JPH08123178A - Developer container and process cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To correctly perform the residual toner detection, by forming one of the light transmission widows for the residual toner detection in a shape corresponding to the rotary orbit of the agitation vane, and composing the agitation vane as a single vane type or the double vane formed in a shape so as not to rub the both window at the same time. CONSTITUTION: The light transmission windows 3a and 3b for detecting the residual toner in the toner container 22 is disposed on the toner container main body 1. The one side 3a of the light transmission windows 3a and 3b is formed in the shape corresponding to the rotary orbit of the agitation vane 18b, and the agitation vane 18b is composed as the single vane type or the double vane formed so as not to rub the both window 3a and 3b at the same time. Therefore, the both side light transmission window 3a and 3b are surely swept off by the agitation vane 18b, then the toner (t) falling down to the bottom surface side at the time of sweeping off the light transmission window 3a of the upper surface side is also surely swept off, hence the residual amount detection of the toner (t) is also surely performed. Moreover, preferably the agitation plate 18a of the agitation member 18 is composed of the metallic member, the agitation vane 18b is composed of the flexible sheet material, and the agitation vane 18b is provided with the notch on either side in the radial direction.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developer accommodating container used for supplying a developer to a developing device of a multicolor image forming apparatus such as an electrostatic copying machine, a printer or the like, especially a full color image, and The present invention relates to a process cartridge that is attached to and detached from a main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a printer which is a terminal device of information equipment such as a computer or CAD, or an image forming apparatus used in a facsimile, a copying machine or the like, an electrophotographic apparatus, that is, a photosensitive drum or the like is used. A device for obtaining a monochromatic or multicolor image by developing an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier with a developer is generally used.

Therefore, in the apparatus of this system, it is necessary to replenish the developer, and there are the following replenishment systems.

First, a main body of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine is provided with a developer receiving container, and a developer supply container pre-filled with the developer for supplying the developer is provided separately from the image forming apparatus. Prepared as a consumption member, and when the remaining amount of the developer in the developer receiving container becomes small, the developer in the developer supplying container is supplied to the developer receiving container in the entire amount at once. There is a replenishment type container system.

Next, a developer supply container is prepared in the same manner as in the above method, but the developer supply container is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus without supplying the entire amount at one time, and then the developer supply container is used as it is. There is a so-called stationary container system in which the developer is gradually discharged to the developing device side by operating the developer agitating device until it is installed in the main body and the developer is used up.

Further, there is a process cartridge system in which a photosensitive drum, a cleaning device, and a developing device pre-filled with a developer are integrally formed, and the image forming device body is largely detachable. When installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus, the developer agitator is operated until the built-in developer is used up, so that the developer is gradually developed from the developer accommodating section provided in the cartridge to the developing sleeve and the photosensitive drum side. The agent is being discharged.

However, in any case, it is necessary to detect the remaining amount of toner in the developer accommodating portion. Conventionally, the amount of toner remaining is detected by the light transmission method. A light transmission window is provided.

[0008]

However, among the above-mentioned conventional techniques, the method of disposing the developer stirring device in the developer accommodating portion has the following problems.

That is, in the light transmitting window for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the developer accommodating portion, especially when the upper light transmitting window has a flat shape, the toner stain cannot be completely wiped off by the agitator, and the toner cannot be accurately removed. There was a problem that the remaining amount could not be detected.

Further, in the case of a device having a stirring blade on the stirring shaft as a stirring device, in the case of a two-sheet type or four-sheet type in which the stirring blade is at a symmetrical position, the toner when the upper light transmitting window is wiped off However, there is a problem in that the wiping effect is poor and the remaining toner amount cannot be accurately detected because the toner drops into the lower light transmitting window.

Further, when the stirring blade rubs against the opening of the opening width regulating plate, the stirring blade is caught in the opening portion to cause blade distortion, which causes a problem that smooth toner circulation and discharge cannot be performed.

The first invention of the present application has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a developer accommodating container capable of accurately detecting the remaining amount of toner in the developer accommodating portion. Especially.

Further, in addition to the above-mentioned object, the object of the second invention of the present application is that the stirring blade does not cause distortion at the opening portion when the opening width regulating plate rubs against the opening width, and smooth toner in the container is obtained. It is to provide a developer storage container that can be circulated and discharged.

Further, the object of the third invention according to the present application is to:
In addition to the above object, it is an object of the present invention to provide a developer accommodating container in which the stirring blade does not generate distortion and has sufficient strength.

Further, in addition to the above-mentioned objects, an object of a fourth invention of the present application is to provide a developer accommodating container which can not only perform a good stirring operation by a stirring member, but also has a high effect of wiping a light transmitting window. To provide.

Further, the fifth object of the present invention is to:
An object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge capable of accurately detecting the remaining amount of toner and smoothly circulating and discharging the toner.

[0017]

According to the first invention of the present application, the above object is to provide a frame body in which a developer accommodating portion capable of accommodating a developer is formed, and a frame body attached to the frame body. An opening width regulating plate for forming an opening for discharging the developer in the developer accommodating portion to the outside with a predetermined width, a stirring plate and a stirring blade, and the developer being rotatably arranged in the developer accommodating portion. An agitating member for agitating / discharging the developer in the accommodating portion, and a light transmission for detecting the remaining amount of the developer in the developer accommodating portion, which are disposed so as to face each other at the top and bottom portions of the frame. In a developer storage container having a window, the shape of the bottom surface portion including the light transmission window is a shape along the rotational trajectory of the stirring member, and the multi-color image or the single-color image forming apparatus is loaded in the developer storage container. The light transmission window provided on the upper surface is along the rotation track of the stirring member. It has a surface shape and protrudes to a position where it is rubbed by the agitating member, and the agitating blade of the agitating member is attached to one wing or at a position where the light transmitting windows on the upper surface side and the lower surface side are not rubbed simultaneously This is achieved by being a double wing.

Further, according to the second invention of the present application, in the above first object, the stirring plate of the stirring member is a metal member, and the stirring blade is a flexible sheet member. This is achieved by providing the stirring blades with radial cuts on the left and right.

Further, according to the third invention of the present application,
In the second aspect of the invention described above, the left and right radial cuts of the stirring blade have a width between the cuts that is 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm narrower on both sides than the opening width of the opening width regulating plate. 20% to 40% of the depth of the stirring blade
It is achieved by

According to a fourth invention of the present application, the above object is achieved when the stirring blade of the stirring member rubs the light transmitting window in any one of the first to third inventions. The contact width of 1 is achieved by being 1.0 mm to 2.5 mm.

Further, according to the fifth invention of the present application,
The above object is achieved by integrally forming the developer accommodating container according to any one of the first to fourth inventions and a developing device, and detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. It

[0022]

According to the first invention of the present application, one of the light transmission windows for detecting the remaining amount of the developer has a shape corresponding to the rotational trajectory of the stirring blade, and the stirring blade has one or both light beams. Since it is a multi-blade type that does not rub the transmission window at the same time, both light transmission windows are surely wiped by the stirring blade, and the developer that drops to the bottom side when the light transmission window on the top side is wiped Is surely wiped off, and the remaining amount of the developer is accurately detected.

Further, according to the second invention of the present application, in the first invention, the stirring plate of the stirring member is a metal member, the stirring blade is a flexible sheet member, and the stirring blade has left and right sides. Since the radial notch is provided in the container, distortion is not generated even when the stirring blade rubs the opening, and the developer can be circulated and discharged smoothly in the container.

Further, according to the third invention of the present application,
In the second aspect of the invention, the left and right radial cuts of the stirring blade have a width between the cuts that is narrower by 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm on both sides than the opening width of the opening width regulating plate, and the depth of each cut. Since the length of the short length of the stirring blade was set to 20% to 40%,
Good stirring operation can be performed for a long period of time with sufficient strength while preventing the occurrence of distortion when rubbing the opening.

Further, according to the fourth invention of the present application, in any one of the first invention to the third invention, the contact width when the stirring blade of the stirring member slides on the light transmitting window is set. 1.
By setting the thickness to 0 mm to 2.5 mm, the light transmitting window is wiped surely, and the remaining amount of the developer is accurately detected.

Further, according to the fifth invention of the present application,
Since the developer accommodating container according to any one of the first to fourth inventions and the developing device are integrally formed to be a process cartridge detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus, The smooth circulation and discharge of the developer and the accurate detection of the remaining amount of the developer are performed, and by replacing the process cartridge with a new process cartridge when the developer is used up, good image output can be performed for a long time. Be seen.

[0027]

The following is a description of preferred embodiments of the present invention.
First, the first embodiment will be described, then the second embodiment will be described, and finally the experimental results will be shown.

(First Embodiment) A first embodiment according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. Here, as the order of description, (1) overall description of a multicolor image forming apparatus that obtains a multicolor image using an electrophotographic system, (2) configuration of a developing cartridge, (3) configuration of a developer storage container, (4) The configuration of the light transmission window and the stirring member will be described in this order.

(1) "General description of multicolor image forming apparatus"

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus has an image carrier 100 substantially in the center thereof. In this embodiment, the image carrier 100 has a photosensitive layer on the surface thereof to form an image. A photosensitive drum that can rotate according to the operation is used.

An optical unit 107 is provided above the image carrier 100, and the optical unit 107 causes the optical unit 107 to transfer light to the image carrier 100 based on a video signal sent from a controller (not shown). Image exposure is performed, and as a result, when a monochromatic image is formed, a latent image corresponding to the entire image is formed on the image carrier 100.
In the case of a multicolor image, latent images for each color are sequentially formed.

In the case of a monochromatic image, the latent image is a developing cartridge D of each color arranged around the image carrier 100, that is, a yellow developing cartridge Dy, a magenta developing cartridge Dm, and a cyan developing cartridge D.
The toner image of any color is formed on the image carrier 100 by being developed by either c or the black developing cartridge Db.

In the case of a multicolor image, the image carrier 100
Each time it is formed on the upper surface, it is sequentially developed by the developing cartridge D of each color, and a toner image of each color is sequentially formed on the image carrier 100.

On the other hand, a transfer drum 103 is arranged on the side of the image carrier 100 opposite to the developing cartridge D, and the transfer drum 103 connects the leading end of the paper 102 supplied from the paper supply unit 101 to the transfer drum 103. Gripper 1 on the outer circumference
It is gripped by 03f, held on the outer periphery by the rotation of the transfer drum, and conveyed to the image transfer portion facing the image carrier 100.

The toner image formed on the image carrier 100 is transferred to the transfer drum 103 at the image transfer portion.
On the paper 102 held on the outer periphery of the sheet, it is transferred individually in the case of a single color, or sequentially superposed in the case of a multi-color,
A multicolor image composed of a monochromatic or four color toner image is obtained.

The paper 102 on which the toner images of the single color or the four colors are transferred is then separated from the transfer drum 103 and conveyed to the fixing unit 104, where the toner image is melted, and in the case of multicolor, the toner of each color is transferred. Color mixing is done, paper 1
After being fixed as a permanent image on the sheet No. 02, the sheet is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 106 through the sheet discharge unit 105.

In the apparatus of the present embodiment as described above, the developing cartridges D of the respective colors are held by the holding member (rotary unit) 108 of the developing cartridge switching mechanism, and are rotationally moved for selecting the developing cartridge.

The rotary unit 108 is in the shape of a four-leaf clover, and is provided with storage holes consisting of substantially semicircular cutouts at four locations along the circumferential direction.
Each developing cartridge D is housed and held in the housing hole in the thrust direction.

Further, the rotary unit 108 is provided with a pressing member 111 which rotates about a non-rotating central shaft (pressurizing control shaft) 110 and is slidably housed in the developing cartridge D direction. By the pressurizing action,
The developing position of the image carrier 100 of the developing cartridge D can be regulated.

(2) "Development cartridge structure"

As shown in FIG. 2, each developing cartridge D is composed of a developing device 20 and a shell 13 that covers the developing device 20.

The shell 13 is a cylindrical member in which the developing device 20 is rotatably (rotatably) housed, and the rotation support shaft 114 of the developing device 20 penetrates the shell 13. However, there is no particular limitation as long as it is a means capable of rotatably supporting the shell 13 at both ends of the shell 13 and restricting the rotational position without using the rotation support shaft 114. The developing device 20 is roughly divided into a toner storage portion 19 and a developing portion 12 adjacent to the toner storage portion 19.
A stirring member 18 that stirs and conveys the toner to the developing unit 12 is provided. In the developing unit 12, a developer carrier 15 and a toner conveying roller that supplies toner to the carrier 15 and peels off undeveloped toner thereon. 17 and a developing blade 16 for controlling the layer thickness of the toner carried on the developer carrying member 15 and for giving an electric charge.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the toner storage unit 1
When detecting the remaining amount of toner in No. 9, a light transmission method is used, but the light transmission windows 3a and 3b for this detection are provided in the toner storage unit 19
Is provided so as to face the optical path λ, and the shell 13 is also provided with transmission holes 132a and 132b in the same optical path.

Legs (not shown) are provided on both sides of the shell 13, and the legs come into contact with the stepped portion 108a provided in the accommodation hole of the rotary unit 108 in FIG. At, the shell 13 is held non-rotatably with respect to the rotary unit 108.

When the developing cartridge D is moved to the developing position on the surface of the shell 13 on the side opposite to the leg side,
An opening 13b is provided in order to make the developer carrier 15 of the developing device 20 in the shell 13 face the image carrier 100.

(3) "Structure of developer container"

As shown in FIG. 3, the toner container 22 as a developer accommodating container is composed of a toner container main body 1 and an opening width regulating plate 2 integrally joined to the toner container main body 1 by ultrasonic welding or the like. The opening width regulating plate 2 covers the container opening 5 so that the lid opening 6 sealed by the toner seal 9 comes to a predetermined position.

The material of the toner container body 1 and the opening width regulating plate 2 is impact-resistant polystyrene or the like to which butadiene rubber or the like is added so that the container does not crack under the physical distribution conditions of dropping and impacting the product. Preferably, when the developing cartridge D is mounted in the main body, it is more desirable to add a bromine-based or phosphorus-based flame retardant so that it is difficult to ignite by a high-voltage power source, a heat fixing device, or the like.

The toner seal 9 seals the lid opening 6 of the opening width regulating plate 2 by heat sealing or the like as shown in FIG. 4, and the folded back free end is, as shown in FIG. It may be fixed to the toner container body 1 by adhesion or heat sealing, or may be directly sealed to the toner container body 1.
The grip 40 is locked to the grip receiving portion 41 of the toner container body 1 shown in FIG.

The toner seal 9 is a film-like flexible sheet made of, for example, polyester, nylon, polyethylene, ethylene = vinyl acetate (= EVA) adhesive laminated, and a thickness of about 50 μm to 200 μm. The degree is about 100 μm to 150 μm, more preferably about 100 μm to 150 μm.

Further, the toner seal 9 is fixed to the opening width regulation plate 2 with sufficient strength to prevent toner leakage due to temperature / humidity fluctuations, atmospheric pressure fluctuations, vibrations, drop impacts, and the like in the distribution process, and with sufficient strength to be opened. Let

The unsealing strength is such that after the toner container 22 and the developing container 14 are combined as described above, the toner seal 9 is set to 18
Maximum of 10 kg when folded back 0 degrees and pulled in the longitudinal direction
Or less, more preferably 7 kgf or less, and most preferably 5 kgf or less.
It is desirable to set it to kgf or less.

As a method for fixing the toner seal 9 to the opening width regulating plate 2, heat sealing (hot plate pressure bonding), impulse sealing, ultrasonic welding, high frequency welding or the like can be used, and heat sealing is particularly preferable.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the seal pattern 9b can lower the unsealing strength when the front end and the rear end are formed in a chevron shape.

The smaller the angle of this chevron shape, the lower the unsealing strength, but it is preferably 100 to 170 degrees, more preferably 110 to 150 degrees, and most preferably 120 to 130 degrees. Conversely, if the angle of the chevron shape is set to 90 degrees or less, the toner will be accumulated in the chevron shape portion, and the toner will be blown out at the time of opening, which is not preferable.

The toner is sealed inside as described above, and the toner t
As described above, the light transmission windows 3a and 3b face each other and are locked by ultrasonic welding or the like on the body portion of the toner container body 1 in which the light transmission windows 3a and 3b face the optical path. Is provided.

As a material for the light transmitting windows 3a and 3b, a light transmittance of about 85% or more can be secured at 900 to 940 nm, and the ultrasonic welding property with the toner container body 1 is good, and it is hard to break during welding. Material, eg GP-P
Transparent polystyrene such as S is preferable, and it is more preferable to add a flame retardant.

Since the main developing cartridge D needs to rotate around the image carrier 100 in the main body and to maintain the same system at any position, it needs to have a substantially cylindrical shape.
Along with this, the toner container body 1 also has a substantially semicircular cross section.

As described above, the toner container body 1 is provided with the stirring member 18 for stirring and discharging the toner in the toner storage portion 19 to the developing portion 12 side.

Therefore, in order to uniformly stir the inside of the toner accommodating portion 19 and to stably discharge the toner from the lid opening portion 6, the stirring member sliding portion of the opening width regulating plate 2 is on the stirring orbit of the stirring member 18. 7, the window tip sliding portion 3a 'of the light transmitting window 3a is provided.

When injection molding is performed on the stirring member sliding portion 7, since the sliding portion 7 is partially thick, there is a possibility that the opposite side may be greatly sinked or the flatness may be deteriorated. Since the thickness is greatly reduced due to the thick portion, the stirring member sliding portion 7 is integrally molded by hollow molding in which the hollow molding portion 7a is provided.

As a result, the opening width regulating plate is dimensionally stable, there is no image defect, and stable ultrasonic welding with the container body is possible.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the stirring member 18 comprises a stirring plate 18a and a stirring blade 18b, and the stirring plate 1
Both ends of 8a are held by a stirring plate supporting member 10 and a stirring plate supporting member 11 which are integrally formed with a stirring gear 10b, and the stirring plate supporting member 10 and the stirring plate supporting member 11 are provided.
Are rotatably supported by the sliding portion 1b and the sliding portion 1c of the toner container body 1, respectively.

As a method of locking the stirring plate supporting member 10 formed integrally with the stirring gear 10b to the toner container main body 1, the stirring plate supporting member 10 is provided with a claw portion which can be snapped, and the inner wall of the container is provided. There is also a method of locking, but in the case of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the stirring plate support member 10 is used.
A method is used in which a snap pin hole 10c is provided in and the snap pin 30 and the washer 31 are engaged.

On the other hand, the stirring plate supporting member 11 has a sliding portion 1c.
As shown in FIG. 7, the sliding portion 1c also functions as a filling port at the time of toner filling while ensuring smooth rotational stirring of the stirring member 18. As described above, the cross rib 32 is located at the center, and after the toner is filled, the filling port cap 33 made of polyethylene or the like as shown in FIG. 8 is engaged.

As shown in FIG. 9, the toner container 22 having the above structure has the developer carrier 15 and the developing blade 1.
6, the toner conveying roller 17, the developing blade 16 and the like are combined with the developing container 14 to form the developing device 20.

The toner container 22 and the developing container 14 are combined with each other by ultrasonic welding or the like only at the longitudinal ends of the toner container body 1 and the developing container 14, and the shorter ends are toner-sealed with spacers such as foamed polyurethane. After opening 9, the gap is sealed so that toner does not leak from the developing cartridge D.

(4) "Structure of Light Transmission Window and Stirring Member" In the multicolor image forming apparatus of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the periphery of the image carrier 100 is developed by a rotary unit for selecting the development CRG. Since the cartridge D rotates and the same posture needs to be maintained at any position to prevent toner fragmentation and scattering, the developing cartridge D needs to be cylindrical so that the developing device can rotate in the shell. Accordingly, the toner container 22 has a substantially semi-cylindrical shape as shown in FIG.

By the way, in order to detect the amount of toner remaining in the toner container 22, the light transmitting windows 3a and 3b are provided in the toner container main body 1 as described above, but the toner container 22 is substantially semi-cylindrical as described above. The light transmission windows 3a and 3b are provided on the body of the container body 1 so as to face each other.

Further, when the stirring member 18 is rotationally stirred in the toner container 22, the tip end surface portions of the light transmitting windows 3a and 3b must be located on the rotation orbit of the stirring member 18, and the above-mentioned As described above, the toner container 22 has a substantially semi-cylindrical shape.
As shown in FIG. 5, a window tip rubbing portion 3a ′ is provided, which is projected and rounded corresponding to the stirring track.

Without the R removal, the toner wiping effect of the light transmitting window 3a is deteriorated, and the remaining toner amount in the toner container 22 cannot be accurately detected.

As shown in FIG. 10, the stirring member 18 includes a stirring plate 18a made of a metal plate such as SUS304 having a thickness of about 0.5 mm to 1.2 mm and a thickness of 50 μm to 1 mm.
The stirring blade 18b made of a flexible sheet of polyester or the like having a thickness of about 20 μm is formed by combining the blade adhesion portion 18c with a double-sided tape or the like.

At the center of the stirring plate 18a in the left-right direction, there is provided a stirring plate light transmitting portion 18d through which the transmitted light for detecting the remaining toner amount in the toner container 22 passes.

Further, convex portions 18e and 18f are provided at both ends of the stirring plate 18a, and while being held by the stirring gear and the stirring bearing 11, the container gear sliding portion 1b and the container bearing sliding portion 1c of the toner container body 1 are provided. Fix it.

Further, when the stirring member 18 is rotated and stirred, and when the stirring blade 18b is caught in the lid opening portion 6 and is distorted when the opening width regulating plate 2 is rubbed against the opening, smooth toner circulation and discharge cannot be performed. In order to prevent a part of the toner from scattering from the cover opening 6, cuts 18b 'are formed on the left and right of the stirring blade 18b.

The width of the left and right cuts 18b 'is preferably narrower by 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm on both sides than the opening width of the opening width regulating plate 2, and more preferably 1.0 mm to 2.3 mm.
It is desirable to be narrow, and more desirably 1.5 mm to 2.
It is desirable that the width is 0 mm. If there is no cut 16b ', or if the cut 16b' is out of a predetermined range, toner scatters from the lid opening 6 and image defects such as density unevenness occur.

The depth of the cut 18b 'is preferably 20% to 40% with respect to the length of the short length of the stirring blade in terms of strength.

In this embodiment, the stirring blade 18b has a thickness of 75 μm.
With a polyester film of m, the width of the left and right cuts 18b 'is 214 mm, and the opening width of the opening width regulating plate 2 is
6 mm, the depth of the cut 18b 'of the stirring blade 18b is 3.5
mm, the short length of the stirring blade 18b is 13 mm, the short length of the blade bonding portion 18c is 3.5 mm,
The stirring blade 18b is very good in terms of prevention of distortion and strength generated when the opening width regulating plate 2 is rubbed against the opening.

The amount of rubbing between the stirring blade 18b of the stirring member 18 and the light transmitting windows 3a and 3b is 1.0 mm to 2.5 mm.
Is desirable, and more desirably 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm.

When the amount of rubbing is less than 1.0 mm, the toner wiping effect of the light transmitting windows 3a and 3b is poor and the amount of toner remaining in the toner container 22 cannot be accurately detected.

On the contrary, when the amount of rubbing is larger than 2.5 mm, permanent distortion of the stirring blade 18b occurs, and the center portion, that is, the portion that rubs against the light transmitting windows 3a and 3b, during image formation durability. The agitating blade 18b of FIG. 2 cannot uniformly convey the toner, resulting in defective density reduction in the central portion of the image.

By the way, the shape of the stirring blade 18b is as follows.
As shown in FIG. 11, when one plate is attached to the stirring plate 18a at each symmetrical position in the vertical direction, the following problems occur as compared with the case of one stirring blade as shown in FIG. Therefore, the stirring member 18 of the present invention is a stirring blade single-wing type.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, in the two-sheet or four-sheet system in which the stirring blades 18b are symmetrically positioned, the stirring window 18a, which is the upper side when the developing cartridge D is installed in the main body, is stirred. At the time of rubbing, the toner scraped off the window tip rubbing portion 3a 'falls on the lower light transmitting window 3b, the wiping effect deteriorates, and a problem that the remaining toner amount cannot be accurately detected occurs.

Therefore, in view of the structure of the toner container 22 of the present invention, the stirring member 18 is of the stirring blade single blade type.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. The same parts as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the above-described embodiment, the stirring member 18 is a stirring blade single blade type, but as shown in FIG. 13, the stirring plate 18a is used.
May be bent at the center, and the bending angle θ may be 20 degrees to 45 degrees, preferably 30 degrees to 40 degrees.

In the above case, when the light transmitting window 3a is agitated and rubbed, the toner scraped off the window tip sliding portion 3a 'does not fall on the lower light transmitting window 3b, and therefore, accurately. The remaining toner amount can be detected.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the stirring plate 18a
Even if the stirring blade is a three-sheet type in which at least two blades are asymmetrical, the toner scraped off the window tip sliding portion 3a 'does not fall on the lower light transmitting window 3b, and can be used sufficiently. .

Further, the image carrier 100 for forming a toner image by the multi-developing cartridge D is not limited to the photosensitive drum of the first embodiment described above, but includes, for example, the following.

First, a photoconductor is used as the photoconductor,
Photoconductors include, for example, amorphous silicon, amorphous selenium, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, organic photoconductors (OPC), and the like. The shape on which the photoconductor is mounted includes, for example, a drum-shaped, belt-shaped rotating body, a sheet-shaped body, and the like. In general, a drum-shaped or belt-shaped one is used. For example, in the case of a drum-type photoconductor, a photoconductor is deposited or coated on a cylinder of an aluminum alloy or the like. It is.

Further, in the above-mentioned first embodiment, the laser beam printer is exemplified as the image forming apparatus using the developing cartridge D. However, if the apparatus uses toner to form an image, the laser beam printer is used. It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to, for example, an LED printer, an electrophotographic copying machine, a facsimile machine, etc. without limitation.

(Experimental Results) {Experiment-1} Using the developing cartridge D shown in the first embodiment described above, the shape of the window tip rubbing portion 3a 'which is the tip of the light transmitting window 3a is changed to the stirring member 18. Of the case of performing R-take corresponding to the stirring orbit of No.
The toner wiping condition of the window tip rubbing portion 3a 'was confirmed, and the image output durability test in each case was performed to confirm the variation in the remaining toner amount detection.

As the toner, about 130 g of a non-magnetic one-component toner having an average particle diameter of about 8 μm using a polyester binder was filled, and the stirring speed of the stirring member 18 was about 5.
0 rpm, the image output durability test is a guaranteed number of about 300
A continuous image output durability test was performed on 0 sheets.

[0094]

[Table 1]

As shown in the results in Table 1, when the R removal is performed, the toner wiping effect is good, and the remaining toner amount is within a range of 2 g so that there is no problem and accurate toner remaining amount detection can be obtained. I was able to.

On the other hand, when the R removal is not performed, the toner wiping effect becomes uneven, and the variation in the toner remaining amount is as large as 20 g, and accurate toner remaining amount detection cannot be obtained. In the worst case, I could not clear the minimum guaranteed number.

{Experiment-2} The same developing cartridge D as in Experiment-1 was used, and the stirring blades 18b were shaped as one sheet, two asymmetric sheets, three asymmetric sheets, two symmetrical sheets, four symmetrical sheets = cross type. Five types were used to confirm the state of toner falling onto the light transmission window 3b of each toner container T and the variation in the remaining toner amount detection of each developing cartridge D.

[0098]

[Table 2]

As shown in Table 2, when the shape of the stirring blade 18b is 1, 2, asymmetrical, or asymmetrical 3, the toner does not fall onto the light transmitting window 3b, and the residual toner amount varies by 2 g. There was no problem within the range and accurate toner remaining amount detection could be obtained.

On the other hand, when the shape of the stirring blade 18b is a symmetrical type of 2 sheets and a symmetrical type of 4 = cross type, it is confirmed that the toner has fallen onto the light transmission window 3b, and as a result, the variation in the remaining toner amount is as large as 20 g. It was not possible to obtain accurate toner remaining amount detection, and in the worst case, the minimum guaranteed number of sheets could not be cleared.

{Experiment-3} Using the same developing cartridge D as in Experiment-1, the cutting width of the stirring blade with respect to the opening width of the opening width regulating plate 2 is set to -0.3 mm to -3.
Image of stirring blade distortion when the lid opening 6 is rubbed, and when toner is scattered due to stirring blade distortion when changing to 0 mm and when cutting of the stirring blade 18b is eliminated Confirmed the impact.

[0102]

[Table 3]

As shown in Table 3, the results are shown in FIG.
When the cut width of the stirring blade with respect to the opening width of the above is within a predetermined range, there is no stirring blade distortion when the lid opening portion 6 is rubbed, and therefore, there is no toner scattering due to the stirring blade distortion, and there is no image problem. It was

On the other hand, when the cutting width of the stirring blade is out of the predetermined range or when the cutting width of the stirring blade is eliminated, distortion of the stirring blade occurs when the lid opening 6 is rubbed, and the toner is caused by the distortion of the stirring blade. Scattering was confirmed, and uneven image density occurred.

{Experiment-4} Using the same developing cartridge D as in Experiment-1, the amount of rubbing between the stirring blade 18b and the light transmitting windows 3a and 3b is -0.5 mm to 3.0 m as shown in Table 4.
When the value was changed to m, the state of wiping of the light transmitting window was confirmed, the permanent distortion of the stirring blade was confirmed, and the variation in the remaining toner amount detection and the effect on the durable image were confirmed.

[0106]

[Table 4]

As shown in Table 4, when the amount of rubbing between the stirring blade 18b and the light transmitting windows 3a and 3b is within a predetermined range, the wiping effect of the light transmitting window is good, and the stirring blade is permanently attached. It was confirmed that there was no distortion, there was little variation in the detection of the amount of remaining toner, and there was no problem in terms of durable images.

On the other hand, the stirring blade 18b and the light transmitting windows 3a and 3
When the amount of friction with b is 0.5 mm, which is less than the predetermined range,
The wiping condition of the light transmission window was poor, the variation in the remaining toner amount detection was large, and accurate toner remaining amount detection could not be obtained. In the worst case, the minimum guaranteed number of sheets could not be cleared.

Further, the stirring blade 18b and the light transmission windows 3a and 3b.
When the amount of rubbing against the blade was 3.0 mm, which was larger than the predetermined range, permanent distortion of the stirring blade occurred and the density of the central portion of the image decreased.

[0110]

As described above, the first aspect of the present application
According to the invention, one of the light transmitting windows for detecting the remaining amount of the developer is formed in a shape corresponding to the rotation trajectory of the stirring blade, and the stirring blade is a compound blade that does not rub one blade or both the light transmitting windows at the same time. Since the type is used, the remaining toner amount can be accurately detected.

According to the second invention of the present application, in the first invention, the stirring plate of the stirring member is a metal member, the stirring blade is a flexible sheet member, and the stirring blade has left and right sides. Since the radial notch is provided in the container, no distortion is generated even when the stirring blade rubs the opening, and the developer can be smoothly circulated and discharged in the container.

Further, according to the third invention of the present application,
In the second aspect of the invention, the left and right radial cuts of the stirring blade have a width between the cuts that is narrower by 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm on both sides than the opening width of the opening width regulating plate, and the depth of each cut. Since the length of the short length of the stirring blade was set to 20% to 40%,
Distortion does not occur even when the opening is rubbed, and sufficient agitation operation can be performed for a long time with sufficient strength.

According to the fourth invention of the present application, in any one of the first to third inventions, the contact width when the stirring blade of the stirring member slides on the light transmitting window is 1.
By setting it to 0 mm to 2.5 mm, the light transmitting window can be wiped surely, and the remaining amount of the developer can be accurately detected.

Further, according to the fifth invention of the present application,
Since the developer accommodating container according to any one of the first to fourth inventions and the developing device are integrally formed to be a process cartridge detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus, It is possible to smoothly circulate and discharge the developer and to accurately detect the remaining amount of the developer, and by replacing the developer with a new process cartridge when the developer is used up, it is possible to output a good image for a long time. It can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration explanatory diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional explanatory view of the developing cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a toner container according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the engagement between the toner container lid and the toner seal according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the shapes of the front and rear ends of the toner seal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a method of supporting the stirring member according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a filling port provided in a sliding portion that supports a supporting member of a stirring member according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a view showing a state in which a cap is attached to the filling port of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a mounting state of the toner container and the developing device in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a stirring member according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional stirring member compared with the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of another conventional stirring member compared with the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a stirring member according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the configuration of another stirring member according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Aperture control plates 3a, 3b Light transmission window 5 Container opening 18 Stirring member 18a Stirring plate 18b Stirring blade 22 Toner container (developer storage container) D Development cartridge t Toner (developer)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display location G03G 21/18

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A frame body for forming a developer accommodating portion capable of accommodating a developer therein, and an opening attached to the frame body for discharging the developer in the developer accommodating portion to the outside with a predetermined width. An opening width regulating plate, a stirring member that has a stirring plate and stirring blades and is rotatably disposed in the developer accommodating portion and agitates and discharges the developer in the developer accommodating portion, and the upper surface portion of the frame body. And a light transmitting window for detecting the remaining amount of the developer in the developer accommodating portion, which are arranged so as to face each other at the bottom portion, and the shape of the bottom portion including the light transmitting window is the agitation. In the developer accommodating container having a shape along the rotational trajectory of the member, which is loaded inside the multicolor image or monochromatic image forming apparatus,
The light-transmitting window provided on the upper surface has a surface shape along the rotation trajectory of the stirring member and projects to a position where it is rubbed by the stirring member. A developer accommodating container, which is a multi-blade attached to a position where the light transmission windows on the top surface side and the bottom surface side are not rubbed simultaneously. 2. The stirring plate of the stirring member is a metal member, the stirring blade is a flexible sheet member, and the stirring blade is provided with a notch in a radial direction on the left and right. Developer storage container. 3. The left and right radial cuts of the stirring blade have a width between the cuts of 0.5 on both sides of the opening width of the opening width regulating plate.
The developer accommodating container according to claim 2, wherein the depth of each cut is 20% to 40% with respect to the short length of the stirring blade. 4. The contact width when the stirring blade of the stirring member rubs against the light transmitting window is 1.0 mm to 2.5 mm, according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Developer storage container. 5. A process in which the developer accommodating container according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and a developing device are integrally formed and can be attached to and detached from a main body of an image forming apparatus. cartridge.