JPH0463377A - Toner vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To surely send toner by using a reciprocating feed-out plate. CONSTITUTION:When power is given to a gear by a driving source like a motor, rotation of the gear 4 is transmitted to a crank rod fixed to the gear 4. This rotation is transmitted to arms 2 and 2, and a feed-out, plate 1 fixed to arms 2 and 2 is moved back and forth, and thereby, toner is sent to a developing sleeve to replenish toner.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a toner container for an electrophotographic apparatus that prints on paper using toner.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, a toner delivery mechanism in a toner container uses a method in which a spiral screw or the like is installed to send out the toner, or a crank-shaped wire 12 is installed in a toner container 11 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, there is a method in which a plurality of crank-shaped wires 12 are arranged in series, or a resin blade is rotated. This was done in such a way as to

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, the rotational movement of the rotating member is the main method for feeding the toner, so when conveying the toner over a relatively long distance, the following problems occur. There were some problems.

That is, firstly, the number of parts increases, the structure becomes complicated, and the cost increases. Second, torque fluctuations due to changes in toner amount are large. Third, because many parts fit inside the container, it is difficult to fit a large amount of toner into the container, making it difficult to downsize the container. Fourth, many bearings are required, which increases toner leakage and the like.

The present invention seeks to solve the above problems. That is, the present invention has a simple structure, can reduce costs, and can be easily miniaturized.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a toner container that has less risk of toner leakage and can reliably feed toner regardless of the amount of toner.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a toner container for an electrophotographic apparatus, which includes a toner conveying means inside the container or a reciprocating delivery plate.

[Function] According to the present invention, since the toner conveying means inside the container is composed of a sending plate that makes reciprocating motion, it is possible to reliably convey the toner regardless of the amount of toner, compared to the conventional one which mainly uses rotational motion. It is possible to send toner, the structure is simple, costs can be reduced, miniaturization is easy, and toner leakage is significantly reduced.

[Implementation example] 1 to 3 show one embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is a delivery plate, 2 is an ampere, 3 is a crank rod, 4 is a gear, 5 is a developing sleeve, 6 is a toner, and 7 is a toner container.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the crank rod 3 is rotatably supported inside the toner cartridge 7, and a gear 4 is fixed to the end of the crank rod 3. The crank rod 3 is provided with an arm 22 that is rotatable around the crank rod 3. Further, a delivery plate 1 is fixed to the tips of the arms 2, 2.

Therefore, when power is applied to the gear 4 from the outside by a drive source (not shown) such as a motor, the rotation of the gear 40 is transmitted to the crank rod fixed to the gear. This rotation is further transmitted to the arm 2.2, and as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
The toner 6 is sent to the developing sleeve 5, and the toner 6 is replenished.

Figure 2 shows an example in which the amount of toner remaining is relatively low, and as shown in Figures 3 (a) and (b), when the amount of toner remaining is relatively large, the same effect causes the toner to 6.
is sent to the developing sleeve 5 side.

By changing the weight, shape, or center of rotation of the feeding plate 1 or arm 2.2 depending on the shape of the toner container, the amount of sinking of the feeding plate 1 into the toner 6 can be changed. By changing the conveyance amount, reliable toner conveyance is possible regardless of the shape of the toner container.

Further, in the above embodiment, the replenishment of the toner 6 to the developing sleeve 5 was taken as an example, but for example, it is also possible to provide the mechanism of the present invention in a waste toner container for collecting waste toner to ensure the reliable collection of waste toner. be.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, since the toner conveying means inside the container is composed of a delivery plate that makes reciprocating motion, the toner conveyance means is more efficient than the conventional one mainly based on rotational motion. It is now possible to reliably send toner regardless of the amount,
Moreover, it has the effect of enabling miniaturization, cost reduction, and improved reliability.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing one example of the prior art, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing another example. 1...Feeding plate, 2...Arm, 3...
- Crank rod, 4... Gear, 5... Developing sleeve, 6... Toner 7... Toner container. Figure Figure Figure C

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A toner container for an electrophotographic apparatus, wherein a toner conveying means inside the container is comprised of a reciprocating delivery plate. 2. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the reciprocating delivery plate is connected to the crank rod via an arm.