JP2018054946A - Developer storage container and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce leakage of developer compared with a configuration that only rotatably supports an outer periphery of a cylindrical storage part.SOLUTION: Developer storage containers (Ky, Km, Kc, and Kk) each comprise: rotation part (1, 11) including a breaking member (11) that is rotatably supported integrally with the storage part (1) that stores a developer; the breaking member (11) including connection parts (13b) that extend in the radial direction from a transmission target part (13a) and connect the cylindrical part (12) and the transmission target part (13a); and support parts (22a) that regulate the position in the axial direction of the rotation part (1, 11) with respect to a discharge part (21). The positions of the connection parts (13b) are aligned to the positions of the support parts (22a) with respect to the direction of rotation of the rotation part (1, 11).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer container and an image forming apparatus.

In a conventional image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, the following Patent Document 1 is conventionally known as a container for storing a developer.
In Japanese Patent No. 3868146 as Patent Document 1, a claw portion outside the bottle cap (2) is attached to a claw-like portion formed on the outer periphery of the bottle mouth portion (1a) of the toner bottle (1). A configuration is described in which the toner bottle (1) is rotatably supported with respect to the bottle cap (2, 3) by being hooked.

Japanese Patent No. 3868146 (FIGS. 1 and 3)

  It is a technical object of the present invention to reduce developer leakage as compared with a configuration in which the outer periphery of a cylindrical container is only supported rotatably.

In order to solve the technical problem, the developer container of the invention according to claim 1,
A discharge part formed with a discharge port for discharging developer;
Rotation supported in a rotatable manner with respect to the discharge portion, having a housing portion in which the developer is housed, and a collapsing member that is rotatably supported integrally with the housing portion and collapses the developer during rotation. And
A cylindrical cylindrical portion, a transmitted portion that is arranged corresponding to the rotation center of the rotating portion and transmits the rotation to the rotating portion, extends radially from the transmitted portion, and the cylindrical portion and the The breaker member having a connection part for connecting the transmitted part and a supported part provided in the cylindrical part;
A support unit that is provided in the discharge unit and supports the rotation unit so as to be rotatable with respect to the discharge unit in contact with the supported unit, the rotation unit with respect to the discharge unit in a rotation axis direction; The support part for regulating the position;
With
The position of the connection portion is aligned with the position of the support portion with respect to the rotation direction of the rotation portion.

A second aspect of the present invention provides the developer container according to the first aspect,
A first regulated portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion;
A second regulated portion provided at an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion and a position shifted in the axial direction of the rotating portion with respect to the first regulated portion;
A first restricting portion that is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the rotating portion and that restricts a position by contacting the first restricted portion when the rotating portion moves relative to the discharge portion;
A second restricting portion that is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the rotating portion and restricts the position by contacting the second restricted portion when the rotating portion moves relative to the discharge portion;
It is provided with.

A third aspect of the present invention provides the developer container according to the second aspect,
A plurality of second restricted portions provided at intervals along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion,
It is provided with.

In order to solve the technical problem, an image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention provides:
An image carrier,
A latent image forming apparatus for forming a latent image on the surface of the image carrier;
A developing device for developing the latent image on the surface of the image carrier into a visible image;
The developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a developer to be supplied to the developing device is contained.
A transfer device for transferring a visible image of the surface of the image carrier to a medium;
A fixing device for fixing a visible image on the surface of the medium;
It is provided with.

According to the first and fourth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the leakage of the developer as compared with the configuration in which the outer periphery of the cylindrical accommodating portion is only supported rotatably.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the swinging of the developer as compared with the case where the plurality of regulated portions and the regulating portions arranged at positions shifted in the axial direction are not provided. Leakage can be reduced.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the leakage of the developer as compared with the case where a plurality of second restricted portions are not provided.

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged explanatory diagram of the visible image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge according to the first exemplary embodiment. 4A and 4B are explanatory views of the toner cartridge of Example 1. FIG. 4A is a side view, and FIG. 4B is a view seen from the direction of arrow IVB in FIG. 4A. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of the main part of the toner cartridge according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view taken along line VA-VA in FIG. 4B and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line VB-VB in FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the toner cartridge according to the first exemplary embodiment with a flange portion removed. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the fin member of the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the positional relationship between the claw portion and the breaking arm in the toner cartridge of the first exemplary embodiment.

Next, specific examples of embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as examples) will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.
In order to facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction, and arrows X, -X, Y, -Y, The direction indicated by Z and -Z or the indicated side is defined as the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, the lower side, or the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, and the lower side, respectively.
In the figure, “•” in “○” means an arrow heading from the back of the page to the front, and “×” in “○” is the front of the page. It means an arrow pointing from the back to the back.
In the following description using the drawings, illustrations other than members necessary for the description are omitted as appropriate for easy understanding.

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged explanatory diagram of the visible image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.
In FIG. 1, a copier U as an example of an image forming apparatus includes an operation unit UI, a scanner unit U1 as an example of an image reading device, a feeder unit U2 as an example of a medium supply device, and an example of an image recording device. It has an image unit U3 and a medium processing device U4.

(Description of operation unit UI)
The operation unit UI has an input button UIa used for starting copying and setting the number of copies. Further, the operation unit UI has a display unit UIb on which the content input by the input button UIa and the state of the copying machine U are displayed.

(Description of feeder unit U2)
In FIG. 1, the feeder unit U2 has a plurality of paper feed trays TR1, TR2, TR3, TR4 as an example of a medium container. The feeder unit U2 has a medium supply path SH1 for taking out the recording paper S as an example of the image recording medium accommodated in each of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 and transporting it to the image forming unit U3. doing.

(Description of image forming unit U3 and medium processing device U4)
In FIG. 1, the image forming unit U3 includes an image recording unit U3a that records an image on the recording sheet S conveyed from the feeder unit U2 based on a document image read by the scanner unit U1.
1 and 2, the drive circuit D of the latent image forming apparatus of the image forming unit U3 is configured to output each color Y at a preset timing based on the image information input from the scanner unit U1. To K latent image forming apparatuses ROSy, ROSm, ROSc, and ROSk. Below each of the latent image forming apparatuses ROSy to ROSk, photosensitive drums Py, Pm, Pc, and Pk, which are examples of image carriers, are arranged.

The surfaces of the rotating photosensitive drums Py, Pm, Pc, Pk are uniformly charged by charging rolls CRy, CRm, CRc, CRk as an example of a charger. The surfaces of the photosensitive drums Py to Pk whose surfaces are charged are statically exposed by laser beams Ly, Lm, Lc, and Lk as examples of latent image writing light output from the latent image forming devices ROSy, ROSm, ROSc, and ROSK. An electrostatic latent image is formed. The electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums Py, Pm, Pc, and Pk are toner images as examples of visible images of yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C, and black K by the developing devices Gy, Gm, Gc, and Gk. Developed.
In the developing devices Gy to Gk, the developer consumed by the development is supplied from toner cartridges Ky, Km, Kc, and Kk as an example of a developer container. The toner cartridges Ky, Km, Kc, Kk are detachably attached to the developer supply device U3b.

The toner images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums Py, Pm, Pc, and Pk are transferred onto an intermediate transfer belt B as an example of an intermediate transfer member by primary transfer rolls T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k as an example of a primary transfer unit. The primary transfer areas Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k are sequentially superimposed and transferred, and a color toner image as an example of a multicolor visible image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt B. The color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt B is conveyed to the secondary transfer area Q4.
In the case of only K-color image information, only the K-color photosensitive drum Pk and the developing device Gk are used, and only the K-color toner image is formed.
The photosensitive drums Py, Pm, Pc, and Pk after the primary transfer are made up of residual developer and paper dust adhered to the surface by a drum cleaner CLy, CLm, CLc, and CLk as an example of an image carrier cleaner. Residue is removed.

In the first embodiment, the photosensitive drum Pk, the charging roll CRk, and the drum cleaner CLk are integrated as a K-color photosensitive unit UK as an example of an image holding unit. Similarly, for the other colors Y, M, and C, the photosensitive drum units PY, Pm, and Pc, charging rolls CRy, CRm, and CRc, and drum cleaners CLy, CLm, and CLc are used to form the photosensitive units UY, UM, and UC. It is configured.
A K-color visible image forming device UK + Gk is configured by the K-color photosensitive unit UK and the developing device Gk having a developing roll R0k as an example of a developer holding member. Similarly, Y, M, and C color photoreceptor units UY, UM, and UC and developing devices Gy, Gm, and Gc having developing rolls R0y, R0m, and R0c, respectively, are visible in Y, M, and C colors. Image forming apparatuses UY + Gy, UM + Gm, and UC + Gc are configured.

  A belt module BM as an example of an intermediate transfer device is disposed below the photosensitive drums Py to Pk. The belt module BM includes the intermediate transfer belt B, a driving roll Rd as an example of a driving member for the intermediate transfer member, a tension roll Rt as an example of a tension applying member, a walking roll Rw as an example of a meandering prevention member, and a driven member. A plurality of idler rolls Rf as an example, a backup roll T2a as an example of a counter member, and the primary transfer rolls T1y, T1m, T1c, T1k. The intermediate transfer belt B is supported so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow Ya.

A secondary transfer unit Ut is disposed below the backup roll T2a. The secondary transfer unit Ut has a secondary transfer roll T2b as an example of a secondary transfer member. A secondary transfer region Q4 is formed by a region where the secondary transfer roll T2b contacts the intermediate transfer belt B. Further, a backup roll as an example of a facing member is opposed to the secondary transfer roll T2b with the intermediate transfer belt B interposed therebetween. A contact roll T2c as an example of a power supply member is in contact with the backup roll T2a. A secondary transfer voltage having the same polarity as the toner charging polarity is applied to the contact roll T2c.
The backup roll T2a, the secondary transfer roll T2b, and the contact roll T2c constitute a secondary transfer device T2.

A medium transport path SH2 is disposed below the belt module BM. The recording sheet S fed from the medium supply path SH1 of the feeder unit U2 is conveyed to a registration roll Rr as an example of a conveyance timing adjustment member by a conveyance roll Ra as an example of a medium conveyance member. The registration roll Rr conveys the recording paper S downstream in accordance with the timing when the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt B is conveyed to the secondary transfer region Q4. The recording sheet S fed by the registration roll Rr is guided by the registration-side sheet guide SGr and the sheet guide SG1 before transfer, and is conveyed to the secondary transfer area Q4.
The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt B is transferred to the recording paper S by the secondary transfer unit T2 when passing through the secondary transfer region Q4. In the case of a color toner image, the toner images primarily transferred and superimposed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B are secondarily transferred onto the recording paper S all at once.
The primary transfer rolls T1y to T1k, the secondary transfer unit T2, and the intermediate transfer belt B constitute a transfer device T1y to T1k + T2 + B of Example 1.

  The intermediate transfer belt B after the secondary transfer is cleaned by a belt cleaner CLB as an example of an intermediate transfer member cleaner disposed downstream of the secondary transfer region Q4. The belt cleaner CLB removes residues such as developer and paper powder remaining without being transferred from the intermediate transfer belt B in the secondary transfer region Q4.

The recording sheet S on which the toner image has been transferred is guided by a sheet guide SG2 after transfer, and is sent to a medium conveying belt BH as an example of a conveying member. The medium conveyance belt BH conveys the recording paper S to the fixing device F.
The fixing device F includes a heating roll Fh as an example of a heating member and a pressure roll Fp as an example of a pressure member. The recording sheet S is conveyed to a fixing area Q5, which is an area where the heating roll Fh and the pressure roll Fp are in contact with each other. The toner image on the recording paper S is fixed by being heated and pressurized by the fixing device F when passing through the fixing region Q5.
The visible image forming devices UY + Gy to UK + Gk, the transfer devices T1y to T1k + T2 + B, and the fixing device F constitute the image recording unit U3a of Example 1.

  On the downstream side of the fixing device F, a switching gate GT1 as an example of a switching member is provided. The switching gate GT1 selectively switches the recording sheet S that has passed through the fixing region Q5 to either the discharge path SH3 or the reversing path SH4 on the medium processing apparatus U4 side. The recording sheet S conveyed to the discharge path SH3 is conveyed to the sheet conveyance path SH5 of the medium processing device U4. A curl correction member U4a, which is an example of a warp correction member, is disposed in the paper transport path SH5. The curl correction member U4a corrects the warp, that is, the so-called curl of the recording sheet S that has been carried in. The recording sheet S with the curl corrected is discharged by a discharge roll Rh as an example of a medium discharge member onto a discharge tray TH1 as an example of a medium discharge unit with the image fixing surface of the sheet facing upward.

The recording sheet S conveyed to the reversing path SH4 side of the image forming unit U3 by the switching gate GT1 is conveyed to the reversing path SH4 of the image forming unit U3 through the second gate GT2 as an example of a switching member.
At this time, when the image fixing surface of the recording paper S is discharged downward, the transport direction of the recording paper S is reversed after the rear end of the recording paper S in the transport direction passes through the second gate GT2. Here, the second gate GT2 of the first embodiment is configured by a thin-film elastic member. Therefore, the second gate GT2 once passes the recording sheet S conveyed to the reversing path SH4 as it is, and when the recording sheet S that has passed is reversed, so-called switched back, is guided to the conveying paths SH3 and SH5. To do. Then, the recording sheet S that has been switched back passes through the curl correction member U4a and is discharged to the discharge tray TH1 with the image fixing surface facing downward.

A circulation path SH6 is connected to the inversion path SH4 of the image forming section U3, and a third gate GT3 as an example of a switching member is disposed at the connection section. Further, the downstream end of the inversion path SH4 is connected to the inversion path SH7 of the medium processing apparatus U4.
The recording sheet S conveyed to the reversing path SH4 through the switching gate GT1 is conveyed to the reversing path SH7 side of the medium processing apparatus U4 by the third gate GT3. Similar to the second gate GT2, the third gate GT3 of the first embodiment is formed of a thin-film elastic member. Accordingly, the third gate GT3 guides the recording sheet S conveyed through the reversing path SH4 once to the circulation path SH6 when the recording sheet S that has passed through is switched back.

The recording sheet S conveyed to the circulation path SH6 is retransmitted to the secondary transfer area Q4 through the medium conveyance path SH2, and printing on the second side is performed.
A sheet transport path SH is constituted by the elements indicated by the symbols SH1 to SH7. Further, the sheet conveying device SU according to the first embodiment is configured by the elements indicated by the symbols SH, Ra, Rr, Rh, SGr, SG1, SG2, BH, and GT1 to GT3.

(Description of toner cartridge)
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge according to the first exemplary embodiment.
4A and 4B are explanatory views of the toner cartridge of Example 1. FIG. 4A is a side view, and FIG. 4B is a view seen from the direction of arrow IVB in FIG. 4A.
5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of the main part of the toner cartridge according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view taken along line VA-VA in FIG. 4B and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line VB-VB in FIG.

  3 and 4, the toner cartridges Ky to Kk according to the first exemplary embodiment include a bottle 1 as an example of a storage unit. The bottle 1 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction, and is configured so that a developer can be accommodated therein. On the wall surface of the bottle 1, a spiral groove 2 as an example of a transport unit is formed. The groove 2 forms a spiral ridge inside the bottle 1. In FIG. 5, an opening 3 is formed at the rear end of the bottle 1. On the outer surface of the bottle 1, a screw portion 4 as an example of a fastening portion is formed at a position on the front side of the opening 3.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the toner cartridge according to the first exemplary embodiment with a flange portion removed.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the fin member of the first embodiment.
5-7, the fin member 11 as an example of a breaking member is arrange | positioned at the rear side of the bottle 1. As shown in FIG. The fin member 11 includes a front cylindrical portion 12 and a rear fin body 13. As for the cylindrical part 12, the thread part 12a as an example of a fastening part is formed in the internal peripheral surface of the front part. The screw part 12 a is formed corresponding to the screw part 4. Therefore, the screw part 12a and the screw part 4 mesh with each other, and the fin member 11 and the bottle 1 are fastened. Therefore, the rotation parts 1 and 11 of Example 1 are comprised by the fin member 11 and the bottle 1. FIG.

  The cylindrical portion 12 is formed with a ring-shaped concave groove 12b as an example of a supported portion on the outer periphery of the rear portion. A convex ring 12c as an example of a first regulated portion is formed on the rear side of the concave groove 12b. The convex ring 12c has a larger outer diameter than the concave groove 12b. A convex portion 12d as an example of a second restricted portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface on the front side of the concave groove 12b. A plurality of convex portions 12 d are arranged at predetermined intervals along the rotation direction of the rotating portions 1, 11, that is, the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 12.

In FIG. 7, the fin main body 13 of Example 1 has the axial part 13a as an example of a to-be-transmitted part. The shaft portion 13a of the embodiment is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction. At the front end of the shaft portion 13a, a breaking arm 13b is formed as an example of a first breaking portion and extends outward in the radial direction as an example of a connecting portion. The outer end of the breaking arm 13 b is connected to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 12. The four breaking arms 13b of the first embodiment are provided at 90 ° intervals with respect to the circumferential direction of the bottle 1.
In FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, a breaking protrusion 13 c as an example of a second breaking portion is formed on the outer end portion in the radial direction of the breaking arm 13 b. The breaking protrusion 13c of the first embodiment is formed in a rod shape extending in the front-rear direction. In FIG. 7, the breaking protrusion 13 c of the first embodiment extends to a position overlapping the discharge port 28 in the axial direction corresponding to the discharge port 28 described later. Further, four breaking projections 13c of the first embodiment are provided at intervals of 90 ° with respect to the circumferential direction corresponding to the breaking arms 13b.

  In FIG. 7, the breaking protrusion 13c of the first embodiment has an inclined surface 14 that is inclined with respect to the rotation center. The inclined surface 14 according to the first embodiment is configured by a surface that is inclined toward the rotation center side toward the downstream side in the rotation direction Ya. Further, in the breaking protrusion 13c of the first embodiment, a vertical surface 15 is formed on the inner side in the radial direction with respect to the inclined surface. The vertical surface 15 is configured by a surface perpendicular to the rotation direction Ya. Therefore, the breaking protrusion 13c according to the first embodiment is formed in a pentagonal shape close to a trapezoidal shape with a part of a rectangular corner cut away when viewed from behind.

  A coupling 16 as an example of a driven transmission member is supported on the shaft portion 13a. In FIG. 7, a cross-shaped groove 13a1 is formed in the shaft portion 13a of the first embodiment, and the shaft portion 16a of the coupling 16 is formed in a cross-shaped cross section corresponding to the groove 13a1. Therefore, when the coupling 16 according to the first embodiment is mounted on the shaft portion 13a, the coupling 16 and the shaft portion 13a are mounted with a positional relationship in the rotational direction set in advance. Therefore, the positional relationship in the rotational direction between the claw 16b, the breaking arm 13b and the breaking projection 13c, that is, the circumferential phase is set to have a preset phase difference. Therefore, the rotational position of the claw 16b can be confirmed from the outside of the toner cartridges Ky to Kk, so that the rotational position of the breaking arm 13b and the like that cannot be seen from the outside can be confirmed. When the toner cartridges Ky to Kk are attached to the developer replenishing device U3b, the coupling 16 is engaged with the coupling supported by the developer replenishing device U3b and the drive is transmitted.

In FIG. 5, a toner seal 17 as an example of a leakage prevention member is supported on the rear end surface of the cylindrical portion 12. The toner seal 17 is formed in an annular shape, a so-called ring shape, along the rear end surface of the cylindrical portion 12. The toner seal 17 is made of any material that can prevent the leakage of the developer, and for example, a foamed member such as a sponge can be employed.
In FIG. 4, a flange portion 21 as an example of a discharge portion is supported on the rear side of the fin member 11. The flange portion 21 is configured in a cylindrical shape. The flange portion 21 has a front portion 22 and a rear portion 24 having a smaller diameter than the front portion 22.

  The front portion 22 has an inner diameter that covers the outer periphery of the rear portions of the rotating portions 1 and 11. The front portion 22 is formed with a claw portion 22a as an example of a support portion and an example of a connecting portion. The claw portion 22a is disposed at a position corresponding to the ring-shaped concave groove 12b. Further, four claw portions 22 a are arranged at 90 ° intervals along the circumferential direction of the flange portion 21. Furthermore, the tip of the claw portion 22a extends toward the inside in the radial direction. The claw portion 22a is in contact with the side surface of the concave groove 12b, and restricts the rotating portions 1 and 11 from moving forward with respect to the flange portion 21, that is, moving in a direction away from the flange portion 21. Therefore, the claw portion 22 a supports the rotating portions 1 and 11 so as to be rotatable with respect to the flange portion 21.

In addition, the nail | claw part 22a of Example 1 has what is called a snap fit structure. Therefore, when attaching the rotating parts 1 and 11 to the flange part 21, when the convex ring 12c passes the position of the claw part 22a, the claw part 22a is elastically deformed, and the claw part 22a gets over the convex ring 12c. And when the ditch | groove 12b reaches | attains the position of the nail | claw part 22a, it will be elastically restored and the nail | claw part 22a will contact the ditch | groove 12b.
Further, the inner diameter of the inner peripheral surface 22b of the front portion 22 of the first embodiment is set so as to be close to the convex ring 12c and the convex portion 12d. That is, the first restricting portion of the first embodiment is configured by the inner peripheral surface 22b1 facing and close to the convex ring 12c. Moreover, the 2nd control part of Example 1 is comprised by the internal peripheral surface 22b2 which opposes and adjoins the convex part 12d.

At the front end of the front portion 22, a ring-shaped convex portion 23 as an example of a biting portion is formed. The convex portion 23 is arranged corresponding to the position of the toner seal 17. Therefore, when the flange portion 21 and the rotating portions 1 and 11 are connected, the convex portion 23 bites into the toner seal 17 and is supported in a state where the toner seal 17 is compressed.
In FIG. 5, a plate-like wall portion 26 extending in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction is formed at the boundary portion between the front portion 22 and the rear portion 24. The wall portion 26 is rotatably supported with the coupling 16 penetrating therethrough.

A discharge path 27 extending downward is formed below the wall portion 26. A discharge port 28 as an example of a discharge unit is formed at the lower end of the discharge path 27.
A shutter 29 as an example of an opening / closing member is supported below the discharge path 27 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The shutter 29 moves between an open position for opening the discharge port 28 and a closed position for closing the discharge port 28 as the toner cartridges Ky to Kk are inserted and removed. As the configuration for moving the shutter 29 in accordance with the insertion / extraction of the toner cartridges Ky to Kk, for example, various known configurations such as JP 2009-229938 can be adopted. To do.

3 and 4, an insertion guide 31 as an example of a guided portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rear portion 24. When the toner cartridges Ky to Kk are mounted, the insertion guide 31 is guided to a guide unit (not shown) provided in the image forming unit U3 as an example of the main body of the image forming apparatus.
Further, a mechanical key 32 as an example of an identification unit is disposed on the upper portion of the rear portion 24. The mechanical key 32 has a plurality of protrusions extending in the front-rear direction. The mechanical key 32 has different numbers and positions of protrusions depending on the colors of the toner cartridges Ky to Kk.

(Rotation alignment)
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the positional relationship between the claw portion and the breaking arm in the toner cartridge of the first exemplary embodiment.
In FIG. 8, in the toner cartridges Ky to Kk of the first exemplary embodiment, the rotational position of the breaking arm 13b is adjusted to the rotational position of the claw portion 22a at the stage before the shipment after the assembly of the toner cartridges Ky to Kk. In the first embodiment, the coupling 16 is rotated in a state where the flange portion 21 is held unrotatable by a rotation position adjusting device (not shown) having a coupling meshing with the coupling 16. Here, in the rotation position adjusting device, the rotation position of the coupling 16 in which the rotation position of the breaking arm 13b becomes the rotation position of the claw portion 22a is derived in advance by an experiment or the like. Then, based on the rotation position of the rotation axis of the coupling of the rotation position adjusting device, it is determined whether or not the claw 16b of the coupling 16 that has been engaged has moved to the rotation position that has been previously derived, and the rotation that has been previously derived. When moved to the position, the coupling 16 is stopped.

In addition, the structure which matches the rotation position of the breaking arm 13b with the rotation position of the nail | claw part 22a is not limited to the above-mentioned structure. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a gap 22 c is formed between the claw portion 22 a and the front portion 22 of the flange portion 21. Therefore, the concave groove 12b and the convex ring 12c of the rotating parts 1 and 11 are visible through the gap 22c. Therefore, in the state where the rotation position of the breaking arm 13b and the rotation position of the claw portion 22a are matched, a marker, a dent, a protrusion, or the like as an example of the mark is provided in the groove 12b so that it can be seen from the gap 22c. By observing the gap 22c with a camera as an example of a member and rotating the rotating portions 1 and 11 with respect to the flange portion 21 until the marker or the like moves to a preset position, the rotation position of the breaking arm 13b It is possible to match the rotation position of the claw portion 22a.
In the developer replenishing device U3b according to the first exemplary embodiment, when the developer is replenished, the rotating units 1 and 11 are controlled to rotate 90 degrees by one replenishment operation.

(Operation of Example 1)
In the copying machine U of the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, when the drive is transmitted to the coupling 16 according to the consumption of the toner in a state where the toner cartridges Ky to Kk are mounted on the developer supply device U3b, the fins The member 11 and the bottle 1 rotate. When the bottle 1 rotates, the developer is conveyed backward along the spiral groove 2. Therefore, in the toner cartridges Ky to Kk of the first exemplary embodiment, a rotating conveyance member is not necessary inside the bottle, and the manufacturing cost of the toner cartridges Ky to Kk can be reduced.
The developer conveyed rearward along with the rotation of the bottle 1 is supplied to the developer supply device U3b through the discharge port 28.

When the developer in the toner cartridges Ky to Kk becomes empty, the toner cartridges Ky to Kk are replaced. The toner cartridges Ky to Kk may be subject to vibration or fall during replacement work of the toner cartridges Ky to Kk or during distribution from the factory to the office. When the toner cartridges Ky to Kk are dropped, the fin member 11 and the flange portion 21 may be distorted or deformed. If the fin member 11 or the like is distorted, the amount of compression of the toner seal 17 may fluctuate and toner leakage may occur.
On the other hand, when the compression rate of the toner seal 17 is increased in order to ensure the sealing property (sealing property), the frictional force between the toner seal 17 and the convex portion 23 increases. Therefore, the rubbing torque at the time of rotation of the rotating parts 1 and 11 becomes high, and it is necessary to use a high-performance motor as a motor for rotating the rotating parts 1 and 11. Therefore, a high-performance and expensive motor is used, and there is a problem that costs increase.

On the other hand, if the rubbing torque is suppressed, a buffer material or a packaging material is required so as not to give vibrations or the like to the toner cartridges Ky to Kk in order to supplement the sealing performance, and there is a problem that costs increase. In addition, there is a problem that the user's operability is lowered because it takes time to remove the cushioning material and the like. Further, if the rigidity of the fin member 11 is increased in order to supplement the sealing performance, there is a problem that the material cost increases. The configuration described in Patent Document 1 also has the above-described problem of sealing properties.
In contrast, in the toner cartridges Ky to Kk according to the first exemplary embodiment, the breaking arm 13b extending in the radial direction is disposed in the vicinity of the toner seal 17. Therefore, when an external force is applied due to dropping or the like, even if the bottle 1, the fin member 11, and the flange portion 21 having a substantially circular cross section are distorted, the breaking arm 13b extending in the radial direction suppresses the distortion. Therefore, compared to Patent Document 1 that does not have a member extending in the radial direction, in the first embodiment, the distortion of the rotating portions 1 and 11 and the flange portion 21 is reduced, and developer leakage is reduced.

  In particular, in the first embodiment, when the toner cartridges Ky to Kk are shipped, the claw portion 22a is rotated to the rotation position of the claw portion 22a. If the flange portion 21 tries to be distorted when the toner cartridges Ky to Kk are dropped, the fin member 11 receives a force by being pushed by the claw portion 22a. At this time, if the breaking arm 13b that withstands distortion is disposed at the position of the claw portion 22a that receives force, the rotation position of the breaking arm 13b is less likely to be distorted than when the rotation position of the breaking arm 13b is shifted from the rotation position of the claw portion 22a. Become. Therefore, in the toner cartridges Ky to Kk according to the first exemplary embodiment in which the rotation position of the arm 13b is adjusted to the rotation position of the claw portion 22a, the flange portion 21 and the rotation portion are more likely to be dropped when compared with the case where the rotation position is shifted. 1,11 distortion is reduced. Therefore, developer leakage is reduced.

Further, when the toner cartridges Ky to Kk are dropped or the like, the force that the axial directions of the rotating portions 1 and 11 are relatively inclined with respect to the axial direction of the flange portion 21, that is, the rotating portion with respect to the flange portion 21. There may be a force acting such that 1 and 11 swing their heads. When such a force is applied, in the toner seal 17, the compression rate becomes high on one side and the compression rate becomes low on the opposite side. Therefore, the developer may leak on the side where the compression rate is low.
On the other hand, in Example 1, inner peripheral surface 22b1, 22b2 is arrange | positioned adjacent to the convex ring 12c and the convex part 12d which are arrange | positioned away in the axial direction. Therefore, when the rotating parts 1 and 11 are about to swing, the convex ring 12c and the convex part 12d come into contact with the inner peripheral surfaces 22b1 and 22b2, and the swinging of the rotating parts 1 and 11 is suppressed. Therefore, compared to the configuration without the convex ring 12c and the convex portion 12d and the inner peripheral surfaces 22b1 and 22b2, the toner cartridges Ky to Kk of Example 1 reduce developer leakage.
In particular, in Example 1, a plurality of convex portions 12d are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. When there is only one convex portion 12d, the direction in which the swing can be suppressed is limited, but in the first embodiment, the swing in various directions can be suppressed.

(Example of change)
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various change is made in the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim. Is possible. Modification examples (H01) to (H04) of the present invention are exemplified below.
(H01) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration of the copying machine U as an example of the image forming apparatus is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to a FAX or a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions. Further, the image forming apparatus is not limited to a multicolor developing image forming apparatus, and may be configured by a single color, so-called monochrome image forming apparatus, and is not limited to a so-called tandem image forming apparatus, and may be a rotary type image forming apparatus. It is also applicable to.

(H02) In the above embodiment, the shape and the number of the breaking arms 13b and the breaking protrusions 13c are not limited to the exemplified configurations, and the shape can be changed or the number can be increased or decreased according to the design or specifications. is there. Similarly, the number and shape of the convex ring 12c and the convex portion 12d can be arbitrarily changed. For example, the convex ring 12c may be formed in a shape in which a plurality of protrusions are arranged in the circumferential direction, similarly to the convex portion 12d, without being formed into a ring shape connected in the circumferential direction. A ring shape is also possible.
(H03) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the swing is suppressed by the convex ring 12c and the convex portion 12d provided on the fin member 11 and the inner peripheral surfaces 22b1 and 22b2 of the flange portion 21 is exemplified, but the present invention is limited to this. Not. For example, a convex portion can be provided on the inner peripheral surface of the flange portion 21. Therefore, on the fin member 11 side and the flange portion 21 side, one can be convex and the other planar, or both can be convex. .

(H04) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the concave groove 12b is formed between the convex ring 12c and the convex portion 12d is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. Although it is desirable that the distance between the convex ring 12c and the convex part 12d is separated, the distance between the convex ring 12c and the convex part 12d is appropriately changed according to the degree of swinging suppression required in the design and specifications. Is possible.

1 ... Container,
1,11 ... rotating part,
2 ... conveying section,
11 ... Breaking member,
12 ... cylindrical part,
12b: supported part,
12c ... 1st controlled part,
12d ... the second restricted part,
13a ... transmitted part,
13b ... connection part,
21 ... discharge part,
22a ... support part,
22b ... the inner peripheral surface of the rotating part,
22b1 ... 1st control part,
22b2 ... the second regulating part,
28 ... discharge port,
F: Fixing device,
Gy, Gm, Gc, Gk ... developing device,
Ky, Km, Kc, Kk ... container for developer,
Py, Pm, Pc, Pk ... image carrier,
ROSy, ROSm, ROSc, ROSk ... latent image forming device,
S ... medium
T1y to T1k + T2 + B ... transfer device,
U: Image forming apparatus.

Claims (4)

A discharge part formed with a discharge port for discharging developer;
Rotation supported in a rotatable manner with respect to the discharge portion, having a housing portion in which the developer is housed, and a collapsing member that is rotatably supported integrally with the housing portion and collapses the developer during rotation. And
A cylindrical cylindrical portion, a transmitted portion that is arranged corresponding to the rotation center of the rotating portion and transmits the rotation to the rotating portion, extends radially from the transmitted portion, and the cylindrical portion and the The breaker member having a connection part for connecting the transmitted part and a supported part provided in the cylindrical part;
A support unit that is provided in the discharge unit and supports the rotation unit so as to be rotatable with respect to the discharge unit in contact with the supported unit, the rotation unit with respect to the discharge unit in a rotation axis direction; The support part for regulating the position;
With
A developer container, wherein the position of the connection portion is aligned with the position of the support portion with respect to the rotation direction of the rotation portion. A first regulated portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion;
A second regulated portion provided at an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion and a position shifted in the axial direction of the rotating portion with respect to the first regulated portion;
A first restricting portion that is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the rotating portion and that restricts a position by contacting the first restricted portion when the rotating portion moves relative to the discharge portion;
A second restricting portion that is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the rotating portion and restricts the position by contacting the second restricted portion when the rotating portion moves relative to the discharge portion;
The developer container according to claim 1, further comprising: A plurality of second restricted portions provided at intervals along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion,
The developer container according to claim 2, further comprising: An image carrier,
A latent image forming apparatus for forming a latent image on the surface of the image carrier;
A developing device for developing the latent image on the surface of the image carrier into a visible image;
The developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a developer to be supplied to the developing device is contained.
A transfer device for transferring a visible image of the surface of the image carrier to a medium;
A fixing device for fixing a visible image on the surface of the medium;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

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