JP6711686B2 - Developer supply container - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a developer replenishing container that is attachable to and detachable from a developer replenishing device in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, and a multifunction machine having a plurality of these functions.

Conventionally, a fine powder developer has been used in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine. In such an image forming apparatus, the developer that is consumed in the image formation is replenished from the developer replenishing container.

Patent Document 1 discloses a developer supply container including a drive conversion mechanism that converts a rotational drive force input from a drive unit of a developer supply device into a force that causes a pump unit to reciprocate. Further, in the developer replenishing container described in Patent Document 1, a configuration is disclosed in which the position at the start of operation of the pump unit is regulated so that air is taken into the developer accommodating unit from the discharge port in the first operation cycle of the pump unit. Has been done. Specifically, in order to hold the position of the pump unit at the time of starting the operation, the rotation of the rotating unit provided in the developer supply container is restricted by the restricting unit, so that the pump unit is not converted into a reciprocating force. I am trying.

JP, 2012-093735, A

However, when the configuration described in Patent Document 1 is adopted, the following problems are feared.

For example, if an operator such as a user mistakenly tries to rotate the rotating part relative to the non-rotating part of the developer supply container, a large load is applied to the regulation part, so that the strength should be increased to prevent damage to parts. It is necessary to increase the material changes and the regulation section. In this case, there is a concern that space will be taken up due to cost increase due to material change and expansion of the regulation section.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to prevent the pump section from reciprocating before mounting, even without providing a restricting section for restricting the rotation of the rotating section, which causes a cost increase and space expansion. It is an object of the present invention to provide a developer replenishing container that can be manufactured.

The above object is achieved by the developer supply container according to the present invention. In summary, the present invention relates to a developer replenishing container detachable from a developer replenishing device, the developer accommodating portion having an outlet for accommodating the developer and discharging the developer, and the developer accommodating portion. A transport unit that transports the stored developer toward the discharge port, a drive receiving unit to which a rotational driving force for transporting the developer is input by the transport unit, and a reciprocating motion to move the discharge port. And a drive conversion mechanism for converting the rotational driving force input to the drive receiving unit into a force for reciprocating the pump unit. A rotary engaging portion that is rotated by the rotational driving force input to the drive receiving portion, and a reciprocating member that engages the rotary engaging portion and reciprocates as the rotary engaging portion rotates. Before the drive converting mechanism provided and the developer replenishing container are attached to the developer replenishing device, the reciprocating member is maintained in a retracted position in which the engagement with the rotary engaging portion is released. At the same time, when the developer replenishing container is attached to the developer replenishing device, the reciprocating member is displaced from the retracted position to an engaging position for engaging the rotary engaging portion, and is in the engaging position. A developer replenishing container, characterized in that it has a displacing means capable of maintaining the state.

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the pump part from reciprocating before mounting without providing a restricting part for restricting the rotation of the rotating part, which causes a cost increase and space expansion. ..

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a perspective view, a rear view, and a partially enlarged view of a mounting portion for mounting a developer supply container. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a developer replenishing device. It is a flowchart figure of a developer replenishment control. FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of a modified example of the developer supply device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view and a partially enlarged view of a developer supply container. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view and a partial cross-sectional view of a developer supply container. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a developer supply container. FIG. 6 is a development view showing the shape of a cam groove of the developer supply container. It is a perspective view and a partially enlarged view of a reciprocating member. It is a perspective view and a sectional perspective view of a protection member. It is a perspective view of a protection member and a reciprocating member, and a sectional perspective view. FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the developer supply container and the developer supply device for explaining the mounting operation and the removing operation of the developer supply container. FIG. 6 is a perspective view and a partially enlarged view of a mounting portion of a developer supply container. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a developer supply container. It is a perspective view and a partially enlarged view of a reciprocating member. It is a perspective view and a sectional perspective view of a protection member. It is a perspective view of a displacement member. It is a perspective view of a protection member and a displacement member, and a sectional perspective view showing only a partial section of a protection member. It is a perspective view of a reciprocating member, a protection member, and a displacement member, and a sectional perspective view showing a partial section only of a protection part and a displacement part. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view and a partially enlarged view of the developer supply container before mounting. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view and a partially enlarged view of the developer supply container during mounting. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view and a partially enlarged view of the developer supply container during mounting. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view and a partially enlarged view of the developer supply container during mounting. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view and a partially enlarged view of a completed developer supply container. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view and a partially enlarged view of the developer supply container during removal. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view and a partially enlarged view of the developer supply container during removal.

Hereinafter, the developer supply container according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[Example 1]
1. Image Forming Apparatus FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus 100 equipped with a developer replenishing device to which the developer replenishing container of this embodiment is detachably mounted. The image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment is a copying machine using an electrophotographic method.

The image forming apparatus 100 includes a drum type photoconductor (electrophotographic photoconductor) 104. The photoconductor 104 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow R1 (clockwise) in FIG. Around the photoconductor 104, image forming process equipment such as a charger 203 as a charging unit, a developing unit 201 as a developing unit, and a cleaner unit 202 as a cleaning unit are arranged.

Further, the image forming apparatus 100 has a document table glass 102, and the document G is placed on the document table glass 102. Then, an optical image corresponding to the image information of the document G is formed by the plurality of mirrors Mr and lenses Ln of the optical unit 103 on the photoconductor 104 which is uniformly charged by the charger 203 in advance. , An electrostatic latent image (electrostatic image) is formed on the photoconductor 104. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 104 is developed (visualized) by a dry developing device (one-component developing device) 201 using toner (one-component magnetic toner) as a developer (dry powder). ), a toner image (developer image) is formed on the photoconductor 104.

The image forming apparatus 100 is provided with cassettes 105 to 108 for accommodating recording media (hereinafter, also referred to as “sheets”) P. Of these cassettes 105 to 108, information input by an operator such as a user from an operation unit (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 100, or a cassette selected based on the size of the document G, The sheet P is fed. As the recording medium, a recording paper, an OHP sheet or the like is used as appropriate. One sheet P conveyed by the feeding/separating devices 105A to 108A is conveyed to the registration rollers 110 via the conveying unit 109. Then, the sheet P is conveyed to the transfer portion in synchronism with the timing of rotation of the photoconductor 104 and the scanning of the optical portion 103.

In the transfer section, a transfer charger 111 and a separation charger 112 are arranged to face the photoconductor 104. The toner image formed on the photoconductor 104 is electrostatically transferred to the sheet P by the transfer charger 111 at the transfer portion. The toner (transfer residual toner) remaining on the photoconductor 104 after the transfer is removed and collected from the photoconductor 104 by the cleaner unit 202. Then, the sheet P onto which the toner image is transferred is separated from the photoconductor 104 by the separation charger 112. The sheet P separated from the photoconductor 104 is conveyed to the fixing unit 114 by the conveying unit 113, and the toner image is fixed (melted and fixed) in the fixing unit 114 by heat and pressure.

After that, in the case of single-sided copying, the sheet P passes through the discharge reversal unit 115 and is discharged by the discharge roller 116 to the discharge tray 117 provided outside the apparatus main body 101 of the image forming apparatus 100. Further, in the case of double-sided copying, the sheet P passes through the discharge reversal unit 115 and is partially discharged by the discharge roller 116 to the outside of the apparatus main body 101. Then, at the timing when the trailing edge of the sheet P passes through the flapper 118 and is still nipped by the discharge roller 116, the flapper 118 is controlled and the discharge roller 116 is rotated in the reverse direction, so that the apparatus main body 101 is again rotated. Is transported to the inside. After that, the sheet P is conveyed to the registration rollers 110 via the re-feeding/conveying units 119 and 120, and then is ejected to the ejection tray 117 along the same route as in the case of single-sided copying.

2. Developing Device Next, the developing device 201 in this embodiment will be further described. The developing device 201 includes a developing container 201a, a developing roller 201f, a stirring member 201c, and feeding members 201d and 201e. In this embodiment, the developing device 201 is replenished with a one-component magnetic toner as the developer T from a developer replenishing device 20 in which a developer replenishing container (toner cartridge) 1 described later is mounted.

The developer T supplied to the developing device 201 is agitated by the agitating member 201c, sent to the developing roller 201f by the sending members 201d and 201e, and supplied to the photoconductor 104 by the developing roller 201f.

In this embodiment, the developing device 201 is a one-component developing device and the developer T supplied from the developer supply container 1 to the developing device 201 is a one-component magnetic toner, but the present invention is not limited to this. .. Specifically, the developing device 201 may be a one-component developing device that performs development using one-component non-magnetic toner, and in this case, the developing device 201 is replenished with one-component non-magnetic toner as the developer T. It will be. Further, the developing device 201 may be a two-component developing device that performs development using a two-component developer in which a magnetic carrier and a non-magnetic toner are mixed, and in this case, the developing device 201 uses the non-magnetic material as the developer T. Toner will be replenished. In this case, as the developer T, a magnetic carrier may be supplied together with the non-magnetic toner.

3. Developer Replenishing Device Next, the developer replenishing device 20 will be described. 2A is a perspective view of the mounting portion 10 on which the developer supply container 1 is mounted, FIG. 2B is a rear view of the mounting portion 10, and FIG. 2C is a mounting portion 10 in FIG. 2B. It is the enlarged view which expanded the pushing part 20a (it mentions later) provided in the. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the developer replenishing device 20 in which the developer replenishing container 1 is mounted, which is shown together with schematic diagrams of the drive system and the control system.

The developer replenishing device 20 temporarily stores the mounting portion (mounting space) 10 in which the developer replenishing container 1 is removably (removably) mounted, and the developer T discharged from the developer replenishing container 1. And a hopper 10a.

The developer supply container 1 is inserted into the mounting portion 10 in the direction of arrow M in FIG. That is, the developer supply container 1 is mounted on the mounting portion 10 so that its longitudinal direction substantially coincides with the arrow M direction. Further, as will be described later, a storage chamber 2 (FIG. 6A) of the developer supply container 1 described later is provided in a longitudinal direction of the developer supply container 1, that is, around a rotation axis line substantially parallel to the arrow M direction. Rotate. Here, the arrow M direction is also referred to as "developer transport direction M" or "mounting direction M". The developer replenishing container 1 is taken out from the mounting portion 10 in the direction opposite to the arrow M direction.

The mounting portion 10 restricts the movement of the flange portion 4 in the rotation direction by contacting the flange portion 4 (FIG. 6A) of the developer supply container 1 when the developer supply container 1 is mounted. The holding mechanism 11 of FIG. Further, the mounting portion 10 communicates with the discharge port 4a (FIG. 6B), which is a hole provided in the developer supply container 1, when the developer supply container 1 is mounted, and the developer supply container 1 It has a developer receiving port 13 which is a hole for receiving the developer discharged from. The developer discharged from the discharge port 4a of the developer supply container 1 is supplied to the hopper 10a through the developer receiving port 13. As shown in FIG. 3, the hopper 10a includes a conveying screw 10b for conveying the developer to the developing device 201, an opening 10c communicating with the developing device 201, and an amount of the developer contained in the hopper 10a. And a developer sensor 10d for detecting.

Further, the mounting portion 10 has a pushing portion 20 a protruding inward so as to come into contact with the developer supply container 1. As shown in FIG. 2C, the pushing portion 20a includes a first contact portion 20a1 that comes into contact with a first contacted portion 8a1 (described later) provided in the developer supply container 1, and the developer supply container 1. It is configured to have a holding portion 20a2 that abuts a held portion 8a3 (described later) provided on the.

Further, the mounting unit 10 has a drive gear 300 that functions as a drive unit (drive mechanism), as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the driving gear 300 receives rotational driving force from the driving motor 500 through the driving gear train, and is rotationally driven with respect to the developer supply container 1 mounted (set) in the mounting portion 10. Give power. The operation of the drive motor 500 is controlled by the control device (CPU) 600 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 600 controls the operation of the drive motor 500 based on the developer remaining amount information input from the developer sensor 10d. In this embodiment, the drive gear 300 is set to rotate only in one direction in order to simplify the control of the drive motor 500. That is, the control device 600 controls only the ON (operation)/OFF (non-operation) of the drive motor 500. Therefore, as compared with the configuration in which the reversal driving force obtained by periodically reversing the drive motor 500 (drive gear 300) in the forward direction and the reverse direction is applied to the developer replenishing container 1, The drive unit can be simplified.

In this embodiment, the developer replenishing device 20 is configured to have the mounting portion 10, the hopper 10a, the drive motor 500, the control device 600, etc., and the developer replenishing container 1 is removably mounted on the mounting portion 10. ..

4. Next, a method for mounting/removing the developer supply container 1 will be described. First, the operator opens the replacement cover 121 (FIG. 1) provided on the apparatus main body 101, inserts the developer supply container 1 (FIG. 6A) into the mounting portion 10 of the developer supply device 20, and Mounting. Along with this mounting operation, the flange portion 4 (FIG. 6A) of the developer supply container 1 is held and fixed by the mounting portion 10 of the developer supply device 20. After that, the operator closes the replacement cover 121 to complete the mounting process. After that, the control device 600 controls the drive motor 500 to rotate the drive gear 300 at an appropriate timing.

On the other hand, when the developer in the developer supply container 1 becomes empty, the operator opens the replacement cover 121 and takes out the developer supply container 1 from the mounting portion 10 of the developer supply device 20. Then, a new developer replenishing container 1 prepared in advance is inserted into the mounting portion 10 of the developer replenishing device 20, is mounted, and the replacement cover 121 is closed, so that the developer replenishing container 1 is taken out and re-mounted. The replacement work up to is completed.

5. Developer Replenishment Control Next, the developer replenishment control by the developer replenishing device 20 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the flow of the developer replenishment control by the control system. This developer replenishment control is executed by controlling various devices by the control device (CPU) 600. In the present embodiment, the control device 600 controls the operation/non-operation of the drive motor 500 according to the output of the developer sensor 10d, so that a predetermined amount or more of the developer is not stored in the hopper 10a. There is.

Specifically, first, the developer sensor 10d checks the amount of developer in the hopper 10a (remaining amount of developer, stored amount of developer) (S100). When the controller 600 determines that the developer amount detected by the developer sensor 10d is less than the predetermined amount, the controller 600 drives the drive motor 500 to execute the developer replenishing operation for a certain time (S101). .. Note that the control device 600 determines that the developer amount detected by the developer sensor 10d is less than the predetermined amount when the developer sensor 10d does not detect the developer. When it is determined that the developer amount detected by the developer sensor 10d has reached the predetermined amount as a result of the developer replenishing operation, the control device 600 turns off the drive motor 500 to perform the developer replenishing operation. It is stopped (S102). When the developer sensor 10d detects the developer, the control device 600 determines that the developer amount detected by the developer sensor 10d has reached a predetermined amount. By stopping the replenishment operation, a series of developer replenishment control ends. Such developer replenishment control is repeatedly executed when the developer is consumed with the image formation and the amount of the developer in the hopper 10a becomes less than a predetermined amount.

In this embodiment, the developer replenishing device 20 temporarily stores the developer discharged from the developer replenishing container 1 in the hopper 10a and then replenishes it to the developing device 201. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and the following configuration may be adopted. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the hopper 10a described above is omitted and the developer is directly supplied from the developer supply container 1 to the developing device 201. The example shown in FIG. 5 is an example in which a two-component developing device 800 is used as the developing device. The developing device 800 has a stirring chamber for supplying the developer and a developing chamber for supplying the developer to the developing sleeve 800a. The stirring chamber and the developing chamber have the developer conveying directions mutually. An agitating screw 800b that is in the opposite direction is installed. The stirring chamber and the developing chamber communicate with each other at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and the developer is circulated and conveyed in these two chambers. A magnetic sensor 800c that detects the toner concentration in the developer is installed in the stirring chamber, and the control device 600 controls the operation of the drive motor 500 based on the detection result of the magnetic sensor 800c. In this case, the developer replenished from the developer replenishing container 1 becomes the non-magnetic toner, or the non-magnetic toner and the magnetic carrier.

6. Overall Configuration of Developer Replenishing Container Next, the configuration of the developer replenishing container 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. 6A is an overall perspective view of the developer supply container 1, and FIG. 6B is a partially enlarged view of the vicinity of the discharge port 4a of the developer supply container 1 viewed from the arrow S direction in FIG. 6A. is there. Further, FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an AA cross section of FIG. Further, FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 6A in a state in which the pump portion 4d described later is maximally stretched in use, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

The developer supply container 1 has a storage chamber 2 which is a rotating portion formed in a hollow cylindrical shape. That is, the storage chamber 2 is configured by a cylindrical portion 2b having a substantially cylindrical shape in which a transport protrusion 2a described later is formed. Further, the developer supply container 1 has a flange portion 4 which is a non-rotating portion on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the storage chamber 2, more specifically, on the downstream end portion side in the developer transport direction M. The storage chamber 2 is rotatable relative to the flange portion 4. The flange portion 4 is configured to include the above-described discharge port 4a, a shutter 4b described later, a discharge chamber 4c, a pump portion 4d, a reciprocating member 6 (FIG. 8), a protection member 7 (FIG. 8), and the like. The cross-sectional shape of the storage chamber 2 may be a non-circular shape, for example, an elliptical shape or a polygonal shape, as long as it does not affect the rotation operation in the developer replenishing process described later.

In this embodiment, the developer replenishing container 1 is configured such that the storage chamber 2 and the discharge chamber 4c are arranged in a substantially horizontal direction when mounted in the developer replenishing device 20. That is, the storage chamber 2 has a substantially horizontal length that is sufficiently longer than its substantially vertical length, and one end side in the substantially horizontal direction, more specifically, a downstream end side in the developer transport direction M is It is connected to the discharge chamber 4c. Therefore, the amount of the developer existing on the discharge port 4a, which will be described later, is reduced as compared with the configuration in which the storage chamber 2 is positioned vertically above the discharge chamber 4c in the state where the developer supply device 20 is mounted. be able to. Therefore, the developer in the vicinity of the discharge port 4a is unlikely to be compacted, and the intake/exhaust operation described later can be smoothly performed.

In this embodiment, the storage chamber 2, the discharge chamber 4c, and the pump portion 4d function as a developer storage portion 1a which is an internal space (developer storage space) for storing the developer therein. In this embodiment, the developer accommodating portion 1a is in a state in which the pump portion 4d shown in FIG. 7(b) is extended to the maximum in use, and when the pump portion 4d in FIG. 7(c) is extended to the maximum in use. Repeatedly, and the state of being. The total length of the pump portion 4d in the maximum extended state is set to L1 and the total length of the pump portion 4d in the maximum extended state is set to L2 (<L1). The volume of changes by the difference between L1 and L2 due to expansion and contraction of the pump portion 4d.

7. Flange Portion As shown in FIG. 7A, the flange portion 4 is provided with a hollow discharge chamber 4c for temporarily storing the developer transported from the storage chamber 2 (cylindrical portion 2b). There is. As shown in FIG. 6B, in order to allow the developer to be discharged to the outside of the developer supply container 1, that is, to supply the developer from the discharge chamber 4c to the hopper 10a at the bottom of the discharge chamber 4c. The discharge port 4a is formed.

Further, the flange portion 4 is provided with a shutter 4b that opens and closes the discharge port 4a. The shutter 4b abuts the abutting portion 21 (FIG. 2A) provided on the mounting portion 10 as the developer replenishing container 1 is mounted on the developer replenishing device 20. Therefore, the shutter 4b slides relative to the developer replenishing container 1 in the direction opposite to the developer conveying direction M as the developer replenishing container 1 is mounted on the developer replenishing device 20. As a result, the discharge port 4a is exposed from the shutter 4b, and the opening operation is completed. At this time, the discharge port 4a is aligned with the developer receiving port 13 (FIG. 2A) of the mounting portion 10. Therefore, the discharge port 4a and the developer receiving port 13 are in communication with each other, and the developer can be supplied from the developer supply container 1 to the hopper 10a. An opening seal 5a (FIG. 7B) is provided between the shutter 4b and the periphery of the discharge port 4a.

Further, the flange portion 4 is configured such that rotation of the storage chamber 2 around the rotation axis is substantially impossible when the developer supply container 1 is attached to the developer supply device 20. Specifically, the mounting portion 10 is provided with a holding mechanism 11 (FIG. 2A) so that the flange portion 4 does not rotate in the rotation direction of the storage chamber 2. Therefore, when the developer supply container 1 is attached to the developer supply device 20, the discharge chamber 4c provided in the flange portion 4 is also substantially prevented from rotating in the rotation direction of the storage chamber 2. It will be in a state (movement of looseness is allowed). On the other hand, the accommodation chamber 2 is rotated in the developer replenishing process without being restricted by the developer replenishing device 20 in the rotation direction.

8. Storage room (cylindrical part)
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, on the inner surface of the storage chamber 2 (cylindrical portion 2b), the developer stored in the storage chamber 2 is discharged to the discharge chamber 4c (to the discharge port 4a as the developer rotates). A spirally projecting transport unit 2a that functions as a transport unit for transporting is provided.

When the volume of the developer supply container 1 is increased to increase the amount of the developer filled, a method of increasing the volume of the discharge chamber 4c in the height direction can be considered. However, with such a configuration, the gravity effect on the developer near the discharge port 4a is further increased due to the weight of the developer. As a result, the developer in the vicinity of the discharge port 4a is likely to be compacted, which hinders intake/exhaust via the discharge port 4a. In this case, in order to release the compacted developer by the intake air from the discharge port 4a or discharge the developer by the exhaust air, it is necessary to further increase the volume change amount of the pump portion 4d. However, in that case, the driving force for driving the pump portion 4d also increases, and the load on the apparatus main body 101 may become excessive. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the storage chambers 2 are arranged side by side in the discharge chamber 4c in a substantially horizontal direction, the thickness of the developer layer on the discharge port 4a in the developer supply container 1 is set thin. be able to. As a result, the developer is less likely to be compacted by the action of gravity, so that the developer can be stably discharged without causing an excessive load on the apparatus main body 101.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, on the inner surface of the upstream end of the flange portion 4 (discharge chamber 4c) in the developer transport direction M, a flange seal, which is a ring-shaped seal member, is provided. 5b is provided. The accommodation chamber 2 is held so as to be rotatable relative to the flange portion 4 (discharging chamber 4c) in a state in which the flange seal 5b is compressed. As a result, the storage chamber 2 rotates while sliding on the flange seal 5b, so that the developer does not leak from the relative rotating portion between the discharge chamber 4c and the storage chamber 2 during rotation, and airtightness is maintained. .. That is, the air can be appropriately flown in and out through the discharge port 4a, and the volume change of the developer supply container 1 during the supply can be made into a desired state.

9. Pump unit The pump unit 4d is capable of reciprocating movement, and its volume is variable with the reciprocating movement. In this embodiment, the pump portion 4d functions as an intake/exhaust mechanism that alternately performs an intake operation and an exhaust operation inside and outside the developer accommodating portion 1a via the discharge port 4a. In other words, the pump portion 4d functions as an airflow generation mechanism that alternately and repeatedly generates an airflow directed to the inside of the developer supply container 1 through the outlet 4a and an airflow directed from the developer supply container 1 to the outside.

The pump portion 4d is provided at the downstream end of the discharge chamber 4c in the developer transport direction M. In addition, in this embodiment, the pump portion 4d is fixedly provided to the discharge portion 4c so as not to rotate with the rotation of the storage chamber 2.

In the present embodiment, the pump portion 4d is composed of a variable volume pump portion (bellows pump) made of resin, the volume of which varies with the reciprocating movement. Specifically, the pump portion 4d is a bellows-shaped pump, and a plurality of “mountain fold” portions and “valley fold” portions are alternately formed in a periodic manner. Therefore, the pump portion 4d can alternately repeat compression and extension by the driving force received from the driving portion of the developer replenishing device 20 as described later.

By adopting such a pump portion 4d, the volume of the developer supply container 1 can be alternately and repeatedly changed so as to increase or decrease in a predetermined cycle. As a result, the developer in the discharge chamber 4c can be efficiently discharged from the discharge port 4a.

10. Drive Receiving Section As shown in FIGS. 6A and 7A, in the developer supply container 1, the developer supply device 20 is driven while the developer supply container 1 is attached to the developer supply device 20. A gear portion 3f capable of engaging (driving and coupling) with the gear 300 (FIG. 2A) is provided. That is, in this embodiment, the drive gear 300 functions as a drive unit, and the gear unit 3f functions as a drive receiving unit (drive receiving mechanism, drive input unit). The gear portion 3f is provided on the drive receiving member 3 fixed to the accommodation chamber 2 so as to be rotatable integrally with the accommodation chamber 2. Therefore, the rotation driving force input from the drive gear 300 to the gear portion 3f causes the gear portion 3f and the accommodation chamber 2 to integrally rotate, so that the developer accommodated in the accommodation chamber 2 is transferred by the transport protrusion 2a. It is conveyed to the discharge chamber 4c (toward the discharge port 4a). Further, the rotational drive force input from the drive gear 300 to the gear portion 3f is transmitted to the pump portion 4d via the drive conversion mechanism 1b (FIG. 8). The drive conversion mechanism 1b will be described later.

In the present embodiment, the gear portion 3f is provided near the end portion on the downstream side of the substantially center of the storage chamber 2 in the developer transport direction M. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be provided, for example, on the upstream side (for example, in the vicinity of the end portion) from the substantially center of the storage chamber 2 in the developer transport direction M. In this case, the drive gear 300 is installed at the corresponding position.

Further, in the present embodiment, the gear mechanism is used as the drive connection mechanism between the drive receiving portion of the developer supply container 1 and the drive portion of the developer supply device 20, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, any available coupling mechanism may be used. Specifically, for example, a non-circular concave portion is provided as a drive receiving portion of the developer replenishing container 1, and a convex portion having a shape corresponding to the concave portion is provided as a driving portion of the developer replenishing device 20, which are drivingly connected to each other. It can be configured to.

11. Drive Conversion Mechanism Next, the drive conversion mechanism (drive conversion unit) 1b of the developer supply container 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8A is a partial cross-sectional view of the developer supply container 1 showing a state in which the pump portion 4d is maximally extended in use, and FIG. 8B shows a state in which the pump portion 4d is maximally contracted in use. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the developer supply container 1. Note that, in FIGS. 8A and 8B, only the protective member 7 described later shows the shape of the BB cross section shown in FIG. 6A.

The developer supply container 1 is provided with a drive conversion mechanism 1b that converts the rotational drive force for rotating the accommodation chamber 2 received by the gear portion 3f into the reciprocating power of the pump portion 4d. That is, in the present embodiment, the rotational driving force received by the gear portion 3f is converted into reciprocating power on the side of the developer supply container 1, so that the driving force for rotating the storage chamber 2 and the driving for reciprocating the pump portion 6 are performed. The force and the force are received by one drive receiving portion (gear portion 3f). This makes it possible to simplify the configuration of the drive input unit of the developer supply container 1, as compared with the case where two drive receiving units are separately provided in the developer supply container 1. Further, since the drive unit is driven by one drive unit (drive gear 300) of the developer replenishing device 20, the drive unit of the developer replenishing device 20 is configured as compared with the case where two drive units are separately provided. It is possible to simplify.

In this embodiment, the developer replenishing container 1 has, as the drive converting mechanism 1b, a cam mechanism having a cam groove 3a and a reciprocating member 6. That is, in this embodiment, the drive conversion mechanism 1b that converts the rotational driving force input to the drive receiving portion into a force for reciprocating the pump portion 4d rotates by the rotational driving force input to the drive receiving portion. It has a cam groove 3a which is a rotary engaging portion. Further, in this embodiment, the drive converting mechanism 1b has a reciprocating member 6 which engages with the cam groove 3a and reciprocates as the cam groove 3a rotates. Specifically, the developer supply container 1 has a cam groove 3a provided on the entire circumference of the drive receiving member 3 that rotates integrally with the gear portion 3f. The cam groove 3a will be described later. Further, the developer supply container 1 has a reciprocating member 6 that is connected to the pump portion 4d, is non-rotating with respect to the storage chamber 4, and reciprocates. A reciprocating member engaging projection (herein also referred to simply as "cam projection") 6c formed by projecting a part from the reciprocating member 6 engages with the cam groove 3a.

The reciprocating member 6 is provided with a rotation restricting portion 7c (FIG. 12B) provided on a protection member 7 described later so that the reciprocating member 6 does not rotate in the rotation direction of the accommodation chamber 2 and the opposite direction (a degree of looseness is allowed). ) Is regulated by. In other words, the reciprocating member 6 is reciprocally moved along the cam groove 3a in such a manner that the rotation direction is thus regulated, substantially parallel to the rotation axis direction of the storage chamber 2 (developer conveying direction M). Is regulated.

Note that at least one cam protrusion 6c may be provided. However, a moment may be generated in the drive converting mechanism 1b or the like due to the reaction force when the pump portion 4d expands or contracts, and smooth reciprocation may not be performed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the relationship with the shape of the cam groove 3a described later from breaking. It is preferable to provide them individually. In this embodiment, the cam protrusion 6c is provided so as to engage with the cam groove 3a at two positions. Specifically, the two cam protrusions 6c are arranged so as to face each other at about 180° in the circumferential direction of the developer supply container 1, and these cam protrusions 6c engage with the cam groove 3b.

When the cam groove 3a is rotated by the rotational driving force input from the drive gear 300, the cam projection 6c reciprocates along the cam groove 3a substantially parallel to the rotation axis direction of the housing chamber 2. As a result, the reciprocating member 6 formed integrally with the cam protrusion 6c performs a reciprocating operation linked with the cam protrusion 6c. Therefore, the state in which the pump portion 4d connected to the reciprocating member 6 is extended (FIG. 8A) and contracted (FIG. 8B) are alternately repeated to change the volume of the developer supply container 1. be able to.

12. Developer Replenishing Step Next, the developer replenishing step from the developer replenishing container 1 will be described.

12-1. Setting Conditions for Cam Groove First, setting conditions for the cam groove 3a will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a developed view of the cam groove 3a. In FIG. 9, arrow A indicates the rotation direction of the storage chamber 2 (moving direction of the cam groove 3a), arrow B indicates the extension direction of the pump portion 4d, and arrow C indicates the compression direction of the pump portion 4d.

The cam groove 3a is used when the exhaust cam groove 3c used when compressing the pump portion 4d, the intake cam groove 3b used when extending the pump portion 4d, and when the pump portion 4d is not reciprocated. A first stop cam groove 3d1 and a second stop cam groove 3d2. Since the reciprocating member 6 is regulated by a rotation regulating portion 7c (FIG. 12B) described later so as not to rotate, the cam projection 6c itself provided on the reciprocating member 6 is in the direction of arrow A (cam groove). 3a) and arrow A direction. Therefore, as the cam groove 3a rotates in the direction of arrow A, the cam projection 6c moves in the direction of arrow B along the intake cam groove 3b and moves in the direction of arrow C along the exhaust cam groove 3c. Further, the reciprocating member 6 moves in the arrow B direction or the arrow C direction in conjunction with the cam projection 6c.

In this embodiment, as will be described later in detail, when the developer replenishing container 1 is mounted on the developer replenishing device 20, the cam projection 6c is engaged with the first stop cam groove 3d1 or the second stop cam groove 3d2. It is supposed to meet. At that time, when the cam projection 6c is engaged with the first stop cam groove 3d1, when the cam groove 3a moves in the direction of arrow A, the cam projection 6c is provided with the first stop cam groove 3d1 and the intake cam groove 3b. , The exhaust cam groove 3c and the first stop cam groove 3d1 are sequentially engaged. On the other hand, when the cam protrusion 6c is engaged with the second stop cam groove 3d2, the cam protrusion 6c includes the second stop cam groove 3d2, the first stop cam groove 3d1, the intake cam groove 3b, and the exhaust cam groove. 3c and the first stop cam groove 3d1 are sequentially engaged.

Further, in the present embodiment, it is conceivable that the housing portion 2 is relatively rotated with respect to the flange portion 4 (discharge chamber 4c) before the developer replenishing container 1 is attached to the developer replenishing device 20. In this case, when the developer replenishing container 1 is attached to the developer replenishing device 20, the cam projection 6c will engage with the guide portion 3e provided between the second stop cam groove 3d2 and the intake cam groove 3b. There are cases where In that case, in this embodiment, since both the upstream side and the downstream side of the guiding portion 3e in the arrow A direction are inclined, the cam projection 6c has the first stop cam groove 3d1 or the second stop cam groove 3d1 along the inclination. It engages with the stop cam groove 3d2.

12-2. Outline of Developer Replenishing Step Next, the developer replenishing step by the pump portion 4d will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, an intake process (intake operation through the discharge port 4a) and an exhaust process (exhaust operation through the discharge port 4a) by the operation of the pump unit 4d, and an operation stop process (exhaust process through which the pump unit 4d does not operate) (Period during which intake/exhaust via the outlet 4a is not performed). The respective developer replenishing steps in the state where the cam projection 6c is engaged with the intake cam groove 3b, the exhaust cam groove 3c, and the first and second stop cam grooves 3d1 and 3d2 will be sequentially described below.

12-3. Intake Process First, the intake process (intake operation via the outlet 4a) will be described. By the drive conversion mechanism (cam mechanism) 1b described above, the state in which the pump portion 4d is contracted most (FIG. 8(b)) is changed to the state in which the pump portion 4d is expanded most (FIG. 8(a)). Is done. With this suction operation, the volume of the portion of the developer supply container 1 that can store the developer (pump portion 4d, storage chamber 2, discharge chamber 4c) increases.

At that time, the inside of the developer supply container 1 is substantially sealed except for the discharge port 4a, and the discharge port 4a is substantially closed by the developer. Therefore, the internal pressure of the developer supply container 1 decreases as the volume of the portion of the developer supply container 1 that can store the developer increases. At this time, the internal pressure of the developer supply container 1 becomes lower than the atmospheric pressure (external pressure). Therefore, the air (air) outside the developer supply container 1 moves into the developer supply container 1 through the discharge port 4a due to the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the developer supply container 1. At that time, since air is taken in from the outside of the developer supply container 1 through the discharge port 4a, the developer located near the discharge port 4a can be released (fluidized). Specifically, by including air in the developer located in the vicinity of the discharge port 4a, the bulk density can be reduced and the developer can be appropriately fluidized. Further, at this time, since air is taken into the developer supply container 1 through the discharge port 4a, the internal pressure of the developer supply container 1 is large despite the increase in the volume of the developer supply container 1. It will change in the vicinity of atmospheric pressure (outside pressure).

By fluidizing the developer in this manner, it is possible to smoothly discharge the developer from the discharge port 4a without clogging the discharge port 4a with the developer during the exhaust operation described later. .. Therefore, the amount of developer discharged from the discharge port 4a (per unit time) can be kept substantially constant for a long period of time.

The intake operation is not limited to being performed when the pump portion 4d changes from the most contracted state to the most extended state. For example, even if the pump portion 4d is stopped in the middle of changing from the most contracted state to the most extended state, the suction operation is performed if the internal pressure of the developer supply container 1 is changed. That is, the intake process is a state in which the cam protrusion 6c is engaged with the intake cam groove 3b.

12-4. Exhaust Step Next, the exhaust step (exhaust operation via the outlet 4a) will be described. By the drive conversion mechanism (cam mechanism) 1b described above, the pump portion 4d is in the most extended state (FIG. 8A) and the pump portion 4d is in the most contracted state (FIG. 8B), so that the exhaust operation is performed. Is done. With this exhaust operation, the volume of the portion (pump portion 4d, storage chamber 2, discharge chamber 4) of the developer supply container 1 that can store the developer decreases. At that time, the inside of the developer supply container 1 is substantially sealed except for the discharge port 4a, and the discharge port 4a is substantially blocked by the developer until the developer is discharged. ing. Therefore, the internal pressure of the developer supply container 1 increases as the volume of the portion of the developer supply container 1 that can store the developer decreases. At this time, the internal pressure of the developer supply container 1 becomes higher than the atmospheric pressure (external pressure), so that the developer is pushed out of the discharge port 4a due to the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the developer supply container 1. That is, the developer is discharged from the developer supply container 1. Since the air in the developer supply container 1 is discharged together with the developer, the internal pressure of the developer supply container 1 decreases.

As described above, in this embodiment, the developer can be efficiently discharged by using the single reciprocating pump unit 4d, so that the mechanism required for discharging the developer can be simplified.

The exhaust operation is not limited to being performed when the pump portion 4d changes from the most expanded state to the most contracted state. For example, even if the pump portion 4d is stopped in the middle of changing from the most extended state to the most contracted state, the exhaust operation is performed if the internal pressure of the developer supply container 1 changes. That is, the exhaust process is a state in which the cam protrusion 6c is engaged with the exhaust cam groove 3c.

12-5. Operation Stopping Step Next, the operation stopping step in which the pump portion 4d does not reciprocate will be described. The developer replenishing device 20 needs to replenish the developing device with an amount of the developer required by the developing device from the developer replenishing container 1. At this time, in order to stabilize the amount of the developer discharged from the developer supply container 1, it is desirable that the volume change amount is fixed every time. For example, in the configuration in which the hopper 10a is omitted (FIG. 5), the amount of the developer discharged from the developer supply container 1 directly affects the toner concentration in the developer in the developing device. Is especially important.

For example, when the cam groove 3a is configured only by the exhaust process and the intake process, the driving of the drive motor 500 is stopped during the exhaust process or the intake process. At that time, the accommodation chamber 2 rotates by inertia even after the rotation of the drive motor 500 is stopped, and the pump portion 4d continues to reciprocate in association with the accommodation chamber 2 until the accommodation chamber 2 is stopped, and an exhaust process or an intake process is performed. Can be considered. The distance by which the accommodation chamber 2 rotates by inertia depends on the rotation speed of the accommodation chamber 2. Further, the rotation speed of the accommodation chamber 2 depends on the torque applied to the drive motor 500. The torque applied to the motor changes depending on the amount of the developer in the developer supply container 1. Therefore, the speed of the storage chamber 2 may change, and it becomes difficult to make the stop position of the pump portion 4d the same every time.

Therefore, in order to stop the pump portion 4d at a fixed position each time, it is preferable to provide the cam groove 3a with a region in which the pump portion 4d does not reciprocate even when the storage chamber 2 is rotating. In this embodiment, the first and second stop cam grooves 3d1 and 3d2 shown in FIG. 9 are provided to prevent the pump portion 4d from reciprocating. The first and second stop cam grooves 3d1 and 3d2 are formed along the rotation direction of the storage chamber 2, and have a straight shape in which the reciprocating member 6 does not move even when the storage chamber 2 rotates. That is, the operation stop step is a state in which the cam projection 6c is engaged with the first and second cam grooves 3d1 and 3d2.

In this embodiment, a period in which the pump portion 4d does not reciprocate is provided. However, during this period, the developer is not discharged from the discharge port 4a (the developer that drops from the discharge port 4a due to vibration during rotation of the storage chamber 2). Is allowed) period. Therefore, the first and second stop cam grooves 3d1 and 3d2 may be inclined in the rotation axis direction with respect to the rotation direction unless the exhaust process and the intake process through the discharge port 4a are performed. In this case, the reciprocating movement of the pump portion 4d due to the inclination of the first and second stop cam grooves 3d1 and 3d2 can be allowed.

13. Reciprocating Member Next, the reciprocating member 6 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10A is a perspective view showing the shape of the reciprocating member 6, and FIG. 10B is a partially enlarged view of the periphery of a displacement portion 8a described later.

The reciprocating member 6 is formed in a substantially U shape in a plan view. A pump engagement portion 6a that engages with the pump portion 4d is provided at a position where the U-shaped bottom portion of the reciprocating member 6 is abutted. Two arm portions 6b extend from the pump engaging portion 6a, and a cam projection 6c is formed in the vicinity of the tip of each arm portion 6b by partially protruding from the arm portion 6b. The two cam projections 6c project inward so as to face each other. The cam protrusion 6c engages with the cam groove 3a provided in the drive receiving member 3 as described above. The two arm portions 6b connect the pump engaging portion 6a and the cam protrusion 6c.

The arm portion 6b has a direction in which the cam projection 6c engages with the cam groove 3a as the developer supply container 1 is mounted on the developer supply device 20, that is, the two cam projections 6c face each other. Elastically deforms in the direction. The reciprocating member 6 has the displacement portion 8a for deforming the arm portion 6b and displacing the cam protrusion 6c in this way. As will be described later in detail, the displacement portion 8a elastically deforms the arm portion 6b as the developer replenishing container 1 is attached to the developer replenishing device 20, and causes the cam protrusion 6c to move into the first stop cam groove 3d1. Alternatively, it is displaced so as to be engaged with the second stop cam groove 3d2.

The displacement direction in which the cam projection 6c engages with the cam groove 6a is the direction toward the rotation axis of the housing chamber 2. Here, the developer transport direction and the mounting direction (insertion direction) to the developer replenishing container 1 which are substantially parallel to the rotation axis direction of the storage chamber 2 are represented by the arrow M direction in the figure. Further, the displacement direction in which the cam projection 6c engages with the cam groove 6a is represented by the arrow U direction in the drawing, which is substantially orthogonal to the mounting direction M. Further, regarding the reciprocating member 6 and the like, the downstream side in the displacement direction U direction may be referred to as “inside” and the upstream side may be referred to as “outside”.

In the present embodiment, the displacement portion 8a is provided so as to project outward in the vicinity of the tip of each arm portion 6b. In this embodiment, the displacement portion 8a is integrally provided on the reciprocating member 6 and reciprocates integrally with the reciprocating member 6. The displacement portion 8a is configured to include a first contacted portion 8a1, a second contact portion (displacement contact portion) 8a2, and a held portion 8a3.

The first contacted portion 8a1 is formed by a side surface facing the downstream side in the mounting direction M of the displacement portion 8a. The first abutted portion 8a1 comes into contact with the first abutting portion 20a1 (FIG. 2C) of the pushing portion 20a provided in the mounting portion 10 of the developer replenishing device 20, so that the reciprocating member 6 will be described later. The protective member 7 is moved relative to the protective member 7.

The second contact portion (displacement contact portion) 8a2 is formed by the side surface facing the upstream side of the displacement portion 8a in the mounting direction M. The second contact portion 8a2 is inclined from the downstream side in the mounting direction M toward the upstream side as it goes from the upstream side to the downstream side in the displacement direction U. The second contact portion 8a2 elastically deforms the arm portion 6b in the displacement direction U by contacting the second contacted portion 7a2 (FIG. 11B) provided on the protection member 7 described later.

The held portion 8a3 is formed by the side surface facing the outside of the displacement portion 8a. The held portion 8a3 displaces the arm portion 6b by contacting the holding portion (holding contact portion) 20a2 (FIG. 2C) of the pushing portion 20a provided in the mounting portion 10 of the developer replenishing device 20. It is elastically deformed in the direction U and held at a position where the cam projection 6c and the cam groove 3a engage with each other. The pushing portion 20a is an example of a moving portion that is provided in the developer replenishing device 20 and that moves relative to the developer replenishing container 1 (protective member 7).

Before the developer replenishing container 1 is attached to the developer replenishing device 20, the cam protrusion 6c is retracted to a position where it does not engage with the cam groove 3a. That is, the arm portion 6b of the reciprocating member 6 is maintained in a state where it is not elastically deformed. Therefore, the reciprocating member 6 receives the elastic restoring force of the pump portion 4d in the mounting direction M, and the first contacted portion 8a1 and the stop portion 7a1 (FIG. 11C) provided on the protection member 7 described later. Is stopped at the position where the abuts.

14. Protective Member Next, the protective member 7 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11A is a perspective view showing the shape of the protection member 7, FIG. 11B is a sectional view taken along line CC of the protection member 7 shown in FIG. 11A, and FIG. ) Is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the () from the opposite direction. 12A is a perspective view showing the protective member 7 and the reciprocating member 6, and FIG. 12B is a sectional view taken along line EE of the protective member 7 and the reciprocating member 6 shown in FIG. 12A.

The protection member 7 is an example of a reciprocating member holding portion that holds the reciprocating member 6 so that it can reciprocate. The protection member 7 includes a rotation restricting portion 7c, a stop portion 7a1, a second contacted portion (displacement contacted portion) 7a2, and a receiving port 7a3.

The rotation restricting portion 7c is formed so as to surround the arm portion 6b of the reciprocating member 6 so that the arm portion 6b substantially fits. That is, the rotation restricting portion 7c surrounds the side surface of the arm portion 6b in the storage chamber 2 in the rotation direction and the opposite direction so that the arm portion 6b reciprocates substantially only in the rotation axis direction of the storage chamber 2. Acts as a regulating guide.

The stop portion 7a1 is formed on the inner surface facing the upstream side in the mounting direction M of the protective member 7. The stop portion 7a functions as a stopper that restricts the movement of the reciprocating member 6 in the mounting direction M by contacting the first contacted portion 8a1 of the reciprocating member 6.

The second contacted portion (displacement contacted portion) 7a2 is formed by an inner surface facing the downstream side in the mounting direction M of the protection member 7. The second contacted portion 7a2 is inclined from the downstream side in the mounting direction M toward the upstream side in the displacement direction U from the upstream side to the downstream side. That is, the second contacted portion 7a2 is inclined in the same direction as the second contact portion 8a2 of the reciprocating member 6. The second contacted portion 7a2 contacts the second contact portion 8a2 of the reciprocating member 6 to elastically deform the arm portion 6b in the displacement direction U.

The receiving portion 7a3 is passed by the pushing portion 20a provided in the mounting portion 10 of the developer replenishing device 20 as the developer replenishing container 1 is mounted in the developer replenishing device 20. Further, the held portion 8a3 of the reciprocating member 6 is exposed to the outside of the protective member 7 through the receiving port 7a3.

The protection member 7 holds the drive receiving member 3 such that the protection member 7 cannot move in the longitudinal direction of the storage chamber 2 relative to the storage chamber 2 and can rotate relative to the rotation direction of the storage chamber 2 and the opposite direction. It is held in the housing portion 2 via the. Therefore, with the developer supply container 1 attached to the developer supply device 20, the protection member 7 does not move in the longitudinal direction of the storage chamber 2, and the reciprocating member 6 reciprocates inside the protection member 7. To operate the pump 8 section 4d.

15. Mounting Operation, Removing Operation Next, the mounting operation of mounting the developer supply container 1 to the developer supply device 20 and the removing operation of removing the developer supply container 1 from the developer supply device 20 in this embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the configuration relating to the engagement/disengagement of the cam projection 6c and the cam groove 3a such as the displacement portion 8a and the pushing portion 20a is the same as when the developer supply container 1 is attached to the developer supply device 20. It is configured to be substantially symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane passing through the rotation axis of the storage chamber 2. Therefore, here, the description will focus on the engagement/disengagement of the cam projection 6c on one side and the cam groove 3a.

15-1. Mounting Operation The mounting operation will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13A is a partial cross-sectional view of the developer supply container 1 before being attached to the developer supply device 20, and a partial enlarged view of the periphery of the displacement portion 8a. 13B is a partial cross-sectional view of the developer supply container 1 further inserted in the mounting direction M from the state of FIG. 13A and a partially enlarged view around the displacement portion 8a. Further, FIG. 13C is a partial cross-sectional view and a displacement portion of the developer supply container 1 in a state where the developer supply container 1 is further inserted in the mounting direction M from the state of FIG. 8a is a partially enlarged view of the periphery of 8a. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 13A, when the developer replenishing container 1 is inserted into the developer replenishing device 20 in the mounting direction M, the first abutting portion 20a1 of the pushing portion 20a receives the receiving port 7a3 ( After passing through FIG. 11( a ), the first contacted portion 8 a 1 of the reciprocating member 6 is contacted. At this time, the cam protrusion 6c is in a position retracted from the cam groove 3a. That is, in the state of FIG. 13A, the rotation of the storage chamber 2 is not converted into the reciprocating motion of the pump portion 4d by the drive conversion mechanism 1b.

Next, as shown in FIG. 13B, a process of further inserting the developer supply container 1 in the mounting direction M will be described. In the state of FIG. 13A, the first contacted portion 8a1 of the reciprocating member 6 is in contact with the first contacting portion 20a1 of the pushing portion 20a. Therefore, when the developer supply container 1 is further inserted in the mounting direction M as shown in FIG. 13B, the reciprocating member 6 moves relative to the protective member 7 in the direction opposite to the mounting direction M. Then, the reciprocating member 6 relatively moves with respect to the protective member 7 in the direction opposite to the mounting direction M, so that the second contact portion 8a2 of the reciprocating member 6 contacts the second contacted portion 7a2 of the protective member 7. Contact. At this time, the cam protrusion 6c moves relative to the cam groove 3a in the direction opposite to the mounting direction M. Note that, in the state of FIG. 13B, similarly to the state of FIG. 13A, the rotation of the housing chamber 2 is not converted into the reciprocating motion of the pump portion 4d by the drive conversion mechanism 1b.

Next, as shown in FIG. 13C, a process until the developer replenishing container 1 is further inserted in the mounting direction M and the mounting on the developer replenishing device 20 is completed will be described. In the state of FIG. 13B, the second contact portion 8a2 of the reciprocating member 6 is in contact with the second contacted portion 7a2 of the protection member 7. Therefore, when the developer supply container 1 is further inserted in the mounting direction M as shown in FIG. 13C, the second contact portion 8a2 is displaced in the displacement direction U (FIG. 10) along the inclination of the second contacted portion 7a2. Move to (b)). At this time, the cam protrusion 6c moves in the displacement direction U in conjunction with the movement of the second contact portion 8a2 of the reciprocating member 6 in the displacement direction U, and the cam protrusion 6c engages with the cam groove 3a. At this time, the cam groove 3a with which the cam projection 6c engages is first stopped so that the air is taken into the accommodation chamber 2 from the discharge port 4a at the first start operation of replenishing the developer. It is set to be the cam groove 3d1 or the second stop cam groove 3d2. That is, in the present embodiment, in the second contacted portion 7a2 and the second contacted portion 8a2, the cam projection 6c is engaged with the first or second stop cam groove 3d1, 3d2 after the pump portion 4d is compressed. The reciprocating member 6 is provided so as to be displaced. Then, when the storage chamber 2 first rotates after the developer supply container 1 is mounted on the developer supply device 20, the cam protrusion 6c moves from the first stop cam groove 3d1 to the intake cam groove 3b or the second stop cam groove 3d1. It relatively moves from the stop cam groove 3d2 to the intake cam groove 3b via the first stop cam groove 3d1.

In the state of FIG. 13C, the cam protrusion 6c tries to move in the direction of retreating from the first stop cam groove 3d1 or the second stop cam groove 3d2 by the elastic restoring force of the arm portion 6b. However, in this state, the held portion 8a3 of the reciprocating member 6 contacts the holding portion 20a2 of the pushing portion 20a, and the arm portion 6b may be restored so that the cam projection 6c moves in the direction opposite to the displacement direction U. It is regulated. Therefore, the cam projection 6c is held at the position engaged with the first stop cam groove 3d1 or the second stop cam groove 3d2. Further, in the state of FIG. 13C, the first contacted portion 8a1 of the reciprocating member 6 also moves in the displacement direction U, and the contact with the first contact portion 20a1 of the pushing portion 20a is released. The reciprocating member 6 can reciprocate in the rotation axis direction of the accommodation chamber 2.

Thus, before the developer supply container 1 is attached to the developer supply device 20, the cam protrusion 6c is retracted from the cam groove 3a. Therefore, in that state, the rotation of the housing chamber 2 is not converted into the reciprocating motion of the pump portion 4d in the rotation axis direction by the drive conversion mechanism 1b. By mounting the developer replenishing container 1 on the developer replenishing device 20, the cam projection 6c engages with the first cam groove 3d1 or the second stop cam groove 3d2, and the rotation of the storage chamber 2 is pumped. The state can be converted into 4d reciprocating motion. Therefore, the position at the time of starting the operation of the pump portion 4d is regulated so that the air is taken into the developer accommodating portion 1a from the discharge port 4a at the first start operation of supplying the developer while suppressing the cost increase and the space expansion. be able to.

15-2. Extracting Operation Next, the extracting operation will be described with reference to FIG. When the developer supply container 1 is taken out from the developer supply device 20, the developer supply container 1 is in a state where the mounting shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 13B, when the developer supply container 1 is pulled out in the direction opposite to the mounting direction M, the pushing portion 20 a moves relative to the developer supply container 1 in the mounting direction M. At this time, the contact between the held portion 8a3 of the reciprocating member 6 and the holding portion 20a2 of the pushing portion 20a is released. Therefore, when the arm portion 6b is restored, the cam protrusion 6c moves in the direction opposite to the displacement direction U, and the cam protrusion 6c is displaced so as to be retracted to a position where it does not engage with the cam groove 3a.

Next, as shown in FIG. 13A, when the developer supply container 1 is further pulled out in the direction opposite to the transport direction M, the first contact portion 20a1 of the pushing portion 20a passes through the receiving port 7a3, It is separated from the first contacted portion 8a1 of the reciprocating member 6. At that time, due to the elastic restoring force of the pump portion 4d, the reciprocating member 6 moves to a position where the first contacted portion 8a1 of the reciprocating member 6 and the stop portion 7a1 (FIG. 11C) of the protective member 7 come into contact with each other. To do.

In this way, when the developer replenishing container 1 mounted on the developer replenishing device 20 is taken out from the developer replenishing device 20, the developer replenishing container 1 is in a state before being mounted on the developer replenishing device 20 (initial state). Becomes Therefore, no matter how many times the developer replenishing container 1 is attached to the developer replenishing device 20, the cam protrusion 6c engages with the first stop cam groove 3d1 or the second stop cam groove 3d2. That is, no matter how many times the developer replenishing container 1 is attached to the developer replenishing device 20, the pump portion 4d of the pump portion 4d is so arranged that air is taken into the accommodation chamber 2 from the discharge port 4a at the first start operation of replenishing the developer. The position at the start of operation can be restricted.

As described above, in this embodiment, the developer supply container 1 has the following displacement means. Before the developer replenishing container 1 is attached to the developer replenishing device 20, the displacing means maintains the reciprocating member 6 in the retracted position in which the engagement with the cam groove 3a is released. Further, the displacing means displaces the reciprocating member 6 from the retracted position to the engaging position for engaging the cam groove 3a when the developer replenishing container 1 is attached to the developer replenishing device 20, and the engaging position It is possible to maintain the state in. In the present embodiment, the displacing means is configured to include the displacement contact portion 8a2 of the displacement portion 8a, the displacement contacted portion 7a2 of the protection member 7, and the held portion 8a3 of the displacement portion 8a. Further, in this embodiment, the displacing means displaces the reciprocating member 6 from the retracted position to the engaged position in association with the operation of mounting the developer supply container 1 on the developer supply device 20. Further, in the present embodiment, the displacement means displaces the reciprocating member 6 from the engagement position to the retracted position in conjunction with the operation of taking out the developer supply container 1 from the developer supply device 20. In addition, in the present embodiment, the displacing means moves the reciprocating member 6 from the retracted position to the engaging position at a predetermined position in the reciprocating direction of the reciprocating member 6 so that the first operation cycle of the pump portion 4d becomes a predetermined cycle. Shift to. In the present embodiment, the above-mentioned predetermined cycle is a cycle in which the pump portion 4d sucks air through the discharge port 4a. In addition, in the present embodiment, the predetermined position is a position where the pump portion 4d is compressed.

That is, according to this embodiment, before the developer replenishing container 1 is attached to the developer replenishing device 20, the rotating portion and the non-rotating portion of the developer replenishing container 1 are relatively rotatable, and the rotational driving force is Not converted to reciprocating power. Then, when the developer replenishing container 1 is attached to the developer replenishing device 20, the rotational driving force is converted into reciprocating power, and at that time, the first operation cycle of the pump portion 4d is regulated. There is. As a result, the position at the start of the operation of the pump portion 4d is regulated so that the air is taken into the developer accommodating portion 1a from the discharge port 4a in the first operation cycle of the pump portion 4d while suppressing the cost increase and the space expansion. be able to. As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the pump portion from reciprocating before mounting without providing the regulating portion for regulating the rotation of the rotating portion, which causes the cost increase and the space expansion. Can be prevented.

16. Modified Example In the present embodiment, the cam protrusion 6c interlocks with the first stop cam groove 3d1 or the second stop cam groove 3d2 in association with the mounting/removing operation of the developer supply container 1 with respect to the developer supply device 20. Are displaced between the retracted position (retracted position) and the engaged position (engaged position). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cam projection 6c may be displaced between the retracted position and the engaged position, for example, in conjunction with opening and closing of the replacement cover 121. That is, for example, after the developer replenishing container 1 is mounted on the developer replenishing device 20, the cam protrusion 6c may be displaced from the retracted position to the engaged position in conjunction with closing the replacement cover 121. it can. Further, for example, the cam projection 6c can be configured to be displaced from the engagement position to the retracted position in conjunction with opening the replacement cover 121.

Specifically, the following configuration can be adopted. When the replacement cover 121 is closed after the developer supply container 1 is attached to the developer supply device 20, the developer supply device 20 is driven in association with the closing operation of the replacement cover 121. At this time, the displacement portion 8a is displaced by moving the pushing portion 20a, and the cam projection 6c is engaged with the first stop cam groove 3d1 or the second stop cam groove 3d2 in conjunction with the displacement portion 8a. Is displaced into position. Note that the movement locus of the pushing portion 20a at this time is such that the pushing portion 20a is relative to the developer supply container 1 from the state of FIG. 13A to the state of FIG. 13C in the above-described embodiment. It may be the same as the moving path. Further, when the replacement cover 121 is opened after the display (replacement display) indicating that the developer supply container 1 should be replaced is displayed on the operation unit (not shown) of the apparatus main body 101, the opening operation of the replacement cover 121 may be performed. The developer replenishing device 20 is driven in conjunction with this. At this time, the displacement portion 8a is displaced by moving the pushing portion 20a, and the cam projection 6c is moved to a position retracted from the cam groove 3a in conjunction with the displacement portion 8a. Note that the movement locus of the pushing portion 20a at this time is such that the pushing portion 20a is relative to the developer supply container 1 from the state of FIG. 13C to the state of FIG. It may be the same as the moving path.

Thus, for example, the cam projection 6c can be configured to be displaced between the retracted position and the engagement position in conjunction with the opening/closing operation of the replacement cover 121. Thus, the position of the pump portion 4d at the time of starting the operation can be regulated so that the air is taken into the accommodation chamber 2 from the discharge port 4a at the first start operation of supplying the developer. Further, in this case, since the displacement portion 8a does not move in association with the mounting on the developer replenishing container 1, a load such as an operator such as a user attaches and detaches the developer replenishing container 1 to the developer replenishing device 20. It can be reduced.

[Example 2]
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The basic configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, elements having the same or corresponding functions or configurations as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

1. Overview of this Embodiment In this embodiment, a member for holding the cam protrusion 6c at a position to engage with the cam groove 3a after the developer replenishing container 1 is mounted on the developer replenishing device 20 (the holding portion 20a2 in the first embodiment). Is provided on the side of the developer replenishing container 1.

That is, in the first embodiment, the holding portion 20a2 is provided on the developer supply device 20 side. However, when the rotational drive is transmitted from the drive unit of the developer replenishing device 20 to the developer replenishing container 1, there is a gap (play) between the developer replenishing container 1 and the developer replenishing device 20, and there is a gap in the rotational direction. It may tilt for a minute. Therefore, in order to hold the cam projection 6c at the position where it engages with the cam groove 3a, relatively high component dimensional accuracy of the developer supply container 1 and the developer supply device 20 is required.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the cam projection 6c can be held at the position where it is engaged with the cam groove 3a only by the parts on the developer supply container 1 side. As a result, it is possible to reduce the requirement for the component dimensional accuracy of the developer supply device 20.

2. Developer Replenishing Device The developer replenishing device 20 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. 14A is a perspective view of the developer replenishing device 20 in this embodiment, and FIG. 14B is a partially enlarged view of the periphery of the pushing portion 20b in this embodiment. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the developer supply container 1 in this embodiment.

In this embodiment, the developer supply container 1 (FIG. 15) is inserted and mounted in the mounting portion 10 of the developer supply device 20, as in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the pushing portion 20b provided in the mounting portion 10 of the developer replenishing device 20 is different from that in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the pushing portion 20b abuts on the developer supply container 1 so that a part of the pushing portion 20b projects inward and is elastically deformed in the direction opposite to the displacement direction U. The push-in portion 20b is configured to have a first contact portion 20b1 and a return portion 20b2.

The first contact portion 20b1 is formed by a side surface facing the upstream side of the pushing portion 20b in the mounting direction M. The first contact portion 20b1 is inclined from the upstream side in the mounting direction M toward the downstream side as it goes from the upstream side to the downstream side in the displacement direction U. The first contact portion 20b1 moves the displacement member 9 (FIG. 18) by contacting a first contacted portion 9a1 (FIG. 18) of the displacement member 9 described later.

The return portion 20b2 is formed by the side surface facing the downstream side in the mounting direction M of the pushing portion 20b. The return part 20b2 is inclined so as to go from the downstream side in the mounting direction M toward the upstream side as it goes from the upstream side to the downstream side in the displacement direction U. The return portion 20b2 moves the displacement member 9 by contacting a second contact portion 9a2 (FIG. 18) of the displacement member 9 described later.

3. Reciprocating Member Next, the reciprocating member in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 16A is a perspective view showing the shape of the reciprocating member 6 in this embodiment, and FIG. 16B is a top view showing the shape of the reciprocating member 6 and a partially enlarged view of the periphery of the cam projection 6c.

In the present embodiment, the reciprocating member 6 is not provided with the displacement portion 8a (FIG. 10) in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the reciprocating member 6 includes a held portion 6d1, a second abutted portion 6d2, and a third abutting portion (displacement abutting portion) 6d3.

The held portion 6d1 is formed by a side surface of each arm portion 6b that faces the outside in the vicinity of the tip. The held portion 6d1 contacts a holding portion 9a3 (FIG. 18) of the displacement member 9 described later.

The second contacted portion 6d2 is formed by a side surface (step portion) facing the downstream side in the mounting direction M near the tip of each arm portion 6b. The second contacted portion 6d2 contacts the second contact portion 9a2 (FIG. 18) of the displacement member 9 described later to move the reciprocating member 6 in the opposite direction to the mounting direction M.

The third contact portion (displacement contact portion) 6d3 is formed by the side surface (end surface) facing the upstream side in the mounting direction M at the tip of each arm portion 6b. The third contact portion 6d3 is inclined from the downstream side in the mounting direction M toward the upstream side as going from the upstream side to the downstream side in the displacement direction U. The third contact portion 6d3 contacts the third contacted portion 7b3 (FIG. 17B) of the displacement member 9 described later, and displaces the cam protrusion 6c in the displacement direction U.

4. Protective Member Next, with reference to FIG. 17, a protective member in the present embodiment will be described. 17A is a perspective view showing the shape of the protection member 7 in this embodiment, FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along line CC of the protection member 7 shown in FIG. 17A, and FIG. It is a cross-sectional perspective view which shows FIG.17(b) from an opposite direction.

In this embodiment, the protection member 7 is different from that in the first embodiment in that the protection member 7 is brought into contact with the developer replenishing container 1 when the developer replenishing device 20 is mounted or removed. In the present embodiment, the protection member 7 is configured to include a rotation stop portion 7c, a stop portion 7b1, a receiving port 7b2, and a third contacted portion (displacement contacted portion) 7b3. The stop portion 7b1, the receiving port 7b2, and the third contact portion 7b3 are different from those in the first embodiment.

The stop portion 7b1 is formed on the inner surface facing the upstream side in the mounting direction M of the protection member 7. The stop portion 7b1 regulates the movement of the displacement member 9 in the mounting direction M by contacting a first contacted portion 9a1 (FIG. 18) of the displacement member 9 described later.

The receiving port 7b2 passes through the pushing portion 20b provided in the mounting portion 10 of the developer replenishing device 20 as the developer replenishing container 1 is mounted in the developer replenishing device 20. Further, the displacement member 9 described later is exposed to the outside of the protection member 7 through the receiving port 7b2 (FIG. 19A).

The third contacted portion (displacement contacted portion) 7b3 is formed by an inner surface facing the downstream side in the mounting direction M of the protection member 7. The third contacted portion 7b3 is inclined from the downstream side of the mounting direction M toward the upstream side of the displacement direction U from the upstream side to the downstream side. That is, the third contacted portion 7b3 is inclined in the same direction as the third contact portion 6d3 of the reciprocating member 6. The third contacted portion 7b3 contacts the third contact portion 6d3 of the reciprocating member 6 to elastically deform the arm portion 6b in the displacement direction U.

5. Displacement Member Next, the displacement member 9 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 18A is a perspective view showing the shape of the displacement member 9. 19A is a perspective view showing the shapes of the protection member 7 and the displacement member 9 in this embodiment, and FIG. 19B is a sectional perspective view showing the shape of the RR cross section only for the protection member 7 of FIG. 19A. It is a figure and the elements on larger scale of the periphery of the displacement member 9. FIG. 20A is a perspective view showing the shapes of the reciprocating member 6, the protecting member 7, and the displacing member 9 in this embodiment. 20B is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the shape of the RR cross section of only the protection member 7 and the displacement member 9 of FIG. 20A. 20C is a sectional perspective view showing FIG. 20B from the opposite direction and a partially enlarged view of the periphery of the displacement member 9.

The displacement member 9 is provided in the developer supply container 1 as a component (separate member) different from the reciprocating member 6. The displacement member 9 is held by the protection member 7 and can reciprocate in the reciprocating direction of the reciprocating member 6. The displacement member 9 is configured to have a first abutted portion 9a1, a second abutted portion 9a2, and a holding portion 9a3.

The first contacted portion 9a1 is formed by a side surface facing the downstream side in the mounting direction M of the displacement member 9. By mounting the developer supply container 1 on the developer supply device 20, the first contacted part 9a1 is attached to the first contact part 20b1 of the pushing part 20b provided on the mounting part 10 of the developer supply device 20. Abut. Further, the first contacted portion 9a1 contacts the stop portion 7b1 of the protection member 7 to restrict the reciprocating member 6 from moving in the mounting direction M due to the restoring force of the pump portion 4d (FIG. 19(b). )).

The second contact portion 9a2 is formed on the side surface facing the upstream side of the displacement member 9 in the mounting direction M. The second contact portion 9a2 contacts the second contacted portion 6d2 of the reciprocating member 6 to move the reciprocating member 6 in the direction opposite to the mounting direction M (FIG. 20(c)). Further, the second contact portion 9a2 contacts the third contacted portion 7b3 of the protection member 7, thereby restricting the movement of the displacement member 9 in the direction opposite to the mounting direction M.

The holding portion 9a3 comes into contact with the held portion 6d1 of the reciprocating member 6 so as to prevent the cam projection 6c from displacing from the position where it engages with the cam groove 3a to the position where it retracts.

6. Mounting Operation, Removing Operation Next, the mounting operation of mounting the developer supply container 1 to the developer supply device 20 and the removing operation of removing the developer supply container 1 from the developer supply device 20 in this embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the configuration relating to the engagement/disengagement of the cam projection 6c and the cam groove 3a such as the displacement member 9 and the pushing portion 20b is the same as when the developer supply container 1 is attached to the developer supply device 20. It is configured to be substantially symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane passing through the rotation axis of the storage chamber 2. Therefore, here, the description will focus on engagement/disengagement of the cam projection 6c on one side and the cam groove 3a.

6-1. Mounting Operation The mounting operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 to 25. FIG. 21A is a partial cross-sectional view of the developer supply container 1 before being attached to the developer supply device 20, and FIG. 21B is a partially enlarged view of the periphery of the displacement member 9 shown in FIG. Is. FIG. 22A is a partial cross-sectional view of the developer supply container 1 in the state of being further inserted in the mounting direction M from the state of FIG. 21A, and FIG. 22B is of the displacement member 9 shown in FIG. FIG. FIG. 23A is a partial cross-sectional view of the developer supply container 1 further inserted in the mounting direction M from the state of FIG. 22A, and FIG. 23B is of the displacement member 9 shown in FIG. FIG. FIG. 24A is a partial cross-sectional view of the developer replenishing container 1 in the state of being further inserted in the mounting direction M from the state of FIG. 23A, and FIG. 24B is of the displacement member 9 shown in FIG. FIG. FIG. 25A is a partial cross-sectional view of the developer replenishing container 1 in a state in which the developer replenishing device 20 is completely inserted in the mounting direction M from the state of FIG. 24A, and FIG. FIG. 26 is a partially enlarged view of the periphery of the displacement member 9 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, when the developer replenishing container 1 is inserted into the developer replenishing device 20 in the mounting direction M, the first abutting portion 20b1 of the push-in portion 20b becomes the protection member 7. It passes through the receiving port 7b2 (FIG. 17) and contacts the first contacted portion 9a1 of the displacement member 9. At this time, the cam protrusion 6c is in a position retracted from the cam groove 3a.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, the process of further inserting the developer supply container 1 in the mounting direction M will be described. 21A and 21B, the first contacted portion 9a1 of the displacement member 9 is in contact with the first contact portion 20b1 of the push-in portion 20b, and the second contact portion of the displacement member 9 is in contact. 9a2 is in contact with the second contacted portion 6d2 of the reciprocating member 6. Therefore, when the developer replenishing container 1 is further inserted in the mounting direction M as shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, the displacement member 9 and the reciprocating member 6 are opposite to the mounting direction M with respect to the protection member 7. Move relative to. Then, the third contact portion 6d3 of the reciprocating member 6 contacts the third contacted portion 7b3 of the protection member 7. At this time, the cam protrusion 6c moves relative to the cam groove 3a in the direction opposite to the mounting direction M.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B, a process of further inserting the developer supply container 1 in the mounting direction M will be described. In the states of FIGS. 22A and 22B, the third contact portion 6d3 of the reciprocating member 6 is in contact with the third contacted portion 7b3 of the protection member 7. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B, when the developer supply container 1 is further inserted in the mounting direction M, the third contact portion 6d3 of the reciprocating member 6 becomes the third contacted portion of the protection member 7. It moves in the displacement direction U along the inclination of 7b3. At that time, the cam projection 6c engages with the cam groove 3a in conjunction with the movement of the third contact portion 6d3 of the reciprocating member 6 in the displacement direction U. At this time, the cam groove 3a with which the cam projection 6c engages is first stopped so that the air is taken into the accommodation chamber 2 from the discharge port 4a at the first start operation of replenishing the developer. It is set to be the cam groove 3d1 or the second stop cam groove 3d2.

Further, since the third contact portion 6d3 of the reciprocating member 6 moves in the displacement direction U, the contact between the second contacted portion 6d2 of the reciprocating member 6 and the second contact portion 9a2 of the displacing member 9 is released. To be done. Therefore, the displacement member 9 moves relative to the protection member 7 in the direction opposite to the mounting direction M, so that the second contact portion 9a2 of the displacement member 9 contacts the third contacted portion 7b3 of the protection member 7. Contact.

In the states of FIGS. 23A and 23B, the cam projection 6c tries to move in the direction of retreating from the first stop cam groove 3d1 or the second stop cam groove 3d2 by the elastic restoring force of the arm portion 6b. However, in this state, the held portion 6d1 of the reciprocating member 6 contacts the holding portion 9a3 of the displacement member 9, and the arm portion 6b may be restored so that the cam projection 6c moves in the direction opposite to the displacement direction U. It is regulated. Therefore, the cam projection 6c is held at the position engaged with the first stop cam groove 3d1 or the second stop cam groove 3d2. In addition, in the state of FIGS. 23A and 23B, since the contact between the second contacted portion 6d2 of the reciprocating member 6 and the second contact portion 9a2 of the displacement member 9 is released, the reciprocating member is released. 6 can reciprocate in the direction of the rotation axis of the accommodation chamber 2.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 24A and 24B, a process of further inserting the developer supply container 1 in the mounting direction M will be described. In the state of FIGS. 23A and 23B, the second contact portion 9a2 of the displacement member 9 is in contact with the third contacted portion 7b3 of the protection member 7, so that the displacement member 9 moves in the mounting direction M. Is restricted from moving in the opposite direction. Therefore, when the developer supply container 1 is further inserted in the mounting direction M as shown in FIGS. 24(a) and 24(b), the first contact portion 20b1 of the pushing portion 20b moves in the displacement direction U along the inclination thereof. Elastically deforms in the opposite direction.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 25(a) and 25(b), the process until the developer supply container 1 is further inserted in the mounting direction M and the mounting to the developer supply device 20 is completed will be described. In the state shown in FIGS. 24A and 24B, the first contact portion 20b1 of the pushing portion 20b is elastically deformed in the direction opposite to the displacement direction U. Then, when the developer supply container 1 is further inserted in the mounting direction M, the first contact portion 20b1 of the pushing portion 20b moves relative to the developer supply container 1 in the opposite direction to the mounting direction M. After that, as shown in FIGS. 25A and 25B, the first contact portion 20b1 of the push-in portion 20b is separated from the displacement member 9, so that the push-in portion 20b is restored in the displacement direction U by its elastic restoring force. To do. That is, since the pushing portion 20b is restored, the developer replenishing device 20 is in a state (initial state) before the developer replenishing container 1 is inserted.

As described above, also in the configuration of this embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment, air is supplied from the discharge port 4a into the developer accommodating portion 1a at the first start operation of supplying the developer while suppressing cost increase and space expansion. The position of the pump portion 4d at the time of starting the operation can be regulated so as to be taken in. Further, in this embodiment, since the displacement member 9 for holding the position where the cam projection 6c is engaged with the cam groove 3a is provided in the developer supply container 1, the developer supply device 20 is provided for holding the engagement. It is possible to reduce the dimensional accuracy required for parts.

6-2. Extracting Operation Next, the extracting operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 26 and 27. 26A is a partial cross-sectional view of the developer replenishing container 1 when the developer replenishing device 20 is taken out in a direction opposite to the mounting direction M (arrow Z direction in the drawing, take-out direction) from the state in which the developer replenishing device 20 is mounted. 26B is a partially enlarged view of the periphery of the displacement member 9 shown in FIG. 27A is a partial cross-sectional view of the developer supply container 1 in the state of being further pulled out in the take-out direction Z from the state of FIG. 26A, and FIG. 27B is of the displacement member 9 shown in FIG. FIG.

When the developer supply container 1 is taken out from the developer supply device 20, the developer supply container 1 is in a state where the mounting shown in FIG. 25 is completed.

As shown in FIGS. 26A and 26B, when the developer supply container 1 is pulled out in the take-out direction Z, the pushing portion 20b moves relative to the developer supply container 1 in a direction opposite to the take-out direction Z. .. At this time, since the returning portion 20b2 of the pushing portion 20b abuts on the second abutting portion 9a2 of the displacement member 9, the returning portion 20b2 and the second abutting portion 9a2 are opposite to the removing direction Z with respect to the protection member 7. Move relative to the direction. Then, the displacement member 9 relatively moves with respect to the protective member 7 in the direction opposite to the take-out direction Z, whereby the contact between the holding portion 9a3 of the displacement member 9 and the held portion 6d1 of the reciprocating member 6 is released. .. Further, due to the elastic restoring force of the arm portion 6b, the cam projection 6c is displaced to the position retracted from the position engaging with the cam groove 3a.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 27A and 27B, a process of further pulling out the developer supply container 1 in the take-out direction Z will be described. In the state of FIGS. 26A and 26B, since the return portion 20b2 of the pushing portion 20b is in contact with the second contact portion 9a2 of the displacement member 9, the return portion 20b2 and the second contact portion 9a2 are It moves relative to the protection member 7 in the direction opposite to the take-out direction Z. When the developer supply container 1 is further pulled out in the take-out direction Z as shown in FIGS. 27A and 27B, the displacement member 9 moves relative to the protective member 7 in the direction opposite to the take-out direction Z. Then, the first contacted portion 9a1 of the displacement member 9 contacts the stop portion 7b1 of the protection member, and the displacement member 9 stops relative movement with respect to the protection member 7. At that time, the return portion 20b2 of the pushing portion 20b elastically deforms in the direction opposite to the displacement direction U along the inclination thereof and rides on the displacement member 9. As a result, the developer replenishing container 1 can be pulled out in the take-out direction Z with respect to the developer replenishing device 20.

Further, the reciprocating member 6 relatively moves in the direction opposite to the take-out direction Z with respect to the protective member 7 due to the elastic restoring force of the pump portion 4d. Then, the second contacted portion 6d2 of the reciprocating member 6 contacts the second contacting portion 9a2 of the displacement member 9, so that the reciprocating member 6 stops relative movement with respect to the protection member 7. That is, the developer supply container 1 is in a state (initial state) before being attached to the developer supply device 20.

After that, when the developer supply container 1 is further pulled out in the take-out direction Z, the return portion 20b2 of the pushing portion 20b passes through the receiving port 7b2 and is separated from the displacement member 9. At that time, the pushing-in portion 20b is restored, so that the developer replenishing device 20 is in a state before the developer replenishing container 1 is mounted (initial state). Therefore, no matter how many times the developer replenishing container 1 is attached to the developer replenishing device 20, the cam protrusion 6c engages with the first stop cam groove 3d1 or the second stop cam groove 3d2. That is, no matter how many times the developer replenishing container 1 is attached to the developer replenishing device 20, the pump portion 4d of the pump portion 4d is so arranged that air is taken into the accommodation chamber 2 from the discharge port 4a at the first start operation of replenishing the developer. The position at the start of operation can be restricted.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, in the present embodiment, the cam protrusion 6c is held in the developer supply container 1 so as not to be displaced from the position where it engages with the cam groove 3a to the retracted position. Therefore, even if the component dimensional accuracy of the developer supply device 20 is not relatively high, the engagement between the cam groove 3a and the cam projection 6c can be maintained.

Also in this embodiment, similarly to the modification described in the first embodiment, the pushing portion 20b moves with respect to the developer supply container 1 in association with the opening and closing of the replacement cover 121, and the cam projection 6c is formed. The engagement/disengagement with the cam groove 3a can be performed.

1 developer replenishing container 1a developer accommodating part 1b drive conversion mechanism 2 accommodating chamber 3 drive receiving member 3a cam groove 4c discharge chamber 4d pump part 6 reciprocating member 6c cam protrusion 7 protective member 8a displacement part 9 displacement member 10 mounting part 20 development Agent supply device 20a, 20b Push-in section 100 Image forming apparatus

Claims (10)

In the developer supply container that can be attached to and detached from the developer supply device,
A developer accommodating portion for accommodating the developer and having an outlet for discharging the developer;
A transport unit that transports the developer stored in the developer storage unit toward the discharge port,
A drive receiving portion to which a rotational drive force for conveying the developer by the conveying portion is input;
A pump unit that reciprocates to inhale and exhaust air inside and outside the developer accommodating portion through the discharge port;
A drive conversion mechanism for converting a rotational drive force input to the drive receiving portion into a force for reciprocating the pump portion, the rotary engaging portion rotating by the rotational drive force input to the drive receiving portion. And a reciprocating member which engages with the rotary engaging portion and reciprocates with the rotation of the rotary engaging portion,
Before the developer replenishing container is attached to the developer replenishing device, the reciprocating member is maintained in the retracted position in which the engagement with the rotary engaging portion is released, and the developer replenishing container is Is attached to the developer replenishing device, it is possible to displace the reciprocating member from the retracted position to an engaging position for engaging the rotary engaging portion and maintain the state at the engaging position. Displacing means, and
A developer replenishing container comprising: The displacement means is
A displacement contact portion that reciprocates integrally with the reciprocating member,
A displacement abutted portion that abuts the displacement contact portion by moving the reciprocating member in one of the reciprocating directions to displace the reciprocating member from the retracted position to the engagement position,
A held portion that reciprocates integrally with the reciprocating member and abuts a holding abutting portion provided on the developer replenishing device to hold the reciprocating member at the engaging position.
The developer supply container according to claim 1, further comprising: The reciprocating member is moved in one of the reciprocating directions by a moving portion provided in the developer replenishing device and moving relative to the developer replenishing container, and is displaced from the retracted position to the engaging position. The developer replenishing container according to claim 2, wherein the held portion comes into contact with the holding contact portion provided in the moving portion after the opening. The displacement means is
A displacement contact portion that reciprocates integrally with the reciprocating member,
A displacement abutted portion that abuts the displacement contact portion by moving the reciprocating member in one of the reciprocating directions to displace the reciprocating member from the retracted position to the engagement position,
A displacing member that is different from the reciprocating member and is capable of reciprocating in the reciprocating direction of the reciprocating member and includes a holding contact portion that abuts the reciprocating member to hold the reciprocating member in the engagement position. When,
A held portion that reciprocates integrally with the reciprocating member and abuts the holding abutting portion to hold the reciprocating member in the engaging position;
The developer supply container according to claim 1, further comprising: The displacing member is moved in one of the reciprocating directions by a moving portion provided in the developer replenishing device and moving relative to the developer replenishing container, and abuts on the reciprocating member to move the reciprocating member to the reciprocating member. 5. The developing device according to claim 4, wherein the holding abutting portion abuts the held portion after the reciprocating member is moved in one of the reciprocating directions and the reciprocating member is displaced from the retracted position to the engaging position. Agent supply container. 6. The displacing means displaces the reciprocating member from the retracted position to the engagement position in association with an operation of mounting the developer supply container to the developer supply device. The developer supply container according to any one of claims. 7. The displacing means displaces the reciprocating member from the engagement position to the retracted position in conjunction with an operation of taking out the developer supply container from the developer supply device. 2. The developer supply container according to item 1. The displacement means displaces the reciprocating member from the retracted position to the engaging position at a predetermined position in the reciprocating direction of the reciprocating member so that the first operation cycle of the pump unit becomes a predetermined cycle. The developer supply container according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 9. The developer supply container according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined cycle is a cycle in which the pump unit sucks air through the discharge port. The developer supply container according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the predetermined position is a position where the pump unit is compressed.