JP5170840B2 - Toner container and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner container installed in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a complex machine thereof, and an image forming apparatus in which the toner container is installed.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a cylindrical toner container (toner bottle) that is detachably installed in an image forming apparatus main body has been frequently used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In Patent Document 1, etc., a toner container (toner bottle) that is installed in the image forming apparatus main body in a replaceable manner mainly includes a container main body and a cap portion. A spiral protrusion is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the container body, and the toner contained in the container body is conveyed toward the opening when the container body is driven to rotate. The cap portion communicates with the opening of the container main body, and is held non-rotatably in the image forming apparatus main body without interlocking with the rotational driving of the container main body. The toner discharged from the opening of the container main body is discharged from a toner discharge port provided in the cap portion. Thereafter, the toner discharged from the toner discharge port of the cap unit is supplied to the developing device.
Note that a shutter member that opens and closes the toner discharge port is provided in the cap portion of the toner container. The shutter member is configured to open and close the toner discharge port in conjunction with the attaching / detaching operation of the toner container to the image forming apparatus main body.

JP 2004-287404 A

The toner container disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the like described above is not provided with a cap portion, and supplies toner directly from the opening of the container body toward the developing device (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-338758). .)), It is possible to reduce toner contamination when the toner container is replaced. In other words, since the toner discharge port of the cap portion is opened and closed in conjunction with a part of the operation of attaching and detaching the toner container (rotation operation), the problem that the user touches the toner discharge port and is contaminated with toner is suppressed. . Further, since the direction of the toner discharge port in the toner container is arranged downward in the vertical direction and the toner amount near the toner discharge port at the end of the toner can be reduced by the falling of the toner by its own weight, the toner discharge port when the toner container is replaced Toner contamination is reduced.
However, a small amount of toner has adhered to the periphery of the toner discharge port (such as a shutter member), and the adhered toner has fallen into the image forming apparatus main body when the toner container is replaced. In particular, the periphery of the toner supply port of the image forming apparatus main body communicating with the toner discharge port is markedly soiled by the dropped toner, giving an unpleasant impression to the user.

In order to solve such problems, a shutter member that opens and closes the toner discharge port by rotating the toner container installed in the image forming apparatus main body is provided, and the toner replenishing port of the image forming apparatus main body is opened and closed. A measure to install a shutter on the main body side can be considered.
However, in this case, the main body side shutter of the image forming apparatus main body is reliably opened in conjunction with the opening operation of the shutter member of the toner container so that the toner replenishment failure from the toner container to the image forming apparatus main body does not occur. The toner discharge port of the toner container and the toner supply port of the image forming apparatus main body need to communicate with each other.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. An image forming apparatus main body that communicates with a toner discharge port of a toner container without causing a toner replenishment failure from the toner container to the image forming apparatus main body. It is an object of the present invention to provide a toner container and an image forming apparatus in which the toner dropped from the toner container around the toner supply port is not visible to the user when the toner container is replaced and does not give an unpleasant impression.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, a toner container is a cylindrical toner container that is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus main body, for discharging toner contained in the container. A toner discharge port formed on the peripheral surface of the container, and a shutter installed on the peripheral surface of the container to open and close the toner discharge port in conjunction with a rotation operation in a state of being installed in the image forming apparatus main body A member, and a guide portion formed around the toner discharge port so as to protrude on the peripheral surface of the container in order to guide the opening / closing operation of the shutter member in the circumferential direction, and the image forming apparatus main body includes: A toner replenishing port that communicates with the toner discharge port; and a main body side shutter that opens and closes the toner replenishing port, and an end surface of the guide portion is connected to the main body side shutter in conjunction with the opening operation of the shutter member. Push It is intended to communicate the toner supply port is opened to the toner discharge port by.

  A toner container according to a second aspect of the present invention is the toner container according to the first aspect, wherein the main body side shutter is brought into contact with the opposite end portion of the main body side shutter contacting the end surface of the guide portion. A contact portion sandwiched with the guide portion is provided.

  The toner container according to a third aspect of the present invention is the toner container according to the second aspect, wherein the contact portion pushes the main body side shutter in conjunction with a closing operation of the shutter member. The toner supply port is closed.

A toner container according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the toner container according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the distance from the peripheral surface of the container to the outer peripheral surface of the guide portion is H1. When the distance from the peripheral surface to the sliding surface on which the main body-side shutter slides in the image forming apparatus main body is H2,
H1 ≧ H2
This relationship is established.

  A toner container according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the toner container according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the main body side together with the end surface of the guide portion is interlocked with the opening operation of the shutter member. The apparatus further includes a pushing portion that pushes the shutter.

  A toner container according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the toner container according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the toner container is fixedly held on the image forming apparatus main body by a mounting operation on the image forming apparatus main body. A cap body, and a container body that communicates with the cap section, receives a driving force from the image forming apparatus body, rotates in a predetermined direction, and conveys toner contained therein toward the cap section. The toner discharge port, the shutter member, and the guide portion are installed in the cap portion.

  A toner container according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the toner container according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the toner container is fixedly held on the image forming apparatus main body by a mounting operation on the main body of the image forming apparatus. A container main body, and a conveying member that is disposed inside the container main body and receives a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body and rotates in a predetermined direction to convey the toner accommodated in the longitudinal direction. The toner discharge port, the shutter member, and the guide portion are installed in the container main body.

  An image forming apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is such that the toner container according to any one of the first to seventh aspects is installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

  According to the present invention, the end surface of the guide unit pushes the shutter on the main body side in conjunction with the opening operation of the shutter member of the toner container, whereby the toner supply port of the main body of the image forming apparatus is opened and the toner discharge port of the toner container is opened. It is configured to communicate. As a result, toner that has fallen from the toner container around the toner supply port of the image forming apparatus main body that communicates with the toner discharge port of the toner container does not cause toner supply failure from the toner container to the image forming apparatus main body. It is possible to provide a toner container and an image forming apparatus that do not give an uncomfortable impression without being seen by a user at the time of replacement.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is the same or it corresponds, The duplication description is simplified or abbreviate | omitted suitably.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 to 35, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.
First, the configuration and operation of the entire image forming apparatus will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, four toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K corresponding to the respective colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) are attached to and detached from the toner container accommodating portion 31 above the image forming apparatus main body 100. It is installed freely (changeable) (see also FIGS. 3 to 9).
An intermediate transfer unit 15 is disposed below the toner container housing 31. Image forming portions 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K corresponding to the respective colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) are arranged in parallel so as to face the intermediate transfer belt 8 of the intermediate transfer unit 15.
Below the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K, toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K are disposed, respectively. The toners stored in the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are supplied (supplemented) into the developing devices of the image forming units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K by the toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K, respectively. )

  Referring to FIG. 2, an image forming unit 6Y corresponding to yellow includes a photosensitive drum 1Y, a charging unit 4Y disposed around the photosensitive drum 1Y, a developing device 5Y (developing unit), a cleaning unit 2Y, It is comprised by the static elimination part (not shown) etc. Then, an image forming process (charging process, exposure process, developing process, transfer process, cleaning process) is performed on the photosensitive drum 1Y, and a yellow image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1Y.

  The other three image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K have substantially the same configuration as that of the image forming unit 6Y corresponding to yellow except that the color of the toner used is different. A corresponding image is formed. Hereinafter, description of the other three image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K will be omitted as appropriate, and only the image forming unit 6Y corresponding to yellow will be described.

Referring to FIG. 2, the photosensitive drum 1Y is driven to rotate clockwise in FIG. 2 by a drive motor (not shown). Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y is uniformly charged at the position of the charging unit 4Y (a charging process).
After that, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches the irradiation position of the laser beam L emitted from the exposure device 7 (see FIG. 1), and the electrostatic latent image corresponding to yellow by exposure scanning at this position. Is formed (this is an exposure step).

Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the developing device 5Y, and the electrostatic latent image is developed at this position to form a yellow toner image (developing process).
Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the first transfer bias roller 9Y, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1Y is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 at this position. (This is a primary transfer step.) At this time, a small amount of untransferred toner remains on the photosensitive drum 1Y.

Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the cleaning unit 2Y, and untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1Y at this position is mechanically collected by the cleaning blade 2a (in the cleaning process). is there.).
Finally, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing a neutralization unit (not shown), and the residual potential on the photosensitive drum 1Y is removed at this position.
Thus, a series of image forming processes performed on the photosensitive drum 1Y is completed.

The image forming process described above is performed in the other image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K in the same manner as the yellow image forming unit 6Y. That is, the laser beam L based on the image information is emitted from the exposure unit 7 disposed below the image forming unit onto the photosensitive drums of the image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K. Specifically, the exposure unit 7 emits laser light L from a light source, and irradiates the photosensitive drum through a plurality of optical elements while scanning the laser light L with a polygon mirror that is rotationally driven.
Thereafter, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the respective photosensitive drums through the developing process are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 in an overlapping manner. In this way, a color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  Here, referring to FIG. 1, the intermediate transfer unit 15 includes an intermediate transfer belt 8, four primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K, a secondary transfer backup roller 12, a plurality of tension rollers, and an intermediate transfer. It consists of a cleaning unit, etc. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched and supported by a plurality of roller members, and is endlessly moved in the direction of the arrow in FIG.

The four primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K respectively sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 8 with the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K to form a primary transfer nip. Then, a transfer bias reverse to the polarity of the toner is applied to the primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K.
The intermediate transfer belt 8 travels in the direction of the arrow and sequentially passes through the primary transfer nips of the primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K. In this way, the toner images of the respective colors on the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are primarily transferred while being superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 8 on which the toner images of the respective colors are transferred in a superimposed manner reaches a position facing the secondary transfer roller 19. At this position, the secondary transfer backup roller 12 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 8 with the secondary transfer roller 19 to form a secondary transfer nip. The four-color toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are transferred onto a recording medium P such as transfer paper conveyed to the position of the secondary transfer nip. At this time, untransferred toner that has not been transferred to the recording medium P remains on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 8 reaches the position of an intermediate transfer cleaning unit (not shown). At this position, the untransferred toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is collected.
Thus, a series of transfer processes performed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is completed.

Here, the recording medium P transported to the position of the secondary transfer nip is transported from a paper feeding unit 26 disposed below the apparatus main body 100 via a paper feeding roller 27, a registration roller pair 28, and the like. It is a thing.
Specifically, a plurality of recording media P such as transfer paper are stored in the paper supply unit 26 in a stacked manner. When the paper feed roller 27 is driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 1, the uppermost recording medium P is fed toward the rollers of the registration roller pair 28.

  The recording medium P transported to the registration roller pair 28 temporarily stops at the position of the roller nip of the registration roller pair 28 whose rotation drive has been stopped. Then, the registration roller pair 28 is rotationally driven in synchronization with the color image on the intermediate transfer belt 8, and the recording medium P is conveyed toward the secondary transfer nip. In this way, a desired color image is transferred onto the recording medium P.

Thereafter, the recording medium P on which the color image is transferred at the position of the secondary transfer nip is conveyed to the position of the fixing unit 20. At this position, the color image transferred to the surface is fixed on the recording medium P by heat and pressure generated by the fixing belt and the pressure roller.
Thereafter, the recording medium P is discharged to the outside of the apparatus through the rollers of the discharge roller pair 29. The transferred P discharged from the apparatus by the discharge roller pair 29 is sequentially stacked on the stack unit 30 as an output image.
Thus, a series of image forming processes in the image forming apparatus is completed.

Next, the configuration and operation of the developing device in the image forming unit will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.
The developing device 5Y includes a developing roller 51Y facing the photosensitive drum 1Y, a doctor blade 52Y facing the developing roller 51Y, two conveying screws 55Y disposed in the developer accommodating portions 53Y and 54Y, and toner in the developer. Consists of a density detection sensor 56Y for detecting density. The developing roller 51Y includes a magnet fixed inside, a sleeve rotating around the magnet, and the like. In the developer accommodating portions 53Y and 54Y, a two-component developer G composed of a carrier and a toner is accommodated. The developer accommodating portion 54Y communicates with the toner dropping path 64Y through an opening formed thereabove.

The developing device 5Y configured as described above operates as follows.
The sleeve of the developing roller 51Y rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The developer G carried on the developing roller 51Y by the magnetic field formed by the magnet moves on the developing roller 51Y as the sleeve rotates.

  Here, the developer G in the developing device 5Y is adjusted so that the ratio of toner in the developer (toner concentration) is within a predetermined range. Specifically, according to the toner consumption in the developing device 5Y, the toner accommodated in the toner container 32Y is replenished into the developer accommodating portion 54Y via the toner replenishing device 60Y (see FIG. 3 and the like). The The configuration and operation of the toner supply device will be described in detail later.

  Thereafter, the toner replenished in the developer accommodating portion 54Y is circulated through the two developer accommodating portions 53Y and 54Y while being mixed and stirred together with the developer G by the two conveying screws 55Y (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2). Direction movement.) The toner in the developer G is attracted to the carrier by frictional charging with the carrier, and is carried on the developing roller 51Y together with the carrier by the magnetic force formed on the developing roller 51Y.

  The developer G carried on the developing roller 51Y is conveyed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2 and reaches the position of the doctor blade 52Y. The developer G on the developing roller 51Y is conveyed to a position facing the photosensitive drum 1Y (development region) after the developer amount is made appropriate at this position. The toner is attracted to the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1Y by the electric field formed in the development area. Thereafter, the developer G remaining on the developing roller 51Y reaches above the developer containing portion 53Y as the sleeve rotates, and is detached from the developing roller 51Y at this position.

Next, the toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the toner in each toner container 32 </ b> Y, 32 </ b> M, 32 </ b> C, 32 </ b> K installed in the toner container container 31 of the apparatus main body 100 depends on the toner consumption in each color developing device. Each developing device is appropriately replenished by toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C and 60K provided for each toner color.
The four toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K and the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K have substantially the same structure except for the color of the toner used in the image forming process, and therefore correspond to yellow. Only the toner supply device 50Y and the toner container 32Y will be described, and descriptions of the toner supply devices 60M, 60C, and 60K and the toner containers 32M, 32C, and 32K corresponding to the other three colors will be omitted as appropriate.

When the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are mounted in the toner container housing portion 31 of the apparatus main body 100, the shutter members of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K move in conjunction with the mounting operation. While the discharge port W is opened, the main body side shutter 89 (see FIG. 18) of the toner supply devices 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K is moved to open the toner supply port 60Ya. The toner supply port 60Ya communicates. As a result, the toner stored in the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K is discharged from the toner discharge port W and stored in the toner tank portion from the toner supply ports of the toner supply devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K. Will be.
Here, referring to the schematic view of FIG. 12, the toner container 32Y is a substantially cylindrical toner bottle, and has a spiral protrusion on its inner peripheral surface (when viewed from the outer peripheral surface side, the spiral shape is provided. It is a groove. The spiral protrusion is driven by the drive unit 71 (comprising the drive motor 80, drive coupling 90, gear 91, etc.) to rotate the toner container 32Y in the direction of the arrow in FIG. It is for discharging toner. That is, the toner is appropriately supplied to the toner tank 61Y by appropriately driving the container main body 32Y2 of the toner container 32Y by the driving unit 71. The toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are replaced with new ones when they reach the end of their lives (when almost all the toner to be stored is consumed and emptied).

  The toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K (toner container storage unit 31) include a toner tank unit 61Y, toner transport units 62Y and 63Y, a toner dropping path 64Y, a stirring member 65Y, a toner end sensor 66Y, a drive motor 80, and a drive. The coupling 90, the gear trains 81 to 84, 91, 92, the drive transmission shaft 81a, the drop part shutter 86, the holding part 115, the antenna substrate 120, the toner receiving part 85, the main body side shutter 89, and the like.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 6, on the back side of toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K (the back side in the attaching / detaching direction of the toner container), engaging portion 32Y2b formed at the bottom of the toner container. (See FIG. 20) A drive coupling 90 is provided to engage. The driving force of the driving motor 80 is transmitted to the driving coupling 90 via the two-stage gear 91, and the container main body 32Y2 of the toner container 32Y is rotationally driven in a predetermined direction by the driving coupling 90.
On the other hand, the gear 92 that meshes with the two-stage gear 91 applies driving force to the gear 81 that is installed on the front side of the toner supply device 60Y (on the front side in the attaching / detaching direction of the toner container) via the drive transmission shaft 81a. introduce. The toner conveying screw 62Y and the stirring member 65Y are rotationally driven through the gear trains 81 to 84 by the driving force transmitted to the front gear 81. The configuration of the front side of the toner replenishing device 60Y provided with the toner conveying screw 62Y and the stirring member 65Y will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS.

  Here, referring to FIG. 7, when the main body cover (not shown) installed on the front side of the apparatus main body 100 is opened, the toner container accommodating portions 31Y, 31M, 31C, 31K (toner container accommodating portions). 31) is exposed. Specifically, when the main body cover of the apparatus main body 100 is opened, referring to FIG. 8, the inner cover 109 in which the four insertion ports 109Y, 109M, 109C, and 109K are formed is exposed. Then, the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are attached / detached from the front side of the apparatus main body 100 (the attaching / detaching operation with the longitudinal direction of the toner container as the attaching / detaching direction).

The four insertion openings 109Y, 109M, 109C, 109K of the inner cover 109 have the same shape for each color, but the insertion openings 110Y, 60Y, 60M, 60C, 60K of the toner supply devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, 60K covered by the inner cover 109 are provided. The shapes of 110M, 110C, and 110K are different for each color.
Specifically, referring to FIG. 9, the toner supply devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K have the insertion openings 110Y, 110M, 110C, and 110K formed on the cap portions of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K. The guide ribs 32Y1f, 32M1f, 32C1f, 32K1f (see FIGS. 19, 25 to 28, etc.) engage with the first guide groove 111 and the cap portions of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K. Second guide grooves 112Y, 112M, 112C, 112K with which the protruding members 32Y1d, 32M1d, 32C1d, 32K1d, 32Y1e, 32M1e, 32C1e, 32K1e (see FIGS. 19, 25 to 28, etc.) are engaged. Is formed. The second guide grooves 112Y, 112M, 112C, and 112K have different shapes for different colors, and have different colors in the predetermined insertion openings 110Y, 110M, 110C, and 110K (toner supply devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K). The toner container is configured not to be erroneously set.
The second guide grooves 112Y, 112M, 112C, and 112K are all in the same direction of the insertion ports 110Y, 110M, 110C, and 110K with reference to a virtual vertical line Q that passes through the center of the first guide groove 111 (see FIG. 9 on the right side). That is, the incompatible protrusions 32Y1d, 32M1d, 32C1d, 32K1d, 32Y1e, 32M1e, 32C1e, and 32K1e are disposed in the vicinity of the guide ribs 32Y1f, 32M1f, 32C1f, and 32K1f. Accordingly, the second guide grooves of the adjacent ones of the four insertion openings 110Y, 110M, 110C, and 110K in FIG. 9 do not face each other, and the second guide grooves are formed only in one direction (right side in FIG. 9). Will be formed. Therefore, it is possible to relatively reduce the interval between the adjacent insertion ports 110Y, 110M, 110C, and 110K provided in the toner storage unit 31.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, in the first embodiment, toner container storage unit 31 (toner supply devices 60 </ b> Y, 60 </ b> M, toner containers 32 </ b> Y, 32 </ b> M, 32 </ b> C, 32 </ b> K) are detachably arranged in parallel. 60C, 60K) is provided with a single antenna substrate 120. Specifically, on the antenna substrate 120, the electronic substrates 32Y1c, 32M1c, 32C1c, and 32K1c installed on the peripheral surfaces of the four toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K arranged in parallel with the holding unit 115 (FIGS. 19 and 25). To four antennas 121Y, 121M, 121C, and 121K for communicating with each other on the same plane so as to face the electronic boards 32Y1c, 32M1c, 32C1c, and 32K1c. . More specifically, the antenna substrate 120 is disposed below the four toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K arranged in parallel with the holding unit 115.
Between the electronic substrates 32Y1c, 32M1c, 32C1c, and 32K1c of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K, and the image forming apparatus main body 100 on which the antennas 121Y, 121M, 121C, and 121K (antenna substrate 120) are installed. Necessary information is exchanged. Information communicated between the two includes information such as a toner container manufacturing number and the number of recycling, information such as toner capacity, lot number and color, and information such as usage history of the image forming apparatus main body 100. .

In the first embodiment, referring to FIG. 32, the antenna substrate 120 is located on the far side in the mounting direction with respect to the toner discharge ports W of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K arranged in parallel with the holding unit 115. (It is the right side of FIG. 32).
With such a configuration, even when the antenna substrate 120 is disposed below the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K, and the toner leaks from the toner discharge port W, the leakage is not detected in the insertion port. It occurs on the front side of the apparatus exceeding 110Y, 110M, 110C, and 110K. This case will be described in detail using the yellow toner container 32Y. When the engaging portion 32Y2b of the container main body 32Y2 is in a position where it engages with the drive coupling 90, the toner discharge port W, the antenna substrate 120, and the electronic substrate opposed thereto are provided. 32Y1c is delimited by the insertion port 110Y as a boundary, and it is difficult for the toner to fall directly on the antenna substrate 120. As a result, it is possible to suppress a problem that the communication sensitivity between the two deteriorates due to the presence of toner between the electronic boards 32Y1c, 32M1c, 32C1c, and 32K1c and the antennas 121Y, 121M, 121C, and 121K.

Next, the configuration and operation of the front side of the toner supply device 60Y will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
On the front side of the toner replenishing device 60Y, a toner tank 61Y, toner conveying units 62Y and 63Y, a toner dropping path 64Y, a stirring member 65Y, a toner end sensor 66Y, a gear train 81 to 84, a dropping unit shutter 86, and a toner receiving unit 85, a main body side shutter 89, and the like are installed. The main body side shutter 89 is illustrated only in FIGS. 18 and 34, and is not illustrated in other drawings.
The toner tank unit 61Y is disposed below the toner discharge port W of the cap unit 32Y1 of the toner container 32Y, and the toner discharged from the toner discharge port W of the toner container 32Y is stored through the toner supply port 60Ya. The The bottom part of the toner tank 61Y is connected to the upstream part of the toner conveying parts 62Y and 63Y.

  Further, a toner end sensor 66Y that detects that the amount of toner stored in the toner tank 61Y has become a predetermined amount or less is installed on the wall surface of the toner tank 61Y (position at a predetermined height from the bottom). ing. A piezoelectric sensor or the like can be used as the toner end sensor 66Y. Referring to FIG. 12, when the control unit 70 detects that the amount of toner stored in the toner tank unit 61Y has become a predetermined amount or less (toner end detection) by the toner end sensor 66Y, the control unit 70 Under this control, the toner container 32Y is rotationally driven for a predetermined time by the drive unit 71 (drive motor 80, gear 91, drive coupling 90) to supply toner to the toner tank unit 61Y. Further, if the toner end detection by the toner end sensor 66Y is not canceled even after such control is repeated, it is assumed that there is no toner in the toner container 32Y and is displayed on the display unit (not shown) of the apparatus main body 100. A message to prompt the user to replace the toner container 32Y is displayed.

  In addition, a stirring member 65Y that prevents aggregation of the toner stored in the toner tank 61Y is installed at the center of the toner tank 61Y (in the vicinity of the toner end sensor 66Y). The agitating member 65Y is provided with a flexible member 65Ya at the shaft portion, and agitates the toner in the toner tank portion 61Y by rotating clockwise in FIG. Further, the tip of the flexible member 65Ya of the stirring member 65Y is in sliding contact with the detection surface of the toner end sensor 66Y in a rotation cycle, so that the toner adheres to the detection surface of the toner end sensor 66Y and the detection accuracy decreases. Is suppressed. Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, a helical gear 82 having a torsion angle of 45 degrees (illustration of gear teeth is omitted) is installed at one end of the shaft portion of stirring member 65Y. Thus, the driving force is transmitted to the agitating member 65Y via the helical gear 81 (the torsion angle is set to 45 degrees. The illustration of the gear teeth of the gear is omitted) that meshes with the helical gear 82. Is done.

Referring to FIG. 13, toner transport units 62Y and 63Y transport the toner stored in toner tank unit 61Y diagonally upward (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 13). Specifically, the toner transport units 62Y and 63Y linearly transport the toner from the bottom (lowermost point) of the toner tank unit 61Y to above the developing device 5Y (the position of the drop port 64Ya). Then, the toner transported by the toner transport sections 62Y and 63Y (the toner that has reached the position of the drop opening 64Ya) falls by its own weight on the toner drop path 64Y and enters the developing device 5Y (developer storage section 54Y). To be replenished.
The toner transport unit includes a toner transport screw 62Y that rotates and drives in a predetermined direction to transport toner, a toner transport pipe 63Y having an inner wall close to the toner transport screw 62Y, and the like.

  The toner conveying screw 62Y (screw member) has a screw formed in a spiral shape in a shaft portion, and is rotatably supported by the toner conveying tube 63Y via a bearing. 14 and 15, a bevel gear 84 is installed at one end of the toner conveying screw 62Y, and a bevel gear 83 meshing with the bevel gear 84 (installed on the shaft portion of the stirring member 65Y). The driving force is transmitted to the toner conveying screw 62Y via the gear teeth.

  The upstream side of the toner transport pipe 63Y communicates with the toner tank portion 61Y, and the downstream side thereof communicates with the toner dropping path 64Y via the drop port 64Ya. The toner conveying pipe 63Y is a tubular member made of a resin material, and the toner conveying screw 62Y is rotatably supported therein via a bearing. The gap between the outer diameter portion of the toner conveying screw 62Y and the inner wall of the toner conveying tube 63Y is set to about 0.1 to 0.2 mm. Thereby, the toner transport sections 62Y and 63Y can smoothly transport the toner diagonally upward against the direction of gravity.

As described above, in the first embodiment, after the toner stored in the toner tank 61Y is transported obliquely upward by the toner transport sections 62Y and 63Y, the toner is replenished to the developing device 5Y by its own weight drop through the toner drop path 64Y. doing. As a result, even if the rotation of the toner conveying screw 62Y is stopped when the toner supply to the developing device 5Y is finished (pause), the toner remaining in the toner conveying tube 63Y passes through the toner dropping path 64Y. The problem of falling by its own weight in the developing device 5Y is reduced.
Specifically, the toner in the toner transport pipe 63Y remaining at a position away from the drop port 64Ya slides down or stays at the position along the inclined toner transport pipe 63Y toward the toner tank portion 61Y. Further, the toner in the toner transport pipe 63Y remaining in the position close to the drop opening 64Ya does not drop by a large amount from the drop opening 64Ya even if a large impact or the like occurs, and the toner along the inclined toner transport pipe 63Y. Either it slides down or stays in that position upstream in the toner conveyance direction.

Therefore, even when the driving / stopping of the toner conveying screw 62Y is repeated, highly accurate toner replenishment (stable toner replenishment) to the developing device 5Y becomes possible, and the toner concentration of the developer G in the developing device 5Y (development) Variation of the toner in the agent) can be suppressed. That is, it is possible to suppress problems such as an increase in the image density of the output image, toner scattering, and a background stain image.
Further, even if the driving / stopping of the toner conveying screw 62Y is repeated, a large amount of toner remaining in the toner conveying tube 63Y is replenished into the developing device 5Y, so that the residual toner amount in the toner tank portion 61Y is reduced. Problems that fluctuate greatly are also suppressed. Therefore, erroneous detection of toner end detection by the toner end sensor 66Y is also prevented.

  Referring to FIG. 13, in order to ensure the above-described effect, it is preferable that toner conveying portions 62Y and 63Y are formed such that an inclination angle α with respect to the horizontal direction is 5 degrees or more (α ≧ 5 degrees). . However, if the inclination angle α of the toner transport units 62Y and 63Y is excessively increased, the toner transport performance by the toner transport units 62Y and 63Y is deteriorated and the height of the apparatus in the vertical direction is increased. . In the first embodiment, the inclination angle α of the toner conveying portions 62Y and 63Y is set to about 10 degrees.

  14, 15, and 17, the toner drop path 64 </ b> Y is provided with a drop portion shutter 86 that opens and closes in conjunction with the attaching / detaching operation of the developing device 5 </ b> Y with respect to the apparatus main body 100. Specifically, when the developing device 5Y is mounted, the dropping unit shutter 86 is pushed by the developing device 5Y so as to resist the urging force of the spring 87 and moves in a direction to open the toner dropping path 64Y. On the other hand, the dropping unit shutter 86 moves in a direction to close the toner dropping path 64Y by the biasing force of the spring 87 when the developing device 5Y is taken out. With such a configuration, even when the developing device 5Y is taken out from the apparatus main body 100, it is possible to suppress a problem that toner is scattered from the toner dropping path 64Y into the apparatus main body 100.

  16 and 17, seal members such as a flock seal 67Y, a sponge seal 68Y2, and a sheet-like member 68Y3 are attached around the toner replenishing port 60Ya of the toner tank 61Y. The sponge seal 68Y2 is in contact with the flange W2 (see FIG. 23) of the toner discharge port W of the toner container 32Y to ensure the sealing property between the toner container 32Y and the toner tank portion 61Y. The sheet-like member 68Y3 is made of a sheet-like low friction material and abuts on the opened shutter member 32Y1a to prevent toner from being accumulated between the shutter member 32Y1a and the toner tank portion 61Y. The flocking seal 67Y is for scraping off the toner adhering to the surface of the shutter member 32Y1a in conjunction with the operation of taking out the toner container 32Y from the apparatus main body 100. The toner scraped off by the flock seal 67Y falls into the toner receiving portion 85 through the opening 85a (the R surface 60Yc shown in FIG. 16 is formed).

  Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, a replenishing port guide 69Y is installed at a position sandwiching the toner replenishing port 60Ya of the toner tank 61Y. The replenishing port guide 69Y is for entering the brim W2 of the toner discharge port W of the toner container 32Y, and prevents the toner discharge port W from slipping upward with respect to the toner replenishing port 60Ya.

Here, referring to FIGS. 18 and 34, in toner replenishing device 60Y (image forming apparatus main body 100) in the first embodiment, toner replenishing port 60Y communicating with toner outlet W of toner container 32Y is opened and closed. A main body side shutter 89 is installed. The main body side shutter 89 is formed in a curved surface along the peripheral surface of the toner container 32Y (cap portion 32Y1). The toner replenishing device 60Y (image forming apparatus main body 100) is provided with a sliding surface 69Yb for the main body side shutter 89 to slide in the circumferential direction. Note that a seal member for filling a gap with the main body side shutter 89 can be attached to the sliding surface 69Yb.
The main body-side shutter 89 is pushed by the cap portion 32Y1 (the guide portion 32Y1g and the abutting portion 32Y1h) in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the shutter member 32Y1a (the rotation operation of the cap portion 32Y1 of the toner container 32Y) to supply the toner. The mouth 60Ya is opened and closed. As a result, the toner discharge port W of the toner container 32Y and the toner supply port 60Ya of the toner supply device 60Y are communicated and shielded. This will be described in more detail later.

Next, the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
Referring to FIGS. 19 to 21, the toner container 32Y is a cylindrical toner container and includes a cap portion 32Y1 and a container body 32Y2.
The container body 32Y2 has an opening at the head and communicates with the inside of the cap portion 32Y1. A spiral projection 32Y2a is formed on the inner wall of the container body 32Y2. The container main body 32Y2 receives a driving force from the drive coupling 90 (engaged with the engaging portion 32Y2b provided at the bottom of the container main body 32Y2) of the image forming apparatus main body 100 and rotates in a predetermined direction. The toner accommodated inside is conveyed toward the cap portion 32Y1. The toner discharged from the opening of the container main body 32Y2 is discharged from the toner discharge port W provided on the peripheral surface of the cap portion 32Y1 (toner container 32Y), and is supplied to the toner supply device 60Y via the toner supply port 60Ya. The toner tank 61Y is replenished (see also FIGS. 32 to 34).

  Referring to FIG. 24, two scrapers 32Y30 are installed in the opening of container body 32Y2. The scraper 32Y30 rotates together with the container main body 32Y to efficiently transfer the toner in the vicinity of the opening in the container main body 32Y to the cap portion 32Y1 side.

  Referring to FIG. 20, in the first embodiment, the two engaging portions 32Y2b of the toner container 32Y that engage with the two claw members of the drive coupling 90 of the apparatus main body 100 are connected to the container main body 32Y2. Arranged at a distribution angle of 180 degrees with respect to the rotation center axis. On the other hand, three or more claw members of the drive coupling 90 of the apparatus main body 100 are formed, and three or more engaging portions 32Y2b of the toner container 32Y are formed so as to engage with the claw members, It is also possible to dispose the engaging portions at equal distribution angles with respect to the rotation center axis of the container body 32Y2. In this case, torque fluctuations when the toner container 32Y is rotationally driven can be reduced. However, the engaging member and the claw member are increased during the mounting operation of the toner container 32Y by an amount corresponding to an increase in the number of engaging portions (claw members). Will increase the probability of interference. Therefore, the number of engaging portions (claw members) is a combination of the quality of toner discharge from the toner container 32Y due to torque fluctuation and the quality of the toner container 32Y due to interference between the engagement member and the claw member. It is necessary to set it by judging.

On the other hand, the cap portion 32Y1 is fixedly held on the toner replenishing device 60Y (image forming apparatus main body) by the mounting operation on the toner replenishing device 60Y (image forming apparatus main body). That is, the cap part 32Y1 after the setting to the toner replenishing device 60Y is completed is not rotationally driven, and only the container body 32Y2 that is rotatably installed with respect to the cap part 32Y1 is rotationally driven. .
The sealing performance between the cap portion 32Y1 and the container main body 32Y2 is ensured by a sealing material 32Y20b (see FIGS. 29, 31 and the like) attached to the gripping portion main body 32Y120 of the cap portion 32Y1. That is, referring to FIG. 24 and FIG. 31, the opening of the container main body 32Y2 bites into and slides on the sealing material 32Y20b of the cap portion 32Y1, thereby preventing the toner from leaking out between the two members.

22 to 24, the cap portion 32Y1 includes a toner discharge port W, a shutter member 32Y1a, a guide portion 32Y1g, a contact portion 32Y1h, a pushing portion 32Y1k, an electronic board 32Y1c, and an incompatible projection member 32Y1d. Further, a color identification rib 32Y1e (protrusion member), a guide rib 32Y1f, a grip portion 32Y1b, an elastic member 125, and the like are provided. Moreover, the standing part W1 and the collar W2 are formed in the guide part 32Y1g.
In addition, the cap part 32Y1 fits the cap part main body 32Y10 shown in FIG. 25 and the grip part main body 32Y20 shown in FIGS. 29 and 30 so that the rib part 32Y20c of the grip part main body 32Y20 (see FIG. 29 can be referred to). ) As an adhesive surface.

The shutter member 32Y1a is configured to open and close the toner discharge port W in conjunction with the attachment / detachment operation of the toner container 32Y with respect to the toner supply device 60Y (image forming apparatus main body 100).
Specifically, when the toner container 32Y is attached to the toner replenishing device 60Y (image forming apparatus main body 100), the user holds the toner container 32Y while holding the grip portion 32Y1b (in the state of FIG. 19) of the toner container 32. It pushes toward the insertion port 110Y (refer FIG. 9) of the apparatus main body 100 from the bottom part of 32Y container main body 32Y2. The insertion slot 110Y and the guide rib 32Y1f on the cap part main body 32Y10 are engaged with the first guide groove 111Y to restrict the rotation of the cap part 32Y1. After that, the rotation is further restricted and the incompatible projection member 32Y1d and the color identification rib 32Y1e exceed the second guide groove 112Y. Then, after the engaging portion 32Y2b provided at the bottom of the toner container 32Y is engaged with the drive coupling 90, the shutter portion 32Y1a is manually rotated by about 90 degrees in the clockwise direction so that the shutter member 32Y1a becomes the toner replenishing device. Engagement with the 60Y restricting member restricts the rotation, and the toner discharge port W is opened. At this time, the toner discharge port W faces downward and engages (communicates) with the toner supply port 60Ya of the toner tank unit 61Y (the state shown in FIGS. 32 to 34), and the cap unit 32Y1 is in the toner supply device. It is fixedly held at 60Y. On the other hand, when the toner container 32Y is taken out from the toner replenishing device 60Y (image forming apparatus main body 100), the operation is performed in a procedure reverse to the operation at the time of mounting described above. Further, in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the shutter member 32Y1a (rotating operation of the cap portion 32Y1 of the toner container 32Y), the main body side shutter 89 (see FIGS. 18 and 34) of the toner replenishing device 60Y is connected to the cap portion 32Y1 (see FIG. 18 and FIG. 34). The toner supply port 60Ya is opened and closed by being pushed by the guide portion 32Y1g and the contact portion 32Y1h).
29, in order to improve the operability of the gripping portion 32Y1b, the gripping portion main body 32Y20 is provided with a recess 32Y1b1 on the upper surface of the gripping portion 32Y1b, and a recess 32Y20a is also provided below the gripping portion 32Y1b. ing.

Referring to FIG. 22, a guide portion 32Y1g is formed around the toner discharge port W in the cap portion 32Y1 (toner container 32Y) so as to protrude on the peripheral surface thereof. The guide portion 32Y1g is formed to engage with a groove (see FIG. 35) formed in the inner wall of the shutter member 32Y1a, and opens and closes the toner discharge port W in the circumferential direction of the shutter member 32Y1a. ).
Referring to FIG. 23, the guide portion 32Y1g is provided with an upright portion W1, and further, a collar W2 is provided around it. The standing portion W1 bites into the elastic member 125 (see FIG. 35) stuck to the back surface of the shutter member 32Y1a when the shutter member 32Y1a closes the toner discharge port W and seals both members. Or when the shutter member 32Y1a opens the toner discharge port W, it bites into a seal member (not shown) attached around the toner supply port 60Ya to improve the sealing performance of both members. It is for doing.

The electronic board 32Y1c is an RFID or the like, and as described above with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, information about the toner container 32Y and the image forming apparatus main body 100 with the image forming apparatus main body (antenna substrate 120). It is for communication.
The incompatible protrusion member 32Y1d is engaged with the image forming apparatus main body 100 when the toner container 32Y is mounted in the longitudinal direction with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 100 to prevent erroneous setting of different types of containers. belongs to. For example, the incompatible projection member 32Y1d is a case where a company different from the manufacturer sells the image forming apparatus under a different brand and the manufacturer supplies a toner container to the other company. It is provided when the toner container is distinguished from that of another company. The incompatible projection member 32Y1d is formed on the peripheral surface of the toner container 32Y so as to sandwich the electronic substrate 32Y1c together with the shutter member 32Y1a (with the toner discharge port closed).

  Referring to FIG. 25, the color identification rib 32Y1e (projection member) is connected to the yellow toner container 32Y in the yellow insertion port 110Y (toner supply device 60Y) as described above with reference to FIG. The toner containers 32M, 32C, and 32K of different colors are configured so as not to be erroneously set. 25, the yellow color identification rib 32Y1e shown in FIG. 25, the magenta color identification rib 32M1e shown in FIG. 26, the cyan color identification rib 32C1e shown in FIG. 27, and the black color shown in FIG. The color identification ribs 32K1e are different from each other in their rib positions and only match the second guide grooves 112Y, 112M, 112C, 112K (see FIG. 9) of the corresponding insertion ports 110Y, 110M, 110C, 110K. It is formed to do.

  19 and 25 to 28, the guide ribs 32Y1f, 32M1f, 32C1f, and 32K1f are the insertion ports 110Y, 110M, 110C, and 110K of the toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K (see FIG. 9). The toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are guided so as to be attached and detached in a correct posture.

Here, in the first embodiment, the container 32Y is an arbitrary plane (for example, a floor surface) in a state where the shutter member 32Y1a closes the toner discharge port W (the state shown in FIGS. 19, 24, etc.). ) When mounted on the electronic substrate 32Y1c, the shutter member 32Y1a and a part of the toner container 32Y serve as a support point that comes into contact with the flat surface, so that the electronic substrate 32Y1c does not contact the flat surface (floor surface). Specifically, the electronic substrate 32Y1c is disposed so as to be inherent in the projection region of the container 32Y including the shutter member 32Y1a when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the toner container 32Y in a state where the shutter member 32Y1a closes the toner discharge port W. (See FIG. 21A and the like.) Further, an incompatible protrusion member 32Y1d is disposed so as to sandwich the electronic substrate 32Y1c together with the shutter member 32Y1a. With such a configuration, the shutter member 32Y1a and the incompatible projection member 32Y1d serve as a support point, and the electronic substrate 32Y1c does not directly contact the plane. In other words, referring to FIG. 24, electronic substrate 32Y1c is disposed within a range not exceeding a virtual tangent line that contacts shutter member 32Y1a and incompatible projection member 32Y1d.
With such a configuration, the shutter member 32Y1a installed on the peripheral surface of the toner container 32Y can be used even when the toner container 32Y is placed on the floor surface or the like without being set in the image forming apparatus main body 100. Since the electronic substrate 32Y1c is configured not to be in contact with the flat surface because the protruding member 32Y1d is a support point that contacts the arbitrary plane, the electronic substrate 32Y1c is not damaged, and the image forming apparatus main body 100 is positioned in the depth direction. Limiting the sensitivity of wireless communication between the electronic substrate 32Y1c and the image forming apparatus main body 100 (antenna 121Y) can be suppressed without increasing the size.

Hereinafter, the characteristic configuration and operation of the toner container 32Y (image forming apparatus 100) according to the first embodiment will be described in detail.
Referring to FIG. 22, guide portion 32Y1g is formed around toner discharge port W at cap portion 32Y1 of toner container 32Y so as to protrude on the peripheral surface thereof. The guide portion 32Y1g is formed to engage with a groove (see FIG. 35) formed in the inner wall of the shutter member 32Y1a, and opens and closes the toner discharge port W in the circumferential direction of the shutter member 32Y1a. ).
The end surface 32Y1g1 of the guide portion 32Y1g pushes the main body side shutter 89 (see FIG. 18) in conjunction with the opening operation of the shutter member 32Y1a (the operation of opening the toner discharge port W). As a result, the toner supply port 60Ya is opened, and the toner supply port 60Ya communicates with the toner discharge port W. Referring to FIG. 18, end surface 32 </ b> Y <b> 1 g <b> 1 of guide portion 32 </ b> Y <b> 1 abuts on one side end portion 89 a of main body side shutter 89.
With such a configuration, even if toner adheres around the toner supply port 60Ya, the shutter member 32Y1a and the main body-side shutter 89 are reliably engaged, and the shutter member 32Y1a is opened (the rotation of the cap portion 32Y1). The main body side shutter 89 is reliably opened in conjunction with the operation, and the poor communication between the toner discharge port W and the toner supply port 60Ya is suppressed. Further, since the toner dropped from the toner container 32Y is hidden by the main body side shutter 89 around the toner supply port 60Ya, the dirt of the toner is not visible to the user when the toner container 32Y is replaced, and an unpleasant impression is not given.

Here, in the first embodiment, a pushing portion 32Y1k that pushes the main body side shutter 89 together with the end surface 32Y1g1 of the guide portion 32Y1g in conjunction with the opening operation of the shutter member 32Y1a is further provided. The pushing portion 32Y1k is a step formed on the peripheral surface of the cap portion 32Y1 so as to be flush with the end surface 32Y1g1 of the guide portion 32Y1g, and together with the end surface 32Y1g1 of the guide portion 32Y1g, one end of the main body side shutter 89. Abutting on the portion 89a (see FIG. 18), the body side shutter 89 is pushed in conjunction with the opening operation of the shutter member 32Y1a.
By providing the pressing portion 32Y1k, the operation of pressing the main body side shutter 89 is performed with a good balance. The shape of the pushing portion 32Y1k is not limited to that of the first embodiment, and may be, for example, a pin standing on the peripheral surface of the cap portion 32Y1.

Referring to FIG. 22, the cap portion 32Y1 of the toner container 32Y is provided with an abutting portion 32Y1h that stands on its peripheral surface. The abutting portion 32Y1h abuts on the opposite end 89b (see FIG. 18) of the main body-side shutter 89 that abuts on the end surface 32Y1g1 of the guide portion 32Y1g, and the main-body-side shutter 89 together with the guide portion 32Y1g (end surface 32Y1g1). It is comprised so that it may pinch.
Then, in conjunction with the closing operation of the shutter member 32Y1a (the operation of closing the toner discharge port W), the contact portion 32Y1h pushes the main body side shutter 89, thereby closing the toner supply port 60Ya. become.
With such a configuration, the toner dropped from the toner container 32Y around the toner supply port 60Ya is concealed by the main body-side shutter 89, so that the dirt on the toner does not appear to the user when replacing the toner container 32Y and gives an unpleasant impression. Absent.

Referring to FIG. 22, shutter member 32Y1a in the first embodiment is provided with a collar portion 32Y1a1 extending in the longitudinal direction. The flange portion 32Y1a1 covers the opening 85a of the toner receiving portion 85 of the toner supply device 60Y when the toner container 32Y is set in the toner supply device 60Y (see FIG. 33). As a result, the user is not given an unpleasant impression without showing the collected toner in the toner receiving portion 85.
In the drawings other than FIGS. 22 and 33, the collar portion 32Y1a1 is not shown for the sake of simplicity.

In the first embodiment, referring to FIG. 34, the distance from the peripheral surface of the cap portion 32Y1 (toner container 32Y) to the outer peripheral surface of the guide portion 32Y1g is H1, and the cap portion 32Y1 (toner container 32Y) When the distance from the peripheral surface to the sliding surface 60Yb of the toner replenishing device 60Y (the sliding surface on which the main body side shutter slides) is H2,
H1 ≧ H2
The relationship is established. That is, the guide portion 32Y1g is configured to enter the toner supply device 60Y.
Thereby, the shutter member 32Y1a and the main body side shutter 89 are reliably engaged with each other in a state where the toner container 32Y is set in the toner supply device 60Y. The wall thickness of the main body side shutter 89 is set to be equal to or less than the distance H2 described above.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the end surface 32Y1g1 of the guide portion 32Y1g pushes the main body-side shutter 89 in conjunction with the opening operation of the shutter member 32Y1a of the toner container 32Y, so that the toner replenishing device 60Y ( The toner supply port 60Ya of the image forming apparatus main body 100) is opened to communicate with the toner discharge port W of the toner container 32Y. As a result, the toner replenishing device 60Y (image forming apparatus main body 100) communicating with the toner outlet W of the toner container 32Y does not cause a toner replenishment defect from the toner container 32Y to the toner replenishing apparatus 60Y (image forming apparatus main body 100). The toner dropped from the toner container 32Y around the toner replenishing port 60Ya is not visible to the user when replacing the toner container 32Y and does not give an unpleasant impression.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
36 and 37, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.
FIG. 36 is a perspective view showing a toner container according to Embodiment 2, and FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the head of the toner container. In the toner container 32Y according to the second embodiment, the point that the head side of the container main body 32Y2 is conical and the scraper 32Y30 is not installed at the opening of the container main body 32Y2 are the same as in the first embodiment. Different from that.

As shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, the toner container 32Y according to the second embodiment is also composed of a cap portion 32Y1 and a container main body 32Y2, as in the first embodiment.
Here, in the second embodiment, the head side of the container main body 32Y2 is configured in a conical shape toward the opening. Then, as shown in FIG. 37, the inclination angle θ2 of the helical protrusion 32Y2a in the conical portion is formed to be smaller than the inclination angle θ1 of the helical protrusion 32Y2a in the other portion ( θ1> θ2). With such a configuration, even when the toner in the container main body 32Y2 is conveyed toward the opening and reaches the portion formed in a conical shape, the toner conveyance speed is increased, so that the conical portion having a narrow occupation space is formed. In this way, problems that cause toner retention are suppressed. In the second embodiment, by providing a conical portion, it is possible to guide the toner from the opening of the container main body 32Y2 to the inner diameter of the sealing material 32Y20b of the cap portion 32Y1, and the movement of the toner to the toner discharge port W is achieved. It is possible to perform smoothly. Therefore, unlike the toner container of the first embodiment, the toner transport function can be achieved without providing the scraper 32Y30 at the opening of the container body 32Y2. Of course, if the cost permits, also in the second embodiment, it can be said that providing the scraper 32Y30 and promoting the stirring of the toner around the container main body 32Y2 and the toner discharge port W is beneficial to the toner transportability.

Also in the second embodiment, the cap portion 32Y1 of the toner container 32Y includes a toner discharge port W, a shutter member 32Y1a, a guide portion 32Y1g, an abutting portion 32Y1h, a pushing portion 32Y1k, an electronic substrate 32Y1c, and an incompatible one. Projection member 32Y1d, color identification rib 32Y1e (projection member), guide rib 32Y1f, grip portion 32Y1b, elastic member 125, and the like.
Then, in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the shutter member 32Y1a (the rotation operation of the cap portion 32Y1 of the toner container 32Y), the main body-side shutter 89 of the toner replenishing device 60Y pushes against the cap portion 32Y1 (the guide portion 32Y1g and the contact portion 32Y1h). The toner supply port 60Ya is configured to be opened and closed by being moved.

  As described above, also in the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the end surface 32Y1g1 of the guide portion 32Y1g pushes the main body side shutter 89 in conjunction with the opening operation of the shutter member 32Y1a of the toner container 32Y. By doing so, the toner replenishing port 60Ya of the toner replenishing device 60Y (image forming apparatus main body 100) is opened and communicated with the toner discharge port W of the toner container 32Y. As a result, the toner replenishing device 60Y (image forming apparatus main body 100) communicating with the toner outlet W of the toner container 32Y does not cause a toner replenishment defect from the toner container 32Y to the toner replenishing apparatus 60Y (image forming apparatus main body 100). The toner dropped from the toner container 32Y around the toner replenishing port 60Ya is not visible to the user when replacing the toner container 32Y and does not give an unpleasant impression.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
38 and 39, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.
FIG. 38 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the toner container in the third embodiment. FIG. 39 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another type of toner container. The toner container 32Y according to the third embodiment is different from that according to the first embodiment in that a conveying member 320 is installed inside the container main body.

As shown in FIG. 38, the toner container 32Y according to the third embodiment includes a container body that is fixedly held on the image forming apparatus body 100 by the mounting operation to the image forming apparatus body 100 (toner supply device 60Y), And a conveying member 320 disposed inside.
The conveying member 320 is supported at both ends rotatably on the top side and the bottom side of the container body. The conveying member 320 is provided with a plurality of stirring blades 320a and an engaging portion 321 (driven coupling) that engages with the drive coupling 90 on the bottom side. With such a configuration, upon receiving a driving force from the drive coupling 90 of the image forming apparatus main body 100, the conveying member 320 rotates in a predetermined direction and conveys the toner contained in the toner container 32Y in the longitudinal direction ( This is the conveyance in the left direction in FIG. As a result, the toner is discharged from the toner discharge port W toward the toner tank 61Y.

  In the third embodiment, the conveying member 320 is configured to be supported at both ends rotatably on the top side and the bottom side of the container body. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 39, it can also be set as the structure by which the conveyance member 320 is cantilevered rotatably at the bottom part side of a container main body.

Although not shown, also in the third embodiment, the toner main body of the toner container 32Y includes a toner discharge port W, a shutter member 32Y1a, a guide part 32Y1g, a contact part 32Y1h, a pusher part 32Y1k, and an electronic board. 32Y1c, etc. are provided.
Then, in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the shutter member 32Y1a (rotating operation of the toner container 32Y), the main body side shutter 89 of the toner replenishing device 60Y is pushed by the container main body (the guide portion 32Y1g and the contact portion 32Y1h), and the toner The supply port 60Ya is configured to be opened and closed.

  As described above, also in the third embodiment, the end surface 32Y1g1 of the guide portion 32Y1g pushes the main body side shutter 89 in conjunction with the opening operation of the shutter member 32Y1a of the toner container 32Y in the same manner as each of the above embodiments. By doing so, the toner replenishing port 60Ya of the toner replenishing device 60Y (image forming apparatus main body 100) is opened and communicated with the toner discharge port W of the toner container 32Y. As a result, the toner replenishing device 60Y (image forming apparatus main body 100) communicating with the toner outlet W of the toner container 32Y does not cause a toner replenishment defect from the toner container 32Y to the toner replenishing apparatus 60Y (image forming apparatus main body 100). The toner dropped from the toner container 32Y around the toner replenishing port 60Ya is not visible to the user when replacing the toner container 32Y and does not give an unpleasant impression.

  In each of the above embodiments, only the toner is accommodated in the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K. However, image formation is performed by appropriately supplying a two-component developer composed of toner and carrier to the developing device. For the apparatus, the two-component developer can be accommodated in the container bodies of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K. Even in that case, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

  In each of the above embodiments, a part or all of the image forming units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K may be a process cartridge. Even in that case, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

  In each of the above embodiments, the toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K are all the toner tank unit (61Y), the toner transport unit (62Y, 63Y), the toner dropping path, with reference to FIG. The toner transport path formed by (64Y) is formed in an inverted N-shape (Russian character-like shape) (N-shape when viewed from the back side of the sheet of FIG. 1). The toner transport sections (62Y, 63Y) for the respective colors are provided above the process cartridges (image forming section 6Y) for the corresponding colors and above the attachment / detachment opening of the process cartridge with respect to the apparatus main body 100. Further, the upstream side in the transport direction of the toner container (32Y), the toner tank unit (61Y), and the toner transport unit (62Y, 63Y) of each color is not a process cartridge of the corresponding color but an adjacent process cartridge (left side in FIG. 1). It is provided above. With such a configuration, in the tandem image forming apparatus in which a plurality of process cartridges (image forming units) are arranged in parallel, the process cartridge and the toner replenishing device are used when the process cartridge (image forming unit) is attached and detached. In addition, the vertical layout from the toner container of each color to the process cartridge can be made compact, and an image forming apparatus that does not cause variations in the amount of toner replenishment can be provided.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, the embodiments can be modified as appropriate in addition to those suggested in the embodiments. Is clear. In addition, the number, position, shape, and the like of the constituent members are not limited to the above embodiments, and can be set to a number, position, shape, and the like that are suitable for carrying out the present invention.

1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows an image formation part. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a toner supply device. FIG. 3 is a top view illustrating a toner supply device. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a toner supply device. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a toner supply device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of a toner container housing portion of the image forming apparatus main body. FIG. 8 is a front view illustrating a cover that covers the toner container housing portion of FIG. 7. FIG. 6 is a front view showing a toner container housing portion. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a holding unit of a toner container storage unit. FIG. 6 is a top view illustrating a state where a toner container is installed in the toner supply device. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state where a toner container is installed in the toner supply device. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a toner supply device. FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating an appearance of a toner supply device. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an appearance of a toner supply device. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the toner replenishing device from another angle in a state where the main body side shutter is not installed. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the toner replenishing device from another angle in a state where the main body side shutter is not installed. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the toner replenishing device from another angle in a state where a main body side shutter is installed. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a toner container. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the toner container as viewed from the bottom side. 3 is a three-side view illustrating a toner container. FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a head side of a toner container in a state where a shutter member is opened. 3 is a perspective view showing a cap portion of a toner container. FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the head of a toner container. 4 is a perspective view showing a cap body of a yellow toner container. FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a cap portion main body of a magenta toner container. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a cap body of a cyan toner container. It is a perspective view showing a cap part body of a toner container for black. It is a 6th page figure showing the grasping part main part of a cap part. It is a perspective view which shows the holding part main body of a cap part. It is a perspective view which shows the inside of a cap part. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a head side of a toner container installed in a toner supply device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a toner supply device in which a toner container is installed. FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view showing a toner supply device in which a toner container is installed. It is a perspective view which shows a shutter member. It is a perspective view which shows the toner container in Embodiment 2 of this invention. FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the head of the toner container of FIG. 36. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a toner container according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another type of toner container.

Explanation of symbols

5Y developing device,
31, 31Y, 31M, 31C, 31K toner container housing,
32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K toner containers,
32Y1 cap part,
32Y1a shutter member,
32Y1g guide part, 32Y1g1 end face,
32Y1h contact part,
32Y1k pusher,
32Y2 container body,
60Y, 60M, 60C, 60K toner supply device,
60 Ya toner supply port,
60Yb sliding surface,
89 Body side shutter,
100 Image forming apparatus main body (apparatus main body), W toner discharge port.

Claims (8)

A cylindrical toner container that is detachably mounted on the image forming apparatus main body,
A toner discharge port formed on the peripheral surface of the container for discharging the toner contained in the container;
A shutter member installed on the peripheral surface of the container to open and close the toner discharge port in conjunction with a rotation operation in a state of being installed in the image forming apparatus main body;
A guide portion formed around the toner discharge port so as to protrude on the peripheral surface of the container in order to guide the opening / closing operation in the circumferential direction of the shutter member;
With
The image forming apparatus main body includes a toner replenishing port that communicates with the toner discharge port, and a main body side shutter that opens and closes the toner replenishing port,
A toner container, wherein an end surface of the guide portion pushes the main body side shutter in conjunction with an opening operation of the shutter member to open the toner supply port and communicate with the toner discharge port.   2. The toner according to claim 1, further comprising a contact portion that contacts the opposite end portion of the main body side shutter that contacts the end surface of the guide portion and clamps the main body side shutter together with the guide portion. container.   3. The toner container according to claim 2, wherein the toner supply port is closed by the contact portion pushing the main body side shutter in conjunction with the closing operation of the shutter member. When the distance from the peripheral surface of the container to the outer peripheral surface of the guide portion is H1, and the distance from the peripheral surface of the container to the sliding surface on which the main body side shutter slides in the image forming apparatus main body is H2,
H1 ≧ H2
The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the following relationship is established.   5. The toner according to claim 1, further comprising a pushing portion that pushes the main body side shutter together with an end surface of the guide portion in conjunction with an opening operation of the shutter member. container. A cap portion fixed to the image forming apparatus main body by a mounting operation on the image forming apparatus main body;
A container main body that communicates with the cap portion, receives a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body, rotates in a predetermined direction, and conveys toner accommodated therein toward the cap portion;
With
The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the toner discharge port, the shutter member, and the guide portion are installed in the cap portion. A container body fixedly held on the image forming apparatus body by a mounting operation on the image forming apparatus body;
A conveying member that is disposed inside the container main body and receives a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body and rotates in a predetermined direction to convey the toner accommodated in the longitudinal direction;
With
The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the toner discharge port, the shutter member, and the guide portion are installed in the container main body.   8. An image forming apparatus, wherein the toner container according to claim 1 is installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Images