than 58.

  The flexible blade members 56 and 57 are attached by attaching the base end portions 56b and 57b to the attachment surfaces 55A1 and 55B1 of the support portions 55A and 55B (the rotation support member 55) with an adhesive or a double-sided tape. It is fixed. For this reason, when the adhesion region is located at the end portions 55a and 55b of the support portions 55A and 55B (rotation support member 55), the tip that is elastically deformed to the upstream side in the rotational direction R protrudes outward from the end portions 55a and 55b. 56a and 57a only, and the amount of elastic deformation may be limited. For this reason, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the end S1 of the adhesion region S of the flexible blade members 56 and 57 is closer to the rotating shaft 54 than the ends 55a and 55b of the support portions 55A and 55B. It is offset. The adhesion region S (area) is made as small as possible as long as reliable adhesion between the flexible blade members 56 and 57 and the support portions 55A and 55B (the rotation support member 55) is guaranteed.

When such an adhesive region S is used, not only the tips 56a and 57a projecting outward from the end portions 55a and 55b but also the outer portion of the adhesive region S from the end portion S1. It is elastically deformed from. That is, since the deformation region of the flexible blade members 56 and 57 overlaps with the support portions 55A and 55B (the rotation support member 55), the elastic deformation amount is not limited and sufficient elasticity can be given. It is possible to secure the conveyance performance.

As shown in FIG. 7A, in the conventional example, before the developer G is moved, the flexible blade members 56 and 57 constituting the rotary agitating member 53X are deformed. It could not be stirred and transported. Furthermore, in recent years, the fixing temperature of the developer has been lowered from the viewpoint of energy saving, and in such a developer (toner) compatible with low temperature fixing, aggregates are generated due to sliding contact stress of the flexible blade member. Become more prominent. For this reason, the rigidity of the flexible blade members 56 and 57 must be further reduced. However, on the other hand, when the developer is fixed at a low temperature, the fluidity decreases, and there is a problem that the flexible blade members 56 and 57 having reduced rigidity cannot efficiently transport the developer.
Therefore, if the rotating stirring member 53 of the reference examples shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, 8, and 9 is used, the rotating support member 55 exists near the inner wall 51 d of the container. A lot of developer G could be stirred and transported. Finally, the amount of developer G that the flexible blade members 56 and 57 must carry alone is the amount of developer G that is present in the gap between the container inner wall 51d and the arcuate surface 51c at the bottom. It must be. Therefore, the developer G can be transported without causing the phenomenon that the flexible blade members 56 and 57 having low rigidity are completely deformed against the resistance of the developer G.

  However, in the rotary stirring member 53 as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 and the like, as apparent from the drawing, the projected area in the rotation direction R of the rotation support member 55 is large, and therefore the developer G having a significantly increased bulk density. When trying to stir the developer G, the load of the developer G applied to the rotation support member 55 increases. As a result, the side effect that the rotational torque of the rotary stirring member 55 increases remarkably occurs. At this time, if the projected area of the rotation support member 55 at a position away from the rotation shaft 54 in the centrifugal direction is large, the load of the developer G applied to the rotation support member 55 increases due to the principle of the moment of force. The rotational torque of the member 55 will rise remarkably. As described above, when the developer having a significantly increased bulk density is stirred with a flexible blade member having a large rigidity, if the projected area in the rotation direction of the flexible blade member is large, the resistance of the developer is caused. There arises a problem that the rotational torque of the rotary stirring member is remarkably increased.

In particular, in FIG. 5, the rotational torque significantly increased in the state where the rotary stirring member 53 is substantially horizontal as shown in FIG. This is because the rotary agitating member 53 mainly serves to convey the toner downward as indicated by an arrow D in the figure, whereas the lower side has the arc surface 51c of the container body 51 so that the toner hardly moves. Because. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the rotary stirring member 53 is in a substantially vertical (vertical) state, the rotational torque is reduced as compared with the horizontal state. This is because the rotating agitating member 53 functions to convey the toner upward as indicated by the arrow U in the figure, but the toner is easy to move because there is a hollow area in the container main body 51 where there is no toner. It is. In consideration of the above, the framework shape of the rotation support member having a plurality of openings that penetrate therethrough is required so as to reduce the projected area of the rotation support member at a position away from the rotation shaft 54 in the centrifugal direction. It has been found.
Therefore, a rotating stirring member according to an embodiment of the present invention described below was created.

[Embodiment 1]
The present invention provides a rotating stirring member disposed in the container body and transported to a discharge port while being stirred around the rotation shaft, and the rotating stirring member disposed in the container body. A grid provided with a base end that rotates integrally with the rotating shaft, a free end disposed close to the inner wall of the container body, and a plurality of openings formed in the longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft A ring-shaped rotation support member, and a plurality of ring-shaped rotation support members provided on a circumference near the free end of the rotation support member with the rotation axis as a center, and a plurality of rings having a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft A member, a protruding blade member provided to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the ring-shaped member so as to be close to the inner wall of the container body in the centrifugal direction of the rotation shaft, and a base end portion at the free end portion of the rotation support member Is held and the tip is A developer accommodating container, characterized in that it comprises a flexible blade member for conveying to the outlet of the developer by at least contacting the inner wall of the body. The details of the above configuration will be specifically described below.

With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the developer container according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration and the like of the developer storage container according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11A is an external perspective view of the rotating stirring member built in the developer container shown in FIG. 10, and FIG. 11B is a schematic front view of the rotating stirring member. In addition, in FIG.11 (b), in order to demonstrate easily the positional relationship of 53 A of rotation stirring members with respect to the container inner wall 51b, the container main body 51 except detailed structures, such as a screw, is shown with a dashed-two dotted line. In addition, the flexible blade members 56 and 57 are bent by elastic deformation of the tip portions 56a and 57a that come into contact with the container inner wall 51b. For clarity, it is shown to project outward from the container inner wall 51b.
10 and 11, reference numeral 50A denotes the developer storage container of the first embodiment. The developer storage container 50A according to the first embodiment is different from the developer storage container 50 of the reference example shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 and the like in place of the rotary stirring member 53, and the rotary stirring shown in FIGS. The main difference is that the member 53A is used. The configuration of the developer storage container 50A other than this difference is the same as that of the developer storage container 50 of the reference example. Hereinafter, the rotary stirring member 53A will be described in detail focusing on the above differences.

  The rotating stirring member 53A uses a first rotating support member 55C and a second rotating support member 55D in place of the rotating support member 55, as compared with the rotating stirring member 53 of the reference example, and a plurality of protruding blade members 69. And the point where the plurality of protruding blade members 69 are newly provided are mainly different. That is, the rotary stirring member 53A includes a first rotation support member 55C that rotates integrally with the rotation shaft 54, a second rotation support member 55D that rotates integrally with the rotation shaft 54, a plurality of ring-shaped members 67, and a plurality of protruding blade members. 69 and flexible blade members 56 and 57.

  The rotary shaft 54 and the first rotary support member 55C, and the rotary shaft 54 and the second rotary support member 55D are integrally formed with an appropriate resin, as in the reference example, from the viewpoint of weight reduction and cost reduction. Although it is preferable, it may be integrally formed of metal or resin. The rotation shaft 54 is arranged so that the rotation center O is concentric with the arc center of the arc surface 51c as in the reference example. Thus, the rotation shaft 54 and the first rotation support member 55C, and the rotation shaft 54 and the second rotation support member 55D can be regarded as a substantially rigid body having sufficient rigidity. It has a function of stirring and unraveling developer G.

The first rotation support member 55 </ b> C has a base end 55 </ b> Cc that is formed integrally with the rotation shaft 54, an end portion 55 </ b> Ca that is a free end is disposed close to the container inner wall 51 b, and extends in the longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft 54. Thus, it functions as a lattice-like rotation support member in which openings 58 that are a plurality of openings are formed. The opening 58 is an opening through which the developer can pass. The second rotation support member 55D has a base end 55Dc formed integrally with the rotation shaft 54, an end portion 55Da which is a free end disposed close to the container inner wall 51b, and extends in the longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft 54. Thus, it functions as a lattice-like rotation support member in which openings 58 that are a plurality of openings are formed.
As shown in the figure, the first rotation support member 55C and the second rotation support member 55D have a shape that does not have a surface perpendicular to the rotation direction R, as shown in the figure, as compared to the rotation support member 55 of the reference example. (The projected area in the rotation direction R is small), and the total area of the opening 58 is also widely adopted. The first rotation support member 55C and the second rotation support member 55D have shapes extending on both sides in the centrifugal direction of the rotation shaft 54 so as to form a substantially cross shape orthogonal to each other, and such a lattice-like framework is formed. It is formed at four locations along the longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft 54. The first rotation support member 55C and the second rotation support member 55D have a line-symmetric shape with respect to the center line (symmetry axis) of the rotation center O of the rotation shaft 54 in the front view of FIG.
As described above, the first rotation support member 55C and the second rotation support member 55D have a lattice shape except for the holding portion that is the attachment portion of the flexible blade members 56 and 57, and the projected area in the rotation direction R. Therefore, the rotational torque during stirring of the developer can be significantly reduced.

  As described above, the end 55Ca of the first rotation support member 55C and the end 55Da of the second rotation support member 55D have a container inner wall 51b as long as the maximum length in the rotation radius direction does not contact the container inner wall 51b and the arcuate surface 51c. And it is preferable to extend to circular arc surface 51c (container bottom). Specifically, the distance (gap) between the end portion 55Ca of the first rotation support member 55C and the end portion 55Da of the second rotation support member 55D and the arc surface 51c (the container bottom surface) is 0.5 to 5 mm. It is preferable to set to. In addition, the rotational trajectory shapes of the end portion 55Ca of the first rotation support member 55C and the end portion 55Da of the second rotation support member 55D are substantially matched to the internal shape of the container body 51 so that the distance (gap) is reduced. It has a shape.

The ring-shaped member 67 is a bone-shaped member, and it is preferable that the ring-shaped member 67 is integrally formed with an appropriate resin from the viewpoint of weight reduction and cost reduction, but may be integrally formed with metal or resin. Thus, the ring-shaped member 67 can be regarded as a substantially rigid body having sufficient rigidity, and has the function of stirring and unraveling the developer G. The annular member 67 is provided on the circumference in the vicinity of the end portions 55Ca and 55Da of the first rotation support member 55C and the second rotation support member 55D with the rotation shaft 54 as the center, and the longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft 54 A plurality of (three in the example in the figure) are provided at a predetermined interval. The protruding blade member 69 is provided so as to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the ring-shaped member 67 so as to be close to the container inner wall 51 b in the centrifugal direction of the rotating shaft 54.
Except for the lattice-like bone portion where the ring-shaped member 67 and the protruding blade member 69 intersect, a portion surrounded by the ring-shaped member 67 and the protruding blade member 69 has a plurality of openings 68 as openings through which the developer can pass. Is formed.

  The protruding blade member 69 is preferably integrally formed with an appropriate resin from the viewpoint of weight reduction and cost reduction, but may be integrally formed with metal or resin. Thus, the protruding blade member 69 can be regarded as a substantially rigid body having sufficient rigidity, and has a function of stirring and unraveling the developer G. The projecting blade members 69 are arranged at four positions with an equal angular interval of 90 degrees between the first rotation support member 55C and the second rotation support member 55D in the ring-shaped member 67 and along the longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft 54. It is formed on the busbar.

The tip 69a, which is the free end of the protruding blade member 69, preferably extends to the container inner wall 51b and the arc surface 51c (container bottom surface) as long as the maximum length in the rotational radius direction does not contact the container inner wall 51b and the arc surface 51c. . Specifically, it is preferable to set the distance (gap) between the tip 69a of the protruding blade member 69 and the arcuate surface 51c (bottom surface of the container) to be 0.5 to 5 mm. Further, the shape of the rotation locus of the tip 69a of the protruding blade member 69 is a shape substantially matched to the internal shape of the container body 51 so that the distance (gap) is reduced.
The protruding blade member 69 can be integrally formed with the first rotation support member and the second rotation support member at the free ends of the first rotation support member and the second rotation support member, as will be described later. It is.

  The flexible blade members 56 and 57 are held and fixed by attaching the base end portions 56b and 57b to each end portion 55Ca of the first rotation support member 55C with an adhesive or a double-sided tape. The flexible blade members 56 and 57 are configured such that the tips 56a and 57a are at least in contact with the container inner wall 51b by the shape of the first rotation support member 55C and the pasting, and the container inner wall 51b and the arcuate surface 51c. The developer is conveyed in contact with the (bottom surface). Moreover, the shape of the front-end | tip part of the flexible blade members 56 and 57 can take a free shape according to the internal shape of the container main body 51 in consideration of the rotation locus shape. In other words, it can be said that the rotational trajectory shapes of the distal end portions of the flexible blade members 56 and 57 substantially match the container inner wall 51b and the arcuate surface 51c (container bottom surface).

The flexible blade members 56 and 57 having the same free length are affixed to the end portions 55Ca of the first rotation support member 55C, but the tips 56a and 57a are on the circular arc surface 51c (container bottom surface) of the container inner wall 51b. The free length may be different as long as at least the contact condition is satisfied. Moreover, as long as the said function and the said conditions are satisfy | filled, the shape of flexible blade member itself may differ.
10 and 11, in the state where the flexible blade members 56 and 57 are attached to the end portions 55Ca of the first rotation support member 55C, as shown in FIG. A rotationally symmetric shape is formed with respect to the rotational center line of the rotational center O.

The operation of the first embodiment will be described. As described above, the first rotation support member 55C and the second rotation support member 55D are formed in a lattice shape except for the pasted portions of the flexible blade members 56 and 57, and the projected area in the rotation direction R is small. The rotational torque when the agent is stirred can be greatly reduced. Since the first rotation support member 55C and the second rotation support member 55D are in a lattice shape, the developer agitation performance seems to be lower than the conventional one, but in order to supplement the agitation performance, the flexible blade member 56, 57 is installed. First, before the flexible blade members 56 and 57 convey the developer, the second rotation support member 55D and the protruding blade member 69 pass through the developer (not shown) stored in the container body 51 to develop. Loosen the agent. As a result, the developer can be easily conveyed, and the flexible blade members 56 and 57 that pass through the developer can be conveyed to a screw (not shown) without losing the developer.
Accordingly, the stirring performance can be supplemented by installing the plurality of flexible blade members 56 and 57 by the amount that the developer stirring performance of the first rotation support member 55C is lower than that of the reference example. In addition, by installing the plurality of protruding blade members 69 on the second rotation support member 55D, it is possible to disperse the rotation torque and reduce the local increase of the rotation torque depending on the rotation angle.

As described above, in the configuration of the reference example illustrated in FIG. 5A, the rotational torque significantly increases with the rotary stirring member 53 in a horizontal state. However, in the first embodiment, by installing the second rotation support member 55D and the plurality of protruding blade members 69, it is possible to disperse the rotation torque and reduce the local increase of the rotation torque depending on the rotation angle. it can. When the first rotation support member 55C is in the horizontal state, the rotational torque applied to the second rotation support member 55D increases. However, the second rotation support member 55D at this time is in the vertical state, and the rotation torque is small. The fluctuation of the rotational torque applied to the entire stirring member 53A is reduced.
Therefore, according to the first embodiment, the rigidity of the flexible blade members 56 and 57 is reduced, the developer stirring / conveying property of the rotating stirring member 53A with respect to the developer having poor fluidity is improved, and the rotating stirring member 53A. The avoidance of the increase in rotational torque can be achieved at the same time.

  In addition, a flexible blade member may be installed at the end portion 55Da of the second rotation support member 55D and the free end portion of the protruding blade member 69, and a total of three or more flexible blade members may be installed. . In this way, the developer conveying performance of the flexible blade member can also be improved. Thereby, the developer conveying performance by the flexible blade member is improved, but on the other hand, the projected area in the rotation direction R of the rotating stirring member is increased, which is a trade-off with the rotational torque. This may be adjusted according to the required performance.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and the present invention described in the claims is not specifically limited by the above description. Various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the above.
For example, the rotation shaft 54, the first rotation support member 55C, the second rotation support member 55D, the plurality of ring-shaped members 67, and the plurality of protruding blade members 69 may be integrally formed. In that case, the first rotation support member 55C, the second rotation support member 55D, the plurality of ring-shaped members 67, and the plurality of protruding blade members 69 include the first rotation support part, the second rotation support part, the plurality of ring-shaped parts, and the plurality of ring-shaped parts. It can also be called a protruding blade part. As a method of integrally molding in this way, for example, there is a method in which the resin is molded into a half-shaped shape with a resin and the half-shaped product is fixed to the rotating shaft 54.
The image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the color printer described above, but may be another type of image forming apparatus. In other words, the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied may be a copier, a facsimile machine, a plotter, or the like, or a complex machine thereof, or a complex machine such as a monochrome machine related thereto.

  For example, the technical matters and configurations described in the first embodiment may be appropriately combined. Further, as the developer stored in the developer storage container, in addition to the one-component developer mainly composed of toner (the developer storage container in this case is also referred to as “toner cartridge”), toner and carrier are used. A known developer such as a two-component developer may be used.

  The effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are only the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. is not.

11Y, 11C, 11M, 11K photoconductor (an example of an image carrier)
14Y, 14C, 14M, 14K Developing devices 40Y, 40C, 40M, 40K Developer replenishing device 41 Mounting portion 50A Developer storage container 51 Container body 51a Discharge port 51b Container inner wall 51c Arc surface 52 Screw (Developer transporting means)
53A Rotating stirring member 54 Rotating shaft 55C First rotating support member (constitutes rotating support member)
55D 2nd rotation support member (it constitutes a rotation support member)
End of 55 Da 1st rotation support member (an example of free end)
End of 55Ca second rotation support member (example of free end)
55Cc Base end of the first rotation support member (an example of the base end)
55Dc Base end of second rotation support member (example of base end)
56, 57 Flexible blade member 58 Opening (an example of an opening)
67 Ring-shaped member 68 Opening (opening)
69 Projecting blade member 69a Tip of the projecting blade member (free end)
G Developer L2 Clearance between end and bottom of free rotation end L3 Length of flexible blade member protruding L4 Biting amount О Center of rotation of rotating stirring member R Rotation direction

JP 2005-134694 A

Claims (12)

A rotating stirring member that is placed in the container body and transports to a discharge port while stirring by rotating around the rotation axis, the developer stored in the container body;
Provided in the rotary stirring member, the base end rotates integrally with the rotary shaft, the free end is disposed close to the inner wall of the container body, and a plurality of openings are provided along the longitudinal direction of the rotary shaft. A grid-like rotation support member formed with
A ring-shaped member provided on the circumference in the vicinity of the free end of the rotation support member around the rotation axis, and a plurality of ring-shaped members provided at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft;
A protruding blade member provided to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the ring-shaped member so as to be close to the inner wall of the container body in the centrifugal direction of the rotation shaft;
A flexible blade member that holds the base end portion at the free end portion of the rotation support member, and that conveys the developer to the discharge port by having the tip end at least in contact with the inner wall of the container body;
A developer container.   2. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein a gap between the free end and the bottom surface of the inner wall is 0.5 to 5 mm.   The tip of the flexible blade member from the free end to the tip is set to a length that contacts the inner wall or bites in a range of 0 to 20 mm. The developer container according to 2.   The developer storage container according to claim 1, wherein a shape of a rotation locus of the free end substantially matches with a degree not to contact the inner wall.   5. The developer storage container according to claim 1, wherein a shape of a rotation locus of the flexible blade member substantially matches the shape of the inner wall.   The developer container according to claim 1, wherein a gap between a free end of the protruding blade member and a bottom surface of the inner wall is 0.5 to 5 mm.   The developer storage container according to claim 1, wherein the two flexible blade members are held at both free ends of the rotation support member.   The flexible blade member is formed of a polyethylene terephthalate film material having a thickness of 50 to 200 μm, and a free length protruding from the free end surface is 5 mm or more. The developer storage container according to one.   8. The flexible blade member according to claim 1, wherein the flexible blade member is formed of a polyurethane film material having a thickness of 1 mm or more, and a free length protruding from the free end surface is 5 mm or more. The developer storage container according to 1.   The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the developer is a toner having an outflow temperature of 90 ° C. or less. A developer storage container in which a developer and a rotary stirring member are stored, and a mounting portion that removably supports the developer storage container, and supplies the developer in the developer storage container to a developing device. In the developer supply device,
The developer supply device according to claim 1, wherein the developer storage container is the developer storage container according to claim 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier; a developing device that develops a latent image formed on the image carrier with a developer; and a developer supply device that supplies the developer to the developing device.
12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the developer supply device is the developer supply device according to claim 11.

Images