JP7341772B2 - Developer supply container, developer supply device, and image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a developer replenishment container that is detachable from a developer replenishment device provided in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer.

Conventionally, fine powder developers have been used in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and printers. Some image forming apparatuses replenish developer consumed during image formation from a developer replenishment container. Since the developer is an extremely fine powder, there is a possibility that the developer may be scattered when the developer supply container is attached to and removed from the image forming apparatus. For this reason, various proposals have been put into practical use regarding connection systems between the developer supply container and the image forming apparatus.

As such a conventional connection method, in Patent Document 1, a developer receiving section in an image forming apparatus is guided by a guide provided in a developer supply container, and by moving upward, the developer receiving section and the developer supply container are connected to each other. connection is made. Further, when taking out the developer supply container, the developer replenishment container is disconnected by moving the developer receiving portion downward.

In this manner, when the developer replenishment container is set in the image forming apparatus, the developer receiving portion moves and is connected to the developer replenishment container. After that, the developer is properly supplied to the developing device through the developer storage section (described as hopper in the literature) that temporarily stores the developer from the developer supply container. can be suppressed.

Typically, the developer supply container is replaced when the amount of developer in the developer reservoir becomes low. However, if a problem occurs with the developer supply container, developer storage section, developer conveyance path, etc., the user may replace the developer supply container when the developer supply container is sufficiently filled with developer. is assumed. At this time, the developer receiving section enters the developer layer in the developer storage section, and the developer pushed out by the developer receiving section scatters from the developer storage section, damaging the inside of the developer supply container and the image forming apparatus. It is expected that it will become contaminated.

Patent Document 2 describes that the capacity of the developer storage section (referred to as a toner tank section in the document) is made variable by opening a movable wall section provided in a part of the developer storage section (referred to as a toner tank section in the document). The movable wall part is used to open and close the front cover when installing and removing the developer supply container (referred to as a toner bottle in the literature), to open and close it in conjunction with the handle that rotates the developer supply container, and to open and close it in conjunction with the handle that rotates the developer supply container. It may be opened by driving or by a clutch and eccentric cam. By opening the movable wall portion, the capacity of the developer storage portion is changed and the level of the developer is lowered, thereby preventing contamination of the developer supply container and the image forming apparatus.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-15826 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-204772

However, in Patent Document 2, although a configuration for changing the internal capacity of the developer storage section is described, the connection configuration between the developer supply container and the image forming apparatus has not been sufficiently studied. For this reason, when the developer supply container is taken out from the image forming apparatus, the developer may scatter from the developer storage section.

The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to prevent developer contamination in a developer supply container and an image forming apparatus by preventing developer from scattering from a developer storage section. The present invention provides a developer replenishment container that can be used as a developer replenishment container.

A typical configuration of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a developer storage section for storing developer inside an image forming apparatus, and a receiving port provided in the developer storage section for receiving the developer. A developer replenishment container that is removably attached to a developer replenishment device, the developer replenishment container having a developer receiving portion and a volume variable portion that varies an internal volume of the developer storage portion, the developer replenishment container comprising: A developer accommodating portion for accommodating developer, a discharge port for discharging the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion, and a first engaged portion provided in the developer receiving portion are engageable. As the developer replenishment container is removed from the image forming apparatus, the developer receptacle is moved away from the developer replenishment container so that the discharge port does not communicate with the reception port. a first engaging portion that applies a force to the first engaged portion to cause the first engaged portion to be displaced toward the image forming device; and a second engaging portion provided in the volume variable portion; With the removal operation of the developer replenishment container, the volume variable section is removed from a state where a part of the volume variable section enters the inside of the developer storage section so as to increase the internal volume of the developer storage section. a second engaging portion that applies a force to displace the developer replenishing container to the outside, and when the developer replenishment container is removed from the image forming apparatus, the first engaging portion The second engaging portion is configured to engage with the second engaged portion to displace the volume variable portion before the developer receiving portion is displaced by engaging with the second engaged portion. It is characterized by what has been done .

According to the present invention, by preventing the developer from scattering from the developer storage section, developer contamination within the developer supply container and the image forming apparatus can be prevented.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the developer replenishing device in a state where the developer replenishing container is not attached. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a developer receiving nozzle. FIG. 3 is a partially cross-sectional perspective view showing the configuration of the developer replenishing device in a state where the developer replenishing container is attached. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the developer replenishment container is attached to the developer replenishment device. (a) is a side view showing a state in which the developer supply container is attached to the developer supply device. (b) is a sectional view showing a state in which the developer supply container is attached to the developer supply device. (a) is a side view showing the process of detaching the developer supply container from the developer supply device. (b) is a sectional view showing the process of detaching the developer supply container from the developer supply device. (a) is a side view showing the process of detaching the developer supply container from the developer supply device. (b) is a sectional view showing the process of detaching the developer supply container from the developer supply device. (a) is a side view showing the process of detaching the developer supply container from the developer supply device. (b) is a sectional view showing the process of detaching the developer supply container from the developer supply device. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a process of detaching a developer replenishment container of a comparative example from a developer replenishment device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a developer replenishment container, a developer replenishment device, and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. The developer supply container according to the present invention can be used, for example, in image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, facsimile machines, printers, and multifunctional machines having a plurality of these functions. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, various configurations of the developer supply container can be replaced with other known configurations that perform similar functions within the scope of the spirit of the invention. That is, unless otherwise specified, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the developer supply container described in the embodiments described later.

<Image forming device>
First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described using FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus 100. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100. An image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is an example of a copying machine that employs an electrophotographic method, and forms an image on a recording material 18 such as paper. The image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is equipped with a developer replenishing device 5 to which a developer replenishing container 1 (so-called toner cartridge) is removably attached.

In FIG. 1, an original platen glass 102 is provided at the upper part of the image forming apparatus 100, and an optical section 103 serving as an image reading means is provided at the lower part of the original platen glass 102. The light source 8 and mirrors 6a to 6c provided in the optical section 103 are configured to be movable integrally in the direction of arrow a.

The pressure plate 9 is rotated to open, the original 101 is placed on the document table glass 102, and the pressure plate 9 is rotated to close. As a result, the back surface of the original 101 is pressed by the pressure plate 9. The light source 8 and mirrors 6a to 6c move together in the direction of arrow a. At this time, light 8a emitted from the light source 8 passes through the document table glass 102 and is reflected on the document surface on the lower surface of the document 101.

The light image 8b corresponding to the image information of the original 101 is sequentially reflected by the mirrors 6a to 6c, transmitted through the lens 7, and further reflected by the mirrors 6d to 6f provided at fixed positions, and is used as an image carrier. The image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 104.

Image forming process equipment such as a primary charger 203 as a charging means, a developing device 201 as a developing means, and a cleaner 202 as a cleaning means are installed around the photosensitive drum 104. The primary charger 203 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 104 in order to form a desired electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 104 . The developing device 201 attaches developer 17 to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 104 by the optical section 103 based on the image information of the original 101, and develops the image into a toner image. The cleaner 202 removes the developer 17 remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 104 after the transfer.

The surface of the photosensitive drum 104 is uniformly charged by a primary charger 203, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 104 by irradiating the optical image 8b onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 104. Ru. The electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 104 is developed by a dry developing device (one-component developing device) 201 using toner (one-component magnetic toner) as a developer 17 (dry powder). visualized. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which a one-component magnetic toner is used as the developer 17 to be replenished from the developer replenishing container 1. However, other developer 17 such as a one-component non-magnetic toner or a two-component developer may also be used. It's okay.

When a one-component developing device that performs development using a one-component non-magnetic toner is used as the developer 17, the one-component non-magnetic toner is replenished as the developer 17. Furthermore, when using 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, the non-magnetic toner is replenished as the developer 17. In this case, a configuration may be adopted in which magnetic carrier is also supplied as the developer 17 together with non-magnetic toner.

At the bottom of the image forming apparatus 100, feeding cassettes 105 to 108 containing recording materials 18 are provided. Among the recording materials 18 accommodated in each of the feeding cassettes 105 to 108, the most suitable feeding cassette 105 to 108 is selected based on the information input by the user from the LCD operation section 100a of the image forming apparatus 100 or the size of the document 101. selected. Here, the recording medium is not limited to paper, and, for example, an OHT (OverHead Transparency) sheet (a transparent sheet used in an OHP (OverHead Projector)), etc. can be used or selected as appropriate.

The recording materials 18 housed in each of the feeding cassettes 105 to 108 are fed out by feeding rollers 105a to 108a, respectively, and are separated and fed one by one by separation rollers 105b to 108b. The recording material 18 fed from the feeding cassette 105 joins the re-feeding section 120, and the leading end of the recording material 18 abuts against the nip of the stopped registration roller 110, causing the recording material 18 to move diagonally. is corrected. On the other hand, the recording material 18 fed from each of the feeding cassettes 106 to 108 joins the conveying section 109, and the leading end of the recording material 18 hits the nip of the registration roller 110, which has also stopped, and is recorded. The skew of the material 18 is corrected.

The registration roller 110 is connected to a transfer portion formed between the photosensitive drum 104 and a transfer charger 111 serving as a transfer means, in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 104 and the scanning of the original 101 by the optical portion 103. The recording material 18 is conveyed. A toner image as a developer image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 104 is transferred onto the recording material 18 by the transfer charger 111 . Thereafter, the recording material 18 to which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the surface of the photosensitive drum 104 by the separation charger 112 .

Thereafter, the recording material 18 conveyed by the conveyance belt 113 is heated and pressurized by a fixing section 114 serving as a fixing means, so that the toner image is fixed onto the recording material 18 . Thereafter, in the case of single-sided copying, the recording material 18 is guided by a flapper 118 held in the attitude shown in FIG.

In the case of double-sided copying, the recording material 18 is guided by a flapper 118 held in the attitude shown in FIG. A part of the recording material 18 is ejected out of the apparatus while being sandwiched. Thereafter, the end of the recording material 18 passes through the flapper 118, and at the timing when the recording material 18 is still being held by the discharge roller 116, the flapper 118 is controlled and the discharge roller 116 is rotated in the reverse direction.

As a result, the recording material 18 is guided by the flapper 118 and conveyed to the refeeding section 120. Thereafter, while the recording material 18 is conveyed to the registration roller 110 again via the refeeding section 120, the front and back sides of the recording material 18 are reversed, and the recording material 18 follows the same path as in the case of one-sided copying and is transferred onto the output tray 117. be discharged.

When a user opens a replacement cover 40 (see FIG. 2), which is a part of the exterior cover of the image forming apparatus 100, a part of the developer replenishing device 5 is exposed. By inserting and mounting the developer replenishing container 1 into the developer replenishing device 5, the developer replenishing container 1 is set in a state where it can replenish developer to the developer replenishing device 5.

On the other hand, when the user replaces the developer supply container 1, the developer supply container 1 is detached and taken out from the developer supply device 5 by performing the operation opposite to the operation at the time of installation, and the developer supply container 1 is replaced with a new developer supply container 1. Just set it again. The replacement cover 40 is a dedicated cover for attaching and detaching the developer supply container 1 for replacement, and is opened and closed in order to attach and detach the developer supply container 1.

Maintenance of the image forming apparatus 100 is performed by opening and closing the front cover 100c. The replacement cover 40 and the front cover 100c may be integrated, and in that case, replacement of the developer supply container 1 and maintenance of the image forming apparatus 100 are performed by opening and closing the integrated cover (not shown). .

<Developer supply device>
Next, the configuration of the developer replenishing device 5 will be explained using FIGS. 3 to 5. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the developer replenishing device 5 when the developer replenishing container 1 is not attached. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the developer receiving nozzle 12. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a partially sectional perspective view showing the configuration of the developer replenishing device 5 in a state where the developer replenishing container 1 is attached.

As shown in FIG. 3, the developer replenishment device 5 includes a developer hopper 10 as a developer storage section that temporarily stores the developer 17 discharged from the developer replenishment container 1 inside the image forming apparatus 100. have Further, the developer replenishing device 5 is connected to the developer hopper 10 and has a developer conveyance path 19 in which a conveyance screw 11 is provided. The conveying screw 11 shown in FIG. 5 conveys the developer 17 from the developer hopper 10 to the developing device 201 by rotating. The developer 17 is supplied to the developing device 201 by the developer replenishing device 5 .

<Developer receiving nozzle>
The developer hopper 10 is provided with a developer receiving nozzle 12 as a developer receiving portion, which is provided with a receiving port 12d for receiving the developer 17 inside the developer hopper 10 shown in FIG. The developer receiving nozzle 12 extends from the developer hopper 10 toward the developer supply container 1 .

The developer receiving nozzle 12 shown in FIG. 4 is provided with a substantially cylindrical base portion 12a that is hollow inside. A lower end portion 12a1 of the base portion 12a is inserted into the developer hopper 10, and the inside of the base portion 12a communicates with the developer hopper 10. Further, the base portion 12a is slidably inserted into a fitting portion 10e provided at the upper part of the developer hopper 10, and the developer receiving nozzle 12 is provided so as to be movable up and down with respect to the developer hopper 10. It is being

A pair of L-shaped arm portions 12b facing each other are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 12a. An engaged protrusion 12c serving as a first engaged portion is provided inside the tip of each arm portion 12b. Each engaged protrusion 12c is provided so as to be able to engage with an engaging rib 3b, which is a first engaging portion, provided on the developer supply container 1 and shown in FIG. The developer receiving nozzle 12 is biased in the direction of arrow C by a biasing member (not shown).

<Volume variable part>
The developer replenishing device 5 is further provided with a volume variable section 13 that changes the internal volume of the developer hopper 10 . The volume variable section 13 includes a cylindrical insertion section 13b, a part of which is removably inserted into the developer hopper 10 and which changes the volume inside the developer hopper 10, and a cylindrical insertion section 13b that rotates toward the outside of the developer hopper 10. A pair of movable arms 14 are supported. The movable arm 14 is provided so as to be rotatable about a rotation center 14a with respect to the developer replenishing device 5.

A pair of shaft portions 13a are provided on a part of the outer side of the insertion portion 13b. The movable arm 14 is provided with a pair of left and right long holes 14d. The shaft portion 13a is slidably inserted into the elongated hole 14d (inside the elongated hole). The other end of the insertion portion 13b is inserted into the developer hopper 10 so as to be movable forward and backward. When the movable arm 14 rotates about the rotation center 14a, the shaft portion 13a slides within the elongated hole 14d, and the other end portion of the insertion portion 13b enters/retracts into the developer hopper 10.

The movable arm 14 has an engagement groove 14b (second engaged portion) in which the engagement protrusion 3a formed on the holding portion 3 of the developer supply container 1 engages. 14 is provided on the opposite side of the elongated hole 14d with the rotation center 14a as the center.

A locking portion 10a (first locking portion) is provided on the outside of the developer hopper 10. The movable arm 14 is provided with a locking portion 14c (second locking portion) on the opposite side of the locking portion 10a about the rotation center 14a of the movable arm 14. Both ends of the coil spring 16 are locked by locking portions 10a and 14c.

<Developer supply container>
Next, the configuration of the developer supply container 1 will be explained using FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the developer supply container 1 is attached to the developer supply device 5. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the developer supply container 1 includes a developer storage section 2 that stores the developer 17, and a holding section 3 that rotatably holds the developer storage section 2. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the holding portion 3 includes an engagement protrusion 3a that engages with an engagement groove 14b formed in the movable arm 14 and displaces the movable arm 14 as the developer supply container 1 is attached. It is provided. Furthermore, the holding portion 3 engages with an engaged protrusion 12c provided on the developer receiving nozzle 12 shown in FIG. An engaging rib 3b is provided that allows the engaging rib 3b to be displaced.

A pair of engaging ribs 3b protrudingly provided on both sides of the developer supply container 1 serve as a first guide portion extending in the direction of arrow B (first direction), which is the direction in which the developer supply container 1 is removed. It has a horizontal portion 3b1. Furthermore, it has a sloped part 3b2 as a second guide part that is continuous with the horizontal part 3b1 and sloped downward toward the tip of the developer supply container 1 in the direction of arrow A opposite to the first direction. are doing.

<Shutter>
The holding portion 3 is provided with a shutter 4 supported movably in the directions of arrows A and B. A discharge port 4a is provided by a through hole passing through the shutter 4. The shutter 4 is always biased in the direction of arrow A by a coil spring 20 as biasing means. When the developer supply container 1 is not attached to the developer supply device 5, the discharge port 3c of the holding section 3 is closed by the shutter 4.

Further, the developer replenishing device 5 is provided with an engaged portion 10f that engages with the engaging portion 4b of the shutter 4 provided in the developer replenishing container 1 to regulate the position of the shutter 4.

When the developer supply container 1 is attached to the developer supply device 5, the engaging portion 4b of the shutter 4 comes into contact with the engaged portion 10f of the developer hopper 10, and furthermore, the developer supply container 1 is connected to the developer supply device 5. It is installed by being displaced in the direction of arrow A with respect to the hopper 10. Then, the shutter 4 moves in the direction of arrow B relative to the holding part 3 against the expansion force of the coil spring 20.

As a result, the discharge port 3c of the holding portion 3, the discharge port 4a of the shutter 4, and the receiving port 12d of the developer receiving nozzle 12 communicate with each other. As the developer accommodating section 2 rotates in the direction of arrow k in FIG. The developer is discharged into the developer hopper 10 through the outlet 4a and the receiving port 12d of the developer receiving nozzle 12. As a result, the developer 17 is replenished from the developer replenishment container 1 to the developer hopper 10 .

On the other hand, when the developer replenishment container 1 is attached to the developer replenishment device 5, the pair of engaged projections 12c provided on the developer receiving nozzle 12 resists the urging force of an unillustrated urging means. The developer receiving nozzle 12 is displaced in the direction of arrow D by sliding on the inclined portion 3b2. A guide portion 3b3 inclined parallel to the inclined portion 3b2 is provided at the upper part of the inclined portion 3b2, and guides the top end of the engaged protrusion 12c sliding on the inclined portion 3b2 along the inclined portion 3b2. do.

As the developer replenishment container 1 is removed from the image forming apparatus 100, the engaged protrusion 12c is tilted from the state in which the engaged protrusion 12c is engaged with the horizontal portion 3b1 by a force applied by a biasing member (not shown). It moves to a state where it is engaged with the portion 3b2. As a result, the developer receiving nozzle 12 is displaced in a direction away from the developer supply container 1. In this way, the engagement rib 3b is oriented in a direction to separate the developer receiving nozzle 12 from the developer supply container 1 so that the discharge port 4a of the shutter 4 does not communicate with the receiving port 12d of the developer receiving nozzle 12. A force for displacing the engaged protrusion 12c is applied to the engaged protrusion 12c.

A receiving opening 12d for receiving the developer 17 is formed at the tip of the base portion 12a of the developer receiving nozzle 12 on the developer supply container 1 side. As shown in FIG. 5, when the developer replenishment container 1 is attached to the developer replenishment device 5, an engagement groove as a second engaged portion formed in the movable arm 14 of the volume variable portion 13 is inserted. An engagement protrusion 3a serving as a second engagement portion formed on the holding portion 3 of the developer replenishment container 1 engages with the engagement projection 14b.

When the developer supply container 1 is mounted in the direction of arrow A, the movable arm 14 rotates in the direction of arrow t about the rotation center 14a. At this time, the insertion portion 13b is displaced in the direction of arrow B, reducing the internal volume of the developer hopper 10.

Conversely, when the developer supply container 1 is pulled out in the direction of arrow B and displaced in the direction of detachment, the movable arm 14 rotates in the direction of arrow s about the rotation center 14a. At this time, the insertion portion 13b is displaced in the direction of arrow A, increasing the internal volume of the developer hopper 10.

That is, as the developer supply container 1 is removed from the image forming apparatus 100, the engagement protrusion 3a displaces the insertion portion 13b from the state where a portion of the insertion portion 13b enters the inside of the developer hopper 10 to the outside. Give the power to do. This increases the internal volume of the developer hopper 10.

Consider the attitude of the movable arm 14 when the engaging protrusion 3a is engaged with the engaging groove 14b and the developer replenishing container 1 is installed at the replenishing position of the image forming apparatus 100. In this position, the coil spring 16 is located below the rotation center 14a of the movable arm 14, and the tensile force of the coil spring 16 urges the movable arm 14 in a direction that restricts the position of the engagement protrusion 3a by the engagement groove 14b. do.

Further, as the developer supply container 1 is removed from the image forming apparatus 100, the engagement protrusion 3a rotates the movable arm 14 against the tensile force of the coil spring 16 via the engagement groove 14b. Then, the coil spring 16 is displaced above the rotation center 14a of the movable arm 14, and the tensile force of the coil spring 16 urges the movable arm 14 in the direction of releasing the engagement protrusion 3a from the engagement groove 14b (Fig. 8 (see (a)).

As shown in FIG. 3, a state in which the developer supply container 1 is not attached is considered. At this time, the locking part 14c on the movable arm 14 side is connected to an extension line c (see FIG. 10(a)). As a result, the tensile force of the coil spring 16 acts on the movable arm 14 in the direction of the arrow s in FIG. 3 about the rotation center 14a.

As a result, when the developer supply container 1 is not attached, the movable arm 14 is constantly urged in the direction of the arrow s about the rotation center 14a. At this time, the contact portion 14e provided on a part of the movable arm 14 is brought into contact with the contact portion 14e provided on the support portion 10b that supports a pair of locking portions 10a provided protruding from both sides of the developer hopper 10. The posture of the movable arm 14 is maintained by contacting the portion 10b1. At this time, the insertion portion 13b connected via the shaft portion 13a inserted into the elongated hole 14d of the movable arm 14 is displaced to the maximum in the direction of arrow A, and the internal volume of the developer hopper 10 reaches its maximum. It is maintained as such.

<Operation of variable volume section>
Next, the operation of the volume variable section 13 will be explained using FIGS. 6 to 10. FIG. 7A is a side view showing a state in which the developer supply container 1 is attached to the developer supply device 5. As shown in FIG. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the developer supply container 1 is attached to the developer supply device 5. As shown in FIG.

FIG. 8A is a side view showing the process of removing the developer supply container 1 from the developer supply device 5. FIG. 8B is a sectional view showing the process of detaching the developer supply container 1 from the developer supply device 5. FIG. 9A is a side view showing the process of detaching the developer supply container 1 from the developer supply device 5. FIG. 9B is a sectional view showing the process of detaching the developer supply container 1 from the developer supply device 5. FIG. 10A is a side view showing the process of detaching the developer supply container 1 from the developer supply device 5. FIG. 10B is a sectional view showing the process of detaching the developer supply container 1 from the developer supply device 5.

<Operation when installed>
The developer supply container 1 is attached to the developer supply device 5 in the direction of arrow A. The developer storage section 2 of the developer supply container 1 supplies the developer 17 to the developer hopper 10 by rotating in the direction of arrow k in FIG. 6 with respect to the holding section 3. A spiral convex portion (not shown) protrudes inward from the inner wall surface of the developer storage portion 2, and as the developer storage portion 2 rotates in the direction of arrow k in FIG. The developer 17 is transported by the developer hopper 10 and replenished to the developer hopper 10.

As shown in FIG. 7B, when the developer supply container 1 is attached to the developer supply device 5, the inside of the developer hopper 10 is filled with the developer 17 supplied from the developer supply container 1. has been done. In this embodiment, the developer 17 in the developer hopper 10 is not provided with a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the developer 17 in the developer hopper 10, and the developer 17 in the developer hopper 10 is filled with the developer 17. It stabilizes the bulk density of. The developer 17 in the developer hopper 10 is transported from the developer hopper 10 to the developing device 201 by a transport screw 11 provided in a developer transport path 19 .

When the developer supply container 1 is inserted in the direction of arrow A and attached to the developer supply device 5, a pair of engaging protrusions 3a protruding from both sides of the holding portion 3 of the developer supply container 1 are attached to the movable arm 14. It enters and engages in the provided engagement groove 14b. At this time, the movable arm 14 rotates from the state shown in FIG. 3 about the rotation center 14a in the direction of arrow t in FIG. 7A against the tensile force of the coil spring 16.

Then, the contact portion 14f provided on a part of the movable arm 14 contacts the abutted portion 10b2 provided on the support portion 10b that supports the locking portion 10a. Further, the locking portion 14c on the movable arm 14 side rotates to a position below an extension line c connecting the locking portion 10a and the rotation center 14a. As a result, the tensile force of the coil spring 16 acts in a direction to rotate the movable arm 14 about the rotation center 14a in the direction of arrow t in FIG. 7(a). As a result, the movable arm 14 is held in the posture shown in FIG. 7(a).

At this time, the movable arm 14 holds the insertion portion 13b at a position displaced in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 7(b). The developer hopper 10 is in a state in which the insertion portion 13b has entered the interior, that is, a state in which the internal volume of the developer hopper 10 is reduced by the insertion portion 13b.

The developer receiving nozzle 12 is held in a displaced state toward the developer supply container 1 in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 7(b). In this state, the discharge port 3c provided in the holding portion 3, the discharge port 4a provided in the shutter 4, and the receiving port 12d provided in the developer receiving nozzle 12 communicate with each other. Therefore, as the developer accommodating section 2 rotates in the direction of arrow k in FIG. 17 will be replenished.

<Operation during detachment>
Next, the operation of removing the developer supply container 1 from the developer supply device 5 will be described. Usually, the developer replenishment container 1 is taken out from the developer replenishment device 5 when the developer 17 in the developer hopper 10 becomes low. However, during maintenance of the image forming apparatus 100, the developer replenishment container 1 is often retracted from the developer replenishment device 5 in the direction of arrow B. At this time, when the developer supply container 1 is displaced in the direction of arrow B in FIG. It rotates in the direction of arrow s about the rotation center 14a.

At this time, the insertion portion 13b is displaced from the inside of the developer hopper 10 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 8(b). At this time, in the developer hopper 10, the developer 17 is diffused into the space 10d where the insertion portion 13b has retreated, and the density of the developer 17 in the upper part of the developer hopper 10 where the developer receiving nozzle 12 is arranged is reduced. descend. At this time, the outlet 3c of the holding section 3 and the outlet 4a of the shutter 4 are out of communication, but the developer receiving nozzle 12 is held displaced in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 8(b). The discharge port 4a and the receiving port 12d are in communication with each other.

The developer supply container 1 retreats in the direction of arrow B from the position shown in FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b) to the position shown in FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b). Then, the movable arm 14 is pushed by the engagement protrusion 3a engaged with the engagement groove 14b, and is rotated and displaced in the direction of arrow s about the rotation center 14a. At this time, the insertion portion 13b is further displaced from the inside of the developer hopper 10 to the outside in the direction of arrow A.

At this time, the developer 17 in the developer hopper 10 is diffused into the space 10d increased by the outward retreat of the insertion portion 13b, and the volume of the developer 17 in the developer hopper 10 is reduced. On the other hand, the engaged protrusion 12c of the developer receiving nozzle 12 is in a position where the base portion 12a of the developer receiving nozzle 12 is raised while being engaged with the horizontal portion 3b1 of the engaging rib 3b. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9B, the inside of the developer hopper 10 is not filled with the developer 17 to the level of the lower end 12a1 of the base portion 12a of the developer receiving nozzle 12.

Further, the developer supply container 1 is retracted in the direction of arrow B from the position shown in FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) to the position shown in FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b). Then, the movable arm 14 moves around the rotation center 14a due to the tensile force of the coil spring 16 in which the locking portion 14c is located above the extension line c connecting the locking portion 10a and the rotation center 14a. It rotates around the center in the direction of arrow s and is displaced. The movable arm 14 is held by the abutting portion 14e of the movable arm 14 abutting against the abutted portion 10b1 of the support portion 10b that supports the locking portion 10a.

At this time, the insertion portion 13b is further displaced from the inside of the developer hopper 10 toward the outside in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 10(b), and the volume inside the developer hopper 10 increases. At this time, the engaged protrusion 12c of the developer receiving nozzle 12 is disengaged from the engaging rib 3b formed on the holding portion 3 from the horizontal portion 3b1 of the engaging rib 3b through the inclined portion 3b2. At this time, the developer receiving nozzle 12 is displaced in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 10(b) by the biasing force of a biasing means (not shown), and the base portion 12a of the developer receiving nozzle 12 is in a lowered position. As shown in FIG. 10(b), the base portion 12a of the developer receiving nozzle 12 enters into the developer hopper 10, and the capacity within the developer hopper 10 decreases.

At this time, the developer 17 existing at the location where the base portion 12a of the developer receiving nozzle 12 in the developer hopper 10 has entered is moved in the direction of arrow A from the inside of the developer hopper 10 to the outside of the insertion portion 13b. By retreating, it is diffused into the pre-formed space 10d.

Here, the length of the horizontal portion 3b1 of the engagement rib 3b in the direction of arrow B (first direction) and the position of the inflection point 3b4 between the horizontal portion 3b1 and the inclined portion 3b2 are considered. The developer receiving nozzle 12 remains engaged with the engaged protrusion 12c until the engaging protrusion 3a engages with the engaging groove 14b and the insertion portion 13b of the variable volume portion 13 is displaced. It is set to regulate the displacement of.

As a result, when the developer supply container 1 is removed from the image forming apparatus 100, the inclined portion 3b2 of the engagement rib 3b engages with the engaged protrusion 12c and the developer receiving nozzle 12 is displaced downward. At the front, the engagement protrusion 3a engages with the engagement groove 14b. As a result, the insertion portion 13b is displaced in the direction of arrow A from inside the developer hopper 10 to the outside while maintaining communication between the discharge port 4a of the shutter 4 and the receiving port 12d of the developer receiving nozzle 12. be exposed.

As a result, a space 10d is previously formed in the developer hopper 10 before the developer receiving nozzle 12 is displaced downward and enters the developer hopper 10. Thereby, when the developer receiving nozzle 12 is displaced downward and enters the developer hopper 10, the developer 17 pushed out by the developer receiving nozzle 12 can be diffused into the pre-formed space 10d. This can prevent the developer 17 from scattering from inside the developer hopper 10 to the outside.

<Comparative example>
Here, the configuration of a comparative example that does not include the volume variable section 13 will be described using FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the process of detaching the developer replenishing container 1 from the developer replenishing device 5 according to the comparative example. The developer replenishing device 5 shown in FIG. 11 does not include the volume variable section 13.

In the developer replenishing device 5, the developer replenishing container 1 is retracted in the direction of arrow B. Then, similarly to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 10(a), the engaged protrusion 12c of the developer receiving nozzle 12 extends from the horizontal part 3b1 of the engaging rib 3b formed on the holding part 3 through the inclined part 3b2. The engagement with the engagement rib 3b is released. At this time, the developer receiving nozzle 12 is displaced in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 11 by the biasing force of a biasing means (not shown), and the base portion 12a of the developer receiving nozzle 12 is retracted to a lowered position.

At this time, the developer receiving nozzle 12 enters the developer hopper 10, and the developer 17 pushed away by the developer receiving nozzle 12 scatters to the outside from the receiving port 12d. That is, in the comparative example shown in FIG. 11, unlike the present embodiment, there is no space 10d formed by retracting the insertion portion 13b of the variable volume portion 13 from inside the developer hopper 10, so the developer 17 is not received. It scatters to the outside from the mouth 12d. The developer 17 scattered outside contaminates the inside of the image forming apparatus 100 and further contaminates the developer replenishment container 1, leading to a decrease in operability for the user.

In Patent Document 2, the capacity of the developer storage section (toner tank section) is made variable by opening a movable wall section provided in a part of the developer storage section (toner tank section). However, since there is no description of a structure in which the discharge port of the developer supply container and the receiving port of the developer storage section are not communicated with each other, there is a possibility that the developer may scatter from the developer storage section. Further, since the movable wall portion is a part of the wall surface of the developer storage portion (toner tank portion), there is a limit to the increase or decrease in the internal capacity of the developer storage portion.

In the developer replenishment device 5 of the present embodiment, the volume variable portion 13 The insertion portion 13b is retracted in a direction in which it protrudes from inside the developer hopper 10 to the outside. Therefore, a space 10d is formed in the developer hopper 10, and when the developer receiving nozzle 12 enters the developer hopper 10, the developer 17 pushed out by the developer receiving nozzle 12 can be received in the space 10d. . Therefore, the developer 17 does not scatter to the outside from the receiving port 12d, and the developer 17 does not contaminate the inside of the image forming apparatus 100 or the developer supply container 1.

In addition, since the retraction timing of the insertion portion 13b of the volume variable portion 13 is linked to the retraction operation of the developer supply container 1, the developer 17 is reliably retracted regardless of how the user operates the developer supply container 1. can prevent contamination caused by In this way, by preventing the developer 17 from scattering from the developer hopper 10, it is possible to prevent the developer supply container 1 and the image forming apparatus 100 from being contaminated by the developer 17, thereby improving user operability. can be improved.

1...Developer supply container 2...Developer accommodating part 3a...Engaging protrusion (second engaging part)
3b...Engagement rib (first engagement part)
4a...Discharge port 10...Developer hopper (developer storage section)
12...Developer receiving nozzle (developer receiving part)
12c...Engaged protrusion (first engaged part)
13... Volume variable part 13b... Insertion part (part of volume variable part 13)
14b...Engagement groove (second engaged part)
17...Developer 100...Image forming device

Claims (8)

A developer storage section that stores developer inside an image forming apparatus, a developer receiving section that is provided in the developer storage section and is provided with an acceptance port that receives the developer, and an internal volume of the developer storage section. A developer replenishment container that is removably attached to a developer replenishment device, the developer replenishment container having:
The developer supply container is
a developer storage section that stores developer;
a discharge port for discharging the developer contained in the developer storage section;
The discharge port is engageable with a first engaged portion provided in the developer receiving portion, and the discharge port does not communicate with the receiving port when the developer supply container is removed from the image forming apparatus. a first engaging portion that applies a force to the first engaged portion to displace the developer receiving portion in a direction away from the developer replenishment container so that the first engaged portion is in the state;
Engageable with a second engaged portion provided in the volume variable portion, and increasing the internal volume of the developer storage portion as the developer supply container is removed from the image forming apparatus. a second engaging portion that applies a force to displace the volume variable portion to the outside from a state where a portion of the volume variable portion has entered the inside of the developer storage portion;
has
As the developer replenishment container is removed from the image forming apparatus, before the first engaging part engages with the first engaged part and the developer receiving part is displaced, the A developer supply container characterized in that the second engaging portion is configured to engage with the second engaged portion to displace the volume variable portion. The first engaging portion is
a first guide portion extending in a first direction that is a direction in which the developer supply container is removed;
a second guide part that is continuous with the first guide part and is inclined downward in a direction opposite to the first direction;
has
As the developer replenishment container is removed from the image forming apparatus, the developer receiving portion is separated from the developer replenishment container from the state in which the first engaged portion is engaged with the first guide portion. The first engaged portion is moved to a state of being engaged with the second guide portion by the force of displacement in the direction, and the developer receiving portion is displaced in a direction away from the developer supply container. The developer supply container according to claim 1 , characterized in that: The length of the first guide part in the first direction and the inflection point between the first guide part and the second guide part are such that the second engaging part engages with the second engaged part. 2. The developer receiving portion is configured to maintain a state of being engaged with the first engaged portion until the volume variable portion is displaced, thereby regulating displacement of the developer receiving portion. The developer supply container described in . a developer storage section that stores developer inside the image forming apparatus;
a developer receiving portion provided in the developer storage portion and provided with a receiving port for receiving the developer;
a volume variable section that varies the internal volume of the developer storage section;
A developer replenishing device having:
The developer replenishment container is engageable with a first engaging portion provided on a developer replenishment container that is detachable from the developer replenishment device. The developer receiving portion is oriented in a direction away from the developer replenishing container so that a discharge port for discharging the developer contained in a developer storing portion provided in the replenishing container does not communicate with the receiving port. a first engaged portion provided in the developer receiving portion, which receives a force to cause displacement from the first engaging portion;
Engageable with a second engaging portion provided on the developer replenishment container, the internal volume of the developer storage portion is increased when the developer replenishment container is removed from the image forming apparatus. the volume variable portion receives a force from the second engaging portion to displace the volume variable portion from a state in which a portion of the volume variable portion enters the inside of the developer storage portion; a second engaged portion;
has
As the developer replenishment container is removed from the image forming apparatus, before the first engaging part engages with the first engaged part and the developer receiving part is displaced, the A developer replenishing device characterized in that the second engaging portion is configured to engage with the second engaged portion to displace the volume variable portion. The first engaged portion extends in a first direction, which is a direction in which the developer supply container is removed, as the developer supply container is removed from the image forming apparatus. the first engaged portion by a force that displaces the developer receiving portion in a direction away from the developer replenishment container from a state in which it is engaged with a first guide portion provided on the developer replenishment container; moves to a state where it is engaged with a second guide part provided on the developer replenishment container, which is continuous with the first guide part and is inclined downward in a direction opposite to the first direction. 5. The developer replenishing device according to claim 4 , wherein the developer receiving portion is displaced in a direction away from the developer replenishing container. The volume variable part is
an insertion section that is partially removably provided inside the developer storage section and that makes the internal volume of the developer storage section variable;
a pair of movable arms rotatably supported outside the developer storage section;
a pair of shaft parts provided on a part of the outside of the insertion part and slidably inserted into elongated holes provided in each of the movable arms;
has
6. The developer replenishing device according to claim 4 , wherein the second engaged portion is provided on the opposite side of the elongated hole with respect to the center of rotation of the movable arm. a first locking portion provided on the outside of the developer storage portion;
a second locking portion provided on the movable arm on the opposite side of the first locking portion around the rotation center of the movable arm;
a coil spring whose both ends are locked by the first locking part and the second locking part;
has
In the posture of the movable arm when the second engaging portion engages with the second engaged portion and the developer replenishment container is installed at the replenishment position of the image forming apparatus, the coil spring is in the movable position. The movable arm is located below the center of rotation of the arm and biases the movable arm by the tensile force of the coil spring in a direction in which the second engaged portion restricts the position of the second engaging portion;
As the developer replenishment container is removed from the image forming apparatus, the second engaging portion rotates the movable arm against the tensile force of the coil spring via the second engaged portion. and the coil spring is displaced upward from the center of rotation of the movable arm, and the tensile force of the coil spring biases the movable arm in the direction of releasing the second engaging portion from the second engaged portion. The developer replenishing device according to claim 6 , characterized in that: An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material,
An image forming apparatus comprising a developing device to which developer is replenished by the developer replenishing device according to claim 4 .

Images