JPH10221955A - Tower supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner supply device provided with a stirring device capable of stirring toner in the toner hopper of the developing device of a copying machine in a wide range with simple constitution. SOLUTION: Flexible thin-plate stirring pieces 22 having some width and extended above and below a rocking shaft 21 are arranged in a line just above a sprial carrying member 8 provided on the bottom part of the toner hopper 2 at regular intervals in the axial direction of the member 8 so that they can rock around a straight line 21 orthogonal to the axial direction. The lower part of each stirring piece 22 is engaged with the upper part of the member 8. By driving the member 8, the stirring piece 22 is instantaneously flicked by the peak part of spiral shape every time a spiral shape part advances by one pitch when the spiral shape part advances, so that the toner within a scanned range is stirred by the movement of the stirring piece.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrostatic recording apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine and the like, in which a toner stored in a hopper is conveyed by a helical conveying device provided at the bottom of a toner hopper. The present invention relates to a toner supply device that discharges toner out of a hopper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a developing device of an electrostatic recording device such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a facsimile, an electrostatic printer, etc., as shown in FIG. 8, an upper opening of a toner hopper 2 provided in the developing device 1 as a toner replenishing means. 3, the toner cartridge 4 is mounted, and the sealing member 5 sealing the portion facing the toner hopper upper opening 3 is removed, so that the toner cartridge 4 is dropped and stored in the toner hopper 2 in the toner cartridge 4. By superimposing the development of the electrostatic latent image on the drum 6, the toner stored in the toner hopper 2 is supplied to the developing device as the toner concentration of the developer in the developing device 1 decreases, A device that always maintains a predetermined toner density is widely used.

A toner supply device in the toner hopper 2 is provided at the bottom of the toner hopper 2 with a sender coil (transport coil) extending in the width direction of the developing device (axial direction of the developing roller 7) and a spiral around a rotating shaft. A helical transfer member 8 such as a transfer logger provided with a plurality of blades is provided to transfer the toner in the hopper 2 toward one end of the transfer member 8 and drop into the developing device from an opening provided on a bottom surface near one end. What is supplied and supplied is well known.

In an electrostatic recording apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a toner image formed on a photoreceptor drum is transferred onto a recording sheet, and then cleaning is performed to remove residual toner adhering to the surface of the photoreceptor drum. In the apparatus, the toner removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum by cleaning means such as a cleaning blade or a cleaning brush is dropped and stored in a hopper formed at a lower portion of the cleaning apparatus main body.
By the spiral conveying member provided at the bottom of the hopper,
It is general that the paper is conveyed toward one end and discharged to the outside.

However, since the toner has poor fluidity, it tends to harden in a portion of the toner supply device or the cleaning device of the developing device before reaching the spiral transport member such as a transport coil or near the surface of the transport member. This is what is called a blocking state. Since the toner in the blocking state is difficult to be conveyed by the spiral conveying member, conventionally, an agitator is provided near the conveying member to agitate the toner to break the blocking.

However, conventionally, a dedicated motor has been attached to drive the toner stirring device (agitator),
Normally, the driving force is transmitted from a driving motor such as a toner conveying member via a gear train to rotate the shaft to agitate the toner, which has a disadvantage that the structure becomes complicated and the cost increases.

[0007] To eliminate this drawback, for example,
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-26932 discloses an example of a toner stirring device for a cleaning device such as a copying machine. In this apparatus, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a large number of scraping pieces 15 that are in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the central shaft 13 are formed between the spiral blades 12 of the transport roller 11 having the spiral blades 12 in the cleaning device 10. The cleaning device 10 has a configuration in which a scraping member 14 made of a flexible material such as a polyester film and provided in a base 16 fixed to a casing of the cleaning device 10 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 10, the scraper 15 extends in a direction opposite to the toner conveying direction indicated by an arrow, and
At the tip, a projection 17 that is easily engaged with the peripheral edge of the spiral blade 12 is provided, and the transport roller 11 is rotated so that when the scraping piece 15 comes to a position where it engages with the spiral blade 12, the spiral blade 12 By engaging with the peripheral edge and elastically deforming, while alternately slidingly contacting the central shaft 13 and the peripheral edge of the blade 12, when the scraping piece 15 comes off the spiral blade 12, the instantaneous movement by elastic energy is performed. Thus, the toner blocking can be broken.

In the case of this conventional example, the drive of the scraping member 14 does not require a dedicated motor or a gear device for receiving power from another motor, but the toner is agitated. The area is the moving range of the scraping pieces 15,
That is, in FIG. 9, the solid line indicated by reference numeral 15 and the solid line
Between the two curves, i.e. the scraper 15
It is thought that there is little problem with a cleaning device in which the amount of toner in the toner hopper is relatively small between the position where the toner is slid in contact with the outer peripheral edge of the spiral blade 12 and the amount of toner in the toner hopper is relatively small. In a toner supply device, such as a toner hopper for replenishment, in which the amount of toner stored in the toner hopper is relatively large, the toner stirring ability is not necessarily sufficient.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventionally or proposed toner supply apparatus, and has been developed in consideration of the above-mentioned drawbacks of a toner supply apparatus. The object of the present invention is to provide a toner supply device having a toner stirring device having a wide toner stirring area with a simple configuration, which does not require a dedicated motor or a gear train for receiving power from another motor with a simple configuration. And

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention conveys toner inside a hopper by a spiral conveying means provided at the bottom of the toner hopper, and discharges toner from near one end of the hopper. A horizontal straight line that passes through points disposed on a straight line extending parallel to the axis of the conveying unit at intervals directly above the spiral conveying unit, and is orthogonal to the straight line. , And is provided with a row of flexible thin plate stirring pieces that extend in the vertical and axial directions of the rocking shaft, and whose lower end interferes with the upper part of the spiral conveying means. And

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail based on an embodiment shown in the drawings. 1 and 2 are a horizontal sectional view and a vertical sectional view, respectively, showing a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to the toner supply device of the developing device described above with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, a transfer coil is used as the spiral transfer member 8, and a pitch P is formed on a straight line 20 extending directly above and parallel to the axis 8a of the transfer coil 8.
_The stirrer piece 22 swings freely around a horizontal straight line 21 passing through a point P disposed at equal intervals (in the illustrated example, at equal intervals, but not limited to, the illustrated example). Are provided in a line. The stirring piece 22 is provided on the swing shaft 21
, And extends with a certain width in the axial direction of the swing shaft 21, and the vicinity of the lower end interferes with the upper part of the transport coil 8. The stirring piece 22 is made of PET
(Polyethylene terephthalate; trade name Mylar) etc.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
As a means for pivotally supporting the mounting member 2 at a predetermined position, both ends of a rocking shaft 21 of each stirring piece 22 are provided at predetermined positions on a support member 23 fixed to the main body of the hopper 2. A means for supporting the bearing with the provided bearing 24 is employed.

Since the vicinity of the lower end of the agitating piece 22 is engaged with the upper portion of the transport coil 8, when the transport coil 8 is rotated around its axis and driven, the spiral shape advances in the axial direction, and the toner is removed. While being conveyed, the lower end portion of the stirring piece 22 engaged with the upper part is pushed and the stirring piece 22 pivotally supported at the fixed swing position P rotates around the swing shaft 21 and the lower end thereof When it comes into contact with the upper end of the spiral shape, the stirring piece 2
2 climbs over the top of the helix and falls into the next recess of the helix. FIG. 3 schematically shows the state of the transfer coil 8.
As the helical shape moves forward from position 1 to positions 2, 3, 4, and 5, the agitating piece 22 pivotally supported by the position-unchangeable swing center P is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 In FIG. 3, the stirring piece that has been rotated clockwise in FIG. 3 rotates counterclockwise when it exceeds the position 4 and repeatedly rotates clockwise from the position 1. However, when the toner is stored in the hopper 2, the upper portion of the stirring piece 22 does not freely swing due to the resistance of the toner, and the stirring piece 22 made of a thin plate of a flexible material is actually used. When the lower end leaves the upper end of the helical shape of the transfer coil, its elastic energy instantaneously returns to its original shape, the toner is effectively stirred by the energy, and the blocking state is broken. Is done. The same operation and effect can be obtained even if the spiral conveying means has a spiral blade attached to the rotating shaft.

If the spiral pitch P ₂ of the conveying roller 8 (see FIG. 2) is the same as the arrangement pitch P ₁ of the stirring pieces 22, each stirring piece is at the top of the spiral shape of the conveying roller 8. And the rotational resistance of the transport roller 8 increases, the helical pitch P ₂ of the transport roller 8 and the agitating piece 22
The arrangement pitch P ₁ to a slightly different it is desirable.
Then, each stirrer piece will sequentially engage with the spiral mountain,
The rotation of the transport roller becomes smooth.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of another simple structure in which the stirring pieces are arranged in a line at a predetermined pitch (this pitch does not need to be equal pitch) and swingably supported at a predetermined position. And FIG. In the figure, a circular shape is provided just above the transfer coil 8 provided at the bottom of the hopper 2, at the height of the swinging position of each stirring piece 22, in parallel with the axis of the transfer coil 8, and over almost the entire width of the hopper 2. In the cross section, a first shaft 25 provided with an annular groove 25a extends at a position where each stirring piece 22 is attached. Directly above the second axis 2 has a uniform circular cross-section over the entire length in the same range as and parallel to the first axis.
6 is extended. Each of the stirring pieces 22 has these first
A circular hole 27 and an oblong hole 28 are provided at positions where the shaft 25 and the second shaft 26 penetrate, respectively, so as to allow the stirring piece 22 to swing within a predetermined angle range. Both ends of the two shafts 25 and 26 penetrating the circular hole 27 and the oblong hole 28 of each stirring piece 22 are fixed by contacting the inclined inner surface of the hopper 2 to position the two shafts 25 and 26. Support 2 formed by bending both side ends of a positioning member 29 to be bent at right angles
The retainer ring 30 is mounted at a position where the support hole is made to pass through the support hole formed in the support portion 9a and is in contact with the outer surface of the support portion 29a, and is fixed in the axial direction. By the two shafts 25 and 26, each stirring piece 22 is held swingably around the swing axis without tilting left and right with respect to the shaft.

By the way, when the assembly of the stirrer is completed,
The stirring piece 22 is in a state of supporting the uppermost peripheral edge of the round hole 27 at the uppermost groove bottom of the annular groove 25 a of the first shaft 25. Therefore, even if it is attempted to assemble the first shaft 25 by holding the first shaft 25 at a predetermined relative height through the round holes 27 of the row of the stirring pieces 22 arranged at a predetermined pitch, the shaft is passed through the round holes 27. Can not do. Therefore, when assembling the stirrer, the position of the hole of the support portion 29a of the positioning member 29 is slightly lowered, and the first shaft 25 is inserted from one side into the round hole 2 of each stirring piece.
7 and the other support portion 29a, the positioning member 29 is lifted up together with the shaft 25, so that the upper end of the round hole 27 of each agitating piece 22 has the corresponding annular groove 25a of the first shaft 25. Comes to a predetermined position in contact with the bottom of the groove at the upper end. Next, the second shaft 26 is moved to one of the support portions 2 of the positioning member 29.
The retainer ring 3 is passed through the long hole 28 and the other support hole of each stirrer piece 22 sequentially from the support hole 9a to the outer surfaces of the support portions 29a at both ends of the first shaft 25 and the second shaft 26.
0 is fitted to fix the shaft. Then, the positioning member 2
9 is brought into contact with a predetermined position on the inner surface of the toner hopper 2,
Attach with screws 31.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the first embodiment of the second embodiment described above is used.
In addition to the shaft 25 and the second shaft 26, just below the first shaft 25, above the upper end of the transfer coil 8, in parallel with these axes,
A third shaft 32 having a uniform circular cross-section extends substantially in the same range, and the stirring piece 22 correspondingly allows the stirring piece to swing within a predetermined angle range. An oval hole 33 is provided.

The method of mounting each shaft described above may be the same as that of the second embodiment, but FIGS. 6 and 7 show another method. The positioning member 34 of each shaft is separately formed at both ends, and is a trapezoidal plate-like member having both side edges abutting on the inclined inner surfaces of the toner hopper 2. 1st axis 2
5. At both ends of the second shaft 26, as shown in FIG. 7, steps are provided to form reduced diameter portions 25b and 26a, and a short hole 34a is formed in the end surface of the third shaft 32 in the axial direction. I have. Correspondingly, the positioning member 34 is provided with round holes 35 and 36 in which the reduced diameter portions 25b and 26a of the first shaft and the second shaft fit, and the holes 32a on the shaft end surface of the third shaft 32 are formed. Is fixedly provided. After fitting the three shafts 25, 26, 32 into the corresponding holes 27, 28, 33 of the stirrer piece 22 group, respectively, the reduced diameter portions 25b, 2b,
6a is fitted into the corresponding fitting holes 35 and 36 of the positioning member 34, fixed by the step and the retainer ring 30, and the third shaft 32 is inserted by inserting the protruding pieces 37 into the holes 32a at both ends with play. The third shaft 32 is held in a suspended state, and the assembly of the stirring device is completed. One positioning member 34
Is fixed to the toner hopper via a mounting member 38,
The other positioning member is attached by being pressed by the lid of the hopper.

Since the number of shafts supporting the stirring pieces is three, the left and right postures of the axes of the respective stirring pieces are mainly maintained by the uppermost second axis and the lowermost third axis. The engagement between the annular groove of the first shaft and the stirring piece is smooth,
Vibration of the stirring piece around the swing axis, and thus, toner stirring action is ensured.

As can be seen from the three embodiments described above, according to the present invention, the stirring piece for stirring the toner in the hopper is driven by the movement of the conveying member with its lower end engaged with the spiral conveying member. It is not necessary to use a dedicated motor for driving the stirrer or a gear device for receiving drive from a motor for another device.
The structure is simple and the cost is low.

Further, the stirring piece extends in the vertical direction of the swing axis and has a sufficient width also in the direction of the swing axis, which repeatedly oscillates like a seesaw.
It becomes a range surrounded by the upper edge, the lower edge, and both side edges of the stirring piece, and expands remarkably as compared with those conventionally proposed.

As described above, according to the present invention, the toner in the toner hopper can be reliably and efficiently stirred with a simple configuration, and a remarkable effect can be obtained in preventing toner blocking.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a toner supply device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation and effect of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a toner supply device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a toner supply device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a part of a section taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a developing device provided with a conventional toner supply device.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a cleaning device including a known toner scraping device.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 9;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 2 Toner hopper 4 Toner cartridge 8 Spiral conveying member (conveying coil) 10 Cleaning device 12 Spiral blade 13 Central shaft 14 Scrape member 15 Scrapping piece 21 Swing shaft 22 Stir piece 23 Support member 24 Bearing 25 First shaft 25a Annular Groove 26 Second shaft 27 First through hole (circular hole) 28 Second through hole (elliptical hole) 29 Positioning member 29a Support portion 32 Third axis 33 Oval hole 34 Positioning member 38 Mounting member

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A toner supply device for conveying toner in a hopper by a helical conveying means provided at a bottom portion of a toner hopper and discharging the toner out of the hopper from near one end thereof. Above, through points spaced on a straight line extending parallel to the axis of the transport means,
A flexible thin plate agitator supported swingably around a horizontal straight line perpendicular to the straight line, extending vertically and axially of the swinging shaft, and having a lower end portion interfering with the upper portion of the spiral conveying means. A toner supply device having a row of pieces. 2. The means for swingably supporting the stirring pieces is such that both ends of a swinging shaft of each stirring piece are pivotally supported by support members fixed to a hopper body. The toner supply device according to claim 1, wherein 3. The means for swingably supporting the stirring piece is extended parallel to the axis of the spiral conveying means at the height of the swinging axis of each stirring piece, and both ends are fixed to the hopper body. A first shaft having an annular groove into which the stirring pieces are loosely fitted at positions where the respective stirring pieces are provided, and extending above and parallel to the first shaft,
A second shaft having both ends fixed to the hopper body, a circular hole in which the first shaft is loosely fitted in each stirring piece, and a swinging motion of the stirring piece within a predetermined angle range. 2. The toner supply device according to claim 1, wherein an elliptical hole into which the second shaft is loosely fitted is formed. 4. A means for swingably supporting the stirring piece is further extended between the first shaft and an upper end of the spiral conveying means in parallel with the first shaft and both ends of the hopper body. It has a fixed third shaft, and each stirring piece is provided with an oblong hole into which the third shaft is loosely fitted so as to allow the stirring piece to swing within a predetermined angle range. 4. The toner supply device according to claim 3, wherein: 5. The toner supply device according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement pitch of the stirring pieces is different from the spiral pitch of the spiral conveying means.