JP5327577B2 - Toner container and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner container and an image forming apparatus, preventing damage of an electronic board installed in the toner container, preventing an image forming apparatus body from being increased in size in the depth direction, without limiting the sensitivity of radio communication between the electronic board and the image forming apparatus body. <P>SOLUTION: The toner container includes: a toner discharge opening; a shutter member 32Y1a for opening and closing the toner discharge opening; and the electronic board 32Y1c used for communication of information. When the toner container 32Y is placed on an optional plane with the toner discharge opening closed by the shutter member 32Y1a, the shutter member 32Y1a and a part 32Y1d of the toner container serve as supporting points in contact with the plane, so that the electronic board 32Y1c does not come into contact with the plane. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

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 a main body of the image forming apparatus is used (for example, Patent Document 1 to Patent Document 3). reference.). The toner accommodated in these toner containers is consumed in the developing process of the image forming process. When almost all the toner in the toner container is consumed, the toner container is appropriately replaced with a new one by the user.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-260260 discloses a technique for installing an electronic substrate (information storage means) such as an RFID, which is a cylindrical toner container (toner bottle).
Specifically, the electronic substrate is installed on the head (end surface on the front end side) of the cap portion of the toner container. When the toner container is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus with the cap portion side (the side where the electronic substrate is installed) of the toner container as the head and the longitudinal direction as the mounting direction, the toner container is installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus. An electronic substrate is fixed at a position facing the antenna substrate (antenna) so as to be capable of wireless communication. Necessary information is exchanged between the electronic substrate of the toner container and the antenna substrate of the image forming apparatus main body.

On the other hand, Patent Document 2 discloses a toner container (toner cartridge) provided with an electronic substrate (wireless communication tag) for communicating with an antenna substrate of the image forming apparatus main body, and is close to the outer peripheral surface of the toner container. A technique for storing an electronic substrate in a position is disclosed.
Patent Document 3 discloses a cylindrical toner container (toner cartridge), which is a shutter member that opens and closes in conjunction with the attachment / detachment operation of the toner container with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and a toner containing different color toners. A technique is disclosed in which a non-compatible projecting member for preventing the container from being erroneously mounted is installed on the peripheral surface of the toner container.

JP 2006-178146 A JP 2004-20910 A JP 2006-84755 A

  In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, when the toner container is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body with the cap portion side of the toner container at the top, the electronic board protruding from the end surface of the head of the cap portion is used as the apparatus main body. In some cases, it could be damaged by collision. In addition, since it is necessary to install the antenna substrate in the image forming apparatus main body with a predetermined gap with respect to the electronic substrate installed on the head end surface of the toner container, the depth dimension of the image forming apparatus main body (the toner container This is a dimension in the direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction.

  Further, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2 and the like described above, the electronic substrate is accommodated at a position close to the outer peripheral surface of the toner container, and the meat portion of the toner container is interposed between the electronic substrate of the toner container and the antenna substrate of the image forming apparatus body. Therefore, the sensitivity of wireless communication between the electronic substrate and the antenna substrate may be limited. In addition, since the electronic substrate is stored inside the toner container, the amount of toner stored in the toner container, the shape of the toner container, the installation location of the electronic substrate, and the like may be limited.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. The electronic substrate installed in the toner container is not damaged, and the image forming apparatus main body is not enlarged in the depth direction. An object of the present invention is to provide a toner container and an image forming apparatus in which the sensitivity of wireless communication with the forming apparatus main body is not limited.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a toner container is a toner container that is detachably installed in a main body of an image forming apparatus with a longitudinal direction horizontal, and the image forming is performed by a mounting operation on the main body of the image forming apparatus. A cap portion held by the apparatus main body, and communicating with the cap portion, receiving a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body, rotating in a predetermined direction, and conveying the toner contained therein toward the cap portion. In conjunction with a container main body , a toner discharge port formed upright from the peripheral surface of the cap portion for discharging toner contained in the container main body, and an attaching / detaching operation with respect to the image forming apparatus main body wherein the shutter member installed in the toner outlet on to open and close the toner outlet, is installed in the cap portion, between the image forming apparatus main body, before The toner container or the information about the image forming apparatus main body, or the toner container and example Bei a, an electronic board for performing information communication regarding the image forming apparatus main body, said shutter member has closed the toner outlet when the toner container in a state is placed on an arbitrary plane, the so shutter member and the supporting point part and is in contact with the plane of the toner container, the electronic substrate is not in contact with the plane A part of the toner container which is configured as described above and serves as one of the support points is a protruding member formed on the peripheral surface of the cap portion so as to sandwich the electronic substrate together with the shutter member in the longitudinal direction. Is .

A toner container according to a second aspect of the present invention is a toner container that is detachably installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus with the longitudinal direction horizontal, and discharges toner contained in the toner container. In order to open and close the toner discharge port in conjunction with an attaching / detaching operation to the image forming apparatus main body, the toner discharge port is installed on the toner discharge port. An electronic substrate for communicating information about the toner container or the image forming apparatus main body or information about the toner container and the image forming apparatus main body between the shutter member and the image forming apparatus main body. When the toner container is placed on an arbitrary plane with the shutter member closing the toner discharge port, the shutter member and the toner A part of the container is configured to be a support point that contacts the plane, and the electronic substrate is configured not to contact the plane, and a part of the toner container that is one of the support points is disposed in the longitudinal direction. The projection member is formed on the peripheral surface of the toner container so as to sandwich the electronic substrate together with the shutter member.

A toner container according to a third aspect of the present invention is the toner container according to the first or second aspect, wherein a part of the toner container serving as one of the support points is placed in the longitudinal direction in the shutter member. The toner container is one end of the toner container opposite to the side where the toner is installed.

A toner container according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a toner container that is detachably installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus with the longitudinal direction horizontal, and discharges the toner contained in the toner container. the toner discharge port formed erected from the circumferential surface of the toner container, wherein is installed in the toner discharge opening on to open and close the toner outlet in synchronization with the detachment operation with respect to the image forming apparatus main body in order An electronic substrate for communicating information about the toner container or the image forming apparatus main body or information about the toner container and the image forming apparatus main body between the shutter member and the image forming apparatus main body. It is installed on the circumferential surface of the toner container, when it is mounted to the image forming apparatus main body, in the engaged position between the image forming apparatus main body, the corresponding A non-interchangeable protrusion member that prevents erroneous setting of different types of toner containers by passing only in the case of a toner container, and extends along the longitudinal direction on the peripheral surface of the toner container, and the image when it is attached to the forming apparatus, and a guide rib to prevent rotation in the circumferential direction of the toner container to pass through a position of engagement with the image forming apparatus main body, said guide ribs, the image forming The longitudinal direction of the toner container can be rotated in the circumferential direction after the electronic substrate and the protruding member have passed through the engagement position with the image forming apparatus main body when mounted on the apparatus main body. It is formed over a range longer than the electronic substrate and the protruding member in the direction .

A toner container according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the toner container according to the fourth aspect , wherein the toner container is placed on an arbitrary plane with the shutter member closing the toner discharge port. Sometimes, the shutter member and a part of the toner container serve as a support point that contacts the flat surface so as to sandwich the electronic substrate in the longitudinal direction of the toner container so that the electronic substrate does not contact the flat surface. It is configured.

A toner container according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the toner container according to the fifth aspect, wherein a part of the toner container that is one of the support points is disposed along with the shutter member in the longitudinal direction. And a protrusion member for incompatibility formed on the peripheral surface of the toner container so as to sandwich the toner.

A toner container according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the toner container according to the fifth or sixth aspect , wherein a part of the toner container serving as one of the support points is placed in the longitudinal direction in the shutter member. The toner container is one end of the toner container opposite to the side where the toner is installed.

A toner container according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the toner container according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, wherein the incompatible projecting member is a container of a different color toner. This is a rib for color identification that prevents erroneous setting.

A toner container according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is a toner container that is detachably installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus with the longitudinal direction horizontal, and discharges the toner contained in the toner container. In order to open and close the toner discharge port in conjunction with an attaching / detaching operation to the image forming apparatus main body, the toner discharge port is installed on the toner discharge port. Information on the toner container or the image forming apparatus main body, or the toner container and the image forming apparatus between the shutter member and the toner container exposed to the outside, An electronic board for communicating information about the main body, and the toner container is in an arbitrary plane with the shutter member closing the toner discharge port. When the electronic substrate is placed on the flat surface, the shutter member and a part of the toner container serve as a supporting point that contacts the flat surface so as to sandwich the electronic substrate in the longitudinal direction of the toner container. It is comprised so that it may not touch.

A toner container according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the electronic container according to the ninth aspect , wherein a part of the toner container that is one of the support points is placed along with the shutter member in the longitudinal direction. The protrusion member is formed on the peripheral surface of the toner container so as to sandwich the toner.

A toner container according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the toner container according to the ninth or tenth aspect , wherein a part of the toner container serving as one of the support points is disposed in the longitudinal direction in the shutter member. The toner container is one end of the toner container opposite to the side where the toner is installed.

A toner container according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the container held in the main body of the image forming apparatus by the mounting operation on the main body of the image forming apparatus according to any of the third to eleventh aspects of the present invention. A main body, and a conveying member that is disposed inside the container main body and that receives a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body and rotates in a predetermined direction to convey the toner contained therein in the longitudinal direction. The toner discharge port, the shutter member, and the electronic substrate are installed in the container body.

A toner container according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the toner container according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, wherein the conveying member is cantilevered by the container main body.

The toner container according to the invention of claim 14, wherein, in the invention described in claim 12, wherein the conveying member is one that is supported at both ends to the container body.
A toner container according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention is a toner container that is detachably installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus with the longitudinal direction being horizontal, and the image forming apparatus is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. A cap unit held by a main body, and a container that communicates with the cap unit and that receives a driving force from the main body of the image forming apparatus and rotates in a predetermined direction to convey the toner contained therein toward the cap unit. A main body, a toner discharge port formed upright from the peripheral surface of the cap portion for discharging the toner contained in the container main body, and the attachment / detachment operation with respect to the image forming apparatus main body. A shutter member installed on the toner discharge port to open and close the toner discharge port; and An electronic substrate for communicating with the main body information about the toner container or the image forming apparatus main body, or information about the toner container and the image forming apparatus main body, and the shutter member includes the shutter When the toner container is placed on an arbitrary plane with the toner discharge port closed, the shutter member and a part of the toner container sandwich the electronic substrate in the longitudinal direction of the toner container. The electronic substrate is configured to be a support point that contacts the flat surface so that the electronic substrate does not contact the flat surface.
A toner container according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the electronic container according to the fifteenth aspect, wherein a part of the toner container which is one of the support points is placed along with the shutter member in the longitudinal direction. This is a protruding member formed on the peripheral surface of the cap portion so as to sandwich the pin.
A toner container according to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention is the toner container according to the fifteenth or sixteenth aspect, wherein a part of the toner container serving as one of the support points is disposed in the longitudinal direction in the shutter member. The toner container is one end of the toner container opposite to the side where the toner is installed.
The toner container according to the invention of claim 18 is the toner container according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the electronic substrate is in a state in which the shutter member closes the toner discharge port. As viewed from the longitudinal direction of the container, the container is disposed so as to be inherent in the projection region of the container including the shutter member.
A toner container according to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention is the toner container according to any one of the first to eighteenth aspects, wherein the elastic member that absorbs an external force when the external force is applied to the shutter member. It is installed between the shutter member and the toner discharge port.
A toner container according to a twentieth aspect of the invention is the toner container according to the nineteenth aspect, wherein the shutter member closes the toner discharge port and the elastic member is compressed. In addition, when the toner container is placed on an arbitrary plane, the shutter member and a part of the toner container serve as a support point that contacts the plane so that the electronic substrate does not contact the plane. It is composed of.
An image forming apparatus according to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention is such that the toner container according to any one of the first to twentieth aspects is installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

  The present invention is configured so that the electronic board does not come into contact with a flat surface because the shutter member installed on the peripheral surface of the toner container and a part of the toner container serve as a support point that comes into contact with an arbitrary plane. The present invention provides a toner container and an image forming apparatus in which the image forming apparatus main body is not damaged, the size of the image forming apparatus main body is not increased in the depth direction, and the sensitivity of wireless communication between the electronic substrate and the image forming apparatus main body is not limited. Can do.

  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 32, 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 opposite 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 attached to the toner container accommodating 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 attaching operation, and the toner is discharged. The exit W is opened. 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 tanks of the toner supply devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K. .
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. A coupling 90, gear trains 81 to 84, 91, 92, a drive transmission shaft 81a, a shutter 86, a holding unit 115, an antenna substrate 120, and the like are included.

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. A drive coupling 90 is provided that engages (see FIG. 19). 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. 18, 23 to 26, 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, and 112K with which the protruding members 32Y1d, 32M1d, 32C1d, 32K1d, 32Y1e, 32M1e, 32C1e, and 32K1e (see FIGS. 18, 23 to 26, etc.) engage. 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, the antenna substrate 120 has electronic substrates 32Y1c, 32M1c, 32C1c, and 32K1c (FIGS. 18 and 23) installed on the peripheral surfaces of the four toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K arranged in parallel with the holding unit 115. To FIG. 26 etc.) Four antennas 121Y, 121M, 121C, 121K for performing communication with each other are arranged in parallel on the same plane so as to face the electronic boards 32Y1c, 32M1c, 32C1c, 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. .

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the electronic substrates 32Y1c, 32M1c, 32C1c, and 32K1c disposed on the peripheral surfaces of the plurality of toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K arranged in parallel with the holding unit 115 are respectively opposed. Since a plurality of antennas 121Y, 121M, 121C, 121K are provided with a single antenna substrate 120 arranged on the same plane, the electronic substrates 32Y1c, 32M1c, 32C1c, 32K1c and the antennas 121Y, 121M, 121C, 121K The toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K (or the image forming device) are not increased in size in the depth direction, and the component cost and manufacturing cost are relatively low. Assembling property can be improved.

In the first embodiment, referring to FIG. 30, 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. 30).
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 unit 61Y, toner transport units 62Y and 63Y, a toner dropping path 64Y, a stirring member 65Y, a toner end sensor 66Y, gear trains 81 to 84, a shutter 86, and the like are installed. Yes.
The toner tank 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 supply port 60Ya. . 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, a 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 is installed in the toner dropping path 64 </ b> Y. Specifically, when the developing device 5Y is mounted, the 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, when the developing device 5Y is taken out, the shutter 86 moves in a direction to close the toner dropping path 64Y by the urging force of the spring 87. 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.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, around the replenishment port 60Ya of the toner tank 61Y, seals such as a flock seal 67Y, a first sponge seal 68Y1, a second sponge seal 68Y2, and a third sponge seal 68Y3 are provided. The member is affixed. The first sponge seal 68Y1 is for ensuring a sealing property between the cap portion 32Y1 of the toner container 32Y (rotated to open and close the shutter member 32Y1a) and the toner tank portion 61Y. Thus, it is formed in a concave shape so as to surround the supply port 60Ya. The second sponge seal 68Y2 is in contact with the flange W2 (see FIG. 21) 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 third sponge seal 68Y3 contacts the open 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 downward (a position where the user cannot touch the eyes) from the R surface 60Yb shown in FIG.
Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, a replenishing port guide 69Y is installed at a position sandwiching the replenishing port 60Ya of the toner tank portion 61Y. The replenishing port guide 69Y is for allowing the flange W2 of the toner discharge port W of the toner container 32Y to enter, and prevents the toner discharge port W from slipping upward with respect to the replenishment port 60Ya.

Next, the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
Referring to FIGS. 18 to 20, the toner container 32Y is a cylindrical toner container, and includes a cap portion 32Y1 and a container main 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 tank portion 61Y of the toner supply device 60Y. (See also FIG. 30).

  Referring to FIG. 22, a scraper 32Y30 is 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. 19, 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. 27, 29, etc.) attached to the gripping portion main body 32Y120 of the cap portion 32Y1. That is, referring to FIG. 22 and FIG. 29, 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 both members.

Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, the cap portion 32Y1 includes a toner discharge port W, a shutter member 32Y1a, an electronic substrate 32Y1c, an incompatible protrusion member 32Y1d, a color identification rib 32Y1e (protrusion member), a guide rib 32Y1f, A grip portion 32Y1b, an elastic member 125, and the like are provided.
In addition, the cap part 32Y1 fits the cap part main body 32Y10 shown in FIG. 23 and the grip part main body 32Y20 shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, so that the rib part 32Y20c of the grip part main body 32Y20 (see FIG. 27 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 supply 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. 18) 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 with the supply port 60Ya of the toner tank unit 61Y (the state shown in FIG. 30), and the cap unit 32Y1 is fixedly held by the toner supply device 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.
Referring to FIG. 27, 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. 21, a standing portion W1 is provided around the toner discharge port W, and a collar W2 is provided around the standing portion W1. When the shutter member 32Y1a closes the toner discharge port W, the upright portion W1 bites into the elastic member 125 adhered to the back surface of the shutter member 32Y1a to improve the sealing performance of both members, or the shutter member 32Y1a When the toner discharge port W is opened, the seal member (not shown) stuck around the replenishment port 60Ya is bitten to improve the sealing performance of both members.

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. 23, the color identification rib 32Y1e (protruding 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. That is, the yellow color identification rib 32Y1e shown in FIG. 23, the magenta color identification rib 32M1e shown in FIG. 24, the cyan color identification rib 32C1e shown in FIG. 25, 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.

  18 and FIGS. 23 to 26, guide ribs 32Y1f, 32M1f, 32C1f, and 32K1f are insertion openings 110Y, 110M, 110C, and 110K of 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. 18, 22 and the like). ) 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. 20A, FIG. 32, etc.). 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. 22, electronic substrate 32Y1c is disposed within a range not exceeding virtual tangent line S 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.

In the first embodiment, the above-described guide rib 32Y1f extends in the longitudinal direction on the circumferential surface of the cap portion 32Y1 (toner container), and has a function of preventing the circumferential rotation of the toner container 32Y. doing. Specifically, referring to FIG. 32, when toner container 32Y rotates in the arrow direction of FIG. 32A, shutter member 32Y1a functions as a stopper, and toner container 32Y moves in the arrow direction of FIG. When rotating, the guide rib 32Y1f functions as a stopper to restrict the rotation range of the toner container 32Y.
Here, the guide rib 32Y1f includes a range in the longitudinal direction (a direction perpendicular to the paper in FIG. 32) including a range in the longitudinal direction of the electronic substrate 32Y1c and a range in which the color identification ribs 32Y1e exist. Is formed. As a result, when the toner container 32Y is attached to or detached from the toner replenishing device 60Y, a problem that the electronic substrate 32Y1c hits the insertion port 110Y or the like and is damaged is suppressed, and the toner color matches the corresponding developing device 5Y. Even though the toner container 32Y is correct, the problem that the cap portion 32Y1 rotates and interferes with the insertion slot 110Y can be solved.

In the first embodiment, referring to FIG. 31, the elastic member 125 adhered to the back surface of the shutter member 32Y1a is installed between the toner discharge port W in a state where the shutter member 32Y1a is closed. In addition, when an external force is applied to the shutter member 32Y1a, it also has a function of absorbing the external force. As a result, even when the shutter member 32Y1a functions as one of the support points for suppressing damage to the electronic substrate 32Y1c, it is possible to suppress a problem that the toner discharge port W or the like is damaged by an external force.
Further, in the first embodiment, the toner container 32Y is placed on an arbitrary plane even when the shutter member 32Y1a closes the toner discharge port W and the elastic member 125 is compressed. In some cases, the shutter member 32Y1a and the protrusion member 32Y1d serve as a support point that contacts the plane, and the electronic substrate 32Y1c does not contact the plane. As a result, even if the elastic member 125 is deformed by an external force or the like, the shutter member 32Y1a and the protruding member 32Y1d serve as support points, and damage to the electronic substrate 32Y1c is suppressed.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the shutter member 32Y1a and the protruding member 32Y1d installed on the peripheral surface of the toner container 32Y serve as a support point that contacts an arbitrary plane, and the electronic substrate 32Y1c does not contact the plane. Therefore, the electronic substrate 32Y1c and the image forming apparatus main body 100 (antenna 121Y) can be wirelessly communicated without damaging the electronic substrate 32Y1c and without increasing the size of the image forming apparatus main body 100 in the depth direction. Limiting the sensitivity can also be suppressed.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
33 and 34, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.
FIG. 33 is a perspective view showing the toner container according to Embodiment 2, and FIG. 34 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. 33 and 34, 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. As shown in FIG. 34, 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, an electronic substrate 32Y1c, an incompatible protrusion member 32Y1d, and a color identification rib 32Y1e (protrusion member). Guide ribs 32Y1f, gripping portions 32Y1b, elastic members 125, and the like are provided. When the toner container 32Y is placed on an arbitrary plane with the shutter member 32Y1a closing the toner discharge port W, the shutter member 32Y1a and the projecting member 32Y1d serve as a supporting point that contacts the plane. The substrate 32Y1c is configured not to contact the plane.

  Although illustration is omitted, also in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the periphery of the plurality of toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K arranged in parallel with the holding unit 115 of the apparatus main body 100 is used. A plurality of antennas 121Y, 121M, 121C, 121K facing the electronic boards 32Y1c, 32M1c, 32C1c, 32K1c installed on the surface are arranged in parallel on the same plane of the single antenna board 120. As a result, communication between the electronic boards 32Y1c, 32M1c, 32C1c, and 32K1c and the antennas 121Y, 121M, 121C, and 121K is satisfactorily performed, and the toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K (or the image forming apparatuses) are in the depth direction. Therefore, the parts cost and the manufacturing cost are relatively low without increasing the size, and the assembly of the apparatus can be improved.

  As described above, also in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the shutter member 32Y1a and the protruding member 32Y1d installed on the peripheral surface of the toner container 32Y serve as support points that contact an arbitrary plane. Thus, the electronic substrate 32Y1c and the image forming apparatus main body 100 are configured such that the electronic substrate 32Y1c is not damaged and the image forming apparatus main body 100 is not enlarged in the depth direction. Limiting the sensitivity of wireless communication with (antenna 121Y) can also be suppressed.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 35 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the toner container in the third embodiment. FIG. 36 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another type of toner container. FIG. 37 is a schematic view showing a state where the toner container is left stationary. The toner container 32Y according to the third embodiment is configured so that the shutter member 32Y1a and one end of the container serve as a supporting point so that the electronic substrate 32Y1c does not contact an arbitrary plane, and the toner container 32Y is transported inside the container body. The point where the member 320 is installed is different from that of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 35, 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. 36, 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.

  In the third embodiment, a shutter member 32Y1a for opening and closing the toner discharge port W and an electronic substrate 32Y1c are installed on the peripheral surface of the toner container 32Y (container body). In Embodiment 3, the shutter member 32Y1a and the protrusion member 32Y1d are not supported as in the case of Embodiment 1 so that the electronic substrate 32Y1c does not contact an arbitrary plane. The shutter member 32Y1a and one end of the toner container 32Y (one end on the bottom side) serve as a support point so that the electronic substrate 32Y1c does not contact any plane. That is, as shown in FIG. 37, the electronic substrate 32Y1c is disposed within a range that does not exceed a virtual tangent line that contacts the shutter member 32Y1a and one end of the toner container 32Y.

  Although illustration is omitted, also in the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the circumference of the plurality of toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K arranged in parallel with the holding unit 115 of the apparatus main body 100 is also described. A plurality of antennas 121Y, 121M, 121C, 121K facing the electronic boards 32Y1c, 32M1c, 32C1c, 32K1c installed on the surface are arranged in parallel on the same plane of the single antenna board 120. As a result, communication between the electronic boards 32Y1c, 32M1c, 32C1c, and 32K1c and the antennas 121Y, 121M, 121C, and 121K is satisfactorily performed, and the toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K (or the image forming apparatuses) are in the depth direction. Therefore, the parts cost and the manufacturing cost are relatively low without increasing the size, and the assembly of the apparatus can be improved.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, the shutter member 32Y1a installed on the peripheral surface of the toner container 32Y and one end of the toner container 32Y serve as a support point that contacts an arbitrary plane, and the electronic substrate 32Y1c is flat. Since the electronic substrate 32Y1c is not damaged, the electronic substrate 32Y1c and the image forming apparatus main body 100 (antenna 121Y) are wirelessly connected without damage to the electronic substrate 32Y1c and without increasing the size of the image forming apparatus main body 100 in the depth direction. Limiting the sensitivity of communication can also be suppressed.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
The fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 38 is a top view showing a state where the toner container is installed in the toner supply device according to the third embodiment. In the toner supply device according to the fourth exemplary embodiment, the antenna substrate 120 is disposed above the plurality of toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K. The antenna substrate 120 includes the plurality of toner containers 32Y and 32M. , 32C and 32K are different from those of the first embodiment.

Similarly to the first embodiment, the toner container 32Y according to the fourth embodiment also includes a cap portion 32Y1 and a container main body 32Y2.
Also in the fourth embodiment, the cap portion 32Y1 of the toner container 32Y includes the toner discharge port W, the shutter member 32Y1a, the electronic substrate 32Y1c, the incompatible protrusion member 32Y1d, and the color identifying member. Ribs 32Y1e (protruding members), guide ribs 32Y1f, gripping portions 32Y1b, elastic members 125, and the like are provided. When the toner container 32Y is placed on an arbitrary plane with the shutter member 32Y1a closing the toner discharge port W, the shutter member 32Y1a and the projecting member 32Y1d serve as a supporting point that contacts the plane. The substrate 32Y1c is configured not to contact the plane.

  As shown in FIG. 38, also in the fourth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the periphery of the plurality of toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K arranged in parallel with the holding unit 115 of the apparatus main body 100 is used. A plurality of antennas 121Y, 121M, 121C, 121K facing the electronic boards 32Y1c, 32M1c, 32C1c, 32K1c installed on the surface are arranged in parallel on the same plane of the single antenna board 120. As a result, communication between the electronic boards 32Y1c, 32M1c, 32C1c, and 32K1c and the antennas 121Y, 121M, 121C, and 121K is satisfactorily performed, and the toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K (or the image forming apparatuses) are in the depth direction. Therefore, the parts cost and the manufacturing cost are relatively low without increasing the size, and the assembly of the apparatus can be improved.

Here, in the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 38, the antenna substrate 120 is disposed above the plurality of toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K arranged in parallel with the holding unit 115. Yes. That is, the antenna substrate 120 is disposed at a position higher than the toner discharge port W disposed below the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a problem that the toner scattered from the toner discharge port W adheres to the antenna substrate 120 and causes communication failure between the antenna substrate 120 and the electronic substrate 32Y1c.
In the fourth embodiment, in a state where the toner container 32Y is set in the holding unit 115 (the state shown in FIG. 38), the toner discharge port W is positioned below the toner container 32Y, and the electronic substrate 32Y1c is In order to be positioned above the toner container 32Y, it is necessary to set the circumferential length of the shutter member 32Y1a to be longer than that of each of the above embodiments.

  As described above, also in the fourth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the shutter member 32Y1a and the protrusion member 32Y1d installed on the peripheral surface of the toner container 32Y serve as support points that contact an arbitrary plane. Thus, the electronic substrate 32Y1c and the image forming apparatus main body 100 are configured such that the electronic substrate 32Y1c is not damaged and the image forming apparatus main body 100 is not enlarged in the depth direction. Limiting the sensitivity of wireless communication with (antenna 121Y) can also be suppressed.

  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.

  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. 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. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a toner supply device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the toner supply device from another angle. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the toner replenishing device from still another angle. 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. 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. It is a perspective view which shows a shutter member. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a toner container rolls. It is a perspective view which shows the toner container in Embodiment 2 of this invention. FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the head of the toner container in FIG. 33. 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. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state where a toner container is left stationary. FIG. 10 is a top view illustrating a state where a toner container is installed in a toner supply device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

5Y developing device,
31, 31Y, 31M, 31C, 31K toner container housing,
32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K toner containers,
32Y1 cap part,
32Y10 cap body, 32Y20 grip body,
32Y1a shutter member, 32Y1b gripping part,
32Y1c, 32M1c, 32C1c, 32K1c electronic board,
32Y1d, 32M1d, 32C1d, 32K1d
32Y1e, 32M1e, 32C1e, 32K1e Color identification ribs,
32Y1f, 32M1f, 32C1f, 32K1f guide ribs,
32Y2 container body, 32Y2b engagement part,
60Y, 60M, 60C, 60K toner supply device,
61Y toner tank,
62Y toner transfer screw,
63Y toner transfer tube,
64Y toner drop path,
64 Ya drop port,
65Y stirring member,
100 Image forming apparatus body (apparatus body),
115 holding part,
120 antenna substrate,
121Y, 121M, 121C, 121K antenna,
125 elastic member,
320 Conveying member, W Toner discharge port.

Claims (21)

A toner container that is detachably installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus with the longitudinal direction horizontal ;
A cap portion held by 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;
A toner discharge port formed upright from the peripheral surface of the cap portion for discharging the toner contained in the container body ;
A shutter member disposed in the toner outlet on in order to open and close the toner outlet in synchronization with the detachment operation with respect to the image forming apparatus main body,
An electronic device that is installed in the cap unit and communicates with the image forming apparatus main body, information about the toner container or the image forming apparatus main body, or information about the toner container and the image forming apparatus main body. A substrate,
Bei to give a,
When the toner container is placed on an arbitrary plane with the shutter member closing the toner discharge port, the shutter member and a part of the toner container serve as a support point that contacts the plane. Te, the electronic substrate is configured so as not to contact the plane,
A part of the toner container serving as one of the support points is a protruding member formed on the peripheral surface of the cap portion so as to sandwich the electronic substrate together with the shutter member in the longitudinal direction. Toner container. A toner container that is detachably installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus with the longitudinal direction horizontal;
A toner outlet formed upright from the peripheral surface of the toner container for discharging the toner contained in the toner container;
A shutter member installed on the toner discharge port to open and close the toner discharge port in conjunction with an attaching / detaching operation to the image forming apparatus main body;
An electronic substrate for communicating information about the toner container or the image forming apparatus main body, or information about the toner container and the image forming apparatus main body, with the image forming apparatus main body;
With
When the toner container is placed on an arbitrary plane with the shutter member closing the toner discharge port, the shutter member and a part of the toner container serve as a support point that contacts the plane. The electronic substrate is configured not to contact the plane,
A part of the toner container serving as one of the support points is a protruding member formed on the peripheral surface of the toner container so as to sandwich the electronic substrate together with the shutter member in the longitudinal direction. Toner container. The part of the toner container serving as one of the support points is one end of the toner container opposite to the side on which the shutter member is installed in the longitudinal direction. The toner container according to claim 2. A toner container that is detachably installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus with the longitudinal direction horizontal ;
A toner outlet formed upright from the peripheral surface of the toner container for discharging the toner contained in the toner container;
A shutter member disposed in the toner outlet on in order to open and close the toner outlet in synchronization with the detachment operation with respect to the image forming apparatus main body,
An electronic substrate for communicating information about the toner container or the image forming apparatus main body, or information about the toner container and the image forming apparatus main body, with the image forming apparatus main body;
When the toner container is installed on the peripheral surface of the toner container and is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, by passing only in the case of the corresponding toner container at the engagement position with the main body of the image forming apparatus, Protruding members for incompatibility to prevent erroneous setting of different types of toner containers,
The toner container extends along the longitudinal direction on the peripheral surface of the toner container, and is attached to the image forming apparatus body until the toner container passes through an engagement position with the image forming apparatus body. Guide ribs to prevent circumferential rotation;
With
When the guide rib is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, the toner container can be rotated in the circumferential direction after the electronic substrate and the protruding member have passed through the engagement position with the main body of the image forming apparatus. The toner container is formed over a longer range than the electronic substrate and the protruding member in the longitudinal direction . When the toner container is placed on an arbitrary plane with the shutter member closing the toner discharge port, the shutter member and a part of the toner container are in the longitudinal direction of the toner container. The toner container according to claim 4, wherein the electronic substrate is configured to be a support point that contacts the flat surface so as to sandwich the substrate so that the electronic substrate does not contact the flat surface. A part of the toner container serving as one of the support points is an incompatible protrusion member formed on the peripheral surface of the toner container so as to sandwich the electronic substrate together with the shutter member in the longitudinal direction. The toner container according to claim 5. Wherein a portion of one becomes the toner container of the support points, claim 5, characterized in that said shutter member in the longitudinal direction is one end of the toner container is opposite to the side that is installed or The toner container according to claim 6 . 8. The toner container according to claim 5, wherein the incompatible protrusion member is a color identification rib for preventing erroneous setting of a container containing toner of different colors. . A toner container that is detachably installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus with the longitudinal direction horizontal;
A toner outlet formed upright from the peripheral surface of the toner container for discharging the toner contained in the toner container;
A shutter member installed on the toner discharge port to open and close the toner discharge port in conjunction with an attaching / detaching operation to the image forming apparatus main body;
Information on the toner container or the image forming apparatus main body, or information on the toner container and the image forming apparatus main body, which is installed to be exposed to the outside in the toner container and between the image forming apparatus main body and An electronic board for communication;
With
When the toner container is placed on an arbitrary plane with the shutter member closing the toner discharge port, the shutter member and a part of the toner container are in the longitudinal direction of the toner container. A toner container configured to be a support point that contacts the flat surface so as to sandwich the substrate so that the electronic substrate does not contact the flat surface. A part of the toner container serving as one of the support points is a protruding member formed on the peripheral surface of the toner container so as to sandwich the electronic substrate together with the shutter member in the longitudinal direction. The toner container according to claim 9. The part of the toner container serving as one of the support points is one end of the toner container opposite to the side on which the shutter member is installed in the longitudinal direction. The toner container according to claim 10. A container body held by the image forming apparatus main body by a mounting operation on the image forming apparatus main body;
A conveying member that is disposed inside the container main body and that 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 3, wherein the toner discharge port, the shutter member, and the electronic substrate are installed in the container body. The toner container according to claim 12, wherein the conveying member is cantilevered by the container main body. The toner container according to claim 12, wherein the conveying member is supported at both ends by the container main body. A toner container that is detachably installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus with the longitudinal direction horizontal;
A cap portion held by 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;
A toner discharge port formed upright from the peripheral surface of the cap portion for discharging the toner contained in the container body;
A shutter member installed on the toner discharge port to open and close the toner discharge port in conjunction with an attaching / detaching operation to the image forming apparatus main body;
Information on the toner container or the image forming apparatus main body, or information on the toner container and the image forming apparatus main body between the image forming apparatus main body and the cap portion exposed to the outside. An electronic board for communication;
With
When the toner container is placed on an arbitrary plane with the shutter member closing the toner discharge port, the shutter member and a part of the toner container are in the longitudinal direction of the toner container. A toner container configured to be a support point that contacts the plane so as to sandwich the substrate, so that the electronic substrate does not contact the plane. A part of the toner container serving as one of the support points is a protruding member formed on the peripheral surface of the cap portion so as to sandwich the electronic substrate together with the shutter member in the longitudinal direction. The toner container according to claim 15. The part of the toner container serving as one of the support points is one end of the toner container opposite to the side on which the shutter member is installed in the longitudinal direction. The toner container according to claim 16. The electronic board is disposed so as to be inherent in a projection region of a container including the shutter member when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the container in a state where the shutter member closes the toner discharge port. The toner container according to claim 1. The elastic member which absorbs the external force when the external force acts on the shutter member is disposed between the shutter member and the toner discharge port. Toner container. Even when the shutter member closes the toner discharge port and the elastic member is compressed, when the toner container is placed on an arbitrary plane, the shutter member and the toner The toner container according to claim 19, wherein a part of the container serves as a support point that contacts the flat surface so that the electronic substrate does not contact the flat surface. 21. An image forming apparatus, wherein the toner container according to claim 1 is installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Images