JP2021056330A - Developing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

To allow toner to be supplied to a development chamber through operation of a coupling and to prevent deterioration of the toner.SOLUTION: When a coupling 22 turns clockwise at a given rotation speed, a developing unit (developer cartridge 10) does not supply toner in a toner storage chamber to a development chamber but turns a developing roller 12 to turn a first agitator 14 at a first rotation speed. When the coupling 22 turns anticlockwise at a given rotation speed, the developing unit supplies toner in the toner storage chamber to the development chamber and turns the first agitator at a second rotation speed lower than the first rotation speed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

The present disclosure relates to a developer having a coupling into which a driving force is input.

A developer having a coupling that receives a driving force from an image forming apparatus main body is known. Then, there is known an image forming apparatus that appropriately supplies toner from a developing agent cartridge to a housing of a developing device according to the remaining amount of toner in the housing of the developing cartridge (Patent Document 1). In this image forming apparatus, the solenoid of the apparatus main body is operated to move the lever on the main body side, and the lever on the main body side accesses the lever on the developing cartridge side to supply toner.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-181946

However, in the conventional apparatus, toner cannot be supplied to the developing chamber of the developing cartridge only by the coupling operation. Therefore, there is a demand for a developer that can supply toner at a required timing only by a coupling operation. Further, when the toner in the developer is agitated by the agitator, the toner deteriorates, so it is desired to reduce the agitation by the agitator as much as possible.

Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a developer capable of supplying toner to a developing chamber only by a coupling operation and suppressing deterioration of the toner.

In order to solve the above problems, the developer according to the present disclosure includes a developing roller that can rotate about a first axis extending in the axial direction, a first gear for rotating the developing roller, a housing, and a first agitator. , An agitator gear that rotates with the first agitator, and a coupling that can rotate both counterclockwise and clockwise with respect to the second axis that extends in the axial direction. An auger or a second agitator that supplies toner to the development chamber, an auger or a second agitator that is rotatable about an axially extending axis, and a transfer gear that is rotatable with the auger or the second agitator. In the first moving gear that meshes with the coupling gear and can rotate both counterclockwise and clockwise, the first position that meshes with the transfer gear in the state of meshing with the coupling gear and the first position that does not mesh with the transfer gear and does not mesh with the transfer gear. A first moving gear that can move between the first gear and the second position that meshes with it, and is located in the first position when the coupling gear rotates counterclockwise, and when the coupling gear rotates clockwise. It includes a first moving gear, a second moving gear, and a third moving gear located at a second position.
The housing is a developing chamber located inside the housing, which is a developing chamber capable of accommodating toner for supplying to the developing rollers, and a toner accommodating chamber located inside the housing, which goes to the developing chamber. It has a toner accommodating chamber capable of accommodating toner for supplying.
The first agitator agitates the toner in the developing chamber and is rotatable about an agitator shaft extending in the axial direction.
The second moving gear can move around the coupling gear while receiving the driving force from the coupling gear, and can move between the third position where it does not mesh with the agitator gear and the fourth position where it meshes with the agitator gear. is there. The second moving gear is located at the third position when the coupling gear rotates counterclockwise, and at the fourth position when the coupling gear rotates clockwise.
The third moving gear can move around the coupling gear while receiving the driving force from the coupling gear, and can move between the fifth position where it meshes with the agitator gear and the sixth position where it does not mesh with the agitator gear. is there. The third moving gear is located at the fifth position when the coupling gear rotates counterclockwise, and is located at the sixth position when the coupling gear rotates clockwise.
When the coupling rotates clockwise at a predetermined rotation speed, the toner in the toner accommodating chamber is not supplied to the development chamber because the first moving gear does not mesh with the transfer gear, and the first moving gear meshes with the first gear. As a result, the developing roller rotates, the agitator gear is driven by the coupling gear via the second moving gear, and the first agitator rotates at the first rotation speed.
When the coupling rotates counterclockwise at a predetermined rotation speed, the first moving gear meshes with the transport gear to supply the toner in the toner accommodating chamber to the developing chamber, and the agitator gear uses the coupling gear to move the third moving gear. Driven through, the first agitator rotates at a second rotation speed that is slower than the first rotation speed.

According to such a configuration, the developing roller can be rotated by rotating the coupling clockwise, and the toner can be supplied by rotating the coupling counterclockwise. That is, the toner can be supplied from the toner accommodating chamber to the developing chamber at a required timing only by the operation of the coupling. Therefore, the developer can be miniaturized because other parts such as the conventional lever are not required.
Further, when the coupling is rotated counterclockwise to supply toner, the first agitator rotates at a second rotation speed slower than the first rotation speed when the coupling is rotated clockwise. It is possible to reduce the stirring of the toner in the developing chamber and suppress the deterioration of the toner.

The above-mentioned developer is a second gear that meshes with the first gear, and is located between the second gear that can rotate counterclockwise about the second axis and the coupling and the second gear in the axial direction. A clutch that rotates with the coupling. When the coupling rotates counterclockwise, it engages with a part of the second gear, and the second gear rotates counterclockwise together with the coupling gear. When rotating around, a clutch that does not engage with a part of the second gear and does not rotate the second gear together with the coupling can be provided.
Then, when the coupling gear rotates counterclockwise, the first moving gear is located at the first position and does not mesh with the first gear, and the second gear responds to the rotation of the coupling gear counterclockwise. , The first gear rotates counterclockwise together with the coupling gear via the clutch, and the first gear rotates clockwise by meshing with the second gear.
When the coupling gear rotates clockwise, the first moving gear is located in the second position and meshes with the first gear, and as the coupling gear rotates clockwise, the first moving gear is with the coupling gear. The first gear rotates counterclockwise due to the engagement with the first moving gear, and the first gear rotates clockwise due to the engagement with the first moving gear.

According to this configuration, the first gear can be rotated clockwise and the developing roller can be rotated in the same direction regardless of whether the coupling is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise. Therefore, it is possible to supply toner from the toner accommodating chamber to the developing chamber while developing.

The third moving gear may have a small-diameter gear and a large-diameter gear having a larger diameter than the small-diameter gear. In this case, the large-diameter gear receives the driving force of the coupling gear, and when the third moving gear is located at the fifth position, the small-diameter gear may mesh with the agitator gear.

According to this configuration, the third moving gear functions as a reduction gear, and when the coupling is rotated counterclockwise, the first agitator can be rotated slowly.

The developer may further include an idle gear that meshes with the large diameter gear and also with the coupling gear. The agitator gear may rotate clockwise if the coupling gear rotates counterclockwise.

Then, when the second moving gear directly meshes with the coupling gear and the coupling gear rotates clockwise, the agitator gear may rotate clockwise.

According to this configuration, the agitator gear can be rotated clockwise and the agitator can be rotated in the same direction regardless of whether the coupling is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise.

The developing device may further include a swinging member that is swingable about the second shaft and that rotatably supports the second moving gear and the third moving gear.

In order to solve the above problems, the developer according to the present disclosure is counterclockwise with respect to a developing roller that is rotatable about a first axis extending in the axial direction, a housing, a first agitator, and a second axis extending in the axial direction. A coupling that can rotate both clockwise and clockwise, and an auger or second agitator that supplies the toner in the toner storage chamber to the development room when the coupling rotates counterclockwise. An auger or a second agitator that is rotatable about an axis extending in the axial direction can be provided.
The housing is a developing chamber located inside the housing, which is a developing chamber capable of accommodating toner for supplying to the developing rollers, and a toner accommodating chamber located inside the housing, which goes to the developing chamber. It has a toner accommodating chamber capable of accommodating toner for supplying.
The first agitator is a first agitator that agitates the toner in the developing chamber, and is rotatable about an agitator shaft extending in the axial direction.
In this developer, when the coupling rotates clockwise at a predetermined rotation speed, the toner in the toner storage chamber is not supplied to the development chamber, the development roller rotates, and the first agitator rotates at the first rotation speed. When the coupling rotates counterclockwise at a predetermined rotation speed, the toner in the toner accommodating chamber is supplied to the development chamber, and the first agitator rotates at a second rotation speed slower than the first rotation speed.

According to such a configuration, the developing roller can be rotated by rotating the coupling clockwise, and the toner can be supplied by rotating the coupling counterclockwise. That is, the toner can be supplied from the toner accommodating chamber to the developing chamber at a required timing only by the operation of the coupling. Therefore, the developer can be miniaturized because other parts such as the conventional lever are not required.
Further, when the coupling is rotated counterclockwise to supply toner, the first agitator rotates at a second rotation speed slower than the first rotation speed when the coupling is rotated clockwise. It is possible to reduce the stirring of the toner in the developing chamber and suppress the deterioration of the toner.

According to the present disclosure, the toner can be supplied to the developing chamber only by the operation of the coupling, and the deterioration of the toner can be suppressed.

It is sectional drawing of the image forming apparatus. It is sectional drawing of a developer. It is a perspective view which looked at the developer from one side in the axial direction. It is an exploded perspective view which shows one side in the axial direction of the developing machine in the state which removed the gear cover. It is a perspective view which shows one side in the axial direction of the developing machine in the state which removed the gear cover. It is an exploded perspective view (a) of a coupling gear, a clutch and a 2nd gear, and the perspective view (b) of a 2nd gear. It is a perspective view (a) which saw the clutch from one side in the axial direction, and is the perspective view (b) which looked at from the other side in the axial direction. A perspective view (a) of the coupling viewed from one side in the axial direction, a perspective view (b) and a plan view (c) of the coupling viewed from the other side in the axial direction, and a protruding piece of the coupling along the rotation direction. It is a VV cross-sectional view (d) cut by a plane. It is a figure (a), (b) which shows the relationship of each part of a coupling, a clutch and a shaft when a clutch is positioned at an engaging position. It is a figure (a), (b) which shows the relationship of each part of a coupling, a clutch and a shaft when a clutch is in a disengaged position. The figure (a) explaining the meshing of the gear when the coupling rotates clockwise and the first moving gear is positioned at the second position, and the figure (a) showing the meshing of the gear in the WW cross section (a). b). The figure (a) explaining the meshing of the gear when the coupling rotates counterclockwise and the first moving gear is located in the first position, and the figure which shows the meshing of the gear in the XX cross section of (a). (B). It is a perspective view of the swing transmission mechanism. FIGS. (A) and (a) for explaining the meshing of the gears when the coupling rotates clockwise, the second moving gear is located at the fourth position, and the third moving gear is located at the sixth position. It is a figure (b) which shows the meshing of a gear in a YY cross section. FIGS. (A) and (a) for explaining the meshing of the gears when the coupling rotates counterclockwise, the second moving gear is located at the third position, and the third moving gear is located at the fifth position. It is a figure (b) which shows the meshing of a gear in the ZZ cross section of. It is a figure explaining the developer which concerns on the modification.

Next, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 mainly includes a main body housing 2, a paper feeding unit 3, an image forming unit 4, and a control unit CU.

The main body housing 2 has a front cover 2A and a paper output tray 2B located above the main body housing 2. The main body housing 2 includes a paper feeding unit 3 and an image forming unit 4 inside. By opening the front cover 2A, the developing cartridge 10 as an example of the developing device is detachably attached.

The paper feed unit 3 accommodates the paper S. Then, the paper feeding unit 3 supplies the paper S to the image forming unit 4 one by one.

The image forming unit 4 includes a drum cartridge 5, a developing cartridge 10, an exposure device (not shown), a transfer roller 4B, and a fixing device 4C.

The drum cartridge 5 includes a frame 5A and a photoconductor drum 5B rotatably supported by the frame 5A.

The developing cartridge 10 is removable from the drum cartridge 5. The developing cartridge 10 is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 1 while being attached to the drum cartridge 5.

As shown in FIG. 2, the developing cartridge 10 includes a housing 11, a developing roller 12, a supply roller 13, a first agitator 14, a second agitator 15, and an auger 16.

The housing 11 has a developing chamber 11A located inside the housing 11 and a toner accommodating chamber 11B. The developing chamber 11A is located inside the housing 11. The toner storage chamber 11B is located inside the housing 11. The developing chamber 11A and the toner accommodating chamber 11B are separated by a partition wall 11W, but are connected by a passage 11P at a portion where the auger 16 is arranged. The passage 11P is arranged only in a part of the housing 11 in the axial direction.
A developing roller 12 and a supply roller 13 are arranged in the developing chamber 11A. The developing chamber 11A can accommodate the toner T for supplying to the developing roller 12.
The developing cartridge 10 has a detection window 10A for detecting the amount of toner in the developing chamber 11A with light (see also FIG. 1).

The toner accommodating chamber 11B is a room different from the developing chamber 11A and capable of accommodating the toner T for supplying to the developing chamber 11A.

The developing roller 12 includes a developing roller shaft 12A extending in the axial direction and a roller portion 12B. The axial direction is the axial direction of the developing roller 12, and is also simply referred to as the axial direction below. The roller portion 12B covers the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller shaft 12A. The roller portion 12B is made of conductive rubber or the like. The developing roller 12 is rotatable about the first axis A1 extending in the axial direction. The developing roller 12 is rotatably supported by the housing 11 around the developing roller shaft 12A. A development bias is applied to the developing roller 12 from the control unit CU (see FIG. 1).

The supply roller 13 supplies the toner T to the developing roller 12. The supply roller 13 includes a supply roller shaft 13A extending in the axial direction and a roller portion 13B. The roller portion 13B covers the outer peripheral surface of the supply roller shaft 13A. The roller portion 13B is made of a sponge or the like. The supply roller 13 is rotatable about the supply roller shaft 13X extending in the axial direction. The supply roller 13 can rotate about the supply roller shaft 13A.

The first agitator 14 is a plate-shaped member that is long in the axial direction. The first agitator 14 has a shaft 14A. The first agitator 14 is rotatable about the agitator shaft 14X extending in the axial direction. The shaft 14A is rotatably supported by the housing 11 with respect to the agitator shaft 14X. The first agitator 14 can agitate the toner T in the developing chamber 11A by rotating.

The second agitator 15 is a plate-shaped member that is long in the axial direction. The second agitator 15 has a shaft 15A. The second agitator 15 is rotatable about the second agitator shaft 15X extending in the axial direction. The shaft 15A is rotatably supported by the housing 11 with respect to the second agitator shaft 15X. The second agitator 15 can agitate the toner T in the toner accommodating chamber 11B by rotating.

The auger 16 has an auger shaft 16A extending in the axial direction and a spiral plate 16B. The spiral plate 16B is fixed to the auger shaft 16A. The spiral plate 16B rotates together with the auger shaft 16A. The auger 16 is rotatable about a shaft 16X extending in the axial direction. The auger 16 supplies the toner T in the toner accommodating chamber 11B to the developing chamber 11A by rotating.

As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer roller 4B faces the photoconductor drum 5B. The transfer roller 4B is conveyed while sandwiching the paper S with the photoconductor drum 5B.

The photoconductor drum 5B is charged by a charger (not shown) and exposed to an exposure apparatus to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing cartridge 10 supplies the toner T to the electrostatic latent image to form the toner image on the photoconductor drum 5B. The toner image on the photoconductor drum 5B is transferred to the paper S supplied from the paper feed unit 3 while passing between the photoconductor drum 5B and the transfer roller 4B.

The fuser 4C heat-fixes the toner image transferred to the paper S to the paper S. The paper S on which the toner image is heat-fixed is discharged to the paper output tray 2B outside the main body housing 2.

The control unit CU is a device that controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus 1. The control unit CU rotates and controls the joint 7 for driving the developing cartridge 10 by the motor 8. The motor 8 can rotate in the forward and reverse directions. The control unit CU can control the motor 8 to rotate the joint 7 both clockwise and counterclockwise.

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 has a sensor 9 for detecting the toner amount AT in the developing chamber 11A. The sensor 9 transmits a detection signal to the control unit CU. The sensor 9 is an optical sensor, and a sensor unit including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit is used. The light projecting unit faces the detection window 10A on one side in the axial direction and emits light toward the inside of the developing room 11A. The light receiving unit faces the detection window 10A on the other side in the axial direction and receives the light from the light projecting unit. The control unit CU can determine the toner amount AT from the light signal received by the light receiving unit. Of the gears described later, the gear facing the detection window 10A may be manufactured of a resin capable of transmitting light from the light projecting portion.

Next, the detailed configuration of the developing cartridge 10 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the developing cartridge 10 has a gear cover 21 and a coupling 22 on one side surface 11F of the housing 11 in the axial direction.

The gear cover 21 has a coupling hole 21A and a shaft support hole 21B. The coupling hole 21A is a hole for exposing the coupling 22. The shaft support hole 21B extends in an arc shape centered on the second shaft A2 extending in the axial direction. The shaft support hole 21B is a hole for shaft-supporting the first moving gear 33 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later. The gear cover 21 is fixed to the housing 11 by a plurality of screws 91.

The coupling 22 has a recess 22A for receiving a driving force, a coupling gear 22B (see FIG. 4), and a shaft 22C. The recess 22A is formed at the axial end of the shaft 22C and is recessed in the axial direction. The recess 22A is exposed from the coupling hole 21A of the gear cover 21. A joint 7 (see FIG. 1) engages with the recess 22A. The coupling 22 receives a driving force from the joint 7 and can rotate both clockwise and counterclockwise with respect to the second axis A2. That is, the coupling gear 22B can rotate both clockwise and counterclockwise. In the present specification, the “gear” is not limited to a gear having gear teeth and transmitting a rotational force by the gear teeth, but also includes a gear having a gear tooth and transmitting a rotational force by friction transmission.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the developing cartridge 10 includes a developing roller gear 23, a supply roller gear 24, an agitator gear 25, a conveyor gear 26, a second agitator gear 27, a first gear 31, and a second gear. It includes a gear 32, a first moving gear 33, a first idle gear 34, a second idle gear 35, a third idle gear 36, and a fourth idle gear 37. Further, the developing cartridge 10 includes a swing transmission mechanism 50 as a mechanism for moving the agitator gear 25. The swing transmission mechanism 50 is swingably supported by the shaft 22C of the coupling 22 (see FIGS. 14 and 15). Each of these gears and the swing transmission mechanism 50 is covered with a gear cover 21 (see FIG. 4).
Detection windows 10A are located on the side walls and the gear cover 21 on both sides of the housing 11 in the axial direction. The detection windows 10A are aligned in the axial direction so that light can be transmitted.

The housing 11 has a shaft S1, a shaft S2, a shaft S4, a shaft S5, a shaft S6, a shaft S7, and a bearing 11C on the side surface 11F.
The shaft S1 rotatably supports the first gear 31. The shaft S1 is hollow. The central axis of the shaft S1 overlaps with the agitator shaft 14X.
The shaft S2 rotatably supports the second gear 32.
The shaft S4 rotatably supports the first idle gear 34.
The shaft S5 rotatably supports the second idle gear 35.
The shaft S6 rotatably supports the third idle gear 36.
The shaft S7 rotatably supports the fourth idle gear 37.
The bearing 11C has a shaft support hole 11D extending along an arc centered on the second shaft A2 extending in the axial direction. The bearing 11C movably and rotatably supports the first moving gear 33.

The developing roller gear 23 is located at the end of the developing roller 12. More specifically, it is attached to the end of the developing roller shaft 12A. The developing roller gear 23 can rotate together with the developing roller shaft 12A.

The supply roller gear 24 is located at the end of the supply roller 13. More specifically, the supply roller gear 24 is mounted on the end of the supply roller shaft 13A. The supply roller gear 24 can rotate together with the supply roller shaft 13A.

The agitator gear 25 is attached to the end of the shaft 14A of the first agitator 14. The agitator gear 25 rotates together with the first agitator 14. The agitator gear 25 has a shaft 25A extending in the axial direction.

The second agitator gear 27 is attached to the end of the shaft 15A of the second agitator 15. The second agitator gear 27 can rotate together with the second agitator 15.

The transfer gear 26 is attached to the end of the auger shaft 16A. The transfer gear 26 can rotate together with the auger 16.

The first gear 31 is a gear for rotating the developing roller 12. The first gear 31 can rotate clockwise with respect to the agitator shaft 14X. The first gear 31 has a large-diameter gear 31A, a small-diameter gear 31B having a smaller diameter than the large-diameter gear 31A, and a support hole 31C. The large-diameter gear 31A rotates together with the small-diameter gear 31B. The support hole 31C rotatably supports the shaft 25A of the agitator gear 25.

The second gear 32 can rotate counterclockwise with respect to the second axis A2 extending in the axial direction. The second gear 32 meshes with the first gear 31. More specifically, the second gear 32 meshes with the small diameter gear 31B of the first gear 31.

The first idle gear 34 is rotatable about the fourth axis A4 extending in the axial direction. The first idle gear 34 is rotatably supported by the shaft S4.
The first idle gear 34 has a small diameter gear 34A and a large diameter gear 34B having a diameter larger than that of the small diameter gear 34A. The small diameter gear 34A rotates together with the large diameter gear 34B. The first idle gear 34 meshes with the first gear 31. More specifically, the small diameter gear 34A of the first idle gear 34 meshes with the large diameter gear 31A of the first gear 31.

The second idle gear 35 is rotatable about the fifth axis A5 extending in the axial direction. The second idle gear 35 is rotatably supported by the shaft S5.
The second idle gear 35 meshes with the first idle gear 34. More specifically, the second idle gear 35 meshes with the large diameter gear 34B of the first idle gear 34.

Further, the second idle gear 35 meshes with the developing roller gear 23. Further, the second idle gear 35 meshes with the supply roller gear 24.

Therefore, when the first gear 31 rotates clockwise, the developing roller gear 23 and the developing roller 12 rotate counterclockwise via the first idle gear 34 and the second idle gear 35. Further, when the first gear 31 rotates clockwise, the supply roller gear 24 and the supply roller 13 rotate counterclockwise via the first idle gear 34 and the second idle gear 35.

The first moving gear 33 has a small diameter gear 33A, a large diameter gear 33B having a diameter larger than that of the small diameter gear 33A, and shafts 33R and 33S. The large-diameter gear 33B rotates together with the small-diameter gear 33A. The first moving gear 33 can rotate both clockwise and counterclockwise with respect to the third axis A3 extending in the axial direction.

The shaft 33R projects to the other side in the axial direction along the third axis A3. The shaft 33R engages with the shaft support hole 11D of the bearing 11C and is rotatably supported by the bearing 11C and movably supported along an arc centered on the second shaft A2.

The shaft 33S projects to one side in the axial direction along the third axis A3. The shaft 33S engages with the shaft support hole 21B of the gear cover 21 and is rotatably supported by the gear cover 21 and movably supported along an arc centered on the second shaft A2.
The shaft 33S passes through the coil of the spring 33P, which is a compression coil spring. Then, the spring 33P generates an urging force between the gear cover 21 and the first moving gear 33. As a result, the first moving gear 33 is always pressed against the bearing 11C. A frictional force is generated between the first moving gear 33 and the bearing 11C, and this frictional force gives resistance to the rotation of the first moving gear 33 with respect to the third axis A3.

The first moving gear 33 meshes with the coupling gear 22B. More specifically, in the first moving gear 33, the small diameter gear 33A always meshes with the coupling gear 22B.

Since the first moving gear 33 is given a resistance to the rotation of the third axis A3 by the spring 33P, when the coupling gear 22B rotates clockwise or counterclockwise, it is integrated with the coupling gear 22B by this resistance force. Try to move to. Therefore, when the coupling gear 22B rotates counterclockwise, it rotates counterclockwise with respect to the second axis A2 together with the coupling gear 22B and is positioned at the first position (see FIG. 12) that does not mesh with the first gear 31. To do.
On the other hand, when the coupling gear 22B rotates clockwise, it is located at the second position (see FIG. 11) where the coupling gear 22B rotates clockwise with respect to the second axis A2 and meshes with the first gear 31.
That is, the first moving gear 33 can move between the first position and the second position in a state of being meshed with the coupling gear 22B.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the first moving gear 33, the large diameter gear 33B meshes with the first gear 31 at the second position. On the other hand, in the first moving gear 33, neither the small diameter gear 33A nor the large diameter gear 33B meshes with the transport gear 26 at the second position.

As shown in FIG. 12, in the first moving gear 33, the large diameter gear 33B meshes with the transport gear 26 at the first position. On the other hand, in the first moving gear 33, neither the small diameter gear 33A nor the large diameter gear 33B meshes with the first gear 31 at the first position.

Returning to FIGS. 4 and 5, the third idle gear 36 is rotatable about the sixth axis A6 extending in the axial direction. The third idle gear 36 is rotatably supported by the shaft S6. The third idle gear 36 meshes with the transport gear 26.

The fourth idle gear 37 is rotatable about the seventh axis A7 extending in the axial direction. The fourth idle gear 37 is rotatably supported by the shaft S7. The fourth idle gear 37 meshes with the third idle gear 36 and the second agitator gear 27.

Therefore, when the transport gear 26 rotates, the auger 16 rotates, and the second agitator gear 27 and the second agitator 15 rotate via the third idle gear 36 and the fourth idle gear 37. That is, the second agitator 15 agitates the toner T in the toner accommodating chamber 11B and conveys the toner T to the auger 16, while the auger 16 conveys the toner T from the toner accommodating chamber 11B to the developing chamber 11A via the passage 11P. To do.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the second gear 32 has a gear portion 32A and a shaft S12. The shaft S12 is formed in a cylindrical shape and rotatably supports the coupling 22. The second gear 32 has a larger diameter than the coupling gear 22B.

A clutch 40 is located between the second gear 32 and the coupling 22 in the axial direction.

The shaft S12 rotatably supports the coupling 22 and the clutch 40. Specifically, the outer peripheral surface B11 of the shaft S12 rotatably supports the coupling 22. The inner peripheral surface B12 of the shaft S12 rotatably supports the clutch 40. Specifically, the shaft S12 has a hole B13 that is recessed or penetrates in the axial direction. The clutch 40 is located in the hole B13. As a result, the clutch 40 rotates along the inner peripheral surface B12 of the hole B13. That is, the clutch 40 can rotate with respect to the shaft S12 together with the coupling 22.

The shaft S12 includes a cylindrical wall B1, a bottom wall portion B2, and a plurality of first protrusions P1. The cylindrical wall B1 has a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical wall B1 includes an outer peripheral surface B11 and an inner peripheral surface B12. The bottom wall portion B2 is located at the other end of the cylindrical wall B1 in the axial direction. The bottom wall portion B2 has a disk shape.

The plurality of first protrusions P1 project from the bottom wall portion B2 toward one side in the axial direction. The plurality of first protrusions P1 are arranged in the rotation direction of the coupling 22. The plurality of first protrusions P1 are arranged in an annular shape. The plurality of first protrusions P1 are located inside the holes B13 of the cylindrical wall B1. The plurality of first protrusions P1 are located on one end side of the cylindrical wall B1 in the axial direction. Each first protrusion P1 has a rotation transmission surface FS1 along the axial direction and an inclined surface FS2 inclined with respect to the rotation direction of the clutch 40.

The rotation transmission surface FS1 intersects the rotation direction of the clutch 40. More preferably, the rotation transmission surface FS1 is orthogonal to the rotation direction of the clutch 40. When the clutch 40 rotates counterclockwise D2, the rotation transmission surface FS1 comes into contact with the clutch 40 (for details, refer to the first clutch surface FC1: FIG. 7 to be described later) in the counterclockwise direction D2.

The inclined surface FS2 is a surface for moving the clutch 40 from the engaging position to the disengaging position when the clutch 40 rotates clockwise D1. The inclined surface FS2 is inclined with respect to the rotation direction of the clutch 40. Specifically, the inclined surface FS2 is inclined so as to be located on one side in the axial direction toward the clockwise D1.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the clutch 40 includes a disc-shaped base portion 41, a plurality of second protrusions P2, a shaft portion 42, a first wall 43, and an arc wall 44. have. The plurality of second protrusions P2 project from the base portion 41 to the other side in the axial direction. The shaft portion 42, the first wall 43, and the arc wall 44 project from the base portion 41 to one side in the axial direction.

The plurality of second protrusions P2 are arranged in the rotation direction of the coupling 22. The plurality of second protrusions P2 are arranged in an annular shape. Each second protrusion P2 has a first clutch surface FC1 and a second clutch surface FC2. The first clutch surface FC1 is along the axial direction. The second clutch surface FC2 is inclined with respect to the rotation direction of the clutch 40.

The first clutch surface FC1 intersects the rotation direction of the clutch 40. More preferably, the first clutch surface FC1 is orthogonal to the rotation direction of the clutch 40. The first clutch surface FC1 comes into contact with the rotation transmission surface FS1 (see FIG. 6B). Specifically, the first clutch surface FC1 comes into surface contact with the rotation transmission surface FS1.

The second clutch surface FC2 is a surface for moving the clutch 40 from the engaging position to the disengaging position when the clutch 40 rotates clockwise D1. The second clutch surface FC2 is inclined with respect to the rotation direction of the clutch 40. Specifically, the second clutch surface FC2 is inclined so as to approach the base portion 41 toward the clockwise D1. The second clutch surface FC2 comes into contact with the inclined surface FS2 (see FIG. 6B). Specifically, the second clutch surface FC2 comes into surface contact with the inclined surface FS2.

The shaft portion 42 extends from the center of the base portion 41 toward one side in the axial direction of the clutch 40. The shaft portion 42 has a cylindrical shape.

The first wall 43 extends radially outward from the shaft portion 42. The first wall 43 has a first surface 43A and a second surface 43B. The first surface 43A and the second surface 43B are orthogonal to the rotation direction. The first surface 43A faces the downstream side of the counterclockwise D2. The second surface 43B faces the upstream side of the counterclockwise D2. The first surface 43A has a third protrusion 47. The third protrusion 47 protrudes from the first surface 43A. The third protrusion 47 extends along the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 42. The third protrusion 47 has a third clutch surface FC3.

The third clutch surface FC3 is a surface for moving the clutch 40 from the engaging position to the disengaging position when the coupling 22 rotates clockwise D1. The third clutch surface FC3 is inclined with respect to the rotation direction of the clutch 40. Specifically, the third clutch surface FC3 is inclined so as to approach the base portion 41 toward the clockwise D1. The third clutch surface FC3 comes into contact with the first coupling surface FP1 (see FIGS. 8B and 10B) described later when the coupling 22 rotates clockwise D1.

The arc wall 44 extends counterclockwise D2 from the radial outer end of the first wall 43. The arc wall 44 has an arc shape centered on the second axis A2. The outer peripheral surface of the arc wall 44 and the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 41 are flush with each other. The outer peripheral surface of the arc wall 44 and the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 41 are rotatably supported by the inner peripheral surface B12 of the shaft S12 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B). Specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the arc wall 44 and the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 41 are cylindrical surfaces centered on the second axis A2. The inner peripheral surface B12 is a cylindrical surface centered on the second axis A2. The outer peripheral surface of the arc wall 44 and the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 41 are in surface contact with the inner peripheral surface B12 of the shaft S12. As a result, the clutch 40 moves in the direction along the second axis A2 while rotating around the second axis A2.

A pair of the first wall 43, the arc wall 44, the third clutch surface FC3, and the third protrusion 47 are provided symmetrically with respect to the second axis A2, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the coupling 22 further has a first tubular portion 22D and a second tubular portion 22E shown in FIG. 8B. The first tubular portion 22D and the second tubular portion 22E are cylindrical.

As shown in FIG. 8B, the coupling 22 has a partition wall 22F. The partition wall 22F is located between the second tubular portion 22E and the first tubular portion 22D. The partition wall 22F partitions the space in the second tubular portion 22E and the space in the first tubular portion 22D. The first tubular portion 22D and the partition wall 22F form a recess 22A. Further, the second tubular portion 22E and the partition wall 22F form a second recess 22J. The second tubular portion 22E is fitted into the outer peripheral surface B11 of the shaft S12 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B) and is rotatably supported by the shaft S12.

The coupling 22 has a protruding piece 22G. A pair of projecting pieces 22G are provided symmetrically with respect to the second axis A2. The protruding piece 22G is located in the second recess 22J. The projecting piece 22G projects from the partition wall 22F. The protruding piece 22G has a first coupling surface FP1, a second coupling surface FP2, and a third coupling surface FP3.

The first coupling surface FP1 is a surface for moving the clutch 40 from the engaging position to the disengaging position when the clutch 40 rotates clockwise D1. The first coupling surface FP1 faces the downstream side of the clockwise D1. The first coupling surface FP1 is inclined with respect to the rotation direction of the coupling 22. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 8 (c) and 8 (d), the first coupling surface FP1 is inclined so as to move away from the partition wall 22F toward the clockwise D1.

The second coupling surface FP2 is a surface for moving the clutch 40 from the disengagement position to the engagement position when the coupling 22 rotates counterclockwise D2. The second coupling surface FP2 faces the downstream side of the counterclockwise D2. The second coupling surface FP2 is inclined with respect to the rotation direction of the coupling 22. Specifically, the second coupling surface FP2 is inclined so as to approach the partition wall 22F toward the counterclockwise D2. The second coupling surface FP2 contacts the end of the first wall 43 of the clutch 40.

The third coupling surface FP3 is a surface that comes into contact with the first wall 43 of the clutch 40 in the rotational direction when the coupling 22 rotates counterclockwise D2. The third coupling surface FP3 is located at a position farther from the partition wall 22F than the second coupling surface FP2. The third coupling surface FP3 intersects the rotation direction of the coupling 22. More preferably, the third coupling surface FP3 is orthogonal to the rotation direction of the coupling 22.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the first wall 43 of the clutch 40 is located between the protruding pieces 22G of the coupling 22 in the rotational direction. The clutch 40 rotates together with the coupling 22. Therefore, the clutch 40 can rotate together with the coupling 22.
The clutch 40 is movable in the axial direction with respect to the shaft S12. The clutch 40 engages with the first protrusion P1 which is a part of the second gear 32 in the rotational direction (see FIG. 9) and the first protrusion P1 which is a part of the second gear 32. It is possible to move along the axial direction to and from the detachment position (see FIG. 10).

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the clutch 40 is a part of the second gear 32 by moving the clutch 40 to the engaging position when the coupling 22 rotates counterclockwise D2. The second gear 32 is rotated counterclockwise D2 together with the coupling gear 22B by engaging with the first protrusion P1.

The coupling 22 does not move in the direction away from the side surface 11F of the housing 11 with respect to the shaft S12 by coming into contact with the gear cover 21. Here, "the coupling 22 does not move with respect to the shaft S12" means that it does not move at all, and also means that it moves slightly due to rattling. The clutch 40 described above is also movable in the axial direction with respect to the coupling 22.

To explain the action at this time more specifically, when the coupling 22 rotates counterclockwise D2 in a state where the clutch 40 is in the disengaged position (see FIGS. 10A and 10B), the coupling 22 The second coupling surface FP2 comes into contact with the end of the second surface 43B of the first wall 43 of the clutch 40 in the rotational direction. As a result, the second coupling surface FP2 inclined with respect to the rotation direction urges the clutch 40 toward the first protrusion P1 of the second gear 32.

The clutch 40 moves to the other side in the axial direction, separates from the second coupling surface FP2, and the second protrusion P2 meshes with the first protrusion P1. Then, each first clutch surface FC1 of the plurality of second protrusions P2 comes into contact with each rotation transmission surface FS1 of each of the plurality of first protrusions P1. After that, when the coupling 22 rotates slightly counterclockwise to D2, the third coupling surface FP3 comes into contact with the first wall 43 of the clutch 40 in the rotational direction.

As a result, the driving force is transmitted from the coupling 22 to the clutch 40. Further, the driving force from the clutch 40 to the second gear 32 in the counterclockwise direction D2 is transmitted by each rotation transmission surface FS1. As a result, the coupling 22, the clutch 40, and the second gear 32 are integrated and rotate counterclockwise D2.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, when the coupling 22 rotates clockwise D1, the clutch 40 is positioned at the disengaged position, so that the second gear 32 It does not engage with the first protrusion P1 and does not rotate the second gear 32 together with the coupling 22.

To explain the operation at this time more specifically, when the coupling 22 rotates clockwise D1 in the state where the clutch 40 is in the engaging position (see FIGS. 9A and 9B), the coupling 22 The first coupling surface FP1 pushes the third clutch surface FC3 of the clutch 40 clockwise to D1. As a result, the clutch 40 rotates clockwise D1 together with the coupling 22.

Then, when the clutch 40 rotates clockwise D1, each of the second clutch surfaces FC2 of the plurality of second protrusions P2 comes into contact with the respective inclined surfaces FS2 of the plurality of first protrusions P1, and the clutch 40 is formed by the respective inclined surfaces FS2. Is pushed to one side in the axial direction and moves from the engaging position to the disengaging position. As a result, each of the second protrusions P2 is axially detached from each of the first protrusions P1. That is, the engagement between each of the second protrusions P2 and each of the first protrusions P1 is released. After that, the first coupling surface FP1 of the coupling 22 further presses the third clutch surface FC3 of the clutch 40 toward the disengagement position. As a result, the clutch 40 is positioned at the disengaged position. In this state, since the second protrusions P2 are located at intervals in the axial direction from the first protrusions P1, the rotation of the clutch 40 is not transmitted to the second gear 32. That is, the second gear 32 can rotate independently of the clutch 40.

Next, the operation of each member for moving the developing roller 12 and the transfer gear 26 when the coupling 22 rotates clockwise D1 or counterclockwise D2 will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, when the control unit CU controls the motor 8 to rotate the joint 7 clockwise D1, the coupling gear 22B (coupling 22) rotates clockwise D1. .. In this case, the first moving gear 33 rotates clockwise together with the coupling gear 22B and is located at the second position, and meshes with the small diameter gear 31B of the first gear 31. As a result, as the coupling gear 22B rotates clockwise D1, the first moving gear 33 rotates counterclockwise due to meshing with the coupling gear 22B, and the first gear 31 rotates the first moving gear 33. Rotates clockwise due to meshing with.

When the first gear 31 rotates clockwise, the first idle gear 34 rotates counterclockwise. The second idle gear 35, which meshes with the first idle gear 34, rotates clockwise. Then, the second idle gear 35, the developing roller gear 23, and the supply roller gear 24 rotate counterclockwise. As a result, the developing roller 12 and the supply roller 13 rotate counterclockwise.

In this way, when the coupling 22 rotates clockwise D1, the first agitator 14, the developing roller 12, and the supply roller 13 can be rotated to form an image.

Since the first moving gear 33 is located at the second position, the first moving gear 33 does not mesh with the transport gear 26. Therefore, the transfer gear 26 does not rotate, and the third idle gear 36, the fourth idle gear 37, and the second agitator gear 27 also do not rotate. As a result, the auger 16 and the second agitator 15 do not rotate, and the toner T is not conveyed from the toner accommodating chamber 11B to the developing chamber 11A.

At this time, since the clutch 40 does not engage with the first protrusion P1 which is a part of the second gear 32, the second gear 32 does not rotate depending on the engagement with the clutch 40. However, the second gear 32 rotates counterclockwise D2 as the first gear 31 rotates clockwise due to meshing with the first gear 31.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, when the control unit CU controls the motor 8 to rotate the joint 7 counterclockwise D2, the coupling gear 22B (coupling 22) turns counterclockwise. Rotate to D2. In this case, the first moving gear 33 rotates counterclockwise together with the coupling gear 22B and is located at the first position, and does not mesh with the first gear 31. Then, in response to the coupling gear 22B rotating counterclockwise D2, the second gear 32 rotates counterclockwise D2 together with the coupling gear 22B via the clutch 40. Then, the first gear 31 rotates clockwise due to meshing with the second gear 32.

When the first gear 31 rotates clockwise, the second idle gear 35 and the developing roller gear 23 pass through the first idle gear 34 and the second idle gear 35, as in the case where the coupling gear 22B rotates clockwise D1. And the supply roller gear 24 rotates counterclockwise. As a result, the developing roller 12 and the supply roller 13 rotate counterclockwise.

When the coupling 22 rotates counterclockwise D2 in this way, the first agitator 14, the developing roller 12, and the supply roller 13 can be rotated to form an image.

Then, when the first moving gear 33 is located at the first position, the first moving gear 33 meshes with the transport gear 26. Therefore, the transport gear 26 rotates counterclockwise. When the transfer gear 26 rotates counterclockwise, the third idle gear 36 rotates clockwise. When the third idle gear 36 rotates clockwise, the fourth idle gear 37 rotates counterclockwise. When the fourth idle gear 37 rotates counterclockwise, the second agitator gear 27 rotates clockwise.

As described above, when the coupling 22 rotates counterclockwise D2, the transfer gear 26, the third idle gear 36, the fourth idle gear 37, and the second agitator gear 27 rotate. As a result, the auger 16 and the second agitator 15 rotate, and the toner T can be conveyed from the toner accommodating chamber 11B to the developing chamber 11A. That is, when the coupling 22 rotates clockwise D1, the toner T can be conveyed from the toner accommodating chamber 11B to the developing chamber 11A while forming an image.

Next, a configuration for moving the first agitator 14 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 13, the swing transmission mechanism 50 includes a swing member 51, a second moving gear 52, a third moving gear 53, and an idle gear 54.

The swing member 51 is a member that can swing with respect to the housing 11 and rotatably supports the second moving gear 52, the third moving gear 53, and the idle gear 54. Specifically, the swing member 51 includes a swing plate 51A, a first support portion 51B, a second support portion 51D, a third support portion 51E, and a fourth support portion 51F.
The first support portion 51B has a cylindrical shape. The first support portion 51B has an inner peripheral surface 51C having a circular cross section. The first support portion 51B is fitted so that the inner peripheral surface 51C is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 22C of the coupling 22. In other words, the first support portion 51B is a hole into which the shaft 22 is inserted. As a result, the swing member 51 can swing with respect to the shaft 22C. More preferably, the swing member 51 can swing with respect to the second shaft A2, which is the center of the shaft 22C.

The second support portion 51D is a protrusion for rotatably supporting the second moving gear 52.
The third support portion 51E is a protrusion for rotatably supporting the third moving gear 53.
The fourth support portion 51F is a protrusion for rotatably supporting the idle gear 54.

The second moving gear 52 is rotatably supported by the swing member 51. More specifically, the second moving gear 52 has a hole. By inserting the protrusion of the second support portion 51D into the hole of the second moving gear 52, the second support portion 51D rotatably supports the second moving gear 52. The second moving gear 52 directly meshes with the coupling gear 22B. The second moving gear 52 receives a driving force from the coupling gear 22B. When the second moving gear 52 receives the driving force from the coupling gear 22B, the second moving gear 52 receives a force that is rotated about the second shaft A2. By swinging the swing member 51 by this force, the second moving gear 52 can move around the coupling gear 22B while receiving a driving force from the coupling gear 22B. Specifically, the second moving gear 52 can move between the third position shown in FIG. 15 that does not mesh with the agitator gear 25 and the fourth position shown in FIG. 14 that meshes with the agitator gear 25. The second moving gear 52 is located at the third position when the coupling gear 22B rotates counterclockwise, and is located at the fourth position when the coupling gear 22B rotates clockwise.

The third moving gear 53 is rotatably supported by the swing member 51. More specifically, the third moving gear 53 has a hole. By inserting the protrusion of the third support portion 51E into the hole of the third moving gear 53, the third support portion 51E rotatably supports the third moving gear 53. The third moving gear 53 has a small diameter gear 53A and a large diameter gear 53B having a diameter larger than that of the small diameter gear 53A.

The idle gear 54 is rotatably supported by the swing member 51. More specifically, the idle gear 54 has a hole. By inserting the protrusion of the third support portion 51F into the hole of the idle gear 54, the third support portion 51F rotatably supports the idle gear 54. The idle gear 54 meshes with the third moving gear 53. Specifically, the idle gear 54 meshes with the large diameter gear 53B of the third moving gear 53. Further, the idle gear 54 meshes with the coupling gear 22B. When the idle gear 54 receives a driving force from the coupling gear 22B, the idle gear 54 receives a force that is rotated about the second shaft A2. By swinging the swing member 51 by this force, the idle gear 54 and the third moving gear 53 can move around the coupling gear 22B while receiving a driving force from the coupling gear 22B.
Specifically, the third moving gear 53 can move between the fifth position shown in FIG. 15 that meshes with the agitator gear 25 and the sixth position shown in FIG. 14 that does not mesh with the agitator gear 25. When the third moving gear 53 is located at the fifth position, the small diameter gear 53A meshes with the agitator gear 25. The third moving gear 53 is located at the fifth position when the coupling gear 22B rotates counterclockwise, and is located at the sixth position when the coupling gear 22B rotates clockwise.

The operation when the first agitator 14 is moved by such a configuration will be described.
As shown in FIG. 14, when the coupling 22 rotates clockwise at a predetermined rotation speed, the swing member 51 swings clockwise, the second moving gear 52 meshes with the agitator gear 25, and the third The moving gear 53 does not mesh with the agitator gear 25. At this time, the second moving gear 52 is driven by the coupling gear 22B and rotates counterclockwise. Then, the agitator gear 25 and the first agitator 14 are driven by the coupling gear 22B via the second moving gear 52 and rotate clockwise at the first rotation speed.

As shown in FIG. 15, when the coupling 22 rotates counterclockwise at a predetermined rotation speed, the swing member 51 swings counterclockwise, and the third moving gear 53 meshes with the agitator gear 25. The second moving gear 52 does not mesh with the agitator gear 25. At this time, the idle gear 54 is driven by the coupling gear 22B and rotates clockwise, and the third moving gear 53 is driven by the idle gear 54 and rotates counterclockwise. Then, the agitator gear 25 and the first agitator 14 are driven by the coupling gear 22B via the third moving gear 53 and rotate clockwise at the second rotation speed. In the third moving gear 53, the large diameter gear 53B meshes with the idle gear 54, the small diameter gear 53A meshes with the agitator gear 25, and functions as a reduction gear, so that the second rotation speed is slower than the first rotation speed.

Explaining the above operation together with the operation of the developing roller 61, when the coupling 22 rotates clockwise at a predetermined rotation speed, the developing roller 61 rotates counterclockwise, and the first agitator 14 moves to the first agitator 14. It rotates clockwise at one rotation speed. At this time, the toner T is not supplied from the toner storage chamber 11B to the developing chamber 11A.
On the other hand, when the coupling 22 rotates counterclockwise at a predetermined rotation speed, the developing roller 61 rotates counterclockwise, and the first agitator 14 rotates clockwise at a second rotation speed slower than the first rotation speed. Rotate. At this time, the toner T is supplied from the toner storage chamber 11B to the developing chamber 11A. That is, when the toner T is supplied from the toner accommodating chamber 11B to the developing chamber 11A, the first agitator 14 slowly rotates, so that the toner T does not fly up in the developing chamber 11A. Therefore, when the sensor 9 detects the amount of toner T by passing light through the detection window 10A while supplying the toner T, the amount of toner T can be accurately detected.

According to the developing cartridge 10 of the present embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
In the developing cartridge 10, the developing roller 12 can be rotated by rotating the coupling 22 clockwise, and the toner T can be supplied by rotating the coupling 22 counterclockwise. That is, the toner T can be supplied from the toner accommodating chamber 11B to the developing chamber 11A at a required timing only by the operation of the coupling 22. Therefore, since other parts such as the conventional lever are not required, the developing cartridge 10 can be miniaturized.
Further, when the coupling 22 is rotated counterclockwise to supply the toner T, the first agitator 14 moves at a second rotation speed slower than the first rotation speed when the coupling 22 is rotated clockwise. Since it rotates, the stirring of the toner in the developing chamber 11A can be reduced, and the deterioration of the toner T can be suppressed.

Further, in the developing cartridge 10, the first gear 31 can be rotated clockwise and the developing roller 12 can be rotated in the same direction regardless of whether the coupling 22 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise. it can. Therefore, the toner T is less likely to leak from between the developing roller 12 and the housing 11. Further, the toner T can be supplied from the toner accommodating chamber 11B to the developing chamber 11A while developing.

Further, the developing cartridge 10 can rotate the agitator gear 25 clockwise and rotate the agitator in the same direction regardless of whether the coupling 22 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise. When the rotation direction of the agitator 25 changes, the way the toner T accumulates in the developing chamber 11A may change, and the optimum state for image formation may not be maintained. However, in the present embodiment, the rotation direction of the agitator 25 changes. Since it does not change, the toner T in the developing chamber 11A can be kept in a good state.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The specific configuration can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

In the above-described embodiment, the developing cartridge 10 is removable from the drum cartridge 5, but the developing cartridge 110 is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 16, the developing device 110 includes the photoconductor drum 5B. May be good. That is, the developer 110 may include a drum cartridge. In this case, the toner cartridge 111 having the toner accommodating chamber 11B may be configured separately from the developing device 110, and the toner cartridge 111 may be detachable from the developing device 110.

Further, in the developing cartridge 10 of the above-described embodiment, the portion of the toner accommodating chamber 11B is configured separately from the portion constituting the developing chamber 11A, and the portion of the toner accommodating chamber 11B is attached to and detached from the portion of the developing chamber 11A. It may be configured to be possible. That is, the drum cartridge, the developing cartridge, and the toner storage chamber may be separate bodies.

In the above-described embodiment, the first moving gear 33 has a small diameter gear 33A and a large diameter gear 33B having different sizes, but may have only one gear. In this case, it is sufficient that one gear can mesh with the coupling gear 22B and also with the first gear 31 and the transport gear 26.

In the above-described embodiment, the second moving gear 52 is directly meshed with the coupling gear 22B, and the third moving gear 53 is connected to the coupling gear 22B via one idle gear 54. However, the second moving gear 52 may be connected to the coupling gear 22B via one or more idle gears. Further, the third moving gear 53 may be directly meshed with the coupling gear 22B, or may be connected to the coupling gear 22B via two or more idle gears.

In the above-described embodiment, the second gear 32 includes a plurality of first protrusions P1 and the clutch 40 includes a plurality of second protrusions P2, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the second gear 32 may include one first protrusion. Further, the clutch 40 may include one second protrusion. Further, the first protrusion P1 includes, but is not limited to, a rotation transmission surface FS1 and an inclined surface FS2. For example, one protrusion may include a rotation transmission surface. Further, a protrusion other than the one protrusion may have an inclined surface. Similarly, one protrusion may include a first clutch surface. Further, a protrusion other than the one protrusion may include a second clutch surface.

In the above-described embodiment, both the inclined surface FS2 and the second clutch surface FC2 are inclined surfaces that are inclined with respect to the rotation direction, but the present invention is not limited to this, and either the inclined surface or the second clutch surface is used. It may be an inclined surface.

In the above-described embodiment, the coupling 22 includes two surfaces (FP1) for moving the clutch 40 toward the disengagement position, but the coupling 22 is not limited to this, and the clutch 40 is moved toward the disengagement position. The surface may be one, or may be three or more.

In the above-described embodiment, both the first coupling surface FP1 and the third clutch surface FC3 are inclined surfaces that are inclined with respect to the rotation direction, but the first coupling surface and the third clutch are not limited to this. Either one of the surfaces may be an inclined surface.

In the above-described embodiment, the developing cartridge 10 is configured separately from the drum cartridge 5, but the developing device may be configured integrally with the drum cartridge.

In the above-described embodiment, the member transported from the toner storage chamber 11B to the developing chamber 11A is the auger 16, but the member is not limited to this, and may be an agitator. In this case, the transfer gear can be made rotatable together with the agitator.

In the above-described embodiment, the monochrome image forming apparatus 1 is illustrated as an example of the image forming apparatus, but the image forming apparatus may be a color image forming apparatus or may be exposed by an LED. , It may be a copier or a multifunction device.

Each element of each of the above-described embodiments and modifications can be implemented in any combination.

10 Development cartridge 11 Housing 11A Development room 11B Toner storage room 12 Development roller 14 1st agitator 16 Auger 16X shaft 21B Shaft support hole 22 Coupling 22B Coupling gear 25 Agitator gear 26 Conveyor gear 31 1st gear 32 2nd gear 33 1 Moving gear 40 Clutch 50 Swing transmission mechanism 51 Swing member 52 2nd moving gear 53 3rd moving gear 53A Small diameter gear 53B Large diameter gear 54 Idle gear

Claims (7)

A developing roller that is rotatable about the first axis extending in the axial direction,
The first gear for rotating the developing roller and
It ’s a housing,
A developing chamber located inside the housing, which can accommodate toner for supplying to the developing roller, and a developing chamber.
A toner storage chamber located inside the housing, which can store toner for supplying to the developing room, and a toner storage chamber.
With a housing that has
A first agitator that agitates the toner in the developing chamber, the first agitator that is rotatable about the agitator shaft extending in the axial direction, and the first agitator.
An agitator gear that rotates with the first agitator,
A coupling that is rotatable both counterclockwise and clockwise with respect to the second axis extending in the axial direction and has a coupling gear.
An auger or a second agitator that supplies toner in the toner accommodating chamber to the developing chamber and is rotatable about an axis extending in the axial direction.
With a transfer gear that can rotate with the auger or the second agitator,
In the first moving gear that meshes with the coupling gear and can rotate both counterclockwise and clockwise, the first position that meshes with the transport gear while meshing with the coupling gear, and the transport gear A first moving gear that does not mesh and can move between the first gear and a second position that meshes, and is located at the first position when the coupling gear rotates counterclockwise, and the coupling gear The first moving gear located at the second position when is rotated clockwise,
In a second moving gear that can move around the coupling gear while receiving a driving force from the coupling gear, it moves between a third position that does not mesh with the agitator gear and a fourth position that meshes with the agitator gear. A second possible second moving gear that is located at the third position when the coupling gear rotates counterclockwise and at the fourth position when the coupling gear rotates clockwise. With moving gear
In a third moving gear that can move around the coupling gear while receiving a driving force from the coupling gear, it moves between a fifth position that meshes with the agitator gear and a sixth position that does not mesh with the agitator gear. A possible third moving gear, located at the fifth position when the coupling gear rotates counterclockwise, and at the sixth position when the coupling gear rotates clockwise. With moving gear
With
When the coupling rotates clockwise at a predetermined rotation speed, the toner in the toner accommodating chamber is not supplied to the development chamber because the first moving gear does not mesh with the conveying gear, and the first moving gear The developing roller rotates when the first gear meshes with the first gear, the agitator gear is driven by the coupling gear via the second moving gear, and the first agitator rotates at the first rotation speed. ,
When the coupling rotates counterclockwise at the predetermined rotational speed, the first moving gear meshes with the conveying gear to supply the toner in the toner accommodating chamber to the developing chamber, and the agitator gear is the agitator gear. A developer characterized in that the first agitator is driven by a coupling gear via the third moving gear and rotates at a second rotation speed lower than the first rotation speed. A second gear that meshes with the first gear and can rotate counterclockwise with respect to the second axis.
A clutch that is located between the coupling and the second gear in the axial direction and rotates with the coupling, and when the coupling rotates counterclockwise, it becomes a part of the second gear. When engaged, the second gear is rotated counterclockwise with the coupling gear, and the coupling is rotated clockwise, the second gear is not engaged with a part of the second gear, and is said to be together with the coupling. A clutch that does not rotate the second gear,
With
When the coupling gear rotates counterclockwise,
The first moving gear is located in the first position and does not mesh with the first gear.
In response to the coupling gear rotating counterclockwise, the second gear rotates counterclockwise together with the coupling gear via the clutch, and the first gear is in contact with the second gear. Rotates clockwise due to meshing,
When the coupling gear rotates clockwise,
The first moving gear is located at the second position and meshes with the first gear.
As the coupling gear rotates clockwise, the first moving gear rotates counterclockwise due to meshing with the coupling gear, and the first gear meshes with the first moving gear. The developer according to claim 1, wherein the gear rotates clockwise. The third moving gear has a small-diameter gear and a large-diameter gear having a diameter larger than that of the small-diameter gear, and the large-diameter gear receives a driving force of the coupling gear.
The developer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the third moving gear is located at the fifth position, the small-diameter gear meshes with the agitator gear. The developer further comprises an idle gear that meshes with the large diameter gear and also meshes with the coupling gear.
The developer according to claim 3, wherein the agitator gear rotates clockwise when the coupling gear rotates counterclockwise. The second moving gear directly meshes with the coupling gear,
The developer according to claim 4, wherein the agitator gear rotates clockwise when the coupling gear rotates clockwise. A rocking member that can swing with respect to the second shaft, further comprising a swinging member that rotatably supports the second moving gear and the third moving gear. 5. The developer according to any one of 5. A developing roller that is rotatable about the first axis extending in the axial direction,
It ’s a housing,
A developing chamber located inside the housing, which can accommodate toner for supplying to the developing roller, and a developing chamber.
A toner storage chamber located inside the housing, which can store toner for supplying to the developing room, and a toner storage chamber.
A first agitator that agitates the toner in the developing chamber, the first agitator that is rotatable about the agitator shaft extending in the axial direction, and the first agitator.
With respect to the second axis extending in the axial direction, a coupling that can rotate both counterclockwise and clockwise, and
An auger that supplies toner in the toner storage chamber to the developing chamber when the coupling rotates counterclockwise, or an auger that is a second agitator and is rotatable about an axis extending in the axial direction. Or, with a second agitator,
When the coupling rotates clockwise at a predetermined rotation speed, the toner in the toner accommodating chamber is not supplied to the developing chamber, the developing roller rotates, and the first agitator rotates at the first rotation speed. And
When the coupling rotates counterclockwise at the predetermined rotation speed, the toner in the toner accommodating chamber is supplied to the developing chamber, and the first agitator has a second rotation speed slower than the first rotation speed. A developer characterized by rotating in.

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