JP2021189315A - Cartridge and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technique to prevent an increase in internal pressure of a toner storage chamber and a developer conveyance path.SOLUTION: A cartridge 6 comprises a frame body 16 having a storage chamber 16b that stores developer, a supply port 44 for taking in developer into the storage chamber 16b, a receiving port 40 that receives the developer, and a conveyance path 42 that guides the developer received from the receiving port 40 to the supply port 44. The frame body has a first ventiduct that is communicated with the storage chamber 16b through a first communication port 67 and a second ventiduct that is communicated with the conveyance path 42 through a second communication port 68, and the ventiducts are communicated with the outside of the frame body 16. The receiving port 40 is located on one end in a longitudinal direction of the frame body 16, and the conveyance path 42 extends from one end toward the other end in the longitudinal direction. In the longitudinal direction, the second communication port 68 is located between a first position at which the receiving port 40 is arranged and a second position at which the supply port 40 is arranged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material using a developer.

In an image forming apparatus such as a printer using an electrophotographic image forming method (electrophotographic process), it is necessary to prevent the toner (developer) used for development from leaking to the outside, while the internal pressure in the toner accommodating room rises. It is necessary to have a mechanism to suppress the problem. Patent Document 1 discloses a method for passing air inside and outside the toner storage chamber.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-2000790

In the image forming apparatus, the mechanism of increasing the internal pressure of the space in which the toner is accommodated varies depending on the apparatus configuration. For example, in the case of a device configuration in which toner is replenished to the toner storage chamber via a toner transport path in which a transport member such as a screw is arranged, the internal pressure may increase in each of the toner storage chamber and the transport path. .. Due to the increase in the internal pressure, the developer may be scattered from the cartridge provided with the toner accommodating chamber, or the toner may be clogged on the upstream side of the toner transport path.

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of suppressing an increase in internal pressure between a toner (developer) accommodating chamber and a transport path.

In order to achieve the above object, the cartridge of the present invention is used.
A cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming device.
A storage chamber for accommodating the developing agent, a supply port for taking the developing agent into the storage chamber, a receiving port for receiving the developing agent, and a transport path for guiding the developing agent received at the receiving port to the supply port. And, with a frame,
A transport member arranged in the transport path and transporting the developer from the receiving port to the supply port, and a transport member.
Equipped with
The frame has a first air passage that communicates with the accommodation chamber through the first communication port and a second air passage that communicates with the transport path through the second communication port. The air passage and the second air passage communicate with the outside of the frame, and the air passage and the second air passage communicate with each other.
The receiving port is located on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the frame body, and the transport path extends from the one end side toward the other end side in the longitudinal direction.
In the longitudinal direction, the second communication port is characterized in that it is located between a first position where the inlet is located and a second position where the supply port is located.
Further, in order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is used.
With the device body
The cartridge of the present invention that can be attached to and detached from the device body,
It is characterized by having.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress an increase in the internal pressure of the toner storage chamber and the developer transport path.

Schematic sectional view of the developing unit of Example 1. Schematic sectional view of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of Example 1. Main sectional view of the process cartridge of the first embodiment Overall perspective view of the process cartridge of the first embodiment from the front Overall perspective view from the rear of the process cartridge of the first embodiment Main sectional view of the toner cartridge (YMC) of Example 1. Main sectional view of the toner cartridge (K) of Example 1. Overall perspective view of the toner cartridge (YMC) of Example 1 from the rear. Side sectional view of the developing unit of Example 1 as viewed from the right side. Schematic sectional view of the supply port of the developing unit of Example 1. Schematic cross-sectional view of a developing unit in which the internal pressure of the toner storage chamber of the comparative example has increased. Side sectional view of the developing unit in which the internal pressure of the developing agent transport path of the comparative example has increased. Perspective view of the developing unit of Example 2 Explanatory drawing of development unit of Example 2 Perspective view of the developing unit of Example 3 Explanatory drawing of development unit of Example 3

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail exemplary with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in this embodiment should be appropriately changed depending on the configuration of the apparatus to which the invention is applied and various conditions. That is, it is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to the following embodiments.

<Example 1>
The electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium by using an electrophotographic image forming method. Examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (LED printer, laser beam printer, etc.), a facsimile machine, a word processor, and the like. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge and detachably attached to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. For example, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one of a developing means, a charging means, and a cleaning means as the process means are integrally formed into a cartridge. Further, the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the developing means may be made into cartridges, respectively, the former may be used as a photoconductor unit (or cleaning unit), and the latter may be used as a developing unit, but the configuration is not limited to this.

The overall configuration of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus 100 (hereinafter referred to as the image forming apparatus 100) according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. In this embodiment, the process cartridge 1 and the toner cartridge 13 are detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. Here, the apparatus main body refers to a component portion excluding the cartridge B from the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100.

The schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 2 shows a state in which the image forming apparatus is placed on a horizontal plane as a normally assumed device installation floor surface. For example, FIG. 2 is a reference for the vertical and horizontal directions of the posture when the developing unit, which will be described later, is used. Further, the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2 corresponds to the rotation axis direction and the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum, the developing roller, etc., and the longitudinal direction of the frame body of each unit. In the following description, the positional relationship and the like of each figure other than FIG. 2 are defined with reference to the positional relationship and the like of each configuration shown in FIG.

The image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment is a so-called tandem type image forming apparatus. That is, a full-color image is formed by superimposing toner images (developer images) of each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) by four image forming portions. Formed on recording materials such as recording paper and plastic sheets. In this embodiment, the configurations and operations of the first to fourth image forming portions are substantially the same except that the colors of the formed images are different. Therefore, in the following, if no particular distinction is required, the subscripts Y to K will be omitted for general explanation. The first to fourth process cartridges 1 constituting the first to fourth image forming portions are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction. Each process cartridge 1 is formed of a drum unit 4 and a developing unit 6. The drum unit 4 has a photosensitive drum 7 as an image carrier, a charging roller 8 as a charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 7, and a cleaning blade 10 as a cleaning means. The developing unit 6 accommodates a developing roller 11 and a developing agent T (hereinafter referred to as toner), and has a developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum 7. The drum unit 4 and the developing unit 6 are oscillatingly connected to each other. The first process cartridge 1Y contains yellow (Y) toner in the developing unit 6. Similarly, the second process cartridge 1M contains magenta (M), the third process cartridge 1C contains cyan (C), and the fourth process cartridge 1K contains black (K) toner.

The process cartridge 1 can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 100 via mounting means such as a mounting guide (not shown) and a positioning member (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 100. Further, a scanner unit 12 for forming an electrostatic latent image is arranged below the process cartridge 1. Further, in the image forming apparatus, the waste toner transfer unit 23 is arranged behind the process cartridge 1 (downstream in the attachment / detachment direction of the process cartridge 1).

The first to fourth toner cartridges 13 are arranged horizontally side by side below the process cartridge 1 in an order corresponding to the color of the toner contained in each process cartridge 1. That is, the first toner cartridge 13Y contains the yellow (Y) toner. Similarly, the second toner cartridge 13M stores magenta (M), the third toner cartridge 13C stores cyan (C), and the fourth toner cartridge 13K stores black (K) toner. Then, each toner cartridge 13 replenishes the process cartridge 1 containing the toner of the same color.

The replenishment operation of the toner cartridge 13 is performed when the remaining amount detecting unit (not shown) provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 detects the insufficient remaining amount of toner in the process cartridge 1. The toner cartridge 13 can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 100 via mounting means such as a mounting guide (not shown) and a positioning member (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 100. A detailed description of the process cartridge 1 and the toner cartridge 13 will be described later.

Below the toner cartridge 13, first to fourth toner transfer devices 14 are arranged corresponding to each toner cartridge 13. Each toner transfer device 14 conveys the toner received from each toner cartridge 13 upward, and supplies the toner to each development unit 6.

An intermediate transfer unit 19 is provided above the process cartridge 1. The intermediate transfer unit 19 is arranged substantially horizontally with the primary transfer unit S1 side facing down. The intermediate transfer belt 18 as an intermediate transfer body facing each photosensitive drum 7 is a rotatable endless belt, and is stretched on a plurality of tension rollers. On the inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt 18, a primary transfer roller 20 is arranged as a primary transfer member at a position forming each photosensitive drum 7 and a primary transfer portion S1 via the intermediate transfer belt 18. Further, the secondary transfer roller 21, which is a secondary transfer member, comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 18 and forms the secondary transfer portion S2 with the roller on the opposite side via the intermediate transfer belt 18. Further, in the left-right direction (the direction in which the secondary transfer unit S2 and the intermediate transfer belt are stretched), the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 22 is arranged on the side opposite to the secondary transfer unit S2.

A fixing unit 25 is arranged above the intermediate transfer unit 19. The fixing unit 25 includes a heating unit 26 and a pressure roller 27 that presses against the heating unit 26. Further, a discharge tray 32 is disposed on the upper surface of the main body of the apparatus, and a waste toner recovery container 24 is disposed between the discharge tray 32 and the intermediate transfer unit 19. Further, a paper feed tray 2 for accommodating the recording material 3 is arranged at the lowermost part of the main body of the apparatus.

Next, the image forming operation in the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. At the time of image formation, the photosensitive drum 7 is rotationally driven at a predetermined speed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. The intermediate transfer belt 18 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow B (forward in the direction of rotation of the photosensitive drum 7).

First, the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 8. Next, the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is scanned and exposed by the laser beam emitted from the scanner unit 12, so that an electrostatic latent image based on the image information is formed on the photosensitive drum 7. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 is developed as a toner image by the developing unit 6. At this time, the developing unit 6 is pressurized by a developing pressure unit (not shown) provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. Then, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 18 by the primary transfer roller 20.

For example, at the time of forming a full-color image, the above-mentioned processes are sequentially performed in the primary transfer units S1Y to S1K of the first to fourth image forming units, so that the toner images of each color are sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 18. Toner. On the other hand, the recording material 3 housed in the paper feed tray 2 is fed at a predetermined control timing, and is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit S2 in synchronization with the movement of the intermediate transfer belt 18. Then, the four-color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 18 are collectively secondarily transferred onto the recording material 3 by the secondary transfer roller 21 that is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 18 via the recording material 3.

After that, the recording material 3 to which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 25. The toner image is fixed to the recording material 3 by heating and pressurizing the recording material 3 in the fixing unit 25. After that, the fixed recording material 3 is conveyed to the discharge tray 32, and the image forming operation is completed.

Further, the primary transfer residual toner (waste toner) remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 after the primary transfer step is removed by the cleaning blade 10. The secondary transfer residual toner (waste toner) remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 18 after the secondary transfer step is removed by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 22. The waste toner removed by the cleaning blade 10 and the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 22 is conveyed by the waste toner transfer unit 23 provided in the main body of the apparatus and accumulated in the waste toner collection container 24. It should be noted that the image forming apparatus 100 can also form a monochromatic or multicolor image by using only a desired single or some (but not all) image forming portions.

Next, the overall configuration of the process cartridge 1 mounted on the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the process cartridge 1 when viewed from the front (upstream side in the attachment / detachment direction of the process cartridge 1 with respect to the apparatus main body). FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the process cartridge 1 when viewed from the rear (downstream side in the attachment / detachment direction of the process cartridge 1), and FIG. 5A is a perspective view when looking up from diagonally below the rear, (b). ) Is a perspective view when looking down from diagonally above the rear.

The process cartridge 1 is formed of a drum unit (image supporting unit, cleaning unit) 4 and a developing unit 6. The drum unit 4 and the developing unit 6 are swingably coupled to each other around the rotation support pin 30. The drum unit 4 has a cleaning frame body 5 that supports various members in the drum unit 4. Further, in the drum unit 4, in addition to the photosensitive drum 7, the charging roller 8, and the cleaning blade 10, a waste toner screw 15 extending in a direction parallel to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 7 is provided. In the cleaning frame 5, cleaning bearings 33 provided with a cleaning gear row 31 for rotatably supporting the photosensitive drum 7 and transmitting drive from the photosensitive drum 7 to the waste toner screw 15 are arranged at both longitudinal ends of the drum unit 4. It is set up.

The charging roller 8 provided in the drum unit 4 is urged in the direction of arrow C by the charging roller pressure springs 36 arranged at both ends toward the photosensitive drum 7. The charging roller 8 is provided so as to be driven by the photosensitive drum 7, and when the photosensitive drum 7 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow A during image formation, the charging roller 8 is driven in the direction of arrow D (forward to the rotation of the photosensitive drum 7). Rotate. The cleaning blade 10 provided in the drum unit 4 includes an elastic member 10a for removing the transfer residual toner (waste toner) remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 after the primary transfer, and a support member 10b for supporting the elastic member 10a. It is composed of. The waste toner removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 by the cleaning blade 10 is stored in the waste toner storage chamber 9 formed by the cleaning blade 10 and the cleaning frame 5. The waste toner stored in the waste toner storage chamber 9 is conveyed toward the rear of the image forming apparatus 100 (downstream in the attachment / detachment direction of the process cartridge 1) by the waste toner transfer screw 15 installed in the waste toner storage chamber 9. Toner. The conveyed waste toner is discharged from the waste toner discharge unit 35 and is delivered to the waste toner transfer unit 23 of the image forming apparatus 100.

The developing unit 6 has a developing frame body 16 that supports various members in the developing unit 6. The developing frame 16 has a developing chamber 16a in which a developing roller 11 and a supply roller 17 are provided, and a toner storage chamber (toner accommodating) in which toner is housed and a stirring member 29 as a second transport member is provided inside. Room) It is divided into 16b.

The developing chamber 16a is provided with a developing roller 11, a supply roller 17, and a developing blade 28. The developing roller 11 carries toner, and when an image is formed, it rotates in the direction of arrow E and comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 7 to convey the toner to the photosensitive drum 7. Further, the developing roller 11 as a developing agent carrier is rotatably supported by the developing bearing unit 34 at both ends in the longitudinal direction (rotational axis direction) thereof. The supply roller 17 as a developer supply member is rotatably supported by the developing bearing unit 34 while being in contact with the developing roller 11, and rotates in the arrow F direction during image formation. Further, a developing blade 28 as a layer thickness regulating member that regulates the thickness of the toner layer formed on the developing roller 11 is arranged so as to abut on the surface of the developing roller 11. The developing bearing unit 34 can be called a part of the developing frame body 16.

The toner storage chamber 16b is provided with a stirring member 29 for stirring the stored toner T and for transporting the toner to the supply roller 17 via the developing chamber communication port 16c. The stirring member 29 has a rotating shaft 29a parallel to the rotation axis direction of the developing roller 11 and a stirring sheet 29b as a transport member which is a flexible sheet-like member. One end of the stirring sheet 29b is attached (fixed) to the rotating shaft 29a, the other end of the stirring sheet 29b is a free end, and the rotating shaft 29a rotates and the stirring sheet 29b rotates in the direction of arrow G. , The toner is stirred by the stirring sheet 29b.

The developing unit 6 has a developing chamber communication port 16c that communicates the developing chamber 16a and the toner storage chamber 16b. In this embodiment, the developing chamber 16a is located above the toner storage chamber 16b in the posture in which the developing unit 6 is normally used (posture at the time of use, posture at the time of image formation). The toner in the toner storage chamber 16b pumped up by the stirring member 29 is supplied to the developing chamber 16a through the developing chamber communication port 16c. Further, the developing unit 6 is provided with a toner receiving port (supply port) 40 at one end on the downstream side in the attachment / detachment direction. A toner inlet seal member 45 and a toner inlet shutter 41 movable in the front-rear direction are arranged above the toner inlet 40. The toner receiving port 40 is closed by the receiving port shutter 41 when the process cartridge 1 is not attached to the image forming apparatus 100. The reception shutter 41 is configured to be urged and opened by the image forming apparatus 100 in conjunction with the attachment / detachment operation of the process cartridge 1.

A toner transport path 42 is provided as a receiving and transporting path in communication with the toner receiving port 40, and a receiving and transporting screw (conveying member) 43 is arranged inside the toner transport path 42. Further, a storage chamber communication port (supply port) 44 for supplying toner to the toner storage chamber 16b is provided near the substantially center of the length of the developing unit 6 to communicate the toner transfer path 42 and the toner storage chamber 16b. .. The toner transport path 42 extends from one end side in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame 16 provided with the toner receiving port 40 toward the other end side in the longitudinal direction. The receiving and transporting screw 43 has a rotating shaft 43a extending in the toner transporting path 42 in parallel with the rotation axis direction of the developing roller 11 and the supply roller 17, and spirally extending from one end to the other end of the rotating shaft 43a on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 43a. It has a blade portion 43b provided over the center. The receiving and transporting screw 43 rotates to guide the toner received from the toner receiving port 40 from one end side to the other end side in the toner transport path 42, and guides the toner through the storage chamber communication port 44 to the toner storage chamber. Transport and supply to 16b.

The overall configuration of the toner cartridge 13 mounted on the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge (13Y, 13M, 13C) according to the present embodiment in the central portion in the longitudinal direction (front-back direction). FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge (13Y, 13M, 13C) according to the present embodiment at the supply opening 52 on the rear side in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction). FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge (13K) according to the present embodiment in the central portion in the longitudinal direction (front-back direction). FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge (13K) according to the present embodiment at the supply opening 52 on the rear side in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction). FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the toner cartridge (13Y, 13M, 13C) according to the present embodiment when viewed from the rear. FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the toner cartridge (13Y, 13M, 13C) according to the present embodiment when the side cover 62 is removed when viewed from the rear.

The toner cartridge 13 includes a replenishment frame body 50 that supports various members in the toner cartridge 13, and a replenishment toner storage chamber 51 that stores toner inside. Further, in the normally used posture (posture at the time of use), the supply frame opening 52 is provided on the lower side. A replenishment toner stirring member 53, a replenishment toner transfer screw 54, and a partition member 55 are provided in the replenishment toner storage chamber 51. Color (yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C)) toners are stored in the first to third toner cartridges (13Y, 13M, 13C), respectively, and the fourth toner cartridge (13K) contains toner. Contains black (K) toner. In this embodiment, the fourth toner cartridge (13K) is larger in the width direction (horizontal direction) than the first to third toner cartridges (13Y, 13M, 13C) (toner can be accommodated). (Large amount).

The replenishment stirring member 53 is arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge 13 and is rotatably supported by the replenishment frame body 50. Further, the replenishment stirring member 53 has a rotation shaft 53a and a replenishment stirring sheet 53b as a transport member which is a flexible sheet. One end of the replenishment stirring sheet 53b is attached to the rotating shaft 53a, and the other end of the replenishment stirring sheet 53b is a free end. When the rotation shaft 53a rotates and the replenishment stirring sheet 53b rotates in the direction of the arrow G, the toner is agitated by the replenishment stirring sheet 53b and the toner is sent to the replenishment transfer screw 54. The replenishment toner transfer screw 54 is arranged parallel to the rotation axis of the replenishment toner stirring member, and is rotatably supported by the replenishment frame body 50. The replenishment toner transfer screw 54 rotates to transfer the toner in the replenishment toner storage chamber from the front to the rear (from upstream to downstream in the toner cartridge attachment / detachment direction). That is, the toner is conveyed toward the toner supply opening 52. The partition member 55 forms a tunnel portion 56 together with the supply frame body 50. The tunnel portion 56 is formed corresponding to the outer diameter of the replenishment toner transfer screw 54, and has a role of scraping off the toner conveyed by the replenishment toner transfer screw 54 and conveying the amount of toner in a fixed amount. Similarly, the partition member 55 forms the toner discharge chamber 57 together with the supply frame body 50. The toner discharge chamber 57 is provided with a supply frame opening 52. Further, a pump 58 having a stretchable bellows portion 58a is provided so as to communicate with the inside. The pump 58 can be expanded and contracted by a drive train described later to change its internal volume. As the pump 58 expands and contracts, the internal pressures of the replenishment toner accommodating chamber 51 and the toner discharge chamber 57 fluctuate, and the intake and exhaust from the replenishment frame opening 52 are performed, so that the toner can be stably discharged.

A drive train is arranged on the rear side of the toner cartridge 13. The drive input gear 59 receives the rotation drive from the image forming apparatus main body 100 and transmits the rotation to the cam gear 60. The cam gear 60 is provided with a cam groove 60a, and the link protrusion 61a of the link mechanism 61 is engaged with the cam groove 60a. The link mechanism 61 is supported by the side cover 62 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The link mechanism 61 reciprocates in the front-rear direction by rotating the cam gear 60 so that the cam protrusion 61a alternately passes through the peaks and valleys of the cam groove 60a. The link mechanism 61 is connected to the coupling portion 58b of the pump 58, and the coupling portion 58b reciprocates in the pump 58 in conjunction with the link mechanism 61. Then, the bellows portion 58a of the pump 58 expands and contracts, so that the internal volume of the pump 58 fluctuates, and as a result, the internal pressures of the replenishment toner accommodating chamber 51 and the toner discharge chamber 57 fluctuate.

Next, a screw gear 64 is provided at the end of the replenishment toner transfer screw 54 described above, and the screw gear 64 receives a rotational drive from the cam gear 60 to rotate the replenishment toner transfer screw 54. Further, in the posture normally used (posture at the time of use) of the toner discharge chamber 57, the replenishment frame opening 52 and the replenishment port shutter 41 provided with the replenishment port 63 on the lower surface are replenished so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. It is supported by the frame 50. The replenishment frame opening 52 is closed by the replenishment port shutter 41 when the toner cartridge 13 is not attached to the image forming apparatus 100. The replenishment port shutter 41 is configured to move to a predetermined position by being urged by the image forming apparatus 100 in conjunction with the attachment / detachment operation of the toner cartridge 13. When the replenishment port shutter 41 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100, the replenishment frame opening 52 and the replenishment port 63 communicate with each other, and toner can be discharged from the toner cartridge 13.

A configuration in which the developer is supplied from the toner cartridge 13 to the developing unit 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 9. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a developing unit 6 for explaining changes in internal pressure between the toner storage chamber 16b and the developer transport path 42. FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of the developing unit 6 as viewed from the right side. As shown in FIG. 1, the developing unit 6 has a developing chamber 16a and a toner storage chamber 16b formed in the developing frame body 16. The developing chamber 16a is provided with a developing roller 11, a supply roller 17, a developing blade 28, and a sealing sheet member 66. The toner storage chamber 16b is arranged below the developing chamber 16a. Here, the toner storage chamber 16b stores the toner to be supplied to the developing chamber 16a. A developing chamber communication port 16c for passing toner is provided between the developing chamber 16a and the toner storage chamber 16b. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the developing frame 16 of the developing unit 6 has a toner transport path 42, a transport member 43, a supply port 44, and a toner receiving port (supply port) 40. When the toner is conveyed from the toner cartridge 13 to the toner receiving port 40, the toner is conveyed to the supply port 44 by the conveying member 43 in the toner conveying path 42, and the toner is replenished to the toner storage chamber 16b.

When the transport member 43 transports the toner in the toner transport path 42 from the toner inlet 40 to the supply port 44 as described above by using the configuration of the developing unit 6a according to the comparative example shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The increase in the internal pressure of the toner storage chamber 16b and the toner transfer path 42 will be described above. The developing unit 6a of the comparative example has a configuration that does not have the characteristic internal pressure suppressing configuration described later of the developing unit 6 of the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state of the developing unit 6a of the comparative example when the internal pressure of the toner storage chamber 16b rises. FIG. 12 is a side sectional view of the development unit 6a of the comparative example when the internal pressure of the toner transport path 42 rises, as viewed from the right side. As shown in FIG. 11, when the transport member 43 transports toner and the internal pressure of the toner storage chamber 16b rises, the internal pressure of the developing chamber 16a communicating with the toner storage chamber 16b also rises. Due to the increase in the internal pressure of the developing chamber 16a, a gap is formed between the sealing sheet member 66 in contact with the developing roller 11 and the developing blade 28, and toner is scattered from the gap. As shown in FIG. 12, when the transport member 43 transports toner and the internal pressure of the toner transport path 42 rises, the transport capacity T1 of the transport member 43 decreases, and when it falls below the transport capacity T2 of the toner cartridge, the supply port This leads to clogging of the toner in the toner transfer path 42 on the upstream side of 44, the toner transfer device 14, and the replenishment frame opening 52. Therefore, when T1> T2, the toner is normally replenished, but when T1 <T2, the toner is clogged.

On the other hand, the developing unit 6 of the present embodiment has a configuration capable of suppressing an increase in the internal pressure of the toner storage chamber 16b and the toner transport path 42 when the toner is replenished from the toner cartridge 13 to the toner storage chamber 16b. ing. As shown in FIG. 1, the developing unit 6 of this embodiment communicates with the developing frame body 16 with the toner storage chamber 16b, and has a first communication port 67 for ventilating the outside of the developing frame body 16. It is provided with a second communication port 68 for communicating with the toner transport path 42 and ventilating the outside of the developing frame body 16. In the portion where the first communication port 67 is arranged, the developing frame body 16 has a first air passage that communicates the inside of the toner storage chamber 16b with the outside of the developing frame body 16. It can be said that the first air passage communicates with the toner storage chamber 16b through the first communication port 67. In the portion where the second communication port 68 is arranged, the developing frame body 16 has a second air passage that communicates the inside of the toner transport path 42 with the outside of the developing frame body 16. It can be said that the second ventilation path communicates with the toner transfer path 42 through the second communication port 68. As a result, even if the developer is replenished from the toner cartridge 13 and the internal pressure of the toner storage chamber 16b is about to rise, the toner storage chamber 16b is ventilated to the outside through the first ventilation path formed by the first communication port 67. And the increase in internal pressure is suppressed. Similarly, even if the internal pressure of the toner transfer path 42 is about to increase, the toner transfer path 42 is ventilated to the outside through the second ventilation path formed by the second communication port 68, and the increase in the internal pressure is suppressed.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the second communication port 68, in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame body 16, the first position where the toner receiving port 40 is arranged in the toner transport path 42 and the supply port 44 are arranged. It is provided between the second position. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the first communication port 67 is in a position where it does not overlap with the toner transport path 42 when viewed in the horizontal direction in a state where the developing unit 6 is in the posture when it is used. In this embodiment, it is located above). In this embodiment, the positions of the first communication port 67 and the second communication port 68 in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame body 16 are the same, but the positions may be offset. Further, since toner tends to be deposited below the supply port 40 in the toner storage chamber 16a, it is preferable that the first communication port 67 is arranged so as not to overlap at a position higher than the toner transport path 42 in the vertical direction. .. As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the first communication port 67 is in a posture in which the developing unit 6 is normally used, and the first communication port 67 is the rotation axis of the stirring member 29 (see FIG. 3). It is located above the vertical direction. Further, the stirring sheet 29b abuts on the inner wall of the toner accommodating chamber 16a where the supply port 44 and the first communication port 67 are arranged. As a result, the toner in the toner accommodating chamber 16a is intermittently removed from the periphery of the supply port 44 and the first communication port 67. The angle formed by the inner wall of the toner storage chamber 16b in which the first communication port 67 is formed and the horizon is larger than the angle of repose of the toner. As a result, it is possible to prevent the toner from continuing to accumulate on the first communication port 67 inside the toner storage chamber 16b. Further, the inner wall of the toner transport path 42 in which the second communication port 68 is formed faces downward in the direction of gravity. As a result, it is possible to prevent the toner from continuing to accumulate on the second communication port 68 inside the toner transport path 42.

<Example 2>
Example 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. In this embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the configurations common to those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted again. Items not particularly described in this embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment.

From the viewpoint of preventing toner leakage, the first communication port 67 and the second communication port 68, which function as ventilation ports in the developing unit 6 of the first embodiment, each form a ventilation path to be sealed with a filter or the like. Is preferable. That is, by sealing each air passage with a filter or the like, the passage of air is allowed and the passage of toner is restricted. The second embodiment is characterized in that the developing unit 6 of the first embodiment is provided with a filter for sealing the toner. The filter regulates the passage of toner and allows the passage of air.

13 (a) is a perspective view of the developing unit 6b of the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 (b) shows the screw pipe 46, the filter 69, and the filter holding portion in the illustrated configuration of FIG. 13 (a). It is a perspective view which showed 47 removed. FIG. 14A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the developing unit 6b according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 14 (b) is a side sectional view (shown in cross section of the toner transport path 42 portion) of the developing unit 6b of the second embodiment of the present invention, which corresponds to FIG. 13 (b), as viewed from the right side.

Here, the screw pipe 46 is a transport path forming member that forms the toner transport path 42 as a part of the developing frame body 16. The portion of the developing frame body 16 excluding the screw pipe 46 and the like, which mainly forms the toner storage chamber 16b, may be referred to as a developing container. The second communication port 68 is formed between the developing container and the screw pipe 46 by attaching the screw pipe 46 to the developing container.

As shown in FIG. 14A, the developing unit 6b of this embodiment has a filter 69 for sealing the first communication port 67 and the second communication port 68, respectively. As shown in FIG. 14B, in the developing unit 6a of this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the first communication port 67 has a supply port 44 and a toner receiving port 40 in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame body 16. It is located between and, and overlaps with the second communication port 68. Further, the second communication port 68 is provided at an arbitrary position in the toner transport path 42 in the height direction. In the developing unit 6a of this embodiment, a single filter 69 is arranged so as to simultaneously seal both the first communication port 67 and the second communication port 68. The filter 69 is held by a filter holding portion 47 provided integrally with the screw pipe 46. The filter 69 is a plate-shaped filter member whose material is urethane foam, and is press-fitted and held by the filter holding portion 47. The filter holding portion 47 is provided with an opening 70, and the opening 70 serves as a frame opening (outlet opening) for ventilation and deaeration inside the frame in the developing frame 16. In this embodiment, a plurality of openings 70 are provided. In the vertical direction (same as the direction of gravity), the position of the opening 70 and the position of the first communication port 67 are arranged so as to overlap at least partially. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, the opening 70 and the first communication port 67 overlap at least partially when viewed along the horizontal direction.

The filter holding portion 47 forms a covering portion formed in the developing frame 16 so as to extend upward from the outer wall surface of the screw pipe 46 so as to cover the first communication port 67 and the second communication port 68. A filter 69 is held inside. The opening 70 is provided in a portion of the filter holding portion 47 that holds the filter 69, and the filter 69 is provided between the opening 70 and the first communication port 67 and between the opening 70 and the second communication port 68. They are arranged so as to close each space. Therefore, the first communication port 67 and the second communication port 68 communicate with the outside of the developing frame 16 through the filter 69 and the opening 70, respectively. With such a configuration, a first air passage that communicates between the toner storage chamber 16b and the outside of the developing frame 16 is formed through the first communication port 67, the filter 69, and the opening 70. Further, a second air passage that communicates between the toner transfer path 42 and the outside of the developing frame 16 is formed through the second communication port 68, the filter 69, and the opening 70. These first vents and second vents can be said to be vents that share part of the vents. That is, the toner storage chamber 16b and the outside of the developing frame 16 communicate with each other through the first communication port 67 and the opening 70. The toner transport path 42 and the outside of the developing frame 16 communicate with each other through the second communication port 68 and the opening 70.

According to this embodiment, the two communication ports 67 and the second communication port 68 can be sealed by using one filter 69, so that each communication port can be sealed with an individual filter. In contrast to sealing, the cost of parts can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the number of communication ports is two, but it may be configured to provide three or more communication ports and seal them with one filter.

Further, as described above, the filter 69 is a plate-shaped filter member, and in this embodiment, the filter 69 is held in a substantially vertical posture, one surface seals the first communication port 67, and the other surface is. The opening 70 is sealed, and the end face seals the second communication port 68. However, the filter member is not limited to such a configuration. Further, the combination of the sizes and shapes of the first communication port 67 and the second communication port 68 is also arbitrary and is not limited to a specific configuration. For example, the filter 69 is held in a substantially horizontal position, the second communication port 68 is sealed on one horizontal surface, and the opening 70 opened substantially vertically is sealed from below on the other horizontal surface. However, the configuration may be such that the first communication port 67 is sealed with a substantially vertical end face.

Further, the arrangement of the first communication port 67 and the second communication port 68 does not have to match in the longitudinal direction as long as it can be sealed by one filter 69, and is slightly deviated in the longitudinal direction. It may have a different configuration.

<Example 3>
Example 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. In this embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the configurations common to those of Examples 1 and 2, and the description thereof will be omitted again. Items not particularly described in this embodiment are the same as those in Examples 1 and 2.

The developing unit 6c of the third embodiment is configured to use filters individually for the first communication port 67 and the second communication port 68, respectively. In this example, the same material as that shown in Example 2 was used as the material of each filter.

FIG. 15A is a perspective view of the developing unit 6c according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram omitting the illustration of the first filter 71 and the second filter 72. 15 (b) is a perspective view showing the first filter 71 and the second filter 72 added in the illustrated configuration of FIG. 15 (a). FIG. 16A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the developing unit 6c according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16B is a side sectional view (shown in cross section of the toner transport path 42 portion) of the developing unit 6c of the third embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the right side.

As shown in FIG. 16B, the first communication port 67 is located at an arbitrary position in the development frame 16 at an arbitrary position of the portion forming the side wall of the toner storage chamber 16b in the longitudinal direction, and the toner is in the height direction. It is provided at a position that does not overlap with the transport path 42. The second vent 68 is located between the supply port 44 and the supply port 40 in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame 16, and is provided at an arbitrary position of the developer transport path 42 in the height direction.

As shown in FIG. 16B, in the developing unit 6c of this embodiment, the first vent 67 is sealed by the first filter 71, and the second vent 68 is sealed by the second filter 72. Stop. As a result, similarly to Examples 1 and 2, when the developer is replenished from the toner cartridge 13 to the toner storage chamber 16b, it is possible to suppress an increase in the internal pressure of the toner storage chamber 16b and the developer transport path 42. Further, according to the present embodiment, the degree of freedom in the positions where the first communication port 67 and the second communication port 68 are provided is increased, and a versatile device configuration can be realized.

6 ... Development unit (cartridge), 16 ... Development frame, 16b ... Toner storage chamber (accommodation chamber), 44 ... Supply port, 40 ... Toner inlet, 42 ... Toner transfer path (transport path), 43 ... Acceptance transfer screw (Conveying member), 67 ... 1st communication port, 68 ... 2nd communication port

Claims (16)

A cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming device.
A storage chamber for accommodating the developing agent, a supply port for taking the developing agent into the storage chamber, a receiving port for receiving the developing agent, and a transport path for guiding the developing agent received at the receiving port to the supply port. And, with a frame,
A transport member arranged in the transport path and transporting the developer from the receiving port to the supply port, and a transport member.
Equipped with
The frame has a first air passage that communicates with the accommodation chamber through the first communication port and a second air passage that communicates with the transport path through the second communication port. The air passage and the second air passage communicate with the outside of the frame, and the air passage and the second air passage communicate with each other.
The receiving port is located on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the frame body, and the transport path extends from the one end side toward the other end side in the longitudinal direction.
A cartridge characterized in that, in the longitudinal direction, the second communication port is located between a first position where the inlet is located and a second position where the supply port is located. The first aspect of claim 1, wherein the first communication port is arranged at a position that does not overlap with the transport path when viewed in a horizontal direction in a state where the cartridge is used. Cartridge. 1. Or the cartridge according to 2. The cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the frame has a covering portion that covers the filter. The covering portion has an outlet opening that communicates with the outside of the frame body, and the first ventilation path and the second ventilation path communicate with the outside of the frame body through the outlet opening.
The cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the filter is arranged so as to close between the outlet opening and the first communication port, and between the outlet opening and the second communication port. The frame body has a developing container for forming the storage chamber and a transport path forming member for forming the transport path, and the covering portion is provided in the transport path forming member. The cartridge according to claim 4 or 5. The frame has an outlet opening that communicates with the outside of the frame, and the first air passage and the second air passage communicate with the outside of the frame through the outlet opening. The cartridge according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the cartridge is characterized. The first filter that seals the first air passage and
A second filter that seals the second air passage, and
The cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cartridge comprises. The cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the frame has a developing container for forming the storage chamber and a transport path forming member for forming the transport path. Claims 1 to 1, wherein the first communication port communicates with the storage chamber at a position higher than the transport path in the vertical direction in a state where the cartridge is in a posture when it is used. The cartridge according to any one of 9. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the supply port is located substantially in the center of the storage chamber in the longitudinal direction. One of claims 1 to 11, wherein the transport member is a screw having a rotation shaft extending in the longitudinal direction and a blade portion spirally provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotation shaft. The cartridge described in the section. The frame further has a developing chamber that communicates with the containment chamber.
The cartridge is
A developer carrier arranged in the developing chamber and
A second transport member arranged in the storage chamber and transporting the developer from the storage chamber to the developing chamber,
The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising. 13. The cartridge according to claim 13, wherein the second transport member includes a rotating shaft and a sheet-shaped member having one end fixed to the rotating shaft. The cartridge according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the developing chamber is located above the accommodating chamber in a state in which the cartridge is in a posture when it is used. An image forming device that forms an image on a recording material.
With the device body
The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 15, which can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body,
An image forming apparatus comprising.

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