JP6016120B2 - Image forming apparatus and toner container - Google Patents

Description

  According to the present invention, toner image forming means for forming a toner image and toner discharged from the toner container while rotating the cylindrical toner container around the cylinder center axis are replenished to the toner image forming means. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a toner replenishing unit. The present invention also relates to a toner container mounted on the image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, a toner replenishing device described in Patent Document 1 is known as a toner replenishing unit mounted on this type of image forming apparatus. FIG. 45 is a perspective view showing a toner bottle 901 as a toner container mounted on the toner supply device described in Patent Document 1. In the figure, a cylindrical toner bottle 901 has a spiral groove 903 on its peripheral wall. The groove 903 is formed in an embossed shape and is a spiral groove when viewed from the outside of the container, but is a spiral protrusion when viewed from the inside of the container. When the toner bottle 901 is driven to rotate about the cylinder center axis by driving means (not shown), the toner in the container is conveyed from the rear end side of the container toward the front end side in the direction of the arrow by the movement of the groove 903. . Then, the toner is discharged out of the container through a toner discharge port provided at the tip of the container.

  At the tip of the toner bottle 901, a circumferential upper surface protrusion 902 is provided that protrudes in the normal direction from the outer circumferential surface. As shown in FIG. 46, the protrusions 902 on the peripheral surface are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 901 at point-symmetric positions with respect to the cylinder center axis. FIG. 47 is a main part configuration diagram showing the main part of the toner replenishing device 910 described in Patent Document 1. The toner replenishing device 910 includes a cap-shaped coupling 911 that is rotatably supported, a drive motor 913 that rotationally drives the coupling 911, and the like. The coupling 911 is arranged in a posture in which the opening is directed to the side as shown in the figure, and has a notch 912 for engagement on the peripheral wall thereof. As shown in FIG. 48, the leading end of the toner bottle 901 is inserted into the coupling 911. At this time, the protrusion 902 on the circumferential surface of the toner bottle 901 fits into the engagement notch 912 of the coupling 911. When the coupling 911 is rotationally driven by the drive motor 913, the toner bottle 901 that hooks the protrusion 902 on the circumferential surface in the engagement notch of the coupling 911 receives the rotational force of the coupling 911 and is coupled with the coupling 911. Rotating drive. By rotating and driving the toner bottle 901 in this way, the toner in the bottle can be conveyed toward the toner discharge port at the tip of the bottle.

  However, in the toner replenishing device 910, when the toner bottle 901 is inserted into the coupling 911, the operator needs to align the toner bottle 901 with respect to the coupling 911 in the rotation direction. Will be forced. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 46, two peripheral surface protrusions 902 are provided on the peripheral surface of the toner bottle 901. On the other hand, FIG. 47 shows only one engagement notch 912 into which the protrusion 902 on the circumferential surface is fitted, but in actuality, the engagement notch shown in the figure on the peripheral wall of the coupling 911 is shown. Engagement notches are also provided at positions that are point-symmetric with respect to 912. In order to fit the two protrusions 902 on the peripheral surface of the toner bottle 901 into the two engagement notches 912, the operator pushes the toner bottle 901 placed on the toner supply device 910 toward the coupling 911. Prior to this, it is necessary to perform the following alignment. That is, the alignment is such that the positions of the two protrusions 902 on the circumferential surface of the toner bottle 901 are aligned with the two engagement notches 912 of the coupling 911 in the rotation direction while manually rotating the toner bottle 901. The operator is forced to make such alignment.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image that an operator can easily set on a toner replenishing means without aligning the toner container in the rotation direction. It is to provide a forming apparatus or the like.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a toner image forming means and a toner discharged from the toner container while rotating the cylindrical toner container about a cylinder center axis. A toner replenishing unit that replenishes the image forming unit, and the toner replenishing unit is held by the container holding unit that holds at least a tip portion of the entire region in the longitudinal direction of the toner container, and the container holding unit. The toner container and the toner container are integrally rotated, the tip end portion has a protrusion on the peripheral surface protruding in a normal direction from the outer peripheral surface, and the container holding portion is attached to itself. In the image forming apparatus having an engaging portion that engages with the protrusion on the circumferential surface of the tip portion that is pushed into the pushing direction, the pushing direction in which the protrusion on the circumferential surface is pushed in than the engaging portion. In When the container holding portion is provided with a tapered surface starting from the upstream position and extending in a direction inclined from the pushing direction to the entrance of the engaging portion, the tip portion is pushed into the container holding portion. By rotating the container holding part by rotating the container holding part by applying a force in the rotation direction to the container holding part as the protrusion on the circumferential surface moving in the pushing direction is rubbed against the tapered surface, The entrance of the engaging portion is guided toward the protrusion on the circumferential surface.

  In the present invention, the operator pushes the cylindrical toner container toward the container holding part of the toner replenishing means without aligning in the rotation direction, and the protrusion on the circumferential surface of the tip part of the toner container is It is made to contact | abut to the taper surface of the container holding part of a supply means. Then, the toner container is further pushed toward the container holding portion of the toner supply means. Then, the protrusion on the circumferential surface of the toner container about to move in the pushing direction rotates the container holding portion while rubbing against the tapered surface of the container holding portion. By this rotation, the inlet of the engaging portion provided in the container holding portion is brought closer to the protrusion on the circumferential surface of the toner container in the rotation direction, and is eventually aligned to the position of the protrusion on the circumferential surface. And the protrusion on the circumferential surface engage with each other. As described above, in the present invention, when the tip of the toner container is pushed into the container holding part of the toner replenishing means, the container holding part is rotated by contact with the protrusion on the circumferential surface of the toner container. Thereby, the entrance of the engaging portion of the container holding portion can be aligned with the protrusion on the circumferential surface of the toner container. Therefore, the operator can easily set the toner container in the toner supply means without aligning the toner container in the rotation direction.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming unit for forming a Y toner image in the printer. The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the image forming unit. FIG. 3 is an exploded configuration diagram showing the inside of the developing unit of the image forming unit. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a toner bottle of the printer. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the toner bottle with a lid member opened. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a toner supply device of the printer. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a bottle main body of a toner bottle in a state of being mounted on the toner replenishing device and a peripheral configuration thereof. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a Y bottle mounting portion and a Y toner bottle in a bottle driving portion of the toner supply device. The perspective view which shows the Y bottle mounting part of the state with which the toner bottle was mounted | worn. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a lid pulling mechanism of the toner supply device. FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view showing the lid pulling mechanism in a state where the slide rod is moved forward a little from FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view showing the lid pulling mechanism in a state where the slide rod is moved forward a little from FIG. 12. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a lid member and a rod holding member of the toner bottle. FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing a bottle head of the toner bottle. The expanded sectional view which shows the bottle head of the state which pulled out the cover member. The expanded sectional view which shows the bottle head of the same state with the open state of the lid | cover of a conventional structure. The perspective view and back view which show a cover member from the back side. The expanded sectional view which shows a bottle head and the cover member of the state pulled out from this. The expanded sectional view which shows a bottle head and the cover member of the state contact | abutted to this. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating how toner is discharged from a toner discharge port. The expansion perspective view which shows a bottle head. The expanded sectional view which shows the large diameter part by which the taper was provided in the rear-end part. The expanded sectional view which shows the handle member of a comparative example. The expansion perspective view which shows a bottle head. The enlarged side view which shows a bottle head. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing an enlarged bottle head of a toner bottle. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the toner bottle. FIG. 6 is a perspective view and a front view showing a container holding portion of the toner supply device. The enlarged side view which shows the container holding | maintenance part and the bottle head of the toner bottle moved toward this. The expanded side view which shows the bottle head which started to be pushed into the container holding part. The expanded side view which shows the state in which the container holding part is rotated by the circumferential protrusion of the bottle head pushed into the container holding part. The expanded side view which shows the bottle head of the state set in the container holding part. The enlarged side view which shows the same container holding | maintenance part and bottle head of the state from which the wrong mounting | wearing with a different color is prevented. FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing the periphery of a notch for preventing erroneous mounting in the container holding portion together with a protrusion for preventing erroneous mounting of the toner bottle. FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing the periphery of a notch for preventing erroneous mounting in a container holding portion of a comparative example together with a protrusion for preventing erroneous mounting of a toner bottle. FIG. 9 is an enlarged configuration diagram illustrating a bottle head in a state where a lid member of a toner bottle of a printer according to a first modification is in contact with the bottle. FIG. 3 is an enlarged configuration diagram illustrating a bottle head in a state where a lid member of the toner bottle of the printer is opened. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a bottle head and a lid member in the toner bottle of the printer. The expansion block diagram which shows the cover member and rod holding member in the printer which concerns on a 2nd modification. The expansion block diagram which shows the cover member and rod holding member in the printer which concerns on a 3rd modification. The perspective view which shows the guide rod of the printer. The expansion block diagram which shows the cover member and rod holding member in the printer which concerns on a 4th modification. The expansion block diagram which shows the bottle head in the printer which concerns on a 5th modification. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a toner bottle that is mounted on a toner supply device described in Patent Document 1. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the toner bottle. FIG. 3 is a main part configuration diagram showing a main part of the toner supply device. FIG. 3 is a main part configuration diagram showing the main part in a state where a toner bottle is mounted. The side view and front view which show the container holding part in the printer which concerns on a 6th modification.

An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic printer (hereinafter simply referred to as “printer”) as an image forming apparatus will be described below.
First, a basic configuration of the printer according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a printer according to an embodiment. This printer includes four image forming units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1K for yellow, cyan, magenta, and black (hereinafter referred to as Y, C, M, and K). These use different colors of Y, C, M, and K toners as image forming substances for forming an image, but the other configurations are the same.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an image forming unit 1Y for forming a Y toner image. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the image forming unit 1Y as a toner image forming unit. In these drawings, the image forming unit 1Y includes a photoreceptor unit 2Y and a developing unit 7Y. As shown in FIG. 3, the photoconductor unit 2Y and the developing unit 7Y are configured to be detachably attached to the printer body as an image forming unit 1Y. However, in a state where it is detached from the printer main body, the developing unit 7Y can be attached to and detached from a photosensitive unit (not shown).

  The photoreceptor unit 2Y includes a drum-shaped photoreceptor 3Y as a latent image carrier, a drum cleaning device 4Y, a static eliminator (not shown), a charging device 5Y, and the like. The charging device 5Y as a charging unit uniformly charges the surface of the photoreceptor 3Y, which is driven to rotate clockwise in FIG. 2 by a driving unit (not shown), by the charging roller 6Y. Specifically, in FIG. 2, a charging bias is applied from a power source (not shown) to the charging roller 6Y that is driven to rotate counterclockwise, and the charging roller 6Y is brought close to or in contact with the photosensitive member 3Y. 3Y is uniformly charged.

  Instead of the charging roller 6Y, another charging member such as a charging brush may be used in proximity or contact. Further, a charger that uniformly charges the photosensitive member 3Y by a charger method, such as a scorotron charger, may be used. The surface of the photoreceptor 3Y uniformly charged by the charging device 5Y is exposed and scanned by a laser beam emitted from an optical writing unit 20 serving as a latent image forming unit, which will be described later, and carries an electrostatic latent image for Y.

  FIG. 4 is an exploded configuration diagram showing the inside of the developing unit 7Y. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the developing unit 7 </ b> Y as the developing unit has a first agent storage chamber 9 </ b> Y in which a first conveying screw 8 </ b> Y as a developer conveying unit is disposed. Further, a toner concentration sensor 10Y including a magnetic permeability sensor as a toner concentration detecting unit, a second conveying screw 11Y as a developer conveying unit, a developing roll 12Y as a developer carrying member, a doctor blade 13Y as a developer regulating member, etc. Also has a second agent storage chamber 14Y.

  In these two agent storage chambers forming the circulation path, a Y developer (not shown) which is a two-component developer composed of a magnetic carrier and a negatively chargeable Y toner is contained. The first transport screw 8Y is rotationally driven by a driving means (not shown) to transport the Y developer in the first agent storage chamber 9Y to the near side in FIG. 2 (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 4). The Y developer in the middle of conveyance is positioned on the downstream side in the developer circulation direction with respect to the toner replenishing port 17Y in the first agent storage chamber 9Y by the toner concentration sensor 10Y fixed above the first conveyance screw 8Y. The toner density of the Y developer passing through a predetermined detection location is detected. Then, the Y developer transported to the end of the first agent storage chamber 9Y by the first transport screw 8Y enters the second agent storage chamber 14Y through the communication port 18Y.

  The second transport screw 11Y in the second agent storage chamber 14Y is rotationally driven by a driving means (not shown) to transport the Y developer to the back side in FIG. 2 (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4). In this manner, the developing roll 12Y is disposed in a posture parallel to the second transport screw 11Y above the second transport screw 11Y that transports the Y developer. The developing roll 12Y includes a magnet roller 16Y fixedly disposed in a developing sleeve 15Y made of a nonmagnetic sleeve that is driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIG.

  A part of the Y developer conveyed by the second conveying screw 11Y is pumped up to the surface of the developing sleeve 15Y by the magnetic force generated by the magnet roller 16Y. Then, after the layer thickness is regulated by a doctor blade 13Y disposed so as to maintain a predetermined gap from the surface of the developing sleeve 15Y, the layer is conveyed to a developing region facing the photosensitive member 3Y, and is transferred onto the photosensitive member 3Y. Y toner is adhered to the electrostatic latent image for Y. This adhesion forms a Y toner image on the photoreceptor 3Y. The Y developer that has consumed Y toner by the development is returned to the second conveying screw 11Y as the developing sleeve 15Y rotates. Then, the Y developer transported to the end of the second agent storage chamber 14Y by the second transport screw 11Y returns to the first agent storage chamber 9Y through the communication port 19Y. In this way, the Y developer is circulated and conveyed in the developing unit.

  The detection result of the toner concentration of the Y developer by the toner concentration sensor 10Y is sent as an electric signal to a control device (not shown). This control device converts the output voltage from the toner density sensor 10Y into the toner density of the Y developer in the RAM. Further, the output voltages from the toner density sensors (10C, 10M, 10K) mounted on the C, M, K developing units (7C, 7M, 7K) are used as the respective developers (C, M, K developers). ) Toner density. Note that the output voltage from the toner density sensor formed of a magnetic permeability sensor correlates with the toner density. As the toner concentration of the developer increases, the magnetic permeability of the developer decreases and the output value from the toner concentration sensor decreases.

  For the Y developing unit 7Y, the toner density detection result calculated based on the output voltage from the toner density sensor 10Y is compared with the Y toner density control target value stored in the RAM. Then, the Y replenishing motor of the toner replenishing device is driven for a time corresponding to the amount so that an amount of Y toner according to the comparison result is supplied from the toner replenishing port 17Y. As a result, an appropriate amount of Y toner is supplied to the first developer storage chamber 9Y for the Y developer whose Y toner density has decreased due to consumption of Y toner during development. For this reason, the toner concentration of the Y developer in the second agent storage chamber 14Y is maintained near the target value of the toner concentration. The same applies to the developers in the developing units 7C, 7M, and 7K for other colors.

  In FIG. 1, the Y toner image formed on the photoreceptor 3Y is intermediately transferred to an intermediate transfer belt 41 which is an intermediate transfer body. The drum cleaning device 4Y of the photoreceptor unit 2Y removes toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 3Y after the intermediate transfer process. As a result, the surface of the photoreceptor 3Y subjected to the cleaning process is neutralized by a neutralizing device (not shown). By this charge removal, the surface of the photoreceptor 3Y is initialized and prepared for the next image formation. In the image forming units 1C, 1M, and 1K for other colors, C toner images, M toner images, and K toner images are formed on the photoreceptors 3C, 3M, and 3K in the same manner, and the intermediate transfer belt 41 has intermediate portions. Transcribed.

  An optical writing unit 20 is disposed below the image forming units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1K. The optical writing unit 20 irradiates the photoconductors 3Y, 3C, 3M, and 3K of the image forming units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1K with the laser light L emitted based on the image information. As a result, electrostatic latent images for Y, C, M, and K are formed on the photoreceptors 3Y, 3C, 3M, and 3K, respectively.

  The optical writing unit 20 deflects the laser light L emitted from the light source by the polygon mirror 21 that is rotationally driven by a motor, and passes through the photoreceptors 3Y, 3C, 3M, and 3K via a plurality of optical lenses and mirrors. Is irradiated. Instead of such a configuration, an LED array may be used.

  A first paper feed cassette 31 and a second paper feed cassette 32 are disposed below the optical writing unit 20 so as to overlap in the vertical direction. In each of these paper feed cassettes, a plurality of recording sheets P, which are recording materials, are accommodated in a state of a bundle of recording sheets, and the uppermost recording sheet P has a first paper feeding roller. 31a and the second paper feed roller 32a are in contact with each other. When the first paper feed roller 31a is driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 1 by driving means (not shown), the uppermost recording sheet P in the first paper feed cassette 31 is vertical on the right side of the cassette in FIG. The paper is discharged toward a paper feed path 33 arranged to extend in the direction. Further, when the second paper feed roller 32 a is driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 1 by a driving means (not shown), the uppermost recording sheet P in the second paper feed cassette 32 is discharged toward the paper feed path 33. Is done.

  A plurality of conveying roller pairs 34 are disposed in the sheet feeding path 33, and the recording sheet P sent to the sheet feeding path 33 is sandwiched between the rollers of the conveying roller pair 34 while being fed. 33 is conveyed from the lower side to the upper side in the vertical direction.

  A registration roller pair 35 is disposed at the end of the paper feed path 33. The registration roller pair 35 temporarily stops the rotation of both rollers as soon as the recording sheet P sent from the conveyance roller pair 34 is sandwiched between the rollers. Then, the recording sheet P is sent out toward a later-described secondary transfer nip at an appropriate timing.

  Above the image forming units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1K, a transfer unit 40 that moves the intermediate transfer belt 41 endlessly in a counterclockwise direction while being stretched is disposed. In addition to the intermediate transfer belt 41, the transfer unit 40 includes a belt cleaning unit 42, a first bracket 43, a second bracket 44, and the like. Also provided are four primary transfer rollers 45Y, 45C, 45M, 45K, a secondary transfer backup roller 46, a drive roller 47, an auxiliary roller 48, a nip entrance roller 49, and the like. The intermediate transfer belt 41 is endlessly moved counterclockwise in FIG. 1 by the rotational driving of the driving roller 47 while being stretched around these rollers.

  The four primary transfer rollers 45Y, 45C, 45M, and 45K sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 41 that moves endlessly with the photoreceptors 3Y, 3C, 3M, and 3K to form primary transfer nips. A transfer bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner (in this embodiment, a positive polarity) is applied to the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41. The intermediate transfer belt 41 sequentially passes through the primary transfer nips for Y, C, M, and K along with the endless movement thereof, and the photoreceptors 3Y, 3C, 3M, and 3K are disposed on the outer peripheral surface thereof. The upper color toner images are primarily transferred so as to overlap each other. As a result, a four-color superimposed toner image (hereinafter referred to as “four-color toner image”) is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 41.

  The secondary transfer backup roller 46 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 41 with the secondary transfer roller 50 disposed outside the loop of the intermediate transfer belt 41 to form a secondary transfer nip. The registration roller pair 35 described above sends the recording sheet P sandwiched between the rollers toward the secondary transfer nip at a timing at which the recording sheet P can be synchronized with the four-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 41. The four-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 41 is affected by the secondary transfer electric field formed between the secondary transfer roller 50 to which the secondary transfer bias is applied and the secondary transfer backup roller 46, and the influence of the nip pressure. The secondary transfer is collectively performed on the recording sheet P in the secondary transfer nip. Then, combined with the white color of the recording sheet P, a full color toner image is obtained.

  Untransferred toner that has not been transferred to the recording sheet P adheres to the intermediate transfer belt 41 after passing through the secondary transfer nip. This is cleaned by a belt cleaning unit (not shown). In the belt cleaning unit, the cleaning blade is brought into contact with the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41, whereby the transfer residual toner on the belt is scraped off and removed.

  A fixing unit 60 as a fixing unit is disposed above the secondary transfer nip in the figure. The fixing unit 60 includes a pressure heating roller 61 that includes a heat source such as a halogen lamp, and a fixing belt unit 62. The fixing belt unit 62 includes a fixing belt 64, a heating roller 63 containing a heat source such as a halogen lamp, a tension roller 65, a driving roller 66, a temperature sensor (not shown), and the like. Then, the endless fixing belt 64 is endlessly moved in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2 while being stretched by the heating roller 63, the tension roller 65, and the driving roller 66. In the process of endless movement, the fixing belt 64 is heated from the back side by the heating roller 63.

  A pressure heating roller 61 that is driven to rotate in the clockwise direction in FIG. 1 is in contact with the heating belt 63 around the fixing belt 64 from the front surface side. Thereby, a fixing nip where the pressure heating roller 61 and the fixing belt 64 abut is formed.

  Outside the loop of the fixing belt 64, a temperature sensor (not shown) is disposed so as to face the front surface of the fixing belt 64 with a predetermined gap, and the fixing belt 64 just before entering the fixing nip. Detect surface temperature. This detection result is sent to a fixing power supply circuit (not shown). The fixing power supply circuit performs on / off control of power supply to the heat source included in the heating roller 63 and the heat source included in the pressure heating roller 61 based on the detection result by the temperature sensor. As a result, the surface temperature of the fixing belt 64 is maintained at about 140.degree.

  The recording sheet P that has passed through the secondary transfer nip is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 41 and then sent into the fixing unit 60. Then, in the process of being conveyed from the lower side to the upper side in the figure while being sandwiched by the fixing nip in the fixing unit 60, the full color toner image is applied to the recording sheet P by being heated or pressed by the fixing belt 64. To settle.

  The recording sheet P subjected to the fixing process in this manner is discharged outside the apparatus after passing between the rollers of the paper discharge roller pair 67. A stack unit 68 is formed on the upper surface of the housing of the printer main body, and the recording sheets P discharged to the outside by the discharge roller pair 67 are sequentially stacked on the stack unit 68.

  Above the transfer unit 40, toner bottles 100Y, 100C, 100M, and 100K, which are four toner containers that respectively store Y toner, C toner, M toner, and K toner, are disposed. The color toners in the toner bottles 100Y, 100C, 100M, and 100K are appropriately supplied to the developing units 7Y, 7C, 7M, and 7K of the image forming units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1K, respectively, by the toner replenishing device. The toner bottles 100Y, 100C, 100M, and 100K are detachable from the printer main body independently of the image forming units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1K.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the toner bottle 100. The toner bottle 100 has the same configuration except that the toner bottles 100 are different in the colors of the toners Y, M, C, and K. In FIG. , C, K subscripts are omitted. The toner bottle 100 includes a cylindrical bottle body 101 and a lid member 110. The bottle main body 101 includes a spiral groove 101a on the circumferential wall thereof. Since this spiral groove 101 a is embossed, it is a spiral groove when viewed from the outside of the bottle body 101, but is a spiral protrusion when viewed from the inside of the bottle body 101.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the toner bottle 100 with the lid member opened. One end of the cylindrical toner bottle 100 in the bottle axis direction of the bottle main body 101 is a bottle head 101b having a smaller diameter than other portions. At one end of the bottle head 101b, a toner discharge port 101c for discharging the toner in the bottle main body 101 is provided. The toner discharge port 101c is closed by a lid member 101c that contacts the bottle head 101b. When the toner bottle 100 is attached to a toner replenishing device (not shown), which will be described later, the lid member 101c is pulled out from the bottle head portion 101b by the toner replenishing device, and the toner discharge port 101c is exposed to be released. . In this state, when the toner bottle 100 is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow in the drawing by the toner replenishing device, the toner in the bottle body 101 is moved from the rear side of the bottle to the head side by the spiral groove 101a, and the toner discharge port 101c. Is discharged to the outside.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the toner supply device 70 in the printer. In the figure, a toner replenishing device 70 as toner replenishing means includes a bottle mounting table 95 on which four toner bottles 100Y, 100C, 100M, and 100K are mounted, a bottle driving unit 96 that individually rotates and drives each toner bottle, and the like. It has. The toner bottles 100 </ b> Y, 100 </ b> C, 100 </ b> M, and 100 </ b> K set on the bottle mounting table 95 have their bottle heads inserted into the bottle driving unit 96.

  As indicated by an arrow X1 in the figure, when the toner bottle 100K attached to the bottle driving unit 96 is slid in the direction away from the bottle driving unit 96 on the bottle mounting table 95, the bottle head of the toner bottle 100K is moved. The bottle drive unit 96 is detached. In this way, the toner bottle 100K can be removed from the toner supply device 70.

  On the other hand, in the toner replenishing device 70 in a state where the toner bottle 100K is not attached, the toner bottle 100K is slid in the direction to approach the bottle driving unit 96 on the bottle mounting table 95 as indicated by an arrow X2 in the drawing. To do. Then, the bottle head of the toner bottle 100 </ b> K is inserted into the bottle driving unit 96. As a result, the toner bottle 100K is attached to the toner supply device 70. The toner bottles 100Y, 100C, and 100M for other colors can be detached from the toner supply device 70 by performing the same operation.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the bottle main body 101 of the toner bottle in a state where it is mounted on the toner replenishing device and the surrounding configuration. In the figure, the suffixes Y, M, C, and K attached to the end of the reference numerals are omitted. The figure shows a bottle main body 101 and a partial area of the toner replenishing device for any one of Y, M, C, and K. A hopper 71 of the toner replenishing device is located immediately below the bottle head 101 b of the bottle body 101. The toner that has dropped from the toner discharge port 101 c of the bottle head 101 b as the bottle main body 101 rotates is entered into the hopper 71.

  The hopper 71 is formed in a flat shape in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of the drawing, and is located on the near side of the intermediate transfer belt 41 in the drawing. In the hopper 71, a flexible pressing film 73 fixed to a rotatable rotating shaft member 72 rotates together with the rotating shaft member 72. A toner detection sensor 74 made of a piezoelectric element that detects the presence or absence of toner in the hopper 71 is fixed to the inner wall of the hopper 71.

  The pressing film 73 made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) presses the toner toward the detection surface of the toner detection sensor 74 as it rotates. As a result, the toner detection sensor 74 can detect the toner in the hopper 71 well. The rotation driving control of the bottle body 101 is performed so that the toner detection sensor 74 can detect the toner satisfactorily. Therefore, as long as there is sufficient toner in the bottle main body 101, a sufficient amount of toner is dropped from the bottle head 01b into the hopper 71, and the hopper 71 is filled with a sufficient amount of toner. . If the state changes from this state to a state where the toner detection sensor 74 makes it difficult for the toner to be detected even though the bottle body 101 is frequently rotated, the control device (not shown) has little remaining toner in the bottle body 101. Assuming that the amount is too small, a “toner near end” warning is notified to the user.

  A conveyance pipe 75 is connected to the lower part of the hopper 71, and the toner in the hopper 71 slides down the tapered surface by its own weight and is dropped into the conveyance pipe 75. A toner replenishing screw 76 is disposed in the conveyance tube 75, and conveys the toner in the lateral direction along the longitudinal direction of the conveyance tube 75 in accordance with the rotation of the screw.

  A drop guide tube 77 is connected to one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the transport tube 75 in a posture extending in the vertical direction. The lower end of the drop guide tube 77 is connected to the toner supply port 17 of the first agent storage chamber 9 of the developing unit 7. When the toner replenishing screw 76 in the transport pipe 75 rotates, the toner transported to one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the transport pipe 75 passes through the drop guide pipe 79 and the toner supply port 17, and the first agent storage chamber 9 of the developing unit 7. Fall into. As a result, the toner is supplied into the first agent storage chamber 9.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a Y bottle mounting portion and a Y toner bottle 101Y in the bottle driving portion 96 of the toner replenishing device. The Y bottle mounting part of the bottle driving part 96 includes a bottle holding part 97Y and a lid pulling mechanism 80Y. The bottle holding portion 97Y is rotatably held by the main body of the bottle driving portion 96. A drive receiving gear 98Y is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the bottle holding portion 97Y. The drive receiving gear 98Y receives a driving force while meshing with a drive transmission gear (not shown). Thereby, the bottle holding part 97Y is rotationally driven. The bottle head 101bY of the toner bottle 100Y is attached to the bottle holder 97Y that can be driven to rotate as shown by the arrow in the drawing. As shown in FIG. 10, the toner bottle 100Y is rotatably held by the main body of the bottle driving unit 96 together with the bottle holding unit 97Y.

  A lid pulling mechanism 80Y is disposed on the side of the bottle holding portion 97Y. The lid pulling mechanism 80Y is for pulling out the lid member 101cY from the bottle head 101bY of the toner bottle 100Y and opening the toner discharge port 101c of the bottle head 101bY.

  FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view showing the lid pulling mechanism 80. In the figure, the suffixes Y, C, M, and K attached to the end of the reference numerals are omitted. The lid pulling mechanism 80 includes a slide rod 81, a hook 82, a holding cylinder 83, and the like. The holding cylinder 83 is fixed so as not to move to the bottle drive unit (96) by a bracket (not shown). A slide rod 81 passes through the holding cylinder 83 and is held by the holding cylinder 83 so as to be slidable in the direction of arrow A in the figure. The slide rod 81 is moved in the direction of arrow A in the figure by driving means (not shown). The direction of arrow A in the figure is the same as the longitudinal direction of the toner bottle.

  A pin 81 a protrudes from the peripheral surface of the slide rod 81. On the other hand, the holding cylinder 83 is formed with a slit 83a extending in the direction of arrow A, and the pin 81a slides in the slit 83a. When the pin 81a slides in the slit 83a, the movement of the slide rod 81 in the bar circumferential direction is restricted. In the drawing, the movement of the slide rod 81 in the bar circumferential direction is regulated so that the hook 82 is oriented obliquely downward.

  FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view showing the lid pulling mechanism 80 in a state in which the slide rod 81 is moved forward (toner bottle mounting direction) as compared with FIG. When the slide rod 81 moves slightly forward from the state of FIG. 11, the pin 81a is guided in the slit 83a along with the movement, and the movement of the slide rod 81 in the bar circumferential direction is guided, so that the slide As shown in the figure, the rod 81 has a posture in which the hook 82 extends substantially in the horizontal direction.

  FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view showing the lid pulling mechanism 80 in a state where the slide rod 81 is moved forward (toner bottle mounting direction) as compared with FIG. When the slide rod 81 moves slightly forward from the state shown in FIG. 12, the pin 81a is guided in the slit 83a along with the movement, and the movement of the slide rod 81 in the bar circumferential direction is guided. The rod 81 has a posture in which the hook 82 is directed obliquely upward as illustrated.

  FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view showing the lid member 100 of the toner bottle and the rod holding member 101d. In the figure, the rod holding member 101d is fixed to the inner wall of a bottle body (101) (not shown). In addition, the alternate long and short dash line in the figure shows the cylinder center axis of the toner bottle. The lid member 110 in a state of being in firm contact with a bottle head (not shown) has a posture in which the disc-shaped central axis is aligned with the cylinder central axis of the toner bottle, as shown.

  The lid member 110 includes a disc-shaped lid body 111, a handle member 114 protruding from the center of the front surface of the lid body 111 toward the front of the bottle (outward of the bottle), and the back of the bottle from the center of the back surface of the lid body. And a guide rod 120 protruding toward (inward of the bottle). In addition, the handle member 114 includes a rod-like portion 112 that protrudes toward the front of the bottle, which is the direction in which the lid member is pulled out, and a large-diameter portion 113 provided at the end of the rod-like portion 112.

  The rod holding member 101d fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the bottle body has a holding hole as a through hole at a position on the cylinder central axis of the toner bottle, and receives the guide rod 120 of the lid member 110 in the holding hole. Thus, the lid member 110 is movably held.

  The lid pulling mechanism 80 moves while hooking the hook 82 on the large diameter portion 113 of the handle member 114 of the lid member 110 and pulling the lid member 110 toward the front of the bottle in accordance with the movement as shown in FIGS. To do. As a result, the lid member 110 in contact with the bottle head of the toner bottle is pulled out from the bottle head. Specifically, in FIG. 11, the slide rod 81 of the lid pulling mechanism 80 is located at the home position in the slide movement direction. In this state, as shown in FIG. 15, the hook 82 is in a state immediately before being hooked on the large diameter portion 113 of the handle member 114 of the lid member 110 coupled to the bottle head portion 101b.

  In the process in which the slide rod 81 of the lid pulling mechanism (80) is slightly moved forward (in the direction in which the toner bottle is attached) from this state to the state shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 16, the hook member 82 moves obliquely upward (in the direction of the arrow) with respect to the cylinder center axis (virtual axis) of the bottle indicated by the one-dot chain line. Then, while being caught by the large-diameter portion 113 of the lid member 110, the lid member 110 is pulled out from the bottle head portion 101b in a direction (arrow direction) inclined obliquely upward with respect to the cylinder center axis.

  By pulling out the lid member 110 in this manner, as shown in the figure, the lid member 110 is inclined obliquely upward. Then, the size of the gap formed between the toner discharge port 101c of the bottle head portion 101b and the lid member 110 pulled out from the bottle head portion 101c is not constant in the vertical direction. Of the whole area in the vertical direction in the gap, the region of the lower end portion that becomes the passage of toner becomes larger than the region of the upper end portion that becomes the passage of air. Accordingly, it is possible to sufficiently discharge the toner while ensuring a sufficient distance between the toner discharge port 101c and the lid member 110 in the region of the lower end portion where the toner passes. On the other hand, in the region of the upper end where the toner does not pass, the distance between the toner discharge port 101c and the lid member 110 is reduced to suppress the intake of air, so that the toner scattering from the bottle head 101b to the outside of the container is prevented. Occurrence can be suppressed. As shown by the dotted line in FIG. 17, the distance between the lid member 110 and the bottle head 101b in the region of the upper end portion as compared with the conventional case where the lid member 110 is pulled straight along the cylinder center axis direction. It can be seen that is significantly reduced.

  FIG. 18 is a perspective view and a rear view showing the lid member 110 from the back side. On the back surface of the lid main body 111 of the lid member 110, a ring-shaped seal member 115 made of a sponge having the same outer diameter as that of the lid main body 111 is provided. Further, a plug member 116 having a columnar shape (strictly, a truncated cone shape) protruding from the back surface of the lid main body 111 in the direction in which the lid member 110 is pulled back (behind the bottle) is provided.

  FIG. 19 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the bottle head 101b and the lid member 110 in a state of being pulled out therefrom. FIG. 20 is an enlarged sectional view showing the bottle head 101b and the lid member 110 in contact with the bottle head 101b. The bottle head 101b is provided with a ring-shaped protrusion 101b-1 surrounding the toner discharge port 101c, and this ring-shaped protrusion 101b-1 rises from the ring-shaped end surface 101b-2 of the bottle head 101b. . The ring-shaped end surface 101b-2 is located on the outer peripheral side with respect to the ring-shaped protrusion 101b-1.

  In a state where the lid member 110 is in contact with the bottle head 101b and the toner discharge port 101c is closed, the ring-shaped seal member 110 of the lid member 110 abuts against the end surface 101b-2 of the bottle head 101b and is elastically deformed. As a result, the sealing performance of the toner discharge port 101c is ensured, and toner scattering from the toner discharge port 101c to the outside of the bottle is reliably avoided. Further, when the lid member 110 comes into contact with the bottle head portion 101b, the plug member 116 protruding from the back surface of the lid body 111 toward the rear of the bottle is located inside the toner discharge port 101c inside the bottle head portion 101b. .

  FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing how toner is discharged from the toner discharge port 101c. As shown in the drawing, the toner discharged from the toner discharge port 101c of the bottle head 101b spills from the end of the ring-shaped protrusion 101b-1 that is present on the most front side of the bottle in the bottle head 101b. The toner is discharged from the toner discharge port 101c. At this time, a large amount of toner adheres to the ring-shaped protrusion 101b-1 because the toner contacts. However, since the end surface 101b-2 exists on the bottle rear side with respect to the ring-shaped protrusion 101b-1, the toner does not contact the end surface 101b-2. The toner adhering to the end surface 101b-2 is sealed with the end surface 101b-2 by preventing the toner from contacting the end surface 101b-2 against which the seal member 115 is abutted in a state where the lid member 110 is in contact with the bottle head 101b. Occurrence of a decrease in sealing performance due to interposition between the member 115 and the member 115 can be avoided.

  FIG. 22 is an enlarged perspective view showing the bottle head 101b. A notch K is provided at a predetermined position in the entire region in the circumferential direction of the ring-shaped protrusion 101b-1 of the bottle head 101b. This notch K enables air to enter and exit while the toner is sealed inside and outside the toner bottle 100 in a state where the lid member 110 is in contact with the bottle head portion 101b. Specifically, the air in the toner bottle 100 can pass out of the bottle through the cut K and the seal member (115 in FIG. 20). The seal member is made of a porous member such as sponge, and the diameter of the hole is smaller than that of the toner, so that only air is allowed to flow. Further, the air outside the toner bottle 100 can enter the toner bottle 100 through the seal member and the cut K. In this way, air can be circulated while exhibiting toner sealing properties, and the air pressure in the toner bottle 100 can be maintained constant.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 23, the boundary portion between the large-diameter portion 113 and the rod-shaped portion 112 of the handle member 114 provided at the tip of the lid member 110 is directed from the rear end side to the tip of the lid member 110. It is desirable to provide a taper that gradually increases in diameter. When such a taper is not provided, as shown in FIG. 24, the boundary portion between the peripheral surface of the rod-shaped portion 112 of the handle member 114 and the large-diameter portion 113 is connected at an angle of approximately 90 [°]. become. The hook 82 of the lid pulling mechanism is sandwiched between the peripheral surface and the back surface (the surface on the rod-shaped portion 112 side of the large-diameter portion 113) having an angle of 90 [°], An edge is abutted against the peripheral surface, and the other edge is abutted against the back surface. In such a state, the frictional resistance between the edge and the peripheral surface and the back surface becomes very large, which increases the driving load.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 23, when a taper is provided at the boundary between the large-diameter portion 113 and the rod-shaped portion 112, the angle formed by the taper and the peripheral surface of the rod-shaped portion 1120 is 90 [°]. Bigger than. Further, the frictional resistance between the taper and the peripheral surface of the hook 82 sandwiched between the taper and the peripheral surface having such a large angle is reduced. As a result, the driving load can be further reduced.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the bottle head 101b is fitted to the bottle main body 101. That is, the bottle head 101b and the bottle main body 101 are individually molded and then fitted with each other. A jig insertion groove 101f for inserting a jig is provided at the boundary of the bottle main body 101 on the outer peripheral surface of the bottle head 101b. As shown in FIG. 26, the jig insertion groove 101f has a length b in the bottle cross-sectional direction larger than a length a in the bottle axial direction. The bottle head 101b can be easily removed from the bottle body 101 by inserting the jig 900 into the jig insertion groove 101f and rotating it.

Next, a characteristic configuration of the printer will be described.
FIG. 27 is an enlarged perspective view showing the bottle head 101b of the toner bottle 100 in an enlarged manner. As shown in the figure, the bottle head 101b is provided with a circumferential upper surface protrusion 131 that protrudes from the outer circumferential surface in the normal direction. As shown in FIG. 28, the circumferential surface upper protrusion 131 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the bottle head portion 101b at a point-symmetrical position with respect to the cylinder center axis L1.

  29 is a perspective view and a front view showing the container holding portion 78 of the toner replenishing device 70. FIG. The container holding portion 78 is rotatably held inside the bottle driving portion 96 shown in FIG. 9, and the bottle head portion 101c of the toner bottle 100 pushed into the bottle driving portion 96 is placed inside itself. And the toner bottle 100 is held. Note that four bottle holders 78 are provided in the bottle driving unit 96 so as to individually correspond to the four colors Y, C, M, and K. In FIG. 29, one of them is provided. Show. In FIG. 29, subscripts Y, C, M, and K attached to the end of the reference numerals are omitted.

  The container holding part 78 has two notches 78a that engage with the protrusions 131 on the circumferential surface of the bottle head 101b of the toner bottle that is pushed into the container holding part 78. These notches 78a are provided at positions symmetrical with respect to each other about the rotation center axis L2 of the container holding portion 78. The container holding portion 78 is provided with a tapered surface 78c starting from a position upstream of the notch 78a in the bottle pushing direction and extending in a direction inclined from the bottle pushing direction to the inlet of the notch 78a. Yes.

  When the operator places the toner bottle 100 on the bottle mounting table 95 of the toner replenishing device 70, the rotation center axis of the toner bottle 100 is an extension of the rotation center axis of the container holding portion 78, as shown in FIG. Located on the line. In this state, the operator slides the toner bottle 100 toward the container holding portion 78 of the toner replenishing device as indicated by an arrow in the drawing. Then, as shown in FIG. 31, the protrusion 131 on the circumferential surface of the toner bottle 100 eventually comes into contact with the tapered surface 78 c of the container holding portion 78. When the toner bottle 100 is further pushed toward the container holding portion 78 in this state, as shown by an arrow in the drawing, the force on the circumferential surface protrusion 131 of the toner bottle 100 is directed in the pushing direction and the force directed upward in the vertical direction. To the tapered surface 78c. And the container holding part 78 is rotated by the latter force. By this rotation, the inlet of the notch 78a provided in the container holding part 78 is aligned to the position of the protrusion on the circumferential surface 131 in the rotational direction, and the circumferential surface is formed in the notch 78a as shown in FIG. The protrusion 131 can be received. Then, the toner bottle 100 is pushed into the position shown in FIG.

  Thus, in this apparatus, when the bottle head portion 101b of the toner bottle 100 is pushed into the container holding portion 78 of the toner replenishing device, the container holding portion 78 is rotated so that the inlet of the notch 78a of the container holding portion 78 is on the circumferential surface. Align with the protrusion 131. Therefore, the toner bottle 100 can be easily set in the toner replenishing device without being aligned in the rotation direction.

  As shown in FIG. 28, in the toner bottle 100, on the circumferential surface of the bottle head 101b, on the circumferential surface, protrusions 131 are provided at point-symmetrical positions with respect to the cylinder center axis L1. Further, as shown in FIG. 29, the container holding portion 78 is provided with a notch 78a for receiving one of the peripheral surface protrusions 131. Further, a notch 78a for receiving the other circumferential protrusion 131 is provided. These two notches 78a are respectively arranged at point-symmetrical positions with respect to the cylinder center axis L2. Further, the container holding portion 78 is provided with a tapered surface 78c that rubs against one of the protrusions 131 on the circumferential surface and a tapered surface 78c that rubs against the protrusions 131 on the other circumferential surface. These tapered surfaces 78c are disposed at point-symmetrical positions with respect to the cylinder center axis L2.

  In such a configuration, even if the toner bottle 100 is pushed toward the container holding portion 78 at any rotation angle and posture, any one of the protrusions 131 on the circumferential surface is surely brought into contact with any one of the tapered surfaces 78c. . Further, the other circumferential upper surface protrusion 131 is reliably brought into contact with the other tapered surface 78c. As a result, even if the toner bottle 100 is pushed toward the container holding portion 78 at any rotation angle, the container holding portion 78 can be reliably rotated. By this rotation, the two notches 78a can be aligned with the circumferential protrusions 131, respectively.

  The two circumferential protrusions 131 on the toner bottle 100 have the same width. In addition, the two notches 78a in the container holding portion 78 have the same width. Therefore, it is possible to allow one of the protrusions 131 on the circumferential surface to be received in any of the two cutouts 78a and allow the protrusion on the other circumferential surface 131 to be received in any of the two cutouts 78a. Thereby, even if the toner bottle 100 is pushed toward the container holding portion 78 at any rotational angle, the two notches 78a can be reliably aligned with the circumferential protrusions 131, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 27, the bottle head 101b is provided with a mis-mounting prevention protrusion 132 in addition to the peripheral surface protrusion 131. This mismounting prevention protrusion 132 is disposed at a position upstream of the peripheral surface protrusion 131 in the bottle pushing direction (the arrow direction in the figure). In addition, as shown in FIG. 28, the erroneous mounting prevention protrusions 132 are respectively provided at point-symmetrical positions with respect to the cylinder center axis L1 on the peripheral surface of the bottle head 101b. The positions of these two erroneous mounting preventing projections 132 in the bottle longitudinal direction are the same.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 29, the container holding portion 78 is provided with two erroneous mounting preventing cutouts 78b at positions symmetrical with respect to each other with respect to the cylinder center axis L2. These two erroneous mounting prevention notches 78b receive the erroneous mounting prevention protrusions 132 of the toner bottle 100, respectively. When the notch 78a of the container holding part 78 is aligned with the protrusion on the circumferential surface 131 of the toner bottle 100 by rotating the container holding part 78, the next alignment is performed at the same time. That is, as shown in FIG. 32, the erroneous mounting prevention notch 78 b of the container holding portion 78 is aligned with the erroneous mounting prevention protrusion 132 of the toner bottle 100 in the rotational direction. For this reason, after the alignment, the erroneous mounting prevention protrusion 132 of the toner bottle 100 is received in the erroneous mounting prevention notch 78 b of the container holding portion 78.

  FIG. 27 shows one of the toner bottles 100 for Y, C, M, and K. In the toner bottles 100 for Y, C, M, and K, in addition to the colors of the toners contained therein, the arrangement positions of the mismounting prevention protrusions 132 in the circumferential direction are different from each other.

  FIG. 29 shows one of the Y, C, M, and K container holders 78 that corresponds to the toner bottle 100 shown in FIG. The container holding portions 78 for Y, C, M, and K are different from each other in arrangement positions in the circumferential direction of the notch 78 b for preventing erroneous mounting.

  Hereinafter, the printer will be described on the assumption that the container holding portion 78 shown in FIG. 29 corresponds to Y among Y, C, M, and K. Assume that the toner bottle 100C for C is about to be attached to the container holding portion 78Y. Then, as shown in FIG. 34, the notch 78aY of the container holding portion 78Y is aligned with the protrusion 131 on the circumferential surface of the toner bottle 100. However, in this state, the position of the erroneous mounting prevention notch 78bY of the container holding portion 78 is not aligned with the erroneous mounting prevention projection 132C of the toner bottle 100C in the circumferential direction. For this reason, the erroneous mounting prevention protrusion 132C of the toner bottle 100C is caught by the tapered surface 78cY of the container holding portion 78Y, and the mounting of the toner bottle 100C to the container holding portion 78Y is prevented.

  Thus, in this printer, when the toner bottle 100 having a color different from the corresponding color of the container holding portion 78 is to be attached to the container holding portion 78, the erroneous attachment preventing protrusion 132 of the toner bottle 100 is used. Is caught on the tapered surface 78 c of the container holding portion 78. Thereby, it is possible to avoid mounting the toner bottles 100 of different colors on the container holding portion 78.

  In FIG. 28, the widths of the two erroneous mounting preventing protrusions 132 of the toner bottle 100 are the same. In FIG. 29, the widths of the two erroneous mounting preventing slide notches 78 b of the container holding portion 78 are the same as each other. Further, this width is smaller than the width of the peripheral surface protrusion 131 shown in FIG. Therefore, the protrusion 131 on the circumferential surface of the toner bottle 100 can be made to enter the notch 78a without accidentally entering the slide notch 78b for preventing erroneous mounting.

  FIG. 35 is an enlarged perspective view showing the periphery of the erroneous mounting prevention notch 78b in the container holding portion 78 together with the erroneous mounting prevention protrusion 131 of the toner bottle. In the figure, the arrow direction indicates the pushing direction of the toner bottle. The first taper portion 78c-1 of the container holding portion 78 is a taper portion on the upstream side in the pushing direction with respect to the notch 78b for preventing erroneous mounting on the tapered surface. Further, the second taper portion 78c-2 is a taper portion on the downstream side in the pressing direction with respect to the notch 78b for preventing erroneous mounting on the tapered surface. Further, the virtual extension line L3 is obtained by extending the taper of the first taper portion 78c-1 toward the downstream side in the pushing direction. As illustrated, in the present printer, the taper of the second taper portion 78c-2 is disposed at a position shifted to the downstream side in the pushing direction from the virtual extension line L3. In such a configuration, the erroneous mounting prevention protrusion 131 can be smoothly slid against the tapered surface without hooking the edge E of the erroneous mounting prevention notch 78 b on the erroneous mounting prevention protrusion 131 of the toner bottle 100. .

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 36, it is assumed that the taper of the second taper portion 78c-2 is disposed at the same position as the virtual extension line L3. Then, there is a possibility that the edge E of the mismounting prevention notch 78b is hooked on the mismounting prevention protrusion 131 of the toner bottle 100 as illustrated.

  FIG. 37 is an enlarged configuration diagram illustrating the bottle head portion 101b in a state where the lid member 110 is in contact with the toner bottle 100 of the first modified example of the printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 38 is an enlarged configuration diagram showing the bottle head 101b in a state where the lid member 110 of the toner bottle 100 of the printer is pulled out. In the printer according to the first modification, a rod holding member 101h having a cylindrical rod receiving portion is provided inside the bottle head portion 101b. The guide rod 120 of the lid member 110 is inserted into the cylindrical receiving part of the rod holding part 101h, and slides in the cylinder longitudinal direction within the receiving part.

  The guide rod 120 is made of a flexible member. For this reason, when the lid member 110 is pulled out from the bottle head 101b in a state of being inclined with respect to the cylinder center axis, the extension part of the guide rod 120 from the rod holding part 101h is bent obliquely with respect to the cylinder axis direction. Mu Due to this bending, the lid member 110 is allowed to move obliquely, and the guide rod 120 applies a force to the lid member 110 to correct it in a straight posture along the cylinder center axis direction. In such a configuration, the combination of the guide rod 120 and the rod holding member 101h functions as a posture returning means. Without providing a coil spring, the posture of the lid member 110 when contacting the bottle head 101b can be straightened.

  FIG. 39 is a perspective view showing the bottle head 101b and the lid member 110 in the toner bottle of the printer according to the first modification. As shown in the figure, a rhombus is adopted as the planar shape of the hole of the rod receiving portion in the rod holding member 101h. Further, as the guide rod 120, a rod having a diamond shape as shown in the figure is used. Naturally, the cross section of the guide rod 120 is smaller than the hole of the rod receiving portion of the rod holding member 101h. If the planar shape of the hole and the cross-sectional shape of the guide rod 120 are both circles, the rod holding member 101h that is driven to rotate together with the bottle body on the guide rod 120 is idle. On the other hand, as in this printer, the planar shape of the hole and the cross-sectional shape of the guide rod 120 are both rhombus, so that the edge (corner portion) of the cross-section of the guide rod 120 is hooked on the inner wall or corner portion of the hole. The rod 120 and thus the lid member 110 can be rotated together with the bottle body. In addition, the planar shape of the hole of a receiving part and the cross-sectional shape of the guide rod 120 are not limited to a rhombus. If it is a polygonal shape, the same effect as a rhombus can be produced. Further, the planar shape of the hole of the receiving portion and the cross-sectional shape of the guide rod 120 may be different polygonal shapes.

  FIG. 40 is an enlarged configuration diagram illustrating the lid member 110 and the rod holding member 101h of the printer according to the second modification. In the second modification, a guide rod 120 having a bellows-shaped portion is used. The guide rod 120 can flex flexibly due to its bellows shape. In such a configuration, the bellows shape of the guide rod 120 can apply a force that corrects the lid member 110 that is pulled out from the bottle head portion 101b to a straight posture.

  FIG. 41 is an enlarged configuration diagram showing the lid member 110 and the rod holding member 101h in the printer according to the third modification. FIG. 42 is a perspective view showing a guide rod of the printer. In the printer according to the third modification, the guide rod 120 is made of a material having a relatively high hardness. When the guide rod 120 has a simple pin shape, the guide rod 120 cannot be bent from a straight posture. However, the guide rod 120 of the third modification is provided with a hollow 120a as shown. By this hollowing, the guide rod 120 can be flexed flexibly as shown in FIG. In such a configuration, even when a material having high hardness must be used for some reason as the material of the guide rod 120, the guide rod 120 is flexibly bent so that the guide rod 120 is one of the posture return means. It can function as a part.

  FIG. 43 is an enlarged configuration diagram showing the lid member 110 and the rod holding member 101h in the printer according to the fourth modification. In the printer according to the fourth modification, the guide rod 120 is made of a stretchable material. The guide rod 120 can be flexed flexibly as shown in the figure, or can function as a part of the posture returning means, due to its stretching force.

  FIG. 44 is an enlarged configuration diagram illustrating a bottle head 101b in a printer according to a fifth modification. In the printer according to the fifth modification, screw blades 101j are erected on the outer peripheral surface of the rod receiving portion of the rod holding member 101h. When the toner bottle 100 is driven to rotate, the screw blade 101j rotates together with the bottle body and the rod holding member 101h. By the rotation, the toner in the bottle head 101b can be conveyed toward the toner discharge port 101c.

  In such a configuration, it is assumed that the toner bottle 100 is stored for a long time with the bottle head portion 101b in the direction of gravity. Assume that the toner is compressed in the bottle head portion 101b. Even in such a state, the compressed toner can be discharged from the bottle head portion 101b by the screw blade 101j during the initial operation.

In addition, about the screw blade | wing 101, you may provide in the extension part from the rod receiving part of the guide rod 120 instead of providing in the outer peripheral surface of the rod receiving part of the rod holding member 101h.

  So far, an example in which a plurality of notches 78a are provided in the container holding portion 78 has been described. However, even if only one notch 78a is provided, the notches 78a are removed from the bottle head portion 101b by the rotation of the container holding portion 78. It is possible to guide toward the circumferential protrusion 131. For example, a tapered surface 78c as shown in FIG. 49 may be provided.

What has been described above is merely an example, and the present invention has a specific effect for each of the following modes.
[Aspect A]
The toner image forming means (for example, the image forming unit 1 and the optical writing unit 20) and the cylindrical toner container (for example, the toner bottle 100) are rotated from the inside of the toner container while rotating about the cylinder center axis. A toner replenishing unit (for example, a toner replenishing device 70) for replenishing the discharged toner to the toner image forming unit, and the toner replenishing unit holds at least a tip portion of the entire region in the longitudinal direction of the toner container. A container holding portion (for example, the container holding portion 78) and the toner container held by the container holding portion are integrally rotated, and the tip end portion (for example, the bottle head) has an outer peripheral surface. The tip having a protrusion on the peripheral surface (for example, the protrusion on the peripheral surface 131) projecting in the normal direction from the tip, and the container holding portion is pushed into itself In the image forming apparatus having an engaging portion (for example, a notch 78a) that engages with the protrusion on the circumferential surface, the upstream side in the pushing direction in which the protrusion on the circumferential surface is pushed in relative to the engaging portion. A tapered surface (for example, a tapered surface 78c) extending in a direction inclined from the pushing direction to the entrance of the engaging portion is provided in the container holding portion, and the tip portion is pushed into the container holding portion. When rotating the container holding part by applying a force in the rotation direction to the container holding part as the protrusion on the circumferential surface moving in the pushing direction slides on the tapered surface, The rotation guides the entrance of the engaging portion toward the protrusion on the circumferential surface.

[Aspect B]
Aspect B is the aspect A according to aspect A, wherein the protrusions on the peripheral surface are provided at point-symmetrical positions with respect to the cylindrical center axis on the peripheral surface of the tip portion, and each of the protrusions on the peripheral surface is received. The joint portion and the engaging portion for receiving the other protrusion on the peripheral surface are respectively provided at point-symmetric positions with respect to the cylinder center axis in the container holding portion, and one of the peripheral surfaces A taper surface that rubs against the upper protrusion and a taper surface that rubs against the other upper protrusion on the circumferential surface are provided at point-symmetrical positions with respect to the cylinder center axis in the container holding portion. It is what.

[Aspect C]
Aspect C is characterized in that, in aspect B, the widths of the two protrusions on the circumferential surface are the same, and the widths of the two engaging portions are the same.

[Aspect D]
In aspect D, in aspect C, an erroneous attachment preventing protrusion (for example, an erroneous attachment preventing protrusion 132) for preventing erroneous attachment to the container holding part having a specification different from the normal specification is provided at the peripheral portion of the tip. Provided at positions upstream of the in-plane protrusion in the push-in direction and symmetrical with respect to the cylinder center axis, and are individually engaged with the two erroneous attachment prevention protrusions. Two erroneous mounting preventing engagement portions are provided in the container holding portion.

[Aspect E]
Aspect E is that in aspect D, the widths of the two erroneous mounting prevention protrusions are the same, the widths of the two erroneous mounting prevention engaging portions are the same, and the width is the protrusion on the circumferential surface. It is characterized by being smaller than the width of.

[Aspect F]
Aspect F is an imaginary embodiment in which, in aspect E, the two tapered surfaces are each formed by extending a taper portion on the upstream side in the push-in direction from the erroneous attachment preventing engagement portion toward the erroneous attachment preventing engagement portion. The taper location on the downstream side of the extension line is shifted to the downstream side in the pushing direction.

[Aspect G]
Aspect G is the toner discharge port (for example, toner) provided in the tip portion for discharging the toner in the tip portion toward the downstream side in the push-in direction from the tip portion. The toner container is provided with a discharge port 101c) and a lid member (for example, a lid member 110) that contacts the tip and closes the toner discharge port, and is mounted on the toner supply unit. The lid member is provided with a lid pulling means (for example, a lid pulling mechanism 80) for pulling out the lid member from the tip portion and opening the toner discharge port.

[Aspect H]
Aspect H is characterized in that, in aspect G, a lid holding means (for example, hook 82) that continues to hold the lid member pulled out from the tip is provided in the lid pulling means.

[Aspect I]
According to an aspect I, in the aspect H, the toner container is provided with a return force applying means (for example, a guide rod 120) that applies a force in a direction to return the lid member pulled out from the tip part to the tip part. It is characterized by that.

1: Image forming unit (part of toner image forming means)
20: Optical writing unit (part of toner image forming means)
70: Toner supply device (toner supply means)
78: Container holding part 78a: Notch (engagement part)
78b: Notch for preventing incorrect mounting (engagement portion for preventing incorrect mounting)
78c: Tapered surface 80: Lid pulling mechanism (lid pulling means)
82: Hook (lid holding means)
100: Toner bottle (toner container)
101b: Bottle head (tip)
101c: Toner discharge port 110: Lid member 120: Guide rod (returning force applying means)
131: Protrusion on the circumference 132; Protrusion for preventing incorrect mounting

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-48935

Claims (10)

A toner image forming unit; and a toner replenishing unit that replenishes the toner image forming unit with the toner discharged from the toner container while rotating the cylindrical toner container around a cylinder center axis. ,
The toner replenishing means integrally rotates and drives a container holding part that holds at least a tip part of the entire region in the longitudinal direction of the toner container and the toner container held by the container holding part. And
The tip has a protrusion on the peripheral surface protruding in the normal direction from the outer peripheral surface,
In addition, in the image forming apparatus, the container holding portion includes an engaging portion that engages with the protrusion on the circumferential surface of the tip portion that is pushed into the container holding portion.
A tapered surface extending from the upstream side in the push-in direction in which the protrusion on the circumferential surface is pushed in from the engagement part and extending in a direction inclined from the push-in direction to the entrance of the engagement part is formed in the container. Provided in the holding part,
When the tip portion is pushed into the container holding portion, a rotational force is applied to the container holding portion as the protrusion on the circumferential surface that moves in the pushing direction is rubbed against the tapered surface. An image forming apparatus characterized in that, while rotating the container holding portion, the inlet of the engaging portion is guided toward the protrusion on the circumferential surface by the rotation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The protrusions on the peripheral surface are respectively provided at point-symmetrical positions with respect to the cylindrical center axis on the peripheral surface of the tip portion;
The engagement portion for receiving one of the protrusions on the circumferential surface and the engagement portion for receiving the other protrusion on the circumferential surface are point-symmetric with respect to the cylinder center axis in the container holding portion. Provided at each position,
A tapered surface that rubs against one of the protrusions on the circumferential surface and a tapered surface that rubs against the other protrusion on the circumferential surface are point-symmetrical with respect to the cylinder center axis in the container holding portion. And an image forming apparatus provided respectively. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.
An image forming apparatus, wherein the two protrusions on the circumferential surface have the same width, and the two engagement portions have the same width. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.
A projection for preventing erroneous mounting for preventing erroneous mounting on the container holding portion having a specification different from the regular specification is a position on the upstream side in the pushing direction with respect to the protrusion on the circumferential surface at the tip portion, And provided at point-symmetrical positions with respect to the cylinder center axis,
In addition, the image forming apparatus is characterized in that the container holding portion is provided with two erroneous mounting preventing engaging portions that individually engage with the two erroneous mounting preventing projections. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.
The widths of the two erroneous mounting preventing projections are the same, the widths of the two erroneous mounting preventing engaging portions are the same, and the width is smaller than the width of the protrusion on the circumferential surface. An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.
Each of the two tapered surfaces has a taper portion on the upstream side in the push-in direction from the engagement portion for erroneous mounting prevention toward the engagement portion for erroneous mounting prevention, which is downstream of the virtual extension line. An image forming apparatus, wherein the position of the tapered portion is shifted to the downstream side in the pushing direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
A toner discharge port provided at the tip for discharging the toner in the tip toward the downstream side of the push-in direction from the tip, and a lid that contacts the tip and closes the toner discharge port A member is provided in the toner container,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a lid pulling unit that opens the toner discharge port by pulling out the lid member of the toner container attached to the toner replenishing unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7.
An image forming apparatus, wherein the lid pulling means is provided with a lid holding means for continuously holding the lid member pulled out from the tip portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8.
An image forming apparatus, wherein the toner container is provided with a return force applying unit that applies a force in a direction to return the lid member pulled out from the tip part to the tip part. A toner container for storing toner to be supplied to a toner image forming unit of an image forming apparatus,
11. A toner container mounted on the toner replenishing unit of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

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