JP4850677B2 - Developer supply container - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer supply container that can be attached to and detached from a hollow portion of a photoreceptor provided in an image forming apparatus. Examples of the image forming apparatus include a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, and the like that employ an electrophotographic system.

  Conventionally, toner is used as a developer in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and printers. When toner is consumed in the image forming apparatus as the image is formed, toner is supplied from the toner container (also referred to as a toner cartridge) to the image forming apparatus. Since the toner is an extremely fine powder, a method has been proposed and adopted in which the toner container is placed inside the image forming apparatus and the toner is discharged little by little so that the toner does not scatter.

In the black and white image forming apparatuses described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the toner container is mounted in the hollow portion of the photosensitive drum, so that the space for mounting the toner container is effectively used to reduce the size of the apparatus. Yes.
JP-A-4-191770 JP 2002-351174 A

  However, in these apparatuses, the toner container is configured to rotate integrally with the photosensitive drum that is rotationally driven by the image forming apparatus main body. Therefore, there is a possibility that the image formation is started and the photosensitive drum is driven to rotate although the toner container is not attached, that is, in a situation where the toner cannot be replenished.

  Further, the toner container described above is not provided with any transport mechanism for transporting the toner accommodated therein by the rotational driving force transmitted from the photosensitive drum.

  Also, in recent years, colorization of copying machines and printers has progressed rapidly, and recently color machines using a plurality of photoconductors have attracted attention in place of black and white machines. As a matter of course, color copiers and printers use at least four Bk, Y, C, and M color developers, which necessitates a space for mounting at least four toner containers. Tends to increase in size. In such a color machine, the toner container mounting space is one factor that hinders downsizing of the apparatus.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a developer supply container that can solve the above-described problems.

  Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The present invention relates to a developer supply container detachable from a hollow portion of a photoreceptor provided in an image forming apparatus.
A developer accommodating portion for accommodating the developer;
A developer transport unit that transports the developer as the developer storage unit rotates in order to discharge the developer in the developer storage unit;
A driving force receiving portion that receives a driving force for rotating the developer accommodating portion from the image forming apparatus;
Engaging said a photosensitive member and the engageable engaging part, the photosensitive member and the developer accommodating portion to transmit the driving force received by the driving force receiving portion to rotate integrally to said photosensitive member With the joint,
It is characterized by having.

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the photosensitive member from being rotationally driven for image formation even though the developer cannot be supplied from the developer supply container. In addition, since the photosensitive member cannot be rotated unless the developer supply container is mounted, it is possible to prevent the developer supply container from being forgotten to be mounted.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of a developer supply container and a developer supply system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Various configurations described in the following embodiments are not limited to the configurations described below, and can be changed to other known configurations within the scope of the idea of the present invention.

  First, the configuration of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus which is an example of a multicolor image forming apparatus to which a toner supply container as a developer supply container is mounted will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming system. Examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, a laser beam printer, an LED printer, etc.), a facsimile machine, a word processor, and the like.

(Image forming device)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the main configuration of an image forming unit of an electrophotographic copying machine main body (hereinafter referred to as “apparatus main body”). This figure shows a color copying machine in the case where image forming stations for black (Bk) toner, magenta (M) toner, cyan (C) toner, and yellow (Y) toner are arranged in parallel as a developer. It is an example. In addition to the toner described above, a special color toner such as a red toner or a transparent toner may be used. Further, in addition to the above-described toner, a dark toner and a light toner may be used for magenta and cyan toners. In such a case, an image forming station described later may be added.

  First, details of each image forming station will be described. The configuration of each image forming station is the same except for the toner used for toner image formation, and therefore, only one image forming station will be described.

  In the image forming station, a photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive drum) 100 as an image carrier (electrophotographic photosensitive member) that is driven to rotate is provided in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 107.

  The photosensitive drum 100 is rotatably supported on the outer peripheral surfaces at both ends in the longitudinal direction by receiving rollers (not shown). That is, the photosensitive drum 100 is positioned at a predetermined position of the apparatus main body. Therefore, the photosensitive drum 100 can be rotated around a predetermined rotation axis without shaking.

  Further, a charging roller 101 is provided around the photosensitive drum 100 so as to be driven to rotate with respect to the photosensitive drum 100. A charging bias is applied to the charging roller 101 from a power source at a predetermined timing. In this example, in order to uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 100 by the charging roller 101, a charging bias (vibration voltage) in which an AC voltage and a DC voltage are superimposed is applied. Then, such a charging bias causes discharge in a minute gap formed between the charging roller and the photosensitive drum, and the charging process is performed.

  A laser exposure L based on image information is irradiated by the image exposure device toward the uniformly charged surface of the photosensitive drum 100, and an electrostatic image is formed on the photosensitive drum 100. Specifically, the potential of the portion irradiated with the laser beam drops while the potential of the portion not irradiated with the laser beam does not drop, so an electrostatic latent image based on the image information is formed.

  When the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 100 reaches a developing unit 103 as a developing unit, toner as a developer coated on the developing sleeve 102 is supplied and visualized. At this time, a developing bias in which an AC voltage and a DC voltage are superimposed is applied to the developing sleeve 102 from a power source. In this example, a reversal development method in which toner is attached to a portion irradiated with a laser is adopted. Further, toner is replenished from a toner replenishing container 1 described later according to the amount of toner consumed in the developing process.

  The toner image on the photosensitive drum 100 is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 107 by the primary transfer roller 104. At this time, a primary transfer bias (DC voltage) is applied to the primary transfer roller 104 from a power source.

  By repeating the above steps in each image forming station, a black (Bk) toner image, a magenta (M) toner image, a cyan (C) toner image, and a yellow (Y) toner image are sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 107. Transcribed.

  On the other hand, the recording material S stored in the paper feed cassette is transported toward the intermediate transfer belt 107 by a transport mechanism (not shown) so as to be synchronized with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 107.

  The color image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 107 is secondarily transferred collectively to the recording material S at the secondary transfer portion formed by the secondary transfer counter roller 109 and the intermediate transfer belt 107. At this time, a secondary transfer bias (DC voltage) is applied to the secondary transfer roller 108 from a power source.

  The color image formed on the recording material S is conveyed to a fixing device, and heat and pressure are applied from the fixing device to be fixed on the recording material S as a permanent image. The recording material after fixing is then discharged out of the apparatus, and a series of image formation is completed.

  The toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 100 after the primary transfer is removed from the photosensitive drum by the cleaner 106 and collected in a waste toner portion.

(Toner supply container)
Next, a toner supply container 1 as a developer supply container will be described with reference to FIG.

  The toner replenishing container 1 has a container main body 1A as a substantially cylindrical developer containing portion for containing toner. Furthermore, an opening 1 a as a developer discharge portion (discharge port) having a smaller diameter than the container main body 1 </ b> A protrudes from one end in the longitudinal direction of the toner supply container 1.

  A discharge port as a developer discharge port is formed at the tip of the opening 1 a, and the discharge port is sealed by the sealing member 2. On the distal end side of the sealing member 2, a snap lock portion including a later-described opening / closing member 20 and a protruding portion 2 a that snap-locks is provided. The snap lock portion is also provided with a protrusion 2b for releasing the connection with the opening / closing member 20. The protrusion 2b is configured to receive a release force for displacing the snap lock portion radially inward by a sliding operation of the release ring 21 described later. In this state, by retracting the toner supply container, it is possible to properly release the connection between the two companies without damaging the snap lock portion and the opening / closing member.

  On the other hand, a gear portion 3 as a driving force receiving portion for receiving a rotational driving force by engaging with a main body driving gear 104 as a driving member is provided at the other longitudinal end of the container main body 1A. The driving force receiving portion is not limited to such a gear example, and may be a known coupling. In this case, the driving member is also a coupling corresponding to the above coupling.

  Also, in the vicinity of the gear portion 3, when the toner supply container 1 is set in the hollow portion of the photosensitive drum 100, an engaging portion 3 a as an engaging portion that engages with the photosensitive drum 100 is provided around the toner supply container. It is provided on a part of the surface. The engaging portion 3a is formed in a convex shape so that the toner supply container 1 and the photosensitive drum 100 rotate integrally by engaging with an engaged portion (concave portion) formed on the inner surface of the photosensitive drum 100. ing. That is, the toner supply container and the photosensitive drum are in a local engagement relationship. The engaging portion 3a also functions as a driving force transmitting portion that transmits the rotational driving force received by the gear portion 3 of the toner supply container 1 from the main body driving gear 104 to the photosensitive drum 100 via the engaged portion. Have both.

  In this example, such engagement portions 3a are provided at two locations that are locally opposed to each other in the rotational direction. However, the number and arrangement thereof may be set as appropriate, and one may be used.

  Further, as a configuration for integrally rotating the photosensitive drum and the toner supply container, not only the configuration of the convex engagement portion 3a and the groove portion 100a as described above, but also a configuration in which the relationship between the concaves and convexes is reversed may be used. The following configuration may also be used.

  Specifically, the diameter of the toner replenishing container is increased only at the rear end portion in the mounting direction of the toner replenishing container (hereinafter referred to as the large diameter part). That is, the large diameter portion (engagement portion) of the toner supply container is lightly press-fitted into the inner surface of the photosensitive drum (engaged portion) so that the toner supply container can be attached and detached. It is the structure rotated integrally. In such a configuration, it is not necessary for the operator to adjust the position of the convex engaging portion 3a to the groove portion 100a when the toner replenishing container is mounted, so that the operability can be improved. Become.

  As described above, since the engaging portion 3a is provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the toner supply container, the following effects can be obtained. That is, as the toner replenishing process proceeds, the toner is shifted to the opening 1a provided on the other end in the longitudinal direction of the toner replenishing container (downstream side in the developer transport direction). Although there is a possibility that (the upstream side in the developer conveyance direction) may swing, this configuration can suppress this.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a baffle member 5 is provided in the toner replenishing container 1 as a developer transporting part for transporting toner toward the discharge port as the toner replenishing container 1 rotates. This baffle member 5 is provided over substantially the entire length of the container body 1A in the longitudinal direction, and has a plate-like member 5a fixed in the container. The plate-like member 5a is provided with a plurality of toner conveying guides 5b serving as a convex developer conveying guide provided to be inclined with respect to the rotation axis of the bottle, and a plurality of through holes for dropping and stirring the toner. 5c is provided.

  A part of the toner lifted onto the plate-like member 5a as the bottle rotates is conveyed to the discharge port side through the toner conveyance guide 5b, while a part of the toner passes through the through port 5c and is on the bottom side of the container. It is dropped and stirred.

  The transport unit is not limited to such an example, and the configuration is not particularly limited as long as the transport unit performs toner transport as the toner supply container 1 rotates. For example, the toner may be transported by a spiral protrusion formed on the inner surface of the toner supply container 1.

(Replenishment operation of toner supply container)
Next, the replenishing operation of the toner replenishing container 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7 and FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the image forming apparatus and the toner replenishing container, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing stepwise operation states when the toner replenishing container is inserted. FIG. 11A is a view showing a hollow cylindrical opening / closing member 20 as an opening / closing means provided on the image forming apparatus main body side, and is configured to be connected to the sealing member 2 described above. The opening / closing member 20 is provided with a hole 20h that fits into the protrusion 2a provided in the snap lock portion, and a rib 20a at a position adjacent to the circumferential direction of the hole 20h.

  In FIG. 4, reference numeral 100 denotes a photosensitive drum, in which a space (mounting portion) into which a toner supply container is inserted is provided, and the inside is hollow. The image forming station described above is installed around the photosensitive drum.

  The direction in which the toner supply container is inserted and set is set so that the longitudinal direction of the toner supply container and the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum are substantially parallel.

The method for setting the toner supply container 1 in the image forming apparatus, that is, in the hollow portion of the photosensitive drum is as follows. The operator opens the replacement cover of the toner supply container and inserts and installs the toner supply container.
(1) First, the toner supply container 1 is inserted in the direction of the arrow toward the inside of the photosensitive drum 100 so that the engagement portion 3a of the toner supply container and the groove 100a at the end of the photosensitive drum are engaged (FIG. 5 (A)).
(2) The insertion of the toner replenishing container proceeds, and the toner replenishing container abuts against the abutting plate that defines the insertion limit of the installation space, so that it is finally inserted in the state of FIG. 5C through FIG. Is completed. Therefore, the toner supply container cannot move any more in the insertion direction.

  Thus, when the insertion and mounting of the toner replenishing container is completed, the protrusion 2a provided on the snap lock portion of the sealing member 2 is fitted into the hole 20h of the opening / closing member 20, and the sealing member and the opening / closing member Are connected to each other.

  At this time, the gear portion 3 of the toner replenishing container is engaged with the drive gear 104 (FIG. 6) on the image forming apparatus main body side and is in a drivingly connected state. At this time, there is a possibility that the teeth of both gears may be damaged by abutting, but in this example, this is avoided by providing a tapered portion on the teeth of both gears.

Further, at this time, the convex engaging portion 3a of the toner supply container is fitted into the groove portion 100a of the photosensitive drum, and the toner supply container and the photosensitive drum are integrated. Accordingly, the rotational driving force can be transmitted from the toner supply container to the photosensitive drum.
(3) The operator closes the replacement cover. An abutting portion that abuts the rear end of the toner supply container in the insertion direction is formed inside the replacement cover, and is configured so that the toner supply container does not return to the upstream side in the insertion direction when the replacement cover is closed. Yes.
(4) In conjunction with the closing operation of the replacement cover, the opening / closing member connected to the sealing member slides in a direction away from the toner supply container body, whereby the discharge port is opened, and FIG. It will be in the state shown. That is, the toner can be discharged from the toner supply container.
(5) After opening, the drive gear 104 is rotationally driven by a drive motor provided in the image forming apparatus main body, and toner is supplied from the toner supply container to the image forming apparatus (developer).

  As shown in FIG. 7, the toner replenishing container 1 set as described above discharges toner from the discharge port when it is rotationally driven from the drive gear 104, and the discharged toner is sub-charged as a developer receiving portion. It accumulates in the hopper 120 and is conveyed to the developing device 103 by the conveying screw 105.

  Thus, by inserting and setting the toner replenishing container 1 in the photosensitive drum 100, the toner replenishing container 1 is drivingly connected to the driving gear 104 and also to the photosensitive drum. As a result, the toner supply container 1 rotates the toner supply container for supplying toner and the photosensitive drum for image formation by the rotational driving force received from the image forming apparatus (drive gear 104). Can do.

  In this example, the gear portion 3 of the toner replenishing container also serves as a drive input unit for the photosensitive drum, so that the gear portion 3 becomes new each time the toner replenishing container is replaced. Therefore, it is possible to avoid deterioration of the rotational drive transmission due to wear of the gear portion 3 accompanying durability, and to maintain the rotational accuracy of the photosensitive drum for a long period of time. As a result, a high quality image can be formed over a long period of time.

  In this example, the toner supply container mounting portion is disposed in the photosensitive drum 100, thereby contributing to the compactness of the main body of the image forming apparatus. Further, since the toner supply container 1 also functions to rotate the photosensitive drum 100, the drive mechanism for rotating the photosensitive drum 100 and the toner supply container 1 can be combined into one, thereby forming an image. This contributes to simplification of the device body. Further, since the photosensitive drum cannot be rotationally driven (image formation cannot be performed) unless the developer supply container is mounted in the photosensitive drum, it is possible to prevent forgetting to mount (set) the developer supply container. . Further, the use of the hollow portion of the photosensitive drum as a space for mounting the toner replenishing container makes it possible to increase the load required for rotational driving of the photosensitive drum, contributing to stabilization of the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum.

(Toner supply container replacement operation)
Next, the replacement operation of the toner supply container will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 12A shows a state where the discharge port is opened and toner can be discharged.

  When the remaining amount of toner in the toner replenishing container is insufficient, the above-described release ring 21 provided on the image forming apparatus main body side slides (toward the toner replenishing container side) (direction a in the figure), and the sealing member Is bent inward in the radial direction (FIG. 12B). As described above, when the snap lock portion is bent, the overlap between the protrusion 2a and the hole 20h is eliminated. Thereafter, the release ring 21 slides further in the direction a, and the sealing member is moved to the container main body side against the flange portion of the sealing member. As a result, resealing is completed when the sealing member fits into the outlet. At this time, the toner supply container is prevented from moving upstream in the insertion direction by the abutting portion of the replacement cover.

  Thereafter, the sealing member and the opening / closing member are separated from each other by sliding the opening / closing member 20 together with the release ring 21 in the opposite direction (direction d in the drawing) (FIG. 12C).

  When this state is reached, the operator can replace the toner supply container by pulling out the toner supply container in the direction c shown in the figure.

  As described above, in this example, the toner supply container is easily removable from the photosensitive drum. That is, since the toner supply container is a so-called cartridge (toner cartridge), the toner supply container can be removed without using a fixing tool such as a screw with respect to the photosensitive drum. Therefore, the replacement of the photosensitive drum and the replacement of the toner supply container can be performed at different times, which contributes to a reduction in the running cost of the apparatus.

  Furthermore, unlike the conventional example, since the toner replenishing container itself rotates as the photosensitive drum is driven, the stirring effect of the toner inside the container can be enhanced, and even a toner with poor fluidity can be smoothly discharged, Furthermore, the residual toner inside the container can be greatly reduced.

  Next, Example 2 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  8 is an external perspective view of the toner supply container, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the toner supply container.

  The difference from Example 1 demonstrated previously is the point which provided the vibration absorber 4 in the outer periphery of 1 A of container main bodies. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  The vibration absorber 4 is made of an elastic member such as rubber or elastomer, and as shown in FIG. 9, when it is inserted into the photosensitive drum, it adheres to the inner surface of the photosensitive drum and absorbs / suppresses vibration of the photosensitive drum. Is for. The vibration absorber 4 may be made of a material different from that of the toner supply container as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, but considering the productivity, it is formed integrally with the toner container body as shown in FIG. But of course.

  As described above, in this example, the toner supply container is in close contact with the inner surface of the photosensitive drum and rotates integrally with the photosensitive drum, so that not only the image forming apparatus is compact, but also the vibration of the photosensitive drum is absorbed. Can be suppressed.

  The configuration of this example is particularly effective in the case of the following configuration of the image forming apparatus.

  Specifically, as described above, when the charging process is performed by bringing the charging roller into contact with the photosensitive member, if the peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum is increased in order to cope with the higher speed of image formation, the surface of the photosensitive drum is increased. There is a possibility that the charging uniformity is lowered. Therefore, in order to prevent such a reduction in charging uniformity, if the frequency of the AC voltage applied to the charging roller is increased to about 200 Hz or more, abnormal noise resulting from vibration of the photosensitive drum and the charging roller increases. There is a fear.

  It has been clarified that “abnormal noise due to charging”, which can be a problem when the contact charging method using such discharge is employed, is generated by the following mechanism.

  When an oscillating voltage is applied to the charging roller, an attractive force acts between the photosensitive drum and the charging roller due to electrostatic force, and the force attracting each other at the maximum and minimum values of the oscillating voltage increases. The drum and the charging roller are attracted to each other while being elastically deformed. In addition, the force attracting each other is reduced in the median portion of the oscillating voltage, and the photosensitive drum and the charging roller tend to be separated from each other by the recovery force of the elastic deformation of the charging roller. For this reason, the photosensitive drum and the charging roller vibrate at a frequency twice that of the applied vibration voltage.

  Further, the photosensitive drum and the charging roller rotate and move while frictioning with each other. However, the electrostatic force acts on the photosensitive drum and the charging roller to increase the mutual attractive force between the maximum value portion and the minimum value portion of the vibration voltage. When the charging roller is attracted to the photosensitive drum while being elastically deformed, the mutual rotational movement is braked, and the mutual attractive force is reduced at the center value of the vibration voltage. When the photosensitive drum and the charging roller are about to separate from each other due to the elastic deformation recovery force of the charging roller, the brake is relaxed. For this reason, vibration due to stick-slip occurs as if the wet glass surface was rubbed with a finger. This vibration also occurs at a frequency twice that of the applied vibration voltage, as described above.

  Abnormal noise due to charging is caused by the vibration as described above. This is based on a frequency twice as high as the applied AC voltage. For example, when the frequency of the AC voltage is 300 Hz, An abnormal noise of 600 Hz is observed. In addition to this, a harmonic component of an integral multiple thereof, and in rare cases, a frequency of the applied vibration voltage and a harmonic component of the integral multiple thereof may be observed.

  In addition to being generated as a direct sound from the contact portion between the photosensitive drum and the charging roller, such abnormal noise due to charging may be transmitted to surrounding equipment and converted into sound there. .

  By providing the vibration absorber as in this example, the above-described abnormal noise accompanying charging can be suppressed.

  As described above, the first and second embodiments have been described as examples to which the present invention can be applied. However, it is possible to replace various configurations with other known configurations within the scope of the idea of the present invention.

1 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a main part of an image forming apparatus. (A) of the toner replenishing portion of the toner replenishing container is an external perspective view when viewed obliquely from the front, and (B) is an external perspective view when viewed obliquely from the rear. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a baffle member in a toner supply container. FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view illustrating a toner supply container mounting operation. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a toner supply container mounting operation, showing (A) before insertion, (B) during insertion, (C) insertion completion. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an engagement relationship among a toner supply container, a photosensitive drum, and a main body drive gear unit. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a state where a toner supply container is mounted in a photosensitive drum. 3 is an external perspective view of a toner supply container. FIG. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the toner supply container is mounted in a photosensitive drum. FIG. 6 is an external perspective view showing another example of a toner supply container. (A) is a schematic perspective view showing an opening / closing member, and (B) is a schematic view showing a state where a toner supply container is opened. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a state where the toner supply container is resealed in the order of (A) to (C).

Explanation of symbols

1 Toner supply container (Developer supply container)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A Container main body 1a Opening part of container main body 1b Vibration absorber 2 Sealing member 3 Drive gear part 3a Engagement part 3b Release protrusion 4 Vibration absorber 100 Photosensitive drum 100a Groove part 101 Charge roller 102 Developing roller 103 Developing part 104 Main body drive gear 105 Conveying screw 106 Cleaner 107 Intermediate transfer belt 108 Secondary transfer roller

Claims (2)

In a developer supply container that can be attached to and detached from the hollow portion of the photoreceptor provided in the image forming apparatus,
A developer accommodating portion for accommodating the developer;
A developer transport unit that transports the developer as the developer storage unit rotates in order to discharge the developer in the developer storage unit;
A driving force receiving portion that receives a driving force for rotating the developer accommodating portion from the image forming apparatus;
Engaging said a photosensitive member and the engageable engaging part, the photosensitive member and the developer accommodating portion to transmit the driving force received by the driving force receiving portion to rotate integrally to said photosensitive member With the joint,
A developer supply container characterized by comprising: 2. The developer supply container according to claim 1, further comprising a vibration absorber for adhering to the inner surface of the photoconductor to absorb vibration of the photoconductor .

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