KR100846834B1 - Toner cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

A toner cartridge is disclosed. According to the toner cartridge according to the present invention, there is provided a toner cartridge, which is detachably coupled to a developing device, stores a toner and has a first outlet formed therein; A shutter member having a second discharge port engaged with the first discharge port according to a reciprocating movement; The size of the developer is advantageous, and consumable maintenance costs are reduced, and the periphery of the toner is prevented when the toner cartridge is dismounted, the discharge of the toner is easily controlled, and the sealing member is provided to provide the toner. Sufficient confidentiality is ensured.

Description

Toner cartridge

1 is a side cross-sectional view of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus equipped with a toner cartridge according to the present invention.

2 is a perspective view showing an assembly method of a toner cartridge and a developer according to the present invention;

3 is an exploded perspective view of a toner cartridge according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing a closed position of the shutter member according to the present invention.

Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view showing an open position of the shutter member according to the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

120 Developing 127 Developing Toner Hole

128 ... shutter cam 200 ... toner cartridge

210 ... Drive Gear 220 ... Drive Shaft

230 ... front cover 240 ... toner reservoir

241 Auger hole 250 Agitator

260 rear cover 270 auger

280 ... Shutter member 281 ... Second outlet

285.Elastic member 288 ... First sealing member

289.Second seal member 290 ... Guide cylinder

291 ... 1st outlet 298 ... shutter cam hole

T ... toner

The present invention relates to a toner cartridge, and more particularly, to a toner cartridge detachably coupled to a developing device of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus for maintenance of toner as a consumable.

In general, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus scans a photosensitive member charged with a constant potential to form an electrostatic latent image, and after developing the electrostatic latent image with a toner, transfers and fixes the developed image onto a print medium. Refers to a device for forming a visible image.

In particular, in the case of a color image forming apparatus, the color of the toner used is typically four colors of yellow (Y; yellow), magenta (M; magenta), cyan (C; cyan), and black (K; black). In order to attach the four toners to the electrostatic latent image, four developing apparatuses each containing four toners are required. Therefore, the color image forming apparatus is larger in size than the monochrome image forming apparatus. For miniaturization of the electrophotographic color image forming apparatus, the miniaturization of the developing device is essential.

In addition, the developing device should be replaced after the toner contained inside as a consumable item is used up. The amount of toner contained in the developer is generally enough to print thousands of sheets. However, in general, the parts of the developer, including the developing roller, have a very long life of several tens of thousands. Therefore, it is uneconomical to replace the developer itself after the toner is used up. In particular, since the developing apparatus miniaturized in the color image forming apparatus also has a smaller capacity for storing toner, the replacement cycle of the developing apparatus is shortened, which is more economical.

Therefore, by separately supplying only the toner, it is possible to use the developing device as it is, and to devise a miniaturization of the developing device without being restricted by the toner storage capacity. One of them is to separate the toner cartridge and developer from which the toner is stored, and after the toner is used up, remove the toner cartridge from the developer and replace it with a new toner cartridge which is full of toner, so that the developer continues to its end of life. The size of the developer is sufficiently reduced.

For the toner cartridge detachably coupled to the developer, the toner supply path must be opened when mounted in the developer, and the toner supply path must be closed when separated from the developer. The means for opening and closing this toner supply passage should ensure sufficient supply performance of the toner, while also providing sufficient airtightness to prevent the toner from scattering around.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in an effort to improve the above-described problems, and in a toner cartridge separately provided from a developer to reduce consumable costs and to reduce the size of a developer, a toner supply opening and closing which provides a smooth supply of toner and sufficient airtightness is opened and closed. It is to provide a toner cartridge having a means.

Toner cartridge according to the present invention to achieve the above object,

A toner cartridge detachably coupled to an electrophotographic developing device, comprising: a toner reservoir having a first outlet for supplying toner stored therein to the developer; The shutter member is slidably provided in the toner reservoir, and has a second outlet configured to discharge the toner to the first outlet, and is moved to an open position where the first and second outlets are connected when the toner reservoir is installed. ; An elastic member for elastically returning the shutter member to a closed position where the first and second outlets are shifted and closed when the toner reservoir is separated; Characterized in that it comprises a.

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In one embodiment, the toner cartridge, inside the toner reservoir, agitator for stirring the stored toner; An auger that rotates and pushes the stored toner to the second outlet; It is further provided.

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In one embodiment, the shutter member has a pipe shape, one side of which is open for the inflow of toner supplied from the auger and the other side of which is blocked, and the second outlet is formed on a side wall.

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In one embodiment, the toner reservoir further includes a guide cylinder in which the shutter member is inserted and the first discharge port is formed on a sidewall.

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In one embodiment, the toner cartridge may include: a sealing member provided at a connection portion of the shutter member and the toner reservoir so that the toner is discharged to a developer only when the toner passes through both the first and second outlets; It further includes.
On the other hand, the toner cartridge of the present invention comprises a toner reservoir for storing toner; A shutter member moved to an open position for discharging the toner inside the toner reservoir to the outside and a closed position for discharging the toner; And the toner reservoir is pushed by a shutter cam provided in the image forming apparatus when the toner reservoir is mounted in a developing device of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and the shutter member is moved to the open position. And the shutter member moves to the closed position while the shutter member escapes from the shutter cam.
In one embodiment, the developing device includes a toner hole for inflow of the toner, and the toner reservoir further includes a first outlet for discharging the toner, and when the toner reservoir is mounted in the developer, the first outlet And the toner holes engage with each other.
In one embodiment, the shutter member includes a second outlet of the toner, and when the shutter member is moved to the open position, the second outlet and the first outlet are interlocked with each other to allow the toner to discharge the second outlet, Passes through the first discharge port and the toner hole and flows into the developer.
In one embodiment, the toner reservoir includes a guide cylinder in which a first discharge port is formed on a sidewall of the shutter member to be movable.
In one embodiment, the shutter member includes a second outlet of the toner, wherein the first outlet and the second outlet are at positions displaced from each other in the closed position, and the first outlet is closed by an outer circumference of the shutter member. And the second outlet is closed by an inner wall of the guide cylinder.
In one embodiment, the toner cartridge includes a sealing member sealing the discharge of the toner to the toner hole only when the toner passes through both the first discharge port of the toner reservoir and the second discharge port of the shutter member; It further includes.
In one embodiment, at least one sealing member is interposed between a connection portion of the shutter member and the guide cylinder.
In one embodiment, the sealing member is inserted into the guide cylinder, and includes a first sealing member provided at the front end of the shutter member and a second sealing member provided at the rear end of the shutter member.
In one embodiment, the toner cartridge comprises: an elastic member for elastically biasing the shutter member to the closed position; The shutter member is moved to the closed position by the restoring force of the elastic member when the toner reservoir is separated from the developer.
In one embodiment, the toner cartridge is coupled to the toner reservoir further includes a front cover and a rear cover, the remaining amount for detecting the remaining amount of the toner between at least one of the front cover and the rear cover and the toner reservoir A sensing means is provided.
In one embodiment, the inside of the toner reservoir is provided with an agitator for stirring the toner and an auger for pushing the stored toner while rotating.
In one embodiment, the shutter member is a pipe shape of which one side is open for the inflow of toner supplied from the auger and the other side is blocked, and a second outlet is formed on the side wall.
In one embodiment, the toner cartridge includes a drive shaft to which a stirrer is connected; A driving gear connected to a driving system of the image forming apparatus when the toner storage container is mounted in the developing device to rotate the driving shaft; It further includes.
In one embodiment, the toner cartridge includes a reduction gear train connected to the drive gear to rotate an auger; It includes more.
In one embodiment, the supply amount of the toner is adjusted by adjusting the reduction ratio of the reduction gear train or the lead width and shape of the auger.
In one embodiment, the amount of toner supplied to the toner hole of the developer is adjusted by adjusting the size of the width through which the first outlet of the toner reservoir and the second outlet of the shutter member overlap.
On the other hand, the toner reservoir of the present invention is a second discharge port through which the toner is discharged by being moved to an open position / closed position which permits / prevents toner discharge upon mounting / removing the toner cartridge in the developing device of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus Shutter member having a; An elastic member for elastically biasing the shutter member to the closed position; A guide provided in the toner cartridge including a guide to which the shutter member is movably inserted when the shutter member is moved to an open position, where a first discharge port serving as a passage connecting the second discharge port and the developer is formed; And an inner space for storing the cylinder and the toner.
On the other hand, the shutter member of the present invention is provided with a toner storage container for supplying the toner stored therein to the developing unit of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus through the first discharge port, and is provided in the toner cartridge detachable from the developing unit. It is slidably provided therein, and has a second outlet for discharging the toner, and when the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing device, the toner is moved to an open position where the first outlet and the second outlet are overlapped with each other. Is supplied to the developing unit, and the toner cartridge is moved to a closed position where the first outlet and the second outlet are displaced from each other when the toner cartridge is separated from the developer, thereby blocking supply of the toner. Here, the shutter member is a pipe shape in which one side is open and the other side is blocked for inflow of the toner supplied from the auger, and the second outlet is formed on the side wall.
On the other hand, the elastic member of the present invention, the toner storage container for supplying the toner stored therein through the first discharge port to the developing device of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus; It is provided to be slidable inside the toner reservoir and has a second outlet for discharging the toner, and is moved to an open position where the first outlet and the second outlet are overlapped with each other when the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing device. A shutter member configured to supply the toner to the developer, and to move the toner cartridge to a closed position at which the first outlet and the second outlet are shifted from each other when the toner cartridge is separated from the developer; And a toner cartridge attached to or detached from the developer, and characterized by elastically biasing the shutter member to the closed position.
On the other hand, the sealing member of the present invention, the toner storage container for supplying the toner stored therein through the first discharge port to the developing device of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus; It is provided to be slidable inside the toner reservoir and has a second outlet for discharging the toner, and is moved to an open position where the first outlet and the second outlet are overlapped with each other when the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing device. A shutter member configured to supply the toner to the developer, and to move the toner cartridge to a closed position at which the first outlet and the second outlet are shifted from each other when the toner cartridge is separated from the developer; It is provided in the toner cartridge detachable to the developer, provided in the connecting portion of the shutter member and the toner reservoir so that the toner is discharged to the developer only when the toner passes through both the first and second discharge port It is characterized by. Here, the toner reservoir includes a guide cylinder into which the shutter member is inserted and the first discharge port is formed on a sidewall, and the sealing member is inserted into the guide cylinder, and the first sealing member of the tip of the shutter member; It is preferable that a second sealing member is provided at the rear end of the shutter member.
On the other hand, the stirrer of the present invention, the toner reservoir for supplying the toner stored therein to the developing unit of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus through the first discharge port; It is provided to be slidable inside the toner reservoir and has a second outlet for discharging the toner, and is moved to an open position where the first outlet and the second outlet are overlapped with each other when the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing device. A shutter member configured to supply the toner to the developer, and to move the toner cartridge to a closed position at which the first outlet and the second outlet are shifted from each other when the toner cartridge is separated from the developer; It is provided in the toner cartridge detachable to the developer, coupled to the drive shaft to rotate the toner in the toner reservoir to rotate, the drive gear provided on the drive shaft when the toner cartridge is mounted is the drive system of the image forming apparatus It is characterized by receiving a driving force by being connected to.
On the other hand, the auger of the present invention, the toner storage container for supplying the toner stored therein through the first discharge port to the developing device of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus; It is provided to be slidable inside the toner reservoir and has a second outlet for discharging the toner, and is moved to an open position where the first outlet and the second outlet are overlapped with each other when the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing device. A shutter member configured to supply the toner to the developer, and to move the toner cartridge to a closed position at which the first outlet and the second outlet are shifted from each other when the toner cartridge is separated from the developer; It is provided in the toner cartridge detachable to the developing device, and rotates to push the toner stored in the toner reservoir to the second outlet of the shutter member, and is connected to the drive system of the image forming apparatus when the toner cartridge is mounted It is characterized by receiving a driving force.
On the other hand, the cover of the present invention, the toner reservoir for supplying the toner stored therein through the first discharge port to the developing device of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus; It is provided to be slidable inside the toner reservoir and has a second outlet for discharging the toner, and is moved to an open position where the first outlet and the second outlet are overlapped with each other when the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing device. A shutter member configured to supply the toner to the developer, and to move the toner cartridge to a closed position at which the first outlet and the second outlet are shifted from each other when the toner cartridge is separated from the developer; It is provided in the toner cartridge detachable from the developing device, characterized in that coupled to at least one of the front or rear of the toner reservoir to include therein remaining amount sensing means for detecting the remaining amount of the toner in the toner reservoir do.
Meanwhile, the toner storage container of the present invention is provided in a toner cartridge detachably coupled to a developing device of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and stores toner therein. The first to supply the stored toner to the toner hole of the developing device is provided. It has an outlet.
In one embodiment, the toner is supplied to the toner hole through the second outlet and the first outlet as the shutter member having the second outlet is moved to the open position when the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing device. When the toner cartridge is separated from the developer, the shutter member is moved to a closed position to close the first discharge port, thereby preventing the toner from leaking.
In one embodiment, the toner reservoir is moved to an open position by being pushed by a shutter cam provided in the image forming apparatus when the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing device, and discharges the toner from the second outlet toward the first outlet, A shutter member which is moved from the shutter cam when the toner cartridge is separated from the developer and moved to a closed position to prevent the toner discharge; It is provided.
In one embodiment, the toner reservoir includes a guide cylinder in which the first discharge port is formed on a sidewall of the shutter member to be movable.
In one embodiment, in the closed position, the first outlet and the second outlet are in a displaced position, the first outlet is closed by the outer circumference of the shutter member and the second outlet is closed by the inner wall of the guide cylinder. do.
On the other hand, the shutter member of the present invention is provided in the toner cartridge detachably coupled to the developing device of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and when the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing device, the toner stored in the toner cartridge is discharged to the second discharge port. Is moved to an open position for discharging to the toner hole of the developer, and to a closed position for preventing the discharge of the toner when the toner cartridge is separated from the developer.
In one embodiment, a guide cylinder is formed in a toner reservoir provided inside the toner cartridge to store the toner, and the shutter member is inserted into the guide cylinder and moved to the open position and the closed position.
In one embodiment, the shutter member is moved to the open position by being pushed by a shutter cam provided in the image forming apparatus when the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing device, and escapes from the shutter cam when the toner cartridge is separated from the developing device. Is moved to the closed position.
In one embodiment, the toner reservoir is provided with a first outlet for discharging the toner to the toner hole, and the toner is discharged to the toner hole of the developer through the second outlet and the first outlet in the open position. .
In one embodiment, the shutter member has a pipe shape in which one side is open for the inflow of the toner supplied from the auger and the other side is blocked, and a second outlet is formed in the side wall.
On the other hand, the sealing member of the present invention includes a toner reservoir for storing toner and a shutter member moved to an open position / closed position for allowing / preventing toner discharge of the toner reservoir, and detachable from the developing device of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The shutter member to be discharged into the toner hole of the developer only when the toner passes through both the second discharge port provided in the shutter member and the first discharge port provided in the toner reservoir; Seal the connection portion of the toner reservoir.
In one embodiment, the shutter member is movably inserted into a guide cylinder formed in the toner reservoir, and the sealing member is interposed between at least one connecting portion of the shutter member and the guide cylinder.
In one embodiment, the sealing member is inserted into the guide cylinder, and includes a first sealing member provided at the front end of the shutter member and a second sealing member provided at the rear end of the shutter member.
On the other hand, the elastic member of the present invention includes a toner reservoir for storing toner and a shutter member moved to an open position / closed position for allowing / preventing toner discharge of the toner reservoir, and detachable from the developing device of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Provided in the toner cartridge, which is possibly coupled, to elastically bias the shutter member to the closed position. Here, the elastic member provides a restoring force for moving the shutter member to the closed position when the toner reservoir is separated from the developer.
Meanwhile, the cover of the present invention includes a toner reservoir for storing toner and a shutter member moved to an open position / closed position for allowing / preventing toner discharge of the toner reservoir, and is detachable from a developing device of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. And a remaining amount detecting means coupled to at least one of a front side or a rear side of the toner reservoir and detecting a remaining amount of toner in the toner reservoir.
On the other hand, the agitator of the present invention includes a toner reservoir for storing toner and a shutter member moved to an open position / closed position for allowing / preventing toner discharge of the toner reservoir, and detachable from a developing device of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. It is provided in the toner cartridge to be coupled to each other, it is provided in the toner reservoir to rotate while stirring the toner. Here, the agitator is preferably coupled to a drive shaft that is rotated by a drive gear connected to the drive system of the image forming apparatus when the toner reservoir is mounted on the developing device.
On the other hand, the auger of the present invention includes a toner reservoir for storing toner and a shutter member moved to an open position / closed position for allowing / preventing toner discharge of the toner reservoir, and can be attached to or detached from a developing device of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. It is provided in the toner cartridge to be coupled so as to rotate, to push the toner in the toner reservoir toward the shutter member. The toner cartridge may further include an agitator coupled to a driving shaft to agitate the toner inside the toner reservoir, and rotated. The toner cartridge may be connected to a driving system of the image forming apparatus when the toner reservoir is mounted to the developing device. The auger is provided with a driving force by a reduction gear train connected to the driving gear. The auger may be screw shaped or coil spring shaped.

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Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail an embodiment of the present invention. Embodiments of the invention are not limited to what is shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that various modifications can be made within the scope of the same invention. In addition, the same reference numerals denote the same components.

1 is a side cross-sectional view of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus equipped with a toner cartridge according to the present invention. Referring to this, a printing unit 101 for printing an image on a printing medium P and a fixing unit 175 for fixing the printed image on the printing medium P are shown. The printing unit 101 includes a charging unit 139, an exposure unit 110, a photosensitive member 130, a developing unit 120, an intermediate transfer belt 150, and a transfer roller 170. In the case of printing a color image, the printing unit 101 includes four developing units 120 containing toners of black (K: black) cyan (M: magenta) yellow (Y: yellow) color. do. Four toner cartridges 200 in which black (K: black) c: c: magenta (Y: yellow) toners are stored are detachably mounted to four developing devices 120, respectively. . The toner cartridge 200 replenishes the toner contained in the developer 120.

The charging unit 139 charges the surface of the photosensitive member 130 with a uniform electric potential. For example, the exposure unit 110 scans the photosensitive member 130 with light corresponding to yellow (Y: yellow) image information to form a yellow electrostatic latent image. The developing unit 140Y develops an electrostatic latent image to form a yellow toner image. This toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 150. In the same manner, when the toner images of magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) colors are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 150 in order, a complete color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 150.

The print medium P is drawn out from the paper feed cassette 105 by the pickup roller 180 and is transferred to the opposite surface of the intermediate transfer belt 150 and the transfer roller 170 by the feed roller 181. The toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 150 toward the print medium P. The toner image transferred to the print medium P is fixed to the fixing unit 175. The fixing unit 175 includes a pressure roller 770 and a heating roller 760, and applies to heat and pressure to fix the toner image to the print medium P. The at least one discharge roller 179 discharges the print medium P which has been printed out to the outside of the printing unit 101. The discharged print medium P is sequentially loaded on the discharge table 102.

1 is a four-pass color electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which charging, exposure, and development are performed for each of four colors and an intermediate transfer belt 150 is provided for printing an image of a printing medium P. FIG. Although shown, the embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is not limited thereto. Although not shown, the monochrome image forming apparatus includes one developing unit and one photosensitive member, and the single-pass color image forming apparatus includes four developing units and four photosensitive members, A pass type image forming apparatus includes two units when two developing units and one photoreceptor are viewed as one unit.

2 is a perspective view illustrating a method of assembling the toner cartridge 200 and the developer 120 according to the present invention. Each of the developer 120 of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) colors has a developer toner hole (127). The toner cartridge 200 is detachably coupled to each of the developing units 120 for each color. In one embodiment, the shutter cam 128 is provided in the developing unit 120, but is not necessarily limited thereto. The shutter cam 128 pushes the shutter member 280 (see FIG. 3) to the open position when the toner cartridge 200 is mounted.

3 is an exploded perspective view of the toner cartridge 200 according to the present invention. Referring to this, the toner reservoir 240, the shutter member 280, the elastic member 285 is shown.

The toner storage container 240 is detachably coupled to the developer 120 and stores the toner T therein. When the stored toner T runs out, it is replaced with a new one. The toner reservoir 240 includes a first discharge port 291 for supplying the toner T stored therein to the developer toner hole 127. The toner reservoir 240 includes an agitator 250 to stir the toner T stored therein. The toner reservoir 240 includes an auger 270 for pushing the toner T stored therein into the shutter member 280. As the shape of the auger 270, not only a screw shape as shown but also a coil spring shape not shown is possible. The toner reservoir 240 includes a guide cylinder for movably inserting the shutter member 280. The guide cylinder 290 guides the sliding of the shutter member 280, and has a first outlet 291 at a sidewall thereof.

The shutter member 280 is provided in the toner reservoir 240 and slides to an open position for discharging the toner T and a closed position for discharging the toner T. The shutter member 280 has a second discharge port 281 so as to discharge the toner T transported by the auger 270 to the developer toner hole 127 through the first discharge port 291 of the toner reservoir 240. do. The shutter member 280 is elastically biased in the direction toward the closed position by the elastic member 285. The shutter member 280 is open at one side for the inflow of the toner T, which is transferred to the auger 270, and the other side is in the shape of a pipe that is blocked. The second outlet 281 is provided at a predetermined sidewall of the shutter member 280.

When the toner reservoir 240 is mounted on the developing unit 120, the toner cartridge 240 is pushed by the shutter cam 128 provided outside the toner cartridge 200 to move the shutter member 280 to an open position. When the shutter member 280 is moved to the open position, the first and second outlets 281 and 291 are connected to each other and are engaged with each other, and the toner T transferred by the auger 270 is the first and second outlets 281 and 291. Through the toner hole 127 is discharged through.

When the toner reservoir 240 is separated from the developer 120, the shutter cam 128 is evacuated from the shutter member 280, and the shutter member 280 is elastically returned to the closed position by the restoring force of the elastic member 285. . In the closed position, the first and second outlets 281 and 291 are located at positions shifted from each other, and the first outlet 291 formed in the toner reservoir 240 is closed by the outer circumference of the shutter member 280 and the shutter member 280. The second outlet 281 formed in the) is closed by the inner wall of the guide cylinder 290.

The sealing member is provided so that the toner T is discharged to the outside of the toner cartridge 200 only when the toner T passes through both the first and second discharge ports 281 and 291. At least one sealing member is interposed between the shutter member 280 and the guide cylinder 290. In order to prevent the toner T passing through the second discharge port 281 of the shutter member 280 to the shutter cam hole 298 formed at the tip of the guide cylinder 290, the first sealing member 288 is The tip of the shutter member 280 is provided. When the shutter member 280 is in the open position, the toner T pushed by the auger 270 does not leak to the outside of the toner cartridge 200 through the auger hole 241, and all of the second discharge ports 281 are formed. The second sealing member 289 is provided at the rear end of the shutter member 280 to be transferred in the direction. The first and second sealing members 288 and 289 are inserted into the guide cylinder 290 and restrict the external discharge path of the toner T to pass through the first and second discharge ports 281 and 291 to the outside of the toner T. Prevent shattering. As the sealing member, a material such as rubber or sponge having a predetermined elasticity and good airtightness is suitable.

4 is a side sectional view showing a closed position of the shutter member 280 according to the present invention. Referring to this, as the toner cartridge 200 is separated from the developer 120, the shutter cam 128 and the shutter member 280 are escaped from each other. The shutter member 280 is returned to the closed position by the elastic force of the elastic member 285. The front cover 230 and the rear cover 260 are assembled to the toner reservoir 240. Between the front cover 230 and the toner reservoir 240, a residual amount detection board (not shown) capable of sensing the residual amount of the toner T is installed. The remaining amount detection board detects whether the toner T stored in the toner reservoir 240 is exhausted and other information. The drive gear 210 is disengaged from a drive system (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus main body 101 and the supply of rotational force is stopped. The stirrer 250 connected to the drive shaft 220 is also stopped. The auger 270 connected to the reduction gear train 257 is also stopped. Even if the separated toner cartridge 200 is moved, the toner T does not leak to the outside because the second outlet 281 is closed by the inner wall of the guide cylinder 290.

5 is a side sectional view showing an open position of the shutter member 280 according to the present invention. Referring to this, as the toner cartridge 200 is mounted on the developing unit 120, the shutter cam 128 and the shutter member 280 are in contact with each other. The shutter cam 128 is moved by pushing the shutter member 280 to an open position. The drive gear 210 is connected to a drive system (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus main body 101 to receive a driving force. As the drive shaft 220, the stirrer 250, and the auger 270 rotate, the toner T stored in the toner reservoir 240 is transferred in the direction of the second discharge port 281. The toner T is discharged to the developer toner hole 127 through the first and second discharge ports 281 and 291 that are interlocked with each other. When the toner cartridge 200 is mounted, the toner T is supplied with a conveying force by the auger 270, but the first and second sealing members 288 and 289 are provided with the shutter cam hole 298 and the first outlet 291. By sealing the various leakage gaps in the direction of ()), abnormal external leakage of the toner T is prevented. The toner T is discharged to the outside of the toner cartridge 200 only when both the first and second discharge ports 281 and 291 pass through the toner T. When the first and second outlets 281 and 291 overlap with each other and adjust the size of the penetrating width, the amount of the toner T supplied to the developer toner hole 127 may be adjusted. In addition, the supply amount of the toner T may be adjusted by adjusting the reduction ratio of the reduction gear train 257 or by adjusting the lead width and shape of the auger 270.

According to the toner cartridge according to the present invention as described above,

First, it is possible to replenish the toner consumed by the developer by attaching and detaching the toner reservoir, which is advantageous for miniaturization of the developer and the cost of maintaining consumables,

Secondly, since the toner is discharged according to whether the first and second discharge ports overlap with each other by the reciprocating movement of the shutter member, the periphery of the toner is prevented when the toner cartridge is dismounted.

Third, it is easy to adjust the discharge amount of the toner by the addition or the overlap of the first and second discharge ports, the auger lead width, the shape, and the rotational speed.

Fourth, a sealing member is provided to ensure sufficient airtightness as well as supply of toner.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, this is merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art to which the art belongs can make various modifications and other equivalent embodiments therefrom. Will understand. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined by the claims below.

Claims (51)

A toner cartridge detachably coupled to an electrophotographic developing device, A toner reservoir having a first outlet for supplying the toner stored therein to the developer; The shutter member is slidably provided in the toner reservoir, and has a second outlet configured to discharge the toner to the first outlet, and is moved to an open position where the first and second outlets are connected when the toner reservoir is installed. ; An elastic member for elastically returning the shutter member to a closed position where the first and second outlets are shifted and closed when the toner reservoir is separated; Toner cartridge comprising a. The method of claim 1, Inside the toner reservoir, An agitator for stirring the stored toner; An auger that rotates and pushes the stored toner to the second outlet; A toner cartridge further comprising. The method of claim 2, The shutter member, Toner cartridge, characterized in that the one side is open for the inflow of the toner supplied from the auger, the other side is a pipe shape, the second outlet is formed on the side wall. The method of claim 3, wherein The toner reservoir is, And a guide cylinder in which the shutter member is inserted and the first discharge port is formed on a sidewall of the shutter member. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A sealing member provided at a connection portion of the shutter member and the toner reservoir so that the toner is discharged to the developer only when the toner passes through both the first and second discharge ports; Toner cartridge further comprises. A toner reservoir for storing toner; A shutter member moved to an open position for discharging the toner inside the toner reservoir to the outside and a closed position for discharging the toner; Including; When the toner reservoir is mounted on the developing device of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the toner container is pushed by the shutter cam provided in the image forming apparatus to move the shutter member to the open position. And when the toner reservoir is separated from the developer, the shutter member is moved from the shutter cam and the shutter member is moved to the closed position. The method of claim 6, The developing device has a toner hole for inflow of the toner, The toner reservoir has a first outlet for discharging the toner, And the first discharge port and the toner hole interlock with each other when the toner reservoir is mounted in the developing device. The method of claim 7, wherein The shutter member has a second outlet of the toner, When the shutter member is moved to the open position, the toner is introduced into the developer through the second outlet, the first outlet and the toner hole while the second outlet and the first outlet are engaged with each other. Toner cartridge. The method of claim 6, And the toner reservoir is provided with a guide cylinder in which a first outlet is formed on a side wall of the toner container to which the shutter member is movably inserted. The method of claim 9, The shutter member has a second outlet of the toner, In the closed position, the first outlet and the second outlet is in a position that is shifted from each other, the first outlet is closed by the outer periphery of the shutter member and the second outlet is closed by the inner wall of the guide cylinder Toner cartridge. The method of claim 9, A sealing member sealing the discharge of the toner to the toner hole only when the toner passes through both the first discharge port of the toner reservoir and the second discharge port of the shutter member; Toner cartridge further comprises. The method of claim 11, And at least one sealing member is interposed between a connection portion of the shutter member and the guide cylinder. The method of claim 12, The sealing member, A toner cartridge inserted into the guide cylinder and having a first sealing member provided at the front end of the shutter member and a second sealing member provided at the rear end of the shutter member. The method of claim 6, An elastic member for elastically biasing the shutter member to the closed position; More, And the shutter member is moved to the closed position by a restoring force of the elastic member when the toner reservoir is separated from the developer. The method of claim 6, It is coupled to the toner reservoir further comprises a front cover and a rear cover, Toner cartridges, characterized in that the remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the toner is provided between at least one of the front cover and the rear cover and the toner reservoir. The method of claim 6, A toner cartridge, characterized in that the inside of the toner reservoir is provided with an agitator for stirring the toner and an auger for pushing the stored toner while rotating. The method of claim 6, The shutter member, Toner cartridge, characterized in that the one side is open for the inflow of toner supplied from the auger, the other side is a pipe shape, the second outlet is formed on the side wall. The method of claim 6, A drive shaft to which the stirrer is connected; A driving gear connected to a driving system of the image forming apparatus when the toner storage container is mounted in the developing device to rotate the driving shaft; Toner cartridge further comprises. The method of claim 18, A reduction gear train connected to the drive gear to rotate an auger; Toner cartridge further comprises. The method of claim 19, And the supply amount of the toner is adjusted by adjusting the reduction ratio of the reduction gear train or the lead width and shape of the auger. The method of claim 6, Wherein the amount of toner supplied to the toner hole of the developer is adjusted by adjusting the size of the width through which the first outlet of the toner reservoir and the second outlet of the shutter member overlap. A shutter member having a second discharge port through which the toner is discharged by being moved to an open position / close position for allowing / preventing toner discharge when mounting / removing a toner cartridge in a developing device of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus; An elastic member for elastically biasing the shutter member to the closed position; To be provided in the toner cartridge comprising a, An inner space for storing the toner and the guide cylinder in which the shutter member is movably inserted into a first discharge port, which is a passage connecting the second discharge port and the developer when the shutter member is moved to an open position; Toner reservoir, characterized in that provided with. And a toner storage container for supplying the toner stored therein to the developing unit of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus through the first discharge port, and provided in the toner cartridge detachable from the developing unit. Slidably provided inside the toner reservoir, A second outlet for discharging the toner, When the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing unit, the toner is moved to an open position where the first outlet and the second outlet are overlapped with each other to supply the toner to the developer, And the first discharge port and the second discharge port move to a closed position at which the toner cartridge is displaced from each other when the toner cartridge is separated from the developer to block the supply of the toner. The method of claim 23, wherein Shutter member, characterized in that the one side is open for the inflow of toner supplied from the auger, the other side is a pipe shape, the second outlet is formed on the side wall. A toner reservoir for supplying the toner stored therein to the developing unit of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus through the first discharge port; It is provided to be slidable inside the toner reservoir and has a second outlet for discharging the toner, and is moved to an open position where the first outlet and the second outlet are overlapped with each other when the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing device. A shutter member configured to supply the toner to the developer, and to move the toner cartridge to a closed position at which the first outlet and the second outlet are shifted from each other when the toner cartridge is separated from the developer; To be provided in the toner cartridge detachable from the developer, And elastically bias the shutter member to the closed position. A toner reservoir for supplying the toner stored therein to the developing unit of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus through the first discharge port; It is provided to be slidable inside the toner reservoir and has a second outlet for discharging the toner, and is moved to an open position where the first outlet and the second outlet are overlapped with each other when the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing device. A shutter member configured to supply the toner to the developer, and to move the toner cartridge to a closed position at which the first outlet and the second outlet are shifted from each other when the toner cartridge is separated from the developer; To be provided in the toner cartridge detachable from the developer, And a sealing member provided at a connection portion of the shutter member and the toner reservoir so that the toner is discharged to the developer only when the toner passes through both the first and second discharge ports. The method of claim 26, The toner reservoir includes a guide cylinder in which the shutter member is inserted and the first discharge port is formed on a sidewall thereof. A sealing member inserted into the guide cylinder, the sealing member having a first sealing member at the tip of the shutter member and a second sealing member at the rear end of the shutter member. A toner reservoir for supplying the toner stored therein to the developing unit of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus through the first discharge port; It is provided to be slidable inside the toner reservoir and has a second outlet for discharging the toner, and is moved to an open position where the first outlet and the second outlet are overlapped with each other when the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing device. A shutter member configured to supply the toner to the developer, and to move the toner cartridge to a closed position at which the first outlet and the second outlet are shifted from each other when the toner cartridge is separated from the developer; To be provided in the toner cartridge detachable from the developer, And a driving gear coupled to the driving shaft to stir the toner inside the toner reservoir, and the driving gear provided on the driving shaft being connected to the driving system of the image forming apparatus when the toner cartridge is mounted. A toner reservoir for supplying the toner stored therein to the developing unit of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus through the first discharge port; It is provided to be slidable inside the toner reservoir and has a second outlet for discharging the toner, and is moved to an open position where the first outlet and the second outlet are overlapped with each other when the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing device. A shutter member configured to supply the toner to the developer, and to move the toner cartridge to a closed position at which the first outlet and the second outlet are shifted from each other when the toner cartridge is separated from the developer; To be provided in the toner cartridge detachable from the developer, And a toner stored in the toner reservoir while being rotated to a second outlet of the shutter member, and being driven with a driving system of the image forming apparatus when the toner cartridge is mounted. A toner reservoir for supplying the toner stored therein to the developing unit of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus through the first discharge port; It is provided to be slidable inside the toner reservoir and has a second outlet for discharging the toner, and is moved to an open position where the first outlet and the second outlet are overlapped with each other when the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing device. A shutter member configured to supply the toner to the developer, and to move the toner cartridge to a closed position at which the first outlet and the second outlet are shifted from each other when the toner cartridge is separated from the developer; To be provided in the toner cartridge detachable from the developer, And at least one of a front side and a rear side of the toner reservoir so as to include therein remaining amount detecting means for detecting a remaining amount of toner in the toner reservoir. It is provided in the toner cartridge detachably coupled to the developing device of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus to store the toner therein, Having a cylindrical shape and detachable in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder, And a first outlet for supplying the stored toner to the toner hole of the developer. The method of claim 31, wherein The toner is supplied to the toner hole through the second outlet and the first outlet as the shutter member having the second outlet is moved to the open position when the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing unit. And the shutter member is moved to a closed position to close the first outlet when the toner cartridge is separated from the developer, thereby preventing the toner from being spilled. The method of claim 31, wherein When the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing device, the toner cartridge is moved to an open position by being pushed by a shutter cam provided in the image forming apparatus, and the toner cartridge is discharged from the second outlet toward the first outlet, and the toner cartridge is separated from the developer. A shutter member that is moved from the shutter cam to a closed position to prevent the toner discharge; Toner reservoir of the toner cartridge, characterized in that is disposed inside. The method of claim 33, wherein And a guide cylinder in which the first discharge port is formed on a sidewall of the shutter member to be movably inserted therein. The method of claim 34, wherein In the closed position, the first outlet and the second outlet is in a position that is shifted from each other, the first outlet is closed by the outer periphery of the shutter member and the second outlet is closed by the inner wall of the guide cylinder Toner reservoir in the toner cartridge. It is provided in the toner cartridge detachably coupled to the developing device of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, When the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing unit, the toner stored in the toner cartridge is moved to an open position through which a toner hole of the developing unit is discharged through a second outlet. And a shutter member of the toner cartridge that is moved to a closed position to prevent the discharge of the toner when the toner cartridge is separated from the developer. The method of claim 36, A guide cylinder is provided in the toner storage container provided inside the toner cartridge to store the toner, and is inserted into the guide cylinder and moved to the open position and the closed position. The method of claim 37, The toner cartridge is moved to the open position by being pushed by the shutter cam provided in the image forming apparatus when the toner cartridge is mounted in the developing device, and moved to the closed position while being evacuated from the shutter cam when the toner cartridge is separated from the developer. The shutter member of the toner cartridge. The method of claim 37, The toner reservoir is provided with a first outlet for discharging the toner to the toner hole, and the toner is discharged to the toner hole of the developer through the second outlet and the first outlet in the open position; Shutter member of the cartridge. The method of claim 36, Shutter member of the toner cartridge, characterized in that the pipe is open on one side and the other side is blocked for inflow of toner supplied from the auger, the second outlet is formed on the side wall. A toner reservoir for storing toner and a shutter member moved to an open position / closed position for allowing / preventing toner discharge of the toner reservoir, and provided in a toner cartridge detachably coupled to a developing device of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. In that, A toner cartridge for sealing the connection portion of the shutter member and the toner reservoir so that the toner is discharged through the toner hole of the developer only when the toner passes through both the second outlet provided in the shutter member and the first outlet provided in the toner reservoir; Sealing member. The method of claim 41, wherein And the shutter member is movably inserted into the guide cylinder formed in the toner reservoir, and is at least one interposed portion between the shutter member and the guide cylinder. The method of claim 42, wherein And a second sealing member provided in the front end of the shutter member and a second sealing member provided in the rear end of the shutter member. A toner reservoir for storing toner and a shutter member moved to an open position / closed position for allowing / preventing toner discharge of the toner reservoir, and provided in a toner cartridge detachably coupled to a developing device of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. In that, An elastic member of the toner cartridge for elastically biasing the shutter member to the closed position. The method of claim 44, And a restoring force for moving the shutter member to the closed position when the toner reservoir is separated from the developer. A toner reservoir for storing toner and a shutter member moved to an open position / closed position for allowing / preventing toner discharge of the toner reservoir, and provided in a toner cartridge detachably coupled to a developing device of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. In that, And a cover of the toner cartridge coupled to at least one of the front side and the rear side of the toner reservoir so as to include therein remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the toner reservoir. A toner reservoir for storing toner and a shutter member moved to an open position / closed position for allowing / preventing toner discharge of the toner reservoir, and provided in a toner cartridge detachably coupled to a developing device of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. In that, A toner cartridge agitator, characterized in that the toner is stirred inside the toner reservoir while rotating. The method of claim 47, And attaching the toner reservoir to the developing unit, the toner cartridge being coupled to a drive shaft that is rotated by a drive gear connected to the drive system of the image forming apparatus. A toner reservoir for storing toner and a shutter member moved to an open position / closed position for allowing / preventing toner discharge of the toner reservoir, and provided in a toner cartridge detachably coupled to a developing device of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. In that, And a toner cartridge rotated to push the toner inside the toner reservoir toward the shutter member. The method of claim 49, The toner cartridge further includes a stirrer coupled to the drive shaft to rotate the toner in the toner reservoir, And mounting the toner reservoir in the developing unit to be connected with a drive system of the image forming apparatus to receive driving force by a reduction gear train connected to a drive gear for driving the drive shaft. 51. The method of claim 50, Auger toner cartridge, characterized in that the screw shape or coil spring shape.

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