JP4475877B2 - Toner cartridge and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a toner cartridge.And image forming apparatusAbout.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Various image forming apparatuses such as a printer, a facsimile machine, and a copying machine are provided with a developing unit that attaches toner to the surface of a photosensitive drum by charging, and a toner cartridge that is inserted into the developing unit and stores toner. In particular, an image forming apparatus for forming a color image has a structure in which a developing device and a toner cartridge are attached to a revolver for each color.
[0003]
The following documents disclose conventional toner cartridges.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-258911.
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-146744.
[Patent Document 3]
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 03-246633.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional toner cartridge, in order to identify the color of the toner in the cartridge, a label for displaying the color is attached or a cap is colored. Or the window of the transparent member was provided in the cartridge main body (henceforth a casing).
[0006]
For this reason, in addition to the casing and cap that are indispensable for the construction of the toner cartridge, a new member for a label or window is required, or a different color cap is required for each toner, resulting in an increase in cost. was there.
[0007]
  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, the present invention can easily check the color of toner and can reduce the cost.And image forming apparatusThe purpose is to provide.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The toner cartridge of the present invention is
  In a toner cartridge that is attached to an image forming apparatus and supplies toner to a supply port on the image forming apparatus side,
  A casing extending along the longitudinal direction;
  A paddle provided in the casing for stirring the toner;
  An auger provided in the casing for conveying toner;
  Of the casingOne of the longitudinal directionAn opening provided at the end;
  Sealing the opening and a cap provided with a handle;
  Along the longitudinal direction of the casingThe one in the longitudinal directionA replenishment port on a toner cartridge side that is provided at a predetermined distance from the end and discharges the toner conveyed by the auger;
  The casingThe other end in the longitudinal direction ofA plurality of gears for rotating the paddle and the auger,Have
  The handle has a shape having an L-shaped cross section when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and the cap including the handle is made of a transparent member.
[0009]
  Provided on the capSaidThe handle of the casingSaidIt is desirable that the side to be attached to the casing is open in a cross section along the longitudinal direction and has a cavity for guiding the toner.
[0010]
  AbovecasingSaidLengthAlong the direction, there may be a non-tapered region that is not tapered from the vicinity of the front end to a predetermined position and a tapered region that is tapered from the predetermined position to the vicinity of the rear end. The paddle stirs the toner andcasingIn the aboveLengthNear the center along the direction, the auger causes the toner toToner cartridge supply portIt may be conveyed.
[0011]
  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a toner cartridge that stores toner and supplies the toner to a replenishing port in the developing device, a revolver that includes a plurality of the developing devices, and each stores the toner cartridge in the developing device. In an image forming apparatus comprising:
  The toner cartridge is
  A casing extending along the longitudinal direction;
  A paddle provided in the casing for stirring the toner;
  An auger provided in the casing for conveying toner;
  Along the longitudinal direction of the casingOne of the longitudinal directionA replenishment port on a toner cartridge side that is provided at a predetermined distance from the end and discharges the toner conveyed by the auger;
  The casingThe other end in the longitudinal direction ofA plurality of gears for rotating the paddle and the auger,Have
  The handle has a shape having an L-shaped cross section when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and the cap including the handle is made of a transparent member.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 101 to which the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to FIG.
[0013]
The image forming apparatus 101 includes a housing 103 that houses a process unit 104, a paper feed unit 106, a duplex unit 108, and a manual feed unit 109.
[0014]
The process unit 104 includes a photosensitive drum 111 (image carrier) having a tube axis extending in the front-rear direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface) of the image forming apparatus 101.
[0015]
Around the photosensitive drum 111, a charging device 112, an exposure device 113, a black (K) developing device 114, a revolver 115, an intermediate transfer belt 116, and a drum cleaner 117 are rotated in the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum 111 (in the drawing, an arrow). Direction).
[0016]
The charging device 112 charges the drum surface 111 a on the outer periphery of the photosensitive drum 111 to a predetermined potential.
[0017]
The exposure device 113 is disposed near the lower end of the process unit 104 and exposes the drum surface 111a charged to a predetermined potential to form an electrostatic latent image based on the image data. In this apparatus for forming a color image, the exposure device 113 exposes the drum surface 111a based on the color-separated image data, and forms an electrostatic latent image of each color on the drum surface 111a.
[0018]
The black developing device 114 is disposed between the photosensitive drum 111 and the exposure device 113, that is, opposed to the photosensitive drum 111 from below in the gravity direction. The black developing device 114 supplies black developer to the black electrostatic latent image formed on the drum surface 111a by the exposure device 113 and develops it, thereby forming a black developer image on the drum surface 111a. The black developer 114 is supplied with toner and developer from the toner cartridge 114a.
[0019]
The revolver 115 is rotatably provided adjacent to the left side of the photosensitive drum 111 in the drawing. The revolver 115 basically includes a yellow developing device 10Y, a magenta developing device 10M, and a cyan developing device 10C having the same structure as the black developing device 114. Each developing device is detachably accommodated in the revolver 115 along the rotation direction of the revolver 115.
[0020]
Each developing device includes toner cartridges 50Y, 50M, and 50C that store toners and developers of the respective colors. The developing devices 10Y, 10M, and 10C for the respective colors rotate the revolver 115 in the clockwise direction, and are selectively arranged to face the photosensitive drum surface 111a from the side of the photosensitive drum 111.
[0021]
The intermediate transfer belt 116 is disposed at a position where it comes into rolling contact with the photosensitive drum 111 from above in the direction of gravity, and is wound around a driving roller 116a, a pre-transfer roller 116b, a transfer counter roller 116c, and a tension roller 116d. ing. Inside the intermediate transfer belt 116, a primary transfer roller 121 is provided for transferring the developer image formed on the drum surface 111a to the intermediate transfer belt 116 while rolling the intermediate transfer belt 116 to the drum surface 111a. It has been.
[0022]
The secondary transfer roller 124 is provided at a position that sandwiches the vertical conveyance path 126 that conveys the transfer paper with the transfer counter roller 116 </ b> C via the intermediate transfer belt 116. A fixing device 138 for fixing the developer image transferred onto the transfer sheet by heating and pressing is provided on the vertical conveyance path 126.
[0023]
As an initial operation, the black developing device 114 is moved downward and separated from the drum surface 111a, the revolver 115 is rotated in the clockwise direction, and the yellow developing device 10Y is opposed to the drum surface 111a. The secondary transfer roller 124 is moved in a direction away from the vertical conveyance path 126 (right direction in the figure) and is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 116.
[0024]
Image data is read from a document (not shown) via the scanner unit 102, or image data is input from an external device (not shown). The photosensitive drum 111 is rotated in the clockwise direction, and the drum surface 111a is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential by the charging device 112.
[0025]
The exposure device 113 is operated based on the color-separated yellow image data, and an electrostatic latent image for yellow is formed on the drum surface 111a. The yellow toner and developer are supplied to the electrostatic latent image on the drum surface 111a via the yellow developing device 10Y, and the yellow electrostatic latent image is developed to form a yellow developer image on the drum surface 111a. Is done. The yellow developer image formed on the drum surface 111a is moved by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 111, passes through the primary transfer region that is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 116, and the yellow developer image on the drum surface 111a is transferred. The image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 116. After the yellow developer image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 116, the yellow developer remaining on the drum surface 111a without being transferred is removed by the drum cleaner 117.
[0026]
In order to form an electrostatic latent image for magenta on the drum surface 111a, the drum surface 111a is uniformly charged by the charging device 112, the revolver 115 is rotated, and the magenta developer 10M is opposed to the drum surface 111a.
[0027]
The above-described exposure, development, and transfer to the intermediate transfer belt 116 are performed, and the magenta developer image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 116 so as to overlap the yellow developer image. After the magenta developer image is transferred, the cyan developer image is transferred in a superimposed manner through the same process.
[0028]
In any of the developing devices 10Y, 10M, and 10C, the revolver 115 rotates to a home position that does not face the drum surface 111a, and the black developing device 114 rises and faces the drum surface 111a. In this state, the black developer image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 116 so as to overlap the yellow developer image, the magenta developer image, and the cyan developer image by the same process as described above.
[0029]
In this way, developer images of all colors are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 116, and the secondary transfer roller 124 is moved in the left direction in the drawing and is brought into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 116. In this state, the developer images of all the colors superposed on the intermediate transfer belt 116 are moved by the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 116 and pass through the secondary transfer area between the secondary transfer roller 124 and the intermediate transfer belt 116. Then, the transfer sheet is transported upward along the vertical transport path 126 and sent to the secondary transfer region, and the developer images of the respective colors on the intermediate transfer belt 116 are transferred via the secondary transfer roller 124.
[0030]
The transfer sheet on which the developer images of all colors have been transferred passes through the fixing device 138 and is heated and pressed to fix the developer images of all colors to form a color image.
[0031]
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the configuration around the developing device in the image forming apparatus. As described above, the developing devices 10C, 10M, and 10Y are provided for each of the cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) colors that are housed in the revolver 115 and rotate integrally with the revolver 115. In the developing units 10C, 10M, and 10Y, toner cartridges 50C, 50M, and 50Y that store respective color toners are inserted and fixed.
[0032]
A photosensitive drum 115 is disposed adjacent to the revolver 115, and a black (K) developing device 114 and a toner bottle 114 a are disposed adjacent to the photosensitive drum 115. An intermediate transfer belt 116 is disposed so as to be in contact with the photosensitive drum 115, and a secondary transfer roller 124 is disposed opposite to the transfer counter roller 116c that rotates the intermediate transfer belt 116.
[0033]
The toner cartridges 10C, 10M, and 10Y are exchanged from the front side of the image forming apparatus as shown in FIG. The revolver 115 is rotated so that any toner cartridge 50 that needs to be replaced reaches the toner cartridge replacement position, and the handle 61 provided on the cap 60 of the toner cartridge 50 is pulled to remove the toner cartridge 50 from the revolver 115. 50 is inserted.
[0034]
The toner cartridge 50 mounted on the revolver 115 is positioned inward of the image forming apparatus with respect to the front side frame in order to rotate integrally with the revolver 115. For this reason, when the toner cartridge 50 is attached or detached, the handle 61 is provided so that the inner toner cartridge 50 can be taken out.
[0035]
FIG. 1 shows an appearance of a toner cartridge 50 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The toner cartridge 50 includes a casing 51 having one end opened, and a cap 60 that seals the opening of the casing 51. The cap 60 is provided with the handle 61 as described above.
[0036]
FIG. 5 shows a state before the cap 60 is attached to the casing 51 in the toner cartridge 50. There is a cavity for storing toner in the casing 51, and after the toner is stored in this cavity, it is sealed with a cap 60.
[0037]
FIG. 6 shows a state where the toner cartridge 50 is disassembled. In the casing 51, a paddle 56 for stirring the toner and bringing it to the center of the casing 51, an auger 53 for transporting the toner to the vicinity of the toner supply port, an auger roof 59 covering the auger 53, and the auger 53 are fixed to the auger roof 59. A valve 54 is housed.
[0038]
A paddle gear 41, a felt 42, a washer 43, an idle gear and a coupling 45 for rotating the paddle 56 are attached to one end surface of the casing 51. The other end surface of the casing 51 is sealed with the opening member 55 and the cap 60 attached thereto.
[0039]
A toner supply port (not shown) for supplying toner into the developing device 10 is provided below the front surface of the casing 51 (the front surface side of the image forming apparatus). A shutter 48 urged to close the mouth is provided.
[0040]
When assembling the toner cartridge 50, as described above, in FIG. 5, after filling the toner into the casing 51, the cap 60 is attached and sealed so that the toner does not spill. The cap 60 may be attached using any fixing method such as press-fitting, adhesion, and welding.
[0041]
The toner cartridge 50 having such a structure is characterized in that the cap 60 is formed of a transparent member in the first embodiment. Thus, when the toner cartridge 50 is replaced, the color of the toner inside can be confirmed visually at the toner cartridge replacement position shown in FIG. That is, it is possible to easily replace the necessary toner cartridge without making a mistake after visually confirming which of the three colors (C, M, Y) it is.
[0042]
Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the cap 60 that is indispensable is formed of a transparent member, so that a window made of a transparent member or the like is provided in the casing in order to confirm the color of the toner. There is no need to add a new window member in addition to the casing and cap, which are indispensable as a toner cartridge, and the cost can be reduced.
[0043]
Further, as shown in FIG. 7, it is desirable that the handle 61 provided in the cap 60 has a hollow portion 62 whose side attached to the casing 51 is open as a cross-sectional shape. By providing such a cavity 62, it is possible to guide the toner into the cavity 62, and the color of the toner can be more reliably determined.
[0044]
Here, it may have a shape different from the cavity 62 shown in FIG. For example, like the cap 60a shown in FIG. 8, the cavity 62a may be formed over almost the entire L-shaped cross section of the handle 61a.
[0045]
By the way, as shown in FIG. 9A, the outer periphery of the conventional toner cartridge 201 and the inner wall of the developing device 200 are separated in the mold movement direction (longitudinal direction) in consideration of the mold shape for injection molding. In order to make it easy to form, a draft shape is provided over almost the entire region from the vicinity of the front end on the right side (front side of the image forming apparatus) in the drawing to the vicinity of the rear end on the left side in the drawing.
[0046]
If the outer shape has such a taper, no significant backlash occurs when the toner cartridge 201 is inserted into the developing device 200 in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. Therefore, the operation of opening the shutter of the toner supply port of the toner cartridge 201 and the operation of opening the shutter of the toner supply port of the developing device 200 are not hindered. A gap between the toner cartridge 201 and the toner cartridge 201 in the developing device 200 is Y1.
[0047]
However, when the toner cartridge 201 inserted in the developing device 200 is pulled out in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 9B, the above-described gap is formed between the inner wall of the developing device 200 and the outer periphery of the toner cartridge 201. A gap Y2 that is larger than the gap Y1 is generated, and a large backlash occurs. Even in such a case, the shutter of the toner replenishing port of the toner cartridge 201 is urged by the spring in the closing direction, so that it can be reliably closed. However, the toner replenishing port shutter of the developing device 200 cannot be closed because the claw of the toner cartridge 201 is detached from the end near the shutter of the toner replenishing port of the developing device 200, and the toner leaks from the developing device to form an image. There was a risk of contaminating the inside of the device.
[0048]
In the second embodiment of the present invention described below, in addition to the configuration in the first embodiment, the backlash between the inside of the developing device and the developing device when the toner cartridge is removed is further prevented. The present invention relates to a toner cartridge having a configuration capable of reliably closing a shutter of a toner replenishing port of the developing device, and a developing device.
[0049]
In consideration of the shape of the injection mold, the casing of the toner cartridge is provided with a draft shape from the vicinity of the front end to the vicinity of the rear end so that it can be easily released in the mold movement direction, that is, the longitudinal direction of the casing. .
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 10A, there is a cavity for accommodating the toner cartridge 50 in the developing device 10 in the image forming apparatus, and the toner cartridge 50 shown in FIG. Inserted into the cavity. The toner cartridge 50 includes a casing 51 that is hollow to accommodate toner, and a lid 60 that closes an opening on the front end side of the casing 51, and an operator moves the lid 60 in the direction of arrow A. A handle 61 for pulling is provided. Then, as indicated by an arrow B, the toner cartridge 50 slides in the longitudinal direction, and is attached to and detached from the developing device 10.
[0051]
Here, as in the first embodiment, the cap 60 having the handle 61 is made of a transparent member.
[0052]
As shown in FIG. 11, the toner supply port 11 is provided in the developing device 10a. When the toner cartridge 50a is inserted, the toner replenishing port on the toner cartridge 50a side and the toner replenishing port 11 on the developing device 10a are connected, so that the toner in the toner cartridge 50a moves to the developing device 10a and is replenished. The
[0053]
The toner replenishing port 11 of the developing device 10a has a shutter, and when the toner cartridge 50a slides in the insertion direction, the end of the shutter of the toner replenishing port of the toner cartridge pushes and opens the shutter of the developing device 10a.
[0054]
The shutter of the toner replenishing port of the toner cartridge 50a is biased by a spring in the direction of closing the toner replenishing port. Further, in the vicinity of the toner replenishing port 11 of the developing device 10a, an end 12 that engages with the claw of the toner cartridge 50a and a claw that engages with the end 12 when the toner cartridge 50a is pulled off and the toner replenishing port 11 An inclined surface 13 is provided for releasing the engagement between the claw and the end 12 after the shutter is closed.
[0055]
12 shows an external appearance when the toner cartridge 50a is inserted into the developing device 10a, and an enlarged front end portion surrounded by an ellipse C in FIG. 12 is shown in FIG.
[0056]
As shown in FIG. 13, when the toner cartridge 50a is mounted in the developing device 10a, the end near the toner supply port on the toner cartridge 50a pushes the shutter of the toner supply port 11 on the developer 10a side. As a result, the shutter of the developing device 10a is opened. Similarly, a shutter biased by a spring at the toner supply port on the toner cartridge 50a side is pushed by an end near the toner supply port on the developing device 10a side, thereby opening the shutter of the toner cartridge 50a. Further, the toner cartridge 50a has a claw 52 for closing the shutter of the toner supply port 11 of the developing device 10a as described above.
[0057]
The toner cartridge 50a is removed from the developing device 10a by pulling it in the direction of arrow X. FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of the developing device 10a and the toner cartridge 50a in the middle of removal, and the front end side surrounded by an ellipse D in FIG. This part is enlarged and shown in FIG.
[0058]
When removing, as shown in FIG. 15, the end 12 near the toner supply port 11 of the developing device 10a is hooked by the claw 52 of the toner cartridge 50a to close the shutter 52 of the toner supply port 11 (FIG. 15). 12 in the X direction). Then, at the position where the shutter of the toner replenishing port 11 of the developing device 10a is closed, the claw 52 moves so as to be lifted away from the end 12 by the inclined surface 13 provided near the toner replenishing port 11. As a result, the toner cartridge 50a is released from the operation of closing the shutter of the developing device 10a and is pulled out.
[0059]
As described above, the shutter of the toner supply port 11 of the developing device 10a is closed by sliding when the toner cartridge 50a is pulled off. Therefore, when the toner cartridge 50a slides, if the rattling occurs in the vertical and horizontal directions between the inner wall of the toner cartridge guide for storing the toner cartridge of the developing device 10a, the claw 52 is moved to the end of the shutter of the developing device 10a. There is a possibility that the shutter does not close securely due to the separation from the portion 12.
[0060]
Unless the shutter of the developing device 10a is closed, in the color copying machine, when a developing device is attached for each of a plurality of colors in a revolver structure, a large amount of developer and toner leaks from each developing device and the inside of the image forming apparatus. There is a concern that it may be significantly contaminated and adversely affect printing.
[0061]
Here, as described above, the outer shape of the toner cartridge is tapered in the longitudinal direction due to the structure of the mold.
[0062]
The normal taper has an inclination angle of, for example, 0.5 degrees along the longitudinal direction in a direction in which the dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal direction decreases from the front end with the lid (front side of the image forming apparatus) toward the rear end. It is about 3 degrees.
[0063]
When the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing device, as described above, the toner cartridge can be inserted and fixed to the inner wall of the toner cartridge guide in the developing device without causing backlash.
[0064]
However, when the toner cartridge is slid in the direction of pulling out after fixing, conventionally, play is generated in the vertical and horizontal directions, and the end for closing the shutter of the toner supply port of the developing device and the claw of the toner cartridge are engaged. In some cases, the shutter could not be closed and the shutter could not be closed.
[0065]
Therefore, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, FIG. 13, FIG. 15, and FIGS. 16A to 16D, the lid 60 extends along the longitudinal direction of the outer peripheral portion of the toner cartridge 50 a. A non-tapered region R3 without a taper is provided over the region R3 corresponding to the stroke length necessary for closing the shutter of the developing device 10a from the vicinity of the front end to which is attached. A portion extending from the non-taper region R3 to the vicinity of the rear end is provided with a taper region R4 in order to provide a draft from the mold. A smooth slope, C, or R is provided between the non-tapered region R3 and the tapered region R4 so as not to cause a step between the non-tapered region R3 and the sliding operation of the toner cartridge 50a. Region RM2 exists.
[0066]
A similar non-tapered region R1 is provided on the inner wall of the toner cartridge guide of the developing device 10a from the vicinity of the front end that receives the toner cartridge 50a to a portion corresponding to the non-tapered region R3 when the toner cartridge 50a is stored. In other portions, a tapered region R2 having a taper is provided. Similarly to the toner cartridge 50a, the developing device 10a is smooth so that a step is generated between the non-tapered region R1 and the tapered region R2 so that the sliding operation of the toner cartridge 50a is not hindered. There is a region RM1 with a large slope, C, or R.
[0067]
As described above, by providing the non-tapered non-tapered regions R1 and R3 on the outer periphery of the toner cartridge and the inner wall of the toner cartridge guide of the developing device, the backlash between the two when the toner cartridge is removed is prevented.
[0068]
FIG. 17A shows a case where the toner cartridge 50a is inserted into the developing device 10a according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 16B shows a case where the toner cartridge 50a housed in the developing device 10a is removed. It shows.
[0069]
In FIG. 17A, when the toner cartridge 50a is inserted into the developing device 10a in the direction indicated by the arrow, the gap Y11 between the two is kept constant and no large backlash occurs. For this reason, there is no problem in the operation of opening the shutter of the toner supply port of the toner cartridge 50a and the operation of opening the shutter of the toner supply port 11 of the developing device 10a.
[0070]
Further, when the toner cartridge 50a inserted in the developing device 10a is pulled in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 17B, the toner cartridge guide inner wall of the developing device 10a and the outer periphery of the toner cartridge 50a are also separated. Since the non-tapered region R1 of the developing device 10a and the non-tapered region R3 of the toner cartridge 50a exist, the gap Y1 is kept constant and the occurrence of rattling is prevented. Therefore, the claw 52 of the toner cartridge 50a is caught without being detached from the end portion 12 near the toner supply port 11 of the developing device 10a, and the shutter of the developing device 10a can be reliably closed in accordance with the sliding of the toner cartridge 50a. . Therefore, a situation in which toner or developer leaks from the developing device 10a and contaminates the inside of the image forming apparatus is avoided.
[0071]
Here, as shown in FIG. 13, the non-tapered regions in the toner cartridge 50a and the developing device 10a are formed from the vicinity of the front end of the toner cartridge 50a from the claw 52 of the toner cartridge 50a and the toner supply port 11 of the developing device 10a. It is desirable that a region R11 reaching the locking position with the end portion 12 is included.
[0072]
The above-described embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the present invention, and various modifications can be made within the technical scope of the present invention.
[0073]
For example, the shape of the toner cartridge, the cap, and the shape of the handle may be different from those in the first embodiment.
[0074]
Further, in the second embodiment, the non-tapered region R3 of the toner cartridge 50a is provided uniformly over the entire circumference orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the outer circumference. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 10, all the regions R21 + R22 from the vicinity of the front end to the vicinity of the rear end of the casing 51b of the toner cartridge 50b are all tapered. In the region R11 up to this point, the same effect can be obtained by providing a plurality of rib portions 71 having a rib shape in which the dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is partially constant.
[0075]
【The invention's effect】
In the toner cartridge of the present invention, the cap for sealing the opening of the casing is formed of a transparent member, thereby preventing an increase in cost due to the addition of a new member.
[0076]
Further, when the toner cartridge has a non-tapered region that is not tapered from the vicinity of the front end to a predetermined position along the longitudinal direction of the outer peripheral portion, when the toner cartridge is removed from the developing device, the inner wall of the toner cartridge guide of the developing device Can be prevented, and toner leakage can be prevented without hindering the operation of closing the shutter of the toner supply port of the developing device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a toner cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a toner cartridge replacement position in the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state where a cap is attached to a casing of the toner cartridge.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of the toner cartridge.
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a structure of a cap in the toner cartridge.
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another structure of the cap in the toner cartridge.
FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which a conventional toner cartridge is inserted into a developing device and a state in which the toner cartridge is removed.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the outer shape of a toner cartridge and a developing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a structure near a toner supply port in the developing device.
FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the toner cartridge is housed in the developing device.
13 is a partially enlarged view showing the structure of an ellipse C in FIG. 12 in an enlarged manner.
FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the toner cartridge housed in the developing device is slid to be pulled out.
15 is a partially enlarged view showing an enlarged structure in an ellipse D in FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the outer shape of the toner cartridge according to the embodiment of the invention.
17 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the toner cartridge according to the embodiment is inserted into a developing device and a state in which the toner cartridge is pulled out. FIG.
FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the outer shape of a toner cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10, 10C, 10M, 10Y, 10K Developer
11 Toner supply port
12 edge
13 Inclined part
41 paddle gear
42 felt
43 Washer
45 Idle gear and coupling
48 Shutter
50, 50C, 50M, 50Y, 50a, 50b Toner cartridge
51, 51a, 51b casing
52 nails
53 Ogre
54 Valve
55 Opening member
56 paddle
57, 58 Spring
59 auger roof
60, 60a cap
61, 61a Handle
62, 62a Cavity
71 Ribs
111 Photosensitive drum
115 Revolver
116 Intermediate transfer belt
116a Driving roller
116b Roller before transfer
116c Transfer facing roller
121 Primary transfer roller
124 Secondary transfer roller
R1, R3 Non-tapered region
R2, R4 taper region

Claims (5)

In a toner cartridge that is attached to an image forming apparatus and supplies toner to a supply port on the image forming apparatus side,
A casing extending along the longitudinal direction;
A paddle provided in the casing for stirring the toner;
An auger provided in the casing for conveying toner;
An opening provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the casing;
Sealing the opening and a cap provided with a handle;
A replenishing port on a toner cartridge side that discharges the toner conveyed by the auger provided at a predetermined distance from the one end in the longitudinal direction of the casing along the longitudinal direction ;
A plurality of gears for rotating the paddle and the auger provided at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the casing ;
The toner cartridge is characterized in that the handle has an L-shaped cross section when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and the cap including the handle is made of a transparent member.   The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the handle provided on the cap has a hollow portion for guiding toner in a cross section along the longitudinal direction of the casing, the side attached to the casing being opened. .   The casing includes a non-tapered region that is not tapered from the vicinity of the front end to a predetermined position along the longitudinal direction, and a tapered region that is tapered from the predetermined position to the vicinity of the rear end. Item 3. The toner cartridge according to Item 1 or 2.   4. The toner according to claim 1, wherein the toner is agitated by the paddle and is brought near a center of the casing along the longitudinal direction, and the toner is conveyed to a replenishing port on the toner cartridge side by the auger. The toner cartridge according to claim 1. In an image forming apparatus comprising: a toner cartridge that stores toner and supplies toner to a replenishing port in a developing device; and a plurality of the developing devices, and a revolver that stores the toner cartridge in the developing device.
The toner cartridge is
A casing extending along the longitudinal direction;
A paddle provided in the casing for stirring the toner;
An auger provided in the casing for conveying toner;
A replenishment port on the toner cartridge side that discharges the toner conveyed by the auger provided at a predetermined distance from one end in the longitudinal direction of the casing along the longitudinal direction ;
A plurality of gears for rotating the paddle and the auger provided at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the casing ;
The image forming apparatus, wherein the handle has an L-shaped cross section when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and the cap including the handle is made of a transparent member.

Images