JP7445213B2 - Powder supply device and image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a powder supply device and an image forming device.

Patent Document 1 discloses a powder container that has a powder discharge port and a shutter member that closes the powder discharge port and is removable from the device main body, and a shutter member that is rotatably supported by the device main body. an arm member having a concave portion into which a hook protrusion provided on the powder container is fitted; the arm member is rotated by being pressed by the distal end in the insertion direction of the powder container when the powder container is inserted into the apparatus main body; A powder replenishing device is described in which the hooking convex portion is fitted into the recessed portion by the rotation thereof, thereby regulating the movement of the shutter member.

In the powder supply device of Patent Document 1, when the powder container is further inserted or removed while the movement of the shutter member is restricted, the shutter member is moved relative to the powder container to open and close the powder discharge port. do. In this way, by opening and closing the powder discharge port of the shutter member using the arm member, the biasing means for biasing the shutter member to be located in the closed position that closes the powder discharge port is attached to the powder container. It is stated that the powder container can be made inexpensive by eliminating the need for powder containers.

However, in Patent Document 1, since the powder container does not have a biasing means for biasing the shutter member to be located in a closed position that closes the powder discharge port, the toner container is in a half-open state where the shutter member is deviated from the closed position. may be inserted into the main body of the device. If the powder container is inserted into the apparatus main body with the shutter member half open, there is a possibility that the powder container cannot be attached to the apparatus main body.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention includes a powder container that has a powder discharge port and a shutter member that closes the powder discharge port and is removable from the device main body, and a powder container that is connected to the device main body. an arm member that is movably supported and has a recess into which a hook protrusion provided on the shutter member is fitted; In the powder replenishment device, the arm member rotates when pressed by the tip end in the insertion direction, and the hooking protrusion is fitted into the recess by the rotation, thereby regulating the movement of the shutter member. a first member having an abutted part against which the distal end in the insertion direction is rotatably supported by the apparatus main body; and a wall part of the recess on the upstream side in the powder container insertion direction; and a second member attached to the first member so as to be movable relative to the first member.

According to the present invention, the toner container can be attached to the apparatus main body with the shutter member in a half-open state.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copying machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming section corresponding to yellow. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a toner replenishing device. FIG. 2 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of a toner replenishing device. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which four toner containers are installed in a toner container storage section. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an opening/closing mechanism of a reference example. (a) is a perspective view showing a state in which the hooking convex portion is fitted into the engagement recess in the same reference example, and (b) is a perspective view showing a state in which the toner container in the same reference example is attached to the device main body. figure A diagram illustrating a problem of a reference example. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an opening/closing arm of this embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the distal end abutting portion abuts against the guide portion of the opening/closing arm according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the opening/closing arm of the present embodiment abuts against a hooking convex portion. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the opening/closing arm of the present embodiment when a toner container with a shutter member in a half-open state is inserted. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the opening/closing arm of the present embodiment when a toner container is inserted with the shutter member being wide open; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration in which the second member moves relative to the first member in parallel with the rotation axis of the opening/closing arm. 15 is a schematic sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. 14. The figure which shows an example of the structure which urges a second member by the torsion spring which urges an opening-and-closing arm in the rotation direction. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the movement of the torsion spring when the second member is moved.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in which the present invention is applied to a copying machine (hereinafter referred to as a copying machine 500) as an image forming apparatus.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copying machine 500 of this embodiment. The copying machine 500 includes a copying machine main body (hereinafter referred to as the printer section 100), a paper feeding table (hereinafter referred to as the paper feeding section 200), and a scanner attached to the printer section 100 (hereinafter referred to as the scanner section 400). .

The toner container accommodating section 70 provided at the top of the printer section 100 has four toner containers 32 (Y, M, C, K) as powder object storage containers corresponding to each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, black). ) is installed in a removable (replaceable) manner. An intermediate transfer unit 85 is disposed below the toner container storage section 70 .

The intermediate transfer unit 85 includes an intermediate transfer belt 48, four primary transfer bias rollers 49 (Y, M, C, K), a secondary transfer backup roller 82, a plurality of tension rollers, an intermediate transfer cleaning device, etc. Ru. The intermediate transfer belt 48 is stretched and supported by a plurality of roller members, and is moved endlessly in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 by the rotation of a secondary transfer backup roller 82, which is one of the plurality of roller members.

In the printer section 100, four image forming sections 46 (Y, M, C, K) corresponding to each color are arranged in parallel so as to face the intermediate transfer belt 48. Further, four toner replenishing devices 60 (Y, M, C, K) corresponding to the four toner containers 32 (Y, M, C, K) are arranged below the respective toner containers 32 (Y, M, C, K). The toner contained in the toner containers 32 (Y, M, C, K) is then supplied to the image forming section 46 (Y, M, C, K) corresponding to each color by the corresponding toner supply device 60 (Y, M, C, K). , M, C, K) are supplied (replenished) into the developing device (powder material usage section).

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the printer section 100 includes an exposure device 47, which is a latent image forming means, below the four image forming sections 46. The exposure device 47 exposes the surface of the photoreceptor 41, which will be described later, based on image information of the original image read by the scanner unit 400 or image information input from an external device such as a personal computer, and exposes the surface of the photoreceptor 41. Forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface. The exposure device 47 provided in the printer section 100 uses a laser beam scanner system using a laser diode, but other configurations such as one using an LED array as the exposure means may be used.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image forming section 46Y corresponding to yellow.
The image forming section 46Y includes a drum-shaped photoreceptor 41Y that is a latent image carrier. Furthermore, the image forming section 46Y has a structure in which a charging roller 44Y serving as a charging means, a developing device 50Y serving as a developing means, a photoconductor cleaning device 42Y, a static eliminator, and the like are arranged around the photoconductor 41Y. Then, an image forming process (charging process, exposure process, development process, transfer process, cleaning process) is performed on the photoconductor 41Y, and a yellow image is formed on the photoconductor 41Y.

The other three image forming sections 46 (M, C, K) have almost the same configuration as the image forming section 46Y corresponding to yellow, except that the toner color used is different. Images of colors corresponding to the respective toners are formed on the photoreceptors 41 (M, C, K). Hereinafter, description of the other three image forming sections 46 (M, C, K) will be omitted as appropriate, and only the image forming section 46Y corresponding to yellow will be explained.

The photoreceptor 41Y is rotated clockwise in FIG. 2 by a drive motor. Then, the surface of the photoreceptor 41Y is uniformly charged at a position facing the charging roller 44Y (charging step). Thereafter, the surface of the photoreceptor 41Y reaches the irradiation position of the laser beam L emitted from the exposure device 47, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to yellow is formed by exposure scanning at this position (exposure step). Thereafter, the surface of the photoreceptor 41Y reaches a position facing the developing device 50Y, and the electrostatic latent image is developed at this position, forming a yellow toner image (developing step).

The four primary transfer bias rollers 49 (Y, M, C, K) of the intermediate transfer unit 85 each sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 48 with the photoreceptor 41 (Y, M, C, K) and perform the primary transfer. forming a nip. Then, a transfer bias opposite to the polarity of the toner is applied to the primary transfer bias rollers 49 (Y, M, C, K).

The surface of the photoreceptor 41Y, on which the toner image has been formed in the developing process, reaches the primary transfer nip that faces the primary transfer bias roller 49Y with the intermediate transfer belt 48 in between, and the toner image on the photoreceptor 41Y is transferred to the primary transfer nip, where the toner image is formed on the photoreceptor 41Y. is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 48 (primary transfer step). At this time, a small amount of untransferred toner remains on the photoreceptor 41Y. The surface of the photoreceptor 41Y, on which the toner image has been transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 48 in the primary transfer nip, reaches a position facing the photoreceptor cleaning device 42Y. At this opposing position, untransferred toner remaining on the photoreceptor 41Y is mechanically collected by the cleaning blade 42a (cleaning step). Finally, the surface of the photoreceptor 41Y reaches a position facing the static eliminator, and at this position the residual potential on the photoreceptor 41Y is removed. In this way, a series of image forming processes performed on the photoreceptor 41Y are completed.

Such an image forming process is performed in the other image forming sections 46 (M, C, K) in the same way as in the yellow image forming section 46Y. That is, the laser beam L based on image information is emitted from the exposure device 47 disposed below the image forming section 46 (M, C, K) onto the photoconductor of each image forming section 46 (M, C, K). 41 (M, C, K). Specifically, the exposure device 47 emits a laser beam L from a light source, scans the laser beam L with a rotationally driven polygon mirror, and scans the laser beam L on each photoreceptor 41 (M, C, K) via a plurality of optical elements. ). Thereafter, the toner images of each color formed on each photoreceptor 41 (M, C, K) through a developing process are transferred onto an intermediate transfer belt 48.

At this time, the intermediate transfer belt 48 travels in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 and sequentially passes through the primary transfer nip of each primary transfer bias roller 49 (Y, M, C, K). As a result, the toner images of each color on each photoreceptor 41 (Y, M, C, K) are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 48 in an overlapping manner, and a color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 48.

The intermediate transfer belt 48 , on which the toner images of each color are superimposed and the color toner images are formed, reaches a position facing the secondary transfer roller 89 . At this position, the secondary transfer backup roller 82 and the secondary transfer roller 89 sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 48 to form a secondary transfer nip. The color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 48 is then transferred onto a recording medium P such as a transfer paper that is conveyed to the position of the secondary transfer nip. At this time, untransferred toner that has not been transferred to the recording medium P remains on the intermediate transfer belt 48. After passing through the secondary transfer nip, the intermediate transfer belt 48 reaches the intermediate transfer cleaning device, where untransferred toner on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 48 is collected, and a series of transfer processes performed on the intermediate transfer belt 48 are completed.

Next, the movement of the recording medium P will be explained.
The recording medium P conveyed to the above-mentioned secondary transfer nip is transferred from the paper feed tray 26 of the paper feed unit 200 disposed below the printer unit 100 via the paper feed roller 27, the registration roller pair 28, etc. It is something that is transported. Specifically, the paper feed tray 26 stores a plurality of recording media P stacked one on top of the other. Then, when the paper feed roller 27 is rotationally driven in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1, the uppermost recording medium P is conveyed toward the roller nip formed by the two rollers of the registration roller pair 28.

The recording medium P conveyed to the registration roller pair 28 temporarily stops at the roller nip position of the registration roller pair 28 whose rotational drive has been stopped. Then, in synchronization with the timing at which the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 48 reaches the secondary transfer nip, the registration roller pair 28 is rotationally driven, and the recording medium P is conveyed toward the secondary transfer nip. As a result, a desired color toner image is transferred onto the recording medium P.

The recording medium P onto which the color toner image has been transferred in the secondary transfer nip is conveyed to the position of the fixing device 86 . In the fixing device 86, the color toner image transferred to the surface is fixed onto the recording medium P by heat and pressure from a fixing belt and a pressure roller. The recording medium P that has passed through the fixing device 86 passes between the rollers of the paper ejection roller pair 29 and is ejected out of the apparatus. The recording medium P discharged out of the apparatus by the paper discharge roller pair 29 is sequentially stacked on the stack unit 30 as an output image. In this way, a series of image forming processes in copying machine 500 are completed.

Next, the configuration and operation of the developing device 50 in the image forming section 46 will be described in more detail. Although the explanation will be given here by taking the image forming section 46Y corresponding to yellow as an example, the same applies to the image forming sections 46 of other colors (M, C, K).

As shown in FIG. 2, the developing device 50Y includes a developing roller 51Y, a doctor blade 52Y, two developer conveying screws 55Y, a toner concentration detection sensor 56Y, and the like. The developing roller 51Y faces the photoreceptor 41Y, and the doctor blade 52Y faces the developing roller 51Y. Furthermore, the two developer conveyance screws 55Y are arranged within the two developer storage sections (53Y, 54Y). The developing roller 51Y includes a magnet roller fixedly installed inside, a sleeve rotating around the magnet roller, and the like. A two-component developer G consisting of carrier and toner is accommodated in the first developer accommodating portion 53Y and the second developer accommodating portion 54Y. The second developer storage section 54Y communicates with the toner fall conveyance path 64Y through an opening formed above. Further, the toner concentration detection sensor 56Y detects the toner concentration in the developer G in the second developer storage section 54Y.

The developer G in the developing device 50 circulates between the first developer storage section 53Y and the second developer storage section 54Y while being stirred by the two developer transport screws 55Y. The developer G in the first developer storage section 53Y is supplied onto the sleeve surface of the developing roller 51Y by the magnetic field formed by the magnet roller in the developing roller 51Y while being conveyed to one side of the developer conveying screw 55Y, and is carried on the sleeve surface of the developing roller 51Y. be done. The sleeve of the developing roller 51Y is rotated counterclockwise as shown by the arrow in FIG. 2, and the developer G supported on the developing roller 51Y moves on the developing roller 51Y as the sleeve rotates. At this time, the toner in the developer G is charged to a potential opposite to that of the carrier due to frictional charging with the carrier in the developer G, and is electrostatically attracted to the carrier, forming a toner on the developing roller 51Y. It is carried on the developing roller 51Y together with the carriers attracted by the magnetic field.

The developer G supported on the developing roller 51Y is conveyed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2 and reaches a doctor section where the doctor blade 52Y and the developing roller 51Y face each other. The amount of developer G on the developing roller 51Y is reduced to an appropriate amount when passing through the doctor section, and then transported to a developing area that is a position facing the photoreceptor 41Y. In the developing area, toner in the developer G is attracted to the latent image formed on the photoreceptor 41Y by a developing electric field formed between the developing roller 51Y and the photoreceptor 41Y. The developer G remaining on the surface of the developing roller 51Y that has passed through the developing area reaches above the first developer accommodating portion 53Y as the sleeve rotates, and is separated from the developing roller 51Y at this position.

The developer G in the developing device 50Y is adjusted so that the toner concentration is within a predetermined range. Specifically, depending on the amount of toner contained in the developer G in the developing device 50Y consumed during development, the toner stored in the toner container 32Y is transferred to the second developer storage portion via a toner replenishing device 60Y, which will be described later. It will be replenished within 54Y.
The toner replenished into the second developer storage section 54Y is mixed and stirred together with the developer G by the two developer conveyance screws 55Y, and transferred to the first developer storage section 53Y and the second developer storage section 54Y. cycle between.

Next, the toner replenishing device 60 (Y, M, C, K) will be explained.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the toner replenishing device 60, FIG. 4 is a partial schematic sectional view of the toner replenishing device, and FIG. 5 shows four toner containers 32 (Y, M, It is a schematic perspective view showing the state where C, K) were installed.

The toner in each toner container 32 (Y, M, C, K) installed in the toner container accommodating section 70 of the printer section 100 is consumed by the toner in the developing device 50 (Y, M, C, K) of each color. Accordingly, each developing device 50 (Y, M, C, K) is replenished as appropriate. At this time, the toner in each toner container 32 (Y, M, C, K) is replenished by a toner replenishing device 60 (Y, M, C, K) provided for each toner color. Note that the four toner replenishing devices 60 (Y, M, C, K) have substantially the same structure except that the toner colors used in the image forming process are different. Therefore, the color codes (Y, M, C, K) are omitted as appropriate.

The toner container 32 is a substantially cylindrical toner bottle. The toner container main body 33 mainly includes a container tip side cover 34 that is non-rotatably held in the toner container storage portion 70 and a container main body 33 . The container body 33 is rotatably held relative to the container front cover 34 . A shutter member 130 for opening and closing the toner discharge port 34a is attached to the container front end side cover 34 so as to be slidable within a predetermined range in the insertion direction of the toner container 32.

The toner container accommodating section 70 mainly includes a container cover receiving section 73 , a container receiving section 72 , and an insertion opening forming section 71 . The container cover receiving portion 73 is a portion for holding the container tip side cover 34 of the toner container 32, and the container receiving portion 72 is a portion for holding the container body 33 of the toner container 32. Further, the insertion opening forming portion 71 is a portion that forms an insertion opening when the container receiving portion 72 and the toner container 32 are attached. When the main body cover installed on the front side of the copying machine 500 (the front side in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 1) is opened, the insertion opening forming part 71 of the toner container storage part 70 is exposed. Then, with the longitudinal direction of each toner container 32 (Y, M, C, K) set in the horizontal direction, each toner container 32 (Y, M, C, K) is attached/detached ( The attachment/detachment operation is performed with the longitudinal direction of the toner container 32 as the attachment/detachment direction.

The container receiving portion 72 is formed so that its length in the longitudinal direction is approximately equal to the length of the container body 33 in the longitudinal direction. Further, the container cover receiving portion 73 is provided on the tip side of the container in the longitudinal direction (attachment/detachment direction) of the container receiving portion 72, and the insertion opening forming portion 71 is provided on one end side of the container receiving portion 72 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, as the toner container 32 is attached, the container tip side cover 34 passes through the insertion opening forming section 71, slides on the container receiving section 72 for a while, and is then attached to the container cover receiving section 73. It turns out.

When the toner container 32 (Y, M, C, K) is attached to the toner container storage section 70, the shutter member 130 of the toner container 32 (Y, M, C, K) moves in conjunction with the attachment operation. Then, the toner discharge port 34a is opened. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 4, the toner supply port 60a of the toner supply device 60 (Y, M, C, K) and the toner discharge port 34a communicate with each other. Further, seal members 60b and 34b are provided at the opening edge of the toner supply port 60a and the opening edge of the toner discharge port 34a, respectively. When the toner supply port 60a and the toner discharge port 34a are in communication, the seal member 60b of the toner supply device 60 (Y, M, C, K) and the seal of the toner container 32 (Y, M, C, K) are connected. The member 34b is in close contact to prevent toner from leaking.

With the container front end side cover 34 attached to the container cover receiving section 73, rotational drive is inputted to the container main body 33 from the container rotation drive section. As a result, the container body 33 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow A in FIG. When the container main body 33 itself rotates, the toner stored inside the container main body 33 is moved along the longitudinal direction of the container main body 33 by the spiral protrusion 302 formed in a spiral shape on the inner circumferential surface of the container main body 33, as shown in FIG. It is transported from the right side to the left side inside.

The toner that has been moved and conveyed to the container front cover 34 falls from the toner discharge port 34 a formed at the bottom of the container front cover 34 to the toner replenishing device 60 , and is supplied to the developing device 50 by the toner replenishing device 60 .

Next, an opening/closing mechanism that moves the shutter member 130 of the toner container 32 to open and close the toner discharge port 34a will be described.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the opening/closing mechanism of the reference example.
As shown in FIG. 6, a pair of opening/closing arms 140 are provided as an opening/closing mechanism upstream of the toner replenishing port 60a on the top surface of the toner replenishing device 60 in the direction of insertion of the toner container 32 (in the direction of arrow Q in the figure). ing. These opening/closing arms 140 are rotatably attached to the attachment shaft 60d of the toner replenishing device 60. Each opening/closing arm 140 is provided with an engagement recess 140a into which a hook protrusion 131 provided on the shutter member 130 is fitted. Further, a guide portion 140b for guiding the container tip end side cover 34 is provided downstream of the engagement recess 140a in the insertion direction of the toner container.

A torsion spring is attached to each attachment shaft 60d so that a biasing force acts on the opening/closing arm in a direction opposite to the X direction in the figure. When the guide portion 140b of each opening/closing arm 140 is in a state of being inclined with respect to the insertion direction of the toner container, such as being located on the trajectory when the toner container 32 is inserted, the torsion spring is at a free angle.

When the toner container 32 is inserted into the main body of the apparatus, the tip abutting portion 34c of the container tip side cover 34 abuts against the guide portion 140b of each opening/closing arm. When the toner container 32 is further inserted into the main body of the apparatus from this state, each opening/closing arm 140 is pushed into the tip abutting portion 34c and rotates in the direction of arrow X.

FIG. 7(a) is a perspective view showing a state in which the hooking protrusion 131 is fitted into the engagement recess 140a, and FIG. 7(b) is a perspective view showing a state in which the toner container 32 is attached to the main body of the apparatus. It is.
As shown in FIG. 7A, when the guide portion 140b is separated from the tip end abutting portion 34c and each opening/closing arm 140 is in a posture parallel to the insertion direction of the toner container 32, the shutter member 130 is hooked. The protrusion 131 fits into the engagement recess 140a. When the toner container 32 is further inserted into the main body of the apparatus from this state, the shutter member 130 whose hook protrusion 131 is fitted into the engagement recess 140a is restricted from moving in the insertion direction by the opening/closing arm 140. As a result, the shutter member 130 moves in the direction of arrow Z in the figure relative to the toner container 32, and the toner discharge port 34a is opened.

Note that the tip of the shutter member 130 in the insertion direction of the toner container is brought into contact with the toner replenishment port 60a, and the toner replenishment port 60a restricts the movement of the shutter member in the insertion direction, thereby opening the toner discharge port 34a of the shutter member 130. It may also be configured to be released.

Further, the toner replenishing device 60 is provided with a rotation restricting portion 61 that restricts the rotation of the opening/closing arm 140 in the X direction in the figure, and each opening/closing arm 140 is positioned parallel to the direction in which the toner container 32 is inserted. is being maintained. As a result, when the toner container 32 is inserted into the main body of the apparatus from the state shown in FIG. The toner supply port 60a can be moved toward the toner replenishment port 60a while its position in the direction is restricted. Therefore, when the shutter member 130 moves in the direction of arrow Z in the figure relative to the toner container 32 and the toner discharge port 34a is released, the positional relationship between the toner supply port 60a and the toner discharge port 34a is changed. Shifting in the Y direction in the figure is suppressed. Therefore, when the toner discharge port 34a is opened, it is possible to prevent the device from becoming dirty due to toner falling from the toner discharge port 34a.

As shown in FIG. 7B, when the toner container 32 is attached to the main body of the apparatus, the position of the container front end cover 34 in the Y direction in the figure is regulated by the guide portions 140b of the pair of opening/closing arms 140. This prevents the positional relationship between the toner replenishment port 60a and the toner discharge port 34a from shifting in the Y direction in the figure, and prevents the device from being soiled by toner falling from the toner discharge port 34a.

When the toner container 32 is removed from the apparatus main body, the hook protrusion 131 abuts against the wall of the engagement recess 140a on the upstream side in the toner container insertion direction, and movement is restricted. As a result, the shutter member 130 moves in the insertion direction of the toner container 32 relative to the toner container 32, and the toner discharge port 34a is closed. Then, when the toner discharge port 34a is closed by the shutter member 130 in the state shown in FIG. The opening/closing arm 140 is located on the upstream side in the insertion direction of the toner container 32, and rotates in a direction opposite to the direction of arrow X in FIG. 5 due to the biasing force of a torsion spring. As a result, the upstream side of the engagement recess 140a of the opening/closing arm 140 in the insertion direction of the toner container 32 is retracted from the position facing the hook protrusion 131, and the movement restriction of the shutter member 130 is released. Thereby, the toner container 32 can be taken out from the apparatus main body with the toner discharge port 34a closed by the shutter member 130.

In this way, in the reference example, since the shutter member 130 can be opened and closed using the opening/closing arm 140, it is possible to eliminate the need for a spring in the toner container 32 that biases the shutter member 130 in the closing direction, and the number of parts can be reduced. It is possible to reduce the cost of the toner container 32 and downsize the toner container 32 by reducing the amount of the toner container 32 .

In addition, in the reference example, the opening/closing arm 140 has the functions of opening and closing the shutter member 130, guiding the container tip side cover 34, and moving the container tip side cover 34 in the left-right direction of the device (Y direction in FIG. 7). It also has a positioning function. Therefore, a member for opening and closing the shutter member 130, a member for guiding the container front cover 34, and a member for positioning the container front cover 34 in the left-right direction of the apparatus (Y direction in FIG. 7) are provided separately. The number of parts can be reduced compared to This makes it possible to reduce the cost of the device.

As described above, since the toner container 32 is not provided with a spring that biases the shutter member 130 in the closing direction, the shutter member 130 may be left in a half-open state due to the user touching the shutter member 130 or the like. be. If the toner container 32 is attached to the apparatus main body with the shutter member 130 half-opened, there is a problem that the toner container 32 cannot be inserted into the apparatus main body.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the problems of the reference example.
As shown in FIG. 8A, when the toner container 32 is attached to the main body of the apparatus with the shutter member 130 half-open, the hooking convex portion 131 of the shutter member 130 may be inserted into the toner container 32 at the correct position. It is located on the upstream side in the direction (arrow Q direction). In this state, when the guide portion 140b of the opening/closing arm 140 is pressed against the tip abutting portion 34c and the opening/closing arm 140 rotates in the X direction in the figure, the opening/closing arm 140 is engaged as shown in FIG. 8(b). The upstream side of the recess 140 a in the insertion direction of the toner container 32 abuts against the hooking protrusion 131 . In this state, even if the toner container 32 is pushed into the main body of the apparatus and the tip abutting part 34c presses the guide part 140b of the opening/closing arm 140, the opening/closing arm 140 cannot rotate, and the opening/closing arm 140 prevents the toner from being removed. Insertion of the container 32 into the device main body is restricted. As a result, a problem arises in that the toner container 32 cannot be inserted into the main body of the apparatus. Further, if the toner container 32 is pushed in forcefully from the state shown in FIG. 8(b) and an attempt is made to insert the toner container 32 into the main body of the apparatus, there is a possibility that the opening/closing arm 140 may be damaged.

Furthermore, if the toner container is forcibly set in such a state, the hook protrusion 131 will be restricted by the opening/closing arm 140, and the toner discharge port 34a will open, but the hook protrusion 131 will not fit into the engagement recess 140a. , there is also a risk that the toner container 32 may be set in the device. In this way, if the toner container 32 is set in the apparatus without the hook protrusion 131 fitting into the engagement recess 140a, the opening/closing arm 140 will not function when the toner container 32 is taken out from the apparatus main body. First, the toner discharge port 34a cannot be closed by the shutter member 130. As a result, there is a risk that the toner container 32 with the toner discharge port 34a left open may be removed from the apparatus main body and stain the floor inside or outside the machine.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, even if the opening/closing arm 140 hits the hooking convex part 131 of the shutter member 130 when the opening/closing arm 140 rotates due to the pressure of the tip end abutting part 34c, the opening/closing arm 140 cannot be rotated. The opening/closing arm is configured so that the toner container 32 can be inserted into the main body of the apparatus. Characteristic parts of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the opening/closing arm 140 of this embodiment, FIG. 9(a) is a plan view, and FIG. 9(b) is an exploded perspective view.
The opening/closing arm 140 of the present embodiment has a guide portion 140b as an abutted portion, a first member 141 rotatably supported by the mounting shaft 60d, and an engagement recess 140a upstream in the insertion direction of the toner container 32. A second member 142 constituting a side wall portion. On the upstream side of the first member 141 in the insertion direction of the toner container 32, there is a rectangular attachment hole 141b for slidably attaching the second member 142, and an engagement hole 141b for preventing the second member 142 from coming out of the attachment hole 141b. It has a claw part 141a.

The second member 142 has a rectangular cylindrical insertion portion 142c that is inserted into the attachment hole 141b, and this insertion portion 142c is formed with an engagement groove portion 142b that engages with the engagement claw portion 141a. There is. Further, the opposing surface of the second member 142 that faces the toner container 32 attached to the apparatus main body is an inclined surface 142a that is inclined such that the upstream side in the insertion direction of the toner container 32 is farther away from the toner container than the downstream side. There is.

On the other hand, a surface 142e forming a wall surface of the engagement recess of the second member 142 on the upstream side in the insertion direction of the toner container 32 is a surface perpendicular to the insertion direction of the toner container 32. As a result, when the toner container 32 is taken out from the apparatus main body, the movement of the toner container 32 can be restricted by the surface with respect to the hooking convex portion 131, and the movement of the shutter member 130 when the toner container 32 is removed can be well restricted. , the shutter member 130 can be closed.

Further, the opening/closing arm 140 of this embodiment includes a spring 143 that biases the second member 142 toward the toner container 32. In the second member 142, the insertion portion 142c is inserted into the attachment hole 141b of the first member 141 with the spring 143 inserted into the insertion portion 142c. Then, the spring 143 is attached to the first member 141 by pressing one end of the spring 143 against the bottom of the attachment hole 141b and engaging the engagement claw portion 141a with the engagement groove portion 142b while compressing the spring. Thereby, the second member 142 is attached to the first member 141 so as to move linearly relative to the first member 141 on a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the opening/closing arm.

10 to 12 are diagrams illustrating the operation of the opening/closing arm 140 of this embodiment when the shutter member 130 inserts the toner container 32 in a half-open state.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the tip abutting portion 34c abuts against the guide portion 140b of the opening/closing arm 140 of this embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which the opening/closing arm 140 of this embodiment abuts against the hooking convex portion 131. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which the toner container 32 in a half-open state has been completely attached to the main body of the apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 10, similarly to the reference example, in the opening/closing arm 140 of this embodiment, the distal end abutting portion 34c presses the guide portion 140b of the first member 141, so that the opening/closing arm 140 moves along the arrow rotate in the direction. Then, while the shutter member 130 is in a half-open state, the second member 142 comes into contact with the hook protrusion 131 which is positioned upstream in the insertion direction of the toner container 32 from the normal position. From this state, when the guide portion 140b of the first member 141 is further pressed by the tip abutting portion 34c, the second member 142 moves in the direction shown by the arrow W1 in FIG. 11 and is retracted into the first member 141. The first member 141 rotates in the direction of arrow X in the figure using the mounting shaft 60d as a fulcrum.

As a result, the toner container 32 continues to be inserted into the apparatus main body without being restricted from moving in the insertion direction by the opening/closing arm 140. When the toner container 32 is further inserted into the apparatus main body, the shutter member 130 moves in the insertion direction together with the toner container 32, and the contact between the hooking protrusion 131 and the second member 142 is released. Then, the second member 142 moves toward the toner container 32 as shown by the arrow W2 in FIG. It's crowded. After the hook protrusion 131 is fitted into the engagement recess 140a of the opening/closing arm 140, the shutter member 130 is restricted from moving in the insertion direction by the opening/closing arm 140, and the toner discharge port 34a is released, as in the reference example. Then, the toner container 32 is attached to the main body of the apparatus.

In this manner, the opening/closing arm 140 of the present embodiment allows the toner container 32 to be attached to the apparatus main body even if the shutter member 130 is in a half-opened state. This prevents a situation where the shutter member 130 is moved to the closed position and the toner container 32 is inserted into the apparatus main body again, and the ease of mounting the toner container can be improved. Furthermore, damage to the opening/closing arm 140 can also be prevented.

Since the second member 142 faces the hook protrusion 131 from the upstream side in the insertion direction of the toner container, the second member 142 restricts the movement of the shutter member 130 when the toner container 32 is taken out from the apparatus main body. Then, the shutter member 130 can be moved to the closed position where it closes the toner discharge port 34a. Therefore, the toner container 32 is not removed from the apparatus main body with the toner discharge port 34a open, and the problem of staining the floor inside or outside the machine can be prevented.

Further, in this embodiment, the opposing surface of the second member 142 that faces the toner container 32 is an inclined surface 142a that is inclined such that the upstream side in the insertion direction of the toner container 32 is farther away from the toner container than the downstream side. . With such an inclined surface 142a, the opening of the shutter member 130 is large, and when the second member 142 enters the trajectory of the hook protrusion 131, the hook protrusion 131 is closer to the toner container 32 than the second member 142. Even when the toner container is located on the upstream side in the insertion direction, the hooking protrusion 131 can be inserted into the engagement recess 140a, and the toner container can be inserted into the apparatus main body. A detailed explanation will be given below using FIG. 13.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the opening/closing arm 140 of this embodiment when the toner container 32 is inserted with the shutter member 130 being wide open.
As shown in FIG. 13A, when the guide portion 140b is separated from the tip abutting portion 34c and each opening/closing arm 140 is in a posture parallel to the insertion direction of the toner container 32, the hooking convex portion 131 is , is located downstream of the second member 142 in the insertion direction of the toner container 32 (direction of arrow Q in the figure). When the toner container 32 is further inserted in this state, the hooking protrusion 131 comes into contact with the inclined surface 142a of the second member 142. When the toner container 32 is further inserted from this state, the second member 142 is retracted into the first member 141 due to the pressing force from the hook protrusion 131, as shown by the arrow W1 in FIG. 13(a). The hooking convex portion 131 relatively runs up the inclined surface 142a (see FIG. 13(b)).

Then, when the hook protrusion 131 moves together with the toner container and comes to the downstream side of the second member 142 in the insertion direction of the toner container, and is released from contact with the second member 142, as shown in FIG. 13(c). As shown by arrow W2, the second member 142 is moved toward the toner container 32 by the urging force of the spring 143, and the hook protrusion 131 is fitted into the engagement recess 140a of the opening/closing arm 140. After the hook protrusion 131 is fitted into the engagement recess 140a of the opening/closing arm 140, the shutter member 130 is restricted from moving in the insertion direction by the opening/closing arm 140, and the toner discharge port 34a is released, as described above. , the toner container 32 is attached to the main body of the apparatus.

In this way, in this embodiment, when the second member 142 enters the trajectory of the hook protrusion 131, the hook protrusion 131 is positioned upstream of the second member 142 in the insertion direction of the toner container 32. Even in this state, the hooking protrusion 131 can be inserted into the engagement recess 140a. Therefore, when the toner container 32 is taken out from the apparatus main body, the second member 142 can restrict the movement of the shutter member 130 and move the shutter member 130 to the closed position where it closes the toner discharge port 34a.

Further, in the above description, the second member 142 is configured to move linearly relative to the first member 141 on a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the opening/closing arm 140. 142 may be configured to move relative to the first member 141 in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the opening/closing arm 140.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration in which the second member 142 moves relative to the first member 141 in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the opening/closing arm 140. FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. FIG. 15(a) is a schematic sectional view in the initial state, and FIG. 15(b) is a schematic sectional view after rotation of the opening/closing arm.
In the configuration shown in FIG. 14, the first member 141 has a mounting recess 141e on the upstream side in the insertion direction of the toner container 32, which is open at the top and into which the leaf spring 145 is mounted. A second member 142 is attached to the tip of this leaf spring 145. As shown in FIG. 15A, the second member 142 has a lower surface that is an inclined surface 142a that rises toward the toner container (to the right in the figure).

When the shutter member 130 inserts the toner container 32 in a half-open state and the guide portion 140b is pushed by the tip end abutment portion 34c of the toner container and the opening/closing arm rotates, the inclined surface 142a of the second member 142 is moved toward the shutter member 130. It comes into contact with the hook protrusion 131 . In this state, when the toner container is further inserted and the guide portion 140b is pushed by the tip abutting portion 34c of the toner container, the second member 142 rides on the hooking convex portion 131 as shown in FIG. 15(b). In this manner, the second member 142 moves relative to the first member 141 in parallel to the rotation axis of the opening/closing arm. As a result, the opening/closing arm 140 further rotates, and the toner container 32 can be further inserted.

Then, when the hook protrusion 131 moves together with the toner container 32 and comes to the downstream side of the second member 142 in the insertion direction of the toner container 32 and is released from contact with the second member 142, the second member 142 is moved downward by the biasing force of the leaf spring 145, and the hook protrusion 131 fits into the engagement recess 140a of the opening/closing arm 140. After the hook protrusion 131 is fitted into the engagement recess 140a of the opening/closing arm 140, the shutter member 130 is restricted from moving in the insertion direction by the opening/closing arm 140, the toner discharge port 34a is released, and the toner container is closed. 32 is attached to the main body of the device.

Further, the configuration for moving the second member 142 in the vertical direction (in the rotation axis direction of the opening/closing arm) with respect to the first member 141 is not limited to the above. For example, a groove portion extending in the vertical direction is provided on the surface of the first member facing the second member 142 perpendicular to the insertion direction of the toner container 32, and an engaging protrusion that fits into this groove portion is provided on the second member. The member is configured to slide linearly in the vertical direction (rotation axis direction) relative to the first member. Then, in the same manner as described above, after the second member rides on the hook protrusion 131, the hook protrusion 131 comes to the downstream side of the second member 142 in the insertion direction of the toner container, and comes into contact with the second member 142. When the second member is released, the second member may be lowered by its own weight.

Alternatively, the second member 142 may be biased by a torsion spring that biases the opening/closing arm 140 in the rotating direction so that the posture shown in FIG. 8 is maintained.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration in which the second member 142 is biased by a torsion spring that biases the opening/closing arm 140 in the rotation direction. 16(a) is a schematic plan view, FIG. 16(b) is a schematic view seen from the direction of arrow B in FIG. 16(a), and FIG. 16(c) is a schematic plan view of FIG. 16(a). It is a schematic diagram seen from the direction of arrow C.

As shown in FIG. 16, the torsion spring 151 is attached to the mounting shaft 60d, and one end thereof is connected to the first member 141. The other end of the torsion spring 151 comes into contact with a latching portion 150 provided on the main body of the device, extends upward, and is connected to the second member 142 at the other end. In the state shown in FIG. 16(a), the torsion spring 151 is wider than the free angle, biasing the first member 141 in the direction of the arrow α in the figure, and the other end side is It abuts against the latch portion 150 with an urging force in the β direction.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the movement of the torsion spring 151 when the second member 142 moves.
As shown in FIG. 17(b), when the second member 142 moves relative to the first member 141 due to contact with the hook convex portion 131, the other end side of the torsion spring 151 moves toward the hook portion. 150, and urges the second member 142 in the direction of arrow γ in the figure. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17C, when the hooking protrusion 131 comes to the downstream side of the second member 142 in the insertion direction of the toner container 32 and is released from contact with the second member 142, The second member 142 is moved toward the toner container 32 by the biasing force of the torsion spring 151 . As a result, the hook protrusion 131 fits into the engagement recess 140a of the opening/closing arm 140.

With the configurations shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the number of parts can be reduced, and the cost of the device can be reduced.

What has been described above is just an example, and each of the following aspects has its own unique effects.
(Aspect 1)
It has a powder discharge port such as the toner discharge port 34a and a shutter member 130 that closes the powder discharge port, and has a powder container such as the toner container 32 that is removable from the device body and is rotatable to the device body. The arm member includes an opening/closing arm 140 that is supported by the shutter member 130 and has a recess such as an engagement recess 140a into which the hook protrusion 131 provided on the shutter member 130 fits. When inserted, the toner replenishing device rotates by being pressed by the leading end in the insertion direction, such as the leading end abutting part 34c of the powder container, and by the rotation, the hooking convex part 131 is fitted into the recessed part, thereby regulating the movement of the shutter member 130. In a powder replenishment device such as No. 60, the arm member has an abutted portion such as a guide portion 140b against which the distal end in the insertion direction of the powder container abuts, and is connected to a first member 141 rotatably supported by the device main body. , having a wall portion on the upstream side of the recess in the powder container insertion direction, and a second member 142 attached to the first member 141 so as to be movable relative to the first member 141. Powder supply device.
As explained using FIGS. 5 and 7, when a powder container such as the toner container 32 is not attached to the apparatus main body, the upstream side in the powder container insertion direction of the recess such as the engagement recess 140a is the downstream side. Arm members such as the opening/closing arm 140 are on standby in a position that is located further away from the insertion trajectory of the powder container.
When a powder container such as the toner container 32 is attached to the main body of the apparatus, the arm member waiting in the above-mentioned position abuts against the leading end in the insertion direction, such as the leading end abutting part 34c of the powder container. From this state, when the powder container is further pushed into the device in order to insert it into the device main body, the arm member is pressed against the end abutting portion 34c of the powder container such as the toner container 32 and rotates. , the insertion of the powder container into the main body of the apparatus continues. Further, due to the rotation of the arm member, the upstream side of the arm member in the powder container insertion direction from the recessed portion moves toward the shutter member 130 . Then, the hooking protrusion 131 is fitted into the recess by facing the hooking protrusion 131 of the shutter member 130 from the upstream side in the powder container insertion direction than the recess (Fig. 7(a)). When the hooking protrusion 131 is rotated until it fits into the recess of the arm member, the arm member and the distal end of the powder container in the insertion direction are released from contact. Further insertion of the powder container into the device body, which is now possible, continues. While this insertion continues, the shutter member 130, in which the hook protrusion 131 is fitted into the recess, is in a state where its movement in the insertion direction is restricted by the arm member. Therefore, the shutter member 130 moves relative to the powder container, and powder discharge ports such as the toner discharge port 34a are opened.
When the powder container is inserted into the main body of the apparatus with the shutter member 130 slightly open from the closed position that closes the powder discharge port to the open position, the arm member and the distal end of the powder container in the insertion direction are in contact with each other. The end of the arm member on the upstream side of the recess in the insertion direction may come into contact with the hook protrusion 131 before the arm member comes out of contact (see FIG. 8(b)). Due to this contact, the arm member cannot be rotated even if the powder container is pushed into the apparatus main body to insert it into the apparatus main body. Therefore, even if the arm member is pushed by the tip of the powder container in the insertion direction, the arm member cannot rotate to the point where it comes out of contact with the tip of the powder container in the insertion direction. Insertion is restricted. As a result, the powder container cannot be inserted to the proper position in the main body of the apparatus.
On the other hand, in aspect 1, the powder container is inserted into the apparatus main body with the shutter member 130 in a half-open state, and before the arm member and the distal end portion of the powder container in the insertion direction, such as the distal end abutting portion 34c, come out of contact. In addition, it is the second member 142 of the arm member such as the opening/closing arm 140 that comes into contact with the hook protrusion 131 . The second member 142 is movable relative to the first member 141, which rotates when the distal end of the powder container in the insertion direction abuts against the abutted portion of the arm member such as the guide portion 140b. installed. Therefore, when the powder container is further inserted into the apparatus main body with the second member 142 in contact with the hook convex part 131, the tip end in the insertion direction is covered with the guide part 140b of the first member 141, etc. When the abutting portion is pressed, the second member 142 moves relative to the first member 141, thereby enabling rotation of the first member. As a result, the arm member can be rotated until it comes out of contact with the distal end of the powder container in the insertion direction, and the powder container can be inserted to the proper position in the apparatus main body.
In this manner, in the first aspect, the powder container such as the toner container 32 can be attached to the apparatus main body even when the shutter member 130 is in the half-opened state.

(Aspect 2)
In aspect 1, when the second member 142 comes into contact with the hook protrusion 131 when a powder container such as the toner container 32 is inserted into the apparatus main body, the first member 141 presses against the tip of the powder container in the insertion direction. The first member 141 moves relative to the first member 141 so as to be rotated.
According to this, as described in the embodiment, even if a powder container such as the toner container 32 is inserted with the shutter member 130 half-open, the powder container can be attached to the apparatus main body.

(Aspect 3)
In the second aspect, the contact surface that the hooking protrusion 131 of the second member 142 contacts is an inclined surface 142a such that the upstream side in the insertion direction of the powder container such as the toner container 32 is farther from the shutter member 130 than the downstream side. .
According to this, as explained using FIG. 13, when the second member 142 enters the trajectory of the hook protrusion 131 due to the rotation of the arm member such as the opening/closing arm 140, the hook protrusion 131 Even if the hooking protrusion 131 is located upstream of the member 142 in the insertion direction of the toner container 32, the hooking protrusion 131 can be inserted into the recess such as the engagement recess 140a, and the powder container such as the toner container 32 can be inserted into the main body of the device.

(Aspect 4)
In any one of aspects 1 to 3, when a powder container such as the toner container 32 is inserted into the apparatus main body, the arm member such as the opening/closing arm 140 has a downstream end in the powder container insertion direction. A torsion spring or the like is used to bias the first member so that the arm member assumes the first position facing the tip and takes the first position when the powder container is removed from the main body of the device. It has a first biasing means.
According to this, when inserting the powder container into the apparatus main body, it is possible to rotate the arm member by abutting the distal end of the powder container in the insertion direction against the downstream end of the arm member in the powder container insertion direction. can.

(Aspect 5)
In the fourth aspect, the first biasing means such as the torsion spring 151 biases the second member 142 toward the shutter member 130 side.
According to this, as explained using FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, the urging means for urging the first member 141 and the second member so that the arm members such as the opening/closing arm 140 take the first posture. 142 and a biasing means for biasing toward the shutter member 130, the number of parts can be reduced and the cost of the device can be reduced.

(Aspect 6)
In any one of the first to fourth embodiments, a second biasing means such as a spring 143 that biases the second member 142 toward the shutter member 130 is provided.
According to this, as described in the embodiment, the hook protrusion 131 is located downstream of the second member 142 in the insertion direction of the powder container such as the toner container 32, and the contact with the hook protrusion 131 is released. When the second member 142 is pressed, the second member 142 moves toward the shutter member 130 by the urging force of the second urging means such as the spring 143. Thereby, the hooking protrusion 131 can be fitted into a recess such as the engagement recess 140a.

(Aspect 7)
In any one of aspects 1 to 6, the second member 142 is configured to be linearly movable with respect to the first member 141.
According to this, as described in the embodiment, a configuration in which the second member 142 is moved relative to the first member 141 can be realized with a simple configuration.

(Aspect 8)
In any one of aspects 1 to 7, the second member 142 is configured to be movable relative to the first member 141 on a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of an arm member such as the opening/closing arm 140.
According to this, as described in the embodiment, when the second member 142 comes into contact with the hook convex portion 131, the first member rotates by moving relatively so as to retract with respect to the first member. I can move.

(Aspect 9)
In any one of aspects 1 to 7, the second member 142 is configured to be movable relative to the first member 141 in the direction of the rotation axis of an arm member such as the opening/closing arm 140.
According to this, as explained using FIG. 14 and FIG. The member can rotate.

(Aspect 10)
In any one of aspects 1 to 9, the wall surface of the recess such as the engagement recess 140a on the upstream side in the powder container insertion direction is perpendicular to the powder container insertion direction.
According to this, when taking out a powder container such as the toner container 32 from the apparatus main body, the movement of the hook protrusion 131 can be well restricted by the wall surface of the recess on the upstream side in the powder container insertion direction. Thereby, the shutter member 130 can be closed favorably by the arm member.

(Aspect 11)
In an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit such as an image forming unit 46 that forms a toner image, and a toner replenishing device that replenishes toner to the image forming unit, the powder according to any one of Aspects 1 to 10 is used as the toner replenishing device. A replenishment device was used.
According to this, as described in the embodiment, even when the shutter member 130 is in a half-open state, a powder container such as the toner container 32 can be smoothly inserted into the apparatus main body.

32: Toner container 33: Container body 34: Container tip side cover 34a: Toner discharge port 34b: Seal member 34c: Tip abutment portion 60: Toner replenishment device 60a: Toner replenishment port 60b: Seal member 60d: Mounting shaft 61: Rotation Dynamic restriction section 64Y: Toner fall conveyance path 70: Toner container storage section 71: Insertion opening formation section 72: Container receiving section 73: Container cover receiving section 100: Printer section 130: Shutter member 131: Hook protrusion 140: Opening/closing arm 140a : Engagement recess 140b : Guide part 141 : First member 141a : Engagement claw part 141b : Attachment hole 141e : Attachment recess 142 : Second member 142a : Inclined surface 142b : Engagement groove 142c : Insertion part 143 : Spring 145 : Leaf spring 150: Latching portion 151: Torsion spring

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-076050

Claims (11)

a powder container that has a powder discharge port and a shutter member that closes the powder discharge port and is removable from the apparatus main body;
an arm member rotatably supported by the device body and having a recess into which a hook protrusion provided on the shutter member is fitted;
When the powder container is inserted into the main body of the apparatus, the arm member is pressed by the leading end of the powder container in the insertion direction and rotates, and due to the rotation, the hooking convex portion is fitted into the recess, and the shutter is closed. In a powder replenishment device that regulates the movement of parts,
The arm member is
a first member rotatably supported by the apparatus main body, the first member having an abutted part against which the distal end in the insertion direction of the powder container abuts;
a second member having a wall portion on the upstream side of the recess in the powder container insertion direction and attached to the first member so as to be movable relative to the first member;
A powder replenishment device characterized by having: The powder supply device according to claim 1,
The second member is configured such that when the powder container comes into contact with the hook convex portion when the powder container is inserted into the apparatus main body, the first member is pressed by the leading end of the powder container in the insertion direction and rotates. A powder replenishing device that moves relative to the first member. In the powder supply device according to claim 2,
Powder replenishment characterized in that the contact surface that the hooking convex portion of the second member contacts is an inclined surface such that the upstream side in the insertion direction of the powder container is farther away from the shutter member than the downstream side. Device. The powder supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
When the powder container is inserted into the apparatus main body, the arm member assumes a first attitude in which a downstream end of the arm member in the insertion direction of the powder container faces a distal end of the powder container in the insertion direction. and
Powder, characterized in that it has a first biasing means that biases the first member so that the arm member assumes the first attitude when the powder container is removed from the apparatus main body. Supply equipment. In the powder supply device according to claim 4,
The powder replenishing device is characterized in that the first biasing means biases the second member toward the shutter member. The powder supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A powder replenishing device comprising a second urging means for urging the second member toward the shutter member. The powder supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The powder replenishing device is characterized in that the second member is configured to be linearly movable with respect to the first member. The powder supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The powder replenishing device is characterized in that the second member is configured to be movable relative to the first member on a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of the arm member. The powder supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The powder replenishing device is characterized in that the second member is configured to be movable in the direction of the rotation axis of the arm member with respect to the first member. The powder supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
A powder replenishing device characterized in that a wall surface of the recess on the upstream side in the powder container insertion direction is perpendicular to the powder container insertion direction. an image forming means for forming a toner image;
An image forming apparatus including a toner replenishing device that replenishes toner to the image forming means,
An image forming apparatus characterized in that the powder replenishing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is used as the toner replenishing device.

Images