JP6743474B2

JP6743474B2 - Conveying device, container and image forming apparatus

Info

Publication number: JP6743474B2
Application number: JP2016088507A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 雅之下田; 加藤　直; 加藤　　直
Original assignee: Fuji Xerox Co Ltd; Fujifilm Business Innovation Corp
Current assignee: Fujifilm Business Innovation Corp
Priority date: 2016-04-26
Filing date: 2016-04-26
Publication date: 2020-08-19
Anticipated expiration: 2036-04-26
Also published as: JP2017198808A

Description

本発明は、搬送装置、収容容器および画像形成装置に関する。 The present invention relates to a transport device, a container, and an image forming apparatus.

特許文献１には、粉体収容容器に収容された粉体を排出口へ向けて搬送する搬送装置が開示されている。この搬送装置は、粉体収容容器内に配置された回転部材と回転部材に取り付けられた板部材（フィルム）とを備え、この板部材は、展開した状態で、搬送部の外縁の搬送方向下流側の部分が、外縁の搬送方向上流側の部分に対して回転部材から離れるように傾斜している。 Patent Document 1 discloses a transfer device that transfers the powder contained in the powder container to the discharge port. This transfer device includes a rotating member arranged in the powder container and a plate member (film) attached to the rotating member. The plate member is in a developed state and is downstream of an outer edge of the transfer unit in the transfer direction. The side portion is inclined so as to be separated from the rotating member with respect to the upstream side portion of the outer edge in the transport direction.

特開２０１５−１１８２２９号公報JP, 2005-118229, A

粉状物の収容部の排出口が閉じられているときに粉状物の搬送が継続して行われると、排出口付近において粉状物の圧力が高まり、押し固められて排出し難くなったり、排出口を閉じる蓋部を破ったりする場合がある。 If the powdery material is continuously conveyed while the powdery material container's discharge port is closed, the pressure of the powdery material increases near the discharge port and the powdery material is pressed and hard to discharge. , The lid that closes the outlet may be broken.

本発明は、現像剤等の画像形成に用いられる粉状物を搬送する搬送装置において、粉状物の圧力が高まり過ぎることを抑制することを目的とする。 It is an object of the present invention to suppress an excessive increase in pressure of a powdery material in a transporting device that transports a powdery material such as a developer used for image formation.

本発明の請求項１に係る搬送装置は、
画像形成に用いられる粉状物を収容する収容部と、
この収容部内の粉状物を搬送する搬送部材と、を備え、
搬送部材は、
収容部内で粉状物の搬送方向に沿って設けられた回転軸と、
この回転軸に設けられ、回転軸に沿って見たときに、回転軸と同心の円の円周の一部とこの円の２本の半径とに対応する輪郭を有してこの円の一部に重なり、粉状物を搬送する方向に対して予め定められた角度の傾きを有する作用面を備えた複数の翼片と、
を備え、
前記翼片の前記作用面は、粉状物の搬送方向および前記回転軸の回転方向を向くように傾き、当該翼片の輪郭のうち２本の前記半径に対応する部分の少なくともいずれか一方に重なる直線を仮想軸とし、当該仮想軸が当該回転軸に対して、角度θ１（０°＜θ１＜９０°）で傾き、
前記翼片の前記作用面は、前記仮想軸を軸として、粉状物の搬送方向の反対側へ倒れるように傾き、当該仮想軸と前記回転軸とが作る平面を当該平面に対する垂直方向から見たときに当該回転軸と重なる当該作用面の部分が作る直線が当該回転軸に対して、角度θ２（０°＜θ２＜９０°）で傾く。
本発明の請求項２に係る搬送装置において、複数の翼片は、回転軸に沿って見たときに円の一部に翼片が一つも存在しない箇所があるように配置される。
本発明の請求項３に係る搬送装置において、円の一部に重なる翼片の輪郭のうち円の半径に重なる２本の直線部分の間の角度が、１８０°である。
本発明の請求項４に係る収容容器は、
画像形成装置に対して着脱可能であり、画像形成に用いられる粉状物を収容すると共に当該粉状物を排出する排出口を有する収容部と、
前記収容部内に収容された前記粉状物を前記排出口へ向けて搬送する搬送部材と、を備え、
前記搬送部材は、
前記収容部内で粉状物の搬送方向に沿って設けられた回転軸と、
前記回転軸に設けられ、当該回転軸に沿って見たときに、当該回転軸と同心の円の円周の一部と当該円の２本の半径とに対応する輪郭を有して当該円の一部に重なり、粉状物を搬送する方向に対して予め定められた角度の傾きを有する作用面を備えた複数の翼片と、
を備え、
前記翼片の前記作用面は、粉状物の搬送方向および前記回転軸の回転方向を向くように傾き、当該翼片の輪郭のうち２本の前記半径に対応する部分の少なくともいずれか一方に重なる直線を仮想軸とし、当該仮想軸が当該回転軸に対して、角度θ１（０°＜θ１＜９０°）で傾き、
前記翼片の前記作用面は、前記仮想軸を軸として、粉状物の搬送方向の反対側へ倒れるように傾き、当該仮想軸と前記回転軸とが作る平面を当該平面に対する垂直方向から見たときに当該回転軸と重なる当該作用面の部分が作る直線が当該回転軸に対して、角度θ２（０°＜θ２＜９０°）で傾く。
本発明の請求項５に係る画像形成装置は、
像保持体と、
前記像保持体に現像剤像を形成するのに用いられる粉状物を収容する収容部と、
前記収容部内の粉状物を搬送する搬送部材と、
前記像保持体に形成された現像剤像を記録媒体に転写する転写部と、を備え、
前記搬送部材は、
前記収容部内で粉状物の搬送方向に沿って設けられた回転軸と、
前記回転軸に設けられ、当該回転軸に沿って見たときに、当該回転軸と同心の円の円周の一部と当該円の２本の半径とに対応する輪郭を有して当該円の一部に重なり、粉状物を搬送する方向に対して予め定められた角度の傾きを有する作用面を備えた複数の翼片と、
を備え、
前記翼片の前記作用面は、粉状物の搬送方向および前記回転軸の回転方向を向くように傾き、当該翼片の輪郭のうち２本の前記半径に対応する部分の少なくともいずれか一方に重なる直線を仮想軸とし、当該仮想軸が当該回転軸に対して、角度θ１（０°＜θ１＜９０°）で傾き、
前記翼片の前記作用面は、前記仮想軸を軸として、粉状物の搬送方向の反対側へ倒れるように傾き、当該仮想軸と前記回転軸とが作る平面を当該平面に対する垂直方向から見たときに当該回転軸と重なる当該作用面の部分が作る直線が当該回転軸に対して、角度θ２（０°＜θ２＜９０°）で傾く。 The transport apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is
An accommodating portion for accommodating a powdery material used for image formation,
A transporting member for transporting the powdery material in the housing portion,
The transport member is
A rotary shaft provided along the conveying direction of the powdery material in the storage portion,
When viewed along the rotating shaft, the rotating shaft has a contour that corresponds to part of the circumference of a circle concentric with the rotating shaft and two radii of the circle, and A plurality of winglets that overlap with the section and have an action surface having an inclination of a predetermined angle with respect to the direction in which the powdery material is conveyed,
Equipped with
The action surface of the winglet is inclined so as to face the conveying direction of the powdery substance and the rotation direction of the rotation axis, and at least one of the two portions of the contour of the winglet corresponding to the radius. An overlapping straight line is set as a virtual axis, and the virtual axis is inclined with respect to the rotation axis at an angle θ1 (0°<θ1<90°) ,
The working surface of the wing piece is inclined with the virtual axis as an axis so as to fall toward the opposite side of the powder material transport direction, and a plane formed by the virtual axis and the rotation axis is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane. When this occurs, the straight line formed by the portion of the working surface that overlaps the rotation axis is inclined at an angle θ2 (0°<θ2<90°) with respect to the rotation axis.
In the conveying device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the plurality of blades are arranged such that when viewed along the rotation axis, a part of the circle has a portion where no blade exists.
In the conveying device according to the third aspect of the present invention, an angle between two straight line portions of the contour of the winglet overlapping a part of the circle and overlapping the radius of the circle is 180°.
The storage container according to claim 4 of the present invention is
An accommodating portion that is detachable from the image forming apparatus and that has a discharge port for storing the powdery material used for image formation and discharging the powdery material,
A transport member that transports the powdery material stored in the storage portion toward the discharge port,
The transport member is
A rotary shaft provided along the conveying direction of the powdery material in the accommodation section,
The circle is provided on the rotation axis and has a contour corresponding to a part of the circumference of a circle concentric with the rotation axis and two radii of the circle when viewed along the rotation axis. A plurality of winglets provided with an action surface having an inclination of a predetermined angle with respect to the direction in which the powdery substance is conveyed,
Equipped with
The action surface of the winglet is inclined so as to face the conveying direction of the powdery substance and the rotation direction of the rotation axis, and at least one of the two portions of the contour of the winglet corresponding to the radius. An overlapping straight line is set as a virtual axis, and the virtual axis is inclined with respect to the rotation axis at an angle θ1 (0°<θ1<90°) ,
The working surface of the wing piece is inclined with the virtual axis as an axis so as to fall toward the opposite side of the powder material transport direction, and a plane formed by the virtual axis and the rotation axis is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane. When this occurs, the straight line formed by the portion of the working surface that overlaps the rotation axis is inclined at an angle θ2 (0°<θ2<90°) with respect to the rotation axis .
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 of the present invention is
An image carrier,
An accommodating portion for accommodating a powdery material used for forming a developer image on the image carrier,
A transport member that transports the powdery material in the storage portion,
A transfer unit that transfers the developer image formed on the image carrier to a recording medium,
The transport member is
A rotary shaft provided along the conveying direction of the powdery material in the accommodation section,
The circle is provided on the rotation axis and has a contour corresponding to a part of the circumference of a circle concentric with the rotation axis and two radii of the circle when viewed along the rotation axis. A plurality of winglets provided with an action surface having an inclination of a predetermined angle with respect to the direction in which the powdery substance is conveyed,
Equipped with
The action surface of the winglet is inclined so as to face the conveying direction of the powdery substance and the rotation direction of the rotation axis, and at least one of the two portions of the contour of the winglet corresponding to the radius. An overlapping straight line is set as a virtual axis, and the virtual axis is inclined with respect to the rotation axis at an angle θ1 (0°<θ1<90°) ,
The working surface of the wing piece is inclined with the virtual axis as an axis so as to fall toward the opposite side of the powder material transport direction, and a plane formed by the virtual axis and the rotation axis is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane. When this occurs, the straight line formed by the portion of the working surface that overlaps the rotation axis is inclined at an angle θ2 (0°<θ2<90°) with respect to the rotation axis .

請求項１の発明によれば、粉状物を搬送する搬送装置において、螺旋状の翼部を有する搬送部材を備える構成に比べて、粉状物の圧力が高くなることを抑制することができる。
請求項２の発明によれば、回転軸に沿って見た場合における翼片が存在しない箇所において、粉状物が搬送方向の反対方向へ逃げる余地ができるため、粉状物の圧力が高くなることを抑制することができる。
請求項３の発明によれば、直線部分の間の角度が他の角度である場合と比べて、粉状物の搬送効率を向上させることができる。
請求項４の発明によれば、粉状物を収容する収容容器において、収容容器内部で粉状物を搬送する手段として、螺旋状の翼部を有する搬送部材を備える構成に比べて、粉状物の圧力が高くなることを抑制することができる。
請求項５の発明によれば、粉状物の搬送手段として螺旋状の翼部を有する搬送部材を備える構成に比べて、粉状物の圧力が高くなることを抑制することにより、粉状物の搬送や供給が不安定となることに起因する画像不良を抑制することができる。 According to the invention of claim 1, in the transport device for transporting the powdery substance, it is possible to suppress the pressure of the powdery substance from becoming higher than that in the configuration including the transporting member having the spiral blade portion. ..
According to the invention of claim 2, there is room for the powder material to escape in the direction opposite to the conveying direction at the location where the blade piece does not exist when viewed along the rotation axis, so the pressure of the powder material increases. Can be suppressed.
According to the invention of claim 3 , it is possible to improve the transportation efficiency of the powdery material as compared with the case where the angle between the straight portions is another angle.
According to the invention of claim 4, in the container for accommodating the powdery material, the powdery material is more likely to be used as a means for carrying the powdery material inside the storage container, as compared with the configuration in which the carrying member having the spiral wing portion is provided. It is possible to prevent the pressure of the object from increasing.
According to the invention of claim 5 , as compared with a configuration in which a conveying member having a spiral wing portion is provided as a conveying means for the powdery material, it is possible to suppress the pressure of the powdery material from increasing, and thus the powdery material It is possible to suppress an image defect due to the unstable conveyance and supply of the.

本実施形態が適用される画像形成装置の全体構成図である。FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus to which this embodiment is applied. 現像装置の構成を示す図である。FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a developing device. 図２のＩＩＩ−ＩＩＩ断面を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the III-III cross section of FIG. 現像装置のハウジングの構成を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the structure of the housing of a developing device. 収容容器の断面図である。It is sectional drawing of a storage container. 搬送路の断面図である。It is sectional drawing of a conveyance path. 搬送部材を回転軸の一端側から軸方向に沿って見た図である。It is the figure which looked at the conveyance member along the axial direction from the one end side of the rotating shaft. 搬送部材を図７の矢印Ａの方向に見た状態を拡大して示す図である。It is a figure which expands and shows the state which looked at the conveyance member in the direction of the arrow A of FIG. 搬送部材を図７の矢印Ｂの方向に見た状態を拡大して示す図である。It is a figure which expands and shows the state which looked at the conveyance member in the direction of the arrow B of FIG. 搬送部材が回転軸の周りに回転することにより現像剤を搬送する様子を示す図である。FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which a developer is transported by the transport member rotating around a rotation axis. 搬送部材が回転軸の周りに回転することにより現像剤を搬送する様子を示す図である。FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which a developer is transported by the transport member rotating around a rotation axis.

＜画像形成装置の構成＞
図１は、本実施形態が適用される画像形成装置の構成例を示す図である。
図１に示す画像形成装置１０は、筐体１１と、用紙Ｐを搬送する搬送部１２と、トナー像ＴＺを形成する４つの画像形成ユニット２０と、用紙Ｐにトナー像ＴＺを転写する転写部３０と、トナー像ＴＺを用紙Ｐに定着する定着部４０とを有する。４つの画像形成ユニット２０は、同様の構成であり、使用するトナーの色（例えば、イエロー、シアン、マゼンタ、ブラックの４色）が異なっている。また、画像形成装置１０は、各部および各ユニットの動作を制御する制御部５０を有する。ここで、用紙Ｐは、記録媒体の一例であり、トナー像ＴＺは、現像剤像の一例である。 <Structure of image forming apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an image forming apparatus to which this embodiment is applied.
The image forming apparatus 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a housing 11, a transport unit 12 that transports a paper P, four image forming units 20 that form a toner image TZ, and a transfer unit that transfers the toner image TZ to the paper P. It has a fixing unit 40 for fixing the toner image TZ to the paper P. The four image forming units 20 have the same configuration, and the colors of toners used (for example, four colors of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black) are different. The image forming apparatus 10 also includes a control unit 50 that controls the operation of each unit and each unit. Here, the paper P is an example of a recording medium, and the toner image TZ is an example of a developer image.

画像形成ユニット２０は、像保持体の一例としての感光体２２と、感光体２２を帯電させる帯電ロール２４と、帯電した感光体２２を露光して潜像を形成する露光部２６と、感光体２２にトナー像ＴＺを形成する現像装置１００とを有する。さらに、画像形成ユニット２０は、感光体２２をクリーニングするクリーニングブレード２８を有する。このように、画像形成ユニット２０は、帯電、露光、現像、清掃の各工程を行う電子写真方式のユニットである。 The image forming unit 20 includes a photoconductor 22 as an example of an image carrier, a charging roll 24 that charges the photoconductor 22, an exposure unit 26 that exposes the charged photoconductor 22 to form a latent image, and a photoconductor. 22 and a developing device 100 that forms a toner image TZ. Further, the image forming unit 20 has a cleaning blade 28 for cleaning the photoconductor 22. As described above, the image forming unit 20 is an electrophotographic system unit that performs each process of charging, exposing, developing, and cleaning.

現像装置１００は、現像剤Ｇ（図３参照）を用いて現像を行うことによりトナー像ＴＺを形成する。現像剤Ｇは、図３に示すように、例えば、負極性に帯電する非磁性のトナーＴおよび正極性に帯電し磁性を有するキャリアＣを主成分として、さらに、添加剤を含んで構成される。 The developing device 100 forms a toner image TZ by performing development using the developer G (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 3, the developer G is composed of, for example, a non-magnetic toner T that is negatively charged and a carrier C that is positively charged and magnetic, and further contains an additive. ..

転写部３０は、感光体２２からトナー像ＴＺが転写される転写ベルト３２と、転写ベルト３２が巻き掛けられた駆動ロール３３および従動ロール３４と、４本の一次転写ロール３６と、二次転写ロール３８とを有する。一次転写ロール３６は、接地された感光体２２との電位差により、感光体２２上のトナー像ＴＺを転写ベルト３２へ一次転写させる。二次転写ロール３８は、接地された駆動ロール３３との電位差により、転写ベルト３２上のトナー像ＴＺを搬送されてきた用紙Ｐへ二次転写させる。 The transfer unit 30 includes a transfer belt 32 on which the toner image TZ is transferred from the photoconductor 22, a driving roll 33 and a driven roll 34 around which the transfer belt 32 is wound, four primary transfer rolls 36, and a secondary transfer. And a roll 38. The primary transfer roll 36 primary-transfers the toner image TZ on the photoconductor 22 to the transfer belt 32 due to the potential difference from the grounded photoconductor 22. The secondary transfer roll 38 secondarily transfers the toner image TZ on the transfer belt 32 to the conveyed paper P by the potential difference between the secondary transfer roll 38 and the grounded drive roll 33.

＜現像装置＞
図２は、現像装置１００の構成を示す図、図３は、図２のＩＩＩ−ＩＩＩ断面を示す図である。
図２および図３に示すように、現像装置１００は、収容部の一例としてのハウジング１０２と、保持部材の一例としての現像ロール１０４と、撹拌部材の一例としての第１撹拌部材１０６と、第２撹拌部材１０８とを有する。また、図２に示すように、現像装置１００は、変更手段の一例としての速度切替部１１０と、滞留手段の一例としての軸太部１０６Ｂとを有する。また、現像装置１００には、搬送路３００を介して、粉状物であるトナーＴを収容する収容容器２００（トナーカートリッジ）が接続されている。収容容器２００に収容されているトナーＴは、収容容器２００から排出されると、搬送路３００にて搬送されて現像装置１００へ供給される。 <Developer>
2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the developing device 100, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a cross section taken along the line III-III in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the developing device 100 includes a housing 102 as an example of a housing portion, a developing roll 104 as an example of a holding member, a first stirring member 106 as an example of a stirring member, and a first stirring member 106. 2 stirring member 108. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the developing device 100 has a speed switching unit 110 as an example of a changing unit and a thick shaft portion 106B as an example of a staying unit. Further, to the developing device 100, a storage container 200 (toner cartridge) that stores the toner T, which is a powdery substance, is connected via a transport path 300. When the toner T stored in the storage container 200 is discharged from the storage container 200, the toner T is transported by the transport path 300 and supplied to the developing device 100.

また、図３に示すように、現像装置１００は、現像ロール１０４の外周面に保持された現像剤Ｇの層の厚みを規制する層規制部材１０９と、搬送路３００を介して供給されるトナーＴをハウジング１０２内へ受け入れるための開口部１１９とを有する。ハウジング１０２には、ハウジング１０２を覆うカバー部材１１５が設けられている。なお、図３では、各部材を見やすくするために、一部の部材における断面のハッチングを省略している。 Further, as shown in FIG. 3, in the developing device 100, the layer regulation member 109 that regulates the thickness of the layer of the developer G held on the outer peripheral surface of the developing roll 104, and the toner supplied through the transport path 300. And an opening 119 for receiving T into the housing 102. The housing 102 is provided with a cover member 115 that covers the housing 102. Note that, in FIG. 3, hatching of cross-sections of some members is omitted in order to make it easy to see each member.

図３に示すように、ハウジング１０２は、底壁１０２Ａと、底壁１０２Ａの中央部に立つ壁部の一例としての第１仕切壁１０２Ｂと、底壁１０２Ａの周囲の縁部で立つ側壁１０２Ｄとを有する。また、ハウジング１０２の一側（図２では下側、図３では右側）は開放されている。そして、ハウジング１０２は、粉状物である現像剤Ｇを内部に収容している。 As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 102 includes a bottom wall 102A, a first partition wall 102B as an example of a wall portion that stands at the center of the bottom wall 102A, and a side wall 102D that stands at an edge around the bottom wall 102A. Have. Further, one side of the housing 102 (lower side in FIG. 2, right side in FIG. 3) is open. The housing 102 contains the developer G, which is a powdery material, inside.

＜ハウジング＞
図４は、現像装置１００のハウジング１０２の構成を示す図である。
図４に示すように、ハウジング１０２は、矩形状に形成されている。第１仕切壁１０２Ｂは、ハウジング１０２の短辺方向中央部で長辺方向に沿って延びている。また、ハウジング１０２の内部には、第１仕切壁１０２Ｂによって仕切られることにより、第１撹拌室１０３および第２撹拌室１０５が形成されている。図４に示す構成例において、第１撹拌室１０３および第２撹拌室１０５は、ハウジング１０２の長辺方向の略全体にわたって形成されている。 <Housing>
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the housing 102 of the developing device 100.
As shown in FIG. 4, the housing 102 is formed in a rectangular shape. The first partition wall 102B extends along the long side direction at the center of the housing 102 in the short side direction. A first stirring chamber 103 and a second stirring chamber 105 are formed inside the housing 102 by being partitioned by the first partition wall 102B. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 4, the first stirring chamber 103 and the second stirring chamber 105 are formed over substantially the entire long side direction of the housing 102.

第１撹拌室１０３は、第１仕切壁１０２Ｂおよび長辺側の側壁１０２Ｄの間（すなわち、開放されていない側）に位置する。また、第１撹拌室１０３は、ハウジング１０２の一方の短辺側の側壁１０２Ｄから他方の短辺側の側壁１０２Ｄまで形成されている。図３に示すように、第１撹拌室１０３は、底壁１０２Ａと、第１仕切壁１０２Ｂと、側壁１０２Ｄと、カバー部材１１５と、流路部材１０２Ｅとに囲まれ、断面円形に形成されている。第１撹拌室１０３には、棒状の第１撹拌部材１０６が、ハウジング１０２の長辺方向に沿う方向を軸方向として、回転可能に設けられている。第１撹拌部材１０６は、軸部１０６Ａ、軸太部１０６Ｂおよび第１翼部１０６Ｃを有する。第１撹拌部材１０６の詳細については後述する。また、図３に示すように、第１撹拌室１０３の底面１０３Ａは、ハウジング１０２の長辺方向（図３において紙面に垂直な方向）に沿って見た場合に、半円状に湾曲した湾曲面となっている。 The first stirring chamber 103 is located between the first partition wall 102B and the long side wall 102D (that is, the side that is not open). The first stirring chamber 103 is formed from the side wall 102D on one short side of the housing 102 to the side wall 102D on the other short side. As shown in FIG. 3, the first stirring chamber 103 is surrounded by the bottom wall 102A, the first partition wall 102B, the side wall 102D, the cover member 115, and the flow path member 102E, and has a circular cross section. There is. In the first stirring chamber 103, a rod-shaped first stirring member 106 is rotatably provided with the direction along the long side direction of the housing 102 as the axial direction. The first stirring member 106 has a shaft portion 106A, a thick shaft portion 106B, and a first blade portion 106C. Details of the first stirring member 106 will be described later. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the bottom surface 103A of the first stirring chamber 103 has a semi-circular curved shape when viewed along the long side direction of the housing 102 (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 3). Is a face.

流路部材１０２Ｅは、ハウジング１０２の長辺方向を長手方向とする長尺な部材であり、第１仕切壁１０２Ｂ、側壁１０２Ｄおよびカバー部材１１５と接触した状態でハウジング１０２に取り付けられている。流路部材１０２Ｅは、ハウジング１０２に取り付けられた状態で第１撹拌部材１０６と対向する面に、湾曲面１０２Ｆが形成されている。この流路部材１０２Ｅの湾曲面１０２Ｆと底面１０３Ａとで、断面円形の流路が形成される。 The flow path member 102E is a long member whose longitudinal direction is the long side direction of the housing 102, and is attached to the housing 102 in contact with the first partition wall 102B, the side wall 102D, and the cover member 115. The flow path member 102E has a curved surface 102F formed on a surface facing the first stirring member 106 in a state of being attached to the housing 102. The curved surface 102F and the bottom surface 103A of the flow path member 102E form a flow path having a circular cross section.

第２撹拌室１０５は、図４に示すように、第１仕切壁１０２Ｂを挟んで第１撹拌室１０３の反対側（図４において下側）に位置する。第２撹拌室１０５は、第１撹拌室１０３と同様に、ハウジング１０２の一方の短辺側の側壁１０２Ｄから他方の短辺側の側壁１０２Ｄまで形成されている。第２撹拌室１０５には、棒状の第２撹拌部材１０８が、ハウジング１０２の長辺方向に沿う方向を軸方向として、回転可能に設けられている。また、ハウジング１０２の内部には、第２撹拌室１０５の一側（図４において下側）に現像ロール１０４が収容される現像室１１１が形成されている。第２撹拌室１０５と現像室１１１とは、仕切部材が無く連続している。 As shown in FIG. 4, the second stirring chamber 105 is located on the opposite side (lower side in FIG. 4) of the first stirring chamber 103 with the first partition wall 102B interposed therebetween. Similar to the first stirring chamber 103, the second stirring chamber 105 is formed from the side wall 102D on one short side of the housing 102 to the side wall 102D on the other short side. In the second stirring chamber 105, a rod-shaped second stirring member 108 is rotatably provided with the direction along the long side direction of the housing 102 as the axial direction. Further, inside the housing 102, a developing chamber 111 in which the developing roll 104 is housed is formed on one side (the lower side in FIG. 4) of the second stirring chamber 105. The second stirring chamber 105 and the developing chamber 111 are continuous without a partition member.

第１仕切壁１０２Ｂは、図４に示すように、両端が開口されている。両端の開口のうち一方（図４において左側に位置する開口）を入口１１６とし、他方（図４において右側に位置する開口）を出口１１８とする。したがって、第１撹拌室１０３と第２撹拌室１０５とは、入口１１６および出口１１８を介してつながっている。ハウジング１０２の内部に収容された現像剤Ｇ（図３参照）は、第１撹拌部材１０６が回転することにより、入口１１６側から出口１１８側（図４において右方向）へ搬送される。また、現像剤Ｇは、第２撹拌部材１０８が回転することにより、出口１１８側から入口１１６側（図４において左方向）へ搬送される。そして、現像剤Ｇは、第１撹拌部材１０６および第２撹拌部材１０８による搬送にしたがって、出口１１８を介して第１撹拌室１０３から第２撹拌室１０５へ移動し、入口１１６を介して第２撹拌室１０５から第１撹拌室１０３へ移動する。これにより、現像剤Ｇは、白抜きの矢印で示すように、図４において時計回り方向に循環する。そして、第２撹拌室１０５内の現像剤Ｇの一部は、現像ロール１０４に供給される。 Both ends of the first partition wall 102B are opened, as shown in FIG. One of the openings at both ends (the opening located on the left side in FIG. 4) is the inlet 116, and the other (the opening located on the right side in FIG. 4) is the outlet 118. Therefore, the first stirring chamber 103 and the second stirring chamber 105 are connected via the inlet 116 and the outlet 118. The developer G (see FIG. 3) contained in the housing 102 is conveyed from the inlet 116 side to the outlet 118 side (right direction in FIG. 4) by the rotation of the first stirring member 106. Further, the developer G is conveyed from the outlet 118 side to the inlet 116 side (leftward in FIG. 4) by the rotation of the second stirring member 108. Then, the developer G moves from the first stirring chamber 103 to the second stirring chamber 105 through the outlet 118 and then to the second stirring chamber 105 through the inlet 116 in accordance with the conveyance by the first stirring member 106 and the second stirring member 108. The stirring chamber 105 moves to the first stirring chamber 103. As a result, the developer G circulates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4, as indicated by the white arrow. Then, a part of the developer G in the second stirring chamber 105 is supplied to the developing roll 104.

現像ロール１０４は、図３に示すように、ハウジング１０２の長辺方向に沿う方向を軸方向として固定されたマグネットロール１０４Ａと、マグネットロール１０４Ａの外側でマグネットロール１０４Ａと同心で回転可能に支持された現像スリーブ１０４Ｂとを有する。マグネットロール１０４Ａは、周方向に沿って、複数の磁極が設けられており、現像剤Ｇを引き付ける、もしくは、退ける磁力を発生する。 As shown in FIG. 3, the developing roll 104 is rotatably supported concentrically with the magnet roll 104A, which is fixed outside the magnet roll 104A with the magnet roll 104A fixed with the direction along the long side direction of the housing 102 as the axial direction. And a developing sleeve 104B. The magnet roll 104A is provided with a plurality of magnetic poles along the circumferential direction and generates a magnetic force that attracts or retracts the developer G.

現像スリーブ１０４Ｂは、現像剤Ｇを外周面に保持し、感光体２２の潜像をトナーＴで現像してトナー像ＴＺを形成するようになっている。なお、図４には、現像ロール１０４の現像剤Ｇが吸着される範囲が二点鎖線で示されている。また、図４には、現像剤Ｇの使用領域Ｋが矢印で示されている。使用領域Ｋとは、現像ロール１０４における現像剤Ｇが保持された領域で、かつ感光体２２（図３参照）の潜像を現像するときに使用される現像剤Ｇの領域を表している。 The developing sleeve 104B holds the developer G on the outer peripheral surface thereof and develops the latent image on the photoconductor 22 with the toner T to form a toner image TZ. Note that, in FIG. 4, a range in which the developer G of the developing roll 104 is adsorbed is shown by a two-dot chain line. Further, in FIG. 4, a usage area K of the developer G is indicated by an arrow. The usage area K is an area in which the developer G is held in the developing roll 104 and represents an area of the developer G used when developing the latent image on the photoconductor 22 (see FIG. 3).

第１撹拌部材１０６および第２撹拌部材１０８について、さらに説明する。
第１撹拌部材１０６は、図４に示すように、ハウジング１０２の長辺方向に沿う方向を軸方向とする円柱状の軸部１０６Ａと、軸部１０６Ａの一部の径を太くして設けられた軸太部１０６Ｂと、軸部１０６Ａおよび軸太部１０６Ｂの外周に形成された螺旋状の第１翼部１０６Ｃとを有する。そして、第１撹拌部材１０６は、自軸中心に回転して現像剤Ｇを撹拌しながら一定方向（図４において白抜きの矢印で示された左から右へ向かう方向）に搬送する。 The first stirring member 106 and the second stirring member 108 will be further described.
As shown in FIG. 4, the first stirring member 106 is provided with a cylindrical shaft portion 106A whose axial direction is along the long side direction of the housing 102, and a portion of the shaft portion 106A having a large diameter. It has a thick shaft portion 106B and a spiral first blade portion 106C formed on the outer circumference of the shaft portion 106A and the thick shaft portion 106B. Then, the first stirring member 106 rotates about its own axis and conveys the developer G in a constant direction (direction from left to right indicated by an outlined arrow in FIG. 4) while stirring the developer G.

軸太部１０６Ｂは、軸部１０６Ａの径方向に張り出された円柱状の部位である。軸太部１０６Ｂの直径は、軸部１０６Ａの直径よりも大きく、かつ第１翼部１０６Ｃの直径よりも小さい。軸太部１０６Ｂが設けられた位置では、軸太部１０６Ｂでない軸部１０６Ａの部分と比較して、第１撹拌室１０３における現像剤Ｇの流路の断面積が小さくなる。そのため、軸太部１０６Ｂに対して現像剤Ｇの搬送方向の上流側において、第１撹拌室１０３内に現像剤Ｇが滞留するようになっている。 The thick shaft portion 106B is a cylindrical portion that projects in the radial direction of the shaft portion 106A. The diameter of the thick shaft portion 106B is larger than the diameter of the shaft portion 106A and smaller than the diameter of the first blade portion 106C. At the position where the thick shaft portion 106B is provided, the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the developer G in the first stirring chamber 103 is smaller than that of the portion of the shaft portion 106A that is not the thick shaft portion 106B. Therefore, the developer G stays in the first stirring chamber 103 on the upstream side of the thick shaft portion 106B in the transport direction of the developer G.

第２撹拌部材１０８は、図４に示すように、ハウジング１０２の長辺方向に沿う方向を軸方向とする円柱状の軸部１０８Ａと、軸部１０８Ａの外周に形成された螺旋状の第２翼部１０８Ｂとを有する。そして、第２撹拌部材１０８は、自軸中心に回転して現像剤Ｇを撹拌しながら、第１撹拌部材１０６による搬送方向とは反対の方向（図４において白抜きの矢印で示された右から左へ向かう方向）に搬送する。 As shown in FIG. 4, the second stirring member 108 has a cylindrical shaft portion 108A whose axial direction is along the long side direction of the housing 102, and a second spiral member formed on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 108A. And a wing portion 108B. The second stirring member 108 rotates about its own axis to stir the developer G, and in the opposite direction to the conveying direction of the first stirring member 106 (the right side indicated by an outlined arrow in FIG. 4). To the left).

第２撹拌部材１０８における第２翼部１０８Ｂの間隔と、第１撹拌部材１０６における第１翼部１０６Ｃの間隔とは同程度である。したがって、第１撹拌部材１０６による現像剤Ｇの搬送速度と第２撹拌部材１０８による現像剤Ｇの搬送速度は同程度である。 The distance between the second blade portions 108B of the second stirring member 108 and the distance between the first blade portions 106C of the first stirring member 106 are approximately the same. Therefore, the conveyance speed of the developer G by the first stirring member 106 and the conveyance speed of the developer G by the second stirring member 108 are substantially the same.

＜現像剤の循環＞
ここで、現像装置１００の内部における現像剤Ｇの循環（流れ）について説明する。
図４に示すように、駆動部７０により第１撹拌部材１０６および第２撹拌部材１０８が回転されると、第１撹拌室１０３内の現像剤Ｇは、第１撹拌部材１０６により図示の白抜きの矢印方向（図４において右方向）に搬送される。このとき、現像剤Ｇ中のトナーＴとキャリアＣとが撹拌される。そして、第１撹拌室１０３内の下流側端部に到達した現像剤Ｇは、出口１１８を通って第２撹拌室１０５内へ流入する。 <Developer circulation>
Here, the circulation of the developer G inside the developing device 100 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 4, when the first stirring member 106 and the second stirring member 108 are rotated by the driving unit 70, the developer G in the first stirring chamber 103 is not colored by the first stirring member 106. Are conveyed in the arrow direction (rightward in FIG. 4). At this time, the toner T and the carrier C in the developer G are agitated. Then, the developer G that has reached the downstream end portion in the first stirring chamber 103 flows into the second stirring chamber 105 through the outlet 118.

第２撹拌室１０５内へ流入した現像剤Ｇは、第２撹拌部材１０８により図示の白抜きの矢印方向（図４において左方向）に搬送される。これにより、現像剤Ｇは、トナーＴとキャリアＣとが撹拌されつつ使用領域Ｋに搬送される。使用領域Ｋでは、搬送中の現像剤Ｇの一部が、現像ロール１０４に供給され、磁力により現像ロール１０４の外周面に保持される。現像ロール１０４に保持されなかった現像剤Ｇは、第２撹拌室１０５内の下流側端部に到達し、入口１１６を通って第１撹拌室１０３内へ流入する。このようにして、現像剤Ｇは、第１撹拌室１０３内および第２撹拌室１０５内を循環する。 The developer G that has flowed into the second agitating chamber 105 is conveyed by the second agitating member 108 in the direction of the outlined arrow (leftward in FIG. 4). As a result, the developer G is conveyed to the usage area K while the toner T and the carrier C are being stirred. In the usage area K, a part of the developer G being conveyed is supplied to the developing roll 104 and is held on the outer peripheral surface of the developing roll 104 by magnetic force. The developer G not retained by the developing roll 104 reaches the downstream end of the second stirring chamber 105 and flows into the first stirring chamber 103 through the inlet 116. In this way, the developer G circulates in the first stirring chamber 103 and the second stirring chamber 105.

ここで、第１撹拌室１０３内における軸太部１０６Ｂの周囲では、現像剤Ｇが通過可能な流路断面積が、軸太部１０６Ｂが形成されていない部位に比べて小さい。このため、軸太部１０６Ｂ付近でかつ軸太部１０６Ｂよりも上流側の位置では、現像剤Ｇが滞留し、第１撹拌室１０３内に現像剤Ｇが満ちた状態となる。 Here, in the periphery of the thick shaft portion 106B in the first stirring chamber 103, the flow passage cross-sectional area through which the developer G can pass is smaller than in a portion where the thick shaft portion 106B is not formed. Therefore, at a position near the thick shaft portion 106B and on the upstream side of the thick shaft portion 106B, the developer G stays, and the first stirring chamber 103 is filled with the developer G.

軸太部１０６Ｂよりも上流側で第１撹拌室１０３内に現像剤Ｇが満ちた状態となることで、第１撹拌室１０３内における軸太部１０６Ｂの周囲での現像剤Ｇの量が変化することが抑制される。これにより、第１撹拌部材１０６が単位時間当たりに搬送方向に搬送する現像剤Ｇの体積が一定に近い状態となる。さらに、軸太部１０６Ｂの周囲では、現像剤Ｇが圧縮された状態で搬送されるので、現像剤Ｇに作用する抵抗力が一定に近い状態となる。 The amount of the developer G around the thick shaft portion 106B in the first stirring chamber 103 changes because the developer G is filled in the first stirring chamber 103 on the upstream side of the thick shaft portion 106B. Is suppressed. As a result, the volume of the developer G that the first agitating member 106 conveys in the conveying direction per unit time is close to a constant volume. Further, since the developer G is conveyed in a compressed state around the thick shaft portion 106B, the resistance force acting on the developer G becomes nearly constant.

このように、現像装置１００では、軸太部１０６Ｂにより、現像剤Ｇを搬送する搬送力および現像剤Ｇに作用する抵抗力が一定に近い状態となるため、軸太部１０６Ｂよりも下流側へ搬送される現像剤Ｇの搬送量の変動が抑制される。また、図４に示す例では、第１撹拌室１０３内の中央付近に軸太部１０６Ｂが配置されている。このため、軸太部１０６Ｂが第１撹拌室１０３の下流側端部付近に配置される場合に比べて、軸太部１０６Ｂよりも下流側で現像剤Ｇの搬送量の変動が抑制される搬送経路が長くなる。これにより、トナーＴの帯電量が必要とされる帯電量よりも低下することが抑制される。 As described above, in the developing device 100, the shaft thick portion 106B brings the transporting force for transporting the developer G and the resistance force acting on the developer G to a substantially constant state. Fluctuations in the transport amount of the transported developer G are suppressed. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 4, a thick shaft portion 106B is arranged near the center of the first stirring chamber 103. Therefore, compared to the case where the thick shaft portion 106B is disposed near the downstream end of the first stirring chamber 103, the conveyance in which the variation in the amount of the developer G conveyed is suppressed on the downstream side of the thick shaft portion 106B. The route becomes longer. As a result, it is possible to prevent the charge amount of the toner T from lowering than the required charge amount.

＜収容容器および搬送路の構成＞
図５は、収容容器２００の断面図である。
収容容器２００は、画像形成装置１０の筐体１１に対して着脱可能に設けられる。図５に示すように、収容容器２００は、画像形成装置１０に対して着脱可能な収容筒２１０と、収容筒２１０内に設けられる搬送部材２３０とを備える。収容筒２１０は、収容部の一例であり、内部に粉状物であるトナーＴ（不図示）を収容して両端が塞がれた円筒で、一端（図示の例では左端）側の側面に内部のトナーＴを排出する排出口２２０が設けられている。排出口２２０には、トナーＴの排出を調整するための蓋部２２１が設けられている。搬送部材２３０は、収容容器２００の収容筒２１０内に、収容筒２１０の長手方向に沿う方向を軸方向として、回転可能に設けられている。詳しくは後述するが、搬送部材２３０が回転することにより、収容筒２１０内に収容されたトナーＴが排出口２２０へ向けて（図示の矢印の方向へ）搬送される。したがって、収容容器２００は、搬送装置の一例でもある。 <Constitution of storage container and transport path>
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the storage container 200.
The storage container 200 is provided so as to be attachable to and detachable from the housing 11 of the image forming apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 5, the storage container 200 includes a storage cylinder 210 that is attachable to and detachable from the image forming apparatus 10, and a transport member 230 provided in the storage cylinder 210. The storage cylinder 210 is an example of a storage unit, and is a cylinder in which toner T (not shown), which is a powdery substance, is stored inside and both ends thereof are closed. A discharge port 220 for discharging the toner T inside is provided. The discharge port 220 is provided with a lid 221 for adjusting the discharge of the toner T. The transport member 230 is rotatably provided inside the housing cylinder 210 of the housing container 200 with the direction along the longitudinal direction of the housing cylinder 210 as the axial direction. As will be described later in detail, as the transport member 230 rotates, the toner T stored in the storage cylinder 210 is transported toward the discharge port 220 (in the direction of the arrow in the figure). Therefore, the storage container 200 is also an example of a transport device.

図６は、搬送路３００の断面図である。
搬送路３００は、搬送装置の一例であり、収容容器２００から現像装置１００へ供給されるトナーＴを搬送する。搬送路３００は、両端が塞がれた円筒の搬送筒３１０と、搬送筒３１０内に設けられる搬送部材１１２とを備える。搬送筒３１０は、収容容器２００から排出されたトナーＴを一時的に収容する収容部の一例であり、一端（図示の例では左端）側の側面にトナーＴ（不図示）を受け入れる流入口３３０が設けられ、他端（図示の例では右端）側の側面にトナーＴを排出する排出口３４０が設けられている。排出口３４０には、トナーＴの排出を調整するための蓋部３４１が設けられている。搬送部材１１２は、搬送路３００の搬送筒３１０内に、搬送筒３１０の長手方向に沿う方向を軸方向として、回転可能に設けられている。詳しくは後述するが、搬送部材１１２が回転することにより、搬送路３００内に流入したトナーＴが排出口３４０へ向けて（図示の矢印の方向へ）搬送される。 FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the transport path 300.
The transport path 300 is an example of a transport device, and transports the toner T supplied from the container 200 to the developing device 100. The transport path 300 includes a cylindrical transport cylinder 310 whose both ends are closed, and a transport member 112 provided in the transport cylinder 310. The transport cylinder 310 is an example of a storage unit that temporarily stores the toner T discharged from the storage container 200, and an inlet 330 that receives the toner T (not shown) on the side surface on one end side (the left end in the illustrated example). And a discharge port 340 for discharging the toner T is provided on the side surface on the other end (right end in the illustrated example) side. The discharge port 340 is provided with a lid 341 for adjusting the discharge of the toner T. The transport member 112 is rotatably provided inside the transport cylinder 310 of the transport path 300 with the direction along the longitudinal direction of the transport cylinder 310 as the axial direction. As will be described in detail later, as the transport member 112 rotates, the toner T that has flowed into the transport path 300 is transported toward the discharge port 340 (in the direction of the arrow in the figure).

図３に示したように、収容容器２００の排出口２２０と搬送路３００の流入口３３０とは接続されている。また、搬送路３００の排出口３４０は、現像装置１００の開口部１１９に接続されている。したがって、収容容器２００に収容されているトナーＴは、まず、収容容器２００の内部を搬送されて収容容器２００の排出口２２０から搬送路３００の流入口３３０を介して搬送路３００内へ流入し収容される。そして、搬送路３００内に収容されたトナーＴは、搬送路３００内を搬送されて、搬送路３００の排出口３４０から開口部１１９を介して現像装置１００の第１撹拌室１０３へ供給される。 As shown in FIG. 3, the discharge port 220 of the storage container 200 and the inflow port 330 of the transport path 300 are connected. Further, the discharge port 340 of the transport path 300 is connected to the opening 119 of the developing device 100. Therefore, the toner T stored in the storage container 200 is first transported inside the storage container 200 and flows into the transport path 300 from the discharge port 220 of the storage container 200 via the inflow port 330 of the transport path 300. Be accommodated. Then, the toner T stored in the transport path 300 is transported in the transport path 300, and is supplied from the discharge port 340 of the transport path 300 to the first stirring chamber 103 of the developing device 100 through the opening 119. ..

搬送路３００の排出口３４０に設けられた蓋部３４１は、現像装置１００の第１撹拌室１０３および第２撹拌室１０５に収容されている現像剤Ｇの嵩の変動量（現像剤Ｇに含まれるトナー量（トナー濃度）の変化）に応じて自律的に開閉する。具体的には、例えば、トナー濃度が低下すると、トナーＴを補充する必要があるので、搬送路３００の排出口３４０の蓋部３４１が開いて搬送路３００から現像装置１００へトナーＴが供給される。収容容器２００の排出口２２０に設けられた蓋部２２１は、搬送路３００内のトナーＴの嵩の変動量に応じて自律的に開閉する。具体的には、例えば、搬送路３００内のトナーＴが現像装置１００へ供給されて、予め定められた閾値よりも少なくなると、蓋部２２１が開いて収容容器２００から搬送路３００へトナーＴが流入する。蓋部３４１、２２１の自律的に開閉する仕組みに関しては、既存の種々の構成を適用して良い。 The lid portion 341 provided at the discharge port 340 of the transport path 300 has a variation amount of the bulk of the developer G stored in the first stirring chamber 103 and the second stirring chamber 105 of the developing device 100 (included in the developer G). Open and close according to the amount of toner (change in toner concentration). Specifically, for example, when the toner concentration decreases, the toner T needs to be replenished, so the lid 341 of the discharge port 340 of the transport path 300 is opened and the toner T is supplied from the transport path 300 to the developing device 100. It The lid portion 221 provided at the discharge port 220 of the storage container 200 autonomously opens and closes according to the variation amount of the bulk of the toner T in the transport path 300. Specifically, for example, when the toner T in the transport path 300 is supplied to the developing device 100 and becomes less than a predetermined threshold value, the lid 221 is opened and the toner T is transferred from the storage container 200 to the transport path 300. Inflow. Various existing configurations may be applied to the mechanism for opening and closing the lids 341 and 221 autonomously.

＜駆動制御部および駆動部＞
図２および図４に示すように、速度切替部１１０は、駆動制御部６０と、駆動制御部６０により動作が制御される駆動部７０とを有する。この駆動制御部６０は図１に示した制御部５０に含まれる。駆動部７０は、図示しないモータおよびギヤを有しており、第１撹拌部材１０６、第２撹拌部材１０８、現像ロール１０４、搬送部材２３０および搬送部材１１２を回転駆動する。 <Drive control unit and drive unit>
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the speed switching unit 110 includes a drive control unit 60 and a drive unit 70 whose operation is controlled by the drive control unit 60. The drive control unit 60 is included in the control unit 50 shown in FIG. The drive unit 70 has a motor and a gear (not shown), and rotationally drives the first stirring member 106, the second stirring member 108, the developing roller 104, the transport member 230, and the transport member 112.

駆動制御部６０は、現像ロール１０４、搬送部材２３０および搬送部材１１２が、それぞれに設定された回転速度で回転するように制御を行う。また、駆動制御部６０は、制御部５０の制御により、画像形成装置１０（図１参照）において、画像形成速度（トナー像ＴＺ（図１参照）が形成される用紙Ｐの搬送速度）が変更された場合に、第１撹拌部材１０６および第２撹拌部材１０８の回転速度を変更する制御を行う。なお、画像形成装置１０の画像形成速度には、基準となる速度（例えば、通常動作時の速度）が設定されており、このときの第１撹拌部材１０６および第２撹拌部材１０８の回転速度が基準となる回転速度とする。画像形成装置１０において、現像剤Ｇ中のトナーＴの比率（トナー濃度）が低下して、トナー像ＴＺの濃度（画像濃度）が低下すると、画像形成速度を増加する制御が行われる。 The drive control unit 60 controls the developing roll 104, the transport member 230, and the transport member 112 to rotate at the rotation speeds set for them. Further, the drive control unit 60 changes the image forming speed (conveying speed of the paper P on which the toner image TZ (see FIG. 1) is formed) in the image forming apparatus 10 (see FIG. 1) under the control of the control unit 50. In such a case, control is performed to change the rotation speeds of the first stirring member 106 and the second stirring member 108. The image forming speed of the image forming apparatus 10 is set to a reference speed (for example, speed during normal operation), and the rotation speeds of the first stirring member 106 and the second stirring member 108 at this time are set. Use the standard rotation speed. In the image forming apparatus 10, when the ratio of the toner T in the developer G (toner density) decreases and the density of the toner image TZ (image density) decreases, control for increasing the image forming speed is performed.

本実施形態では、収容容器２００の搬送部材２３０および搬送路３００の搬送部材１１２を回転させるための独立した駆動手段を備えず、現像装置１００の駆動源である駆動部７０を共用して駆動される。そのため、本実施形態において、搬送部材２３０、１１２は、常時駆動される。
一方、搬送路３００の排出口３４０の蓋部３４１は、現像装置１００内のトナーＴの量が減少してトナーＴの補充を要するときに開放され、トナーＴの量が補充を要しないときは閉鎖されている。また、収容容器２００の排出口２２０の蓋部２２１は、搬送路３００内のトナーＴの量が減少してトナーＴの補充を要するときに開放され、トナーＴの量が補充を要しないときは閉鎖されている。したがって、本実施形態において、搬送部材２３０、１１２は、排出口２２０、３４０の蓋部２２１、３４１が閉じているときにも動作し続けることになる。 In the present embodiment, an independent drive unit for rotating the transport member 230 of the container 200 and the transport member 112 of the transport path 300 is not provided, and the drive unit 70 that is the drive source of the developing device 100 is shared and driven. It Therefore, in this embodiment, the transport members 230 and 112 are always driven.
On the other hand, the lid portion 341 of the discharge port 340 of the transport path 300 is opened when the amount of the toner T in the developing device 100 decreases and the toner T needs to be replenished, and when the amount of the toner T does not need to be replenished. It is closed. Further, the lid portion 221 of the discharge port 220 of the container 200 is opened when the amount of the toner T in the transport path 300 is reduced and the toner T needs to be replenished, and when the amount of the toner T is not required. It is closed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the transport members 230 and 112 continue to operate even when the lids 221 and 341 of the discharge ports 220 and 340 are closed.

ここで、収容容器２００の排出口２２０の蓋部２２１が閉じているにも関わらず搬送部材２３０がトナーＴを排出口２２０へ向けて搬送し続けると、収容容器２００の排出口２２０付近にトナーＴが滞留し、圧力が高まっていく。そして、排出口２２０付近において、トナーＴが押し固められて収容筒２１０内に固着し、排出口２２０から排出され難くなったり、搬送部材２３０を駆動するギヤを歯飛びさせたり、蓋部２２１を突き破ってしまったりする恐れがある。同様に、搬送路３００の排出口３４０の蓋部３４１が閉じているにも関わらず搬送部材１１２がトナーＴを排出口３４０へ向けて搬送し続けると、搬送路３００の排出口３４０付近にトナーＴが滞留し、圧力が高まっていく。そして、排出口３４０付近において、トナーＴが押し固められて搬送路３００内に固着し、排出口３４０から排出され難くなったり、搬送部材１１２を駆動するギヤを歯飛びさせたり、蓋部３４１を突き破ってしまったりする恐れがある。 Here, when the transport member 230 continues to transport the toner T toward the discharge port 220 even though the lid 221 of the discharge port 220 of the storage container 200 is closed, the toner is discharged near the discharge port 220 of the storage container 200. T accumulates and the pressure rises. Then, in the vicinity of the discharge port 220, the toner T is pressed and solidified and fixed in the containing cylinder 210, and it is difficult to discharge the toner T from the discharge port 220, the gear for driving the conveying member 230 jumps, and the lid portion 221 is removed. There is a risk of breaking through. Similarly, when the transport member 112 continues to transport the toner T toward the discharge port 340 even though the lid 341 of the discharge port 340 of the transport path 300 is closed, the toner is discharged near the discharge port 340 of the transport path 300. T accumulates and the pressure rises. Then, in the vicinity of the discharge port 340, the toner T is pressed and solidified and fixed in the transport path 300, and it is difficult to discharge the toner T from the discharge port 340, the gear that drives the transport member 112 jumps, and the lid 341 is removed. There is a risk of breaking through.

＜搬送部材の構成＞
次に、収容容器２００の搬送部材２３０および搬送路３００の搬送部材１１２の構成を説明する。本実施形態の搬送部材２３０、１１２は、上記のように蓋部２２１、３４１が閉じているときに動作し続けても、排出口２２０、３４０付近でのトナーＴの圧力が高まることを抑制するように構成される。なお、本実施形態において、収容容器２００の搬送部材２３０と搬送路３００の搬送部材１１２とは同様に構成される。そこで、以下では、搬送路３００の搬送部材１１２の構成についてのみ説明する。 <Structure of transport member>
Next, the configurations of the transport member 230 of the container 200 and the transport member 112 of the transport path 300 will be described. Even if the transport members 230 and 112 of the present embodiment continue to operate when the lids 221 and 341 are closed as described above, the pressure of the toner T near the discharge ports 220 and 340 is prevented from increasing. Is configured as follows. In addition, in the present embodiment, the transport member 230 of the container 200 and the transport member 112 of the transport path 300 have the same configuration. Therefore, hereinafter, only the configuration of the transport member 112 of the transport path 300 will be described.

搬送部材１１２は、収容容器２００の収容筒２１０内に、収容筒２１０の長手方向に沿う方向を軸方向として、回転可能に設けられている。この搬送部材１１２は、図６に示すように、円柱状の回転軸１１２Ａと、回転軸１１２Ａの外周に設けられた複数の板状の翼片１１２Ｂとを有する。翼片１１２Ｂは、回転軸１１２Ａの回転に伴って回転軸の周りに回転しながらトナーＴに接触して搬送方向へ移動させるための作用面１１２Ｃを有し、この作用面１１２Ｃを回転軸１１２Ａに対して特定の角度をつけるようにして設けられている。そのため、翼片１１２Ｂは、回転軸１１２Ａの回転に伴って、トナーＴを搬送路３００の流入口３３０側から排出口３４０側へ（図６において左方から右方へ）搬送する。これによって、トナーＴは、流入口３３０から搬送路３００内へ入り、搬送部材１１２により搬送された後、排出口３４０から搬送路３００の外へ排出され、現像装置１００の第１撹拌室１０３へ供給される。 The transport member 112 is rotatably provided in the storage cylinder 210 of the storage container 200 with the direction along the longitudinal direction of the storage cylinder 210 as the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 6, the conveying member 112 has a cylindrical rotating shaft 112A and a plurality of plate-shaped blades 112B provided on the outer periphery of the rotating shaft 112A. The blade 112B has an action surface 112C for contacting the toner T and moving it in the transport direction while rotating around the rotation axis along with the rotation of the rotation axis 112A. It is provided so as to have a specific angle. Therefore, the blade 112B conveys the toner T from the inflow port 330 side of the conveyance path 300 to the discharge port 340 side (from left to right in FIG. 6) with the rotation of the rotating shaft 112A. As a result, the toner T enters the conveyance path 300 through the inflow port 330, is conveyed by the conveyance member 112, and is then discharged from the conveyance path 300 through the discharge port 340 to the first stirring chamber 103 of the developing device 100. Supplied.

搬送部材１１２の構成について、さらに詳細に説明する。
図６に示したように、搬送部材１１２において翼片１１２Ｂは、回転軸１１２Ａに対して複数設けられている。図６に示す例において、各翼片１１２Ｂは、同一形状であり、回転軸１１２Ａ上で等間隔かつ平行に並んでいる。 The configuration of the transport member 112 will be described in more detail.
As shown in FIG. 6, in the transport member 112, a plurality of blades 112B are provided with respect to the rotating shaft 112A. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the blades 112B have the same shape and are arranged in parallel at equal intervals on the rotating shaft 112A.

図７は、搬送部材１１２を回転軸１１２Ａの一端側から軸方向に沿って見た図である。
図７に示すように、翼片１１２Ｂは、回転軸１１２Ａの一端側から軸方向に沿って見た（投影した）ときに、回転軸１１２Ａと同心の円として想定される円Ｏの一部に、輪郭が重なる形状である。言い換えれば、回転軸１１２Ａに沿う方向に投影された翼片１１２Ｂの形状は、円Ｏの円周の一部に対応する曲線部分ＣＬと、円Ｏの半径に対応する２本の直線部分ＳＬとを含む輪郭を有している。図７に示す例においては、直線部分ＳＬの間の角度は１８０°であり、回転軸１１２Ａに沿う方向に投影された翼片１１２Ｂの形状は、半円形となっている。 FIG. 7 is a diagram of the transport member 112 viewed from one end side of the rotating shaft 112A in the axial direction.
As shown in FIG. 7, the winglet 112B forms a part of a circle O that is assumed as a circle concentric with the rotating shaft 112A when viewed (projected) along the axial direction from one end side of the rotating shaft 112A. , The contours overlap. In other words, the shape of the wing piece 112B projected in the direction along the rotation axis 112A includes a curved portion CL corresponding to a part of the circumference of the circle O and two straight line portions SL corresponding to the radius of the circle O. Has a contour including. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the angle between the straight line portions SL is 180°, and the shape of the blade 112B projected in the direction along the rotation axis 112A is semicircular.

また、各翼片１１２Ｂは、回転軸１１２Ａの一端側から軸方向に沿って見たときに、円Ｏの一部に翼片１１２Ｂが一つも存在しない箇所があるように（すなわち、回転軸１１２Ａの軸方向に沿って、一端側から他端側まで見通せる（貫く）隙間があるように）配置される。このように、翼片１１２Ｂが一つも存在しない箇所があることにより、搬送路３００の排出口３４０側の端部で搬送されてきたトナーＴが滞留した場合、トナーＴが搬送方向の反対方向へ押し戻される（逃げる）余地ができる。そのため、搬送路３００の排出口３４０が閉じられている状態で搬送部材１１２が駆動されても、トナーＴが次々と搬送されて搬送筒３１０の排出口３４０側の端部で押し固められてしまうことを抑制することができる。図７に示す例において、各翼片１１２Ｂは、回転軸１１２Ａの一端側から軸方向に沿って見たときに、各々の作用面１１２Ｃが重なり合うように配置されている。したがって、図７に示す例では、回転軸１１２Ａの一端側から軸方向に沿って見たときに、翼片１１２Ｂは、円Ｏの一部である半円部分（図において左側半分）のみに位置しており、残りの半円部分（図において破線で表示）には存在していない。 In addition, each wing piece 112B has a portion where there is no wing piece 112B in a part of the circle O when viewed along the axial direction from one end side of the rotary shaft 112A (that is, the rotary shaft 112A). Are arranged along the axial direction of (1) so that there is a gap that can be seen (penetrated) from one end side to the other end side. In this way, when the toner T transported at the end of the transport path 300 on the side of the discharge port 340 stays due to the fact that there is no wing piece 112B at all, the toner T moves in the direction opposite to the transport direction. There is room to be pushed back (escape). Therefore, even if the transport member 112 is driven in a state where the discharge port 340 of the transport path 300 is closed, the toner T is sequentially transported and is pressed and solidified at the end of the transport cylinder 310 on the discharge port 340 side. Can be suppressed. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the blades 112B are arranged such that the action surfaces 112C of the blades 112B overlap each other when viewed in the axial direction from one end of the rotating shaft 112A. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 7, when viewed along the axial direction from the one end side of the rotating shaft 112A, the wing piece 112B is located only in the semicircular portion (left half in the figure) that is a part of the circle O. However, it does not exist in the remaining semicircular portion (indicated by a broken line in the figure).

ここで、円Ｏの直径は、搬送路３００における搬送筒３１０（円筒）の内径と同程度とする。したがって、搬送部材１１２が搬送筒３１０に収められた状態で、翼片１１２Ｂの曲線部分ＣＬ（円Ｏに重なる円弧形状の輪郭部分）をなす縁が搬送筒３１０の内面に近接する。これにより、搬送部材１１２が回転軸１１２Ａを軸として回転すると、翼片１１２Ｂが搬送筒３１０の内面付近のトナーＴにまで接触するため、搬送漏れが抑制される。 Here, the diameter of the circle O is about the same as the inner diameter of the transport cylinder 310 (cylinder) in the transport path 300. Therefore, in the state where the transport member 112 is housed in the transport cylinder 310, the edge of the curved portion CL of the blade 112B (the arc-shaped contour portion overlapping the circle O) approaches the inner surface of the transport cylinder 310. As a result, when the transport member 112 rotates about the rotary shaft 112A, the blade 112B comes into contact with the toner T near the inner surface of the transport cylinder 310, so that transport leakage is suppressed.

図８は、搬送部材１１２を図７の矢印Ａの方向に見た状態を拡大して示す図である。
図８に示すように、翼片１１２Ｂは、直線部分ＳＬ（図７参照）が回転軸１１２Ａの軸方向に対して０度から９０度の間の角度θ１を有するように設けられている（０°＜θ１＜９０°）。これは、角度θ１が０度（θ１＝０°）の場合と、角度θ１が９０度（θ１＝９０°）の場合には、回転軸１１２Ａを軸として搬送部材１１２を回転させてもトナーＴが搬送されないためである。すなわち、角度θ１が０度（θ１＝０°）の場合、回転軸１１２Ａを軸として搬送部材１１２を回転させても翼片１１２ＢはトナーＴを円周方向に沿って掃くだけであり、回転軸１１２Ａに沿う方向へ搬送しない。また、角度θ１が９０度（θ１＝９０°）の場合、翼片１１２Ｂの作用面１１２Ｃが回転軸１１２Ａの回転方向と平行になるため、トナーＴに対して回転軸１１２Ａに沿う方向の推力を与えられない。 FIG. 8 is an enlarged view showing the state where the transport member 112 is viewed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 7.
As shown in FIG. 8, the winglet 112B is provided so that the straight line portion SL (see FIG. 7) has an angle θ1 between 0° and 90° with respect to the axial direction of the rotating shaft 112A (0. °<θ1<90°). This is because when the angle θ1 is 0 degrees (θ1=0°) and when the angle θ1 is 90 degrees (θ1=90°), the toner T is rotated even if the transport member 112 is rotated about the rotation shaft 112A. Is not transported. That is, when the angle θ1 is 0 degree (θ1=0°), even if the transport member 112 is rotated about the rotation axis 112A, the blade 112B only sweeps the toner T along the circumferential direction, and the rotation axis Do not convey in the direction along 112A. When the angle θ1 is 90 degrees (θ1=90°), the acting surface 112C of the blade 112B becomes parallel to the rotating direction of the rotating shaft 112A, so that the thrust in the direction along the rotating shaft 112A is applied to the toner T. Not given

また、図８に示すように、各翼片１１２Ｂの間の間隔（ピッチ）ｐ１は、各翼片１１２Ｂの直線部分ＳＬが回転軸１１２Ａに対して角度θ１を有することによって、回転軸１１２Ａに沿う方向で一部が重なり合う程度の間隔である。図８に示す例において、一つの翼片１１２Ｂは、回転軸１１２Ａに沿う方向の長さｄ１の分だけ、隣り合う他の翼片１１２Ｂと重なっている。本実施形態の搬送部材１１２は、後述するように、回転軸１１２Ａが回転することにより、複数の翼片１１２Ｂが次々とトナーＴを回転軸１１２Ａに沿った搬送方向へ押し出すことによりトナーＴを搬送する。そのため、搬送方向において翼片１１２Ｂどうしの間に隙間があると、この隙間にトナーＴが滞留してしまう。これを抑制するために、本実施形態では、隣り合う翼片１１２Ｂの一部が重なり合うように、各翼片１１２Ｂが配置されている。 Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the interval (pitch) p1 between the blades 112B is along the rotation axis 112A because the straight line portion SL of each blade 112B forms an angle θ1 with the rotation axis 112A. The distance is such that the parts overlap in the direction. In the example shown in FIG. 8, one blade piece 112B overlaps another adjacent blade piece 112B by the length d1 in the direction along the rotation axis 112A. As will be described later, the transport member 112 of the present exemplary embodiment transports the toner T by rotating the rotary shaft 112A so that the plurality of blades 112B successively push out the toner T in the transport direction along the rotary shaft 112A. To do. Therefore, if there is a gap between the blades 112B in the transport direction, the toner T will stay in this gap. In order to suppress this, in the present embodiment, each blade 112B is arranged so that adjacent blades 112B partially overlap each other.

図９は、搬送部材１１２を図７の矢印Ｂの方向に見た状態を拡大して示す図である。
図９に示すように、翼片１１２Ｂは、回転軸１１２Ａに対し、トナーＴの搬送方向の逆方向へ倒れるように、０度から９０度の間の角度θ２で傾けて設けられている（０°＜θ２＜９０°）。これは、翼片１１２Ｂが回転軸１１２Ａに対してトナーＴの搬送方向へ傾くように（すなわち、角度θ２＞９０°）設けられると、翼片１１２Ｂの作用面１１２Ｃと回転軸１１２Ａとの間の角度が鋭角になるため、トナーＴを搬送する際に、作用面１１２Ｃと回転軸１１２Ａとの間にトナーＴが挟まり、作用面１１２Ｃ上をすべりにくくなるため、搬送効率を低下させてしまう可能性が生じるためである。なお、角度θ２が０度の場合は、翼片１１２Ｂの作用面１１２Ｃが回転軸１１２Ａに対して立上らないため、トナーＴを搬送することができない。 FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the state where the transport member 112 is viewed in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 7.
As shown in FIG. 9, the blade 112B is inclined with respect to the rotating shaft 112A at an angle θ2 between 0° and 90° so as to tilt in the opposite direction of the toner T transport direction (0). °<θ2<90°). This is because when the blade 112B is provided so as to be inclined with respect to the rotating shaft 112A in the conveying direction of the toner T (that is, the angle θ2>90°), the acting surface 112C of the blade 112B and the rotating shaft 112A are separated from each other. Since the angle becomes an acute angle, when the toner T is transported, the toner T is sandwiched between the working surface 112C and the rotating shaft 112A, and it becomes difficult for the toner T to slip on the working surface 112C, which may reduce the transport efficiency. Is caused. When the angle θ2 is 0 degree, the working surface 112C of the blade 112B does not rise with respect to the rotating shaft 112A, so that the toner T cannot be conveyed.

＜搬送部材によるトナーの搬送＞
図１０−１および図１０−２は、搬送部材１１２が回転軸１１２Ａの周りに回転することによりトナーＴを搬送する様子を示す図である。
図１０−１（Ａ）に示す状態において、搬送部材１１２における搬送方向（図示の白抜きの矢印方向）の先頭の翼片１１２Ｂ（図１０−１及び図１０−２において、左端の翼片１１２Ｂ）に対応する位置にトナーＴが存在している。なお、図１０−１および図１０−２では、搬送筒３１０は省略されているが、トナーＴは、図１０−１（Ａ）において搬送筒３１０内の底に堆積している状態である。 <Conveying toner by the conveying member>
FIGS. 10-1 and 10-2 are diagrams showing a state where the conveying member 112 conveys the toner T by rotating around the rotating shaft 112A.
In the state shown in FIG. 10-1(A), the leading blade piece 112B (the left end blade piece 112B in FIGS. 10-1 and 10-2) of the conveying member 112 in the conveying direction (the direction of the outlined arrow in the figure). The toner T is present at a position corresponding to (). 10A and 10B, the transport cylinder 310 is omitted, but the toner T is in a state of being deposited on the bottom inside the transport cylinder 310 in FIG. 10A.

図１０−１（Ａ）に示す状態から回転軸１１２Ａが回転すると、これに伴って翼片１１２Ｂが回転軸１１２Ａの周りを移動し、図１０−１（Ａ）〜（Ｄ）に示すように、翼片１１２Ｂが回転軸１１２Ａの下側を移動する際に、作用面１１２ＣがトナーＴを押す。さらに回転軸１１２Ａが回転すると、図１０−１（Ｅ）に示すように、翼片１１２Ｂの作用面１１２ＣがトナーＴを救い上げようとする。しかし、翼片１１２Ｂが回転軸１１２Ａに対して角度θ１、θ２を有していることにより、図１０−２（Ｆ）〜（Ｉ）に示すように、トナーＴは作用面１１２Ｃ上を滑り、搬送方向前方へ落ちていく。これにより、トナーＴは、図１０−１（Ａ）に示した位置から図１０−２（Ｉ）に示した位置へ移動する。図１０−１、２に示す例では、搬送部材１１２が１回転する間にトナーＴが移動する様子を示したが、搬送部材１１２が継続的に回転することにより、搬送方向前方に位置する翼片１１２Ｂが次々とトナーＴを搬送方向に沿って移動させていく。 When the rotating shaft 112A rotates from the state shown in FIG. 10-1(A), the wing piece 112B moves around the rotating shaft 112A along with this, and as shown in FIGS. 10-1(A) to (D). The working surface 112C pushes the toner T when the blade 112B moves below the rotating shaft 112A. When the rotating shaft 112A further rotates, the working surface 112C of the blade 112B tries to rescue the toner T, as shown in FIG. 10-1(E). However, since the blade 112B has the angles θ1 and θ2 with respect to the rotating shaft 112A, the toner T slips on the action surface 112C as shown in FIGS. 10-2(F) to (I). Drops forward in the transport direction. As a result, the toner T moves from the position shown in FIG. 10-1(A) to the position shown in FIG. 10-2(I). In the examples shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the toner T moves while the transport member 112 makes one rotation. However, the continuous rotation of the transport member 112 causes the blades located at the front in the transport direction. The piece 112B successively moves the toner T along the transport direction.

＜搬送部材の変形例＞
図６〜図１０−２を参照して説明した本実施形態に係る搬送部材１１２において、翼片１１２Ｂの輪郭形状のうち、２つの直線部分ＳＬの間の角度を１８０°とした。これに対し、２つの直線部分ＳＬの間の角度を１８０°より小さくしても良いし、反対に１８０°より大きくしても良い。いずれの場合でも、回転軸１１２Ａを回転させることによりトナーＴを搬送することが可能である。ただし、搬送部材１１２は、上記のように、回転軸１１２Ａの周りに翼片１１２Ｂを回転させることにより、翼片１１２Ｂの作用面１１２ＣによりトナーＴを押し運ぶ。したがって、作用面１１２Ｃの面積が広いほど、１回転の間に運ぶトナーＴの量が多くなる。しかし、直線部分ＳＬの間の角度が１８０°を超えると、搬送方向後方の翼片１１２Ｂにより運ばれたトナーＴの一部が搬送方向前方の翼片１１２Ｂの裏側に当たってしまい、搬送方向の反対方向へ戻されることが起こり得る。そのため、図７に示したように、２つの直線部分ＳＬの間の角度を１８０°とした形状（半円形）の翼片１１２Ｂが、最も搬送効率が良い。 <Modified example of transport member>
In the conveying member 112 according to the present embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10-2, the angle between the two straight line portions SL of the contour shape of the blade 112B is 180°. On the other hand, the angle between the two straight line portions SL may be smaller than 180°, or conversely may be larger than 180°. In either case, the toner T can be transported by rotating the rotating shaft 112A. However, the transport member 112 pushes the toner T by the action surface 112C of the blade 112B by rotating the blade 112B around the rotating shaft 112A as described above. Therefore, the larger the area of the working surface 112C, the larger the amount of the toner T carried during one rotation. However, if the angle between the straight line portions SL exceeds 180°, a part of the toner T carried by the blade 112B on the rear side in the transport direction hits the back side of the blade 112B on the front in the transport direction, and the opposite direction to the transport direction. It is possible that they will be returned to. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the blade piece 112B having a shape (semi-circular shape) in which the angle between the two straight line portions SL is 180° has the highest carrying efficiency.

また、図６〜図１０−２に示した搬送部材１１２では、各翼片１１２Ｂを、回転軸１１２Ａの一端側から軸方向に沿って見たときに、各々の作用面１１２Ｃが重なり合うように配置した。しかしながら、各翼片１１２Ｂは、回転軸１１２Ａの一端側から軸方向に沿って見たときに、円Ｏの一部に翼片１１２Ｂが一つも存在しない箇所があるように配置されていれば良く、図示の構成には限定されない。例えば、隣り合う翼片１１２Ｂどうしの作用面が完全に重ならず、相互にずれるように配置しても構わない。 Further, in the conveyance member 112 shown in FIGS. 6 to 10-2, when the blades 112B are viewed along the axial direction from the one end side of the rotary shaft 112A, the action surfaces 112C are arranged to overlap each other. did. However, each wing piece 112B may be arranged so that when viewed along the axial direction from the one end side of the rotary shaft 112A, there is a part of the circle O where no wing piece 112B exists. The configuration is not limited to that shown in the figure. For example, the acting surfaces of the adjacent blade pieces 112B may not be completely overlapped with each other and may be arranged so as to be displaced from each other.

また、図６〜図１０−２に示した搬送部材１１２では、翼片１１２Ｂを板状の部材としたが、翼片１１２Ｂに設けられた作用面１１２Ｃが回転軸１１２Ａに対して特定の角度を有していれば良く、翼片１１２Ｂは板状部材でなくても良い。さらに、翼片１１２Ｂの作用面１１２Ｃは、平面には限定されず、湾曲面であっても良い。 Further, in the conveying member 112 shown in FIGS. 6 to 10-2, the blade 112B is a plate-shaped member, but the acting surface 112C provided on the blade 112B has a specific angle with respect to the rotating shaft 112A. The winglet 112B does not have to be a plate-shaped member as long as it has it. Further, the working surface 112C of the wing piece 112B is not limited to a flat surface and may be a curved surface.

以上、搬送路３００に設けられる搬送部材１１２について説明したが、収容容器２００に設けられる搬送部材２３０も同様に構成される。すなわち、回転軸２３１と、回転軸２３１の外周に設けられた複数の翼片２３２とを有し（図５参照）、翼片２３２は、上述した搬送路３００の搬送部材１１２における翼片１１２Ｂと同様に構成される。したがって、収容容器２００の排出口２２０が閉じられている状態で搬送部材２３０が駆動されてもトナーＴが次々と搬送されて収容筒２１０の排出口２２０側の端部で押し固められてしまうことを抑制することができる。 The transport member 112 provided in the transport path 300 has been described above, but the transport member 230 provided in the container 200 has the same configuration. That is, it has a rotating shaft 231 and a plurality of blades 232 provided on the outer periphery of the rotating shaft 231 (see FIG. 5), and the blades 232 are the blades 112B in the transport member 112 of the transport path 300 described above. Configured similarly. Therefore, even if the transport member 230 is driven in a state where the discharge port 220 of the storage container 200 is closed, the toner T is sequentially transported and is pressed and solidified at the end of the storage cylinder 210 on the discharge port 220 side. Can be suppressed.

また、上記の実施形態では、搬送路３００に設けられる搬送部材１１２に関して、図６〜図１０−２に示した、回転軸１１２Ａおよび翼片１１２Ｂを含む構成とした。また、収容容器２００に設けられる搬送部材２３０は、搬送部材１１２と同様に構成されることとした。しかしながら、本実施形態の適用対象は、搬送路３００および収容容器２００の搬送部材１１２、２３０には限定されず、現像剤Ｇのような粉状物を搬送する種々の構成において本実施形態の搬送部材１１２を適用可能である。例えば、回転軸の周りに螺旋状の翼部を設けた撹拌部材と比較すると粉状物を撹拌する作用は低下するが、第１撹拌室１０３の第１撹拌部材１０６や第２撹拌室１０５の第２撹拌部材１０８に対して本実施形態の搬送部材１１２と同様の構成を適用することも可能である。
その他、本発明の技術的思想を逸脱しない範囲の様々な実施態様や変形例が、本発明に含まれる。 Further, in the above-described embodiment, the transport member 112 provided in the transport path 300 is configured to include the rotating shaft 112A and the blade 112B shown in FIGS. 6 to 10-2. Further, the transport member 230 provided in the container 200 is configured to be similar to the transport member 112. However, the application target of the present embodiment is not limited to the transfer path 300 and the transfer members 112 and 230 of the storage container 200, and the transfer of the present embodiment can be applied to various configurations for transferring powdery material such as the developer G. The member 112 can be applied. For example, as compared with a stirring member provided with a spiral blade around the rotation axis, the action of stirring the powdery material is reduced, but the first stirring member 106 of the first stirring chamber 103 and the second stirring chamber 105 It is also possible to apply a configuration similar to that of the transport member 112 of the present embodiment to the second stirring member 108.
In addition, various embodiments and modifications within a range not departing from the technical idea of the present invention are included in the present invention.

１０…画像形成装置、２０…画像形成ユニット、２２…感光体、３０…転写部、１００…現像装置、１０２…ハウジング、１０２Ｂ…第１仕切壁、１０４…現像ロール、１０６…第１撹拌部材、１０６Ａ…軸部、１０６Ｂ…軸太部、１１０…速度切替部、１１２…搬送部材、１１２Ａ…回転軸、１１２Ｂ…翼片、１１２Ｃ…作用面、２００…収容部、２１０…容器、２２０…排出口、２２１…蓋部、２３０…搬送部材、３００…搬送路、３１０…搬送筒、３３０…流入口、３４０…排出口、３４１…蓋部、Ｃ…キャリア、Ｇ…現像剤、Ｔ…トナー、ＴＺ…トナー像 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Image forming apparatus, 20... Image forming unit, 22... Photoconductor, 30... Transfer part, 100... Developing device, 102... Housing, 102B... 1st partition wall, 104... Developing roll, 106... 1st stirring member, 106A... Shaft part, 106B... Shaft part, 110... Speed switching part, 112... Conveying member, 112A... Rotating shaft, 112B... Wing piece, 112C... Working surface, 200... Housing part, 210... Container, 220... Discharge port 221... Lid portion, 230... Conveying member, 300... Conveying path, 310... Conveying cylinder, 330... Inlet port, 340... Discharge port, 341... Lid portion, C... Carrier, G... Developer, T... Toner, TZ ... Toner image

Claims

An accommodating portion for accommodating a powdery material used for image formation,
A transport member for transporting the powdery material in the storage portion,
The transport member is
A rotary shaft provided along the conveying direction of the powdery material in the accommodation section,
The circle is provided on the rotation axis and has a contour corresponding to a part of the circumference of a circle concentric with the rotation axis and two radii of the circle when viewed along the rotation axis. A plurality of winglets provided with an action surface having an inclination of a predetermined angle with respect to the direction in which the powdery substance is conveyed,
Equipped with
The action surface of the winglet is inclined so as to face the conveying direction of the powdery substance and the rotation direction of the rotation axis, and at least one of the two portions of the contour of the winglet corresponding to the radius. An overlapping straight line is set as a virtual axis, and the virtual axis is inclined with respect to the rotation axis at an angle θ1 (0°<θ1<90°) ,
The working surface of the wing piece is inclined with the virtual axis as an axis so as to fall toward the opposite side of the powder material transport direction, and a plane formed by the virtual axis and the rotation axis is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane. The transporting device is characterized in that a straight line formed by a portion of the working surface that overlaps with the rotation axis when inclined is inclined at an angle θ2 (0°<θ2<90°) with respect to the rotation axis .

The plurality of blades are arranged such that when viewed along the rotation axis, a part of the circle has a portion where no blade exists. Transport device.

The angle between the two straight portions overlapping the radius of the circle of the contour of the wing that overlaps a portion of the circle, characterized in that it is a 180 °, to claim 1 or 2 The transport device described.

An accommodating portion that is detachable from the image forming apparatus and that has a discharge port for storing the powdery material used for image formation and discharging the powdery material,
A transport member that transports the powdery material stored in the storage portion toward the discharge port,
The transport member is
A rotary shaft provided along the conveying direction of the powdery material in the accommodation section,
The circle is provided on the rotation axis and has a contour corresponding to a part of the circumference of a circle concentric with the rotation axis and two radii of the circle when viewed along the rotation axis. A plurality of winglets provided with an action surface having an inclination of a predetermined angle with respect to the direction in which the powdery substance is conveyed,
Equipped with
The action surface of the winglet is inclined so as to face the conveying direction of the powdery substance and the rotation direction of the rotation axis, and at least one of the two portions of the contour of the winglet corresponding to the radius. An overlapping straight line is set as a virtual axis, and the virtual axis is inclined with respect to the rotation axis at an angle θ1 (0°<θ1<90°) ,
The working surface of the wing piece is inclined with the virtual axis as an axis so as to fall toward the opposite side of the powder material transport direction, and a plane formed by the virtual axis and the rotation axis is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane. A container which is characterized in that a straight line formed by a portion of the working surface that overlaps the rotation axis when tilted is inclined at an angle θ2 (0°<θ2<90°) with respect to the rotation axis .

An image carrier,
An accommodating portion for accommodating a powdery material used for forming a developer image on the image carrier,
A transport member that transports the powdery material in the storage portion,
A transfer unit that transfers the developer image formed on the image carrier to a recording medium,
The transport member is
A rotary shaft provided along the conveying direction of the powdery material in the accommodation section,
The circle is provided on the rotation axis and has a contour corresponding to a part of the circumference of a circle concentric with the rotation axis and two radii of the circle when viewed along the rotation axis. A plurality of winglets provided with an action surface having an inclination of a predetermined angle with respect to the direction in which the powdery substance is conveyed,
Equipped with
The action surface of the winglet is inclined so as to face the conveying direction of the powdery substance and the rotation direction of the rotation axis, and at least one of the two portions of the contour of the winglet corresponding to the radius. An overlapping straight line is set as a virtual axis, and the virtual axis is inclined with respect to the rotation axis at an angle θ1 (0°<θ1<90°) ,
The working surface of the wing piece is inclined with the virtual axis as an axis so as to fall toward the opposite side of the powder material transport direction, and a plane formed by the virtual axis and the rotation axis is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that a straight line formed by a portion of the working surface that overlaps the rotation axis at an angle of θ2 (0°<θ2<90°) with respect to the rotation axis .