JP5594654B2 - Shutter mechanism, powder supply apparatus, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a shutter mechanism installed at a supply port for supplying powder such as toner and two-component developer toward a second device connected to the first device, and a powder including the shutter mechanism The present invention relates to a supply device and an image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a composite machine thereof, toner and two-component developer toward a second apparatus connected to the first apparatus A technique of installing a shutter mechanism at a supply port for supplying powder such as, for example, is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Specifically, in Patent Document 1 and the like, when the nozzle (second device) of the toner replenishing device is attached / detached relative to the toner container (first device), the toner is interlocked with the attaching / detaching operation. A shutter provided at the supply port of the container is opened and closed. In this way, the shutter mechanism that automatically opens and closes the shutter in conjunction with the attachment and detachment operation of the apparatus, compared to the shutter mechanism that manually opens and closes the shutter, causes a large amount of toner to scatter from the supply port when the toner container is removed. It is known that it is possible to prevent such a problem that the toner is not replenished to the toner replenishing device without opening the shutter due to an error when the toner container is mounted.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, Patent Document 3, and the like, a guide mechanism (guide groove) that is a shutter mechanism provided in a supply port of a toner supply container (first device) for guiding the opening / closing operation of the shutter is provided. A technique is disclosed in which a recess is provided so as not to be exposed from a supply port when viewed from the developer hopper (second device) side. Patent Document 2 and the like disclose a technique in which a seal member is installed in a gap between both end portions of the shutter and the guide groove in order to ensure the sealing performance between the shutter and the first device.

  In the conventional shutter mechanism described above, the opening / closing operation of the shutter is not performed smoothly while the opening / closing operation of the shutter in conjunction with the attaching / detaching operation of the first device and the second device is repeated. There was a problem that the sealing performance deteriorated.

Specifically, in the above-mentioned technologies such as Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3, since the flat shutter is provided in the first device, the supply port of the first device and the opening of the second device Compared with the shutter mechanism of Patent Document 1 or the like that interposes a shutter between the two, the sealing property between the supply port and the opening of the second device can be improved. This also means that the degree of freedom of the shape and layout of the supply port (or the opening of the second device) in the first device is increased.
However, since the shutter and the guide groove are provided in the first device, the toner adheres to the guide groove and the front end of the shutter while the opening / closing operation of the shutter is repeated, and the toner is fixed in the course of time. There was a bug that would If the toner adheres to the guide groove or the front end of the shutter, the opening / closing operation of the shutter may not be performed smoothly, or the toner supply failure or the toner scattering due to the shutter opening / closing failure may occur. .
Such a problem is common even in a shutter mechanism installed at a supply port to which powder other than toner (for example, a two-component developer) is supplied.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and has a relatively simple configuration and has a sealing property of a supply port through which powder is supplied from the first device to the second device. An object of the present invention is to provide a shutter mechanism, a powder supply device, and an image forming apparatus that are high and do not cause a shutter opening / closing failure or a decrease in sealing performance even when the shutter opening / closing operation is repeated.

A shutter mechanism according to a first aspect of the present invention is a shutter mechanism installed at a supply port for supplying powder toward a second device connected to a first device, The shutter that opens and closes the supply port in conjunction with the relative attaching and detaching operation of the second device with respect to the first device, guides the opening and closing operation of the shutter, and the supply as viewed from the second device side A guide groove recessed so as not to be exposed from the mouth, and an elastic member installed in the first device so as to seal between the shutter in a state where the supply port is opened, The elastic member includes a non-sticking portion that is not attached to the first device, and the non-sticking portion of the shutter is interlocked with the opening operation when the shutter opens the supply port. it is intended to deform so as to cover the tip portion

The shutter mechanism according to a second aspect of the present invention is the shutter mechanism according to the first aspect, wherein the shutter has the tip end part of the elastic member when the supply port is opened. It rotates to bite in.

A shutter mechanism according to a third aspect of the present invention is the shutter mechanism according to the second aspect, further comprising a biasing member that biases the shutter in a direction to close the supply port. It rotates by the rotational moment by the urging | biasing force by the said urging | biasing member, and the force which acts when opening the said supply port against the urging | biasing force.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the shutter mechanism according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the elastic member is a position excluding a position covering the tip end portion of the shutter. And a low friction member on the surface facing the shutter.

A shutter mechanism according to a fifth aspect of the invention is a shutter mechanism installed at a supply port for supplying powder toward a second device connected to the first device, A shutter that opens and closes the supply port in conjunction with a relative attaching and detaching operation of the second device with respect to the first device, and guides the opening and closing operation of the shutter, and the supply port as viewed from the second device side. An elastic member installed in the first device so as to seal between the guide groove recessed so as not to be exposed from the shutter and the shutter in a state where the supply port is opened, The elastic member is configured to be deformed in conjunction with the opening operation of the shutter when the shutter opens the supply port, and covers the tip of the shutter, and the shutter is configured to cover the tip when the supply port is opened. Part of the elastic member It is intended to rotate so that the ends bite.

A shutter mechanism according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the shutter mechanism according to the fifth aspect , further comprising a biasing member that biases the shutter in a direction to close the supply port. It rotates by the rotational moment by the urging | biasing force by the said urging | biasing member, and the force which acts when opening the said supply port against the urging | biasing force.

The shutter mechanism according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the shutter mechanism according to the fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the elastic member is a position excluding a position covering the tip portion of the shutter. Is provided with a low-friction member on the surface facing the surface.

The shutter mechanism according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is a shutter mechanism installed at a supply port for supplying powder to a second device connected to the first device, A shutter that opens and closes the supply port in conjunction with a relative attaching and detaching operation of the second device with respect to the first device, and guides the opening and closing operation of the shutter, and the supply port as viewed from the second device side. An elastic member installed in the first device so as to seal between the guide groove recessed so as not to be exposed from the shutter and the shutter in a state where the supply port is opened, The elastic member is configured to be deformed in conjunction with the opening operation when the shutter opens the supply port to cover the front end portion of the shutter, and a position excluding a position covering the front end portion of the shutter And the shutter It is obtained by including a low-friction member on opposite sides.

A shutter mechanism according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the shutter mechanism according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the first device includes the elastic member and the shutter is A guide portion is provided for guiding the opening operation of the shutter when the supply port is opened.

A shutter mechanism according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is a shutter mechanism installed at a supply port for supplying powder toward a second device connected to the first device, The shutter that opens and closes the supply port in conjunction with the relative attachment and detachment operation of the second device with respect to the first device is sealed between the second device and the shutter that is open. An elastic member installed on the shutter so as to stop, and the elastic member includes a non-adhering portion that is not attached to the shutter, and the shutter opens when the supply port is opened. In conjunction with the operation, the non-adhering portion contacts the second device and deforms.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the shutter mechanism according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the elastic member is formed such that the non-sticking portion protrudes from a tip portion of the shutter. is there.

The shutter mechanism according to the invention of claim 12, wherein, in the invention described in claim 11, wherein the non-adhesive portion are those formed to 2~4mm protrudes from the distal end portion of the shutter .
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the tenth to twelfth aspects, the non-sticking portion is formed wide in the tip direction. .
According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the shutter mechanism according to any one of the tenth to thirteenth aspects, wherein the second device has a tapered portion where the non-sticking portion abuts. It is formed.
A shutter mechanism according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention is the shutter mechanism according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, wherein the shutter is relative to the first device relative to the first device. Engaging portions that engage with the second device in conjunction with the mounting operation are provided at both ends in the width direction orthogonal to the mounting direction.
A shutter mechanism according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the shutter mechanism according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects, wherein the powder is a toner or a two-component developer.
A shutter mechanism according to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention is the shutter mechanism according to any one of the first to sixteenth aspects, wherein the first device starts from a container in which new powder is stored. A replenishing device for replenishing powder, wherein the second device is a developing device for developing a latent image formed on an image carrier.
In the shutter mechanism according to the invention described in claim 18, in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 16, the first device is a container in which a new powder is accommodated. The second apparatus is an image forming apparatus main body.
According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the shutter mechanism according to any one of the first to sixteenth aspects, the first device is an image forming apparatus main body, and the second device is the second mechanism. The apparatus is a collection container for collecting used powder.
A shutter mechanism according to a twentieth aspect of the invention is the shutter mechanism according to any one of the first to sixteenth aspects, wherein the first device develops a latent image formed on the image carrier. In the developing device or the process cartridge, the second device is a collection unit that collects used powder.
According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, in the shutter mechanism according to any of the first to sixteenth aspects, the first device is a cleaning device or a process cartridge that cleans the image carrier. In this case, the second apparatus is a collection unit for collecting used powder.
A powder supply device according to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention is a powder supply device for supplying powder to the second device via the supply port, A shutter mechanism according to any one of claims 21 is provided, and the first device is provided.
An image forming apparatus according to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention includes the shutter mechanism according to any one of the first to twenty-first aspects.

  Since the present invention optimizes the configuration of the guide groove for guiding the opening / closing operation of the shutter and the elastic member installed between the shutter and the first device in the state where the supply port is opened, With a simple configuration, the supply port through which the powder is supplied from the first device to the second device has high sealing performance, and even if the shutter opening / closing operation is repeated, the shutter opening / closing failure and the sealing performance are deteriorated. A shutter mechanism, a powder supply device, and an image forming apparatus that do not occur can be provided.

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 schematic diagram illustrating a toner supply path. FIG. 6 is a rear view of the toner supply path as viewed from the back side. 1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state where a toner container is mounted on the image forming apparatus of FIG. 5. It is the perspective view which looked at the shutter mechanism from diagonally downward. It is the bottom view which looked at the shutter mechanism from the lower part. It is an exploded view of a shutter mechanism. It is sectional drawing which shows the opening / closing operation | movement of a shutter mechanism. It is an expanded sectional view showing a shutter mechanism. It is the schematic which shows the shutter mechanism in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the shutter mechanism in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the vicinity of the developing device in Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the developing device of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the shutter mechanism of the developing device of FIG. It is a figure which shows the state in which the shutter mechanism of FIG. 16 is connected to a collection | recovery part. It is a perspective view which shows the elastic member of another form.

  Hereinafter, embodiments 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.
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
First, the configuration and operation of the entire image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating a printer as an image forming apparatus, FIG. 2 is an enlarged view illustrating an image forming unit thereof, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a toner supply path.
As shown in FIG. 1, a toner container storage unit 31 above the image forming apparatus main body 100 has four toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K (contains) corresponding to each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black). 5) is detachably (replaceable) (see also the perspective view of FIG. 5).
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.

  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), and a cleaning unit 2Y ( A cleaning device), a charge removal unit (not shown), and the like. 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, 6K and toner replenishing devices 59M, 59C, 59K also have an image forming unit 6Y corresponding to yellow and a toner replenishing unit 59Y, except that the color of the toner used is different. The configuration is almost the same, and an image corresponding to each toner color is formed. Hereinafter, description of the other three image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K and toner replenishing devices 59M, 59C, and 59K will be omitted as appropriate, and only the image forming unit 6Y and toner replenishing device 59Y corresponding to yellow will be described. I will decide.

Referring to FIG. 2, the photosensitive drum 1Y is driven to rotate counterclockwise 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).
Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches the irradiation position of the laser light L emitted from the exposure device 7 (exposure unit), and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to yellow is formed by exposure scanning at this position. (It is an exposure process.)

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 (cleaning device), and untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1Y at this position is mechanically collected by the cleaning blade 2a. (This is a cleaning process.)
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 irradiated from the exposure unit 7 disposed above 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. Thus, a color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 of the intermediate transfer unit 15.

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 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 8 between the secondary transfer roller 19 and forms 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 the intermediate transfer cleaning unit. 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 conveyed to the position of the secondary transfer nip is conveyed 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 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 out of the apparatus 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 that faces the photosensitive drum 1Y, a doctor blade 52Y that faces the developing roller 51Y, two conveying screws 55Y, a density detection sensor 56Y that detects the toner density in the developer, and the like. The The developing roller 51Y includes a magnet fixed inside, a sleeve rotating around the magnet, and the like. In the developing device 5Y, a two-component developer G composed of carrier and toner is accommodated. The developing device 5Y (second device) communicates with the toner replenishing device 59Y (first device) via an opening (supply port 80a) formed above the developing device 5Y (second device).

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 consumption of toner in the developing device 5Y, the toner stored in the toner container 32Y is replenished into the developing device 5Y via the toner replenishing device 59Y (see FIG. 3).

  Thereafter, the toner replenished in the developing device 5Y circulates between the two separated developer accommodating portions 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 the upper portion of the developer accommodating portion as the sleeve rotates, and is detached from the developing roller 51Y at this position.

Next, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a toner replenishing device 59Y (replenishing device) as a powder supplying device that guides the toner contained in the toner container 32Y to the developing device 5Y will be described in detail.
Referring to FIG. 4, the toners in the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K (containers) installed in the toner container accommodating portion 31 of the apparatus main body 100 are the developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K for the respective colors. Depending on the toner consumption, the toner is appropriately supplied into each developing device via a toner supply path provided for each toner color. Specifically, the toner (powder) in the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K is conveyed to the toner replenishing devices 59Y, 59M, 59C, and 59K via the tubes 71Y, 71M, 71C, and 71K, and thereafter The toner is supplied to the developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K through the supply port. The four toner supply paths have substantially the same structure except that the color of the toner used in the image forming process is different.

  Specifically, referring to FIG. 3, when the toner container 32Y is set in the toner container housing portion 31 of the apparatus main body 100, the nozzle 70 of the toner container housing portion 31 is connected to the held portion 34Y of the toner container 32Y. . At this time, the plug member 34d of the toner container 32Y opens the toner discharge port of the held portion 34Y while being sandwiched between the nozzle 70 and the claw member 76 (biased by the leaf spring 77). . Thereby, the toner accommodated in the container main body 33Y of the toner container 32Y is conveyed into the nozzle 70 via the toner discharge port.

On the other hand, the other end of the nozzle 70 is connected to one end of the tube 71Y. The tube 71Y is made of a flexible material excellent in toner resistance, and the other end is connected to the screw pump 60 (Mono pump) of the toner replenishing device 59Y.
The tube 71Y is formed to have an inner diameter of 4 to 10 mm. As the material of the tube 71Y, a rubber material such as polyurethane, nitrile, EPDM, or silicon, or a resin material such as polyethylene or nylon can be used. By using such a flexible tube 71Y, the degree of freedom of the layout of the toner supply path is increased, and the image forming apparatus is downsized.

  The screw pump 60 is a suction type uniaxial eccentric screw pump, and includes a rotor 61, a stator 62, a suction port 63, a universal joint 64, a motor 66, and the like. The rotor 61, the stator 62, the universal joint 64, etc. are accommodated in a case (not shown). The stator 62 is an internally threaded member made of an elastic material such as rubber, and a double pitch spiral groove is formed in the stator 62. The rotor 61 is a male screw-like member formed by spirally twisting a shaft made of a rigid material such as metal, and is fitted into the stator 62 so as to be freely rotatable. One end of the rotor 61 is rotatably connected to a motor 66 via a universal joint 64.

  The screw pump 60 configured in this manner generates a suction force at the suction port 36 by rotating the rotor 61 in the stator 62 in a predetermined direction by the motor 66 (the air in the tube 71Y is sent to the tube). A negative pressure is generated in 71Y.) Thereby, the toner (powder) in the toner container 32Y is sucked into the suction port 63 through the tube 71Y together with air. The toner sucked up to the suction port 63 is fed into the gap between the stator 62 and the rotor 61, and is sent to the other end side along the rotation of the rotor 61. The delivered toner is discharged from the delivery port 67 of the screw pump 60 and reaches the toner conveyance unit 80. Then, the toner that has reached the toner conveying portion 80 of the toner replenishing device 59Y as the first device is conveyed from the right side to the left side in FIG. 3 by the conveying screw 81, and serves as the second device via the supply port 80a. It is supplied to the developing device 5Y (the movement in the direction of the broken line arrow in FIG. 3). Note that a shutter mechanism (shutter 83) is provided at the supply port 80a of the toner conveying portion 80 of the toner replenishing device 59Y, which will be described in detail later.

  As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, the toner container accommodating portion 31 is provided with four substantially cylindrical toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K (accommodators) that are detachable (respectively). See also FIG. Each of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K is replaced with a new one when it reaches the end of its life (when the toner to be accommodated is almost exhausted). The toners of the respective colors stored in the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K pass through the toner replenishing devices 59Y, 59M, 59C, and 59K described with reference to FIG. Replenish appropriately at 5K.

Here, in the first embodiment, as the toner as powder contained in the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K, the volume average particle diameter is Dv (μm) and the number average particle diameter is Dn (μm). When
3 ≦ Dv ≦ 8 (1)
1.00 ≦ Dv / Dn ≦ 1.40 (2)
The one formed so that the relationship is established is used. As a result, the toner particles are selected according to the image pattern during the development process to maintain good image quality, and good developability is maintained even if the developing device is stirred for a long time. Furthermore, the toner is efficiently and reliably conveyed without blocking the toner supply path such as the tube 71Y.
The volume average particle diameter and number average particle diameter of the toner are typically measured by a coal counter type particle size distribution measuring device “Coulter Counter TA-2” (manufactured by Coulter Co.) or “Coulter Multisizer 2” (Coulter). Can be used.

Further, in the first embodiment, the toner contained in the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K has a shape factor SF-1 in the range of 100 to 180 and a shape factor SF-2 in the range of 100 to 180. A substantially spherical toner formed so as to be in the range is used. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in cleaning performance while maintaining high transfer efficiency. Furthermore, the toner is efficiently and reliably conveyed without blocking the toner supply path such as the tube 71Y.
Here, the shape factor SF-1 indicates the sphericity of the toner particles, and is obtained by the following equation.
SF-1 = (M ² / S) × (100π / 4)
In the above equation, M is the maximum particle size (the largest particle size among sparse particle sizes) on the toner particle projection surface, and S is the area of the toner particle projection surface. Therefore, toner particles having a shape factor SF-1 of 100 are true spheres, and the sphericity decreases as the value increases from 100.

The shape factor SF-2 indicates the degree of unevenness of the toner particles, and is obtained by the following equation.
SF-2 = (N ² / S) × (100 / 4π)
In the above equation, N is the circumference of the toner particle projection surface, and S is the area of the toner particle projection surface. Therefore, the toner particles having the shape factor SF-2 of 100 have no irregularities, and the irregularities increase as the value increases from 100.
The shape factor SF-1 and the shape factor SF-2 are obtained by analyzing a toner particle photograph taken with a scanning electron microscope “S-800” (manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd.) and an image analyzer “LUSEX3” (manufactured by Nireco). )

Hereinafter, the attaching / detaching operation (attaching / detaching operation) of the toner container 32Y to the toner container accommodating portion 31 will be briefly described.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a state where the toner container is installed in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5, the toner container housing portion 31 is disposed at the uppermost portion of the image forming apparatus main body 100. Then, the container cover 31A of the toner container container 31 is opened and closed, and the toner container is attached and detached.

6A and 6B, when the toner container 32Y is mounted in the toner container housing portion 31 of the apparatus main body 100, first, the housing portion provided in front of the toner container housing portion 31. The cover 31A is opened to expose the sliding surface 31a of the toner container housing 31.
Then, the toner container 32Y is placed on the exposed sliding surface 31a (the movement in the direction of the white arrow in FIG. 6B). As described above, in the first embodiment, by opening the accommodating portion cover 31A, a part of the sliding surface 31a is completely exposed, so that the toner container 32Y can be easily set on the sliding surface 31a. become. That is, the toner container 32Y can be mounted in the toner container housing portion 31 without performing an operation of looking into and confirming the position of the sliding surface 31a.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6C, the toner container 32Y is pushed into the toner container housing 31 while sliding on the sliding surface 31a (the movement in the direction of the white arrow in FIG. 6C). .) When the toner container 32Y is set in the toner container housing portion 31 of the apparatus main body 100, the nozzle 70 of the toner container housing portion 31 is connected to the held portion 34Y of the toner container 32Y as described above with reference to FIG. .
Thereafter, referring to FIG. 6D, after the operation of attaching toner container 32Y to toner container housing portion 31 is completed, housing portion cover 31A is closed. Thus, the mounting operation of the toner container 32Y is completed.
On the other hand, when the toner container 32Y is taken out (detached) from the toner container housing portion 31 of the apparatus main body 100, the operation is performed in a procedure reverse to the procedure at the time of mounting.

Hereinafter, the shutter mechanism characteristic of the toner replenishing device 59Y in the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the shutter mechanism as viewed obliquely from below, and FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the toner supply device 59Y (shutter mechanism) as viewed from below. FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the shutter mechanism. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the opening / closing operation of the shutter mechanism. Further, FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view showing the shutter mechanism in a state where the shutter 83 is opened.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, toner (powder) is supplied to the toner conveying portion 80 of the toner replenishing device 59 </ b> Y as the first device toward the developing device 5 </ b> Y as the second device connected below the toner conveying portion 80. ) Is provided. The supply port 80a is provided with a shutter mechanism.
7 to 11, the shutter mechanism includes a shutter 83, a guide groove 80b, a seal member 85 (first seal), an elastic member 86 (second seal), a compression spring 87 as a biasing member, and a holder 88. , Etc.

  The shutter 83 is configured to open and close the supply port 80a in conjunction with the relative attaching / detaching operation of the developing device 5Y (second device) with respect to the toner replenishing device 59Y (first device). Specifically, in the vicinity of the supply port 80a of the toner conveying unit 80, the shutter 83 is engaged with both side portions (both side portions in a direction orthogonal to the opening / closing direction of the shutter 83) to guide the opening / closing operation of the shutter 83. A guide groove 80b is formed. The guide groove 80b is recessed so as not to be exposed from the supply port 80a when viewed from the developing device 5Y side. A projection for holding one end of a compression spring 87 as an urging member is provided at the rear end of the shutter 83. The other end of the compression spring 87 is held in the hole of the holder 88. With such a configuration, the shutter 83 is urged by the compression spring 87 in a direction to close the supply port 80a.

  On the other hand, the shutter 83 is provided with an engaging portion 83a that engages with the developing device 5Y in conjunction with the relative mounting operation of the developing device 5Y with respect to the toner replenishing device 59Y. When the developing device 5Y is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100, the engaging portion 83a is pushed by the engaged portion (not shown) of the developing device 5Y, and the shutter 83 is connected to the compression spring 87. The supply port 80a is opened by moving along the guide groove 80b so as to resist the urging force (the state shown in FIG. 10B). Here, since the engaging portions 83a of the shutter 83 are respectively installed at both end portions in the width direction orthogonal to the mounting direction of the developing device 5Y (the horizontal direction in FIG. 10), the opening operation of the shutter 83 is performed. Will be done in a well-balanced manner.

Here, referring to FIG. 11, the guide groove 80b and the end portion 80a1 of the supply port 80a that abuts when the shutter 83 closes the supply port 80a (contact through the seal member 85). And a gap N is formed between them. That is, the guide groove 80b is not formed over the entire sliding direction up to the end portion 80a1 of the supply port 80a, but is disconnected at a position away from the end portion 80a1 by the distance N and communicates with the supply port 80a. The supply port 80a communicating with the guide groove 80b is formed in a T shape when viewed from below (see FIG. 8).
As described above, in the first embodiment, since the gap N is provided between the guide groove 80b and the terminal end portion 80a1 of the supply port 80a, the guide groove 80b is repeated while the opening / closing operation of the shutter 83 is repeated. Even if the toner adheres, the toner is discharged from the terminal portion 80a1 side into the developing device 5Y through the supply port 80a without staying (or fixing) in the guide groove 80b. Therefore, the toner is prevented from sticking to the guide groove 80b, and the shutter 83 is smoothly opened and closed, so that it is possible to prevent toner supply failure and toner scattering due to the shutter 83 opening and closing failure.

  Further, a sealing member 85 made of foamed polyurethane or the like is attached to the terminal end portion 80a1 of the supply port 80a. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a problem that toner is scattered from between the shutter 83 and the end portion 80a1 in a state where the shutter 83 closes the supply port 80a. In particular, in the first embodiment, the length of the end portion 80a1 (seal member 85) of the supply port 80a formed in a T-shape (the direction perpendicular to the opening / closing direction) is the length of the shutter 83. Since the entire length of the front end portion of the shutter 83 can be sufficiently sealed with the seal member 85, the above-described effect is achieved.

  In the shutter mechanism according to the first embodiment, the elastic member 86 (for example, polyurethane foam) is used to seal between the shutter 83 in a state where the supply port 80a is opened and the toner conveying unit 80. The second sealing material) is adhered to the adherend portion 80d (see FIG. 9) of the toner conveying portion 80. Thereby, when the shutter 83 is in the open position, a problem that toner leaks from between the shutter 83 and the toner conveyance unit 80 is suppressed.

Here, the elastic member 86 is configured to be deformed in conjunction with the opening operation when the shutter 83 opens the supply port 80a to cover the front end portion of the shutter 83. Specifically, the elastic member 86 is formed with a non-sticking portion 86a that is not stuck to the sticking portion 80d of the toner conveying portion 80 (see FIGS. 9 and 11). That is, the portion excluding the non-adhering portion 86a shown in FIG. 9 (the protruding portion at the tip and the length in the opening and closing direction is set to 2 to 5 mm) is an adhesive surface and is to be adhered. Affixed to the attachment portion 80d. Then, referring to FIG. 11 (or FIG. 10 (B)), this non-sticking portion 86a moves the tip of shutter 83 in conjunction with the opening operation when shutter 83 opens supply port 80a. Deform to cover.
More specifically, the shutter 83 rotates with the edge portion 80c of the toner conveying portion 80 as a fulcrum so that the tip portion bites into a part of the elastic member 86 when the supply port 80a is opened (FIG. 11 or FIG. 10 (B) in the direction of the arrow.) That is, the urging force by the compression spring 87 and the force that acts when the supply port 80a is opened against the urging force (the force applied to the engaging portion 83a) do not act on the same plane. In addition, there is a positional relationship that generates a rotational moment. Then, the shutter 83 rotates about the edge portion 80c as a fulcrum by the rotational moment due to both forces. As a result, the distal end portion of the shutter 83 bites into the elastic member 86, and the non-sticking portion 86a in which shearing force is generated by the opening operation of the shutter 83 is deformed so as to completely cover the distal end portion of the shutter 83 (FIG. 11). Is the state.)

As described above, in the first embodiment, when the shutter 83 opens the supply port 80a, the elastic member 86 is deformed in conjunction with the opening operation to cover the front end portion of the shutter 83. Even if the operation is repeated, the toner hardly adheres to the tip of the shutter 83. Therefore, toner sticking to the front end portion of the shutter 83 is suppressed, and the opening and closing operation of the shutter 83 is performed smoothly, so that it is possible to prevent toner supply failure and toner scattering due to the shutter 83 opening and closing failure.
The closing operation of the shutter 83 is performed in the reverse procedure to the above-described opening operation.

  Although not shown, the elastic member 86 according to the first embodiment is located on a surface opposite to the shutter 83 at a position other than the position (the non-sticking portion 86a) that covers the tip of the shutter 86. The low friction member is stuck. Here, the low friction member is a member having a surface friction coefficient lower than that of the elastic member 86, and a plate material made of polyethylene terephthalate having a thickness of about 0.1 mm can be used. As a result, the sliding resistance between the shutter 83 and the elastic member 86 is reduced, and the opening and closing operation of the shutter 86 is performed smoothly, and the shearing force generated between the shutter 83 and the non-sticking portion 86a is ensured, and the above-mentioned. The sealing performance due to the deformation of the non-sticking portion 86a can be ensured.

  In the first embodiment, the adherend portion 80d (the portion to which the elastic member 86 is attached) of the toner conveying portion 80 also functions as a guide portion that guides the opening operation of the shutter 83. Yes. That is, the shutter 83 is smoothly opened and closed while the engaging portion 83a of the shutter 83 is guided by the adherend portion 80d as a guide portion.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the guide groove 80b for guiding the opening / closing operation of the shutter 83, the shutter 83 in a state where the supply port 80a is opened, and the toner supply devices 59Y, 59M, 59C, 59K ( Since the configuration of the elastic member 86 installed between the toner supply devices 59Y, 59M, 59C, and 59K and the developing devices 5Y, 5M, and 5C is relatively simple, The supply port 80a through which toner (powder) is supplied toward 5K (second device) is highly sealed, and even if the opening and closing operation of the shutter 83 is repeated, the opening and closing of the shutter 83 is poor and the sealing performance is deteriorated. It does not occur.

  In the first embodiment, the powder supplied from the toner supply devices 59Y, 59M, 59C, and 59K as the first device to the developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K as the second device. Although the present invention is applied to a shutter mechanism (or powder supply device) using toner, a two-component developer composed of toner and a carrier is used as powder supplied from the first device to the second device. The present invention can also be applied to an existing shutter mechanism (or powder supply device). In addition, the present invention is applied to all shutter mechanisms (or powder supply devices) installed at a supply port for supplying powder toward a second device connected to the first device. Can do. Even in these cases, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained.

  In the first embodiment, some or all of the image forming units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K can be used as process cartridges. Even in that case, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a shutter mechanism according to the second embodiment. The shutter mechanism according to the second embodiment is different from that according to the first embodiment in which the shutter mechanism is installed at the supply port 32Y1 of the toner container 32Y at the supply port 80a of the toner replenishing device 59Y.

Unlike the first embodiment, the developing device 5Y in the second embodiment is supplied with toner via a supply port 32Y1 of a toner container 32Y as a container in which new toner is stored. The supply port 32Y1 for supplying the toner to the developing device 5Y (or the image forming apparatus main body) as the second device connected to the toner container 32Y as the first device has the above-described embodiment. 1 is provided with a shutter mechanism (shutter 39) configured in the same manner as in FIG.
Here, the shutter mechanism according to the second embodiment also has a relative attaching / detaching operation of the developing device 5Y (second device) with respect to the toner container 32Y (first device), as in the first embodiment. In conjunction with this, the shutter 39 is configured to open and close the supply port 32Y1. Further, although not shown, a guide groove for guiding the opening / closing operation of the shutter 39 and an elastic member for sealing between the shutter 39 in a state where the supply port 32Y1 is opened are installed in the toner container 32Y.

As in the first embodiment, the shutter mechanism according to the second embodiment also has a guide groove of the shutter 39 and a terminal portion of the supply port 32Y1 that contacts when the shutter 39 closes the supply port 32Y1. , A gap is formed.
Further, the elastic member is configured to cover the tip of the shutter 39 by being deformed in conjunction with the opening operation when the shutter 39 opens the supply port 32Y1.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the guide groove for guiding the opening / closing operation of the shutter 39, or between the shutter 39 and the toner container 32Y (first device) in the state where the supply port 32Y1 is opened. Since the configuration of the elastic member installed in the container is optimized, a supply port through which toner (powder) is supplied from the toner container 32Y to the developing device 5Y (second device) with a relatively simple configuration. The sealing performance of 32Y1 is high, and even if the opening / closing operation of the shutter 39 is repeated, the opening / closing failure of the shutter 39 and the sealing performance do not occur.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a shutter mechanism in the third embodiment. The shutter mechanism according to the third embodiment is provided at the supply port 2c1 of the cleaning unit 2Y (cleaning device) connected to the collection container 95. The supply port of the toner replenishing device 59Y connected to the developing device 5Y. Different from that of the first embodiment installed at 80a.

The image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment is configured to collect used toner (waste toner) collected by the cleaning unit 2Y in a collection container 95. Specifically, the cleaning unit 2Y is provided with a waste toner transport unit 2c in which a transport screw 2b is provided. The waste toner transport unit 2c of the cleaning unit 2Y is supplied with toner toward a collection container 95 as a second device connected to the cleaning unit 2Y (or the image forming apparatus main body) as the first device. A supply port 2c1 is provided. Further, the supply port 2c1 is provided with a shutter mechanism (shutter 2d) configured similarly to the first embodiment.
Here, the shutter mechanism in the third embodiment is also used for the relative attaching / detaching operation of the recovery container 95 (second device) with respect to the cleaning unit 2Y (first device), as in the first embodiment. In conjunction with this, the shutter 2d is configured to open and close the supply port 2c1. Further, although not shown, a guide groove for guiding the opening / closing operation of the shutter 2d and an elastic member for sealing between the shutter 2d in a state in which the supply port 2c1 is opened are installed in the waste toner conveying portion 2c. Yes.

As in the first embodiment, the shutter mechanism in the third embodiment also has a guide groove of the shutter 2d and a terminal portion of the supply port 2c1 that contacts when the shutter 2d closes the supply port 2c1. , A gap is formed.
Furthermore, the elastic member is configured to cover the tip of the shutter 2d by being deformed in conjunction with the opening operation when the shutter 2d opens the supply port 2c1.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, the guide groove for guiding the opening / closing operation of the shutter 2d, or between the shutter 2d and the cleaning unit 2Y (first device) in a state where the supply port 2c1 is opened. Since the configuration of the elastic member installed in the container is optimized, the supply port through which the toner (powder) is supplied from the cleaning unit 2Y to the collection container 95 (second device) with a relatively simple configuration The airtightness of 2c1 is high, and even if the opening / closing operation of the shutter 2d is repeated, the opening / closing failure of the shutter 2d and the sealing performance do not occur.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the vicinity of the developing device in Embodiment 4, and FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the developing device. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a shutter mechanism of the developing device of FIG. Further, FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the shutter mechanism of FIG. 16 is connected to the collection unit. Further, FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing another form of the elastic member 96.
The shutter mechanism according to the fourth embodiment is mainly provided on the discharge pipe 93 of the developing device 5Y that supplies and discharges the developer, and the shutter 92 is configured to cover the discharge pipe 93. Different from that of the first embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the developing device 5Y according to the fourth embodiment includes a developing roller 51Y, a doctor blade 52Y, three transport screws 55Y, a discharge transport screw 57Y, and the like.
The three transport screws 55Y stir and mix the developer G accommodated in the developing device 5Y while circulating it in the longitudinal direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 14).

The first transport screw 55Y is disposed at a position facing the developing roller 51Y, transports the developer G horizontally in the longitudinal direction (rotational axis direction), and supplies the developer G onto the developing roller 51Y. .
The second transport screw 55Y is disposed at a position below the first transport screw 55Y and facing the developing roller 51Y. Then, the developer G separated from the developing roller 51Y (the developer G forcibly separated from the developing roller 51Y by the agent separation pole after the developing process) is transported horizontally in the longitudinal direction.
The third transport screw 55Y is a position adjacent to the second transport screw 55Y and is disposed obliquely below the first transport member 55Y. The third transport screw 55Y transports the developer G transported by the second transport screw 55Y to the upstream side of the transport path by the first transport member 55Y and from the downstream side of the transport path by the first transport screw 55Y. The developer G circulated through the relay unit is transported to the upstream side of the transport path by the first transport member 55Y.

The conveyance path by the first conveyance screw 55Y, the conveyance path by the second conveyance screw 55Y, the conveyance path by the third conveyance screw 55Y, and the discharge conveyance path by the discharge conveyance screw 57Y are separated by a partition wall. Yes.
Although illustration is omitted, the downstream side of the conveyance path by the second conveyance screw 55Y and the upstream side of the conveyance path by the third conveyance screw 55Y communicate with each other via a relay unit. In addition, the downstream side of the conveyance path by the first conveyance screw 55Y and the upstream side of the conveyance path by the third conveyance screw 55Y communicate with each other via a relay unit. In addition, the downstream side of the conveyance path by the third conveyance screw 55Y and the upstream side of the conveyance path by the first conveyance screw 55Y communicate with each other via a relay unit. Then, the developer G staying and rising in the vicinity of the relay unit in the transport path by the third transport screw 55Y is transported (supplied) to the upstream side of the transport path by the first transport screw 55Y via the relay unit. become.
With such a configuration, the three conveying screws 55Y form a circulation path for circulating the developer G in the longitudinal direction in the developing device 5Y.

Here, the replenishment port 90a is disposed above the upstream side of the conveyance path by the third conveyance screw 55Y. Then, the new developer G is appropriately supplied into the developing device 5Y from the developer container 32Y in which the new developer G is accommodated via the transport pipe 90.
Further, a discharge port 58Y for discharging a part of the developer G accommodated in the developing device 5Y to the outside of the conveyance path is provided in a partition wall of the conveyance path by the first conveyance screw 55Y.
Specifically, the discharge port 58Y has a developer surface (upper surface) of the developer that is supplied to the developing device 5Y from the developer container 32Y into the developing device 5Y and the amount of developer in the device is increased and conveyed to that position. When the predetermined height is exceeded, the excess developer G is discharged toward the discharge pipe 93 (the discharge transport 57Y is installed). The developer discharged from the discharge port 58Y is transported in the longitudinal direction (the right direction in FIG. 15) by the discharge transport screw 57Y and falls by its own weight from the discharge supply port 93a (98a), thereby developing the developing device. It collect | recovers by the agent storage container (not shown) as a collection | recovery part via the discharge path | route 98 installed outside (refer FIG. 17). In other words, the excess developer G exceeds the lower portion of the discharge port 58Y and is discharged from the discharge port 58Y, and passes through the discharge pipe 93 (discharge conveying screw 57Y) and the discharge path 98, thereby storing the agent storage container. It is conveyed toward. As described above, the carrier that has been contaminated and deteriorated by the base resin of the toner T or the external additive is automatically discharged to the outside of the developing device 5Y, so that deterioration of the image quality can be suppressed over time.

  Referring to FIG. 16, in order to supply developer (powder) to discharge pipe 93 of developing device 5Y (first device) toward agent storage container 98 (second device) as a recovery unit. The supply port 93a is provided. Further, the discharge pipe 93 is covered with a shutter 92 that opens and closes the supply port 93 a in conjunction with the attachment / detachment operation of the discharge pipe 93 with respect to the discharge path 98. Specifically, referring to FIG. 17, when the discharge pipe 93 is moved toward the head of the discharge path 98 (the movement in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 17), the engaging portion 97 provided on the shutter 92 is moved. The movement of the shutter 92 is regulated in contact with the head of the discharge path 98. When the discharge pipe 93 is further moved in the direction of the arrow, the shutter 92 opens the supply port 93a against the force of the spring 94, and the supply port 93a of the discharge pipe 93 and the supply port 98a of the discharge path 98 are connected. As a result, the connection between the two devices 5Y and 98 is completed.

  Here, in the fourth embodiment, an elastic member 96 (seal material) made of foamed polyurethane or the like is installed (adhered) to the outer peripheral surface of the shutter 92. The elastic member 96 is for sealing between the discharge path 98 (second device) and the shutter 92 in a state where the supply port 93a is opened. Thereby, when the shutter 92 is in the open position, a problem that toner leaks from between the shutter 92 (discharge pipe 93) and the discharge path 98 is suppressed.

Here, a non-sticking portion 96 b that is not attached to the shutter 92 is provided on the distal end side (the side close to the discharge path 98) of the elastic member 96. That is, the elastic member 96 is stuck to the shutter 92 with only the sticking portion 96a serving as an adhesive surface. Referring to FIG. 17, when the shutter 92 opens the supply port 93 a, the non-sticking part 96 b is deformed in contact with the discharge path 98 in conjunction with the opening operation.
As a result, even if the opening / closing operation of the shutter 92 is repeated, the toner is less likely to adhere to the distal end portion of the shutter 92 (the distal end portion of the elastic member 96). Therefore, the toner sticking to the front end of the shutter 92 is suppressed, and the opening and closing operation of the shutter 92 is performed smoothly, so that the toner supply (discharge) failure and the toner scattering due to the opening and closing failure of the shutter 92 can be prevented. .

Here, in the shutter mechanism according to the fourth embodiment, with reference to FIG. 16, the non-sticking portion 96 b of the elastic member 96 protrudes from the tip portion of the shutter 92 (on the side close to the discharge path 98). It is formed as follows. Specifically, the non-sticking part 96 b is formed so as to protrude 2 to 4 mm from the tip part of the shutter 92. That is, the protrusion amount X of the non-sticking part 96b from the tip part of the shutter 92 is set to 2 to 4 mm.
With such a configuration, when the shutter 92 opens the supply port 93 a, the non-sticking portion 96 b easily contacts the discharge path 98 and covers the front end portion of the shutter 92 in conjunction with the opening operation. Therefore, the problem of toner leakage from between the shutter 92 (discharge pipe 93) and the discharge path 98 is surely suppressed.
Further, by projecting the non-adhering portion 96b from the front end portion of the shutter 92, when the shutter 92 closes the supply port 93a, the toner that has dropped from the front end portion of the shutter 92 is removed from the projecting portion ( This is the range of X in FIG. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce a problem that toner is scattered in the image forming apparatus main body 100 as the shutter 92 is opened and closed.

  In addition, if the protrusion amount X of the non-sticking part 96b from the front-end | tip part of the shutter 92 is smaller than 2 mm, there will be little deformation amount of the non-sticking part 96b, and if the protrusion amount X is larger than 4 mm, the non-sticking part 96b will be reverse direction. (It is the central axis side of the discharge pipe 93). Therefore, in order to secure the above-described effect, the protrusion amount X of the non-sticking portion 96b from the tip portion of the shutter 92 is set to 2 to 4 mm.

In the shutter mechanism according to the fourth embodiment, referring to FIG. 17, the portion (not shown in FIG. 17) where the non-sticking portion 96 a of the elastic member 96 comes into contact with the head of the discharge path 98 (second device). This is a portion surrounded by a broken line). That is, the head of the discharge path 98 is provided with a tapered portion 98b in which the diameter of the insertion port into which the discharge pipe 93 is inserted gradually decreases in the insertion direction (the right direction in FIG. 17).
With such a configuration, even when the discharge pipe 93 is inserted with a deviation from the head of the discharge path 98 (when the central axes of both members 93 and 98 are inserted with a deviation), the elastic member In order for the non-sticking part 96b of 96 to contact the taper part 98b of the discharge path 98 with certainty, the elastic member 96 is deformed so as to cover the tip of the shutter 92, and the shutter 92 (discharge pipe 93) and the discharge path Thus, the problem of toner leaking from between 98 and 98 is surely suppressed.

Referring to FIG. 18, in the shutter mechanism according to the fourth embodiment, the non-sticking portion 96b of the elastic member 96 is in the tip direction (the direction away from the sticking portion 96a and approaching the discharge path 98). ) Is preferably formed wide.
With such a configuration, when the non-sticking portion 96b is deformed so as to contact the discharge path 98 and cover the tip portion of the shutter 92, the tip of the non-sticking portion 96b covers the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical shutter 92. Since it becomes easy to deform so as to cover, the problem of toner leakage from between the shutter 92 (discharge pipe 93) and the discharge path 98 is more reliably prevented.

  In the fourth embodiment, the present invention is applied to the shutter mechanism installed in the discharge pipe 93 of the developing device 5Y. However, the cleaning unit 2Y (cleaning device) connected to the recovery container 95 (recovery unit) is supplied. The present invention can also be applied to a shutter mechanism installed in the mouth 2c1. In this case, the developing device 5Y and the cleaning device 2Y can be formed into a process cartridge.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the developer (with the relatively simple configuration) is directed from the discharge pipe 93 of the developing device 5Y (first device) toward the collection unit 98 (second device). The supply port 93a to which the powder is supplied is highly sealed, and even if the opening and closing operation of the shutter 92 is repeated, the opening and closing of the shutter 92 and the sealing performance are not deteriorated.

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.
The present invention can also be expressed by the following claims.
<Claim 1>
A shutter mechanism installed at a supply port for supplying powder to a second device connected to the first device,
A shutter that opens and closes the supply port in conjunction with a relative attaching and detaching operation of the second device with respect to the first device;
A guide groove that is recessed so as to guide the opening / closing operation of the shutter and not to be exposed from the supply port when viewed from the second device side;
With
A shutter mechanism, wherein a gap is formed between the guide groove and a terminal portion of the supply port that contacts when the shutter closes the supply port.
<Claim 2>
The shutter mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a seal member is disposed at the end portion of the supply port.
<Claim 3>
A shutter mechanism installed at a supply port for supplying powder to a second device connected to the first device,
A shutter that opens and closes the supply port in conjunction with a relative attaching and detaching operation of the second device with respect to the first device;
A guide groove that is recessed so as to guide the opening / closing operation of the shutter and not to be exposed from the supply port when viewed from the second device side;
An elastic member installed in the first device so as to seal between the shutter in the state where the supply port is opened;
With
The shutter mechanism is characterized in that the elastic member is configured to be deformed in conjunction with an opening operation of the shutter when the shutter opens the supply port so as to cover a front end portion of the shutter.
<Claim 4>
The elastic member includes a non-sticking portion that is not attached to the first device,
The shutter mechanism according to claim 3, wherein when the shutter opens the supply port, the non-sticking portion is deformed so as to cover a front end portion of the shutter in conjunction with the opening operation.
<Claim 5>
The shutter mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the elastic member is formed such that the non-sticking portion protrudes from a tip portion of the shutter.
<Claim 6>
The shutter mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the non-sticking part is formed so as to protrude 2 to 4 mm from a tip part of the shutter.
<Claim 7>
The shutter mechanism according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the non-sticking portion is formed wide in a distal end direction.
<Claim 8>
The shutter mechanism according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the shutter rotates so that the tip portion bites into a part of the elastic member when the supply port is opened.
<Claim 9>
A biasing member that biases the shutter in a direction to close the supply port;
9. The shutter mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the shutter is rotated by a rotation moment generated by an urging force of the urging member and a force acting when the supply port is opened against the urging force. .
<Claim 10>
The said elastic member was a position except the position which covers the said front-end | tip part of the said shutter, Comprising: The low friction member was comprised in the surface facing the said shutter. Shutter mechanism.
<Claim 11>
The first apparatus includes a guide portion that guides an opening operation of the shutter when the elastic member is installed and the shutter opens the supply port. The shutter mechanism according to any one of 10.
<Claim 12>
A shutter mechanism installed at a supply port for supplying powder to a second device connected to the first device,
A shutter that opens and closes the supply port in conjunction with a relative attaching and detaching operation of the second device with respect to the first device;
An elastic member installed in the shutter so as to seal between the second device and the shutter in a state where the supply port is opened;
With
The elastic member includes a non-adhering portion that is not attached to the shutter,
A shutter mechanism, wherein when the shutter opens the supply port, the non-sticking portion contacts and deforms in conjunction with the opening operation.
<Claim 13>
The shutter mechanism according to claim 12, wherein the elastic member is formed such that the non-sticking portion protrudes from a tip portion of the shutter.
<Claim 14>
The shutter mechanism according to claim 13, wherein the non-sticking portion is formed to protrude 2 to 4 mm from a tip portion of the shutter.
<Claim 15>
The shutter mechanism according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the non-sticking portion is formed wide in a distal end direction.
<Claim 16>
The shutter mechanism according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the second device is formed such that a portion with which the non-sticking portion abuts is tapered.
<Claim 17>
The shutter has engaging portions that engage with the second device in conjunction with a relative mounting operation of the second device with respect to the first device at both ends in the width direction perpendicular to the mounting direction. The shutter mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein each of the shutter mechanisms is provided.
<Claim 18>
The shutter mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the powder is toner or a two-component developer.
<Claim 19>
The first device is a replenishing device that replenishes the powder from a container in which new powder is accommodated,
19. The shutter mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the second device is a developing device that develops a latent image formed on an image carrier.
<Claim 20>
The first device is a container in which a new powder is stored,
The shutter mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the second apparatus is an image forming apparatus main body.
<Claim 21>
The first apparatus is an image forming apparatus main body,
The shutter mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the second device is a collection container for collecting used powder.
<Claim 22>
The first device is a developing device or a process cartridge for developing a latent image formed on an image carrier,
The shutter mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the second device is a collection unit that collects used powder.
<Claim 23>
The first device is a cleaning device or a process cartridge for cleaning the image carrier,
The shutter mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the second device is a collection unit that collects used powder.
<Claim 24>
A powder supply device for supplying powder to the second device via the supply port,
A shutter mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 23,
A powder supply apparatus which is the first apparatus.
<Claim 25>
An image forming apparatus comprising the shutter mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 23.

5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K developing device (second device),
32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K toner containers,
59Y, 59M, 59C, 59K Toner supply device (first device),
80 toner transport section,
80a supply port, 80a1 terminal part,
80b guide groove,
80c edge part, 80d adherend part (guide part),
81 conveying screw,
83 Shutter,
83a engaging portion,
85 sealing member,
86 elastic member, 86a non-sticking part,
87 Compression spring (biasing member),
88 holder,
92 shutter,
96 elastic member, 96b non-sticking part,
100 Image forming apparatus main body (apparatus main body).

JP 2003-341759 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-143202 Japanese Patent No. 2986588

Claims (23)

A shutter mechanism installed at a supply port for supplying powder to a second device connected to the first device,
A shutter that opens and closes the supply port in conjunction with a relative attaching and detaching operation of the second device with respect to the first device;
A guide groove that is recessed so as to guide the opening / closing operation of the shutter and not to be exposed from the supply port when viewed from the second device side;
An elastic member installed in the first device so as to seal between the shutter in the state where the supply port is opened;
With
The elastic member includes a non-sticking portion that is not attached to the first device,
A shutter mechanism, wherein when the shutter opens the supply port, the non-sticking portion is deformed so as to cover the front end portion of the shutter in conjunction with the opening operation . 2. The shutter mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the shutter rotates so that the tip portion bites into a part of the elastic member when the supply port is opened. A biasing member that biases the shutter in a direction to close the supply port;
3. The shutter mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the shutter is rotated by a rotation moment generated by an urging force of the urging member and a force acting when the supply port is opened against the urging force. . The said elastic member was a position except the position which covers the said front-end | tip part of the said shutter, Comprising: The low friction member was comprised in the surface facing the said shutter. Shutter mechanism. A shutter mechanism installed at a supply port for supplying powder to a second device connected to the first device,
A shutter that opens and closes the supply port in conjunction with a relative attaching and detaching operation of the second device with respect to the first device;
A guide groove that is recessed so as to guide the opening / closing operation of the shutter and not to be exposed from the supply port when viewed from the second device side;
An elastic member installed in the first device so as to seal between the shutter in the state where the supply port is opened;
With
The elastic member is configured to be deformed in conjunction with an opening operation of the shutter when the shutter opens the supply port to cover the front end of the shutter,
The shutter mechanism, wherein the shutter rotates so that the tip part bites into a part of the elastic member when the supply port is opened. A biasing member that biases the shutter in a direction to close the supply port;
6. The shutter mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the shutter is rotated by a rotation moment generated by an urging force of the urging member and a force acting when the supply port is opened against the urging force. . 7. The shutter mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the elastic member includes a low-friction member on a surface opposed to the shutter at a position excluding a position covering the tip portion of the shutter. . A shutter mechanism installed at a supply port for supplying powder to a second device connected to the first device,
A shutter that opens and closes the supply port in conjunction with a relative attaching and detaching operation of the second device with respect to the first device;
A guide groove that is recessed so as to guide the opening / closing operation of the shutter and not to be exposed from the supply port when viewed from the second device side;
An elastic member installed in the first device so as to seal between the shutter in the state where the supply port is opened;
With
The elastic member is configured to be deformed in conjunction with the opening operation when the shutter opens the supply port to cover the front end portion of the shutter, and excludes a position covering the front end portion of the shutter. A shutter mechanism characterized in that a low friction member is provided on a surface facing the shutter.   The said 1st apparatus was equipped with the guide part which guides the opening operation | movement of the said shutter, when the said elastic member is installed and the said shutter opens the said supply port. The shutter mechanism according to any one of 8. A shutter mechanism installed at a supply port for supplying powder to a second device connected to the first device,
A shutter that opens and closes the supply port in conjunction with a relative attaching and detaching operation of the second device with respect to the first device;
An elastic member installed in the shutter so as to seal between the second device and the shutter in a state where the supply port is opened;
With
The elastic member includes a non-adhering portion that is not attached to the shutter,
A shutter mechanism, wherein when the shutter opens the supply port, the non-sticking portion contacts and deforms in conjunction with the opening operation.   The shutter mechanism according to claim 10, wherein the elastic member is formed such that the non-sticking portion protrudes from a tip portion of the shutter.   The shutter mechanism according to claim 11, wherein the non-sticking part is formed so as to protrude 2 to 4 mm from a tip part of the shutter.   The shutter mechanism according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the non-sticking portion is formed wide in a distal end direction.   The shutter mechanism according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the second device has a tapered portion where the non-sticking portion abuts.   The shutter has engaging portions that engage with the second device in conjunction with a relative mounting operation of the second device with respect to the first device at both ends in the width direction perpendicular to the mounting direction. The shutter mechanism according to claim 1, wherein each shutter mechanism is provided.   The shutter mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the powder is toner or a two-component developer. The first device is a replenishing device that replenishes the powder from a container in which new powder is accommodated,
17. The shutter mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the second device is a developing device that develops a latent image formed on an image carrier. The first device is a container in which a new powder is stored,
The shutter mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the second apparatus is an image forming apparatus main body. The first apparatus is an image forming apparatus main body,
The shutter mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the second device is a collection container for collecting used powder. The first device is a developing device or a process cartridge for developing a latent image formed on an image carrier,
The shutter mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the second device is a collection unit that collects used powder. The first device is a cleaning device or a process cartridge for cleaning the image carrier,
The shutter mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the second device is a collection unit that collects used powder. A powder supply device for supplying powder to the second device via the supply port,
A shutter mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 21, comprising:
A powder supply apparatus which is the first apparatus.   An image forming apparatus comprising the shutter mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

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