JP2022155673A - toner cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a structure that achieves both movement of a shutter from a closed position to an open position and rotation of a conveyance member by a drive force supplied from a coupling, as well as enables rotation of the conveyance member to continue even after the shutter has moved from the closed position to the open position.SOLUTION: A drive input gear 41 rotates about a first shaft A together with a toner coupling. A first gear 60 engages with the drive input gear 41. When a shutter is located at a closed position, a stopper 70 is located at a first position. In this case, the stopper 70 stops rotation of the first gear 60. When the shutter moves from the closed position to an open position, the first gear 60 moves along the circumference of the drive input gear 41 together with the shutter. Thereafter, the stopper 70 moves from the first position to a second position. The stopper 70 thereby moves away from the first gear 60. Meanwhile, when the shutter is located at the closed position, the first gear 60 rotates about a gear shaft B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present disclosure relates to toner cartridges.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, electrophotographic image forming apparatuses such as laser printers and LED printers are known. An image forming apparatus has a toner cartridge and a drum cartridge. The toner cartridge can be attached to the drum cartridge. Further, the drum cartridge to which the toner cartridge is attached can be attached to the image forming apparatus. A conventional image forming apparatus is described, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200012.

JP 2011-186067 A

The toner cartridge has a shutter movable between a closed position that closes the toner outlet and an open position that opens the toner outlet. In the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, after the toner cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, the user operates the shutter to move from the closed position to the open position. In order to reduce user operations, it is desirable to move the shutter from the closed position to the open position by the driving force supplied from the image forming apparatus. However, if the driving force for rotating the conveying member that conveys the toner in the toner cartridge and the driving force for moving the shutter from the open position to the closed position are separately supplied, multiple couplings are required. Become.

An object of the present disclosure is to realize both the movement of the shutter from the closed position to the open position and the rotation of the conveying member by means of the driving force supplied from the coupling, and after the shutter has moved from the closed position to the open position. Another object of the present invention is to provide a structure capable of continuing the rotation of the conveying member.

A first disclosure of the present application is a toner cartridge, which is a housing capable of containing toner, the housing having a toner outlet, and a conveying member having a shaft extending in a first direction, a conveying member that is rotatable about a first axis extending in the direction of the housing, the conveying member positioned inside the housing, and the housing between a closed position that closes the toner outlet and an open position that opens the toner outlet a shutter rotatable about the first axis with respect to a body; a toner coupling for rotating the conveying member, the toner coupling rotatable about the first axis; and the toner coupling and the first axis. and a drive input gear that is rotatable about a gear shaft extending in the first direction while being engaged with the drive input gear and movable around the drive input gear together with the shutter. A first gear and a stopper for stopping rotation of the first gear, the stopper being movable between a first position for stopping rotation of the first gear and a second position away from the first gear. and, when the shutter is positioned at the closed position, the stopper is positioned at the first position, and when the shutter moves from the closed position to the open position, the conveying member is positioned at the first position. In rotation about an axis, the stopper moves from the first position to the second position, the first gear moves with the shutter around the drive input gear, and the shutter moves to the open position. , the stopper is positioned at the second position and the first gear rotates about the gear shaft extending in the first direction in a state in which the conveying member rotates about the first shaft. Characterized by

A second disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of the first disclosure, further comprising a projection movable together with the housing, wherein the projection moves relative to the drive input gear when the stopper is positioned at the first position. When the stopper is positioned apart from the stopper in the movement direction of the first gear, and the stopper is positioned at the second position, the projection is positioned in the movement direction of the first gear relative to the drive input gear. characterized by being in contact with

A third disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of the second disclosure, wherein the protrusion protrudes from the housing in the first direction, and the shutter extends in a moving direction of the first gear relative to the drive input gear. The slit has a slit penetrating in the first direction, and the projection is inserted into the slit.

A fourth disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of the third disclosure, wherein the slit is arc-shaped.

A fifth disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge according to any one of the first disclosure to the fourth disclosure, wherein when the shutter moves from the closed position to the open position, the first gear moves to the first and the first gear does not move around the driving input gear when the shutter is in the open position.

A sixth disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge according to any one of the first disclosure to the fifth disclosure, wherein the first gear has gear teeth, and the stopper is configured to engage the first gear with respect to the drive input gear. It has a stopper projection projecting toward the first gear in the movement direction of the gear, and when the stopper is positioned at the first position, the stopper projection is inserted between the gear teeth of the first gear. characterized by being

A seventh disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge according to any one of the first disclosure to the sixth disclosure, wherein an elastic member that can expand and contract in a moving direction of the first gear with respect to the drive input gear, the stopper from the second position toward the first position.

An eighth disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of the seventh disclosure, wherein when the stopper is positioned at the first position, the elastic member has a first length and the stopper is positioned at the second position. In this case, the elastic member has a second length, and the second length is shorter than the first length.

A ninth disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of the seventh or eighth disclosure, wherein the elastic member is a coil spring.

A tenth disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge according to any one of the seventh disclosure to the ninth disclosure, wherein the shutter has a wall portion that intersects the moving direction of the first gear with respect to the drive input gear. one end of the elastic member in the moving direction of the first gear with respect to the drive input gear contacts the wall portion, and the other end of the elastic member in the moving direction of the first gear with respect to the drive input gear is , in contact with the stopper.

The eleventh disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of the tenth disclosure, wherein the wall portion has a guide hole penetrating in a moving direction of the first gear with respect to the drive input gear, and the stopper is provided with the drive input gear. In the moving direction of the first gear relative to the gear, the guide shaft projects away from the first gear and is inserted into the guide hole.

A twelfth disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of the eleventh disclosure, wherein the guide shaft extends through the guide hole regardless of whether the stopper is positioned at the first position or the stopper is positioned at the second position. characterized by being inserted into

A thirteenth disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of the eleventh disclosure or the twelfth disclosure, wherein the elastic member is a coil spring, and the guide shaft is inserted inside the coil spring. .

A fourteenth disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of any one of the first disclosure to the thirteenth disclosure, wherein the toner coupling and the drive input gear are integral parts.

A fifteenth disclosure of the present application is a toner cartridge according to any one of the first disclosure to the fourteenth disclosure, wherein the toner cartridge is attached to a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum and mounted on a body frame of an image forming apparatus. and the shutter is a lever that can contact the body frame, and when the lever contacts the body frame, the shutter moves from the open position toward the closed position. characterized by having a lever for

A sixteenth disclosure of the present application is a toner cartridge according to any one of the first disclosure to the fifteenth disclosure, wherein the toner cartridge is attachable to and detachable from a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum, and the toner coupling includes the A driving force is received from a relay coupling of the drum cartridge, and the driving force is transmitted to the conveying member.

A seventeenth disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge according to any one of the first disclosure to the sixteenth disclosure, wherein the conveying member is an agitator.

According to the first to seventeenth disclosures of the present application, when the shutter moves from the closed position to the open position, the stopper stops rotation of the first gear about the gear axis. Therefore, when the toner coupling rotates, the toner coupling, conveying member, drive input gear, first gear, stopper, and shutter rotate about the first axis. This achieves both rotation of the carrier member and movement of the shutter from the closed position to the open position.

Further, when the shutter moves to the open position, the stopper moves from the first position to the second position. This causes the stopper to move away from the first gear. Therefore, the first gear rotates about the gear shaft. In this state, no drive force is transmitted from the drive input gear to the shutter. Therefore, the position of the shutter is maintained at the open position. However, the conveying member rotates together with the toner coupling. This allows the conveying member to continue rotating even after the shutter moves from the closed position to the open position.

Further, according to the second disclosure of the present application, the stopper can be moved from the first position to the second position by contacting the protrusion with the stopper.

Further, according to the eleventh disclosure of the present application, the stopper moves between the first position and the second position while the guide shaft is inserted into the guide hole. This stabilizes the movement of the stopper.

Further, according to the twelfth disclosure of the present application, it is possible to prevent the stopper from falling off the shutter.

Further, according to the thirteenth disclosure of the present application, the guide shaft can suppress the collapse of the coil spring.

Further, according to the fourteenth disclosure of the present application, the number of parts can be reduced compared to the case where the toner coupling and the drive input gear are separate parts.

1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a toner cartridge; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a toner cartridge; FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the toner cartridge; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the first axis of the toner cartridge; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the first axis of the toner cartridge; FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the direction in which the shaft 31 of the toner cartridge 2 extends will be referred to as "first direction".

<1. Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus 1 is an electrophotographic printer. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 1 is a laser printer or an LED printer. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes four toner cartridges 2, a drum cartridge 3, a body frame 4, and a control section 5. As shown in FIG.

The drum cartridge 3 is a drawer. As shown in FIG. 1 , the drum cartridge 3 has four developing rollers 301 and four photosensitive drums 302 . The four toner cartridges 2 are detachable from the drum cartridge 3 . Also, the drum cartridge 3 to which the four toner cartridges 2 are mounted can be attached to and detached from the body frame 4 . The number of toner cartridges 2 attached to the drum cartridge 3 of this embodiment is four. However, the number of toner cartridges 2 attached to the drum cartridge 3 may be one to three, or may be five or more.

The four toner cartridges 2 contain toners of different colors (eg, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). The image forming apparatus 1 forms an image on printing paper using toner supplied from four toner cartridges 2 .

The control unit 5 is located inside the body frame 4 of the image forming apparatus 1 . The control unit 5 has a processor 501 such as a CPU and a main body memory 502 . The main body memory 502 is a storage medium from which information can be read and written. The processor 501 can read information from the body memory 502 and write information to the body memory 502 . Control unit 5 executes print processing in image forming apparatus 1 by processor 501 operating according to a program stored in main body memory 502 .

Each of the four toner cartridges 2 has an IC chip 201 . The IC chip 201 is a storage medium from which information can be read and written. The drum cartridge 3 has four drum contacts 303 , a drum harness 304 and a drum connector 305 . The four drum contacts 303 are electrically connected to the drum connector 305 via the drum harness 304 . Further, the image forming apparatus 1 has a body connector 401 and a body harness 402 inside the body frame 4 . The body connector 401 is electrically connected to the controller 5 via a body harness 402 .

When the toner cartridge 2 is attached to the drum cartridge 3 , the IC chip 201 makes contact with the drum contact 303 . The IC chip 201 is thereby electrically connected to the drum contact 303 . When the drum cartridge 3 with the toner cartridge 2 attached is attached to the body frame 4 , the drum connector 305 contacts the body connector 401 . Thereby, the drum connector 305 is electrically connected to the main body connector 401 . As a result, the IC chip 201 is electrically connected to the controller 5 via the drum contact 303 , the drum harness 304 , the drum connector 305 , the body connector 401 and the body harness 402 . As a result, the control unit 5 can read information from the IC chip 201 and write information to the IC chip 201 .

<2. Toner Cartridge>
Next, the structure of the toner cartridge 2 is described. 2 and 3 are perspective views of the toner cartridge 2. FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the toner cartridge 2. FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the toner cartridge 2 includes a housing 10, a shutter 20, an agitator 30, a toner coupling 40, a drive input gear 41, a cover 50, a first gear 60, a stopper 70, and a coil spring 80. Prepare.

The housing 10 is a container capable of accommodating toner, which is an example of developer. The housing 10 extends in the first direction. The housing 10 has a first end 11 , a second end 12 and a tubular peripheral surface 13 . The first end 11 is separated from the second end 12 in the first direction. The shutter 20 , toner coupling 40 , drive input gear 41 , cover 50 , first gear 60 , stopper 70 and coil spring 80 are located at the first end 11 . The IC chip 201 described above is located at the second end 12 . The peripheral surface 13 extends in the first direction between the first end 11 and the second end 12 . The peripheral surface 13 has a tubular shape centered on a first axis A extending in the first direction.

The housing 10 has a storage chamber 14 inside. Toner is stored in the storage chamber 14 . Further, the housing 10 has a toner discharge port 15, as indicated by the dashed line in FIG. The toner discharge port 15 is positioned at one end of the peripheral surface 13 in the first direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the housing 10 has a protrusion 17. As shown in FIG. The protrusion 17 protrudes in the first direction from the first end portion 11 of the housing 10 toward the holder 21 described below. The protrusion 17 is movable together with the housing 10 .

The shutter 20 is located at the first end 11 of the housing 10 . The shutter 20 has a holder 21 , a shutter plate 22 and a lever 23 . The holder 21 is positioned between the housing 10 and a gear cover portion 51, which will be described later, in the first direction. The holder 21 has an annular shape centered on the first axis A. As shown in FIG. Shutter plate 22 extends in a first direction from a portion of holder 21 toward second end 12 . The shutter plate 22 has a shutter aperture 220 .

The shutter 20 is rotatable about the first axis A with respect to the housing 10 between a closed position that closes the toner discharge port 15 and an open position that opens the toner discharge port 15 . The shutter plate 22 covers the toner outlet 15 when the shutter 20 is at the closed position. As a result, the shutter 20 closes the toner discharge port 15 . When the shutter 20 is at the open position, the shutter opening 220 of the shutter plate 22 overlaps the toner outlet 15 . This causes the shutter 20 to open the toner discharge port 15 . That is, the toner discharge port 15 communicates with the communication port 53 of the cover 50 to be described later through the shutter opening 220 . As a result, the toner stored in the storage chamber 14 can move to the drum cartridge 3 .

Housing 10 has a recess 16 . A recess 16 is located in the peripheral surface 13 of the housing 10 . A shutter plate 22 is positioned within the recess 16 . The recess 16 has a first surface 160 , a first stop surface 161 and a second stop surface 162 . The first surface 160 has the toner outlet 15 . The first stopper surface 161 extends outward from the first surface 160 in the radial direction about the first axis A. As shown in FIG. The second stop surface 162 extends outward from the first surface 160 in a radial direction about the first axis A. As shown in FIG.

The first stopper surface 161 stops the rotational movement of the shutter 20 from the closed position to the open position. The shutter plate 22 contacts the first stopper surface 161 when the shutter 20 is positioned at the open position. The second stop surface 162 stops the rotational movement of the shutter 20 from the open position to the closed position. The shutter plate 22 contacts the second stopper surface 162 when the shutter 20 is positioned at the closed position. This restricts the movement range of the shutter 20 between the closed position and the open position.

Note that the first stopper surface 161 does not have to completely stop the movement of the shutter 20 in the rotational direction. The shutter 20 may be slightly movable while in contact with the first stopper surface 161 . Also, the second stopper surface 162 may not completely stop the movement of the shutter 20 in the rotational direction. The shutter 20 may be slightly movable while in contact with the second stopper surface 162 .

In this embodiment, the toner outlet 15 and the first stopper surface 161 are located on the same housing 10 . Therefore, when the shutter 20 is positioned at the open position, the shutter 20 is accurately positioned with respect to the toner discharge port 15 . Further, in this embodiment, the toner discharge port 15 and the second stopper surface 162 are located on the same housing 10 . Therefore, when the shutter 20 is positioned at the closed position, the shutter 20 is accurately positioned with respect to the toner discharge port 15 . However, the later-described cover 50 may have the first stopper surface 161 and the second stopper surface 162 . Also, a component other than the shutter 20 and the cover 50 may have the first stopper surface 161 and the second stopper surface 162 .

As shown in FIG. 4, holder 21 has hole 210 . Hole 210 is located in the center of holder 21 . Moreover, the holder 21 has a concave portion 211 . A recess 211 is located around the hole 210 . The recessed portion 211 is recessed in the first direction toward the housing 10 from the surface of the holder 21 facing the gear cover portion 51 described later.

The lever 23 protrudes outward from the outer peripheral portion of the holder 21 . The lever 23 is located on the opposite side of the shutter plate 22 with the first axis A interposed therebetween. The lever 23 can contact the body frame 4 . When the drum cartridge 3 with the toner cartridge 2 mounted thereon is removed from the body frame 4 , the lever 23 contacts the body frame 4 . This causes the lever 23 to rotate about the first axis A. As shown in FIG. Then, together with the lever 23, the shutter 20 moves from the open position to the closed position. As a result, the shutter plate 22 covers the toner discharge port 15 .

5 and 6 are sectional views of the toner cartridge 2. FIG. 5 and 6 show cross sections including the holder 21 and orthogonal to the first axis A. FIG. Also, FIG. 5 shows a state in which the shutter 20 is positioned at the closed position. FIG. 6 shows the state where the shutter 20 is positioned at the open position.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, holder 21 has slit 24 . The slit 24 is positioned within the recess 211 . The slit 24 is a through hole penetrating the holder 21 in the first direction. The slit 24 extends along the movement direction D of the first gear 60 with respect to the drive input gear 41 . This moving direction D is also the moving direction of the shutter 20 with respect to the housing 10 . In this embodiment, the movement direction D is a circumferential direction about the first axis A. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the slit 24 is arc-shaped with the first axis A as the center. The protrusion 17 of the housing 10 is inserted into the slit 24 . The tip of the protrusion 17 is positioned within the recess 211 .

As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the holder 21 has a wall portion 25 . The wall portion 25 extends in a direction intersecting the moving direction D of the first gear 60 with respect to the drive input gear 41 . In this embodiment, the wall portion 25 extends in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction D of the first gear 60 with respect to the drive input gear 41 . That is, the wall portion 25 spreads along the first direction and the radial direction about the first axis A. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the wall portion 25 has guide holes 250 . The guide hole 250 penetrates the wall portion 25 in the moving direction D of the first gear 60 with respect to the drive input gear 41 .

The holder 21 also has a gear shaft 26, as shown in FIGS. The gear shaft 26 extends in the first direction toward the gear cover portion 51 from the surface of the holder 21 facing the gear cover portion 51 described later. The gear shaft 26 is cylindrical.

The agitator 30 is a conveying member for agitating and conveying toner within the housing 10 . The agitator 30 is located inside the housing 10 . The agitator 30 has a shaft 31 and vanes 32, as indicated by broken lines in FIG. The shaft 31 extends along the first axis A in the first direction. The shaft 31 has one end and the other end. One end of the shaft 31 is located at the first end 11 of the housing 10 . The other end of the shaft 31 is positioned at the second end 12 of the housing 10 . The blades 32 spread radially outward from the shaft 31 . That is, the blades 32 spread from the shaft 31 toward the inner peripheral surface of the housing 10 .

The shaft 31 and vanes 32 are rotatable about the first axis A. When the vane 32 rotates about the first axis A, the toner inside the housing 10 is agitated and conveyed toward the toner outlet 15 .

The toner coupling 40 is a component for transmitting driving force to the agitator 30 . A toner coupling 40 is located at the first end 11 of the housing 10 . The toner coupling 40 is connected to one end of the shaft 31 in the first direction. On the other hand, the drum cartridge 3 has a relay coupling (not shown). The toner coupling 40 can be connected with a relay coupling. The toner coupling 40 can receive a driving force from the relay coupling while being connected to the relay coupling.

When the drum cartridge 3 with the toner cartridge 2 attached thereto is attached to the body frame 4 , the relay coupling of the drum cartridge 3 is connected to the toner coupling 40 . Then, the image forming apparatus 1 supplies driving force to the toner coupling 40 via the relay coupling. The toner coupling 40 rotates about the first axis A by receiving driving force from the relay coupling. When the toner coupling 40 rotates about the first axis A, the agitator 30 also rotates about the first axis A together with the toner coupling 40 .

The drive input gear 41 is a gear rotatable about the first axis A together with the toner coupling 40 . The drive input gear 41 is positioned on the outer periphery of the toner coupling 40 . In this embodiment, the toner coupling 40 and the drive input gear 41 are integral parts. Specifically, the toner coupling 40 and the drive input gear 41 are integrally molded. As a result, the number of parts of the toner cartridge 2 can be reduced as compared with the case where the toner coupling 40 and the drive input gear 41 are separate parts. However, the toner coupling 40 and the drive input gear 41 may be separate parts. In that case, the toner coupling 40 and the driving input gear 41 should be fixed to each other.

The drive input gear 41 has a plurality of gear teeth 411 . A plurality of gear teeth 411 are positioned all around the outer peripheral surface of the drive input gear 41 . Each gear tooth 411 protrudes away from the first axis A. As shown in FIG.

The cover 50 is positioned on the outer surface of the first end 11 of the housing 10 . The cover 50 is fixed to the first end 11 of the housing 10 . The cover 50 has a gear cover portion 51 and a shutter cover portion 52 .

The gear cover portion 51 has a substantially disc shape centered on the first axis A. As shown in FIG. The shutter cover portion 52 extends in the first direction from a portion of the outer peripheral portion of the gear cover portion 51 toward the housing 10 . The holder 21, the toner coupling 40, the drive input gear 41, the first gear 60, the stopper 70, and the coil spring 80 are arranged between the gear cover portion 51 and the first end portion 11 of the housing 10 in the first direction. Located in The shutter cover portion 52 is positioned in the recess 16 of the housing 10 . The shutter cover portion 52 covers at least part of the shutter plate 22 .

The gear cover portion 51 has a through hole 510 . The through hole 510 penetrates the gear cover portion 51 in the first direction. The through hole 510 is located in the center of the gear cover portion 51 . The toner coupling 40 is exposed outside the cover 50 through the through hole 510 .

The shutter cover portion 52 has a communication port 53 . The communication port 53 is located at a position overlapping the toner discharge port 15 regardless of whether the shutter 20 is positioned at the closed position or the shutter 20 is positioned at the open position. The shutter plate 22 covers the communication port 53 when the shutter 20 is positioned at the closed position. When the shutter 20 is at the open position, the shutter opening 220 overlaps the toner discharge port 15 and the communication port 53 . As a result, the toner discharge port 15 communicates with the communication port 53 through the shutter opening 220 .

The first gear 60 is a gear that meshes with the drive input gear 41 . The first gear 60 is positioned between the gear cover portion 51 and the holder 21 in the first direction. The first gear 60 has a first hole 61 . The first hole 61 is located in the center of the first gear 60 . The gear shaft 26 of the holder 21 fits into the first hole 61 . The first gear 60 is thereby supported by the gear shaft 26 . Also, the first gear 60 is rotatable about a gear shaft B extending in the first direction while being supported by the gear shaft 26 . The diameter of the first gear 60 is smaller than the diameter of the drive input gear 41 .

First gear 60 has a plurality of gear teeth 62 . A plurality of gear teeth 62 are positioned around the entire circumference of the first gear 60 . Each gear tooth 62 projects away from gear shaft 26 . Gear teeth 62 of the first gear 60 mesh with gear teeth 411 of the drive input gear 41 . The first gear 60 can move around the drive input gear 41 together with the shutter 20 while being in mesh with the drive input gear 41 . A moving direction D of the first gear 60 with respect to the drive input gear 41 is the same as the moving direction of the shutter 20 about the first axis A. As shown in FIG.

The stopper 70 is a component for stopping the rotation of the first gear 60 about the gear axis B. As shown in FIG. Stopper 70 is positioned in recess 211 of holder 21 . The stopper 70 is movable with respect to the holder 21 between a first position and a second position that is farther from the first gear 60 than the first position. The stopper 70 has a stopper protrusion 71 . The stopper protrusion 71 protrudes toward the first gear 60 in the moving direction D of the first gear 60 with respect to the drive input gear 41 .

Also, the stopper 70 has a guide shaft 72 . The guide shaft 72 protrudes away from the first gear 60 in the moving direction D of the first gear 60 with respect to the drive input gear 41 . The guide shaft 72 is inserted into the guide hole 250 of the wall portion 25 . The stopper 70 moves between the first position and the second position with the guide shaft 72 inserted into the guide hole 250 . This stabilizes the movement of the stopper 70 between the first position and the second position. Further, the guide shaft 72 is inserted into the guide hole 250 both when the stopper 70 is positioned at the first position and when the stopper 70 is positioned at the second position. This can prevent the stopper 70 from falling off the shutter 20 .

The coil spring 80 is an elastic member that can expand and contract in the moving direction D of the first gear 60 with respect to the drive input gear 41 . The guide shaft 72 is inserted inside the coil spring 80 . This prevents the coil spring 80 from collapsing. One end of the coil spring 80 in the movement direction D of the first gear 60 with respect to the drive input gear 41 contacts the wall portion 25 . The other end of the coil spring 80 in the moving direction D of the first gear 60 with respect to the drive input gear 41 contacts the stopper 70 .

Coil spring 80 is stretchable between a first length and a second length that is shorter than the first length. Also, the coil spring 80 is arranged between the stopper 70 and the wall portion 25 in a state in which it is compressed in the movement direction D to a length that is shorter than its natural length. Therefore, the repulsive force of the coil spring 80 constantly presses the stopper 70 from the second position toward the first position.

When the shutter 20 is positioned at the closed position, the length of the coil spring 80 is the first length. Then, the coil spring 80 presses the stopper 70 to position the stopper 70 at the above-described first position. In this case, the stopper projection 71 is inserted between the gear teeth 62 of the first gear 60, as shown in FIG. That is, the stopper projection 71 meshes with the gear teeth 62 of the first gear 60 . Therefore, the first gear 60 does not rotate about the gear axis B. Also, at this time, the protrusion 17 of the housing 10 is at a position away from the stopper 70 in the moving direction D of the first gear 60 with respect to the drive input gear 41 .

When the toner coupling 40 rotates in this state, the toner coupling 40, the drive input gear 41, the first gear 60, the stopper 70, and the shutter 20 rotate about the first axis A as a unit. 5 and 6, the first gear 60 moves in the moving direction D around the driving input gear 41 while being unable to rotate about the gear shaft B. As shown in FIGS. In addition, the shutter 20 moves from the closed position to the open position as the driving input gear 41 moves. Further, the agitator 30 rotates about the first axis A due to the rotation of the toner coupling 40 . Therefore, both the rotation of the agitator 30 and the rotational movement of the shutter 20 from the closed position to the open position are realized.

Also, just before the shutter 20 reaches the open position, the protrusion 17 of the housing 10 contacts the stopper 70 . More specifically, the protrusion 17 contacts the stopper 70 in the moving direction D of the first gear 60 with respect to the drive input gear 41 . Then, the stopper 70 moves from the first position to the second position with respect to the holder 21 by being pushed by the protrusion 17 . The length of coil spring 80 then contracts from the first length to the second length. As a result, the engagement between the first gear 60 and the stopper projection 71 is released.

Therefore, when the shutter 20 reaches the open position, the driving force of the driving input gear 41 causes the first gear 60 to rotate about the gear shaft B. As shown in FIG. In this state, the first gear 60 does not move around the driving input gear 41 . Therefore, no drive force is transmitted from the drive input gear 41 to the shutter 20 . As a result, the position of the shutter 20 is maintained at the open position. However, the agitator 30 rotates about the first axis A due to the rotation of the toner coupling 40 . Therefore, even after the shutter 20 has moved from the closed position to the open position, the rotation of the agitator 30 can be continued.

<3. Variation>
Although one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment. Various modifications will be described below, focusing on differences from the above-described embodiment.

In the embodiment described above, the coil spring 80 is used as the elastic member for pressing the stopper 70 . However, the elastic member may be a spring other than the coil spring 80. Also, the elastic member may be a stretchable component other than a spring.

Further, the toner cartridge 2 of the above embodiment has the agitator 30 as a conveying member. However, the toner cartridge 2 may have a screw-shaped auger as a conveying member. At least part of the conveying member may be located inside the housing.

The detailed shape of each part constituting the image forming apparatus 1 may be different from the shapes shown in the drawings of the present application. Further, each element appearing in the above embodiments and modifications may be selected as appropriate within a range that does not cause contradiction.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 image forming apparatus 2 toner cartridge 3 drum cartridge 4 body frame 5 control unit 10 housing 15 toner outlet 17 projection 20 shutter 21 holder 22 shutter plate 23 lever 24 slit 25 wall 26 gear shaft 30 agitator 31 shaft 32 vane 40 toner Coupling 41 Drive Input Gear 50 Cover 51 Gear Cover Part 52 Shutter Cover Part 53 Communication Port 60 First Gear 70 Stopper 71 Stopper Projection 72 Guide Shaft 80 Coil Spring 220 Shutter Opening 250 Guide Hole A First Axis B Gear Axis D Moving Direction

Claims (17)

a housing capable of containing toner, the housing having a toner outlet;
a conveying member having a shaft extending in a first direction, the conveying member being rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction and located inside the housing;
a shutter rotatable about the first axis with respect to the housing between a closed position that closes the toner outlet and an open position that opens the toner outlet;
a toner coupling for rotating the conveying member, the toner coupling being rotatable about the first axis;
a drive input gear rotatable about the first axis with the toner coupling;
a first gear that is movable around the drive input gear together with the shutter while meshing with the drive input gear, the first gear being rotatable about a gear shaft extending in the first direction;
a stopper that stops rotation of the first gear, the stopper being movable between a first position that stops rotation of the first gear and a second position away from the first gear;
with
when the shutter is in the closed position,
The stopper is positioned at the first position,
when the shutter moves from the closed position to the open position,
The stopper moves from the first position to the second position while the conveying member rotates about the first axis, and the first gear moves around the drive input gear together with the shutter. ,
when the shutter is in the open position,
wherein the stopper is positioned at the second position and the first gear rotates about a gear shaft extending in the first direction when the conveying member rotates about the first shaft; cartridge. The toner cartridge according to claim 1,
comprising a protrusion movable with the housing,
when the stopper is positioned at the first position, the projection is positioned apart from the stopper in a moving direction of the first gear with respect to the drive input gear;
The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the projection contacts the stopper in a moving direction of the first gear with respect to the drive input gear when the stopper is positioned at the second position. The toner cartridge according to claim 2,
the protrusion protrudes from the housing in the first direction;
The shutter
a slit extending in a moving direction of the first gear with respect to the drive input gear, the slit penetrating in the first direction;
A toner cartridge, wherein the projection is inserted into the slit. The toner cartridge according to claim 3,
The toner cartridge, wherein the slit is arcuate. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
when the shutter moves from the closed position to the open position, the first gear cannot rotate about a gear shaft extending in the first direction;
The toner cartridge, wherein the first gear does not move around the drive input gear when the shutter is at the open position. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
the first gear has gear teeth;
the stopper has a stopper projection projecting toward the first gear in a moving direction of the first gear with respect to the drive input gear;
The toner cartridge, wherein the stopper protrusion is inserted between the gear teeth of the first gear when the stopper is positioned at the first position. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
Further comprising an elastic member capable of expanding and contracting in the moving direction of the first gear with respect to the drive input gear, the elastic member pressing the stopper from the second position toward the first position, toner cartridge. The toner cartridge according to claim 7,
when the stopper is positioned at the first position, the elastic member has a first length;
when the stopper is positioned at the second position, the elastic member has a second length;
The toner cartridge, wherein the second length is shorter than the first length. 9. The toner cartridge according to claim 7 or 8,
The toner cartridge, wherein the elastic member is a coil spring. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
The shutter
having a wall portion that intersects the moving direction of the first gear with respect to the drive input gear;
one end of the elastic member in the moving direction of the first gear with respect to the drive input gear is in contact with the wall;
The toner cartridge, wherein the other end of the elastic member in the moving direction of the first gear with respect to the drive input gear contacts the stopper. 11. The toner cartridge according to claim 10,
the wall portion has a guide hole penetrating in a moving direction of the first gear with respect to the drive input gear;
The stopper
A toner cartridge, comprising: a guide shaft projecting away from said first gear in a moving direction of said first gear relative to said drive input gear, said guide shaft being inserted into said guide hole. 12. The toner cartridge according to claim 11,
The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the guide shaft is inserted into the guide hole both when the stopper is positioned at the first position and when the stopper is positioned at the second position. 13. The toner cartridge according to claim 11 or 12,
the elastic member is a coil spring,
The toner cartridge, wherein the guide shaft is inserted inside the coil spring. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
A toner cartridge, wherein the toner coupling and the drive input gear are integral parts. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 14,
The toner cartridge is attachable to and detachable from a body frame of the image forming apparatus in a state of being attached to a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum,
The shutter
A toner cartridge comprising: a lever capable of contacting the body frame, wherein the shutter moves from the open position to the closed position when the lever contacts the body frame. . The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
The toner cartridge is detachable from a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum,
The toner cartridge, wherein the toner coupling receives a driving force from a relay coupling of the drum cartridge and transmits the driving force to the conveying member. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 16,
The toner cartridge, wherein the conveying member is an agitator.

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