JP6620713B2 - Developer container and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer container and an image forming apparatus.

  For example, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is known that supplies a developer used by a developing device from a developer container (see Patent Document 1). The developer container includes a stirring member that stirs the developer stored in the casing. An inward bulging portion is formed on the side wall of the casing. The stirring member has a flat (rectangular) blade fixed to the rotating shaft. The blades rotate around the rotation shaft and scrape off the developer adhering to the inner wall surface of the casing. This blade has a plurality of slits and a plurality of windows for reducing the noise of rubbing sound and playing sound.

JP 2011-186198 A

  In the developer container described above, the blades are separated into a plurality of pieces by a plurality of slits. In the developer container described above, the noise is reduced by shifting the timing at which the plurality of pieces are brought into contact with the inner wall surface of the casing. However, when a plurality of pieces come into contact with the inner wall surface of the casing almost simultaneously, there is a risk that a loud playing sound (abnormal noise) may occur. Also, if the blades are greatly bent due to the amount of developer in the casing, the blades cannot properly scrape off the developer attached to the inner wall surface of the casing, in other words, poor developer agitation occurs. There is a risk of doing.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a developer container that suppresses the occurrence of abnormal noise while suppressing developer agitation failure.

  The first developer container of the present invention is cylindrical, has an opening formed at one end in the length direction, and stores a developer that is discharged from the opening, and the length direction in the container. The shaft body is arranged along the axis and rotates around the axis, and is formed into a long sheet shape, has flexibility, and one end side in the short direction is fixed to the shaft body to be a free end side. The other end side is divided by a plurality of first slits arranged in the longitudinal direction, and the container is accommodated while the other end is brought into contact with the inner periphery of the container as the shaft rotates. An agitating member for agitating the developer in the body, a long sheet, the one end side in the short side direction being fixed to the shaft body, and the agitating blade in a state where the free end side portion of the agitating blade protrudes The other end side, which is the free end side, is superimposed on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the blade in the longitudinal direction. Is divided by the plurality of second slits arranged I, and a, a support member for supporting the stirring blade deflects in the rotation direction upstream side with the rotation of the shaft body.

  In the second developer container of the present invention, the second slit is formed at a position overlapping the first slit in the support member.

  In the third developer container of the present invention, the support member is further formed with a plurality of through holes having a diameter larger than the width of the second slit, and the plurality of second slits are the plurality of the plurality of second slits. It is connected to the through hole.

  In the fourth developer container of the present invention, the support member is such that the amount of protrusion from the support member in the portion on the free end side of the stirring blade is one end side from the other end side in the length direction. The stirring blades are overlapped on the upstream side in the rotational direction so as to gradually increase.

  In the fifth developer container of the present invention, the stirring blade and the support member each have a portion that overlaps the opening in the length direction, and the overlapping portion of the stirring blade includes at least the above-described portion. Between the two inclined slits that are inclined with respect to the short direction of the stirring blade, an inclined portion for feeding the developer to the opening is formed, and a slit that overlaps the inclined slit is formed on the support member. Yes.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a developer image, a carrier carrying a latent image, and a latent image carried by the carrier using a developer discharged from the opening of the developer container. A developing device for developing the toner image, a transfer device for transferring the toner image developed on the carrier to a medium, and a fixing device for fixing the toner image transferred to the medium to the medium.

  The developer container of the present invention suppresses the occurrence of abnormal noise while suppressing poor stirring of the developer.

1 is a schematic view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment viewed from the front side. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a relationship between a control device configuring the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment and each component configuring the image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part of the developing device and the developer supply device that constitute the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a partial view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, and is a perspective view illustrating a state where a toner container is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a toner container constituting the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected by the VI-VI cutting line of FIG. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected by the VII-VII cutting line of FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a stirring member constituting the toner container of the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the toner container according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a stirring member that constitutes a toner container according to a second embodiment. It is the figure which looked at the stirring member of the 1st modification from the plate thickness direction. It is the figure which looked at the stirring member of the 2nd modification from the plate | board thickness direction. It is the figure which looked at the stirring member of the 3rd modification from the plate thickness direction. It is the figure which looked at the stirring member of the 4th modification from the plate thickness direction. It is the figure which looked at the stirring member of the 5th modification from the plate thickness direction. It is the figure which looked at the stirring member of the 6th modification from the plate thickness direction. It is the figure which looked at the stirring member of the 7th modification from the plate thickness direction.

≪Overview≫
Hereinafter, the first and second embodiments and examples will be described in the order of description with reference to the drawings.

<< First Embodiment >>
Hereinafter, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 (see FIG. 1) of the present embodiment, the image forming operation by the image forming apparatus 10, and the developer supply device 49 (FIG. 1, FIG. 1) including the toner container 70 (see FIGS. 5 to 7). The structure of FIG. 3 etc.) and the supply operation and effect by the developer supply device 49 will be described in the order of description with reference to the drawings.

  In the following description, the directions indicated by the arrows Fr and Rr in the drawing are the front and back sides of the apparatus depth direction, the directions indicated by the arrows R and L are the right and left sides of the apparatus width direction, the arrows U and the arrow Lo, respectively. The directions shown are the upper and lower sides in the apparatus height direction, respectively. Further, in this specification, the state in which the image forming apparatus 10 is viewed from the front side in the apparatus depth direction will be described as the front of the image forming apparatus 10.

<Overall configuration of image forming apparatus>
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a paper feed cassette 5, a toner image forming unit 40, a transfer device 50, a transport device 52, a fixing device 54, and a control device CU. It is an electrophotographic apparatus that is configured.

  The toner image forming unit 40 has a function of forming a toner image held by a belt TB described later by performing each process of charging, exposure, and development. The toner image forming unit 40 includes single color units 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K that form toner images of different colors (Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black)). Yes. Each of the single color units 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K includes a photoreceptor 42 (an example of a carrier), a charging device 44, an exposure device 46, a developing device 48, and a developer supply device 49 (hereinafter referred to as a supply device). 49)). The developing device 48 develops the latent image formed on the photoreceptor 42 by the exposure device 46 as a toner image using a developer including toner (not shown) and a carrier (not shown). ing. In FIG. 1, some reference numerals of the monochrome units 41M, 41C, and 41K other than the monochrome unit 41Y are omitted. The supply device 49 will be described later.

  The transfer device 50 has an endless belt TB, and primarily transfers the toner image formed by the toner image forming unit 40 to the belt TB that circulates (in the direction of arrow X in FIG. 1), and then onto the belt TB. The held toner image has a function of secondary transfer to the medium S.

  The transport device 52 has a function of transporting the medium S accommodated in the paper feed cassette 5 along the transport path (two-dot chain line P in FIG. 1). Note that the arrow Y in FIG. 1 means the transport direction of the medium S.

  The fixing device 54 has a function of fixing the toner image secondarily transferred to the medium S by the transfer device 50 to the medium S.

  The control unit CU has a function of controlling each unit constituting the image forming apparatus 10 (see FIG. 2 described later). The function of the control unit CU will be described in the description of the image forming operation by the image forming apparatus 10 and the operation by the supply device 49 described later.

<Image forming operation>
Next, an image forming operation by the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  Receiving the image data from the external device (not shown), the control unit CU operates each part of the image forming apparatus 10 (see FIG. 2).

  When the toner image forming unit 40 is operated, in each of the single color units 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K, the charging device 44 charges the photosensitive member 42, the exposure device 46 exposes the photosensitive member 42, and the developing device 48 photosensitive. The latent image of the body 42 is developed as a toner image. As a result, a toner image is formed on each photoconductor 42.

  Next, when the transfer device 50 and the transport device 52 are operated, the toner image formed by the toner image forming unit 40 is primarily transferred to the belt TB. In addition, in accordance with the timing at which the toner image primarily transferred onto the belt TB is secondarily transferred, the medium S accommodated in the paper feed cassette 5 is conveyed by the conveying device 52 and is held on the belt TB. The image is secondarily transferred to the medium S. The medium S on which the toner image is secondarily transferred is transported toward the fixing device 54 by the transport device 52.

  Next, when the fixing device 54 is operated and the medium S on which the toner image is secondarily transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 54, the toner image secondarily transferred onto the medium S is fixed on the medium S (on the medium S). An image is formed).

  Then, the medium S on which the toner image is fixed (the medium S on which the image is formed) is discharged out of the image forming apparatus 10 by the transport device 52, and the image forming operation ends.

<Configuration of main part (developer supply device)>
Next, the configuration of the supply device 49 of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  Each supply device 49 has a function of supplying a developer (a toner constituting the developer) to each developing device 48. The supply device 49 includes a toner container 70 (an example of a developer container) and a transport unit 80. The single color units 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K include toner containers 70Y, 70M, 70C, and 70K, respectively (see FIG. 1). The toner containers 70Y, 70M, and 70C have the same shape and structure except that the color of the developer accommodated therein is different. On the other hand, the shape of the toner container 70K is different from the shapes of the toner containers 70Y, 70M, and 70C. Basically, the function and structure of the toner container 70K are equivalent to the functions and structures of the toner containers 70Y, 70M, and 70C. Has been. In the following description, the toner containers 70Y, 70M, 70C, and 70K are referred to as the toner containers 70 unless it is particularly necessary to distinguish the toner containers 70Y, 70M, 70C, and 70K. In addition, the toner container 70 illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 9 illustrates one of the toner containers 70Y, 70M, and 70C as an example.

[Toner container]
The toner container 70 has a function of containing the developer supplied to the developing device 48. Each toner container 70 is configured to include a cylindrical container 20 (an example of a container) containing developer therein, and the longitudinal direction (length direction) is along the apparatus depth direction, and Arranged along the apparatus width direction is arranged above the transfer apparatus 50. Each toner container 70 is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus 10 as an example (see FIG. 4). That is, each toner container 70 is a replacement part in the image forming apparatus 10.

  In the present specification, as described above, the toner container 70 which is an example of the developer container has a function of accommodating the developer supplied to the developing device 48, but the state in which the developer is accommodated therein. The toner container 70 is another example of the developer container.

  The toner container 70 includes a container 20, a transport screw 21, and a stirring member 22.

<Container>
The container 20 has a function of containing a developer. The container 20 has a housing part 23 and a lid part 24. The housing part 23 is open in the upper side and is formed in a long rectangular parallelepiped shape. The lid portion 24 is configured to seal the opening of the housing portion 23. The container 20 has a cylindrical shape.

  The accommodating portion 23 includes a pair of side walls 26L and 26R and a pair of end walls 27F and 27B that are provided upright around the bottom wall 25. The pair of side walls 26L and 26R face each other in the left-right direction with the bottom wall 25 interposed therebetween (see FIG. 7). The pair of end walls 27F and 27B are opposed to each other in the front-rear direction with the bottom wall 25 interposed therebetween (see FIG. 6).

  The bottom wall 25 has a conveying curved portion 25A and a stirring curved portion 25B that protrude downward when viewed from the front (viewed from the length direction) (see FIG. 7). The conveyance bending portion 25A is located on the right side of the stirring bending portion 25B when viewed from the front. The conveying curved portion 25A is formed narrower in the left-right direction than the stirring curved portion 25B. A discharge port 28 (an example of an opening) for discharging the developer to the transport unit 80 is formed on the rear side (one end side in the length direction of the container 20 (device depth direction side)) of the transport curved portion 25A. (See FIG. 6). Note that a shutter (not shown) for opening and closing the discharge port 28 is provided at a portion where the discharge port 28 is formed in the conveying curved portion 25A.

  An operation lever 20A is rotatably provided on the front end wall 27F. A cover 20B that covers the rotation fulcrum of the operation lever 20A is attached to the front end wall 27F. For example, when the user rotates the operation lever 20A with the toner container 70 attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, the shutter moves and the discharge port 28 is opened and closed. Note that when the discharge port 28 is opened in the attached state, the discharge port 28 is connected to the developing device 16 via the transport unit 80 (see FIG. 3).

  A body-side flange 23 </ b> A that protrudes outward is formed at the upper end of the housing portion 23. A lid-side flange 24 </ b> A that protrudes outward is formed at the lower end of the lid portion 24. The lid portion 24 is fixed to the housing portion 23 by joining (for example, bonding) the lid side flange 24A to the main body side flange 23A.

<Conveying screw>
The transport screw 21 has a function of rotating around the axis to transport the developer in the container 20 from the other end side in the length direction of the container 20 to one end side (that is, from the front side to the back side in the apparatus depth direction). Have. The conveying screw 21 is disposed on the upper side of the conveying curved portion 25A (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

  The conveying screw 21 has a screw shaft 21A and a spiral blade 21B (see FIGS. 6 and 7). The screw shaft 21A is rotatably supported by a pair of front and rear end walls 27F and 27B. The spiral blade 21B is formed on the outer periphery of the screw shaft 21 A. The screw shaft 21A is connected to a drive mechanism (not shown) The conveying screw 21 receives a driving force from the drive mechanism, It is designed to rotate around the axis.

<Stirring member>
The stirring member 22 has a function of stirring the developer in the container 20. The stirring member 22 includes a shaft body 30 and a stirring blade 31 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). The stirring member 22 is disposed above the stirring curved portion 25B and the conveying screw 21 (see FIG. 6). 6 and 7) The stirring member 22 has a long shape (see FIG. 6), and its axial direction (longitudinal direction) is aligned with the length direction of the container 20 (device depth direction). It is arranged in the state.

(Shaft)
The shaft body 30 is rotatably supported by the container 20. As an example, the shaft body 30 is a rod-shaped member. The shaft body 30 is rotatably supported by the end walls 27F and 27B (see FIG. 6). The shaft body 30 is located at a position approximately the same distance away from the inner surface of the stirring curved portion 25B and the inner surfaces of the lower portions of the side walls 26L and 26R (see FIG. 5).

  The shaft body 30 includes a shaft body 30A and a pair of support shaft portions 30B (see FIGS. 6 and 7). The shaft body 30A has a rectangular shape when viewed from the axial direction. The pair of support shaft portions 30B are attached to both ends of the shaft main body 30A (see FIG. 5). The shaft body 30 is connected to a drive mechanism (not shown). The stirring member 22 receives a driving force from the driving mechanism and rotates around the axis.

(Stirring blade)
The stirring blade 31 is a long sheet-like member (see FIGS. 6 and 8). Specifically, the stirring blade 31 is made of a resin such as polyethylene terephthalate as an example. That is, the stirring blade 31 is a flexible member.

  One end side of the stirring blade 31 in the short direction is fixed to the shaft body 30 (the shaft main body 30A) (see FIGS. 6 and 7). Further, the other end of the stirring blade 31 in the short direction is a free end (see FIGS. 7 and 9). The stirring blade 31 has a portion that overlaps the discharge port 28 in the length direction of the container 20 (see FIG. 6).

  When the stirring blade 31 fixed to the shaft body 30 rotates around the shaft together with the shaft body 30, the other end side portion (the free end side portion) of the stirring blade 31 in the short direction is the inner surface of the stirring curved portion 25B. In addition, it contacts the lower inner surface of each side wall 26L, 26R and does not contact the upper inner surface of each side wall 26L, 26R and the inner surface of the lid 24 (see FIG. 9). That is, as the shaft body 30 rotates, the agitating blade 31 causes the other end (or the other end portion) in the short direction to contact the inner periphery (inner surface) of the container 20 while developing the developer in the container 20. Is to be stirred.

  The other end side (free end side) of the stirring blade 31 in the short direction is divided by a plurality of slits 33 (an example of a first slit) arranged along the longitudinal direction of the stirring blade 31. Each slit 33 is formed along the short direction over the portion from the other end of the stirring blade 31 in the short direction to the one end (see FIG. 8).

  A diamond-shaped through hole 34 is formed in a portion of the stirring blade 31 where the slits 33 are formed (see FIGS. 6 and 8). Each through-hole 34 is formed in line symmetry with each slit 33 as an axis of symmetry. The plurality of through holes 34 are formed in order to allow some of the developer on the stirring blade 31 to freely fall and prevent the stirring blade 31 from bending when the stirring blade 31 rotates about its axis. ing. In addition, the end on the short side direction of each slit 33 in the stirring blade 31 is connected to a through hole 35 having a diameter larger than the width of the slit 33 (see FIG. 6).

  Two inclined slits 36 that are inclined with respect to the short direction of the stirring blade 31 are formed in a portion of the stirring blade 31 that overlaps the discharge port 28 in the length direction of the container 20. Each inclined slit 36 is inclined from one end side to the other end side in the length direction of the container 20. From another viewpoint, a part of the stirring blade 31 that overlaps the discharge port 28 in the length direction of the container 20 is an inclined piece 37 (an example of an inclined part) sandwiched between two inclined slits 36. Yes. Since the inclined piece 37 is configured as described above, the developer in the container 20 is fed into the discharge port 28 while rotating around the axis as the shaft body 30 rotates.

<Support member>
The support member 32 has a function of supporting the stirring blade 31 that is bent to the upstream side in the rotation direction (the direction of the arrow RD in FIGS. 7 and 9) as the shaft body 30 rotates. The support member 32 is a long sheet-like member (see FIGS. 6 and 8). For example, the support member 32 is formed of a material having a Young's modulus larger than that of the stirring blade 31. The width of the support member 32 in the short direction is set shorter than the width of the stirring blade 31 in the short direction.

  The support member 32 is overlaid on the upstream surface of the stirring blade 31 in the rotation direction of the shaft body 30 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). One end side in the short direction of the support member 32 is fixed to the shaft body 30 (the shaft body 30A) (see FIGS. 6 and 7). The other end of the support member 32 in the short direction is a free end (see FIGS. 7 and 9). With the above configuration, the support member 32 is disposed on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the shaft body 30 in the stirring blade 31 in a state where the portion on the free end side in the short direction of the stirring blade 31 protrudes from the free end thereof. They are overlaid (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

  The other end side (free end side) of the support member 32 in the short direction is divided by a plurality of slits 90 (an example of a second slit) arranged in the longitudinal direction of the support member 32. Each slit 90 is formed along the short direction over the portion of the support member 32 that extends from the other end to the one end in the short direction (see FIGS. 6 and 8). Further, each slit 90 is formed at a position that overlaps each slit 33 formed in the stirring blade 31 (the same position in the thickness direction of the support member 32). That is, each slit 90 is formed in the support member 32 at a position overlapping the slit 33. In addition, the end of the support member 32 on one end side in the short direction of each slit 90 is connected to a through hole 92 having a diameter larger than the width of the slit 90 (see FIGS. 6 and 8).

  Moreover, the free end in the support member 32 is located in the part in which the some through-hole 34 in the stirring blade 31 is formed (refer FIG. 6). And the part which overlaps with each through-hole 34 in the free end in the supporting member 32 has overlapped with the periphery of each through-hole 34 (refer FIG. 6). In addition, the part which does not overlap each through-hole 34 in the free end in the support member 32 forms the straight line along the length direction of the container 20 (refer FIG.6 and FIG.8).

  Two slits 94 that are inclined with respect to the short direction of the support member 32 are formed in a portion of the support member 32 that overlaps the discharge port 28 in the length direction of the container 20. Each slit 94 is inclined from one end side to the other end side in the length direction of the container 20. Each inclined slit 94 is formed at a position overlapping each slit 36 formed in the stirring blade 31. From another viewpoint, a part of the support member 32 that overlaps the discharge port 28 in the length direction of the container 20 is an inclined piece 96 sandwiched between two slits 94. Due to the above configuration, the inclined piece 96 supports the inclined piece 37 of the stirring blade 31 while rotating around the axis as the shaft body 30 rotates.

[Transport section]
Next, the conveyance unit 80 will be described mainly with reference to FIG. The transport unit 80 has a function of transporting the developer discharged from the discharge port 28 of the toner container 70 to the developing device 48. The conveyance unit 80 includes a cylinder 82 and an auger 84 (an example of a conveyance body).

<Cylinder>
The cylinder 82 is disposed above the developing device 48 and below the toner container 70. The cylinder 82 includes a first cylinder 82A (an example of a cylinder), a second cylinder 82B, and a third cylinder 82C.

  The first cylinder 82A is arranged in a state where its longitudinal direction is along the apparatus width direction. An opening 82A1 for receiving the developer from the toner container 70 is formed on one end side of the first cylinder 82A. In addition, an opening for dropping the developer and delivering the developer to the developing device 48 is formed on the other end side of the first cylinder 82A. As described above, the opening 82A1 penetrates the upper wall of the first cylinder 82A, and the opening 84A2 penetrates the lower wall of the first cylinder 82A.

  The second cylinder 82B has one opening edge fixed to the opening edge of the opening 82A1 of the first cylinder 82A, and the other opening edge fixed to the toner container 70 (the opening edge of the opening formed on the lower side). ing.

  The third cylinder 82C has one opening edge fixed to the opening edge of the opening 82A2 of the first cylinder 82A, and the other opening edge fixed to the developing device 48 (the opening edge of the opening formed on the upper side). Yes.

<Ogre>
The auger 84 is driven by the drive source M and rotates at an angular velocity determined around the axis, and causes the developer to move from one end side (the side where the opening 82A1 in the longitudinal direction of the first cylinder 82A is formed) to the other end side ( The first cylinder 82A has a function of conveying to the side where the opening 82A2 in the longitudinal direction is formed. The auger 84 has a rotating shaft 84A and a spiral body 84B. The spiral body 84B protrudes in the radial direction so as to be spiral from the outer periphery of the rotation shaft 84A from one end side to the other end side of the rotation shaft 84A.

  In addition, the auger 84 is disposed in the first cylinder 82A in a state where the axial direction of the auger 84 is along the longitudinal direction of the first cylinder 82A.

  With the above configuration, the auger 84 is driven by the drive source M and is rotated around the axis while being discharged from the discharge port 28 of the toner container 70, falls in the second cylinder 82B, and is received by the first cylinder 82A. The developer is conveyed to the opening 82A2 to which the third cylinder 82C is connected.

<Supply operation by developer supply device>
Next, the developer supply operation by the supply device 49 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 9.

  In the supply operation of the present embodiment, when the toner is consumed in association with the image forming operation, the remaining amount of developer in the developing device 48 (actually the remaining amount of toner) becomes smaller than a predetermined amount. The toner sensor (see FIG. 2) in the developing device 48 transmits information (information) to the control device CU.

  Then, the control device CU drives each drive source of the supply device 49. Accordingly, in the toner container 70, the stirring member 22 is rotated around the axis to stir the developer in the container 20, and the conveying screw 21 is rotated around the axis to direct the stirred developer toward the discharge port 28. Transport. That is, the stirring member 22 changes its posture in the order of description from the first state in FIG. 6 to the second state, the third state, the fourth state, and the fifth state in FIG. While stirring the developer. As a result, the developer that has reached the discharge port 28 is fed into the transport unit 80. Further, the developer sent to the transport unit 80 is supplied into the developing device 48.

  When the remaining amount of the developer in the developing device 48 reaches a predetermined amount, the toner sensor transmits information (information) to the control device CU. As a result, when the control device CU stops each drive source of the supply device 49, the developer supply operation of this embodiment is completed.

<Effect>
Next, the effect of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First effect]
For example, when the support member 32 is not provided and the stirring blade 31 is not divided in the longitudinal direction (hereinafter referred to as a comparative example), the stirring member 22 decreases as the amount of developer in the container 20 decreases. The rotational load of the is reduced. As a result, the free end of the stirring blade 31 may come into contact with the inner surface of the container 20 to generate abnormal noise.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, a plurality of slits 33 are formed in the stirring blade 31 and a plurality of slits 90 are formed in the support member 32 (see FIGS. 6 and 8). That is, in the case of this embodiment, the stirring blade 31 and the support member 32 are each divided | segmented in the longitudinal direction. Here, also in this embodiment, the rotational load of the stirring member 22 decreases as the amount of developer in the container 20 decreases. However, in the case of this embodiment, the bending rigidity of the stirring blade 31 is small because the stirring blade 31 is divided along the longitudinal direction compared to the case of the comparative embodiment. Therefore, in the case of the present embodiment, the size of the abnormal noise can be reduced (in other words, the occurrence of the abnormal noise can be suppressed) as compared with the comparative embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, unlike the comparative example described above, a support member 32 is provided. Therefore, the stirring blade 31 of this embodiment is supported by the support member 32 and is not easily bent due to a rotational load. Further, the support member 32 is divided on the free end side in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the bending rigidity is reduced by dividing the support member 32 of the present embodiment. As a result, in the case of the present embodiment, the stirring blade 31 is hard to push the support member 32 more strongly than necessary even when the amount of the developer in the container 20 is reduced as compared with the case where the support member 32 is not divided.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of abnormal noise while suppressing poor stirring of the developer.

[Second effect]
In the case of this embodiment, each slit 90 of the support member 32 is located at a position overlapping with each slit 33 of the stirring blade 31 (see FIGS. 6 and 8).

  Therefore, according to this embodiment, compared with the case where each slit 90 of the support member 32 is located at a position where it does not overlap with each slit 33 of the stirring blade 31, abnormal noise is suppressed while suppressing poor stirring of the developer. Can be suppressed.

[Third effect]
In the present embodiment, the support member 32 is formed with a plurality of through holes 92, and each slit 90 is connected to each through hole 92 (see FIGS. 6 and 8).

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is difficult to avoid the support member 32 (the component life of the support member 32 is long) compared to the case where the end of each slit 90 is not connected to the through hole 92.

[Fourth effect]
In the case of the present embodiment, the stirring blade 31 and the support member 32 each have a portion that overlaps the discharge port 28 in the length direction of the container 20 (see FIG. 6). The overlapping portion of the stirring blade 31 is formed with an inclined piece 37 that is sandwiched between at least two inclined slits 36 that are inclined with respect to the short direction of the stirring blade 31 and feeds the developer into the discharge port 28. (See FIG. 6). Furthermore, the support member 32 is formed with an inclined slit 97 that overlaps the inclined slit 36 (see FIG. 6).

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is easier to feed the developer to the discharge port 28 (the developer discharge rate is higher) than in the case where the above configuration is not provided.

<< Second Embodiment >>
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, parts of the present embodiment that are different from the first embodiment will be described. In addition, when using the same component as 1st Embodiment in the component of this embodiment, the same name, code | symbol, etc. are used.

<Configuration and supply operation>
In the support member 32A of the present embodiment, the amount of protrusion from the support member 32A at the other end side (free end side) of the stirring blade 31 in the short direction is one end from the other end side in the length direction of the container 20. The stirring blade 31 is overlapped on the upstream side in the rotational direction so as to increase over the side (the side where the discharge port 28 is formed). The support member 32A of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the support member 32 of the first embodiment except for the above points. Further, the toner container 70A (supply device and image forming apparatus 10A) of the present embodiment is the case of the first embodiment except that the support member 32A is provided instead of the support member 32 of the first embodiment (FIG. 1). , FIG. 3, FIG. 6 etc.). Further, the supply operation of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment (see FIG. 9 and the like) except that the support member 32A is used instead of the support member 32 of the first embodiment. .

<Effect>
In the case of the present embodiment, since the support member 32A that supports the stirring member 22 has the above-described configuration, the stirring blade 31 is easily bent from the other end side in the length direction of the container 20 to one end side. As a result, the stirring member 22 and the support member 32A of the present embodiment can transport the developer from the other end side in the length direction of the container 20 to the one end side while stirring the developer in the container 20. . The remaining effects of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  As described above, the present embodiment has been described by taking the present embodiment as an example, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment. For example, the following forms are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in each embodiment, it demonstrated that the slit 90 of the supporting members 32 and 32A was connected to the through-hole 92 (refer FIG.6 and FIG.10). However, if the support members 32 and 32A are divided by the plurality of slits 90, the slits 90 may not be connected to the through holes 92 (see the modification shown in FIG. 11).

  Moreover, in each embodiment, it demonstrated as the rhomboid through-hole 34 being formed in the stirring blade 31 (refer FIG.6 and FIG.10). However, if the through-hole 34 is formed in the stirring blade 31, the through-hole 34 may not be a rhombus. For example, it may be a through hole 34 </ b> A having a circle, polygon or other shape as a periphery (see the modification shown in FIG. 12).

  Moreover, in each embodiment and the above-mentioned modification, it demonstrated that the through-hole 34 was formed in the stirring blade 31 (refer FIG.6, FIG10 and FIG.12). However, as long as the support members 32 and 32A are divided by the plurality of slits 90, the through hole 34 may not be formed in the stirring blade 31 (see the modification example illustrated in FIG. 13).

  Moreover, in each embodiment and the above-mentioned modification, it demonstrated that the slit 90 of the supporting members 32 and 32A had overlapped with the slit 33 of the stirring blade 31 (refer FIG.6, FIG.10, FIG.12 and FIG. 13). However, if the support members 32 and 32A are divided by the plurality of slits 90, a part or all of the slits 90 may not overlap the slits 33 of the stirring blade 31 (the deformation described in FIGS. 14A and 14B). See example).

  Moreover, in each embodiment, it demonstrated that the supporting members 32 and 32A overlapped (contacted) the stirring blade 31 in the upstream of the rotation direction of the shaft body 30 (refer FIG.7 and FIG.9). However, if the support members 32 and 32A can support the stirring blade 31 from the upstream side in the rotation direction during the rotation of the stirring blade 31, the support members 32 and 32A are arranged with a gap in the stirring blade 31. (See the modification shown in FIG. 15). That is, the support members 32 and 32 </ b> A may be in contact with the stirring blade 31 when the stirring blade 31 rotates.

  Moreover, in each embodiment, it demonstrated that the supporting members 32 and 32A were one piece (refer FIG.7 and FIG.9). However, as long as the support members 32 and 32A can support the stirring blade 31 from the upstream side in the rotation direction, the support members 32 and 32A may be plural (see the modification shown in FIG. 16).

10 Image forming apparatus 20 Container (an example of a container)
22 Stirring member 28 Discharge port (example of opening)
30 Shaft body 31 Stirrer blade 32 Support member 33 Slit (an example of a first slit)
36 inclined slit 37 inclined piece (an example of an inclined portion)
42 photoconductor (an example of a carrier)
48 Developing device 50 Transfer device 54 Fixing device 70 Toner container (an example of a developer container)
90 slit (an example of the second slit)
92 Through-hole 94 Slit S Medium

Claims (6)

A container having an opening formed on one end side in the length direction and containing a developer discharged from the opening;
A shaft body that is arranged in the longitudinal direction in the container and rotates around an axis, and has a long sheet shape, is flexible, and one end side in the lateral direction is the shaft body. It has a stirring blade that is fixed and is divided by a plurality of first slits arranged on the other end side, which is the free end side, along the longitudinal direction, and the other end is connected to the inside of the container as the shaft body rotates. A stirring member that stirs the developer in the container while contacting the periphery;
It is in the form of a long sheet, one end side in the short direction is fixed to the shaft body, and is overlaid on the upstream side in the rotational direction of the stirring blade in a state of protruding the free end side portion of the stirring blade, the other end is a free end side is a support member that will be divided by the plurality of second slits arranged in the longitudinal direction, for supporting the stirring blade deflects in the rotation direction upstream side with the rotation of the shaft body The support member;
Equipped with a,
A plurality of through holes having a diameter larger than the width of the second slit are formed in the support member,
The plurality of second slits are connected to the plurality of through holes,
The current image container. The second slit is formed at a position overlapping the first slit in the support member.
The developer container according to claim 1. The support member rotates at the stirring blade so that the amount of protrusion from the support member at the free end side portion of the stirring blade increases from the other end side to the one end side in the length direction. Superimposed on the upstream side of the direction,
Developer container according to claim 1 or 2.   A container having an opening formed on one end side in the length direction and containing a developer discharged from the opening;
  A shaft body that is arranged in the longitudinal direction in the container and rotates around an axis, and has a long sheet shape, is flexible, and one end side in the lateral direction is the shaft body. It has a stirring blade that is fixed and is divided by a plurality of first slits arranged on the other end side, which is the free end side, along the longitudinal direction, and the other end is connected to the inside of the container as the shaft body rotates. A stirring member that stirs the developer in the container while contacting the periphery;
  It is a long sheet shape, one end side in the short direction is fixed to the shaft body, and is overlaid on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the stirring blade in a state of protruding the free end side portion of the stirring blade, The other end side, which is the free end side, is a support member that is divided by a plurality of second slits arranged in the longitudinal direction, and supports the stirring blade that bends to the upstream side in the rotation direction as the shaft body rotates. The support member;
  With
  The support member rotates at the stirring blade so that the amount of protrusion from the support member at the free end side portion of the stirring blade increases from the other end side to the one end side in the length direction. Superimposed on the upstream side of the direction,
  Developer container. The stirring blade and the support member each have a portion overlapping the opening in the length direction,
The overlapping portion of the stirring blade is formed with an inclined portion that is sandwiched between at least two inclined slits that are inclined with respect to the short direction of the stirring blade, and feeds the developer into the opening,
The support member is formed with a slit that overlaps the inclined slit.
The developer container according to claim 1. A developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 5;
A carrier carrying a latent image;
A developing device that develops, as a toner image, a latent image carried by the carrier using a developer discharged from the opening of the developer container;
A transfer device for transferring the toner image developed on the carrier to a medium;
A fixing device for fixing the toner image transferred to the medium to the medium;
An image forming apparatus.

Images