JP2021071590A - Developer supply container - Google Patents

Abstract

To discharge a fixed amount of developer from a new developer supply container when the developer supply container is attached to a developer supply device and initially operated.SOLUTION: In addition to a cam groove 2e for causing an expanding movement of a pump part, a movement regulation cam groove 2n is formed, which can be engaged with a reciprocation member engagement projection 3c of a reciprocation member and has a wider groove width than that of the cam groove 2e, so as to prevent the expanding movement of the pump part even if a cylinder part is rotated during transportation. The movement regulation cam groove 2n is provided with a lock part 2m so as to prevent the reciprocation member engagement projection 3c from moving to the cam groove 2e by the rotation of the cylinder part during transportation, and allow the reciprocation member engagement projection 3c to move to the cam groove 2e by the rotation of the cylinder part with a driving motor after attachment.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

The present invention relates to a developer replenishment container suitable for use in an image forming apparatus utilizing electrophotographic technology such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile or a multifunction device.

Conventionally, a developing agent such as fine powder toner has been used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copier. In such an image forming apparatus, the developing agent consumed by the image forming can be replenished from the developing agent replenishing container attached to the developing agent receiving device provided on the main body side of the apparatus. As a developer replenishment container, a container in which the replenishing developer contained in the container body is discharged to the outside of the container body according to an intake / exhaust operation using a pump having a variable volume has been proposed (Patent Document 1). ). The developer replenishment container described in Patent Document 1 rotates the container body by reciprocating a conversion member along a cam groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the container body that is rotationally driven by the developer receiving device. The configuration is such that the operation is converted into the intake / exhaust operation of the pump. In this configuration, the conversion member is engaged in the cam groove so that when the new developer replenishment container is mounted on the developer receiving device, the pump is started from the intake operation.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-93735

An object of the present invention is to provide a configuration obtained by further improving the configuration described in Patent Document 1 described above.

The developer replenishment container according to the present invention is a developer replenishment container that can be mounted on a developer receiving device, and has an engaging groove formed on the outer peripheral surface and is rotationally driven in a predetermined rotational direction in the mounted state. The accommodating portion performs an intake operation of extending in the first direction and sucking air into the developing agent accommodating portion, and an exhaust operation of compressing in the second direction opposite to the first direction and exhausting from the developing agent accommodating portion. It has a pump portion that reciprocates as described above and an engaging portion that engages with the engaging groove, and is bridged between the pump portion and the engaging groove to rotate the developer accommodating portion of the pump portion. The engaging groove includes a conversion member that converts the conversion member into a reciprocating motion, and the engagement groove includes an intake groove that moves the conversion member in the first direction and an exhaust groove that moves the conversion member in the second direction. A first groove formed alternately in the rotation direction and a connecting groove connecting the downstream end in the second direction of the exhaust groove and the upstream end in the first direction of the intake groove, and the said. The first groove has a second groove that is branched from the first groove toward the downstream side in the rotational direction so that the engaging portion can be guided to the intake groove, and the groove width is wider than that of the first groove. When the conversion member and the developer accommodating portion rotate relative to each other in the unmounted state, the conversion member is mounted in the two grooves without operating the conversion member by suppressing the movement of the engaging portion to the first groove. In this state, when the developer accommodating portion is rotationally driven and the conversion member and the developer accommodating portion rotate relative to each other, the engaging portion is allowed to move to the first groove to prevent the conversion member from operating. It is characterized in that a part is formed.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a configuration further improved from the configuration described in Patent Document 1 described above.

The schematic diagram which shows the image forming apparatus to which the developer supply container of this embodiment can be applied. (A) A partial cross-sectional view of the developer replenishing device, (b) a perspective view of the mounting portion, and (c) a cross-sectional view of the mounting portion. An enlarged cross-sectional view showing a developer replenishment container and a developer replenisher device. The flowchart explaining the developer replenishment process. An enlarged cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the developer replenishment apparatus. (A) An external perspective view showing the developer replenishment container, (b) a partially enlarged view showing the state around the discharge port, and (c) a front view showing a state in which the developer replenishment container is attached to the developer replenishment device. (A) A partial cross-sectional perspective view of the developer replenishment container, (b) a partial side sectional view of the developer replenishment container, and (c) a partially enlarged view of the vicinity of the developer storage portion. (A) A partial view of the pump portion fully extended, (b) a partial view of the pump portion fully contracted, and (c) a view of the developer replenishment container viewed from the pump portion side. The development view which shows the cam groove of the developer supply container. The perspective view which shows the cam groove of the developer supply container. Partial sectional view which shows the lock part. The development view which shows the cam groove of another embodiment. The figure which shows the deformation example of a cam groove.

Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described. First, the outline of the image forming apparatus will be described, and then the developer replenishing apparatus and the developing agent replenishing container mounted on the image forming apparatus will be described.

[Image forming device]
An image forming apparatus adopting an electrophotographic method will be described with reference to FIG. 1 as an image forming apparatus equipped with a developing agent replenishing device into which the developing agent replenishing container (so-called toner cartridge) of the present embodiment can be inserted and removed.

The image forming apparatus 100 first reads the original 101 placed on the platen glass 102 to acquire image information, or the image information transmitted from a host device such as a personal computer communicably connected to the apparatus main body. To get. Then, an optical image corresponding to the acquired image information is formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as the photosensitive member 104) by the plurality of mirrors M of the optical unit 103 and the lens Ln, whereby the photosensitive member 104 is electrostatically charged. A latent image is formed. This electrostatic latent image is visualized by a dry developer (one-component developer) 201a using toner (one-component magnetic toner) as a developer.

In this embodiment, an example in which a one-component magnetic toner is used as the developer to be replenished from the developer replenishment container 1 will be described, but not only such an example but also a configuration as described later may be used.

Specifically, when a one-component developer that develops using a one-component non-magnetic toner is used, the one-component non-magnetic toner is replenished as a developer. Further, a two-component developer that develops using a two-component developer in which a magnetic carrier and a non-magnetic toner are mixed may be used, and in that case, the non-magnetic toner is replenished as the developer. In this case, the developer may be configured to supply a magnetic carrier together with the non-magnetic toner.

The recording material (hereinafter referred to as a sheet) is housed in a state of being loaded on cassettes 105 to 108. Among these cassettes 105 to 108, the cassette containing the optimum size sheet P based on the information input by the operator from the operation unit (not shown) provided in the main body of the apparatus or the sheet size of the document 101. Be selected. Then, the sheets P are conveyed one by one from any of the selected cassettes 105 to 108 by the feed and feed separation devices 105A to 108A. Examples of the sheet P include sheet materials such as paper, plastic film, and cloth.

One sheet P conveyed by the feeding / separating devices 105A to 108A is conveyed to the registration roller 110 via the conveying unit 109. The registration roller 110 conveys the sheet P to the transfer charger 111 in synchronization with the rotation of the photoconductor 104 and the scanning timing of the optical unit 103. The transfer charger 111 transfers the toner image formed on the photoconductor 104 by the developer to the sheet P. Then, the separation charger 112 separates the sheet P to which the toner image is transferred from the photoconductor 104. After that, the sheet P transported by the transport unit 113 is heated and pressurized at the fixing unit 114. As a result, the toner image on the sheet P is fixed.

In the case of single-sided printing in which an image is formed on only one side of the sheet P, the sheet P on which the toner image is fixed passes through the discharge inversion portion 115 and is discharged to the discharge tray 117 by the discharge roller 116. On the other hand, in the case of double-sided printing in which an image is formed on both sides of the sheet P, a part of the sheet P in which the toner image is fixed on one side is once discharged to the outside of the apparatus by the discharge roller 116 through the discharge inversion unit 115. After that, when the end of the seat P passes through the flapper 118, the flapper 118 is controlled and the discharge roller 116 is rotated in the reverse direction at the timing when the seat P is still sandwiched by the discharge roller 116, so that the seat P is moved into the apparatus main body. Be returned. Then, the toner image is conveyed to the registration roller 110 via the refeeding and conveying units 119 and 120, and the toner image is fixed and discharged to the discharge tray 117 in the same manner as in the case of single-sided printing.

In the image forming apparatus 100 having the above configuration, image forming process equipment such as a developing device 201a as a developing means, a cleaner portion 202 as a cleaning means, and a primary charging device 203 as a charging means is installed around the photoconductor 104. There is. The developer 201a develops by adhering a developer to an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 104 by the optical unit 103 based on the image information of the original document 101. Further, the primary charger 203 is for uniformly charging the surface of the photoconductor in order to form a desired electrostatic image on the photoconductor 104. Further, the cleaner portion 202 is for removing the developer remaining on the photoconductor 104.

[Developer replenishment device]
Next, the developer supply device 201 to which the developer supply container 1 can be attached and detached will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. Here, FIG. 2A is a partial cross-sectional view of the developer replenishing device 201, FIG. 2B is an external perspective view of the mounting portion 10 into which the developing agent replenishing container 1 can be inserted and removed, and FIG. 2C is a mounting portion. A cross-sectional view of 10 is shown. Further, FIG. 3 shows a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the control system, the developer replenishment container 1, and the developer replenisher device 201. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of developing agent replenishment by the control system.

As shown in FIG. 1, the developer replenishing device 201 as a developing agent receiving device temporarily stores the mounting portion 10 to which the developing agent replenishing container 1 can be mounted and the developing agent discharged from the developing agent replenishing container 1. It has a hopper 10a and a developing device 201a. As shown in FIG. 2C, the developer supply container 1 is configured to be inserted into the mounting portion 10 in the direction of the arrow M in the drawing. The rotation axis direction (longitudinal direction) of the developer supply container 1 substantially coincides with this insertion direction. The direction of detachment (the direction of extraction) of the developer supply container 1 from the mounting portion 10 is the direction opposite to the direction of arrow M in the drawing.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the developing device 201a includes a developing roller 201f, a stirring member 201c, and feeding members 201d and 201e. Then, the developer replenished from the developer replenishment container 1 is agitated by the stirring member 201c, sent to the developing roller 201f by the feeding members 201d and 201e, and supplied to the photoconductor 104 by the developing roller 201f.

The developing roller 201f has a developing blade 201g that regulates the amount of the developing agent coated on the roller, and a leakage prevention sheet 201h that is arranged in contact with the developing roller 201f in order to prevent leakage of the developing agent between the developing roller 201f and the developing device 201a. Is provided.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the mounting portion 10 is in contact with the flange portion 4 of the developer replenishment container 1 (see FIG. 6A described later) when the developer replenishment container 1 is mounted. A rotation direction regulating portion (holding mechanism) 11 for restricting the movement of the flange portion 4 in the rotation direction is provided.

When the developer replenishment container 1 is mounted, the mounting unit 10 communicates with the discharge port 4a of the developer replenishment container 1 to allow the developer discharged from the developer replenishment container 1 to communicate with each other. It has a developer receiving port 13 for receiving. Then, the developer is supplied from the discharge port 4a of the developer supply container 1 to the hopper 10a through the developer receiving port 13. The hopper 10a includes a transport screw 10b for transporting the developer to the developer 201a, an opening 10c communicating with the developer 201a, and a developer sensor 10d for detecting the amount of the developer contained in the hopper 10a. Have. The developer discharged from the developer supply container 1 is supplied to the developer 201a by the hopper 10a.

In the present embodiment, the diameter of the developer receiving port 13 is set to about 2 mm as a fine port (pinhole) for the purpose of preventing stains due to the developer in the mounting portion 10 as much as possible. .. The diameter of the developer receiving port 13 may be any diameter as long as the developer can be discharged from the discharge port 4a.

Further, the mounting unit 10 has a drive gear 300 that functions as a drive mechanism (drive unit), as shown in FIGS. 2 (b) and 2 (c). In the drive gear 300, the rotational driving force is transmitted from the drive motor 500 (see FIG. 3) via the drive gear train, and the developer replenishment container 1 (details will be described later) is set in the mounting portion 10. It has a function of applying a rotational driving force to the accommodating portion 2).

As shown in FIG. 3, the operation of the drive motor 500 is controlled by the control device 600. The control device 600 controls the operation of the drive motor 500 based on the developer remaining amount information input from the developer sensor 10d. The control device 600 controls the entire image forming device 100 in addition to controlling the drive motor 500. Such a control device 600 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The CPU controls each part while reading a program corresponding to the control procedure stored in the ROM. Further, work data and input data are stored in the RAM, and the CPU controls by referring to the data stored in the RAM based on the above-mentioned program or the like.

In the present embodiment, the drive gear 300 is set to rotate in only one direction in order to simplify the control of the drive motor 500. That is, the control device 600 is configured to control only the on (actuated) / off (non-operated) of the drive motor 500. Therefore, compared to the configuration in which the reversing driving force obtained by periodically reversing the drive motor 500 (drive gear 300) in the forward direction and the reverse direction is applied to the developer replenishment container 1, the developer replenisher device 201 The drive mechanism of the above can be simplified.

[How to attach / detach the developer supply container]
Next, a method of attaching and detaching the developer supply container 1 will be described. First, the operator opens the replacement cover (not shown) provided on the mounting portion 10 and inserts the developer supply container 1 into the mounting portion 10. When the developer replenishment container 1 is inserted all the way into the mounting portion 10 by the operator, the mounting of the developer replenishment container 1 on the developer replenishment device 201 is completed. After that, the operator closes the replacement cover. Here, in the state where the developer replenishment container 1 is mounted, the flange portion 4 of the developer replenishment container 1 is held and fixed to the mounting portion 10.

When the developer in the developer supply container 1 becomes empty, the operator opens the replacement cover and detaches (takes out) the developer supply container 1 from the mounting portion 10. Then, another developer replenishment container 1 filled with the developer is inserted into the mounting portion 10, mounted, and then the replacement cover is closed. In this way, the operator replaces the developer supply container 1.

[Developer replenishment control by developer replenishment device]
Next, the developer replenishment control by the developer replenishment device 201 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This developer replenishment control is executed by controlling various devices by the control device (CPU) 600. In the present embodiment, the control device 600 controls the operation / non-operation of the drive motor 500 according to the output of the developer sensor 10d so that the hopper 10a does not contain a certain amount or more of the developer. ing.

Specifically, first, the developer sensor 10d checks the developer content in the hopper 10a (S100). Then, when the developer capacity detected by the developer sensor 10d is less than a predetermined amount, that is, when the developer is not detected by the developer sensor 10d (No in S100), the drive motor 500 is driven. The developer replenishment operation is executed for a certain period of time (S101).

When the developer capacity detected by the developer sensor 10d reaches a predetermined amount as a result of the developer replenishment operation, that is, when the developer is detected by the developer sensor 10d (Yes in S100), the drive motor 500 The drive is turned off and the developer replenishment operation is stopped (S102). By stopping this replenishment operation, a series of developer replenishment steps is completed.

Such a developer replenishment step is configured to be repeatedly executed when the developer is consumed with the image formation and the amount of the developer in the hopper 10a becomes less than a predetermined value.

The developer replenishing device 201 is not limited to the above-mentioned device that temporarily stores the developer discharged from the developing agent replenishing container 1 in the hopper 10a and then replenishes the developing agent 201a. For example, it may be a developer replenishing device as shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the developer replenishment device.

The developer replenishing device shown in FIG. 5 omits the hopper 10a from the developing agent replenishing device shown in FIG. 3, and replenishes the developing agent directly from the developing agent replenishing container 1 to the developing device 800. The developer 800 in this case is a type of developer that forms an image using a two-component developer containing a non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier. The developing device 800 has a stirring chamber for supplying the developing agent and a developing chamber for supplying the developing agent to the developing sleeve 800a, and the stirring chamber and the developing chamber have a stirring screw in which the developing agent transport directions are opposite to each other. 800b is installed. Since the stirring chamber and the developing chamber communicate with each other at both ends in the developing agent conveying direction, the developing agent is circulated and conveyed in these two chambers. A magnetic sensor 800c for detecting the toner concentration in the developer is installed in the stirring chamber, and the control device 600 can control the operation of the drive motor 500 based on the detection result of the magnetic sensor 800c.

[Developer supply container]
Next, the developer supply container 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 (a) to 7 (c). Here, FIG. 6A is an external perspective view of the developer supply container 1, FIG. 6B is a partially enlarged view of the periphery of the discharge port 4a of the developer supply container 1, and FIG. 6C is a developer supply container. It is a front view which shows the state which 1 is attached to the attachment part 10. 7 (a) is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the developer replenishment container 1, FIG. 7 (b) is a partial cross-sectional side view of the developer replenishment container 1, and FIG. 7 (c) is a partial enlargement of the vicinity of the developer storage portion. It is a figure.

The developer supply container 1 has a cover 4e as shown in FIG. 6A. The cover 4e covers the entire flange portion 4, the pump portion 3a, and the reciprocating member 3b, which will be described later, for the purpose of improving the appearance and to protect the pump portion 3a and the reciprocating member 3b, which will be described later. It is assembled. The developer replenishment container 1 has a developer accommodating portion 2 which is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and has an internal space for accommodating the developer. The developer accommodating portion 2 has an opening at one end in the longitudinal direction (rotational axis direction), and as will be described later, the developer accommodating the developer is conveyed toward the open end side by rotating. It is supposed to be done. Further, the developer replenishment container 1 has a flange portion 4 into which one end side of the developer accommodating portion 2 is inserted and is mounted on the developer replenisher device 201 (see FIG. 1) in a non-rotating manner. One end of the developer accommodating portion 2 (specifically, the cylindrical portion 2k) is inserted so as to be rotatable relative to the flange portion 4. The cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical portion 2k may be a non-circular shape as long as it does not affect the rotational operation of the developer accommodating portion 2 in the developer replenishment step. For example, it may have an elliptical shape or a polygonal shape.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7B, the total length L1 of the cylindrical portion 2k is set to about 460 mm, and the outer diameter R1 is set to about 60 mm. Further, the length L2 of the region where the developer discharge chamber 4c described later is installed is about 21 mm. The total length L3 of the pump portion 3a (when it is in the most extended state in the stretchable range in use) is about 29 mm, and as shown in FIG. 7 (c), the total length L4 of the pump portion 3a (expansion and contraction in use). (In the most contracted state in the possible range) is about 24 mm.

[Material of developer replenishment container]
In the present embodiment, as will be described later, the developer is discharged from the discharge port 4a by changing the volume of the developer supply container 1 by the pump unit 3a. Therefore, as the material of the developer replenishment container 1, it is preferable to use a material having a rigidity that does not cause a large crush or a large swelling with respect to a change in volume.

Further, the developer replenishment container 1 of the present embodiment communicates with the developer replenisher device 201 (see FIG. 1) only through the discharge port 4a when the developer is discharged, and is sealed from the outside except for the discharge port 4a. The configuration is as follows. That is, since the pump unit 3a reduces and increases the volume of the developer replenishment container 1 to discharge the developer from the discharge port 4a, the airtightness is such that stable discharge performance is maintained. Desired.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the material of the developer accommodating portion 2 and the flange portion 4 is made of polystyrene resin, and the material of the pump portion 3a is made of polypropylene resin. Regarding the material to be used, as long as the developer accommodating portion 2 and the flange portion 4 are materials that can withstand variable volume, for example, other materials such as ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer), polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. It is possible to use resin. Further, it may be made of metal.

Further, the material of the pump portion 3a may be any material that exhibits an expansion / contraction function and can change the volume of the developer supply container 1 by changing the volume. For example, ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer), polystyrene, polyester, polyethylene or the like may be formed thinly. It is also possible to use rubber or other elastic material.

If each of the pump portion 3a, the developer accommodating portion 2, and the developer discharge chamber 4c satisfies the above-mentioned functions by adjusting the thickness of the resin material, each of them is made of the same material, for example, injection molding. Those integrally molded by a method, a blow molding method, or the like may be used.

Hereinafter, the configurations of the flange portion 4, the cylindrical portion 2k, the pump portion 3a, the drive receiving mechanism, and the drive conversion mechanism in the developer supply container 1 will be described in order.

[Flange part]
As shown in FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (c), the flange portion 4 is provided with a hollow developer discharge chamber 4c for temporarily accommodating the developer conveyed from the cylindrical portion 2k. ing. At the bottom of the developer discharge chamber 4c, a discharge port 4a that allows discharge of the developer from the developer discharge chamber 4c is formed. A developer storage unit 4d capable of storing a fixed amount of the developer before discharge is provided above the discharge port 4a.

An opening seal 5a with a hole is provided around the discharge port 4a. The opening seal 5a as a sealing member is attached to the developing agent discharging chamber 4c with double-sided tape, and is sandwiched in a state where the shutter 8 and the developing agent discharging chamber 4c are in contact with each other to seal the gaps, thereby discharging. Prevents the developer from leaking from around the outlet 4a.

Further, the flange portion 4 is provided with a shutter 8 for opening and closing the discharge port 4a. The shutter 8 closes the discharge port 4a when the developer supply container 1 is not attached to the developer supply device 201, and opens the discharge port 4a when the developer supply container 1 is attached to the developer supply device 201. There is. That is, the shutter 8 can open and close the discharge port 4a as the developer replenishment container 1 is inserted into and removed from the developer replenishment device 201. As a result, it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking from the developer replenishment container 1 when it is not mounted and to supply the developer from the developer replenishment container 1 when it is mounted. When the developer replenishment container 1 is mounted on the developer replenisher device 201, the developer replenishment container 1 is inserted into the mounting portion 10 with the flange portion 4 side at the top.

The flange portion 4 is configured to be substantially immobile when the developer replenishment container 1 is mounted on the mounting portion 10. Specifically, the rotation direction regulating portion 11 shown in FIG. 2B is provided so that the flange portion 4 does not rotate in the rotation direction of the cylindrical portion 2k by itself. Therefore, when the developer replenishment container 1 is mounted on the mounting portion 10, the developing agent discharge chamber 4c provided in the flange portion 4 is also substantially prevented from rotating in the rotation direction of the cylindrical portion 2k. (Movement of looseness is allowed). At the time of mounting, the developer replenishment container 1 is inserted into the mounting portion 10 with the flange portion 4 side at the top. On the other hand, the cylindrical portion 2k is configured to rotate in the developer replenishment step without being restricted in the rotation direction by the developer replenisher device 201.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (c), the developer conveyed from the cylindrical portion 2k by the spiral convex portion (conveyance protrusion) 2c is conveyed to the developer discharge chamber 4c. A plate-shaped transport member 6 for this purpose is provided. The transport member 6 is provided so as to substantially divide a part of the area of the developer accommodating portion 2 into two, and is configured to rotate integrally with the cylindrical portion 2k. The transport member 6 is provided with a plurality of inclined ribs 6a inclined toward the developer discharge chamber 4c side in the direction of the rotation axis of the cylindrical portion 2k on both sides thereof. The inclined rib 6a is a portion that conveys the developer while rotating integrally with the cylindrical portion 2k inside the cylindrical portion 2k. Further, in the present embodiment, a regulation portion 7 is provided at an end portion of the transport member 6. The regulation unit 7 will be described later.

With the above configuration, the developer transported by the transport protrusion 2c is scraped up from the lower side to the upper side in the vertical direction by the plate-shaped transport member 6 in conjunction with the rotation of the cylindrical portion 2k. After that, as the rotation of the cylindrical portion 2k progresses, it slides down on the surface of the transport member 6 due to gravity, and is eventually delivered to the developer discharge chamber 4c side by the inclined rib 6a. In this configuration, the inclined ribs 6a are provided on both sides of the transport member 6 so that the developer is sent to the developer discharge chamber 4c every time the cylindrical portion 2k makes a half turn.

[Cylinder part]
Next, the cylindrical portion 2k that functions as the developer accommodating chamber will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 (a) to 7 (c). As shown in FIGS. 6 (a) to 7 (c), on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 2k, the developer discharge chamber 4c (exhaust) that functions as a developer discharge chamber as the contained developer rotates. A spirally projecting transport projection 2c is provided, which functions as a means for transporting toward the outlet 4a). The cylindrical portion 2k is formed by a blow molding method using the resin of the above-mentioned material.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 (b) to 7 (c), the cylindrical portion 2k has a flange portion 4 in a state in which the flange seal 5b of the ring-shaped sealing member provided on the inner surface of the flange portion 4 is compressed. It is fixed so that it can rotate relative to the relative. As a result, the cylindrical portion 2k rotates while sliding with the flange seal 5b, so that the developer does not leak during rotation and the airtightness is maintained. That is, the air enters and exits through the discharge port 4a appropriately, and the volume of the developer replenishment container 1 can be changed to a desired state while the developer is being replenished. In the case of the present embodiment, the cylindrical portion 2k is rotationally driven in a predetermined direction by the drive motor 500 in a state where the developer replenishment container 1 is mounted on the developer replenisher device 201.

[Pump section]
In the pump unit 3a shown in FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (c), the internal pressure of the developer accommodating unit 2 alternates between a state of being lower than the atmospheric pressure and a state of being higher than the atmospheric pressure due to the driving force received by the gear unit 2d. It works to switch repeatedly.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the above-mentioned pump portion 3a is provided in a part of the developer replenishment container 1 in order to stably discharge the developer from the small discharge port 4a. The pump unit 3a is a resin-made volume-variable pump whose volume can be changed. Specifically, as the pump portion 3a, a pump portion 3a composed of a stretchable bellows-shaped telescopic member is adopted. Specifically, a bellows-shaped pump is adopted, and a plurality of "mountain fold" portions and "valley fold" portions are periodically and alternately formed.

The pressure inside the developer replenishment container 1 is changed by the expansion and contraction operation of the pump unit 3a, and the pressure is used to discharge the developer. Specifically, when the pump portion 3a is contracted, the inside of the developer supply container 1 is in a pressurized state, and the developer is discharged from the discharge port 4a in the form of being pushed out by the pressure. Further, when the pump portion 3a is extended, the inside of the developer supply container 1 is in a decompressed state, and air is taken in from the outside through the discharge port 4a. The taken-in air dissolves the developer near the discharge port 4a, so that the next discharge can be performed smoothly. The developer is discharged by repeatedly performing the expansion and contraction operation as described above by the pump unit 3a. When the bellows-shaped pump portion 3a is adopted as in the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the variation in the volume change amount with respect to the expansion / contraction amount, so that stable volume variable operation can be performed.

[Drive receiving mechanism]
Next, a drive receiving mechanism (drive input unit, driving force receiving unit) of the developer replenishing container 1 that receives a rotational driving force for rotating the cylindrical portion 2k provided with the transport protrusion 2c from the developer replenishing device 201 will be described. To do.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the developer replenishment container 1 has a drive receiving mechanism (drive input unit) capable of engaging (driving and connecting) with the drive gear 300 (functioning as a drive mechanism) of the developer replenisher device 201. , A gear portion 2d that functions as a driving force receiving portion) is provided. The gear portion 2d has a configuration that can rotate integrally with the cylindrical portion 2k. Therefore, the rotational driving force input from the drive gear 300 to the gear portion 2d is transmitted to the pump portion 3a via the reciprocating member 3b as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. ing. Specifically, the drive conversion mechanism will be described later. The bellows-shaped pump portion 3a of the present embodiment is manufactured by using a resin material having a property of being resistant to twisting in the rotational direction within a range that does not hinder its expansion and contraction operation.

In the present embodiment, the gear portion 2d is provided on the longitudinal direction (developer transport direction) side of the cylindrical portion 2k, but the present invention is not limited to such an example, and for example, the longitudinal length of the developer accommodating portion 2 is provided. It may be provided on the other end side in the direction, that is, on the rearmost side. In this case, the drive gear 300 will be installed at the corresponding position.

Further, in the present embodiment, a gear mechanism is used as a drive connection mechanism between the drive input unit of the developer replenishment container 1 and the drive unit of the developer replenishment device 201, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, a known coupling mechanism may be used. Specifically, a non-circular concave portion is provided as a drive input portion, while a convex portion having a shape corresponding to the above-mentioned concave portion is provided as a drive portion of the developer replenishing device 201, and these may be driven and connected to each other. I do not care.

[Drive conversion mechanism]
Next, the drive conversion mechanism (drive conversion unit) of the developer supply container 1 will be described. In this embodiment, a case where a cam mechanism is used as an example of the drive conversion mechanism will be described.

The developer supply container 1 functions as a drive conversion mechanism (drive conversion unit) that converts the rotational driving force for rotating the cylindrical portion 2k received by the gear portion 2d into a force in the direction of reciprocating the pump portion 3a. A cam mechanism is provided. That is, in the present embodiment, the rotational driving force received by the gear portion 2d is converted into the reciprocating power on the developer replenishment container 1 side, so that the driving force for rotating the cylindrical portion 2k and the driving force for reciprocating the pump portion 3a are performed. The force is received by one drive input unit (gear unit 2d). This makes it possible to simplify the configuration of the drive input mechanism of the developer replenishment container 1 as compared with the case where two drive input units are separately provided in the developer replenishment container 1. Further, since the structure is such that the drive is received from one drive gear of the developer replenisher device 201, it is possible to contribute to the simplification of the drive mechanism of the developer replenisher device 201.

Here, FIG. 8A is a partial view of the state in which the pump portion 3a is maximally extended in use, and FIG. 8B is a partial view of the state in which the pump portion 3a is maximally contracted in use. c) is a partial view of the pump section. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a reciprocating member 3b is used as an intervening member for converting the rotational driving force into the reciprocating power of the pump unit 3a. Specifically, the drive input unit (gear unit 2d) that has been rotationally driven by the drive gear 300 and the cylindrical unit 2k that is integrally provided with the cam groove 2e on the entire circumference rotate. With the developer replenishment container 1 mounted on the developer replenisher device 201, the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c as an engaging portion partially protruding from the reciprocating member 3b is engaged with the cam groove 2e. doing. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8C, the reciprocating member 3b can be elastically deformed to the cover 4e so that the reciprocating member 3b does not rotate by itself in the rotation direction of the cylindrical portion 2k (a degree of backlash is allowed). The movement in the rotation direction is regulated by the rotation regulation unit 3f provided. By restricting the rotation direction in this way, it is regulated to reciprocate along the groove of the cam groove 2e (in the direction of arrow X in FIG. 7B or in the opposite direction). Further, the reciprocating member engaging protrusions 3c are provided so as to engage a plurality of the cam grooves 2e. Specifically, the two reciprocating member engaging protrusions 3c are provided so as to face each other by about 180 ° with the cylindrical portion 2k interposed therebetween.

At least one reciprocating member engaging projection 3c may be provided. However, since a moment may be generated in the drive conversion mechanism or the like due to the drag force when the pump portion 3a expands and contracts, and smooth reciprocating movement may not be performed, a plurality of pump portions 3a are provided so as not to break the relationship with the cam groove 2e shape described later. Is preferable.

As described above, when the cylindrical portion 2k is rotated by the rotational driving force input from the drive gear 300, the reciprocating member engaging protrusion 3c reciprocates along the cam groove 2e in the X direction of the arrow or in the opposite direction. In response to this, the state in which the pump unit 3a is extended (FIG. 8 (a)) and the state in which the pump unit 3a is contracted (FIG. 8 (b)) are alternately repeated to change the volume of the developer supply container 1. Can be achieved.

[Setting conditions for drive conversion mechanism]
In the drive conversion mechanism, the amount of developer transported to the developer discharge chamber 4c per unit time as the cylindrical portion 2k rotates is increased from the developer discharge chamber 4c by the action of the pump unit to the developer replenisher device 201 per unit time. The drive is converted so that it is larger than the amount discharged to. This is because if the capacity of the pump unit 3a to discharge the developer is larger than the capacity of the protrusion 2c to transfer the developer to the developer discharge chamber 4c, the amount of the developer present in the developer discharge chamber 4c will increase. This is because it gradually decreases. That is, this is to prevent the time required for replenishing the developer from the developer replenishment container 1 to the developer replenisher device 201 from becoming long. Further, in the present embodiment, the drive conversion mechanism performs drive conversion so that the pump unit 3a reciprocates a plurality of times while the cylindrical portion 2k makes one rotation. This is due to the following reasons.

In the case of the configuration in which the cylindrical portion 2k is rotated in the developer replenishing device 201, it is preferable that the drive motor 500 is set to the output required for the cylindrical portion 2k to be rotated stably at all times. However, in order to reduce the energy consumption of the image forming apparatus 100 as much as possible, it is preferable to make the output of the drive motor 500 as small as possible. Here, since the output required for the drive motor 500 is calculated from the rotation torque and the rotation speed of the cylindrical portion 2k, the rotation speed of the cylindrical portion 2k is made as low as possible in order to reduce the output of the drive motor 500. It is preferable to set it.

However, if the rotation speed of the cylindrical portion 2k is reduced, the number of operations of the pump portion 3a per unit time is reduced, so that the amount of the developer discharged from the developer replenishment container 1 per unit time is increased. It will decrease. That is, in order to satisfy the replenishment amount of the developer required from the image forming apparatus 100 in a short time, the amount of the developer discharged from the developer replenishment container 1 may be insufficient.

Therefore, if the volume change amount of the pump unit 3a is increased, the developer discharge amount per cycle of the pump unit 3a can be increased, so that it is possible to meet the demand from the image forming apparatus main body. Such a coping method has the following problems. That is, when the volume change amount of the pump unit 3a is increased, the peak value of the internal pressure (positive pressure) of the developer replenishment container 1 in the exhaust process increases, so that the load required to reciprocate the pump unit 3a increases. It ends up.

For this reason, in the present embodiment, the pump unit 3a is operated for a plurality of cycles (for example, two cycles) while the cylindrical portion 2k makes one rotation. As a result, the amount of the developer discharged per unit time can be reduced without increasing the volume change amount of the pump part 3a as compared with the case where the pump part 3a is operated only for one cycle while the cylindrical part 2k makes one rotation. It will be possible to increase. Then, the number of rotations of the cylindrical portion 2k can be reduced by the amount that the amount of the developer discharged can be increased. Therefore, with such a configuration, the drive motor 500 can be set to a smaller output, which can contribute to the reduction of energy consumption in the image forming apparatus 100.

[Arrangement position of drive conversion mechanism]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b), the drive conversion mechanism (the cam mechanism composed of the reciprocating member engaging protrusion 3c and the cam groove 2e) is provided in the developer accommodating portion 2. It is provided outside the. That is, the drive conversion mechanism is separated from the internal space of the cylindrical portion 2k and the developer discharge chamber 4c so as not to come into contact with the developer housed inside the cylindrical portion 2k and the developer discharge chamber 4c. It is provided at the position. As a result, it is possible to solve the problem assumed when the drive conversion mechanism is provided in the internal space of the developer accommodating portion 2. That is, when the developer invades the rubbing part of the drive conversion mechanism, heat and pressure are applied to the particles of the developer to soften them, and some particles stick to each other to form large lumps (coarse particles). It is possible to suppress an increase in torque for operating the drive conversion mechanism.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the cam groove 2e that functions as the drive conversion mechanism described above. In the present embodiment, the cam groove 2e in which the pump unit 3a reciprocates twice per rotation of the developer accommodating unit 2 is shown. In FIG. 9, the arrow A indicates the rotation direction of the developer accommodating portion 2, the arrow B indicates the extension direction of the pump portion 3a (first direction), and the arrow C indicates the compression direction of the pump portion 3a (second direction).

As shown in FIG. 9, the cam groove 2e as the first groove has a cam groove 2g as an exhaust groove for compressing (exhausting) the pump portion 3a and exhausting the pump portion 3a from the inside of the developer accommodating portion. Further, the cam groove 2e has a cam groove 2h as an intake groove for extending the pump portion 3a (intake operation) and sucking air into the developer accommodating portion. Here, two cam grooves 2g and two cam grooves 2h are formed in order to operate the pump portion 3a twice. Further, the cam groove 2e has a cam groove 2i for maintaining the pump portion 3a in an operation stopped state in which neither a compression operation (exhaust operation) nor an extension operation (intake operation) is performed. Then, in the case of the present embodiment, in addition to a series of cam grooves 2e having these cam grooves 2g, cam grooves 2h, and cam grooves 2i as engaging grooves in the developer accommodating portion 2 (specifically, the cylindrical portion 2k). , A movement restricting cam groove 2n is formed as a second groove connected to the cam groove 2e. The movement regulation cam groove 2n will be described later. In the case of the present embodiment, the cam groove 2i is a non-operating groove described later, and the downstream end in the compression direction (downstream end in the second direction) of the cam groove 2g and the upstream end in the extension direction (upstream end in the first direction) of the cam groove 2h. ) Is also a connection groove.

Here, the cam groove 2i as the non-operating groove will be described. In the case of the present embodiment, when the drive motor 500 (see FIG. 3) is controlled, the developer accommodating unit 2 rotates, whereby the pump unit 3a reciprocates to reciprocate and a substantially constant amount of developer from the developer replenishment container 1. Is discharged. However, since it is difficult to make the variable volume of the pump unit 3a the same each time only by the control by the drive motor 500, the amount of the developer discharged from the developer replenishment container 1 is not stable. For example, the cam groove 2e is formed by a cam groove 2g for compressing the pump portion 3a and a cam groove 2h for extending the pump portion 3a without providing the cam groove 2i in the cam groove 2e described above. Consider the case. In this case, in order to switch between the compression operation and the expansion operation of the pump unit 3a, it is necessary to stop the drive motor 500 during the expansion operation or the compression operation. However, even if the drive motor 500 is stopped, the developer accommodating unit 2 continues to rotate by inertia, and the pump unit 3a also continues to reciprocate in conjunction with the developer accommodating unit 2 until the developer accommodating unit 2 is stopped. The distance that the developer accommodating unit 2 rotates by inertia depends on the rotational speed of the developer accommodating unit 2, and the rotational speed of the developer accommodating unit 2 depends on the torque applied to the drive motor 500. From this, if the torque applied to the drive motor 500 changes depending on the amount of the developer in the developer replenishment container 1, the rotation speed of the developer accommodating unit 2 also changes, so that it is difficult to stop the pump unit 3a at the same position. Become.

In view of the above points, in order to stop the pump portion 3a at the same position, the cam groove 2e may be provided with a region in which the pump portion 3a does not reciprocate even when the developer accommodating portion 2 is rotating. Therefore, the cam groove 2e is a straight extending in the rotation direction of the developer accommodating portion 2 (direction of arrow A in FIG. 9) so that the pump portion 3a does not perform a compression operation or an expansion operation even if the developer accommodating portion 2 rotates. It has a cam groove 2i in the shape of a shape. Therefore, the cam groove 2e does not have to have the cam groove 2i as long as the pump portion 3a can be stopped at the same position. In the case of the present embodiment, the cam groove 2i connects the cam groove 2g and the cam groove 2h so as to guide the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c from the cam groove 2g to the cam groove 2h.

[Transport member]
As described above, the transport member 6 for transporting the developer from the developer accommodating unit 2 to the developer discharge chamber 4c is provided in the developer accommodating unit 2 so as to rotate integrally with the developer accommodating unit 2. ing. However, in the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (c), the transport member 6 has a regulation unit 7. The regulating portion 7 is integrally provided at the end portion of the transport member 6 on the pump portion 3a side. Therefore, as the transport member 6 rotates integrally with the cylindrical portion 2k, the regulating portion 7 also rotates in conjunction with the rotation operation.

The regulating portion 7 has a shape capable of covering the developer storage portion 4d provided on the flange portion 4 depending on the rotation phase, and covers or covers the upper portion of the developer storage portion 4d in conjunction with the rotation. It works to repeat the absence on a regular basis. Specifically, the developer conveyed from the cylindrical portion 2k is stored in the developer storage portion 4d and in the vicinity of the upper portion thereof, and then, due to the rotation of the regulating portion 7, the developer on the upper portion of the developer storage portion 4d is released. It is pushed away by the regulatory department 7. In this state, when the exhaust operation for compressing the pump unit 3a is performed, only the developer in the developer storage unit 4d is discharged. At this time, while the regulating unit 7 covers the upper part of the developer storage unit 4d, the inflow of the developer from the surroundings into the developer storage unit 4d is suppressed, and the development other than the inside of the developer storage unit 4d is suppressed. The agent is not excreted.

By covering the upper part of the developer storage unit 4d with the regulating unit 7 in this way, the inflow of the developer into the developer storage unit 4d is prevented, and the developer powder surface in the developer storage unit 4d is raised to a constant height. It becomes possible to keep. Then, during the exhaust operation of the pump unit 3a, the developer in the developer storage unit 4d is discharged as described above, so that the spaces inside and outside the developer supply container 1 communicate with each other, and then only air is discharged. To. Then, a pressure difference is generated inside and outside the developer replenishment container 1, and it is suppressed that the developer continues to be discharged.

From the above, in the present embodiment provided with the regulating unit 7, a certain amount of the developing agent stored in the developing agent storage unit 4d can always be discharged to the developing agent replenishing device 201 during the exhaust operation, and stable replenishment can be performed. It can be said that the structure is such that the developer can be discharged with high accuracy.

Then, after the developer is discharged, the developer is hardly stored in the developer storage unit 4d except for the portion adhering to the wall surface. When the transport member 6 further rotates from here, the developer is transported to the developer storage unit 4d again, and the same process is repeated. Therefore, it is possible to discharge the developer with stable replenishment accuracy from the early stage to the late stage of discharge.

Next, the developer replenishment step by the pump unit 3a described above will be described. As the developer replenishment step, as described above, an intake step in which the pump unit 3a is extended (intake operation via the discharge port 4a) and an exhaust step in which the pump unit 3a is compressed (exhaust operation via the discharge port 4a). ), And there is an operation stop step in which the pump unit 3a does not perform an extension operation or a compression operation. Hereinafter, the intake process, the exhaust process, and the operation stop process will be described in order.

[Intake process]
First, the intake process will be described. The pump unit 3a is brought into the most expanded state (see FIG. 8 (a)) from the most contracted state (see FIG. 8 (b)) by the drive conversion mechanism (cam mechanism) described above. The operation is performed. Along with this intake operation, the volume of the developer replenishment container 1 capable of accommodating the developer increases. At this time, the inside of the developer supply container 1 is substantially sealed except for the discharge port 4a, and the discharge port 4a is substantially closed with the developer. Therefore, as the volume of the developer replenishment container 1 increases, the internal pressure of the developer replenishment container 1 decreases. At this time, the internal pressure of the developer replenishment container 1 becomes lower than the atmospheric pressure (external pressure), and due to the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the developer replenishment container 1, air discharges the discharge port 4a from the outside to the inside of the developer replenishment container 1. Inhaled through.

In this way, since air is taken in from the outside of the developer supply container 1 through the discharge port 4a, the developer in the vicinity of the discharge port 4a can be dissolved (fluidized). Specifically, by impregnating the developer stored in the developer storage unit 4d with air, the bulk density can be reduced and the developer can be appropriately fluidized. Since air is taken into the developer replenishment container 1 through the discharge port 4a, the internal pressure of the developer replenishment container 1 changes near the atmospheric pressure (external pressure) even though its volume is increasing. .. In this way, the amount of the developer discharged per unit time becomes substantially constant over a long period of time. By fluidizing the developer in this way, a certain amount of the developer can be smoothly discharged from the discharge port 4a without clogging the discharge port 4a during the exhaust operation described later. Is possible.

Since the intake operation is performed, the pump unit 3a is not limited to the state of being most contracted to the most extended state, and even if the pump unit 3a is stopped in the middle of the state of being most expanded from the most contracted state. If the internal pressure of the developer supply container 1 is changed, the intake operation is performed. That is, the intake step is a state in which the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c is engaged with the cam groove 2h shown in FIG.

[Exhaust process]
Next, the exhaust process will be described. The exhaust operation is performed by changing the state in which the pump portion 3a is most extended (see FIG. 8A) to the state in which the pump portion 3a is most contracted (see FIG. 8B). Along with this exhaust operation, the volume of the developer replenishment container 1 capable of accommodating the developer decreases. At that time, the inside of the developer supply container 1 is substantially sealed except for the discharge port 4a, and the discharge port 4a is substantially blocked by the developer until the developer is discharged. .. Therefore, as the volume of the developer replenishment container 1 decreases, the internal pressure of the developer replenishment container 1 increases. At this time, since the internal pressure of the developer replenishment container 1 becomes higher than the atmospheric pressure (external pressure), the developer is pushed out from the discharge port 4a due to the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the developer replenishment container 1. That is, the developer is discharged from the developer supply container 1 to the developer supply device 201. Then, the air in the developer replenishment container 1 is discharged together with the developer, so that the internal pressure of the developer replenishment container 1 decreases. As described above, in the present embodiment, the developer can be efficiently discharged by using one reciprocating pump unit 3a, so that the mechanism required for discharging the developer can be simplified.

Since the exhaust operation is performed, the pump unit 3a is not limited to the most extended state to the most contracted state, and even if the pump unit 3a is stopped in the middle of the most expanded state to the most contracted state. If the internal pressure of the developer supply container 1 is changed, the exhaust operation is performed. That is, the exhaust process is a state in which the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c is engaged with the cam groove 2g shown in FIG.

[Operation stop process]
In the present embodiment, as described above, the control device 600 controls the operation of the drive motor 500 based on the detection results of the developer sensor 10d and the magnetic sensor 800c (see FIGS. 3 and 5). In this configuration, the amount of developer discharged from the developer replenishment container 1 directly affects the toner concentration, so it is necessary to replenish the amount of developer required by the image forming apparatus 100 from the developer replenishment container 1. At this time, in order to stabilize the amount of the developer discharged from the developer replenishment container 1, it is desirable to change the volume of the developer replenishment container 1 by an amount determined by the pump unit 3a each time. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the cam groove 2i is provided with a cam groove 2i for maintaining the operation stopped state in which the pump portion 3a does not reciprocate even when the cylindrical portion 2k is rotating (see FIG. 9). .. Therefore, the operation stop step is a state in which the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c is engaged with the cam groove 2i.

Even if the pump unit 3a is in the operation stop process, the regulation unit 7 rotates with the rotation of the transport member 6. However, when the pump unit 3a is in the operation stop process, the regulation unit 7 is in a range where it does not reach above the developer storage unit 4d. In this case, since the pump unit 3a is in the operation stop step, the internal pressure does not change in the vicinity of the developer storage unit 4d. Therefore, neither intake nor exhaust is performed by the pump unit 3a, and the regulating unit 7 does not interfere with the transfer of the developer, so that the developer conveyed by the transfer member 6 can be stored in the developer storage unit 4d.

By the way, in the conventional developer replenishment container 1, as described above, a cam groove 2e, which is a series of paths for reciprocating the reciprocating member 3b, is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 2k. When the developer replenishment container 1 is not mounted, the pump unit 3a is initially set to the most contracted state so that the suction operation is performed during the initial operation after mounting. Further, the reciprocating member engaging protrusion 3c was engaged with the cam groove 2i or the cam groove 2h so as to be able to engage with the cam groove 2h from the most upstream flow in the moving direction (arrow B direction in FIG. 9) in the cam groove 2h. ..

This is due to the following reasons. That is, when the developer replenishment container 1 is transported or the like, the developer may be moved in the developer replenishment container 1 and enter the developer storage unit 4d. Then, the developer that has entered the developer storage unit 4d hardens during transportation or storage and becomes difficult to unravel. Therefore, in order to take in air from the outside and take in air to dissolve the developer before discharging the developer, the pump portion 3a is in the most contracted state, and the reciprocating member engaging protrusion 3c is the cam groove 2i or the cam groove. The developer supply container 1 is manufactured and shipped in a state of being engaged with 2h.

However, in the conventional developer replenishment container 1, a certain amount of the developer is not discharged from the developer replenishment container 1 when the user attaches the new developer replenisher container 1 to the developer replenisher device 201 and operates it for the first time. There was something. This is because the cylindrical portion 2k is rotated during transportation until the developer replenishment container 1 reaches the user's hand, and in that case, the reciprocating member 3b moves along the cam groove 2e and the pump portion. This is because 3a is expanded from the most contracted state. That is, the cylindrical portion 2k is rotated by some factor (for example, vibration) during transportation, so that the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c is moved to the cam groove 2g, and the pump portion 3a is extended. When the developer supply container 1 in which the pump unit 3a is in the extended state is attached, even if the cylindrical unit 2k is rotated, the developer in the developer storage unit 4d becomes a resistance and the pump unit 3a cannot perform the intake operation. , Try to discharge the developer without unraveling the developer. In the first place, when the pump unit 3a is in the extended state, the developer in the developer storage unit 4d becomes a resistance, so that it is difficult to shrink the pump unit 3a. As described above, in the conventional developer replenishment container 1, the developer may be difficult to be discharged due to the rotation of the cylindrical portion 2k during transportation. During transportation, the cylindrical portion 2k can be rotated not only in the rotation direction at the time of mounting (direction of arrow A in FIG. 9) but also in a direction opposite to the rotation direction at the time of mounting. In the following description, the term "rotational direction" refers to the direction of rotation at the time of mounting (direction of arrow A in FIG. 9).

In this embodiment, in view of the above points, the cylindrical portion 2k rotates during the transportation of the developer replenishment container 1, for example, in order to start from the intake operation of releasing the developer in the developer storage unit 4d at the initial operation of the developer replenishment container 1. Even if it is done, the compressed state of the pump unit 3a can be maintained. Hereinafter, the developer supply container 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11.

The developer supply container 1 of the present embodiment is a series of cam grooves 2e having a cam groove 2g for compressing the pump portion 3a, a cam groove 2h for extending the pump portion 3a, and a cam groove 2i. In addition, a movement restricting cam groove 2n branched from the cam groove 2e is formed. The movement restricting cam groove 2n is branched from the cam groove 2e toward the downstream side in the rotational direction so that the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c can be guided to the intake cam groove 2h. That is, in the case of the present embodiment, in the new developer replenishment container 1 in the unmounted state (before mounting), the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c of the reciprocating member 3b is restricted from moving while the pump portion 3a is most contracted. It is engaged with the cam groove 2n. Then, when the cylindrical portion 2k is rotationally driven in the mounted state, the reciprocating member engaging protrusion 3c engaged with the movement restricting cam groove 2n moves in the cam groove 2h with respect to the cam groove 2h (direction of arrow B). ) The movement restricting cam groove 2n is branched from the cam groove 2e so that it can be engaged from the uppermost stream. Here, the upstream side of the movement-regulating cam groove 2n in the rotation direction is connected to the cam groove 2i which is connected to the cam groove 2h at the maximum flow in the movement direction in the cam groove 2h, in other words, is connected to the cam groove 2g at the most downstream side in the movement direction of the cam groove 2g. It is branched from the cam groove 2i (see branching point 2X).

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the movement restricting cam groove 2n is located at the same position as the cam groove 2i in the rotation axis direction of the cylindrical portion 2k from the branch point 2X with the cam groove 2i toward the downstream side in the rotation direction of the cylindrical portion 2k. It is formed on the extension line D of the cam groove 2i. Further, in the present embodiment, since the two reciprocating member engaging protrusions 3c are provided so as to face each other by about 180 ° with the cylindrical portion 2k interposed therebetween (see FIG. 8A), the two movement restricting cams. The groove 2n is formed at a position deviated by about 180 ° in the rotation direction of the cylindrical portion 2k.

As shown in FIG. 9, during the first operation after mounting, the cylindrical portion 2k is rotated in the rotation direction, so that the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c is moved in the direction opposite to the rotation direction along the movement restricting cam groove 2n. Moving. Then, the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c moves to the cam groove 2h through the movement restricting cam groove 2n and the cam groove 2i. When the reciprocating member engaging protrusion 3c moves in the movement restricting cam groove 2n, the pump portion 3a becomes the above-mentioned operation stop step in which the pump portion 3a is not operated. It is maintained until it reaches 2h.

When the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c reaches the cam groove 2h, the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c moves along the cam groove 2h thereafter, so that the pump portion 3a is extended. After that, when the reciprocating member engaging protrusion 3c reaches the cam groove 2g, the reciprocating member engaging protrusion 3c moves along the cam groove 2g thereafter, so that the pump portion 3a becomes an exhaust process in which the pump portion 3a performs a compression operation. Further, when the cylindrical portion 2k is rotated, the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c reaches the branch point 2X between the movement restricting cam groove 2n and the cam groove 2i, but the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c reaches the movement restricting cam groove. It invades the cam groove 2i without invading 2n. In this way, after the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c has passed through the movement restricting cam groove 2n, it moves only along the cam groove 2e without returning to the movement restricting cam groove 2n.

In the case of the present embodiment, the opposite side of the branch portion 2X of the movement restricting cam groove 2n is closed so that the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c does not enter the cam groove 2e from the downstream side in the rotation direction. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a lock portion 2m as a restraining portion is provided on the branch portion 2X side of the movement restricting cam groove 2n so as to block the path of the movement restricting cam groove 2n. As an initial state, the pump portion 3a is set to the most contracted state so that the intake operation is performed at the first operation after mounting, and the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c is moved downstream of the lock portion 2m in the rotation direction. Is engaged in.

As shown in FIG. 11, the lock portion 2m is formed so as to project from the bottom surface of the movement restricting cam groove 2n. The lock portion 2m has a lock surface 2m1 (inclined surface) inclined so that the upstream side is higher on the downstream side with respect to the rotation direction (arrow A direction) of the cylindrical portion 2k, and is inclined so that the downstream side is higher on the upstream side. It has a restrained surface of 2 m2. In FIG. 11, the inclination angle of the lock surface 2m1 (the angle from the rotation center O of the cylindrical portion 2k to the straight line U connecting the intersection of the lock surface 2m1 and the movement restricting cam groove 2n) is shown by the inclination angle α1. Further, the inclination angle of the suppression surface 2m2 (the angle from the rotation center O of the cylindrical portion 2k to the straight line J connecting the intersection of the suppression surface 2m2 and the movement restricting cam groove 2n) is shown by the inclination angle α2. Further, the height from the bottom surface of the movement restricting cam groove 2n to the upper end surface of the lock portion 2m is indicated by the step amount K. The lock portion 2m may be formed as a step in which the depth of the movement restricting cam groove 2n is shallower on the upstream side than on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the cylindrical portion 2k.

The lock portion 2 m will be described. As described above, as an initial state when the developer replenishment container 1 is not attached, the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c is engaged with the movement restricting cam groove 2n on the downstream side in the rotation direction from the lock portion 2m. There is. When the developer supply container 1 is not attached, the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c abuts on the lock portion 2m due to the rotation of the cylindrical portion 2k, so that the cylindrical portion 2k does not rotate any more. The rotation of the portion 2k is suppressed. That is, the overcoming torque required for the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c in contact with the lock surface 2m1 to get over the lock portion 2m is larger than the maximum torque that can be generated in the cylindrical portion 2k during transportation. A lock surface of 2 m1 is formed. The overcoming torque is smaller than the torque of the drive motor 500. Therefore, when the cylindrical portion 2k is rotated by the drive motor 500, the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c gets over the lock portion 2m and moves to the cam groove 2h through the cam groove 2i as described above. obtain.

The overcoming torque can be adjusted to a desired size by the inclination angle α1 of the lock surface 2 m1 and the step amount K. When the inclination angle α1 is reduced, the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c comes into contact with the lock surface 2m1 at a steeper inclination with respect to the rotation direction, so that the overcoming torque becomes large. However, as the inclination angle α1 is closer to “0 °”, when the cylindrical portion 2k is rotated by the drive motor 500, the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c is locked by the lock surface 2m1 and cannot get over the lock portion 2m. .. However, as the inclination angle α1 approaches "90 °", the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c gets over the lock portion 2m when the maximum torque that can be generated in the cylindrical portion 2k during transportation is applied. It can be closed. Therefore, the inclination angle α1 of the lock surface 2m1 is set in a range larger than 0 ° and smaller than 90 ° based on the balance between the maximum torque that may occur in the cylindrical portion 2k during transportation and the torque of the drive motor 500. .. For example, the inclination angle α1 is preferably set to 30 ° or more and 50 ° or less.

Further, the above-mentioned overcoming torque can be increased by increasing the step amount K. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the reciprocating member 3b is suppressed from the outside to the inside by the rotation restricting portion 3f provided on the cover 4e. Therefore, when the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c gets over the lock portion 2m, a part of the rotation restricting portion 3f is elastically deformed by the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c. At this time, the amount of deformation of the rotation restricting portion 3f increases according to the movement of the locking portion 2m, but as the amount of deformation of the rotation regulating portion 3f increases, the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c locks the locking portion 2m. The overcoming torque when overcoming becomes large. The amount of deformation of the rotation restricting portion 3f increases as the step amount K increases. Therefore, this step amount K is also set based on the balance between the maximum torque that may occur in the cylindrical portion 2k during transportation and the torque of the drive motor 500 in combination with the inclination angle α1.

Further, the locking portion 2m is provided with a restraining surface 2m2. The restraining surface 2m2 has a movement-restricting cam groove 2n from the cam groove 2e after the reciprocating member engaging protrusion 3c that has passed over the lock portion 2m by rotating the cylindrical portion 2k by the drive motor 500 has passed through the movement-restricting cam groove 2n. The movement of the reciprocating member engaging protrusion 3c is suppressed so as not to return to. This prevents the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c from being moved from the cam groove 2e to the movement restricting cam groove 2n when the cylindrical portion 2k is rotated in the reverse direction by the drive motor 500 for some purpose in the mounted state. Because. Therefore, it is preferable that the inclination angle α2 of the suppression surface 2m2 is set smaller than the inclination angle α1 of the lock surface 2m1. For example, the inclination angle α2 is preferably set to 10 ° or more and 30 ° or less.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the reciprocating member 3b reciprocates from the cam groove 2e that expands and contracts the pump portion 3a so that the pump portion 3a does not expand and contract even if the cylindrical portion 2k is rotated during transportation. The movement restricting cam groove 2n that engages the moving member engaging protrusion 3c is branched. In the movement restricting cam groove 2n, the reciprocating member engaging protrusion 3c does not move to the cam groove 2e due to the rotation of the cylindrical portion 2k during transportation, and the reciprocating member engaging protrusion 3c is formed by the rotation of the cylindrical portion 2k by the drive motor 500. A lock portion 2 m is provided so that the can move to the cam groove 2e. That is, by engaging the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c with the movement restricting cam groove 2n, the pump portion 3a does not expand and contract during transportation, and the pump portion 3a is maintained in the most contracted state. As a result, it is possible to prevent the developer from being difficult to be discharged due to the rotation of the cylindrical portion 2k during transportation.

Further, the movement restricting cam groove 2n is on the upstream side in the moving direction in which the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c moves in the cam groove 2h with respect to the cam groove 2h that extends the pump portion 3a (intake operation) of the cam groove 2e. It is connected to the cam groove 2e. Therefore, due to the rotation of the cylindrical portion 2k after mounting, the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c passes through the movement restricting cam groove 2n and moves to the cam groove 2h via the cam groove 2i. After that, since the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c moves in the cam groove 2h, the pump portion 3a can be operated as an intake air prior to the exhaust operation. By reliably operating the pump unit 3a from the intake air in this way, even if the developer stored in the developer storage unit 4d is solidified during transportation, it can be dissolved by air, and a fixed amount of the developer can be released immediately after mounting. The developer can be replenished. In this way, it is possible to realize a configuration in which stable discharge of the developer can be easily performed.

<Other Embodiments>
In the above-described embodiment (see FIG. 9), an example is shown in which the side opposite to the branch portion 2X of the movement restricting cam groove 2n is not connected to the cam groove 2e, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the side opposite to the branch portion 2X is It may be connected to the cam groove 2e. For example, in FIG. 9, the movement restricting cam groove 2n may be connected to the cam groove 2h on the downstream side in the rotation direction. However, in such a case, a shielding portion that shields between the cam groove 2h and the movement restricting cam groove 2n is provided so that the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c cannot move back and forth between the cam groove 2h and the movement restricting cam groove 2n. Need to be provided.

In the above-described embodiment (see FIG. 9), the reciprocating member engaging protrusion 3c can engage with the cam groove 2h from the most upstream direction in the moving direction (arrow B direction) in the cam groove 2h, so that the movement restricting cam groove 2n Is connected to the cam groove 2e, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c is formed so that it can be engaged from the middle of the path of the cam groove 2h, and the movement restricting cam groove 2n is connected to the middle of the path of the cam groove 2h as shown by the dotted line in FIG. It may have been done. In this case, the movement restricting cam groove 2n is formed so as to extend from the branch point 2XA with the cam groove 2h toward the downstream side in the rotational direction of the cylindrical portion 2k.

In this case, the branch portion 2XA is within the range H (100%) in which the reciprocating member 3b moves when the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c moves from the most upstream to the most downstream in the extension direction along the cam groove 2g. It is preferably provided in the range of 10% or more and 50% or less. This is because the closer the branch point 2XA between the movement restricting cam groove 2nA and the cam groove 2h is to the most downstream side of the cam groove 2h, the closer the reciprocating member engaging protrusion 3c moves from the movement restricting cam groove 2nA to the cam groove 2h. This is because the intake operation of the pump unit 3a cannot be sufficiently secured after that. If the intake operation of the pump unit 3a cannot be sufficiently ensured, it becomes difficult to sufficiently dissolve the developer stored in the developer storage unit 4d during transportation.

Further, in the above-described embodiment (see FIG. 9), the movement restricting cam groove 2n is located at the same position as the cam groove 2i in the rotation axis direction of the cylindrical portion 2k from the branch portion 2X toward the downstream side in the rotation direction of the cylindrical portion 2k. The formed one is shown as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the movement restricting cam groove 2nB is formed at a position that does not overlap with the cam groove 2e in the rotation axis direction of the cylindrical portion 2k, and connects the movement restricting cam groove 2nB and the branch portion 2X. As described above, the connecting groove 2r is formed. The connecting groove 2r extends from the branch portion 2X toward the upstream side in the moving direction and toward the downstream side in the rotating direction in the cam groove 2h, so that the upstream end in the rotating direction of the movement restricting cam groove 2nB and the downstream in the rotating direction of the cam groove 2i I'm in contact with the end.

In the case of such a configuration, it is possible to secure a large amount of extension of the pump portion 3a at the time of initial operation after mounting by the amount provided with the connecting groove 2r. That is, the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c that is engaged with the movement restricting cam groove 2nB in the unmounted state moves to the cam groove 2i after passing through the connecting groove 2r as the cylindrical portion 2k rotates after mounting. Further, it moves toward the cam groove 2h. When the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c moves in the connecting groove 2r, the reciprocating member 3b (see FIG. 8A) moves in the direction of arrow B in the drawing. That is, since the pump portion 3a is extended, intake is performed. As described above, in the initial operation after mounting, the pressure inside the developer replenishment container 1 can be further reduced by the length of the connecting groove 2r, so that the amount of air taken in from the outside through the discharge port 4a can be increased. As a result, even if the developer is hardened in the developer storage unit 4d during transportation and is difficult to unravel, the developer can be reliably unraveled and stably discharged.

Next, a modified example of the movement restricting cam groove 2n shown in FIG. 9 is shown in FIG. It is more preferable that the groove width L of the movement-restricted cam groove 2n is wider than the groove width M of the cam groove 2p as in the configuration of the cam groove shown in FIG. This will be described in detail below.

In this embodiment, when the image forming apparatus is required to be replenished with a certain amount of a stable developer from the replenishment container 1, the groove width M of the cam groove 2p affects the replenishment amount of the developer 3b. It may be designed with the minimum required width in order to suppress the fluctuation of the expansion and contraction stroke amount. However, the movement restricting cam groove 2n is provided so that the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c does not move to the cam groove 2p due to vibration due to physical distribution as described above, and the pump portion 3a expands and contracts, which affects the replenishment amount of the developer. Since it is a region that does not contribute, it does not have to be as narrow as the cam groove 2p. If the groove width L of the movement restricting cam groove 2n is as narrow as the groove width M of the cam groove 2p, the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c of the reciprocating member 3b is engaged with the movement restricting cam groove 2n. At the time of fitting, it is assumed that high assembly accuracy may be required at the time of assembly.

Therefore, by adopting the cam groove configuration as shown in FIG. 13, the groove width M of the cam groove 2p can be set to the minimum necessary groove width suitable for discharging the developer, and the groove width M of the cam groove 2p can be set. The groove width L of the movement-restricted cam groove 2n, which is wider than the above, can be set to a groove width suitable for assembling. As a result, it is possible to improve the assembling property at the time of production in the factory while maintaining a stable replenishment amount at the time of discharging the developer.

From the viewpoint of assembling, the region where the groove width L of the movement restricting cam groove 2n is wider than the groove width M of the cam groove 2p does not have to be the entire area of the movement regulation cam groove 2n as shown in FIG. .. Even if the region where the groove width L of the movement restricting cam groove 2n is widened is limited to the region where the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c of the reciprocating member 3b passes through the movement restricting cam groove 2n at the time of assembly at the time of production, the above-mentioned The effect of improving the assembling property can be obtained.

Further, when the groove width L of the movement-regulated cam groove 2n is wider than the groove width M of the cam groove 2p, it is preferable to set as follows.

In the present configuration shown in FIG. 13, the side surface 2n1 of the movement restricting cam groove 2n on the upstream side in the C direction (pump portion 3b side) is the most downstream cam groove 2i in the C direction of the cam groove 2p and the rotation axis direction of the replenishment container 1. It is provided at the same position in. The side surface 2n1 is not limited to the position shown in FIG. 13, and may not have a convex surface on the upstream side in the C direction and may be provided at least on the downstream side in the C direction with respect to the cam groove 2i. This will be described below.

Since the side surface 2n1 does not have a convex surface, the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c moves along the convex surface when the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c moves in the movement restricting cam groove 2n with the rotation of the replenishment container 1 described above. After 3c moves to the upstream side in the C direction, it does not occur to move to the downstream side. Therefore, the pump portion 3b interlocking with the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c does not move in the contraction direction because the reciprocating member engaging projection 3c does not move downstream in the C direction.

Further, since the side surface 2n1 is provided on the downstream side in the C direction from the cam groove 2i, when the reciprocating member engaging protrusion 3c moves from the movement restricting cam groove 2n to the first cam groove 2p, the reciprocating member engages. Since the joint protrusion 3c does not move downstream in the C direction, the pump portion 3b interlocking with the reciprocating member engaging protrusion 3c does not move in the contracting direction.

Then, as shown in FIG. 13, the side surface 2n2 on the downstream side in the C direction of the movement restricting cam groove 2n is provided so that the groove width L of the second cam groove 2n is wider than the groove width M of the cam groove 2p. ing.

For this purpose, after the replenishment container 1 is mounted on the image forming apparatus as described above, the reciprocating member engaging protrusion 3c moves in the movement restricting cam groove 2n, and the cam groove 2p is moved from the movement restricting cam groove 2n. This is to ensure that the pump portion 3a is moved in the direction of extending from the contracted state when moving in the cam groove 2p. As a result, even when the groove width L of the movement restricting cam groove 2n is widened, when the replenishment container 1 is attached to the image forming apparatus, air can be first taken into the discharge portion 4c from the outside. As a result, it is possible to unravel the developer that has been tightened by physical distribution and stably discharge the developer to the image forming apparatus.

1 Developer replenishment container 2 Developer accommodating part 2e Engagement groove (first groove, cam groove)
2g Engagement groove (exhaust groove, cam groove)
2h Engagement groove (intake groove, cam groove)
2i connection groove (non-operating groove, cam groove)
2m suppression part (lock part)
2m1 inclined surface (lock surface)
2n (2nA, 2nB) Engagement groove (second groove, movement regulation cam groove)
2r connecting groove 2X branch point 3a pump part 3b conversion member (reciprocating member)
3c Engagement part (reciprocating member engaging protrusion)
201 Developer receiving device (Developer replenishing device)

Claims (8)

A developer replenishment container that can be attached to the developer receiving device.
An engaging groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface, and a developer accommodating portion that is rotationally driven in a predetermined rotational direction in the mounted state, and a developer accommodating portion.
A reciprocating operation so as to perform an intake operation of extending in the first direction and sucking air into the developer accommodating portion and an exhaust operation of compressing in the second direction opposite to the first direction and exhausting from the developer accommodating portion. Pump part and
A conversion member having an engaging portion that engages with the engaging groove and being bridged between the pump portion and the engaging groove to convert the rotational operation of the developer accommodating portion into a reciprocating operation of the pump portion. With
In the engaging groove, an intake groove for moving the conversion member in the first direction and an exhaust groove for moving the conversion member in the second direction are alternately formed in the rotation direction, and the exhaust is exhausted. The first groove in which the downstream end in the second direction of the groove and the connecting groove connecting the upstream end in the first direction of the intake groove are formed, and the engaging portion can be guided to the intake groove. It has a second groove that is branched from the first groove toward the downstream side in the rotation direction and has a groove width wider than that of the first groove.
When the conversion member and the developer accommodating portion rotate relative to each other in the second groove in a non-mounted state, the movement of the engaging portion to the first groove is suppressed and the conversion member is not operated. When the developing agent accommodating portion is rotationally driven in the mounted state and the converting member and the developing agent accommodating portion rotate relative to each other, the converting member is operated by allowing the engaging portion to move to the first groove. A restraining part is formed to make it
A developer replenishment container characterized by this. The connection groove is a non-operating groove that guides the engaging portion from the exhaust groove to the intake groove without reciprocating the pump portion due to the rotational drive of the developer accommodating portion after mounting. , The second groove is branched from the non-operating groove.
The developer replenishment container according to claim 1. The second groove is branched from the intake groove.
The developer replenishment container according to claim 1. The second groove is 10% or more and 50% or less of the range in which the conversion member moves when the engaging portion moves from the most upstream to the most downstream in the first direction along the intake groove. It is branched at the branch point that is the range,
The developer replenishment container according to claim 3. The second groove is formed on the upstream side in the first direction with respect to the non-operating groove.
The engaging groove has a connecting groove that connects the second groove and the non-operating groove.
The developer replenishment container according to claim 2. The restraining portion is a step in which the depth of the second groove becomes shallower on the upstream side than on the downstream side in the rotational direction.
The developer replenishment container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the developer replenishment container is characterized by the above. The restraining portion is formed so as to protrude from the bottom surface of the second groove.
The developer replenishment container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the developer replenishment container is characterized by the above. The surface of the restraining portion on the downstream side in the rotation direction is an inclined surface.
The developer replenishment container according to claim 6 or 7.

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