JP2022155674A - 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 toner cartridge 2 includes a damper 60. The damper 60 includes a damper shaft 62 and a damper case 61. The damper case 61 accommodates a damper oil. The damper oil serves as resistance to rotation of the damper shaft 62 against the damper case 61. When a shutter 20 moves from a closed position to an open position, the shutter 20 and the damper case 61 rotate about the first shaft A. When the shutter 20 is located at the open position, rotation of the shutter 20 and the damper case 61 stops, and the damper shaft 62 rotates about a damper shaft B against the damper case 61.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

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 housing capable of containing toner, the housing having a toner outlet, and a conveying member having a shaft extending in a first direction, wherein the first shaft extending in the first direction and a conveying member positioned inside the housing, between a closed position that closes the toner discharge port and an open position that opens the toner discharge port, with respect to the housing. a shutter rotatable about one axis; and a toner coupling for rotating the conveying member, wherein the toner coupling rotatable about the first axis contacts the shutter when the shutter is in the open position. a first stopper for stopping movement of the shutter in the rotational direction of the shutter from the closed position to the open position; and a damper rotatable about the first shaft together with the shutter as the toner coupling rotates. A damper shaft rotatable about a damper shaft extending in the first direction; and a damper case into which at least a part of the damper shaft is inserted, the damper acting as resistance to rotation of the damper shaft with respect to the damper case. a damper case containing oil, wherein when the conveying member rotates and the shutter moves from the closed position to the open position, the shutter and the damper case move to the first position. When rotating about one axis, the conveying member rotates, and the shutter is positioned at the open position, the shutter and the damper case stop rotating due to the shutter coming into contact with the first stopper, The damper shaft rotates about the damper shaft with respect to the damper case.

A second disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of the first disclosure, wherein when the conveying member rotates and the shutter moves from the closed position to the open position, the resistance of the damper oil causes the damper The shaft does not rotate about the damper shaft with respect to the damper case.

A third disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of the first disclosure or the second disclosure, further comprising a drive input gear rotatable about the first axis together with the toner coupling, wherein the damper is attached to the damper shaft. The damper gear further includes a damper gear that is rotatable about the damper shaft together with the damper shaft and meshes with the drive input gear.

A fourth disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of the third disclosure, wherein when the conveying member rotates and the shutter is positioned from the closed position to the open position, the damper shaft and the damper gear move to the third position. When the shutter rotates about one axis and the damper oil resistance prevents the damper shaft and the damper gear from rotating about the damper axis, the conveying member rotates and the shutter is positioned at the open position. is in contact with the first stopper, the damper case does not rotate about the first shaft, and the damper shaft and the damper gear rotate about the damper shaft with respect to the damper case. do.

A fifth disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of the third disclosure or the fourth disclosure, characterized in that the toner coupling and the drive input gear are integral parts.

A sixth disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of the first disclosure or the second disclosure, wherein the first shaft and the damper shaft are aligned, and the damper shaft and the toner coupling move about the first shaft. It is characterized by rotating.

A seventh disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of the sixth disclosure, wherein when the conveying member rotates and the shutter is positioned from the closed position to the open position, the damper shaft moves along with the damper case to the third position. When the conveying member rotates about one axis and the shutter is positioned at the open position, the damper case does not rotate about the first axis because the shutter comes into contact with the first stopper. , wherein the damper shaft rotates about the first axis with respect to the damper case.

An eighth disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of the sixth or seventh disclosure, wherein the toner coupling and the damper shaft are integral parts.

A ninth disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge according to any one of the first disclosure to the eighth disclosure, wherein the damper is in contact with the damper oil and rotates together with the damper shaft about the damper shaft. characterized by having

A tenth disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge according to any one of the first disclosure to the ninth disclosure, wherein the housing has a recess located on a peripheral surface of the housing, and the shutter includes the Positioned in a recess, the recess has a first surface having the toner outlet, and a first stopper surface extending from the first surface in the radial direction of the shaft, the first stopper comprising: It is the first stopper surface.

An eleventh disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge according to any one of the first disclosure to the tenth disclosure, wherein the damper case is fixed to the shutter.

A twelfth disclosure of the present application is a toner cartridge according to any one of the first disclosure to the eleventh 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 thirteenth disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge according to any one of the first disclosure to the twelfth disclosure, wherein when the shutter is positioned at the closed position, the toner cartridge contacts the shutter, and the toner cartridge moves from the open position to the closed position. It is characterized by further comprising a second stopper for stopping the movement of the shutter in the rotational direction of the shutter.

A fourteenth disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of the thirteenth disclosure, wherein the housing has a recess located in the peripheral surface of the housing, the shutter is located in the recess, and the recess comprises and a second stopper surface extending from the first surface in the radial direction of the shaft, wherein the second stopper is the second stopper surface. Characterized by

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 attachable to and detachable from a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum, and the toner cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge. The toner coupling receives a driving force from a relay coupling of the drum cartridge and transmits the driving force to the conveying member.

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

According to the first to sixteenth disclosures of the present application, when the shutter moves from the closed position to the open position, when the toner coupling rotates, the toner coupling, the transport member, the damper, and the shutter rotate about the first axis. do. 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 movement of the shutter is stopped by the first stopper. Therefore, the position of the shutter is maintained at the open position. However, since the damper shaft rotates with respect to the damper case, the conveying member rotates as the toner coupling rotates. This allows the conveying member to continue rotating even after the shutter moves from the closed position to the open position.

Also, according to the fifth 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.

Further, according to the sixth disclosure of the present application, since the driving input gear and the damper gear are unnecessary, the number of parts of the toner cartridge can be reduced.

Further, according to the eighth disclosure of the present application, the number of parts can be reduced compared to the case where the toner coupling and the damper shaft are separate parts.

Further, according to the tenth disclosure of the present application, the toner outlet and the first stopper surface are in the same housing. Therefore, the shutter can be accurately positioned with respect to the toner discharge port.

Further, according to the fourteenth disclosure of the present application, the toner outlet and the second stopper surface are in the same housing. Therefore, the shutter can be accurately positioned with respect to the toner discharge port.

1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge of the first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge of the first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the toner cartridge of the first embodiment with the cover removed; FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the toner cartridge of the first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view including a first axis of the toner cartridge of the first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the first axis of the toner cartridge of the first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the first axis of the toner cartridge of the first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the damper of the first embodiment with the damper gear removed; FIG. 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of a toner cartridge of a second embodiment; FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view including the first shaft with the cover of the toner cartridge of the second embodiment removed; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the first axis of the toner cartridge of the second embodiment; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the first axis of the toner cartridge of the second embodiment;

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. Two embodiments of the toner cartridge 2 are described below.

<2-1. First Embodiment>
First, the toner cartridge 2 of the first embodiment will be described. 2 and 3 are perspective views of the toner cartridge 2. FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the toner cartridge 2 with the cover 50 removed. 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of the toner cartridge 2. FIG. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge 2. As shown in FIG. FIG. 6 shows a cross section including a first axis A described later and a damper axis B described later.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, 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 and a damper 60. FIG.

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. A shutter 20 , a toner coupling 40 , a drive input gear 41 , a cover 50 and a damper 60 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, as shown in FIG. 6, the housing 10 has a toner discharge port 15. As shown in FIG. The toner discharge port 15 is positioned at one end of the peripheral surface 13 in the first direction.

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 a radial direction centered on the first axis A (a radial direction of the shaft 31 to be described later). The second stopper surface 162 extends outward from the first surface 160 in a radial direction centered on the first axis A (a radial direction of the shaft 31 to be described later).

The first stopper surface 161 is an example of a first stopper. 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 stopper surface 162 is an example of a second stopper. 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. 5, 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 .

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 via a connecting member 42 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 . Holder 21, toner coupling 40, drive input gear 41, and damper 60 are positioned between gear cover portion 51 and first end portion 11 of housing 10 in the first direction. 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 .

7 and 8 are sectional views of the toner cartridge 2. FIG. 7 and 8 show cross sections including the holder 21 and orthogonal to the first axis A. FIG. Moreover, FIG. 7 shows a state in which the shutter 20 is positioned at the closed position. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the shutter 20 is positioned at the open position. 9 is a perspective view of the damper 60 with the damper gear 64 removed.

As shown in FIGS. 7-9, the damper 60 has a damper case 61, a damper shaft 62, damper blades 63, and a damper gear 64. FIG.

The damper case 61 is positioned in the recess 211 of the holder 21 . The damper case 61 has a case body 610 , a first fixing portion 611 and a second fixing portion 612 . Case body 610 has a cavity inside. The cavity of case body 610 accommodates damper oil. The damper oil is a fluid that resists rotation of the damper shaft 62 and the damper blades 63 .

The first fixing portion 611 and the second fixing portion 612 extend outward from the outer peripheral portion of the case body 610 . The first fixing part 611 has a first fixing hole 613 . The first fixing hole 613 is a through hole penetrating through the first fixing portion 611 in the first direction. The second fixing portion 612 has a second fixing hole 614 . The second fixing hole 614 is a through hole penetrating through the second fixing portion 612 in the first direction. The damper case 61 is fixed to the holder 21 by a first screw 615 inserted into the first fixing hole 613 and a second screw 616 inserted into the second fixing hole 614 . Therefore, the damper case 61 rotates about the first axis A together with the shutter 20 .

The damper shaft 62 extends in the first direction along a damper axis B extending parallel to the first axis A. At least part of the damper shaft 62 is inserted into the damper case 61 . One end of the damper shaft 62 in the first direction is positioned outside the damper case 61 . More specifically, one end of the damper shaft 62 in the first direction protrudes in the first direction from the surface of the damper case 61 facing the gear cover portion 51 toward the gear cover portion 51 .

The damper blades 63 extend radially outward with respect to the damper axis B from the damper shaft 62 . The damper blade 63 is located inside the case body 610 . The damper shaft 62 and the damper blades 63 are rotatable about the damper axis B with respect to the damper case 61 while being in contact with the damper oil.

The damper gear 64 is a gear that rotates about the damper axis B together with the damper shaft 62 . The damper gear 64 is positioned between the gear cover portion 51 and the holder 21 in the first direction. The damper gear 64 has a gear hole 640 . A gear hole 640 is located in the center of the damper gear 64 . One end of the damper shaft 62 in the first direction fits into the gear hole 640 . The damper gear 64 is thereby attached to the damper shaft 62 . More specifically, damper gear 64 is fixed relative to damper shaft 62 . The diameter of the damper gear 64 is smaller than the diameter of the drive input gear 41 .

The damper gear 64 has multiple gear teeth 641 . A plurality of gear teeth 641 are positioned all around the damper gear 64 . Each gear tooth 641 protrudes away from the damper axis B. As shown in FIG. The gear teeth 641 of the damper gear 64 mesh with the gear teeth 411 of the drive input gear 41 . The damper gear 64 can move around the driving input gear 41 together with the shutter 20 while meshing with the driving input gear 41 .

When the toner coupling 40 rotates about the first axis A from the state in which the shutter 20 is positioned at the closed position, the damper shaft 62, the damper blades 63, and the damper gear 64 move against the damper case 61 due to the resistance of the damper oil. and does not rotate about the damper axis B. Therefore, the toner coupling 40, the drive input gear 41, the damper gear 64, the damper shaft 62, the damper blades 63, the damper case 61, and the shutter 20 rotate about the first axis A as a unit. This causes the shutter 20 to move from the closed position to the open position, as shown in FIGS. 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.

When the shutter 20 moves to the open position, the shutter plate 22 contacts the first stopper surface 161 . This stops the movement of the shutter 20 from the closed position to the open position. Then, the driving force transmitted from the drive input gear 41 to the damper gear 64 causes the damper shaft 62 , the damper blades 63 , and the damper gear 64 to rotate about the damper axis B with respect to the damper case 61 . In this state, the damper case 61 and the shutter 20 do not rotate about the first axis A. Therefore, 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.

<2-2. Second Embodiment>
Next, the toner cartridge 2 of the second embodiment will be described. The toner cartridge 2 of the second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that it does not include the driving input gear 41 and the position and structure of the damper 60 . Other parts are the same as those of the first embodiment. Below, it demonstrates centering on a different part from 1st Embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a partially exploded perspective view of the toner cartridge 2 of the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge 2 of the second embodiment with the cover 50 removed. 11 shows a cross-section containing the first axis A. FIG. 12 and 13 are sectional views of the toner cartridge 2 of the second embodiment. 12 and 13 show cross sections including the holder 21 and orthogonal to the first axis A. FIG. FIG. 12 shows a state in which the shutter 20 is positioned at the closed position. FIG. 13 shows the state where the shutter 20 is positioned at the open position.

As shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, the damper 60 of this embodiment has a damper case 61, a damper shaft 62, and damper blades 63. As shown in FIGS.

The damper case 61 is positioned in the central hole 210 of the holder 21 . Also, the damper case 61 is positioned between the toner coupling 40 and the shaft 31 in the first direction. The damper case 61 has a case body 610 , a first fixing portion 611 and a second fixing portion 612 . Case body 610 has a cavity inside. The cavity of case body 610 accommodates damper oil. The damper oil is a fluid that resists rotation of the damper shaft 62 and the damper blades 63 .

The first fixing portion 611 and the second fixing portion 612 extend outward from the outer peripheral portion of the case body 610 . The first fixing part 611 has a first fixing hole 613 . The first fixing hole 613 is a through hole penetrating through the first fixing portion 611 in the first direction. The second fixing portion 612 has a second fixing hole 614 . The second fixing hole 614 is a through hole penetrating through the second fixing portion 612 in the first direction. The damper case 61 is fixed to the holder 21 by a first screw 615 inserted into the first fixing hole 613 and a second screw 616 inserted into the second fixing hole 614 . Therefore, the damper case 61 rotates about the first axis A together with the shutter 20 .

The damper shaft 62 extends in a first direction along a damper axis B that coincides with the first axis A. At least part of the damper shaft 62 is inserted into the damper case 61 . The toner coupling 40 is fixed to the damper shaft 62 . Therefore, the damper shaft 62 rotates together with the toner coupling 40 about the first axis A (damper axis B).

The damper blades 63 extend radially outward with respect to the damper axis B from the damper shaft 62 . The damper blade 63 is located inside the case body 610 . The damper shaft 62 and the damper blades 63 are rotatable about the first axis A (damper axis B) with respect to the damper case 61 while contacting the damper oil.

When the toner coupling 40 rotates about the first axis A (damper axis B) from the state where the shutter 20 is positioned at the closed position, the damper shaft 62 and the damper blades 63 move against the damper case 61 due to the resistance of the damper oil. Therefore, it does not rotate about the first axis A (damper axis B). Therefore, the toner coupling 40, damper shaft 62, damper blade 63, damper case 61, and shutter 20 rotate together about the first axis A (damper axis B). As a result, the shutter 20 moves from the closed position to the open position as shown in FIGS. Further, the rotation of the toner coupling 40 causes the agitator 30 to rotate about the first axis A (damper axis B). 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 achieved.

When the shutter 20 moves to the open position, the shutter plate 22 contacts the first stopper surface 161 . This stops the movement of the shutter 20 from the closed position to the open position. Then, the driving force transmitted from the toner coupling 40 to the damper shaft 62 causes the damper shaft 62 and the damper blades 63 to rotate about the first axis A (damper axis B) with respect to the damper case 61 . In this state, the damper case 61 and the shutter 20 do not rotate about the first axis A (damper axis B). Therefore, the position of the shutter 20 is maintained at the open position. However, the rotation of the toner coupling 40 causes the agitator 30 to rotate about the first axis A (damper axis B). 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.

The structure of the second embodiment does not require the drive input gear 41 and the damper gear 64 . Therefore, the number of parts of the toner cartridge 2 can be reduced more than the structure of the first embodiment.

Also, the toner coupling 40 and the damper shaft 62 may be integrated. For example, the toner coupling 40 and the damper shaft 62 may be integrally molded. By doing so, the number of parts of the toner cartridge 2 can be further reduced compared to the case where the toner coupling 40 and the damper shaft 62 are separate parts.

<3. Variation>
Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments.

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 20 shutter 21 holder 22 shutter plate 23 lever 30 agitator 31 shaft 32 blade 40 toner coupling 41 drive input gear 50 cover 51 gear Cover Part 52 Shutter Cover Part 53 Communication Port 60 Damper 61 Damper Case 62 Damper Shaft 63 Damper Blade 64 Damper Gear 161 First Stopper Surface 162 Second Stopper Surface 220 Shutter Opening A First Axis B Damper Axis

Claims (16)

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 first stopper that contacts the shutter when the shutter is positioned at the open position and stops movement of the shutter in the rotational direction of the shutter from the closed position to the open position;
A damper shaft rotatable about the first shaft along with the shutter along with the rotation of the toner coupling, the damper shaft being rotatable about the damper shaft extending in the first direction, and at least part of the damper shaft are inserted. a damper case containing damper oil that resists rotation of the damper shaft with respect to the damper case;
with
when the conveying member rotates and the shutter moves from the closed position to the open position,
the shutter and the damper case rotate about the first axis;
When the conveying member rotates and the shutter is positioned at the open position,
The toner cartridge, wherein the shutter and the damper case stop rotating when the shutter comes into contact with the first stopper, and the damper shaft rotates about the damper shaft with respect to the damper case. . The toner cartridge according to claim 1,
when the conveying member rotates and the shutter moves from the closed position to the open position,
2. A toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein resistance of said damper oil prevents said damper shaft from rotating about said damper shaft with respect to said damper case. 3. The toner cartridge according to claim 1 or 2,
further comprising a driving input gear rotatable about the first axis together with the toner coupling;
The damper is
The toner cartridge further comprises a damper gear attached to the damper shaft, the damper gear being rotatable about the damper shaft together with the damper shaft, and meshing with the drive input gear. The toner cartridge according to claim 3,
When the conveying member rotates and the shutter moves from the closed position to the open position,
the damper shaft and the damper gear rotate about the first axis;
resistance of the damper oil prevents the damper shaft and the damper gear from rotating about the damper shaft;
When the conveying member rotates and the shutter is positioned at the open position,
the damper case is prevented from rotating about the first shaft by contacting the shutter with the first stopper;
A toner cartridge, wherein the damper shaft and the damper gear rotate about the damper shaft with respect to the damper case. 5. The toner cartridge according to claim 3 or 4,
A toner cartridge, wherein the toner coupling and the drive input gear are integral parts. 3. The toner cartridge according to claim 1 or 2,
the first shaft and the damper shaft are aligned,
The toner cartridge, wherein the damper shaft rotates about the first axis together with the toner coupling. The toner cartridge according to claim 6,
When the conveying member rotates and the shutter moves from the closed position to the open position,
the damper shaft rotates about the first axis together with the damper case;
When the conveying member rotates and the shutter is positioned at the open position,
The shutter is in contact with the first stopper, so that the damper case does not rotate about the first axis, and the damper shaft rotates about the first axis with respect to the damper case. , toner cartridges. 8. The toner cartridge according to claim 6 or 7,
A toner cartridge, wherein the toner coupling and the damper shaft are integral parts. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The damper is
A toner cartridge comprising a damper blade that rotates about the damper shaft together with the damper shaft while being in contact with the damper oil. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The housing has a recess located on the peripheral surface of the housing,
the shutter is positioned within the recess;
The recess is
a first surface having the toner outlet;
a first stopper surface extending from the first surface in the radial direction of the shaft;
has
The toner cartridge, wherein the first stopper is the first stopper surface. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The toner cartridge, wherein the damper case is fixed to the shutter. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
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 12,
Further comprising a second stopper that contacts the shutter when the shutter is positioned at the closed position and stops movement of the shutter in the rotational direction of the shutter from the open position to the closed position, toner cartridge. 14. The toner cartridge according to claim 13,
The housing has a recess located on the peripheral surface of the housing,
the shutter is positioned within the recess;
The recess is
a first surface having the toner outlet;
a second stopper surface extending from the first surface in the radial direction of the shaft;
has
The toner cartridge, wherein the second stopper is the second stopper surface. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 14,
The toner cartridge is detachable from a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum,
2. A toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said toner coupling receives driving force from a relay coupling of said drum cartridge and transmits said driving force to said conveying member when said toner cartridge is attached to said drum cartridge. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
The toner cartridge, wherein the conveying member is an agitator.

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