JP6186317B2 - Developer container and image forming apparatus provided with the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer container that contains a developer therein, and an image forming apparatus including the developer container.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a toner container as described in Patent Document 1 is known as a developer storage container that stores a developer therein. The toner container includes a toner discharge port and a rotating stirring member. As the stirring member rotates, the toner is discharged from the toner discharge port.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a waste toner container in which a developer is accommodated. The waste toner container includes a cylindrical container body and a spiral groove formed in the outer peripheral portion of the container body. When the container body is rotated, the collected toner is conveyed along the spiral groove to one end side of the container body.

JP 2003-280344 A JP 2009-265395 A

  In the toner container described in Patent Document 1, since toner remains in a region where the rotational force of the conveying member does not reach, it is difficult to use up the toner contained inside. Further, even when the technology of the waste toner container described in Patent Document 2 is applied to the toner container, the toner adhering to the groove continues to rotate together with the container body, so that there is a problem that the toner remains in the container body. It was.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a developer containing container in which the amount of developer remaining inside the container main body is reduced at the end of use, and image formation including the same. An object is to provide an apparatus.

  A developer container according to an aspect of the present invention includes an inner peripheral portion extending in a cylindrical shape along a first direction, an internal space defined by the inner peripheral portion, and an inner space defined in the first direction of the inner space. A wall body that defines one end surface; a lid that is attached to an end of the container body opposite to the wall portion in the first direction of the container body and closes the internal space; A developer outlet that is disposed adjacent to the lid portion or the wall portion in the first direction and that is open to a lower surface portion of the container body so as to communicate with the inner peripheral portion and from which the developer is discharged; An outer peripheral portion disposed in close contact with the inner peripheral portion of the container main body, and a conveying surface that defines an accommodating space in which the developer is accommodated together with the inner peripheral portion of the container main body. In the first direction while transporting the developer toward the developer discharge port. A moving wall, a first male spiral portion on the outer peripheral surface, and a first shaft portion rotatably supported by the wall portion and the lid portion so as to extend in the first direction in the internal space; A first bearing portion that holds a lower portion of the moving wall and includes a first female spiral portion that engages with the first male spiral portion on an inner peripheral surface, and the first shaft portion through which the first shaft portion is inserted, and the first shaft portion And a second shaft supported by the wall portion and the lid portion so as to extend in the first direction above the first shaft portion in the internal space. And a second bearing portion that holds the upper portion of the moving wall and through which the second shaft portion is inserted.

  According to this structure, the outer peripheral part of a moving wall is arrange | positioned closely to the inner peripheral part of a container main body. When the first drive transmission portion transmits the rotational driving force to the first shaft portion, the first male spiral portion of the first shaft portion engages with the first female spiral portion of the first bearing portion, so that the moving wall is Move in the first direction. As a result, the developer in the accommodation space is conveyed to the developer discharge port. At this time, the accommodation space is gradually reduced as the moving wall moves. As a result, the amount of developer remaining in the storage space of the container body at the end of use is reduced. When the lower portion of the moving wall is moved in the first direction by the first bearing portion, the moving wall is inclined with respect to the first shaft portion when the movement of the upper portion of the moving wall is insufficient. As a result, the movement of the moving wall is hindered. According to said structure, the upper part of a moving wall is hold | maintained by the 2nd bearing part. And the 2nd shaft part is penetrated by the 2nd bearing part. For this reason, it is suppressed that a moving wall inclines with respect to a 1st shaft part, and a moving wall can move to a 1st direction smoothly.

  In the above configuration, the second shaft portion includes a second male spiral portion on an outer peripheral surface, is rotatably supported by the wall portion and the lid portion, and the second bearing portion is provided on the inner peripheral surface. A second female spiral portion that engages with the two male spiral portions, and further includes a second drive transmission portion that transmits a rotational driving force to the second shaft portion in synchronization with the rotational operation of the first shaft portion; Is desirable.

  According to this configuration, in addition to the engagement of the first male spiral portion and the first female spiral portion, when the second drive transmission portion transmits the rotational driving force to the second shaft portion, the second male spiral of the second shaft portion. The moving wall moves in the first direction by engaging the second female spiral portion of the second bearing portion with the portion. As a result, a moving force in the first direction is simultaneously applied to the upper and lower portions of the moving wall. Therefore, the moving wall is further prevented from being inclined with respect to the first shaft portion.

  In the above configuration, the first drive transmission portion is a first rotation gear fixed to an end portion of the first shaft portion, and the second drive transmission portion is attached to an end portion of the second shaft portion. A fixed second rotating gear, which is coupled to the first rotating gear and the second rotating gear, and synchronizes the rotational driving force from one of the first rotating gear and the second rotating gear to the other. It is desirable to further have an idler gear for transmission.

  According to this configuration, the first rotating gear and the second rotating gear are reliably rotated in synchronization. Therefore, the rotation timings of the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion are prevented from shifting, and the moving wall is stably moved in the first direction.

  In the above configuration, it is preferable that the second shaft portion is a guide shaft, and the second bearing portion is guided in the first direction by the second shaft portion.

  According to this configuration, the simple configuration of the second shaft portion made of the guide shaft prevents the moving wall from being inclined with respect to the first shaft portion.

  In the above configuration, it is desirable that the outer peripheral portion of the moving wall is formed and a seal member that is compressed and deformed between the inner peripheral portion of the container main body and the moving wall is preferably included.

  According to this configuration, during the movement of the moving wall, the developer in the accommodation space is prevented from flowing out from between the inner peripheral portion of the container body and the moving wall into the internal space upstream of the moving wall. .

  Said structure WHEREIN: It has a cleaning member which is arrange | positioned in the said 1st direction downstream rather than the said 1st female spiral part in the said 1st bearing part, and contacts with the said 1st male spiral part of the said 1st shaft part. desirable.

  According to this structure, the cleaning member arrange | positioned in the 1st direction downstream rather than the 1st female spiral part cleans the 1st male spiral part. Accordingly, the first male spiral portion engages with the first female spiral portion in a state where the developer is substantially removed from the first male spiral portion. For this reason, the movement of the moving wall is realized stably.

  In the above configuration, it is desirable that the cleaning member has a ring shape and is in close contact with the first shaft portion over the entire circumferential direction of the first shaft portion.

  According to this configuration, the developer in the accommodation space is prevented from flowing out into the internal space on the upstream side of the moving wall through the first bearing portion by the sealing function of the cleaning member.

  In the above configuration, in a cross-sectional view orthogonal to the first direction, the vertical height of the internal space may be larger than the horizontal width of the internal space.

  According to this structure, even if it is a case where the shape of internal space and a moving wall is set so that it may extend in an up-down direction, it is prevented that a moving wall inclines with respect to a 1st shaft part.

  An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a developer container according to any one of the above, an image carrier on which a latent electrostatic image is formed and a developer image is carried. A developing device that replenishes the developer from the developer container and supplies the developer to the image carrier, and a transfer unit that transfers the developer image from the image carrier to a sheet. It is characterized by.

  According to this configuration, the developer in the accommodation space is discharged from the developer discharge port by moving the moving wall in the first direction. At this time, the accommodation space is gradually reduced as the moving wall moves. As a result, the amount of developer remaining in the storage space of the container body at the end of use is reduced. Therefore, an image is formed on the sheet while the developer in the developer container is efficiently used. Furthermore, the moving wall is prevented from being inclined with respect to the first shaft portion, and the moving wall can smoothly move in the first direction.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a developer container in which the amount of developer remaining inside the container main body is reduced at the end of use, and an image forming apparatus including the developer container. Moreover, it is suppressed that a moving wall inclines with respect to a 1st shaft part.

1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a state in which a part of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is opened. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an internal structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic plan view showing an internal structure of a developing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state where a developer is supplied to the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a developer storage container according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a plan view of a developer container according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a developer container according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a developer container according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is (A) top view and (B) sectional view of a developer storage container concerning a modification of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a printer 100 (image forming apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the printer 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The printer 100 as the image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is a so-called monochrome printer. However, in other embodiments, the image forming apparatus is a color printer, a facsimile machine, a multifunction machine having these functions, Another apparatus for forming a toner image on a sheet may be used. Note that the terms used in the following description, such as “up”, “down”, “front”, “rear”, “left” and “right”, are merely for the purpose of clarifying the description. There is no limitation on the principle of the image forming apparatus.

  The printer 100 includes a casing 101 that houses various apparatuses for forming an image on the sheet S. The housing 101 includes an upper wall 102 that defines the upper surface of the housing 101, a bottom wall 103 (FIG. 3) that defines the bottom surface of the housing 101, and a main body rear wall 105 between the upper wall 102 and the bottom wall 103. (FIG. 3) and a main body front wall 104 positioned in front of the main body rear wall 105. The housing 101 includes a main body internal space 107 in which various devices are arranged. A sheet conveyance path PP through which the sheet S is conveyed in a predetermined conveyance direction is extended in the main body internal space 107 of the casing 101. In addition, the printer 100 includes an opening / closing cover 100 </ b> C that is attached to the housing 101 so as to be freely opened and closed.

  The opening / closing cover 100 </ b> C includes a front wall upper portion 104 </ b> B that is an upper portion of the main body front wall 104 and an upper wall front portion 102 </ b> B that is a front portion of the upper wall 102. The opening / closing cover 100C can be opened / closed in the vertical direction with hinge shafts (not shown) arranged on the pair of arm portions 108 arranged at both ends in the left / right direction as fulcrums (FIG. 2). In the open state of the opening / closing cover 100C, the upper part of the main body internal space 107 is opened to the outside. On the other hand, in the closed state of the opening / closing cover 200C, the upper part of the main body internal space 107 is closed.

  A paper discharge unit 102 </ b> A is disposed at the center of the upper wall 102. The paper discharge unit 102 </ b> A includes an inclined surface that is inclined downward from the front portion to the rear portion of the upper wall 102. The sheet S on which an image is formed in the image forming unit 120 described later is discharged to the paper discharge unit 102A. In addition, a manual feed tray 104 </ b> A is disposed at the center in the vertical direction of the main body front wall 104. The manual feed tray 104A can be turned up and down with the lower end as a fulcrum (arrow DT in FIG. 3).

  Referring to FIG. 3, the printer 100 includes a cassette 110, a pickup roller 112, a first paper feed roller 113, a second paper feed roller 114, a transport roller 115, a registration roller pair 116, and an image forming unit. 120 and a fixing device 130.

  The cassette 110 accommodates the sheet S inside. The cassette 110 includes a lift plate 111. The lift plate 111 is inclined so as to push up the leading edge of the sheet S. The cassette 110 can be pulled forward with respect to the housing 101.

  The pickup roller 112 is disposed on the leading edge of the sheet S pushed up by the lift plate 111. When the pickup roller 112 rotates, the sheet S is pulled out from the cassette 110.

  The first paper feed roller 113 is disposed downstream of the pickup roller 112 and sends the sheet S further downstream. The second paper feed roller 114 is disposed on the inner side (rear side) of the fulcrum of the manual feed tray 104 </ b> A, and draws the sheet S on the manual feed tray 104 </ b> A into the housing 101.

  The conveyance roller 115 is disposed downstream (hereinafter also simply referred to as downstream) of the first paper supply roller 113 and the second paper supply roller 114 in the sheet conveyance direction (hereinafter also simply referred to as conveyance direction). The transport roller 115 transports the sheet S sent out by the first paper feed roller 113 and the second paper feed roller 114 further downstream.

  The registration roller pair 116 has a function of correcting the oblique conveyance of the sheet S. Thereby, the position of the image formed on the sheet S is adjusted. The registration roller pair 116 supplies the sheet S to the image forming unit 120 in accordance with the timing of image formation by the image forming unit 120.

  The image forming unit 120 includes a photosensitive drum 121 (image carrier), a charger 122, an exposure device 123, a developing device 20, a toner container 30 (developer storage container), and a transfer roller 126 (transfer unit). And a cleaning device 127.

  The photosensitive drum 121 has a cylindrical shape. The photosensitive drum 121 has a surface on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and carries a toner image (developer image) corresponding to the electrostatic latent image on the surface. The charger 122 is applied with a predetermined voltage and charges the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121 substantially uniformly.

  The exposure device 123 irradiates the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121 charged by the charger 122 with laser light. The laser light is emitted in accordance with image data output from an external device (not shown) such as a personal computer connected to the printer 100 so as to be communicable. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121.

  The developing device 20 supplies toner to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed. The toner container 30 supplies toner to the developing device 20. The toner container 30 is detachably disposed with respect to the developing device 20. When the developing device 20 supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 121, the electrostatic latent image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121 is developed (visualized). As a result, a toner image (developer image) is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121.

  The transfer roller 126 is disposed below the photosensitive drum 121 so as to face the photosensitive drum 121 with the sheet conveyance path PP interposed therebetween. The transfer roller 126 forms a transfer nip portion with the photosensitive drum 121 and transfers the toner image onto the sheet S.

  The cleaning device 127 removes the toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121 after the toner image is transferred to the sheet S.

  The fixing device 130 is disposed downstream of the image forming unit 120 in the transport direction, and fixes the toner image on the sheet S. The fixing device 130 includes a heating roller 131 that melts the toner on the sheet S and a pressure roller 132 that causes the sheet S to adhere to the heating roller 131.

  The printer 100 further includes a transport roller pair 133 disposed downstream of the fixing device 130 and a discharge roller pair 134 disposed downstream of the transport roller pair 133. The sheet S is conveyed upward by the conveyance roller pair 133 and is finally discharged from the housing 101 by the discharge roller pair 134. The sheets S discharged from the housing 101 are stacked on the paper discharge unit 102A.

<About development device>
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the developing device 20. The developing device 20 includes a developing housing 210 (housing) having a long box shape in one direction (the axial direction of the developing roller 21 and the left-right direction). The developing housing 210 has a storage space 220. In the storage space 220, a developing roller 21, a first stirring screw 23, a second stirring screw 24, and a toner supply port 25 are disposed. In the present embodiment, a one-component developing system is applied, and the storage space 220 is filled with toner as a developer. On the other hand, in the case of the two-component development method, a mixture of toner and a carrier made of a magnetic material is filled as a developer. The toner is agitated and conveyed in the storage space 220 and is sequentially supplied from the developing roller 21 to the photosensitive drum 121 in order to develop the electrostatic latent image.

  The developing roller 21 has a cylindrical shape that extends in the longitudinal direction of the developing housing 210 and has a sleeve portion that is rotationally driven on the outer periphery.

  The storage space 220 of the developing housing 210 is covered with a top plate (not shown), and is partitioned into a first transport path 221 and a second transport path 222 that are long in the left-right direction by a partition plate 22 extending in the left-right direction. Yes. The partition plate 22 is shorter than the width of the developing housing 210 in the left-right direction, and a first communication path 223 and a first communication path 223 that respectively connect the first transport path 221 and the second transport path 222 to the left end and the right end of the partition plate 22. A double communication path 224 is provided. Thereby, a circulation path that reaches the first conveyance path 221, the second communication path 224, the second conveyance path 222, and the first communication path 223 is formed in the storage space 220. The toner is conveyed counterclockwise in the circulation path in FIG.

  The toner replenishing port 25 (developer replenishing port) is an opening that is opened in the top plate of the developing housing 210 and is disposed above the left end of the first transport path 221. The toner replenishing port 25 is disposed so as to face the circulation path, and has a function of receiving the replenishing toner (supplement developer) replenished from the toner discharge port 377 (FIG. 4) of the toner container 30 into the storage space 220.

  The first stirring screw 23 is disposed in the first conveyance path 221. The first agitating screw 23 includes a first rotating shaft 23a and a first spiral blade 23b (screw blade) projecting in a spiral shape on the circumference of the first rotating shaft 23a. The first stirring screw 23 is driven to rotate about the first rotation shaft 23a (arrow R2), thereby conveying the toner in the direction of arrow D1 in FIG. The first agitation screw 23 conveys the developer so that the toner replenishing port 25 passes through a position facing the first conveyance path 221. As a result, the first stirring screw 23 has a function of transporting while mixing new toner flowing from the toner replenishing port 25 and toner transported into the first transport path 221 from the second transport path 222 side. A first paddle 23c is disposed downstream of the first stirring screw 23 in the toner conveyance direction (D1 direction). The first paddle 23c is a plate-like member disposed on the first rotating shaft 23a. The first paddle 23c is rotated together with the first rotation shaft 23a, and delivers the toner from the first conveyance path 221 to the second conveyance path 222 in the direction of arrow D4 in FIG.

  The second stirring screw 24 is disposed in the second conveyance path 222. The second agitating screw 24 includes a second rotating shaft 24a and a second spiral blade 24b protruding in a spiral shape on the circumference of the second rotating shaft 24a. The second agitating screw 24 is driven to rotate about the second rotation shaft 24a (arrow R1), thereby supplying the toner to the developing roller 21 while conveying the toner in the direction of arrow D2 in FIG. A second paddle 24c is disposed downstream of the second stirring screw 24 in the toner conveyance direction (D2 direction). The second paddle 24c is rotated together with the second rotation shaft 24a, and delivers the toner from the second conveyance path 222 to the first conveyance path 221 in the direction of arrow D3 in FIG.

  The toner container 30 (FIG. 3) is disposed above the toner supply port 25 of the development housing 210. The toner container 30 includes a toner discharge port 377 (FIG. 4). The toner discharge port 377 is disposed on the bottom 371 (FIG. 6) of the toner container 30 corresponding to the toner supply port 25 of the developing device 20. The toner dropped from the toner discharge port 377 is supplied to the developing device 20 from the toner supply port 25.

<About toner supply>
Next, the flow of toner newly supplied from the toner supply port 25 will be described. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the toner supply port 25 disposed in the developing device 20 and the toner discharge port 377 disposed in the toner container 30.

  The replenishment toner T2 supplied from the toner discharge port 377 of the toner container 30 falls to the first transport path 221 and is mixed with the existing toner T1, and is transported in the direction of the arrow D1 by the first stirring screw 23. At this time, the toners T1 and T2 are stirred and charged.

  The first agitating screw 23 includes a suppression paddle 28 (conveyance capability suppression unit) that partially suppresses the developer conveyance performance downstream of the toner supply port 25 in the toner conveyance direction. In the present embodiment, the suppression paddle 28 is a plate-like member disposed between the adjacent first spiral blades 23 b of the first stirring screw 23. As the suppression paddle 28 rotates around the first rotation shaft 23a, the toner conveyed from the upstream side of the suppression paddle 28 starts to stay. The toner stays on the upstream side of the suppression paddle 28 and accumulates until the toner replenishing port 25 faces the first transport path 221. As a result, a developer retention portion 29 (developer retention portion) is formed in the vicinity of the inlet of the toner supply port 25.

  When the replenishment toner T2 is replenished from the toner replenishing port 25 and the amount of toner in the storage space 220 increases, the toner staying in the staying portion 29 closes (seals) the toner replenishing port 25 and supplies more toner. Suppress. Thereafter, when the toner in the storage space 220 is consumed from the developing roller 21 and the toner staying in the staying portion 29 decreases, the toner that has blocked the toner replenishing port 25 is reduced, and a gap is formed between the staying portion 29 and the toner replenishing port 25. Occurs. As a result, the replenishment toner T2 flows again from the toner replenishment port 25 into the storage space 220. As described above, the present embodiment employs a volume replenishment type toner replenishment format in which the amount of replenishment toner received is adjusted as the amount of toner remaining in the retention portion 29 decreases.

<About toner container structure>
Next, a toner container 30 (developer container) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the toner container 30 according to the present embodiment. 7A is a plan view of the toner container 30 and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view thereof. Note that FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view including a cross section BB in FIG. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the toner container 30. FIG. 9 is a partially exploded perspective view of the toner container 30.

  The toner container 30 has a cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction (first direction, arrow DA direction in FIG. 7B). The toner container 30 stores supply toner (developer) therein. Referring to FIG. 8, the toner container 30 includes a lid portion 31, a moving wall 32, a first shaft 33A (first shaft portion), a second shaft 33B (second shaft portion), and a first seal 34A. The second seal 34B, the stirring member 35, the third seal 36, the container main body 37 (container main body), the filling port cap 30K, the toner sensor TS, the first gear 381, and the second gear 382 ( A first drive transmission unit, a first rotation gear), a third gear 383 (second drive transmission unit, second rotation gear), an idler gear 384, and a cover 39.

  The lid 31 is fixed to the container main body 37 and seals the opening of the container main body 37. The lid portion 31 includes a first lid shaft hole portion 31J1 (FIG. 7B), a second lid shaft hole portion 31J2, a first guide portion 312A, and a lid protrusion portion 312B. The first lid shaft hole portion 31J1 is provided in the lower portion of the lid portion 31, and pivotally supports the first shaft 33A. The first lid shaft hole portion 31J1 is a hole portion formed by a predetermined length in the left direction from the right side surface (inner surface portion) of the lid portion 31. Similarly, the second lid shaft hole portion 31J2 is a hole portion opened to the lid portion 31 above the first lid shaft hole portion 31J1. The second lid shaft hole 31J2 pivotally supports the second shaft 33B. The first guide portion 312A is a protrusion formed on the left side surface (outer surface portion) of the lid portion 31 so as to extend in the vertical direction. The first guide portion 312A is disposed on the opposite side of the first lid shaft hole portion 31J1. The first guide portion 312A has a function of guiding the toner container 30 to be attached to the developing device 20. The lid protrusion 312B is a protrusion provided on the lid 31 on the opposite side of the second lid shaft hole 31J2.

  The container main body 37 is a main body portion of the toner container 30 having a cylindrical shape. The container main body 37 includes an inner peripheral portion 37K and an internal space 37H (FIG. 7B). The inner peripheral portion 37K is an inner peripheral surface of the container main body 37 and extends in a cylindrical shape along the longitudinal direction of the toner container 30 (first direction, arrow DA direction in FIG. 7B).

  7A and 7B, the container body 37 includes a bottom portion 371 (FIG. 6), a top plate 372, a front wall 373, a rear wall 374, a right wall 375 (wall portion). ) And a protruding wall 376. The bottom portion 371 is a bottom portion of the container main body 37 and has a semi-cylindrical shape protruding downward. In other words, the bottom portion 371 has an arc shape in a cross-sectional view intersecting the first direction. The front wall 373 and the rear wall 374 are a pair of side walls erected upward from the side end of the bottom 371. The top plate 372 is disposed above the bottom 371 and covers the upper part of the internal space 37H. The right wall 375 is a wall portion that is connected to one end side (right end side) of the bottom portion 371, the front wall 373, the rear wall 374, and the top plate 372 in the first direction and closes the container main body 37. The internal space 37H is a space defined by the inner peripheral portion 37K formed by the bottom portion 371, the top plate 372, the front wall 373, the rear wall 374, and the right wall 375 and the lid portion 31. At this time, the right wall 375 defines one end surface of the internal space 37H in the first direction.

  Further, in the internal space 37H, a region between the right wall 375 and the moving wall 32 is the accommodation space 37S. The accommodation space 37 </ b> S is a space in which the toner is accommodated inside the toner container 30. In the present embodiment, the vertical height of the internal space 37H is larger than the horizontal width of the internal space 37H in a cross-sectional view orthogonal to the first direction. That is, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the toner container 30 and its internal space 37H have a vertically long cross-sectional shape along the vertical direction. As described above, when the toner container 30 having a vertically long shape is attached to the printer 100 shown in FIG. 3, the toner filling amount stored in the toner container 30 is increased without increasing the width in the front-rear direction of the printer 100. It can be increased. As shown in FIG. 3, the toner container 30 is disposed immediately below the upper end side of the inclined paper discharge unit 102 </ b> A. For this reason, since the amount of toner filled in the toner container 30 is increased, even when the height of the toner container 30 is set large, it is possible to continuously provide a predetermined gradient in the paper discharge unit 102A. It becomes. As a result, the trailing edges of the plurality of discharged sheets are stably adjusted by the lower end portion of the paper discharge unit 102A.

  As shown in FIGS. 7B and 8, the container body 37 is open on the opposite side of the right wall 375 in the first direction. When the lid 31 is fixed to the container body 37, the lid 31 closes the internal space 37 </ b> H of the container body 37. At this time, the lid 31 is ultrasonically welded (welded) to the container body 37.

  With reference to FIG. 7B, the protruding wall 376 is a portion where the outer peripheral portion of the container main body 37 protrudes to the right side of the right wall 375. A cover 39 is attached to the protruding wall 376.

  The container body 37 includes a toner discharge port 377 (developer discharge port), a shutter 30S (FIG. 7A), a filling port 37G (FIGS. 6 and 9), and a first body bearing portion 37J1 (FIG. 7 (B)) and a second main body bearing portion 37J2.

  The toner discharge port 377 is an opening that communicates with the inner peripheral portion 37 </ b> K and is opened in the lower surface portion of the container main body 37. As shown in FIG. 7B, the toner discharge port 377 is opened at the right end (one end in the first direction) of the internal space 37H of the container main body 37. In other words, the toner discharge port 377 is disposed adjacent to the right wall 375 in the first direction.

  The toner discharge port 377 is opened in a rectangular shape with a predetermined length along the first direction and with a predetermined width along the arc shape of the bottom portion 371. In the present embodiment, the toner discharge port 377 is opened at a position shifted rearward from the lower end portion of the bottom portion 371 along the circumferential direction.

  The toner stored in the storage space 37S is discharged toward the developing device 20 from the toner discharge port 377. In the present embodiment, as described above, the inner space 37H of the container body 37 is formed by the bottom 371, the front wall 373, the rear wall 374, and the top plate 372. For this reason, the toner in the accommodation space 37S collects in the arc-shaped bottom portion 371 due to the weight of the toner, so that the toner conveyed by the moving wall 32 described later can be efficiently discharged from the toner discharge port 377.

  The shutter 30 </ b> S (FIG. 7A) is slidably disposed at the right end portion of the container main body 37. The shutter 30S closes (seals) the toner discharge port 377 from the outside of the container main body 37 and exposes the toner discharge port 377 to the outside. The sliding movement of the shutter 30S is linked to the mounting operation of the toner container 30 with respect to the developing device 20.

  The filling port 37G has a cylindrical shape protruding from the right wall 375 on the right side. The inside of the cylinder of the filling port 37G is formed so as to penetrate the right wall 375 along the first direction. The filling port 37G allows the outside of the container body 37 to communicate with the accommodation space 37S. At the manufacturing stage of the toner container 30, the toner is filled into the accommodation space 37S from the filling port 37G.

  The first main body bearing portion 37J1 is a bearing formed in the lower portion of the right wall 375. The first main body bearing portion 37J1 has a cylindrical shape protruding rightward from the right wall 375. The first shaft 33A is inserted through the first main body bearing portion 37J1. At this time, the right end side of the first shaft 33 </ b> A protrudes outside the container body 37. Further, a part of the stirring member 35 (stirring bearing portion 351) is inserted between the first main body bearing portion 37J1 and the first shaft 33A inside the cylinder of the first main body bearing portion 37J1.

  Similarly, the second main body bearing portion 37J2 is a bearing formed on the upper portion of the right wall 375. The second main body bearing portion 37J2 also has a cylindrical shape protruding rightward from the right wall 375. The second shaft 33B is inserted through the second main body bearing portion 37J2. At this time, the right end side of the second shaft 33 </ b> B protrudes outside the container body 37.

  The filling port cap 30K (FIG. 6) is attached to the filling port 37G of the container body 37 and seals the filling port 37G. After the toner is filled into the accommodation space 37S from the filling port 37G, the filling port cap 30K is attached to the filling port 37G and welded. As a result, the toner is prevented from leaking from the filling port 37G.

  The moving wall 32 is a wall portion arranged facing the first direction inside the container main body 37 (internal space 37H). The moving wall 32 defines one end face (left end face) in the first direction of the accommodation space 37S. The other end surface (right end surface) of the accommodation space 37S in the first direction is defined by the right wall 375. Further, the moving wall 32 conveys the toner in the accommodation space 37S from the initial position on the one end side in the first direction to the other side from the start of use of the toner container 30 to the end of use. A function of moving in the first direction in the internal space 37H to the final position on the end side is provided. In the present embodiment, the initial position of the moving wall 32 is disposed on the right side (downstream in the first direction) of the lid portion 31, and the final position is disposed on the left side (upstream in the first direction) of the toner discharge port 377. Yes. The moving wall 32 is moved by a rotational driving force generated by a second motor M2 described later. The lid portion 31 is disposed upstream of the moving wall 32 in the first direction. Further, the right wall 375 is disposed on the downstream side in the first direction with respect to the moving wall 32.

  With reference to FIG. 7 (B) and FIG. 8, the moving wall 32 includes a transfer wall portion 320D, an outer peripheral wall portion 321, an inner wall seal 322 (seal member), a first shaft seal 323A (cleaning member), A second shaft seal 323B, a first bearing portion 32J1, a second bearing portion 32J2, and an outer peripheral portion 32K are provided.

  The transfer wall portion 320D is a wall portion that defines the accommodation space 37S together with the inner peripheral portion 37K of the container main body 37. In particular, the conveyance wall 320D includes a conveyance surface 320S perpendicular to the first shaft 33A and the second shaft 33B. The conveyance surface 320 </ b> S conveys the toner in the accommodation space 37 </ b> S while pressing the toner as the moving wall 32 moves.

  The first bearing portion 32J1 (FIG. 7B) is a cylindrical bearing portion formed in the lower portion of the transfer wall portion 320D. The first bearing portion 32J1 moves along the first direction while holding the lower portion of the moving wall 32. The first shaft 33A is inserted through the first bearing portion 32J1. The first bearing portion 32J1 includes a first female spiral portion 320D1. The first female spiral portion 320D1 is a spiral thread portion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first bearing portion 32J1. The first female spiral portion 320D1 has a function of moving the lower portion of the moving wall 32 along the first direction by engaging with a first male spiral portion 333A described later of the first shaft 33A. At this time, the posture of the lower portion of the moving wall 32 is maintained by the contact between the inner peripheral portion of the first bearing portion 32J1 and the outer peripheral portion of the first shaft 33A.

  The second bearing portion 32J2 is a cylindrical bearing portion formed on the upper portion of the transfer wall portion 320D. The second bearing portion 32J2 moves along the first direction while holding the upper portion of the moving wall 32. The second shaft 33B is inserted through the second bearing portion 32J2. The second bearing portion 32J2 includes a second female spiral portion 320D2. The second female spiral portion 320D2 is a spiral thread portion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second bearing portion 32J2. The second female spiral portion 320D2 has a function of moving the upper portion of the moving wall 32 along the first direction by engaging with a second male spiral portion 333B described later of the second shaft 33B. At this time, the posture of the upper portion of the moving wall 32 is maintained by the contact between the inner peripheral portion of the second bearing portion 32J2 and the outer peripheral portion of the second shaft 33B.

  The outer peripheral wall portion 321 (FIG. 8) protrudes from the entire outer peripheral edge of the transfer wall portion 320 </ b> D toward the side opposite to the accommodation space 37 </ b> S, that is, toward the upstream side in the moving direction (the first direction upstream side) of the moving wall 32. It is a wall part. The outer peripheral wall portion 321 is disposed to face the inner peripheral portion 37K of the container main body 37. As shown in FIG. 8, the moving wall 32 is provided with grid-like ribs that connect the outer peripheral surfaces of the first bearing portion 32J1 and the second bearing portion 32J2 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 321. Yes.

  The inner wall seal 322 is a seal member that is disposed so as to cover the periphery of the transfer wall part 320D on the transfer wall part 320D side of the outer peripheral wall part 321. The inner wall seal 322 is an elastic member made of urethane sponge. After one end of the tape-shaped inner wall seal 322 is fixed to the upper portion of the conveyance wall portion 320D, the inner wall seal 322 is fixed while being wound around the conveyance wall portion 320D. Then, the other end of the inner wall seal 322 is fixed so as to overlap one end of the inner wall seal 322. The inner wall seal 322 is compressed and deformed between the inner peripheral portion 37 </ b> K of the container body 37 and the moving wall 32. Further, the inner wall seal 322 forms an outer peripheral portion 32K (FIG. 7B) of the moving wall 32. The outer peripheral portion 32K is disposed in close contact with the inner peripheral portion 37K of the container main body 37. The inner wall seal 322 prevents the toner in the accommodation space 37 </ b> S from flowing out between the inner peripheral portion 37 </ b> K of the container body 37 and the moving wall 32 to the upstream side in the moving direction from the moving wall 32.

  The first shaft seal 323A is fixed to the distal end side in the moving direction of the moving wall 32 with respect to the first female spiral portion 320D1 in the first bearing portion 32J1 (FIG. 7B). The first shaft seal 323A is an elastic member made of urethane sponge. The first shaft seal 323A contacts the first male spiral portion 333A of the first shaft 33A as the moving wall 32 moves. At this time, the first shaft seal 323A contacts the first male spiral portion 333A prior to the first female spiral portion 320D1, and cleans the toner adhering to the first male spiral portion 333A. Accordingly, the first male spiral portion 333A engages with the first female spiral portion 320D1 in a state where the toner is substantially removed from the first male spiral portion 333A. For this reason, the toner is prevented from aggregating between the first male spiral portion 333A and the first female spiral portion 320D1, and the movement of the moving wall 32 is stably realized. Further, since the first shaft seal 323A has a ring shape, the first shaft seal 323A is in close contact with the first shaft 33A over the entire circumferential direction of the first shaft 33A. For this reason, the toner in the accommodation space 37S is prevented from flowing out from the moving wall 32 to the upstream side in the moving direction through the first bearing portion 32J1.

  The second shaft seal 323B is fixed to the distal end side in the moving direction of the moving wall 32 with respect to the second female spiral portion 320D2 in the second bearing portion 32J2 (FIG. 7B). Similarly to the first shaft seal 323A, the second shaft seal 323B is an elastic member made of urethane sponge. The second shaft seal 323B also has the same shape and function as the first shaft seal 323A.

  The first shaft 33A is rotatably supported by the right wall 375 and the lid portion 31 of the container body 37 so as to extend in the first direction in the internal space 37H. The first shaft 33A includes an eleventh shaft end 331A, a twelfth shaft end 332A, a first male helix 333A, a first moving wall stop 334A, a first moving wall support 335A, and a first Shaft flange 336A (FIG. 8).

  With reference to FIGS. 7B and 8, the eleventh shaft end portion 331A is the right end portion (one end portion in the first direction) of the first shaft 33A. The eleventh shaft end portion 331A is a tip portion of the first shaft 33A that protrudes to the right side through the first main body bearing portion 37J1. As shown in FIG. 8, a D surface is formed on the peripheral surface of the eleventh shaft end 331A. A second gear 382 (FIG. 8) having a D hole shape at the center is engaged (fixed) with the eleventh shaft end 331A. As a result, the first shaft 33A and the second gear 382 can rotate integrally. Further, the tip end portion of the eleventh shaft end portion 331A penetrating the second gear 382 is disposed so as to enter the inside of the second guide portion 391 described later of the cover 39 (FIG. 7B). The twelfth shaft end 332A is the left end (the other end in the first direction) of the first shaft 33A. The twelfth shaft end portion 332A is pivotally supported by a first lid shaft hole portion 31J1 formed in the lid portion 31.

  The first male spiral portion 333A is a spiral thread portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first shaft 33A in the internal space 37H. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7B, the first male spiral portion 333A is positioned in the first direction from the toner discharge port 377 in the first direction (FIG. 7 (B)). B) Arrow DA) Arranged up to the upstream region.

  The first moving wall stop portion 334A is continuously disposed on the downstream side in the first direction of the first male spiral portion 333A. The first moving wall stop portion 334A is a region of only the shaft portion in which the first male spiral portion 333A is partially omitted from the first shaft 33A in the internal space 37H. The first moving wall stop 334A is located above the toner discharge port 377 and upstream of the toner discharge port 377 in the first direction.

  The first moving wall support portion 335A is disposed on the downstream side in the first direction of the first moving wall stop portion 334A. In other words, the first male spiral portion 333A and the first moving wall support portion 335A are discontinuous in the first direction. The first moving wall support portion 335A is a protrusion that protrudes in the radial direction from the circumferential surface of the first shaft 33A. As shown in FIG. 7B, the first moving wall support portion 335A is disposed above the upstream end portion of the toner discharge port 377 in the first direction.

  335A of 1st moving wall support parts are provided with the function which suppresses the inclination (inclination with respect to the shaft 33) with respect to the 1st direction of the conveyance surface 320S of the moving wall 32, when the moving wall 32 reaches the final position. 335A of 1st moving wall support parts consist of a ring shape arrange | positioned along the circumferential direction in the surrounding surface of 1st shaft 33A. In the present embodiment, a plurality (two) of first moving wall support portions 335A are arranged along the first direction. The height at which the first moving wall support 335A protrudes from the peripheral surface of the first shaft 33A is the same as the height of the first male spiral portion 333A or slightly higher than the height of the first male spiral portion 333A. May be set higher.

  The first shaft flange 336A is disposed at a distance from the first moving wall support portion 335A on the downstream side in the first direction. The first shaft flange 336A is a disc-shaped flange that protrudes in the radial direction from the peripheral surface of the first shaft 33A. Two first shaft flanges 336A are arranged so as to be adjacent in the first direction. The first shaft flange 336A on the downstream side in the first direction has a smaller diameter than the first shaft flange 336A on the upstream side in the first direction. The first shaft flange 336A on the downstream side has a function of compressing the first seal 34A (FIG. 8) together with the stirring member 35 (FIG. 8). On the other hand, the upstream first shaft flange 336 </ b> A has a function of preventing the toner from entering the cylinder of the stirring member 35.

  The second shaft 33B is rotatably supported by the right wall 375 and the lid portion 31 of the container body 37 so as to extend in the first direction above the first shaft 33A in the internal space 37H. The second shaft 33B includes a 21st shaft end portion 331B, a 22nd shaft end portion 332B, a second male spiral portion 333B, a second moving wall stop portion 334B, a second moving wall support portion 335B, and a second Shaft flange 336B (FIG. 8).

  With reference to FIG. 7B and FIG. 8, the 21st shaft end portion 331B is the right end portion (one end portion in the first direction) of the second shaft 33B. The 21st shaft end 331B is the tip of the 2nd shaft 33B which penetrated the 2nd main part bearing part 37J2 and protruded on the right side. As shown in FIG. 8, the D surface is also formed on the peripheral surface of the 21st shaft end 331B. A third gear 383 (FIG. 8) having a D hole shape at the center is engaged (fixed) with the 21st shaft end 331B. As a result, the second shaft 33B and the third gear 383 can rotate integrally. Further, the tip end portion of the 21st shaft end portion 331B penetrating through the third gear 383 is disposed so as to enter the inside of the cover 39 (FIG. 7B). The 22nd shaft end 332B is the left end (the other end in the first direction) of the second shaft 33B. The 22nd shaft end portion 332B is pivotally supported by a second lid shaft hole portion 31J2 formed in the lid portion 31.

  The second male spiral portion 333B is a spiral thread portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the second shaft 33B in the internal space 37H. In the present embodiment, the second male spiral portion 333B is disposed in the same range along the first direction as the first male spiral portion 333A above the first male spiral portion 333A as shown in FIG. 7B. ing. The second moving wall stop 334B and the second moving wall support 335B have the same shape and function as the first moving wall stop 334A and the first moving wall support 335A, respectively.

  The first seal 34 </ b> A is a ring-shaped seal member that is compressed and disposed between the first shaft flange 336 </ b> A of the first shaft 33 </ b> A and the stirring member 35. The first seal 34A is made of a sponge material. The first seal 34 </ b> A prevents the toner from leaking outside the container body 37 through the inside of the cylinder of the stirring member 35 and the peripheral surface of the first shaft 33 </ b> A.

  Similarly, the second seal 34B is made of the same shape and material as the first seal 34A. The second seal 34B prevents the toner from leaking to the outside of the container body 37 through the space between the first body bearing portion 37J2 and the peripheral surface of the second shaft 33B.

  The stirring member 35 (FIG. 8) is disposed along the right wall 375 above the toner discharge port 377. The agitating member 35 agitates the toner in the accommodation space 37S. In the present embodiment, the agitating member 35 rotates around the first shaft 33A and relative to the first shaft 33A. The stirring member 35 includes a stirring bearing portion 351, a stirring support portion 352, and a stirring blade 353.

  The agitation bearing portion 351 has a cylindrical shape that is externally fitted to the first shaft 33A. The stirring bearing portion 351 is inserted into the first main body bearing portion 37J1 from the accommodation space 37S side of the container main body 37. As a result, the right end side of the stirring bearing portion 351 passes through the first main body bearing portion 37J1 and is exposed to the outside of the container main body 37 from the right wall 375 (first main body bearing portion 37J1). On the other hand, the left end side of the stirring bearing portion 351 is disposed in the accommodation space 37S. A cutout portion is formed at the right end of the stirring bearing portion 351 (FIG. 8). The notch engages with an engaging portion (not shown) formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first gear 381. As a result, the stirring member 35 and the first gear 381 rotate integrally.

  The stirring support portion 352 is a protruding piece that protrudes in the radial direction in the rotation of the shaft 33 from the left end side of the cylindrical stirring bearing portion 351. The stirring support part 352 is disposed along the right wall 375 so as to face the first direction. The agitation support portion 352 rotates around the first shaft 33A in the accommodation space 37S. In particular, in this embodiment, a pair of agitation support portions 352 are arranged. That is, one agitation support portion 352 is arranged along the right wall 375 so as to extend radially outward from the first shaft 33A. The other stirring support part 352 is arranged so as to extend radially outward from a position different from the one stirring support part 352 in the circumferential direction. In other words, the pair of stirring support portions 352 are arranged so as to extend toward opposite sides in the radial direction, and have a propeller shape in which the circumferential width is set wider toward the outer side in the radial direction. . For this reason, compared with the case where the stirring support part 352 has a disk shape, the toner entering the gap between the stirring support part 352 and the right wall 375 is easy to move, and the toner is prevented from aggregating.

  The stirring blade 353 is a blade member that protrudes from the pair of stirring support portions 352 toward the left side (upstream side in the first direction). As shown in FIG. 8, two stirring blades 353 protrude from each stirring support portion 352. The stirring blade 353 stirs the toner around the toner discharge port 377 while circulating around the toner discharge port 377 and discharges the toner from the toner discharge port 377.

  The outer diameter of the stirring bearing portion 351 on the left side of the stirring support portion 352 is set larger than the outer diameter of the stirring bearing portion 351 on the right side of the stirring support portion 352. As shown in FIG. 7B, the first seal 34 </ b> A is compressed and disposed inside the stirring bearing portion 351 on the left side of the stirring support portion 352.

  The 3rd seal | sticker 36 is a ring-shaped seal member arrange | positioned inside the 1st main body bearing part 37J1. The third seal 36 is made of a sponge material. The third seal 36 prevents the toner from leaking outside the container body 37 through the space between the outer peripheral surface of the stirring bearing portion 351 of the stirring member 35 and the inner peripheral surface of the first main body bearing portion 37J1.

  The first gear 381 transmits a rotational driving force to the stirring member 35. The first gear 381 is connected to a first motor M1 (FIG. 9) described later. The first gear 381 is connected to the stirring bearing portion 351 of the stirring member 35 that penetrates the first main body bearing portion 37J1. The peripheral surface of the first gear 381 is provided with a plurality of gear teeth.

  The second gear 382 transmits the rotational driving force to the first shaft 33A. A plurality of gear teeth are also provided on the peripheral surface of the second gear 382. The second gear 382 is connected to a second motor M2 (FIG. 9) described later. As shown in FIG. 7B, the right end portion of the first shaft 33 </ b> A is disposed so as to penetrate the stirring bearing portion 351 of the stirring member 35. The second gear 382 is connected (fixed) to the tip end portion (the eleventh shaft end portion 331A) of the first shaft 33A penetrating the stirring bearing portion 351. As shown in FIG. 9, the second gear 382 is disposed adjacent to the first gear 381 in the first direction.

  The third gear 383 transmits the rotational driving force to the second shaft 33B. A plurality of gear teeth are also provided on the peripheral surface of the third gear 383. The third gear 383 is connected to the second gear 382 via the idler gear 384. As shown in FIG. 7B, the right end portion of the second shaft 33B is disposed so as to penetrate the second main body bearing portion 37J2. The third gear 383 is connected (fixed) to the distal end portion (the 21st shaft end portion 331B) of the second shaft 33B that penetrates the second main body bearing portion 37J2.

  The idler gear 384 is rotatably supported by the container main body 37. The idler gear 384 (FIG. 9) is connected to the second gear 382 and the third gear 383, and transmits the rotational driving force from the second gear 382 to the third gear 383 in synchronization. As a result, the third gear 383 transmits the rotational driving force to the second shaft 33B in synchronization with the rotational operation of the first shaft 33A.

  The first gear 381, the second gear 382, and the third gear 383 are arranged on the downstream side of the moving wall 32 in the moving direction (first direction). In other words, as shown in FIG. 7B, the first gear 381, the second gear 382, and the third gear 383 are gathered at a position facing the right wall 375 of the container body 37 outside the container body 37. Are arranged. Therefore, the entire toner container 30 can be configured compactly, particularly in the first direction. Further, the need for providing a shaft hole penetrating both the lid portion 31 and the right wall 375 for driving transmission is reduced. For this reason, leakage of toner (developer) and a decrease in rigidity of the lid 31 and the right wall 375 are suppressed. In the present embodiment, the first gear 381 and the second gear 382 are disposed adjacent to each other. Accordingly, the driving unit that inputs the driving force to the first gear 381 and the second gear 382 can be centrally arranged in the developing device 20.

  The cover 39 is attached to the protruding wall 376 (FIG. 7B) of the container main body 37. The cover 39 has a function of exposing part of the first gear 381 and the second gear 382 in the circumferential direction to the outside and covering other parts of the first gear 381 and the second gear 382 in the circumferential direction. . Referring to FIG. 9, the cover 39 includes a second guide portion 391 and a gear opening 39K.

  The second guide portion 391 is a protruding portion that protrudes to the right side in the vertical direction on the right side surface of the cover 39. The second guide portion 391 has a function of guiding the mounting of the toner container 30 to the developing device 20 together with the first guide portion 312 </ b> A of the lid portion 31. As shown in FIG. 7B, the tip end portion of the eleventh shaft end portion 331 </ b> A penetrating the second gear 382 is accommodated in the second guide portion 391.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the gear opening 39K is an opening in which the lower surface of the cover 39 is opened with a semicircular arc shape. When the cover 39 is attached to the container main body 37, part of the gear teeth of the first gear 381 and the second gear 382 is exposed to the outside of the toner container 30 through the gear opening 39K. As a result, when the toner container 30 is mounted on the housing 101, a drive input gear (not shown) connected to the first motor M1 and the second motor M2 is engaged with the first gear 381 and the second gear 382. Is done. Thus, by providing the gear opening 39K, it is possible to input the rotational driving force to the first gear 381 and the second gear 382 while protecting the first gear 381 and the second gear 382.

  The toner sensor TS (FIG. 8) is a sensor disposed on the bottom 371 of the container main body 37. The toner sensor TS is disposed adjacent to the toner discharge port 377 in the circumferential direction, and is fixed to the lowermost surface portion of the bottom portion 371 in the present embodiment. The toner sensor TS is a sensor composed of a magnetic permeability sensor or a piezoelectric element. When the toner sensor TS is composed of a piezoelectric element, the sensor portion of the toner sensor TS is exposed in the accommodation space 37S. The toner sensor TS outputs a HIGH signal (+ 5V) when pressed by the toner in the accommodation space 37S. When there is almost no toner above the toner sensor TS, the toner sensor TS outputs a LOW signal (0 V). The output signal of the toner sensor TS is referred to by the control unit 50 (FIG. 9) described later. When the toner sensor TS is a magnetic permeability sensor, it is not necessary for the sensor to directly contact the toner. Therefore, in another embodiment, the toner sensor TS may be disposed in the developing device 20 or the casing 101 so as to face the outer wall of the container main body 37. Further, the arrangement of the toner sensor TS is not limited to the bottom 371 of the container main body 37. In another embodiment, the toner sensor may be disposed on the top plate 372, the front wall 373, the rear wall 374, and the like of the container body 37.

<Assembling the toner container>
Next, an outline of the procedure for assembling the toner container 30 will be described. Referring to FIG. 8, a first seal 34A and a second seal 34B are inserted through the 11th shaft end 331A side of the first shaft 33A and the 21st shaft end 331B side of the second shaft 33B, respectively. The first seal 34A and the second seal 34B abut on the first shaft flange 336A and the second shaft flange 336B, respectively. On the other hand, the third seal 36 is inserted into the stirring bearing portion 351 side of the stirring member 35. The third seal 36 abuts on a ring-shaped protrusion (not shown) disposed at the proximal end of the stirring support portion 352. Further, the eleventh shaft end portion 331 </ b> A side of the first shaft 33 </ b> A is inserted between the pair of stirring blades 353 and the stirring bearing portion 351 of the stirring member 35. Thereafter, the first bearing portion 32J1 and the second bearing portion 32J2 of the moving wall 32 are inserted into the twelfth shaft end portion 332A of the first shaft 33A and the twenty-second shaft end portion 332B of the second shaft 33B. At this time, the first shaft 33A and the second shaft 33B are rotated and rotated several times respectively. As a result, the first female spiral portion 320D1 of the moving wall 32 and the first male spiral portion 333A of the first shaft 33A are engaged. Then, the second female spiral portion 320D2 and the second male spiral portion 333B of the second shaft 33B are engaged.

  The eleventh shaft end portion of the first shaft 33A in a state where the moving wall 32, the first shaft 33A, the second shaft 33B, the first seal 34A, the second seal 34B, the stirring member 35 and the third seal 36 are integrated. The 331A and the 21st shaft end 331B of the second shaft 33B are inserted into the internal space 37H of the container body 37. The eleventh shaft end portion 331A penetrates the first main body bearing portion 37J1 (FIG. 7), and the twenty-first shaft end portion 331B penetrates the second main body bearing portion 37J2 (FIG. 7). Thereafter, the lid 31 is ultrasonically welded to the container body 37. As a result, an internal space 37H and an accommodation space 37S are formed inside the container body 37. The toner is filled into the accommodation space 37 </ b> S from the filling port 37 </ b> G of the container body 37.

  In the present embodiment, when the right wall 375 is viewed from the upstream side (left side) in the first direction, the stirring member 35 has a shape in which the filling port 37G is exposed at a predetermined rotational position around the first shaft 33A of the stirring member 35. I have. Specifically, when the stirring member 35 is disposed at a predetermined rotational position around the first shaft 33A, the filling port 37G is exposed between the one stirring support portion 352 and the other stirring support portion 352 in the circumferential direction. . Therefore, even when the stirring member 35 is rotatable at a position along the right wall 375, the toner is smoothly supplied to the accommodation space 37S via the filling port 37G by matching the rotation position of the stirring member 35. Can be filled.

  When the toner filling is completed, the filling port cap 30K is welded to the filling port 37G. Further, the first gear 381 is fitted on the eleventh shaft end portion 331A penetrating the first main body bearing portion 37J1 (FIG. 7), and the second gear 382 is further attached. On the other hand, the third gear 383 is attached to the 21st shaft end portion 331B penetrating the second main body bearing portion 37J2 (FIG. 7). An idler gear 384 is attached to a shaft (not shown) provided in the container body 37. Thereafter, the cover 39 is attached to the container main body 37 so as to cover the first gear 381, the second gear 382, the third gear 383, and the idler gear 384.

<About the movement of the moving wall>
As described above, the toner container 30 is detachable from the housing 101. With reference to FIG. 2, when the opening / closing cover 100 </ b> C of the housing 101 is opened upward, the container housing portion 109 that is a part of the main body internal space 107 is exposed to the outside of the housing 101. In the present embodiment, the toner container 30 is mounted on the container housing portion 109 from above. At this time, the cover 39 of the toner container 30 is disposed on the right side portion of the container housing portion 109, and the lid portion 31 of the toner container 30 is disposed on the left side portion of the container housing portion 109. The printer 100 includes a guide groove 109A (FIG. 2). The guide groove 109 </ b> A is a groove portion extending in the vertical direction in the container housing portion 109. In FIG. 2, only the right guide groove 109 </ b> A appears, but the guide groove 109 </ b> A is similarly disposed in the left side portion of the container housing portion 109.

  While the first guide portion 312A (FIG. 8) of the lid portion 31 and the second guide portion 391 of the cover 39 are guided by the pair of guide grooves 109A, the toner container 30 is mounted on the container housing portion 109 by the user. When the toner container 30 is mounted in the container housing portion 109, the shutter 30S is moved and the toner discharge port 377 is opened. As a result, the toner discharge port 377 is disposed above the toner supply port 25 (FIGS. 4 and 5).

  The printer 100 further includes a first motor M1, a second motor M2, and a control unit 50 (FIG. 9). The first motor M1 rotates the stirring member 35 of the toner container 30 via the first gear 381. The first motor M1 rotates the developing roller 21, the first stirring screw 23, and the second stirring screw 24 of the developing device 20 via a drive transmission mechanism (not shown). In the present embodiment, the stirring member 35 is rotated in synchronization with a rotating member such as the developing roller 21 of the developing device 20. Accordingly, the toner in the toner container 30 is stably stirred by the stirring member 35 while the developing operation of the developing device 20 is being performed. The second motor M2 moves the moving wall 32 by rotating the first shaft 33A and the second shaft 33B of the toner container 30 via the second gear 382, the idler gear 384, and the third gear 383. The controller 50 controls the first motor M1 and the second motor M2, respectively, in the printing operation of the printer 100, and drives each member of the developing device 20 and the toner container 30.

  When the new toner container 30 is mounted on the printer 100, the control unit 50 (FIG. 9) drives the second motor M2 and rotationally drives the first shaft 33A and the second shaft 33B. As a result, the engagement between the first male spiral portion 333A of the first shaft 33A and the first female spiral portion 320D1 of the moving wall 32 (FIG. 7B), and the second male spiral portion 333B of the second shaft 33B. And the second female spiral portion 320D2 of the moving wall 32 are engaged, and the moving wall 32 moves toward the toner discharge port 377 in the first direction (arrow DA in FIG. 7B). Eventually, when the moving wall 32 moves rightward from the initial position by a predetermined distance, the accommodation space 37S is filled with toner, and the toner sensor TS outputs a HIGH signal corresponding to the full state. The control unit 50 receives the HIGH signal output from the toner sensor TS and stops the moving wall 32.

  In the present embodiment, since the volume of the internal space 37H (accommodating space 37S) of the toner container 30 is large, the vertical height of the internal space 37H in the cross-sectional view orthogonal to the first direction is the internal space. It is set larger than the horizontal width of 37H. The stirring member 35 rotating around the first shaft 33A needs to stir the toner around the toner discharge port 377. As a result, the first shaft 33A is arranged to extend in the first direction in the lower portion of the toner container 30 (FIG. 7B). When the moving wall 32 is moved in the first direction only by the first bearing portion 32J1 and the first shaft 33A of the moving wall 32, the movement of the upper portion of the moving wall 32 becomes insufficient, and the moving wall 32 is moved to the first shaft 33A. It becomes easy to incline with respect. In particular, the lower portion of the moving wall 32 moves in the first direction, and the movement of the upper portion of the moving wall 32 tends to be delayed. As a result, the movement of the moving wall in the first direction is hindered. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, the upper portion of the moving wall 32 is held by the second bearing portion 32J2. The second shaft 33B is inserted through the second bearing portion 32J2. For this reason, it is suppressed that the moving wall 32 inclines with respect to the 1st shaft 33A, and the moving wall 32 can move to a 1st direction smoothly.

  When the third gear 383 (FIG. 7B) transmits the rotational driving force to the second shaft 33B in addition to the engagement of the first male spiral portion 333A and the first female spiral portion 320D1, the second male spiral portion 333B and 2nd female spiral part 320D2 engage, and the movement wall 32 moves to a 1st direction. As a result, a moving force in the first direction is simultaneously applied to the upper and lower portions of the moving wall 32. Therefore, the moving wall 32 is further prevented from being inclined with respect to the first shaft 33A. In particular, in the present embodiment, the second gear 382 and the third gear 383 are reliably rotated in synchronization with the idler gear 384. Accordingly, the rotation timings of the first shaft 33A and the second shaft 33B are prevented from shifting, and the moving wall 32 is stably moved in the first direction.

  In addition, as described above, since the inclination of the moving wall 32 during movement is suppressed, excessive deformation of the first shaft seal 323A and the second shaft seal 323B is prevented. For this reason, the sealing performance of the first shaft seal 323A and the second shaft seal 323B is stably maintained. As a result, a large amount of toner is prevented from flowing into the internal space 37H upstream of the moving wall 32 via the first bearing portion 32J1 and the second bearing portion 32J2.

  Similarly, excessive deformation of the inner wall seal 322 is prevented by suppressing the inclination of the moving wall 32 during movement. For this reason, the sealing performance of the inner wall seal 322 is stably maintained. As a result, a large amount of toner is prevented from flowing into the internal space 37H on the upstream side of the moving wall 32 via the space between the inner peripheral portion 37K of the container body 37 and the moving wall 32.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. For this reason, when the staying portion 29 (FIG. 5) on the developing device 20 side seals the toner replenishing port 25 from below, the replenishing toner does not fall from the toner container 30. On the other hand, when the toner is supplied from the developing roller 21 of the developing device 20 to the photosensitive drum 121 and the toner in the staying portion 29 decreases, the toner flows into the developing device 20 from the toner discharge port 377 through the toner supply port 25. As a result, in the accommodation space 37S of the toner container 30, the toner around the toner sensor TS disappears, so the toner sensor TS outputs a LOW signal. In response to the signal, the controller 50 drives the second motor M2 until the toner sensor TS outputs a HIGH signal, and further moves the moving wall 32 toward the toner discharge port 377.

  If the toner in the storage space 37S of the toner container 30 continues to be used, the moving wall 32 eventually reaches the final position before the toner discharge port 377. As described above, the moving wall 32 gradually moves in the first direction, whereby the toner in the accommodation space 37S is conveyed to the toner discharge port 377 while being pressed by the moving wall 32. At this time, the accommodation space 37S is gradually reduced until the moving wall 32 reaches the final position. Therefore, the space where the toner remains is gradually lost in the toner container 30. As a result, the amount of toner remaining in the storage space 37S of the container body 37 at the end of use is reduced as compared with a conventional toner container in which the volume of the storage space does not change.

  In the present embodiment, at the final position of the moving wall 32, the moving wall 32 stops slightly upstream in the first direction from the toner discharge port 377. Specifically, when the moving wall 32 moves, the first bearing portion 32J1 of the moving wall 32 reaches the first moving wall stop portion 334A, and the second bearing portion 32J2 reaches the second moving wall stop portion 334B. The engagement between the first male spiral portion 333A and the first female spiral portion 320D1 is released, and the engagement between the second male spiral portion 333B and the second female spiral portion 320D2 is released. As a result, transmission of the moving force from the first shaft 33A and the second shaft 33B to the moving wall 32 is lost, and the moving wall 32 stops at the final position. At this time, a predetermined gap is formed between the conveyance surface 320 </ b> S of the moving wall 32 and the tip of the stirring blade 353 of the stirring member 35. Further, at the final position of the moving wall 32, the inner wall seal 322 of the moving wall 32 urges the inner peripheral portion 37 </ b> K of the toner container 30 in the radial direction with an elastic force from the inside. For this reason, the moving wall 32 is stably locked at the final position, and the moving wall 32 is prevented from approaching the stirring member 35 side.

  Note that when the moving wall 32 stops at the final position, a space remains above the toner discharge port 377, so that some toner remains in the space. However, in the present embodiment, the rotation of the stirring member 35 causes the toner to be stably discharged from the toner discharge port 377 until the end. The toner discharge port 377 is opened at a position slightly shifted upward from the lower end portion of the container main body 37. Even in such a case, the toner remaining at the lowermost end portion of the container main body 37 is scooped upward by the stirring blade 353 (FIGS. 7B and 8), and then from the toner discharge port 377. It is discharged stably.

  In the present embodiment, when the moving wall 32 reaches the final position, the first moving wall support portion 335A and the second moving wall support portion 335B support the first bearing portion 32J1 and the second bearing portion 32J2, respectively. . Therefore, the moving wall 32 reaching the final position is suppressed from being inclined with respect to the first shaft 33A and the second shaft 33B. In particular, the conveyance surface 320S of the moving wall 32 is prevented from being inclined with respect to the first direction.

  As described above, the toner container 30 and the printer 100 including the toner container 30 according to the embodiment of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the following modified embodiment can be adopted. .

  (1) In the above embodiment, the printer 100 has been described as a monochrome printer, but the present invention is not limited to this. In particular, when the printer 100 is a tandem color printer, after the opening / closing cover 100C (FIG. 2) of the printer 100 is opened, the toner containers 30 are adjacent to each other corresponding to a plurality of color toners from above. It may be mounted in the housing 101.

  (2) In the above embodiment, the volume supply type toner supply method has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A mode in which a toner sensor (not shown) is disposed in the developing device 20 may be employed. When it is detected by the toner sensor that the toner in the developing device 20 has decreased, the control unit 50 drives the second motor M2 and moves the moving wall 32 in the first direction. As a result, the toner falls from the toner discharge port 377 and flows into the developing device 20.

  (3) In the above embodiment, the moving wall 32 has been described as moving from the lid portion 31 side to the right wall 375 side. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The toner discharge port 377 may be opened on the lid portion 31 side, and the moving wall 32 may move from the right wall 375 side to the lid portion 31 side. Further, the stirring member 35 rotated above the toner discharge port 377 is not limited to the shape of the above embodiment. The stirring member 35 may have another shape that stirs the toner around the toner discharge port 377.

  (4) In the above embodiment, the second shaft 33B is provided with the second male spiral portion 333B, and the second bearing portion 32J2 is provided with the second female spiral portion 320D2. Is not limited to this. FIGS. 10A and 10B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of a toner container 30A (developer container) according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. In the present modified embodiment, the toner container 30A includes a guide shaft 33C (second shaft portion) instead of the second shaft 33B of the previous embodiment, and includes a moving wall 32A instead of the moving wall 32 of the previous embodiment. Since they are different from each other, the differences will be described and description of common points will be omitted.

  The guide shaft 33C is supported by the lid 31 and the right wall 375 so as to extend in the first direction (left-right direction) above the first shaft 33A in the internal space 37H of the toner container 30A. Specifically, the guide shaft 33C includes a first guide shaft end 331C and a second guide shaft end 332C. The first guide shaft end portion 331C is pivotally supported by a third main body bearing portion 37J3 formed on the right wall 375. On the other hand, the second guide shaft end portion 332 </ b> C is pivotally supported by the lid portion 31. As shown in FIG. 10 (B), the male spiral portion is not formed on the guide shaft 33C. That is, the guide shaft 33C functions as a guide shaft.

  The moving wall 32A includes a guide bearing portion 32J3 (second bearing portion) in addition to the first bearing portion 32J1. A guide shaft 33C is inserted through the guide bearing portion 32J3. The guide bearing portion 32J3 is not provided with a female spiral portion.

  In the present modified embodiment, the guide bearing portion 32J3 is guided in the first direction by the guide shaft 33C. Even in such a configuration, the lower portion of the moving wall 32 is held by the first bearing portion 32J1, and the upper portion of the moving wall 32 is held by the guide bearing portion 32J3. For this reason, it is suppressed that the moving wall 32 inclines with respect to the 1st shaft 33A, and the moving wall 32 can move to a 1st direction smoothly. In order for the guide function of the moving wall 32 to be expressed, the guide shaft 33C may be a fixed shaft fixed to the lid portion 31 and the right wall 375. Further, as the moving wall 32 moves, the guide shaft 33C may be rotatably supported by the lid portion 31 and the right wall 375 in order to reduce sliding between the guide bearing portion 32J3 and the guide shaft 33C.

100 Printer (image forming device)
109 Container housing part 121 Photosensitive drum (image carrier)
126 Transfer roller (transfer section)
20 Developing Device 21 Developing Roller 210 Developing Housing 23 First Stirring Screw 25 Toner Supply Port 30 Toner Container (Developer Container)
30K Filling port cap 30S Shutter 31 Lid 32 Moving wall 320D Conveying wall 320D1 First female helical part 320D2 Second female helical part 320S Conveying surface 321 Outer peripheral wall 322 Inner wall seal (seal member)
323A 1st shaft seal (cleaning member)
323B Second shaft seal 32J1 First bearing portion 32J2 Second bearing portion 32J3 Guide bearing portion '(second bearing portion)
32K outer peripheral portion 33A first shaft (first shaft portion)
33B Second shaft (second shaft part)
33C Guide shaft (second shaft part)
333A 1st male spiral part 333B 2nd male spiral part 35 Stirring member 37 Container main body (container main body)
375 Right wall (wall)
377 Toner outlet (developer outlet)
37G Filling port 37H Inner space 37J1 First main body bearing portion 37J2 Second main body bearing portion 37K Inner peripheral portion 37S Housing space 381 First gear 382 Second gear (first drive transmission portion, first rotating gear)
383 Third gear (second drive transmission unit, second rotation gear)
384 idler gear 39 cover 50 control unit TS toner sensor M1 first motor M2 second motor

Claims (7)

A container comprising an inner peripheral portion extending in a cylindrical shape along a first direction, an internal space defined by the inner peripheral portion, and a wall portion defining one end surface of the internal space in the first direction. The body,
A lid that is attached to an end opposite to the wall in the first direction of the container body, and closes the internal space;
A developer discharge port that is disposed adjacent to the lid portion or the wall portion in the first direction and that opens to the lower surface portion of the container body so as to communicate with the inner peripheral portion, and discharges the developer. When,
An outer peripheral portion disposed in close contact with the inner peripheral portion of the container main body, and a conveying surface that defines the storage space for storing the developer together with the inner peripheral portion of the container main body, A moving wall that moves in the first direction while conveying the developer toward the developer discharge port;
A first shaft portion having a first male spiral portion on an outer peripheral surface and rotatably supported by the wall portion and the lid portion so as to extend in the first direction in the internal space;
A first bearing portion that holds the lower portion of the moving wall and includes a first female spiral portion that engages with the first male spiral portion on an inner peripheral surface; and the first shaft portion through which the first shaft portion is inserted;
A first drive transmission portion for transmitting a rotational driving force to the first shaft portion;
A second shaft portion supported by the wall portion and the lid portion so as to extend in the first direction above the first shaft portion in the internal space;
A second bearing portion that holds an upper portion of the moving wall and through which the second shaft portion is inserted;
I have a,
The second shaft portion includes a second male spiral portion on an outer peripheral surface, and is rotatably supported by the wall portion and the lid portion.
The second bearing portion includes a second female spiral portion that engages with the second male spiral portion on an inner peripheral surface,
The developer container further comprising a second drive transmission unit that transmits a rotational driving force to the second shaft unit in synchronization with the rotation operation of the first shaft unit . The first drive transmission unit is a first rotation gear fixed to an end of the first shaft unit,
The second drive transmission unit is a second rotation gear fixed to an end of the second shaft unit,
An idler gear connected to the first rotation gear and the second rotation gear and further transmitting the rotational driving force from one of the first rotation gear and the second rotation gear to the other in synchronization is further provided. The developer container according to claim 1 . A container comprising an inner peripheral portion extending in a cylindrical shape along a first direction, an internal space defined by the inner peripheral portion, and a wall portion defining one end surface of the internal space in the first direction. The body,
A lid that is attached to an end opposite to the wall in the first direction of the container body, and closes the internal space;
A developer discharge port that is disposed adjacent to the lid portion or the wall portion in the first direction and that opens to the lower surface portion of the container body so as to communicate with the inner peripheral portion, and discharges the developer. When,
An outer peripheral portion disposed in close contact with the inner peripheral portion of the container main body, and a conveying surface that defines the storage space for storing the developer together with the inner peripheral portion of the container main body, A moving wall that moves in the first direction while conveying the developer toward the developer discharge port;
A first shaft portion having a first male spiral portion on an outer peripheral surface and rotatably supported by the wall portion and the lid portion so as to extend in the first direction in the internal space;
A first bearing portion that holds the lower portion of the moving wall and includes a first female spiral portion that engages with the first male spiral portion on an inner peripheral surface; and the first shaft portion through which the first shaft portion is inserted;
A first drive transmission portion for transmitting a rotational driving force to the first shaft portion;
A second shaft portion supported by the wall portion and the lid portion so as to extend in the first direction above the first shaft portion in the internal space;
A second bearing portion that holds an upper portion of the moving wall and through which the second shaft portion is inserted;
A seal member that forms the outer peripheral portion of the moving wall and is compressed and deformed between the inner peripheral portion of the container body and the moving wall ;
Developer container, characterized in that it comprises a. The first bearing portion includes a cleaning member that is disposed downstream of the first female spiral portion in the first direction and that contacts the first male spiral portion of the first shaft portion. Item 4. The developer container according to any one of Items 1 to 3 . A container comprising an inner peripheral portion extending in a cylindrical shape along a first direction, an internal space defined by the inner peripheral portion, and a wall portion defining one end surface of the internal space in the first direction. The body,
A lid that is attached to an end opposite to the wall in the first direction of the container body, and closes the internal space;
A developer discharge port that is disposed adjacent to the lid portion or the wall portion in the first direction and that opens to the lower surface portion of the container body so as to communicate with the inner peripheral portion, and discharges the developer. When,
An outer peripheral portion disposed in close contact with the inner peripheral portion of the container main body, and a conveying surface that defines the storage space for storing the developer together with the inner peripheral portion of the container main body, A moving wall that moves in the first direction while conveying the developer toward the developer discharge port;
A first shaft portion having a first male spiral portion on an outer peripheral surface and rotatably supported by the wall portion and the lid portion so as to extend in the first direction in the internal space;
A first bearing portion that holds the lower portion of the moving wall and includes a first female spiral portion that engages with the first male spiral portion on an inner peripheral surface; and the first shaft portion through which the first shaft portion is inserted;
A first drive transmission portion for transmitting a rotational driving force to the first shaft portion;
A second shaft portion supported by the wall portion and the lid portion so as to extend in the first direction above the first shaft portion in the internal space;
A second bearing portion that holds an upper portion of the moving wall and through which the second shaft portion is inserted;
In the first bearing portion, a cleaning member disposed on the downstream side in the first direction with respect to the first female spiral portion and in contact with the first male spiral portion of the first shaft portion,
Have
The developer container , wherein the cleaning member has a ring shape and is in close contact with the first shaft portion over the entire circumferential direction of the first shaft portion. In the cross-sectional view perpendicular to the first direction, the vertical direction of the height of the interior space, according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that larger than the horizontal width of the inner space Developer container. The developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface, and an image carrier that carries a developer image;
A developing device that is replenished with the developer from the developer container and supplies the developer to the image carrier;
A transfer unit for transferring the developer image from the image carrier to a sheet;
An image forming apparatus comprising: