JP6091270B2 - Developer supply device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a developer supply device having a detachable developer supply container . This developer replenishing device can be used in, for example, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, and a multifunction machine having a plurality of these functions.

  Conventionally, a fine powder developer is used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine. Such an image forming apparatus is configured to replenish the developer that is consumed in the image formation from the developer replenishing container.

  As such a conventional developer replenishment container, for example, in the apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-228561, a method is used in which the developer replenishment container is rotated by a rotational drive received from the image forming apparatus and the developer is dropped and replenished to the image forming apparatus. Adopted. Further, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 2, a bellows-like elastic member is provided in a part of the developer supply container, and the rotational drive received from the image forming apparatus is converted into a reciprocating motion, and the reciprocating motion is utilized. A system is adopted in which the internal pressure in the container is changed by expanding and contracting the expansion / contraction member to generate a pressure difference from the external air pressure, and the developer is discharged from the developer supply container.

  As described above, both the patent document 1 and the patent document 2 are configured to be driven to rotate so that the developer is discharged from the developer supply container.

JP 2002-318490 A JP 2012-93735 A

  However, in the developer supply containers described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, if the user rotates the developer supply container after setting it in the image forming apparatus and before closing the front cover, the developer supply container is moved from the developer supply container. May be discharged. Excess developer replenishment may affect image quality.

An object of the present invention is that it prevents the excessive supply of the developer by the user's erroneous operation.

  Further objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a developer replenishing device comprising a developer accepting device and a developer replenishing container detachably attached to the developer accepting device, wherein the developer accepting device comprises the developer. A mounting section for detachably mounting the supply container, a developer receiving section for receiving the developer from the developer supply container, a drive section for applying a driving force to the developer supply container, and rotation of the developer supply container An engaging portion for restricting the opening, and a cover for opening and closing an opening for inserting the developer supply container, the developer supply container including a developer storage chamber for storing the developer, A drive receiving portion that receives a rotational driving force for rotating the developer accommodating chamber from the developer supply device, and a discharge that discharges the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating chamber as the developer accommodating chamber rotates. If, after mounting the developer supply unit, to regulate the rotation of the developer accommodating chamber by said cover is engaged with the engaging portion when in an open state, engages when the cover is closed And an engaged portion whose state is released.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress excessive replenishment from the developer replenishment container due to a user's erroneous operation or the like.

It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows an example of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a developer supply container of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the developer receiving device according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a state where the developer supply container in Example 1 is inserted into the developer receiving device. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of replenishment operation | movement. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a developer supply container and a developer receiving device showing an example of a modification of Example 1. FIG. (A)-(b) It is a perspective view of the sealing member of Example 1. FIG. It is (a) top view of the sealing member of Example 1, (b) front view, (c) CC sectional drawing. (A)-(c) It is a figure which shows a motion of the rotation control member at the time of mounting | wearing the developer supply apparatus with the developer supply container of Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the state of the rotation control member of (a)-(b) developer acceptance apparatus. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a developer receiving device corresponding to FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b). (A) A perspective view of a rotation restricting member, (b) a perspective view of a release lever. 3 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a developer supply container of Example 1. FIG. (A)-(c) It is a fragmentary sectional view which shows gradually a mode that the developer supply container of Example 1 is inserted in a developer acceptance apparatus, and a sealing member is open | released. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a developer supply container of Example 2. FIG. It is the (a) perspective view of the container main body of Example 2, (b) It is a partial perspective view. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a developer receiving device of Example 2. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a developer supply container and a developer receiving device in Embodiment 2. FIG. (A)-(b) It is a perspective view of the flange of Example 2. FIG. (A) Front view and (b) Perspective view of shutter of Example 2. 6 is a front view of a pump unit according to Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a perspective view of the reciprocating member of Example 2. 6 is a perspective view of a cover of Example 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view showing a modification of the developer supply container. 6 is a graph showing an image of a replenishment amount with respect to the number of rotations in the developer replenishment containers of Example 1 and Example 2.

  Hereinafter, the developer supply container and developer supply device according to the present invention will be described in detail. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, various configurations of the developer supply container can be replaced with other known configurations having similar functions within the scope of the inventive concept. That is, unless otherwise specified, there is no intention to limit the configuration of the developer supply container described in the examples described later.

[Example 1]
(Image forming device)
First, the configuration of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus as an example of an image forming apparatus to which the developer supply container 1 according to the present invention is mounted will be described with reference to FIG. In the electrophotographic copying machine main body 100 (hereinafter referred to as “apparatus main body 100”) shown in FIG. The plurality of mirrors M and lenses Ln form an image on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum (hereinafter referred to as “photosensitive drum”) 104 as an image carrier. Of the recording media (hereinafter referred to as “sheets”) S loaded in the cassettes 105, 106, 107, 108, information input by the user (user) from the operation unit 100 a shown in FIG. The optimum sheet S is selected from the sheet size information of the cassettes 105 to 108. Here, the recording medium is not limited to a sheet, and may be selected as appropriate, such as an OHP sheet.

  Then, one sheet S conveyed by the feeding / separating devices 105 </ b> A, 106 </ b> A, 107 </ b> A, 108 </ b> A is conveyed to the registration roller 110 via the conveyance unit 109. Further, the registration roller 110 conveys the sheet S to the transfer unit in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 104 and the scanning timing of the optical unit 103. In the transfer portion, the developer image (toner image) formed on the photosensitive drum 104 is transferred to the sheet S by the transfer discharger 111. Then, the sheet S on which the developer image is transferred is separated from the photosensitive drum 104 by the separation discharger 112.

  Thereafter, the sheet S transported to the fixing unit 114 by the transport unit 113 fixes the toner image on the sheet S by heat and pressure in the fixing unit 114, and in the case of single-sided copying, the discharge reversing unit 115 is set. Passed and discharged to the discharge tray 117 by the discharge roller 116. Further, in the case of multiple copying, after being conveyed to the registration roller 110 via the refeed conveyance paths 119 and 120 under the control of the flapper 118 of the discharge reversing unit 115, the same path as in the case of single-sided copying is followed. Then, it is discharged to the discharge tray 117.

  In the case of duplex copying, the sheet S passes through the discharge reversing unit 115 and is once discharged out of the apparatus by the discharge roller 116. Thereafter, the trailing edge of the sheet S passes through the flapper 118, and is controlled by the flapper 118 at the timing when it is still nipped by the discharge roller 116, and the discharge roller 116 is rotated in the reverse direction, thereby being conveyed again into the apparatus main body 100. Is done. Thereafter, the sheet is conveyed to the registration roller 110 via the refeed conveyance paths 119 and 120, and then discharged to the discharge tray 117 along the same path as in the case of single-sided copying.

  Incidentally, in the apparatus main body 100 having the above-described configuration, a developing device 201 as a developing unit, a cleaner device 202, a primary charger 203, and the like are disposed around the photosensitive drum 104. The developing device 201 develops, using a developer (toner), an electrostatic latent image formed by exposing the photosensitive drum 104 uniformly charged based on the image information of the document 101 by the optical unit 103. To do. A developer supply container 1 for supplying toner as a developer to the developing device 201 is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 100 by a user. The present invention can be applied even when only toner is supplied from the developer supply container 1 to the image forming apparatus side or when toner and carrier are supplied. In this embodiment, the former example will be described.

  Further, the developing device 201 includes a developing device 201a as a storage unit. The developing device 201a includes a stirring member 201c for stirring the developer replenished from the developer replenishing container 1. The developer stirred by the stirring member 201c is sent by the magnet roller 201d. The developing device 201a includes a developing roller 201f and a conveying member 201e. The developer sent from the developing device 201a by the magnet roller 201d is sent to the developing roller 201f by the transport member 201e, and is supplied to the photosensitive drum 104 by the developing roller 201f. The cleaner device 202 is for removing the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum 104. The primary charger 203 is for charging the photosensitive drum 104.

  The developer replenishing container replacement front cover 15 (hereinafter referred to as “pre-replacement cover”), which is a part of the exterior cover shown in FIG. 2, is opened by the user as shown in FIG. The developer supply container 1 is inserted into (FIG. 4). When the user takes out the developer supply container 1 from the apparatus main body 100, the replacement cover 15 is opened and the developer supply container 1 is taken out. Here, the pre-replacement cover 15 is a dedicated cover for attaching / detaching (replacing) the developer supply container 1 and is provided in the apparatus main body 100 so as to be openable and closable, and only for attaching / detaching the developer supply container 1. Is opened and closed. The maintenance of the apparatus main body 100 is performed by opening and closing the front cover 100c. In the above-described example, a dedicated cover for replacing the developer supply container 1 is used. However, only the front cover 100c may be provided without providing the dedicated cover. At that time, the front cover 100 c functions as a cover for the developer supply container 1. Moreover, the structure which arrange | positions the cover before replacement | exchange inside a front cover may be sufficient.

(Developer supply device)
Next, the developer replenishing device includes the developing device 201, the developer receiving device 8, and the developer replenishing container 1. Here, the developer receiving device 8 which is a component of the developer supply device will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 11, 12, and 15. 1 is a schematic sectional view of the main body of the image forming apparatus, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the developer receiving device 8, FIG. 5 is a sectional perspective view of the developer receiving device 8 and the developer supply container 1, and FIG. A partially enlarged view of a part of the agent receiving device, FIG. 12 is a perspective view thereof, and FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the rotation restricting member 7.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the developer receiving device 8 includes a mounting portion (mounting space) 8 c where the developer supply container 1 is detachably mounted (detachable), and the developer discharged from the developer supply container 1. A hopper 8a for temporarily storing As shown in FIG. 5, the developer supply container 1 is configured to be mounted in the arrow A direction with respect to the mounting portion 8c. That is, the developer supply container 1 is mounted on the mounting portion 8c so that the longitudinal direction (rotational axis direction) thereof substantially coincides with the arrow A direction. Further, the direction in which the developer supply container 1 is removed from the mounting portion 8c is the arrow B direction shown in FIG.

  Then, the developer is supplied from a discharge port 4a (see FIG. 3) of the developer supply container 1 described later to the hopper 8a. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the hopper 8a has a conveying screw 30 for conveying the developer to the developing device 201a.

  Further, a rotation restricting member 7 for restricting (locking) the rotation of the developer supply container 1 described later is provided in the vicinity of the replacement front cover 15 of the developer receiving device 8. As shown in FIG. 13, the rotation restricting member 7 is provided with two guide protrusions 7a and is fitted into a rail 8g (see FIG. 4) provided in the developer receiving device 8. Thereby, the rotation restricting member 7 is supported so as to be movable only in the arrow X direction and the arrow Y direction shown in FIG. 11, and is further urged by the first spring 40 in the arrow Y direction. A release lever 6 is disposed in the vicinity of the rotation restricting member 7, and the rotation restricting member 7 is stationary with the receiving surface 7 c in contact with the side surface 6 c of the release lever 6.

  The release lever 6 is supported by the developer receiving device 8 so as to be movable only in the directions of arrows A and B, and is urged by the second spring 41 in the direction of arrow B. As shown in FIGS. 11A and 12A, when the front cover 15 for replacement is opened, a part of the release lever 6 comes into contact with the stopper 8h and is stationary.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the rotation restricting member 7 is provided with an inclined surface 7e and an inclined surface 7f, and a restricting portion 7b is provided therebetween.

  Further, the developer receiving device 8 is provided with a sealing member engaging portion (drive portion) 20 and a drive shaft 60 for rotating the developer supply container 1, and the drive shaft 60 is not shown. It is connected with. When the drive motor 500 rotates, the sealing member engaging portion 20 rotates via the drive shaft 60, and the rotation is transmitted to a sealing member (drive receiving portion) 2 described later, so that the developer supply container 1 rotates.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the developer receiving device 8 has a developer sensor 8f for detecting the amount of developer accommodated in the hopper 8a. The drive motor 500 is configured such that its operation is controlled by a control device (CPU) 600. As shown in the figure, the control device 600 is configured to control the operation of the drive motor 500 based on the developer remaining amount information input from the developer sensor 8f.

  In this example, the drive motor 500 is set to rotate only in one direction in order to simplify the control. That is, the control device 600 is configured to control only on (operation) / off (non-operation) of the drive motor 500. Therefore, the drive mechanism of the developer supply device is simplified compared to the configuration in which the reverse drive force obtained by periodically rotating the drive motor 500 in the forward direction and the reverse direction is applied to the developer supply container 1. Can be achieved.

(Developer supply control by developer supply device)
Next, developer replenishment control by the developer receiving device 8 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7. FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the replenishing operation, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the developer receiving device 8 and the developer replenishing container 1 showing a modification of the developer receiving device 8.

  In this example, the amount of developer (height of the developer surface) temporarily stored in the hopper 8a is limited in order to suppress the overflow of the developer from the hopper 8a and the scattering of the developer to the surroundings. Therefore, as described above, the developer sensor 8f (see FIG. 5) for detecting the amount of developer accommodated in the hopper 8a is provided. The control device 600 controls whether the drive motor 500 is operated / not operated according to the output of the developer sensor 8f, so that a predetermined amount or more of developer is not replenished in the hopper 8a. . The control flow will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 6, the developer sensor 8f checks the remaining amount of developer in the hopper 8a (S100). When the developer sensor 8f determines that the developer capacity is less than the predetermined value, that is, when no developer is detected by the developer sensor 8f, the drive motor 500 is driven, and the developer is stored for a certain period of time. Replenishment is executed (S101).

  As a result of the replenishment of the developer, when the developer sensor 8f determines that the developer accommodation amount has reached a predetermined amount, that is, when the developer sensor 8f detects the developer, the drive motor 500 is driven. The developer supply operation is stopped (S102). By stopping the replenishment operation, a series of developer replenishment steps is completed.

  Such a developer replenishment step is configured to be repeatedly executed when the developer is consumed in association with image formation and the developer storage amount in the hopper 8a becomes less than a predetermined amount. However, when the pre-replacement cover 15 is open, the above control does not work, and if replenishment is performed in this state, toner may overflow from the hopper 8a.

  In this example, the developer discharged from the developer supply container 1 is temporarily stored in the hopper 8a and then supplied to the developing device 201. However, the following developer supply device is used. It does not matter as the configuration.

  In particular, when the apparatus main body 100 is a low speed machine, it is required to make the main body compact and reduce the cost. In order to achieve this requirement, it is desirable to supply the developer directly from the developer supply container 1 to the developing device 201. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, a configuration in which the hopper 8a described above is omitted and the developer is directly replenished from the developer replenishing container 1 to the developing device 201 (two-component developing device in this example) can be mentioned. The developing device 201 has a stirring chamber in which the developer is replenished and a developing chamber that supplies the developer to the developing roller 201f, and the developer conveying directions are opposite to each other in the stirring chamber and the developing chamber. A conveying member (screw) 201d is installed. The stirring chamber and the developing chamber communicate with each other at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and the two-component developer is circulated and conveyed between these two chambers. Further, a magnetic sensor 201g for detecting the toner concentration in the developer is installed in the stirring chamber, and the control device 600 controls the operation of the drive motor 500 based on the detection result of the magnetic sensor 201g. Yes. In the case of this configuration, the developer supplied from the developer supply container 1 is nonmagnetic toner, or nonmagnetic toner and a magnetic carrier.

(Developer supply container)
The developer supply container 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 5, and 15. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the developer supply container 1 according to the first embodiment, FIG. FIGS. 7A to 7C are partial cross-sectional views showing the state until the developer supply container 1 is completely inserted into the developer receiving device 8 in the direction of arrow A. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the developer supply container 1 mainly includes a container body 1 a, a flange portion 4, a baffle member 3, and a sealing member (drive receiving portion) 2.

  The developer supply container 1 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a discharge port 4a having a smaller diameter than the cylindrical portion of the container main body 1a is projected from the center of one end surface thereof. The discharge port 4a is provided with a sealing member 2 that closes the discharge port 4a. As will be understood in the following description related to FIGS. 15 (a) to 15 (c), the sealing member 2 is a developer. The discharge opening 4a is opened and closed by sliding relative to the supply container 1 (in the direction of arrow A or arrow B in FIG. 5).

  At the distal end portion of the sealing member 2, there are an elastically deformable engagement protrusion 2a, which will be described later, and a release protrusion 2b for releasing the engagement of the engagement protrusion 2a with the sealing member engagement portion 20 on the apparatus main body side. The engaging projection 2 a is configured to engage with the sealing member engaging portion 20 and perform a function of transmitting a rotational driving force to the developer supply container 1. The configuration of the engagement protrusion 2a and the release protrusion 2b will be described in detail later.

  The internal configuration of the developer supply container 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the developer supply container 1 has a substantially cylindrical shape, is disposed substantially horizontally on the developer receiving device 8, receives a rotational driving force from the developer receiving device 8, and has an arrow about the axis P. It is configured to rotate in the R direction.

  A baffle member 3 for conveying the developer is disposed inside the developer supply container 1. As the developer supply container 1 rotates, the developer conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side (in the direction of arrow A) of the developer supply container 1 by the spiral protrusion 1b eventually reaches the baffle member 3. One end of the inclined projection 3a is provided so as to be connected to the discharge port 4a, and finally the developer is conveyed to the discharge port 4a so as to slide down the inclined projection 3a as the baffle member 3 rotates. .

  As long as the developer supply container 1 has a function of discharging the developer by receiving the rotational driving force from the developer receiving device 8, the internal configuration and configuration of the developer supply container 1 are particularly preferable. It is not intended to be limited. That is, the internal configuration of the developer supply container 1 may be a generally well-known spiral projection 1b as in the first embodiment or other configurations.

(Sealing member)
Next, the structure of the sealing member 2 is further demonstrated using FIGS. 8-9 and FIG. FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are perspective views of the sealing member 2 in the first embodiment. 9A is a top view of the sealing member 2 according to the first embodiment, FIG. 9B is a front view thereof, and FIG. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a state where the developer supply container 1 according to the first embodiment is engaged with the sealing member engaging portion 20 of the developer receiving device 8 and opened.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the sealing member 2 includes a sealing portion 2d that seals the discharge port 4a of the developer supply container 1 so as to be openable. The sealing portion 2d includes a seal portion 2e that is set to an appropriate amount larger than the inner diameter of the discharge port 4a. Since the seal portion 2e is tightly sealed by press-fitting with the inner wall 4b (FIG. 14) forming the discharge port 4a, it is preferable to have appropriate elasticity.

  The sealing member 2 includes a plurality of elastic deformation portions 2c. Each of the plurality of elastic deformation portions 2c of the sealing member 2 is provided with one engagement protrusion 2a. The elastic deformation portion 2c can be easily elastically deformed by the engagement protrusion 2a being pressed radially inward (in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 9C) by the sealing member engagement portion 20. Further, a release protrusion 2b is provided as a pair with the engagement protrusion 2a, and the engagement protrusion 2a and the release protrusion 2b are integrated via an elastic deformation portion 2c.

  On the other hand, the locking hole 20h (FIG. 14) of the sealing member engaging portion 20 provided in the developer receiving device 8 is configured to lock with the locking surface 2a2 of the sealing member 2.

  The engagement protrusion 2a protrudes outward in the radial direction from the cylindrical surface of the elastic deformation portion 2c. The engagement protrusion 2a causes the sealing member 2 to be engaged with the developer receiving device 8 when the developer supply container 1 and the sealing member 2 are separated (the discharge port 4a is changed from the closed state to the open state). It has the latching surface 2a2 which acts as a latching part for latching to the latching hole 20h as a latching part like a snap fit. The sealing member 2 is provided with a slit groove 2f for assisting and promoting elastic deformation. When the engagement protrusion 2a and the release protrusion 2b are pressed inward in the radial direction (arrow D direction), the engagement protrusion 2a and the release protrusion 2b are elastically deformed inward in the radial direction (arrow D direction) and pressed inward in the radial direction (arrow D direction). Is unloaded, elastic deformation recovers radially outward (in the opposite direction to the arrow D).

  That is, as shown in FIG. 14, the engaging protrusion 2a is engaged with the sealing member to open and close the discharge port 4a by sliding the developer supply container 1 and the sealing member 2 relative to each other (in the direction of arrow A). The elastic deformation portion 2c and the locking surface 2a2 perform a locking function (a retaining function) that is locked with the joint portion 20.

  Further, when the sealing member 2 is inserted into the sealing member engaging portion 20 of the developer receiving device 8, the engaging protrusion 2a has a tapered surface 2a1 so that it can be inserted smoothly. As shown in FIG. 5, when the developer supply container 1 is inserted into the developer receiving device 8 in the direction of arrow A, the engagement between the sealing member engaging portion 20 and the sealing member 2 is eventually started. The engagement protrusion 2a receives a pressing force from the inner surface of the sealing member 2, and the elastic deformation portion 2c is displaced radially inward. When the insertion of the developer supply container 1 is further advanced, the pressing force received by the engaging protrusion 2a from the inner surface of the sealing member engaging portion 20 is released. Then, the elastic deformation part 2c returns from the elastically displaced state, and the locking between the sealing member (locking part) 2 and the developer receiving device (locked part) 8 is completed.

  After the locking is completed, the discharge port 4a is closed by sliding the sealing member 2 in the direction of arrow A in order to relatively separate the sealing member 2 and the developer supply container 1 from each other. And the developer can be discharged. In Example 1, the sealing member 2 is moved forward (FIG. 14, arrow A) in a state where the flange portion 4 fixed to the container main body 1a is locked to the developer receiving device 8 to restrict the movement in the sliding direction. Direction) and retreat (direction of arrow B in FIG. 14), the discharge port 4a is opened and sealed.

  Next, the release protrusion 2b provided in a pair with the engagement protrusion 2a will be described with reference to FIGS. The release protrusion 2b is a protrusion for releasing the locking state of the sealing member 2 engaged with the sealing member engaging portion 20 when the developer supply container 1 is replaced. Then, the old developer supply container 1 is taken out and replaced with a new developer supply container 1.

  The release protrusion 2b is elastically deformed radially inward by the release protrusion 2b being pressed by the sliding operation of the release member 21 of the developer receiving device 8 (direction B in FIG. 14). It plays the role which cancels | releases the latching state of the joint protrusion 2a and the sealing member engaging part 20. FIG.

  Next, the flange locking portion 2h (FIG. 8B) that locks with the flange portion 4, which is another function of the sealing member 2, will be described.

  The flange locking portion 2h includes a protruding portion 2g protruding outward in the radial direction. The protruding portion 2g has a snap-fit structure as shown in FIG. 8B, and is engaged with the step surface 4c (see FIG. 14) of the inner wall 4b forming the discharge port described above to be separated from the sealing member 2. Plays a role in regulating distance.

  Further, since the flange locking portion 2h has a snap-fit structure, when the flange locking portion 2h is inserted into the flange portion 4 (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 14), the flange locking portion 2h is easily radial. Since it is inserted while bending inward, it can be inserted smoothly and is not easily removed.

  The sealing member 2 as described above is preferably manufactured by injection molding a resin such as plastic, but other materials and manufacturing methods may be arbitrarily divided and joined. Moreover, since the function which press-fits to the discharge port 4a and seals this is requested | required, moderate intensity | strength and elasticity are required.

  As such a material, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, linear polyamide such as nylon, high density polyethylene, polyester, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer), HIPS (impact polystyrene), etc. can be preferably used. .

  Of course, it is possible to mold only two colors using a relatively soft material such as an elastomer and the sealing member 2 as a resin material as described above. Such a configuration is more preferable because the seal portion is a soft elastomer, so that the adhesion is improved and a better sealing property can be obtained, and the force when the sealing member 2 is opened can be reduced. In the first embodiment, an example of two-color molding in which the sealing member 2 body is made of ABS resin and only the seal portion 2e is made of elastomer is shown.

  The container main body 1a will be described with reference to FIG. The container main body 1a includes a developer accommodating portion (developer accommodating chamber) 1c that accommodates the developer therein, and the developer in the developer accommodating portion 1c as the container main body 1a rotates in the direction of arrow R with respect to the axis P. Is formed of a spiral projection 1b that conveys in the direction of arrow A. Further, an engaged portion 1e is provided in the vicinity of the upstream end surface of the container body 1a in the insertion direction. As shown in FIG. 10, the engaged portion 1e has a shape recessed from the outer peripheral surface of the container body 1a, and the first engagement surface 1e1 on the downstream side in the rotational direction and the second engagement on the upstream side in the rotational direction. It has surface 1e2. Both the first engagement surface 1e1 and the second engagement surface 1e2 are configured as surfaces that are substantially perpendicular to the rotation direction of the container body 1a.

  The flange part 4 is demonstrated using FIG. 3, FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the flange portion 4 is attached to the container main body 1 a, and the flange portion 4 and the container main body 1 a rotate integrally around the rotation axis P in the arrow R direction. The flange portion 4 is formed in a substantially hollow cylindrical shape, and a cylindrical portion protrudes from the center of one end surface of the flange portion 4. The front end side of the cylindrical portion discharges the developer to the hopper 8a (FIG. 5). 4a. The discharge port 4a is a discharge portion that discharges the developer stored in the developer storage portion 1c as the developer storage portion 1c rotates.

  The baffle member 3 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the baffle member 3 is attached to the container main body 1 a, and the baffle member 3 and the container main body 1 a rotate integrally around the axis P in the arrow R direction. The baffle member 3 is provided with a plurality of inclined protrusions 3a inclined on both the front and back surfaces, and one end of the inclined protrusion 3a reaches the discharge port 4a.

(Developer supply container replacement operation)
Next, the replacement operation of the developer supply container 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view of the developer supply container 1 and the developer receiving device 8 as seen from the gripping portion 1f side of the container body 1a. FIG. 10 (a) shows a state in which the rotation of the developer supply container is restricted. FIG. 10B shows a state where the rotation restriction of the developer supply container is released, and FIG. 10C shows a state before the developer supply container is restricted. 11 is a view of the developer receiving device 8 as viewed from above. FIG. 11A shows a state where the rotation restricting member is in a position for restricting rotation of the container, and FIG. 11B shows a rotation restricting member. FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of the developer receiving device 8 showing a state where the rotation restriction of the container is released. 12 (a) and 12 (b) are perspective views corresponding to FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b), and FIGS. 15 (a) to 15 (c) show an arrow with respect to the developer receiving device 8 with respect to the developer supply container 1. FIG. Sectional drawing showing a mode until it completes insertion in A direction is shown.

  When almost all of the developer in the developer supply container 1 is consumed during the image forming process, the developer supply container 1 is detected by a developer supply container empty detection means (not shown) provided in the developer receiving device 8. It is detected that the developer in the inside has run out. Then, the fact is notified to the user by the display means 100b (FIG. 2) such as liquid crystal.

  In the first embodiment, the user himself replaces the developer supply container 1 and the procedure is as follows.

  First, the replacement front cover 15 (FIG. 2) in the closed state is opened. Next, when the user operates a lever (not shown), the sealing member engaging portion 20 slides in the arrow B direction (FIG. 14) in conjunction with the operation of the lever. As the sealing member engaging portion 20 slides, the sealing member 2 in the state of FIG. 15C slides in the arrow B direction (see FIG. 5). Then, the sealing member 2 that has been in a state of opening the discharge port 4a is press-fitted into the discharge port 4a, and the discharge port 4a is closed, whereby the state shown in FIG. At this time, the sealing member 2 maintains the locked state with the sealing member engaging portion 20.

  Next, the release member 21 (FIG. 14) slides in the direction of arrow B under the control of the developer receiving device 8. As the release member 21 slides, the inner surface of the release member 21 eventually begins to press the release protrusion 2b radially inward. Then, the elastic deformation portion 2c bends inward in the radial direction, so that the locking of the sealing member 2 and the sealing member engaging portion 20 is released.

  Next, the user pulls out the empty developer supply container 1 released from the engagement with the developer receiving device 8 in the direction of the arrow B (FIG. 14) and takes it out from the developer receiving device 8.

  Hereinafter, the rotation restriction of the developer supply container 1 will be described in detail together with the mounting operation of the developer supply container 1.

  First, in a state before the developer supply container 1 is inserted, as shown in FIGS. 11 (a) and 12 (a), the release lever 6 contacts the stopper 8h with the second spring 41 biased. It is stationary. At that time, the rotation restricting member 7 is in contact with the side surface 6c of the release lever 6 and is stationary. From this state, the user inserts a new developer supply container 1 into the developer receiving device 8 in the direction of arrow A (FIG. 15A). At this time, the developer supply container 1 and the rotation restricting member 7 are in a positional relationship of interfering with each other, but are moved in the arrow X direction (FIG. 11) against the urging force of the first spring 40 by the inclined surface 7f of the rotation restricting member 7. Then, the developer supply container 1 is inserted into the developer receiving device 8 while avoiding the interference.

  Further, when inserted to the state shown in FIG. 15B, the engaging protrusion 2a of the sealing member 2 engages with the sealing member engaging portion 20 and cannot be pushed any further. Thereafter, when the user operates a lever (not shown), the sealing member engaging portion 20 slides in conjunction with the lever operation, and the sealing member 2 in a state of being locked to the sealing member engaging portion 20 is moved. Separated from the developer supply container 1, the discharge port 4a is opened (FIG. 15C).

  At that time, the positional relationship between the engaged portion 1e of the container body 1a and the rotation restricting member (engaging portion) 7 is as shown in FIG. ), The phases may be different from each other. When the phase is correct, the rotation restricting member 7 is fitted into the engaged portion 1e. When the user tries to rotate the container body 1a in this state, the restricting portion 7b of the rotation restricting member 7 is the first engaging surface 1e1 or the second engaging surface provided on the engaged portion 1e. The rotation is restricted by contacting (engaging) any of 1e2 and the rotation is restricted. Further, when the phase is different as shown in FIG. 10C, when the user tries to rotate the container body 1a, the container 7a is rotated until it is fitted into the engaged portion 1e. be able to. When the restricting portion 7b is in phase with the engaged portion 1e as shown in FIG. 10A due to the rotation, the rotation restricting member 7 is fitted into the engaged portion 1e by the urging force of the first spring 40. As a result, the rotation is restricted. Thus, in this embodiment, the rotation restricting member 7 has a function as a rotation restricting member that restricts the rotation of the developer supply container 1 beyond a preset amount.

  Thereafter, the user closes the replacement front cover 15. At that time, as shown in FIGS. 11 (b) and 12 (b), the protrusion 15a provided on the replacement front cover 15 contacts the end 6d of the release lever 6 and pushes it in the direction of arrow A. When the release lever 6 moves, the inclined surface 6a provided on the release lever 6 comes into contact with the receiving surface 7c of the rotation restricting member 7, thereby pushing up the rotation restricting member 7 in the direction of the arrow X, as shown in FIGS. As shown in (b), the support surface 6b of the release lever and the receiving surface 7c of the rotation restricting member are in contact with each other. At this time, the restricting portion 7b and the engaged portion 1e are in a positional relationship such that the restricting portion 7b is separated from the engaged portion 1e as shown in FIG. This state is a rotation restriction release state, and the container body 1a can freely rotate in the restriction release state. That is, when the replacement front cover 15 is closed (closed state), the rotation restricting member 7 is retracted to a position where the rotation of the container main body 1a is not obstructed, and the engagement state between the rotation restricting member 7 and the engaged portion 1e ( The rotation restriction state) is released. The operation for releasing the restriction is not limited to the above-described configuration, and the operation for releasing the restriction may be determined based on the detection result of the detection member that detects the opening / closing of the cover for replacement.

  Finally, the movement when the developer supply container 1 is detached from the developer receiving device 8 will be described. If the rotation restricting member 7 is not fitted into the engaged portion 1e of the developer replenishing container 1 when the user opens the pre-replacement cover 15 to take out the developer replenishing container 1, the rotation restricting member 7 Since there is no interference between the developer supply container 1 and the developer supply container 1, it can be detached by pulling out as it is. On the other hand, depending on the rotation stop position at the time of replenishment of the developer supply container 1, the rotation restricting member 7 is fitted in the engaged portion 1 e of the developer supply container 1 when the pre-replacement cover 15 is opened. There is. At this time, the developer supply container 1 and the rotation restricting member 7 are in a positional relationship where they interfere with each other. In this case, the rotation is caused by the inclined surface 7e of the rotation restricting member 7 in the same manner as when the developer supply container 1 is inserted. The regulating member 7 is moved to the non-interference position, and the developer supply container 1 can be detached.

  The above is the procedure for replacing the developer supply container 1.

  Next, regarding the distance between the first engagement surface 1e1 and the second engagement surface 1e2 of the engaged portion 1e, basically, if the regulating portion 7b can be fitted into the engaged portion 1e, the function is achieved. Therefore, it is sufficient if it is larger than the thickness of the restricting portion 7b.

  In this example, the amount of dent from the outer peripheral surface of the engaged portion 1e provided on the container body 1a is set to 5 mm. When the value of the dent is small, the amount of engagement between the engaged portion 1e and the restricting portion 7b of the rotation restricting member 7 described above decreases, and the rotation restricting force becomes small. Conversely, if the amount of dent increases, the amount of engagement increases and the rotation restricting force increases. Therefore, the amount of depression can be adjusted as appropriate according to the required rotation regulating force.

  The engaged portion 1e may be provided further downstream in the insertion direction, but preferably closer to the gripping portion 1f (FIG. 16) gripped by the user as in this example. The gripping portion 1f is provided at an upstream end portion in the insertion direction (arrow A direction) of the developer supply container 1. As shown in FIG. 16, when the distance between the gripping portion 1f and the engaged portion 1e is short, the area of the force applied to the container main body 1a when the user applies a rotational force to the gripping portion 1f during the rotation restriction has a distance. Smaller and smaller. Conversely, if the distance between the gripping portion 1f and the engaged portion 1e is long, when a rotational force is applied to the gripping portion 1f, a torsional force acts in a wide area between the gripping portion 1f and the engaged portion 1e. The container body 1a may be deformed.

  In this example, the engaged portion 1e of the container body 1a has a concave shape and the rotation restricting member 7 has a convex shape. It may be a configuration. For example, the engaged portion 1e may have a convex shape and the rotation restricting member 7 may have a concave shape, which is opposite to the present example.

  Moreover, in this example, the structure which provided the to-be-engaged part 1e in one place of the rotation circumferential direction of the container main body 1a as a structure which provided the to-be-engaged part 1e in the outer peripheral surface of the container main body 1a at least one place. Although illustrated, it is good also as a structure which provided the to-be-engaged part 1e in multiple places in the rotation direction of the container main body 1a. By providing the engaged portions 1e at a plurality of locations, it becomes possible to regulate at a smaller angle when the user rotates, so that unintended discharge from the developer supply container 1 can be further suppressed. In the case of one place as in this example, there is a possibility that it will be regulated after rotating at the maximum near 360 °, whereas for example, when two places are evenly arranged in the circumferential direction as shown in FIG. The rotation is restricted within 180 ° at the maximum, and the amount of rotation until the restriction is applied can be suppressed. Therefore, the number of portions to be engaged on the outer peripheral surface of the container body can be appropriately selected from the correlation between the amount of rotation of the bottle and the amount of replenishment.

  As described above, according to the configuration of this example, in the developer supply container 1 configured so that the developer is discharged by rotating, the unnecessary rotation of the developer supply container due to a user's erroneous operation or the like is within a predetermined angle. Since it can be limited, unintended replenishment from the developer replenishment container 1 can be suppressed. As a result, the developer supply container having the rotation restricting mechanism shown in the present embodiment overfills the developer from the hopper 8a or particularly directly to the developing device 201 with respect to the developer supply container 1 having no rotation restricting mechanism. It is possible to prevent image deterioration that occurs at the time.

  When the hopper 8a is provided here, the developer is temporarily stored in the hopper 8a, and the amount of developer discharged to the developing device 201 can be controlled by the transport screw 30 (FIG. 5). Therefore, as described above, even when the developer supply container 1 is erroneously rotated with a configuration without rotation restriction, the developer does not flow into the developing device 201 and has little influence on the image quality. However, if the developer exceeding the requirement from the main body is replenished in the hopper 8a, the developer may eventually overflow from the hopper 8a, which may cause problems such as in-machine scattering.

  On the other hand, when the developer supply container 1 is erroneously rotated in a configuration in which there is no hopper 8a and is directly supplied to the developing device 201 without rotation restriction, the developer discharged from the developer supply container 1 remains as it is. Since the toner is replenished to 201, there is a concern that the image quality deteriorates due to an increase in the developer concentration in the developing device 201. In the worst case, the machine may stop operating due to an error of the image forming apparatus due to excessive increase in developer concentration. Furthermore, as in the case where the hopper 8a is provided, there is a possibility of adverse effects such as overflow of the agent and scattering in the machine due to replenishment of developer exceeding the requirement from the main body.

  Therefore, by providing the restriction configuration shown in the above-described configuration, it is possible to expect the effect of reducing the above-described adverse effects in each case where the hopper 8a is present.

  In particular, when the replenishment to the developing device 201 without the hopper 8a is performed, there is a possibility that the image that is a product of the image forming apparatus main body may be affected. large.

[Example 2]
Next, Example 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, the configurations of the developer replenishing device and the developer replenishing container are partially different from those of the above-described embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to configurations having similar functions. Is omitted.

(Developer supply device)
The developer receiving device 8 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the developer receiving device, and FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the developer receiving device and the developer supply container.

  As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the developer receiving device 8 develops the cover abutting portion 8 k that contacts a developer receiving device abutting portion 52 c of the cover 52 (FIG. 24) described later, and the developer supply container 1. An insertion guide 8m that regulates displacement in the rotation direction (arrow R direction) that intersects the insertion direction (arrow A, B direction) by contacting the guide groove 52a of the cover 52 when inserted into the agent receiving device 8; 8a, a communicating portion 8n communicating with the hopper 8a, a conveying screw 30, a shutter stopper portion 8p engaged with a stopper portion 55b (55c) of the shutter 55 (FIG. 21A), a bottle receiving roller 23, and a developer supply container 1 It comprises a drive gear 25 for transmitting rotational drive, a rotation restricting member 7, a release lever 6, a first spring 40 (FIG. 11), and a second spring 41 (FIG. 11).

(Developer supply container)
The developer supply container 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the developer supply container 1.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the developer supply container 1 mainly includes a container body 1 a, a baffle member 3, a flange portion 53, a shutter 55, a pump portion 51, a reciprocating member 50, and a cover 52. The developer supply container 1 supplies the developer in the developer supply container 1 to the hopper 8a (FIG. 19) by a developer supply means described later. Below, each element which comprises the developer supply container 1 is demonstrated in detail.

(Container body)
The container main body 1a will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17A is a perspective view of the container body 1a, and FIG. 17B is a partially enlarged perspective view of the container body 1a.

  The container main body 1a according to the second embodiment is different from the container according to the first embodiment in that a cam groove 1g that functions as a drive conversion portion and a drive receiving portion 1h that functions as a drive receiving portion are provided.

  In this example, the cam groove 1g, the rotation touch restricting portion 1m, and the drive receiving portion 1h are formed integrally with the container body 1a. The cam groove 1g, the rotational shake restricting portion 1m, and the drive receiving portion 1h may be formed as separate bodies and may be integrally attached to the container body 1a. The accommodating portion 1k is not only the container main body 1a but also the inner space of the container main body 1a, a flange portion 53 (FIG. 16) and a pump portion 51 (FIG. 16) described later.

  The cam groove 1g functions as a drive conversion unit that converts the rotational driving force input to the drive receiving unit 1h into a force for operating the pump unit 51 together with an engagement protrusion 50b described below. As shown in FIG. 17B, the cam groove 1g is a groove disposed on the cylindrical surface on the tip side of the container body 1a. The groove has a portion where the position of the developer supply container 1 in the rotation axis direction does not change and a portion inclined in the rotation axis direction of the developer supply container 1. The trajectory is configured to periodically reciprocate on the cylindrical surface of the container body 1a in the direction of the rotation axis. When the container main body 1a is rotated in a state where an engagement protrusion 50b (FIG. 23) of a reciprocating member 50 (FIG. 23) described later is fitted, the engagement protrusion 50b rotates along the groove shape of the cam groove 1g. Reciprocates in the direction. Thereby, the reciprocating member 50 provided with the engagement protrusion 50b reciprocates in the rotation axis direction with respect to the container main body 1a. Further, the pump 51 that engages the reciprocating member 50 so as not to move in the rotational axis direction expands and contracts as the reciprocating member 50 reciprocates. From this, the developer is discharged.

(Baffle member)
The baffle member 3 will be described with reference to FIG. As the baffle member 3 rotates, the developer in the developer supply container 1 is conveyed into the flange portion 53 so as to slide down the inclined protrusion 3a.

(Flange unit)
Then, the flange unit part 70 is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the developer supply container 1.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the flange unit portion 70 includes a flange portion 53, a reciprocating member 50, a pump portion 51, a cover 52, a shutter 55, and an opening seal 54 (FIG. 20).

  The flange unit portion 70 is attached so as to be rotatable relative to the container body 1a. When the developer supply container 1 is attached to the developer receiving device 8, the flange unit portion 70 is centered on the axis P with respect to the developer receiving device 8. Is held in a state where the rotation is restricted (FIG. 16). The pump portion 51 is screwed to one end portion of the flange portion 53, and the container body 1a is joined to the other end portion via a seal member (not shown). Further, the reciprocating member 50 is disposed so as to sandwich the pump portion 51 in the thrust direction, and the engaging protrusion 50b (FIG. 23A) provided on the reciprocating member 50 is the cam groove 1g (FIG. 17) of the container main body 1a. ). Further, a shutter 55 (FIG. 21) is incorporated in the shutter insertion portion 53c (FIG. 20A) of the flange portion 53. Further, a cover 52 (FIG. 24) is provided for the purpose of preventing the user from touching the developer supply container 1 to prevent unexpected injury and protecting the reciprocating member 50 and the pump unit 51. .

(Flange part)
Next, the flange part 53 is demonstrated using FIG. 20A and 20B are perspective views of the flange portion 53. FIG.

  The flange portion 53 includes a pump joint portion 53a to which the pump portion 51 (FIG. 22) is screw-joined, a container body joint portion 53b to which the container body 1a is joined, and a shutter insertion portion 53c.

  Further, an opening seal 54 having a circular seal hole 54a for discharging the developer in the flange portion 53 is provided (FIG. 20B). Here, the opening seal 54 is affixed to the lower surface of the flange portion 53 with double-sided tape, and is sandwiched between the shutter 55 and the flange portion 53, which will be described later.

(Shutter)
Next, the shutter 55 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21A is a front view of the shutter 55, and 21B is a perspective view.

  The shutter 55 is provided so as to be relatively movable with respect to the developer supply container 1 (FIG. 16), and opens and closes the seal hole 54a as the developer supply container 1 is attached and detached. The shutter 55 includes a developer sealing portion 55a that prevents leakage of the developer from the seal hole 54a (FIG. 20B) when the developer supply container 1 is not attached to the developer receiving device 8. A sliding surface 55i for sliding the shutter insertion portion 53c of the flange portion 53 is provided on the back side of the developer sealing portion 55a. The shutter 55 is provided with the shutter stopper portion 8p (FIG. 18) of the developer receiving device 8 in accordance with the attaching / detaching operation of the developer supply container 1 so that the developer supply container 1 can move relative to the shutter 55. ) Are held by the stopper portions 55b and 55c.

  The shutter 55 has a support portion 55d that supports the stopper portions 55b and 55c so that the stopper portions 55b and 55c can be displaced. The shutter 55 extends from the developer sealing portion 55a and is elastically deformable.

  Further, for the purpose of preventing the shutter 55 from moving relative to the developer supply container 1 when the developer supply container 1 is not attached to the developer receiving device 8, a restriction projection 55e is provided on the developer sealing portion 55a. Is provided.

  Here, the developer is unnecessarily discharged with opening and closing of the shutter 55 when the developer supply container 1 is attached to and detached from the developer receiving device 8, and the periphery of the developer supply container 1 is contaminated with the developer as much as possible. In order to prevent this, it is desirable to make the diameter of the discharge opening 55f as small as possible. In the second embodiment, the diameter is set to about Φ2 mm.

(Pump part)
Next, the pump unit 51 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 22 is a front view of the pump unit 51.

  The pump unit 51 operates so as to periodically change the internal pressure of the developer containing unit 1c (FIG. 16) by the rotational driving force received by the drive receiving unit 1h (FIG. 17) from the drive gear 25 (FIG. 18). It is.

  A joint portion 51b is provided on the opening end side of the pump portion 51 so that the pump portion 51 can be joined to the flange portion 53 (FIG. 20A). In the second embodiment, a configuration in which a screw is formed as the joint portion 51b is illustrated. Furthermore, the other end side is provided with a reciprocating member engaging portion 51c that engages with the reciprocating member 50 in order to be displaced in synchronization with a reciprocating member 50 described later.

  In the second embodiment, as described above, the pump portion 51 is provided in the developer supply container 1 in order to stably discharge the developer from the small discharge opening 55f (FIG. 21A) (FIG. 16). The pump unit 51 is a variable volume pump whose volume is variable. The pressure in the developer supply container 1 is changed by the expansion / contraction operation of the pump unit 51, and the developer is discharged using the pressure.

  The pump portion 51 of the second embodiment is provided with a bellows-like stretchable portion 51a in which “mountain fold” portions and “valley fold” portions are periodically formed. The stretchable part 51a can be folded or stretched using the fold as a base point.

  In the second embodiment, a polypropylene resin (hereinafter abbreviated as PP) is used as the material of the pump unit 51, but the material is not limited to this. As the material of the pump unit 51, any material may be used as long as it is capable of exhibiting an expansion / contraction function and changing the internal pressure of the developer containing unit 1c (FIG. 16) by changing the volume. For example, ABS (acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene copolymer), polystyrene, polyester, polyethylene or the like may be formed with a thin wall. It is also possible to use rubber or other stretchable materials. Furthermore, since the role of the pump part 51 is to change the internal pressure of the developer accommodating part 1c (FIG. 16), it is possible to use a piston instead of the bellows-like pump.

(Reciprocating member)
Next, the reciprocating member 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. 23 and 17. 23A and 23B show perspective views of the reciprocating member 50. FIG.

  The reciprocating member 50 includes a pump portion engaging portion 50 a that engages with a reciprocating member engaging portion 51 c (FIG. 22) provided in the pump portion 51 in order to change the volume of the pump portion 51 described above. Further, the reciprocating member 50 includes an engaging protrusion 50b that is fitted into the cam groove 1g (FIG. 17B) when assembled. The engaging projection 50b is provided at the tip of an arm 50c extending from the vicinity of the pump engaging portion 50a. The reciprocating member 50 is slidably held only in the arrow AB direction (FIG. 19) by a reciprocating member holding portion 52b (FIG. 24B) of the cover 52 described later. Accordingly, when the drive receiving portion 1h (FIG. 17) receives the rotational driving force from the drive gear 25 (FIG. 19) and the container body 1a rotates, the cam groove 1g also rotates in synchronization with the container body 1a, and the cam groove 1g (FIG. 17). 17) The reciprocating member 50 reciprocates in the directions of arrows A and B by the cam action of the engaging protrusion 50b fitted in 17) and the action of the reciprocating member holding portion 52b (FIG. 24B) of the cover 52 (FIG. 19). . In synchronism with the reciprocating motion, the pump unit 51 expands and contracts.

(cover)
Next, the cover 52 will be described with reference to FIG. 24A and 24B show perspective views of the cover 52. FIG.

  As described above, the cover 52 is used as shown in FIG. 16 for the purpose of preventing the user from touching the developer supply container 1 and causing unexpected injury and protecting the reciprocating member 50 and the pump unit 51. Is provided. Specifically, the cover 52 is provided so as to cover the entire flange portion 53, the pump portion 51, and the reciprocating member 50. Further, the cover 52 has a guide groove 52 a that supports insertion of the developer supply container 1 into the developer receiving device 8 by engaging with an insertion guide 8 m (FIG. 18) provided in the developer receiving device 8. Is provided. Further, the cover 52 is provided with a reciprocating member holding portion 52b for restricting the rotational displacement of the reciprocating member 50 with respect to the axis P (FIG. 16). When the developer supply container 1 is inserted into the developer receiving device 8, the developer supply container 1 is attached to the cover 52 by contacting the cover abutting portion 8 k (FIG. 19) of the developer receiving device 8. Is provided with a developer receiving device abutting portion 52c. A detailed method for inserting and removing the developer supply container 1 into and from the developer receiving device 8 will be described later.

(Developer discharge principle)
Next, the developer discharging principle will be described with reference to FIG. A spiral projection 1b formed on the container body 1a by rotating the developer supply container 1 around the P axis (in the direction of arrow R) causes the developer to flow from the upstream side to the downstream side (in the direction of arrow A) of the container body 1a. Transport to. Then, the developer conveyed by the spiral protrusion 1b eventually reaches the baffle member 3. Next, the developer scraped up by the baffle member 3 rotating integrally with the developer supply container 1 slides down on the surface of the baffle member 3 and is conveyed into the flange portion 53 by the inclined protrusion 3a. By repeating this operation, the developer in the developer supply container 1 is sequentially stirred and transported and stored in the flange portion 53.

  As described above, the pump unit 51 expands and contracts in synchronization with the reciprocating motion of the reciprocating member 50. More specifically, when the pump 51 is contracted, the inside of the developer supply container 1 is in a pressurized state, and the developer stored in the flange 53 is pushed by the pressure and the discharge opening 55f (FIG. 21 ( discharged from a)). Further, when the pump unit 51 is extended, the inside of the developer supply container 1 is in a reduced pressure state, and air is taken in from the outside through the discharge opening 55f (FIG. 21A). This taken-in air releases the developer in the vicinity of the discharge opening 55f (FIG. 21A), and the next discharge is performed smoothly. As described above, the developer is discharged by the pump unit 51 repeatedly performing expansion and contraction.

(Developer supply container replacement operation)
Next, the replacement operation of the developer supply container 1 will be described. Basically, the developer supply container 1 is replaced in the same flow as in the first embodiment. When almost all of the developer in the developer supply container 1 is consumed during the image forming process, the developer supply container 1 is detected by a developer supply container empty detection means (not shown) provided in the developer receiving device 8. It is detected that the developer in the inside has run out. Then, the fact is notified to the user by the display means 100b (FIG. 2) such as liquid crystal.

  In the second embodiment, the user replaces the developer supply container 1 and the procedure is as follows.

  First, the replacement front cover 15 (FIG. 2) in the closed state is opened. Next, the user grasps the grasping portion 1f of the container body 1a and moves it in the direction of arrow B shown in FIG. At that time, the stopper portions 55b and 55c of the shutter 55 are hooked on the shutter stopper portion 8p (FIG. 16) of the developer receiving device 8, and the shutter 55 moves relative to the flange portion 53 to close the seal hole 54a. After the closing, the support portion 55d of the shutter 55 is bent, and the engagement between the stopper portions 55b and 55c of the shutter 55 and the shutter stopper portion 8p (FIG. 16) of the developer receiving device 8 is released. Thereafter, the shutter 55 moves together with the developer supply container 1. The user further moves the developer supply container 1 in the direction of arrow B (FIG. 19), and takes out the developer supply container 1 from the image forming apparatus main body.

  Regarding the rotation restriction of the developer supply container 1, the positional relationship when the engaged portion 1e of the container main body 1a and the rotation restriction member 7 are mounted is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the detailed operation is omitted because it performs the same operation. Also in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the rotation restricting member 7 functions as a rotation restricting member that restricts the developer supply container 1 from rotating beyond a preset amount.

  First, when the developer supply container 1 is inserted, the developer supply container 1 moves in the direction of the arrow X (FIG. 11) against the urging force of the first spring 40 by the inclined surface 7e of the rotation restricting member 7, and avoids the interference. Are inserted into the developer receiving device 8.

  Further, when the developer supply container 1 is inserted, the stopper portions 55b and 55c of the shutter 55 are caught by the shutter stopper portion 8p (FIG. 16) of the developer receiving device 8, and then the shutter 55 is fixed to the developer receiving device 8. In this state, the seal portion 54a and the discharge opening 55f of the shutter 55 communicate with each other.

  Thereafter, the user closes the replacement front cover 15. At that time, as shown in FIGS. 11 (b) and 12 (b), the protrusion 15a provided on the replacement front cover 15 contacts the end 6d of the release lever 6, and pushes the release lever 6 in the direction of arrow A. . When the release lever 6 moves, the inclined surface 6a provided on the release lever 6 pushes the rotation restricting member 7 in the direction of the arrow X, and the support surface of the release lever 6 as shown in FIGS. 11 (b) and 12 (b). 6b and the receiving surface 7c of the rotation restricting member 7 are in contact with each other. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10B, the restricting portion 7b and the engaged portion 1e are separated from the engaged portion 1e so that they do not interfere with each other in the rotation direction of the developer supply container 1. This state is a rotation restriction release state in which the engaged state (rotation restriction state) between the engaged portion 1e and the restriction portion 7b is released, and the container body 1a can freely rotate in the restriction release state. That is, when the replacement front cover 15 is closed, the rotation restricting member 7 is retracted to a position where it does not interfere with the rotation of the container body 1a, and the rotation restriction is released. The operation for releasing the restriction is not limited to the above-described configuration, and the operation for releasing the restriction may be determined based on the detection result of the detection member that detects the opening / closing of the cover for replacement.

  The movement when the developer supply container 1 is detached is the same as that of the first embodiment. The above is the procedure for replacing the developer supply container 1 in the second embodiment.

  As described above, the developer supply container 1 shown in the second embodiment is configured to discharge the developer by changing the pressure in the developer supply container 1 by the pump unit 51. As shown in FIG. 26, the discharge performance is more stable in the developer discharge amount (replenishment amount) with respect to the number of rotations of the developer supply container than in the container of the first embodiment. Therefore, even if the developer supply container shown in the second embodiment is directly supplied to the developing device 201 without providing the hopper 8a, the influence of image quality (change in image density) due to the unstable supply amount is small. Therefore, in the case of adopting a configuration in which the developing device 201 is directly replenished, it is more preferable to use the developer replenishing container 1 of the second embodiment than the first embodiment.

  However, in the case where the rotation restricting configuration shown in this example is not provided, when the user rotates the developer supply container 1 after being mounted on the developer receiving device 8, the developer concentration in the developing device 201 increases. There is concern about image quality deterioration. In the worst case, the machine may stop operating due to an error of the image forming apparatus due to excessive increase in developer concentration. Therefore, in the case where there is no restriction configuration shown in this configuration, both of them are harmful regardless of the presence or absence of the hopper 8a, but in particular, when the replenishment device 201 without the hopper 8a is directly replenished, the image forming apparatus main body. The effect of applying this configuration in the sense that there is a possibility of affecting an image that is a product is great.

  If the restriction configuration shown in this configuration is applied, unintentional replenishment from the developer replenishment container will not be performed, and the situation as described above will not occur.

  Further, in the developer supply container 1 of the second embodiment, as described above, when the pump unit 51 extends, air is taken in from the discharge opening 55f, the developer near the discharge opening 55f is released, and then the pump unit 51 is contracted. The developer is discharged from the discharge opening 55f. Accordingly, the developer can be discharged smoothly and stably by being sufficiently understood by the action of air.

  Therefore, in this example, the engaged portion 1e is disposed at a position where discharge can be started from the state where the pump portion 51 is contracted. As a result, when the rotation of the developer supply container 1 is restricted by the engagement of the engaged portion 1e and the rotation restricting member 7, the pump portion 51 is in a contracted state. When the drive is transmitted after the engagement state of the regulating member 7 is released, the discharge of the developer can be started from the operation in which the pump unit 51 extends. For this reason, it is possible to stably supply the developer from the beginning of discharge. Therefore, in Example 2, it is more preferable to arrange the engaged portion 1e at a position where discharge can be started from the state where the pump portion 51 is contracted.

  In order to stabilize the image quality, the supply of the developer to the developing device 201 needs to be controlled within a certain range, and if the range is exceeded, the image quality deteriorates. Therefore, in the case of a configuration in which the developer supply container 1 is directly supplied to the developing device 201, it is necessary to suppress an excessive supply condition that leads to deterioration in image quality, and the rotation restriction of the developer supply container 1 described in the present example. The need for is high. As a comparative example, a developer supply container 1 having no engaged portion 1e will be described. In the developer supply container without the engaged portion 1e, the user can rotate the developer supply container 1 after being mounted on the developer receiving device 8, and the hopper 8a or the developing device 201 is limited in proportion to the rotation amount. The developer will be replenished. In this case, as described above, there is a possibility that the developer overflows from the hopper 8a or particularly the operation of the image forming apparatus is stopped due to image deterioration or error that occurs when the developing device 201 is directly oversupplied.

  As described above, according to the configuration of this example, in the configuration in which the developer is discharged from the developer supply container 1 by rotating, the rotation of the developer supply container 1 after being mounted on the apparatus is within a predetermined angle. Therefore, unintended replenishment from the developer replenishment container 1 due to a user's erroneous operation or the like can be suppressed. As a result, the developer supply container having the engaged portion 1e is more likely to scatter toner due to the overflow of the developer from the hopper 8a or directly to the developing device 201 with respect to the developer supply container 1 having no engaged portion 1e. It is possible to suppress adverse effects such as image deterioration that occur when the replenishment is performed.

P ... axis S ... sheet 1 ... developer supply container 1a ... container main body 1b ... projection 1c ... developer accommodating portion 1e ... engaged portion 1e1 ... first engagement surface 1e2 ... second engagement surface 1f ... gripping Part 1g ... cam groove 1h ... drive receiving part 1k ... accommodating part 1m ... rotation touch regulating part 2 ... sealing member 2a ... engagement protrusion 2a1 ... taper surface 2a2 ... locking face 2b ... release protrusion 2c ... elastic deformation part 2d ... Sealing part 2e ... 2e
2f ... slit groove 2g ... projection 2h ... flange locking part 3 ... baffle member 3a ... inclined projection 4 ... flange 4a ... discharge port 4b ... inner wall 4c ... step surface 6 ... release lever 6a ... inclined surface 6b ... support surface 6c ... side face 6d ... end 7 ... rotation restricting member 7a ... guide protrusion 7b ... restricting part 7c ... receiving surface 7e, 7f ... inclined surface 8 ... developer receiving device 8a ... hopper 8c ... mounting part 8f ... developer sensor 8g ... rail 8h ... stopper 8k ... cover abutting part 8m ... insertion guide 8n ... communication part 8p ... shutter stopper part 15 ... replacement front cover 15a ... projection 20 ... sealing member engaging part 20h ... locking hole 21 ... release member 23 ... Bottle receiving roller 25 ... drive gear 30 ... conveying screw 40 ... first spring 41 ... second spring 50 ... reciprocating member 50a ... pump part engaging part 50b ... engaging protrusion 0c ... arm 51 ... pump part 51a ... telescopic part 51b ... joint part 51c ... reciprocating member engaging part 52 ... cover 52a ... guide groove 52b ... reciprocating member holding part 52c ... abutting part 53 ... flange part 53a ... pump joint part 53b ... Container body joint part 53c ... Shutter insertion part 54 ... Opening seal 54a ... Seal hole 55 ... Shutter 55a ... Developer sealing part 55b, 55c ... Stopper part 55d ... Supporting part 55e ... Restriction projection 55f ... Discharge opening 55i ... Sliding Surface 60 ... Drive shaft 70 ... Flange unit section 100 ... Apparatus main body 100a ... Operation section 100b ... Display means 100c ... Front cover 104 ... Photosensitive drum 201 ... Developing device 201a ... Developer 201c ... Stirring member 201d ... Magnet roller 201e ... Conveyance Member 201f ... developing roller 500 ... drive motor 600 Control unit

Claims (6)

In a developer replenishing device having a developer accepting device and a developer replenishing container detachable from the developer accepting device,
The developer receiving device includes a mounting unit that detachably mounts the developer supply container, a developer receiving unit that receives the developer from the developer supply container, and a drive that applies driving force to the developer supply container. An engaging portion for restricting rotation of the developer supply container, and a cover for opening and closing an opening for inserting the developer supply container,
The developer supply container includes a developer storage chamber that stores a developer, a drive receiving portion that receives a rotational driving force for rotating the developer storage chamber from the developer supply device, and the developer storage chamber. The developing unit is configured to engage with the engaging unit when the cover is in an open state after being mounted on the developer replenishing device after being rotated and rotated. An engaged portion that restricts the rotation of the agent storage chamber and is released when the cover is in a closed state;
A developer replenishing device comprising: The developer supply container is provided so as to act on at least the developer storage chamber, and a pump part whose volume is variable with reciprocation; and
A drive conversion unit that converts the rotational driving force input to the drive receiving unit into a force that operates the pump unit;
The developer replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein the developer is discharged by operating the pump unit in conjunction with rotation of the developer storage chamber. 3. The engaged portion is provided at a position where the pump portion can start from an extension operation when the developer receiving chamber starts rotating upon receiving a drive from the drive receiving portion. The developer replenishing device according to 1 . The developer replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein the engaged portion is provided near a grip portion of the developer storage chamber. 5. The developer supply device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the engaged portions are provided in a rotation direction of the developer supply container. The developer replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein the engaged portion has a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface that are substantially perpendicular to a rotation direction.

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