JP4976910B2 - Powder container, toner conveying device, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a powder container, a toner conveying device using the powder container as a toner container, and an image forming apparatus.

  An image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine of these, transfers a formed toner image onto a sheet, and then removes toner remaining on the image carrier and the intermediate transfer belt by a cleaning mechanism. The toner is collected in a powder container.

  Some conventional powder containers are provided with an agitation mechanism in order to efficiently store the introduced toner (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The stirring mechanism includes a stirring plate disposed in a casing of the powder container, a shaft extending from the stirring plate and projecting outside through the casing, a cam member in contact with one end of the shaft, The main components are a spring that presses one end toward the cam member, a cam drive gear, and the like.

Then, the cam member is rotated, the shaft is periodically pressed against the spring side, and the stirring plate is reciprocated. The toner is stirred by the reciprocating motion of the stirring plate.
JP 2006-31006 A

  In recent years, in order to reduce the size and cost of an image forming apparatus, a cam member that reciprocates the stirring plate is disposed in a casing. However, in this case, when the toner is filled in the casing, the toner may enter between the sliding surfaces of the cam member and the cam receiving portion of the stirring plate. In this state, when the sliding movement of the cam member and the stirring plate is performed, minute vibrations are generated by the toner interposed between the sliding surfaces. When the vibration propagates to the cam member, the stirring plate, and other peripheral members, abnormal noise is generated, which has been a factor of deteriorating environmental comfort.

  In view of such circumstances, the present invention intends to provide a powder container, a toner conveying device, and an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing the generation of abnormal noise when the cam receiving portion of the stirring member and the cam member slide. is there.

The invention according to claim 1 includes a stirring member for stirring the powder in the casing, and a cam member that slides with respect to a cam receiving portion of the stirring member, in the casing that stores the powder. In the powder container in which the stirring member is driven by a member, the cam member includes a plurality of cam members, and the cam members are eccentrically arranged in the same phase and are arranged in parallel in the axial direction of the rotation shaft. At least a part of the sliding part of the receiving part that slides with each other is constituted by a vibration isolating member, a notch is formed in a part of the outer periphery of each cam member, and the notch formed in at least two cam members, They are arranged so that the phases are different in the circumferential direction .

When the powder enters between the sliding portions, minute vibrations are generated between the sliding portions. However, since at least a part of the sliding portion is made of the vibration isolating member, it is possible to suppress the minute vibration from being propagated to the peripheral member by the vibration isolating member.
In this case, the cam member is not slidably brought into contact with a mating member such as a cam receiving portion at the notch portion of the cam member. Therefore, even if the powder enters between the sliding parts, the powder can be detached from the sliding parts at the notch. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in the friction coefficient due to the powder continuing to be interposed between the sliding portions.

A second aspect of the present invention is the powder container according to the first aspect, wherein the plurality of cam members are viewed from the axial direction so that the outer circumferences of the respective cam members are continuous .

Since the outer periphery of each cam member is continuous, each cam member can slide smoothly with respect to the vibration isolating member.

Invention of Claim 3 extended | stretched from the said rear end to the internal diameter direction in the powder container of Claim 1 or 2 to the rear end of the said notch when the rotation direction of the said rotating shaft is made into the front. Alternatively, a rake face inclined backward from the rear end toward the inner diameter side is provided .

When the cam member rotates, it is possible to scrape the powder whose rake face adheres to the mating member such as the cam receiving portion.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a casing for storing powder includes a stirring member for stirring the powder in the casing, and a cam member that slides relative to a cam receiving portion of the stirring member. In the powder container in which the agitating member is driven by a member, at least a part of the sliding portion of the cam member and the cam receiving portion that slide relative to each other is constituted by a vibration isolating member, and the cam member is a rotating shaft. Inclined with respect to a plane orthogonal to

When the powder enters between the sliding portions, minute vibrations are generated between the sliding portions. However, since at least a part of the sliding portion is made of the vibration isolating member, it is possible to suppress the minute vibration from being propagated to the peripheral member by the vibration isolating member.
In this case, the sliding portions of the mating member such as the cam member and the cam receiving portion that slide with each other reciprocate in the axial direction. Therefore, even if powder enters between the sliding portions of the cam member and the mating member, the powder can be detached from between the sliding portions. Thereby, the powder which continues being interposed between the sliding part of a cam member and a counterpart member can be reduced, and the raise of the friction coefficient between the sliding parts can be suppressed.

The invention of claim 5 includes a stirring member for stirring the powder in the casing, and a cam member that slides with respect to a cam receiving portion of the stirring member, in the casing that accommodates the powder. In the powder container in which the agitating member is driven by a member, at least a part of the sliding portion of the cam member and the cam receiving portion that slide relative to each other is constituted by a vibration isolating member, and the cam member is a rotating shaft. It is formed in a spiral shape .

When the powder enters between the sliding portions, minute vibrations are generated between the sliding portions. However, since at least a part of the sliding portion is made of the vibration isolating member, it is possible to suppress the minute vibration from being propagated to the peripheral member by the vibration isolating member.
Also in this case, as in the fourth aspect of the invention, the sliding portions of the cam member and the mating member such as the cam receiving portion that slide on each other reciprocate in the axial direction. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in the coefficient of friction due to the continued presence of powder between the sliding portions of the cam member and the counterpart member. Further, since the helical cam member functions as a screw conveyor for conveying powder in the axial direction, it is possible to improve the powder conveying capability.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is the powder container according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the vibration-proof member is disposed in the cam receiving portion .

Thereby, it is possible to suppress the minute vibration generated between the sliding portions from propagating to the peripheral member, particularly the stirring member side.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is the powder container according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the vibration isolating member is attached to a flat portion of the cam receiving portion .

It is easy to attach the vibration isolating member to the flat portion, and it is difficult to peel off after the attachment.

The invention of claim 8 is the powder container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the vibration isolating member is pressed against the cam member by the weight of the stirring member in the cam receiving portion. Are arranged .

In particular, if minute vibrations generated between the sliding portions on which the pressing force acts are propagated, it tends to cause a large abnormal noise. Propagation of such minute vibrations can be suppressed with a small number of vibration isolating members, and the generation of abnormal noise can be effectively reduced. In addition, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

A ninth aspect of the present invention is the powder container according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the vibration isolating member is disposed at a portion where a pressing force acts upon stirring in the cam receiving portion. It is.

In particular, the propagation of minute vibrations generated between the sliding portions on which the pressing force acts can be suppressed with a small number of vibration isolating members, and the generation of abnormal noise can be effectively reduced. In addition, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is the powder container according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the entire sliding portion of the cam receiving portion is constituted by the vibration-proof member .

It becomes possible to more reliably suppress the propagation of the minute vibrations.

An eleventh aspect of the present invention is the powder container according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein a part of the cam receiving portion is formed of the vibration isolating member .

This structure is preferable when a separate space cannot be secured due to the arrangement of the vibration isolation member.

The invention of claim 12 is the powder container according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the vibration isolating member includes a sliding layer on a surface and a vibration isolating layer that supports the sliding layer. It is what you have .

The sliding layer on the surface can ensure smooth sliding with the mating member such as the cam member or the cam receiving portion, and the vibration-proof layer can be protected from wear due to the sliding. Providing the vibration-proof layer can suppress the propagation of minute vibration generated between the sliding layer and the counterpart member.

A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the powder container according to the twelfth aspect , wherein the sliding layer is formed of a film material .

Thereby, the sliding layer can be disposed in a space-saving manner.

The invention of claim 14 is the powder container according to claim 12 or 13 , wherein the sliding layer is formed of a metal material .

Thereby, durability of a sliding layer can be improved.

A fifteenth aspect of the present invention is the powder container according to any one of the twelfth to fourteenth aspects, wherein the vibration-proof layer is formed of an elastic body .

The minute vibration can be reliably suppressed by the elastic action of the elastic body.

The invention of claim 16 is the powder container according to any one of claims 12 to 15 , wherein the vibration-proof layer is formed of a foam material .

The micro-vibration can be reliably suppressed by the elastic action of the foam material. By using a foam material, weight can be reduced and manufacturing costs can be reduced. Further, the elastic modulus can be adjusted by changing the foaming rate of the foamed material.

The invention of claim 17 is the powder container according to claim 15 or 16 , wherein the upper limit of the thickness of the vibration-proof layer is set to 7 mm and the lower limit is set to 1 mm .

By setting the thickness of the vibration isolation member within such a range, the vibration isolation effect of the vibration isolation member can be satisfactorily exhibited, and the motion of the cam member can be reliably transmitted to the stirring member. That is, if the thickness of the vibration-proof layer exceeds 7 mm, the elastic action of the vibration-proof layer becomes too large, and the movement of the cam member is difficult to be transmitted to the stirring member. Moreover, if the thickness of the vibration-proof layer is less than 1 mm, the elastic action of the vibration-proof layer becomes too small and the vibration-proof effect cannot be exhibited satisfactorily.

The invention of claim 18 is the powder container according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein an outer periphery of the cam member is formed in a sharp shape .

The contact range between the outer periphery of the cam member and the mating member such as the cam receiving portion becomes very small. Thereby, almost no powder is interposed between the sliding portions of the cam member and the mating member, and it is possible to suppress an increase in the friction coefficient due to the powder entering between the sliding portions.

A nineteenth aspect of the present invention is a toner conveying apparatus comprising the powder container according to any one of the first to eighteenth aspects as a toner container for collecting toner.

  The powder container can be applied as a toner container to a toner conveying device.

A twentieth aspect of the invention is an image forming apparatus provided with the powder container according to any one of the first to eighteenth aspects as a toner container for collecting toner.

  The powder container can be applied to an image forming apparatus as a toner container.

  According to the powder container of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the minute vibration generated when the cam receiving portion of the stirring member and the cam member slide from propagating to the peripheral member by the vibration isolating member. As a result, it is possible to reduce noise and noise generated by the propagation of minute vibrations. In addition, the toner conveying device and the image forming apparatus provided with the powder container of the present invention can achieve the same effects as described above.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of a color image forming apparatus. The main part of the image forming apparatus will be described below with reference to FIG. The image forming apparatus includes four process units 1K, 1Y, 1M, and 1C for forming an image with developers of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan corresponding to color separation components of a color image.

  Each process unit 1K, 1Y, 1M, 1C has toner bottles 6K, 6Y, 6M, 6C containing unused toners of different colors. Other than that, the configuration is the same. The structure of one process unit 1K will be described as an example. The process unit 1K includes an image carrier 2K (photosensitive drum), a drum cleaning device 3K, a static eliminator (not shown), a charging device 4K, a developing device 5K, and the like. Have. The process unit 1K is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus so that consumable parts can be replaced at a time.

  An exposure unit 7 is disposed above each process unit 1K, 1Y, 1M, 1C. The exposure device 7 is configured to emit laser light from a laser diode based on image data.

  A transfer device 15 is disposed below each process unit 1K, 1Y, 1M, 1C. The transfer device 15 includes four primary transfer rollers 19K, 19Y, 19M, and 19C facing each image carrier 2K, 2Y, 2M, and 2C, each primary transfer roller 19K, 19Y, 19M, and 19C, a driving roller 18, and a driven roller. 17 includes an intermediate transfer belt 16 that circulates around 17, a secondary transfer roller 20 that is disposed to face the driving roller 18, a belt cleaning device 21, a cleaning backup roller 22, and the like.

  In the lower part of the image forming apparatus, there are provided a paper feed cassette 30 capable of storing a large number of paper P and a paper feed roller 30 a for sending the paper P from the paper feed cassette 30 toward the paper feed path 31. Near the end of the paper feed path 31, a registration roller pair 32 for temporarily stopping the paper is provided.

  A post-transfer conveyance path 33 is disposed above the nip between the secondary transfer roller 20 and the driving roller 18. A fixing device 34 is provided near the end of the post-transfer conveyance path 33. The fixing device 34 includes a fixing roller 34a that includes a heat source such as a halogen lamp (not shown), and a pressure roller 34b that rotates while contacting the fixing roller 34a with a predetermined pressure.

  A post-fixing conveyance path 35 is disposed above the fixing device 34, and branches to a paper discharge path 36 and a reverse conveyance path 41 at the end of the post-fixing conveyance path 35. A switching member 42 that swings around a swing shaft 42a is disposed on the side of the post-fixing conveyance path 35. A paper discharge roller pair 37 is disposed at the end of the paper discharge path 36. The reverse conveyance path 41 joins the paper feed path 31 at the end thereof, and a reverse conveyance roller pair 43 is disposed in the middle of the reverse conveyance path 41. A paper discharge tray 44 having an upper cover recessed inward is disposed at the top of the image forming apparatus.

  A powder container 10 (toner container) that stores waste toner is disposed between the transfer device 15 and the paper feed cassette 30. The powder container 10 is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body.

  In the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the space from the paper feed roller 30a to the secondary transfer roller 20 needs to be separated to some extent due to the transfer paper transfer relationship. For this purpose, the powder container 10 is installed in the dead space generated to reduce the size of the entire image forming apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the powder container 10 has a dimensional ratio that is set large in the X direction and Y direction (horizontal direction) and small in the Z direction (vertical direction), and is formed in a flat shape as a whole. . The powder container 10 includes a casing 50 including an upper case 51 and a lower case 52. The upper case 51 is provided with an entrance 53 for introducing waste toner into the interior, and a waste toner transfer hose (not shown) extending from the belt cleaning device 21 is connected to the entrance 53. Further, the powder container 10 includes a waste toner full detection unit 54.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the lower case 52 accommodates a toner conveying means 55. The toner conveying means 55 is attached to a plate-like stirring member 56 (hereinafter referred to as a stirring plate) that reciprocates substantially in the direction indicated by the arrow E, a rotating shaft 57, and one end of the rotating shaft 57 and is not shown. A drive gear 58 connected to the drive source and a cam member 60 attached to the rotating shaft 57 and slidable with respect to the cam receiving portion 59 of the stirring plate 56 are provided.

  The rotation shaft 57 is supported by a U-shaped upper support member 200 a formed integrally with the upper case 51 and a lower support member 200 b formed integrally with the lower case 52, and the position of the rotation shaft 57 in the direction orthogonal to the axis line. Prevents deviation.

  The stirring plate 56 is integrally formed of a synthetic resin, and has a plurality of conveying portions 61a, 61b, 61c,... 61g that are partitioned in a rectangular shape by ribs provided vertically and horizontally. Each transport unit 61 includes a plurality of transfer force applying members 610 that are inclined with respect to the moving direction of the stirring plate 56 (the direction indicated by the arrow E).

  The transfer force applying members 610 are arranged in an oblique manner at the same inclination angle at substantially equal intervals, and slits are formed between the transfer force applying members 610. In addition, the transfer force applying member 610 may be disposed to be inclined in different directions for each transport unit 61.

  In addition, the toner conveying ability can be adjusted by changing the interval between the transfer force applying members 610. For example, when the distance between the transfer force applying members 610 is increased, the number of transfer force applying members 610 is reduced, and the amount of toner to be conveyed is reduced.

  As shown in FIG. 4 as viewed from the axial direction of the rotating shaft 57, the cam receiving portion 59 of the stirring plate 56 is formed in a square cylinder shape, and the rotating shaft 57 is inserted into the cam receiving portion 59 so that the cam member 60 is inserted. Is housed.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the rotating shaft 57 is provided with three disk-shaped cam members 60 arranged in parallel in the axial direction, and each cam member 60 is provided eccentrically with the same phase as the rotating shaft 57.

  By the way, in order to reduce the surface pressure between the cam receiving portion and the sliding surface of the cam member, for example, the cam member may be formed thick to increase the contact area between both members. However, when the cam member and the rotation shaft are integrally formed by resin injection molding, if the cam member is thickened, the resin may be unevenly cured and sink marks may occur. In the case of a cam member having a sink mark, there is a possibility that a smooth sliding motion cannot be obtained or abnormal noise is generated during sliding. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the cam member 60 has a thickness that does not cause sink marks, and a plurality (three in this case) of the cam members 60 are arranged on the rotation shaft 57 to slide. The surface pressure during movement is reduced.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a vibration isolating member 63 is disposed on the entire upper and lower inner surfaces 62 (planar portions) of the square cylindrical cam receiving portion 59. The vibration isolation member 63 includes a sliding layer 64 that is provided on the surface side and that constitutes a sliding portion that contacts the cam member 60, and a vibration isolation layer 65 that supports the sliding layer 64. The sliding layer 64 and the vibration proof layer 65 and the vibration proof layer 65 and the inner surface 62 of the cam receiving portion 59 are bonded with a double-sided adhesive tape or an adhesive.

  The sliding layer 64 is made of a film material, and the material thereof is preferably a highly slidable and highly durable material such as PTFE, PET, or a nylon material. Further, a metal material may be applied to the material of the sliding layer 64. For example, it is preferable to apply high-sliding copper or aluminum, high-sliding and rust-proof stainless steel, or the like. However, other materials can be used as long as the materials are highly slidable and highly durable.

  The anti-vibration layer 65 is formed of an elastic body such as rubber. Further, as the material of the vibration-proof layer 65, a foaming material such as a foaming PUR having elasticity may be applied. The thickness T (see FIG. 7) of the vibration-proof layer 65 is preferably 7 mm at the upper limit and 1 mm at the lower limit. This is because if the thickness T of the anti-vibration layer 65 exceeds 7 mm, the elastic action of the anti-vibration layer 65 becomes too large, and the movement of the cam member 60 becomes difficult to be transmitted to the stirring plate 56. Further, if the thickness T of the vibration-proof layer 65 is less than 1 mm, the elastic action of the vibration-proof layer 65 becomes too small to exhibit a good vibration-proof effect.

  As described above, minute vibrations occur due to the presence of toner between the sliding surfaces of the cam member 60 and the cam receiving portion 59, which causes abnormal noise. And especially when the minute vibration generated between the sliding surfaces on which the pressing force acts propagates, it tends to cause a large noise. In view of this, the vibration isolating member may be disposed particularly at a location where the pressing force acts on the cam receiving portion 59.

  Specifically, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, among the upper, lower, left and right inner surfaces 62 of the cam receiving portion 59, at least the upper inner surface 62 pressed against the cam member 60 by the dead weight of the stirring plate 56 A member 63 is disposed.

  Further, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, at least the upper inner surface 62 similar to FIG. 8 and the left inner surface 62 on which the pressing force acts when the stirring plate 56 moves the toner in the direction of arrow C, A vibration isolation member 63 is provided.

  Further, a part of the cam receiving portion 59 may be formed by the vibration isolating member 63. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the upper portion of the U-shaped cam receiving portion 59 is formed by a vibration isolating member 63, and resin frames 59 a and 59 b of the cam receiving portion 59 are formed on the left and right sides of the vibration isolating member 63. Is fixed.

Hereinafter, the characteristic part of the cam member in this invention is demonstrated .
FIG. 11 shows a structure in which notches 66 are formed on the outer periphery of the three cam members 60 shown in FIG. Of the three cam members 60a, 60b, 60c, the notches 66 of the two cam members 60a, 60c disposed on both sides are formed in the same phase in the circumferential direction. On the other hand, the notch 66 of the intermediate cam member 60b is formed 90 ° out of phase with the notches 66 of the cam members 60a and 60c on both sides.

  FIG. 12 is a view of the three cam members 60 of FIG. 11 as seen from the axial direction of the rotation shaft 57. As shown in the figure, the notches 66 of the cam members 60 do not overlap each other, and the outer periphery (sliding portion) of each cam member 60 is continuous by 360 °.

11 and 12, each notch 66 is formed by cutting the outer periphery of the cam member 60 into a flat shape, but it may be formed by cutting it into a curved surface or a stepped surface. Further, all the notches 66 may be arranged with their phases shifted in the circumferential direction, and the phase to be shifted may be an angle other than 90 °.

  In FIG. 13, when the rotation direction of the rotary shaft 57 indicated by the arrow F is forward, a rake face 67 may be provided at the rear end 66 a of the notch 66. The rake face 67 is formed by inclining backward from the rear end 66a toward the inner diameter side, or extending from the rear end 66a in the inner diameter direction. When the cam member 60 rotates, the toner adhering to the surface of the vibration isolating member 63 can be scraped off by the rake face 67.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a reference example of the cam member. The cam member 60 shown in FIG. 14 is formed by sharpening the outer periphery of the three cam members 60 shown in FIG. Further, the outer periphery of the cam member 60 may be formed into a sharp shape with a single-sided taper shape.

  The cam member 60 shown in FIG. 15 is obtained by similarly inclining the three cam members 60 shown in FIG. 5 with respect to the plane orthogonal to the rotation shaft 57. The inclination angle may be different for each cam member 60.

  Further, the three inclined cam members 60 may be spirally connected. This helical cam member 60 can also function as a screw conveyor for toner conveyance. The helical cam member 60 may extend in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 57. Note that the spiral blade extending to the rotation shaft 57 may be discontinuously disposed with the cam member 60. Further, the spiral blade need not be eccentric. Such a structure is particularly suitable when the toner conveying capability in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 57 is low.

  Moreover, the structure of the cam member 60 provided with the notch 66 shown in FIG. 11, the structure of the outer periphery of the cam member 60 shown in FIG. 14 having a sharp shape, and the structure of the inclined cam member 60 shown in FIG. Any two structures or all three structures can be combined.

  FIG. 16 shows an embodiment in which a vibration isolating member 63 having a sliding layer 64 and a vibration isolating layer 65 is disposed on the outer periphery of the cam member 60. In this case, the vibration isolating member 63 is not provided on the cam receiving portion 59 side, and the inner surface 62 and the sliding layer 64 of the cam receiving portion 59 constitute a sliding portion. Further, the cam member 60 itself may be formed by the vibration isolating member 63 as long as the motion of the cam member 60 can be transmitted to the stirring plate 56 satisfactorily. Alternatively, the vibration isolation member 63 may be disposed on both the inner surface 62 of the cam receiving portion 59 and the outer periphery of the cam member 60.

  FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the cam receiving portion 59 and the cam member 60 cut along a plane parallel to the rotation shaft 57. In the drawing, a vibration isolating member 63 is disposed on the outer periphery of the cam member 60. On the other hand, a sharp projection 68 projects from the inner surface 62 of the cam receiving portion 59. The tip of the sharp projection 68 and the sliding layer 64 of the vibration isolating member 63 are in sliding contact.

The basic operation of this image forming apparatus will be described below.
In FIG. 1, when the feed roller 30 a is rotated by a paper feed signal from a control unit (not shown) of the image forming apparatus, only the topmost paper P stacked on the paper feed cassette 30 is separated and fed to the paper feed path 31. Send it out. When the leading edge of the sheet P reaches the nip of the registration roller pair 32, the sheet P waits in a state in which a slack is formed on the sheet P in order to synchronize with the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 16.

Next, an image forming operation will be described.
The process unit 1K will be described as an example. First, the charging device 4K charges the surface of the image carrier 2K to a uniform high potential. Based on the image data, the exposure device 7 irradiates the surface of the image carrier 2K with the laser beam L, and the potential of the irradiated portion is lowered to form an electrostatic latent image. Unused black toner is supplied from the toner bottle 6K to the developing device 5K. The toner is transferred to the surface portion of the image carrier 2K on which the electrostatic latent image is formed by the developing device 5K, and a black toner image is formed (developed). Then, the toner image formed on the image carrier 2K is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 16. The drum cleaning device 3K removes residual toner adhering to the surface of the image carrier 2K after the intermediate transfer process. The removed residual toner is sent to a waste toner container in the process unit 1K and collected by a waste toner transport unit (not shown). Further, a static elimination device (not shown) neutralizes residual charges on the image carrier 2K after cleaning. In the process units 1Y, 1M, and 1C for the respective colors, toner images are similarly formed on the image carriers 2Y, 2M, and 2C, and the respective color toner images are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 16 so as to overlap each other.

  The registration roller pair 32 and the feeding roller 30a resume driving, and the sheet P is fed to the secondary transfer roller 20 in synchronism with the toner image superimposed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 16. Then, the secondary transfer roller 20 transfers the toner image superimposed and transferred onto the fed paper P.

  The paper P to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 34 through the post-transfer conveyance path 33. The paper P sent to the fixing device 34 is sandwiched between the fixing roller 34a and the pressure roller 34b, and the unfixed toner image is heated and pressed to be fixed on the paper P. The sheet P on which the toner image is fixed is sent out from the fixing device 34 to the post-fixing conveyance path 35.

  At the timing when the paper P is sent out from the fixing device 34, the switching member 42 is at the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 1 and opens near the end of the post-fixing conveyance path 35. The paper P sent out from the fixing device 34 passes through the post-fixing conveyance path 35, is sandwiched between the paper discharge roller pair 37, and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 44.

  When performing duplex printing, when the trailing edge of the paper P conveyed by the paper discharge roller pair 37 passes through the post-fixing conveyance path 35, the switching member 42 swings to the position indicated by the dotted line in FIG. The vicinity of the end of the path 35 is closed. At substantially the same time, the paper discharge roller pair 37 rotates in the reverse direction, and the paper P is fed back and enters the reverse conveyance path 41. The sheet P transported in the reverse transport path 41 passes through the reverse transport roller pair 43, reaches the registration roller pair 32, and is sent out in synchronism with the toner image for the back surface formed on the intermediate transfer belt 16. A toner image is transferred to the back surface of the paper P when passing through the secondary transfer roller 20. After the toner image on the back surface of the paper P is fixed by the fixing device 34, the toner image is discharged to the paper discharge tray 44 through the post-fixing conveyance path 35, the paper discharge path 36, and the paper discharge roller pair 37 in order.

  Further, after the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 16 is transferred to the paper P, residual toner adheres on the intermediate transfer belt 16. This residual toner is removed from the intermediate transfer belt 16 by the belt cleaning device 21.

  The toner removed from the intermediate transfer belt 16 is transported to the inlet 53 of the powder container 10 by a waste toner transport means (not shown) and collected in the powder container 10 (see FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the rotary shaft 57 rotates in the direction of arrow F, the stirring plate 56 first advances to the right side of the figure in the substantially horizontal direction as shown by arrow A, and then, as shown by arrow B, Move diagonally upward while moving forward slightly. Subsequently, as shown by an arrow C, it moves backward to the left of the figure so as to float upward, and then descends while slightly moving forward as shown by an arrow D.

  When the stirring plate 56 moves along the bottom surface of the lower case 52 in the direction indicated by the arrow A, the conveyance unit 61 can push the toner. Further, the stirring plate 56 is lifted from the bottom surface of the lower case 52 in the directions indicated by the arrows B and C, so that the transport unit 61 can move without returning the pushed toner. When the stirring plate 56 repeats such a circulation movement (reciprocating movement) of A → B → C → D, the toner introduced from the inlet 53 is stirred and conveyed in the direction indicated by the thick arrow in FIG. The

  In the case where the cam member 60 is the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, as the powder container 10 is filled with toner, the cam member 60 is interposed between the outer periphery of the cam member 60 and the vibration isolating member 63 of the cam receiving portion 59. Toner may enter (see FIG. 6). In this case, since the entire outer periphery of the cam member 60 slides continuously on the vibration isolating member 63, the toner once entering between the sliding surfaces of the cam member 60 and the vibration isolating member 63 is difficult to escape and is interposed. Keep doing. When the toner is interposed between the sliding surfaces of the cam member 60 and the vibration isolating member 63, the friction coefficient between the sliding surfaces is increased. If the intervening toner deteriorates and adheres to the outer periphery of the cam member 60 or the surface of the vibration isolating member 63, the friction coefficient between the sliding surfaces is further increased.

  As described above, when the friction coefficient between the sliding surfaces of the cam member 60 and the vibration isolating member 63 is increased, minute vibration is generated between the sliding surfaces. In the present invention, the minute vibration is absorbed by the vibration proof layer 65 of the vibration proof member 63, so that the minute vibration can be suppressed from propagating to the peripheral members, particularly to the stirring plate 56 side. Thereby, the noise and noise which arise when the stirring plate 56 vibrates can be reduced. Further, the action of suppressing the propagation of minute vibrations generated between the sliding surfaces by the vibration isolating member 63 is the same as in the case of FIGS.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16, when the vibration isolation member 63 is disposed on the cam member 60 side, the toner is interposed between the vibration isolation member 63 of the cam member 60 and the cam receiving portion 59. The vibration isolation member 63 (vibration isolation layer 65) can absorb minute vibrations. Thereby, it can suppress that a minute vibration propagates to a peripheral member, especially the cam member 60 side.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the cam member 60 is not in contact with the vibration isolating member 63 on the cam receiving portion 59 side at the notch 66 portion of the cam member 60. Therefore, even if the toner enters between the sliding surfaces of the cam member 60 and the vibration isolating member 63, the toner is not in contact with the vibration isolating member 63 at the notch 66 portion of the cam member 60. You can leave. As a result, the toner that continues to be interposed between the sliding surfaces of the cam member 60 and the vibration isolating member 63 can be reduced, and an increase in the friction coefficient between the sliding surfaces can be suppressed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the outer circumferences of the three cam members 60 are continuous by 360 °, so that each cam member 60 can slide smoothly with respect to the vibration isolation member 63.

When the cam member 60 is the reference example shown in FIG. 14, the contact range between the outer periphery of the cam member 60 and the vibration isolating member 63 on the cam receiving portion 59 side becomes very small. Thereby, almost no toner is interposed between the sliding portions of the cam member 60 and the vibration isolating member 63, and an increase in the friction coefficient between the sliding portions can be suppressed. This also applies to the embodiment of FIG.

  When the cam member 60 is the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the sliding surfaces of the cam member 60 and the vibration isolating member 63 on the cam receiving portion 59 side that slide with each other reciprocate in the axial direction. Therefore, even if the toner enters between the sliding surfaces of the cam member 60 and the vibration isolating member 63, the toner can be detached from between the sliding surfaces. As a result, the toner that continues to be interposed between the sliding surfaces of the cam member 60 and the vibration isolating member 63 can be reduced, and an increase in the friction coefficient between the sliding surfaces can be suppressed.

If the configuration of the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 or FIG. 15 or the reference example shown in FIG. 14 is adopted for the cam member 60, the vibration isolating member 63 is not disposed on either the cam member 60 or the cam receiving portion 59. Even in this case, as described above, an increase in the coefficient of friction between the sliding portions of the cam member 60 and the cam receiving portion 59 can be suppressed, and noise can be reduced.

  When the cam member and the rotating shaft are formed by resin injection molding using a mold, as shown in FIG. 18A, a slight step is formed on the outer periphery of the cam member 60 due to a slight deviation between the molds 69a and 69b. 70 may be formed. The cam member 60 in which the minute step 70 is formed in this manner is preferably rotated in the direction of the arrow G in FIG. That is, when the cam member 60 contacts the inner surface 62 of the cam receiving portion 59 from the large-diameter side of the outer periphery to the small-diameter side with the minute step 70 as a boundary, the cam member 60 can slide smoothly without generating abnormal noise. it can. When the cam member 60 is rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow G, there is a possibility that abnormal noise may be generated when the outer end edge of the minute step 70 contacts the inner surface 62 of the cam receiving portion 59. Alternatively, there is a possibility that vibration generated at the time of contact propagates to the surroundings and abnormal noise is generated.

  In the present invention, the anti-vibration member 63 is disposed on the inner surface 62 of the cam receiving portion 59 so that the outer edge of the minute step 70 is in contact with the cam member 60 even when the cam member 60 is rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow G. Impact and vibration can be reduced. Further, the rake face 67 shown in FIG. 13 can be formed by intentionally providing a step on the outer periphery of the cam member 60. However, even if the vibration and vibration of the minute step 70 of the cam member 60 can be reduced by the vibration isolating member 63, it is preferable to rotate the cam member 60 in the direction of arrow G in order to further reduce abnormal noise. .

  If the minute steps 70 generated during the injection molding are formed on the surface of the notch 66 shown in FIG. 11, the number of minute steps 70 that come into contact with the cam receiving portion 59 can be reduced. Thereby, the abnormal noise generated when the outer end edge of the minute step 70 abuts on the cam receiving portion 59 can be reduced.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the notches 66 of the cam members 60a and 60c arranged at symmetrical positions in the axial direction are preferably formed in the same phase in the circumferential direction. Thereby, the timing when the cam members 60a, 60c on both sides slide with respect to the vibration isolating member 63 on the cam receiving portion 59 side is the same. On the other hand, if the timings at which the cam members 60a and 60c on both sides slide on the vibration isolating member 63 are different, the vibration isolating member 63 is asymmetrical in the width direction (in the same direction as the axial direction of the rotating shaft 57). This is because it is easy to peel off from the inner surface 62 of the cam receiving portion 59 by receiving power.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. The number of cam members 60 provided on the rotating shaft 57 may be one, two, or four or more. Further, the shapes of the cam member 60 and the cam receiving portion 59 may be shapes other than those shown in the drawings.

  The arrangement positions of the inlet 53, the cam member 60, the cam receiving portion 59, and the like of the powder container 10 are not limited to the positions shown in FIG. By disposing the cam member 60 and the cam receiving portion 59 as far as possible from the entrance 53, the time when the toner enters between the cam member 60 and the cam receiving portion 59 can be delayed. Therefore, in FIG. 3, the rotation shaft 57 may be disposed in the upper right rear side in the powder container 10 in parallel with the arrow X direction. Or you may arrange | position the rotating shaft 57 in the arrow Y direction in the back left upper side in the powder container 10 in parallel.

  Further, the powder container of the present invention may be provided in an apparatus other than the toner conveying apparatus or the image forming apparatus, or may be used for conveying powder other than toner.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a powder container used in the image forming apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the state which fractured | ruptured a part of upper case of the said powder container, and exposed the inside. It is a cross-sectional side view of the said powder container. It is a perspective view which shows the basic composition of the cam member shown in FIG. It is a side view which shows one Embodiment of the cam receiving part shown in FIG. It is an expanded sectional view of the vibration isolator. It is a side view which shows other embodiment of the said cam receiving part. It is a side view which shows another embodiment of the said cam receiving part. It is a side view which shows another embodiment of the said cam receiving part. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the characteristic part of the said cam member. It is a side view of the cam member of FIG. It is a side view which shows the modification of the cam member of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the reference example of the said cam member. It is a perspective view which shows another embodiment of the said cam member. It is a side view which shows embodiment which arrange | positioned the vibration isolating member to the said cam member. It is front sectional drawing which shows the modification of the cam receiving part of FIG. (A) is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the shaping | molding method of the said cam member, (b) is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the rotation direction of a cam member.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Powder container 50 Casing 56 Agitation member 57 Rotating shaft 59 Cam receiving part 60 Cam member 63 Anti-vibration member 64 Sliding layer 65 Anti-vibration layer 66 Notch 66a Rear end 67 Rake face

Claims (20)

A casing for storing powder includes a stirring member for stirring the powder in the casing, and a cam member that slides with respect to a cam receiving portion of the stirring member, and the cam member drives the stirring member. In the powder container,
A plurality of the cam members are provided, and each cam member is decentered in the same phase and arranged in parallel in the axial direction of the rotation shaft,
At least a part of the sliding portion of the cam member and the cam receiving portion that slide relative to each other is constituted by a vibration isolating member ,
A powder container, wherein a notch is formed in a part of the outer periphery of each cam member, and the notches formed in at least two cam members are arranged so that the phases are different in the circumferential direction . 2. The powder container according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cam members are configured such that an outer periphery of each cam member is continuous when viewed in the axial direction . A rake face extending from the rear end toward the inner diameter direction or inclined rearward from the rear end toward the inner diameter side is provided at the rear end of the notch when the rotation direction of the rotation shaft is the front. The powder container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that. A casing for storing powder includes a stirring member for stirring the powder in the casing, and a cam member that slides with respect to a cam receiving portion of the stirring member, and the cam member drives the stirring member. In the powder container,
At least a part of the sliding portion of the cam member and the cam receiving portion that slide relative to each other is constituted by a vibration isolating member,
Powder container characterized in that is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the cam member to the rotating shaft. A casing for storing powder includes a stirring member for stirring the powder in the casing, and a cam member that slides with respect to a cam receiving portion of the stirring member, and the cam member drives the stirring member. In the powder container,
At least a part of the sliding portion of the cam member and the cam receiving portion that slide relative to each other is constituted by a vibration isolating member,
Powder container characterized in that it is formed in a spiral shape on the rotary shaft the cam member. The powder container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the vibration isolating member is disposed in the cam receiving portion . The powder container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the vibration-proof member is attached to a flat portion of the cam receiving portion . The powder container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the vibration isolating member is disposed in a portion of the cam receiving portion that is pressed against the cam member by the weight of the stirring member . . The powder container according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the vibration isolating member is disposed in a portion where a pressing force acts upon stirring in the cam receiving portion . The powder container according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the entire sliding portion of the cam receiving portion is configured by the vibration-proof member . The powder container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a part of the cam receiving portion is formed of the vibration-proof member . The powder container according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the vibration-proof member includes a sliding layer on a surface and a vibration-proof layer that supports the sliding layer . The powder container according to claim 12 , wherein the sliding layer is formed of a film material . The powder container according to claim 12 or 13 , wherein the sliding layer is formed of a metal material . The powder container according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the vibration-proof layer is formed of an elastic body . The powder container according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the vibration-proof layer is formed of a foam material . The powder container according to claim 15 or 16 , wherein the upper limit of the thickness of the vibration-proof layer is set to 7 mm and the lower limit is set to 1 mm . The powder container according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein an outer periphery of the cam member is formed in a sharp shape . A toner conveying device comprising the powder container according to any one of claims 1 to 18 as a toner container for collecting toner . An image forming apparatus comprising the powder container according to any one of claims 1 to 18 as a toner container for collecting toner .

Images