WO2020186954A1

WO2020186954A1 - Developer supply container and electrophotographic imaging device

Info

Publication number: WO2020186954A1
Application number: PCT/CN2020/075616
Authority: WO
Inventors: 易新华; 杨晓锋
Original assignee: 珠海天威飞马打印耗材有限公司
Priority date: 2019-03-20
Filing date: 2020-02-18
Publication date: 2020-09-24
Also published as: CN109725518A; CN109725518B

Abstract

Provided are a developer supply container and an electrophotographic imaging device using same. The developer supply container comprises a housing barrel (10) and a sending member (40) disposed in the housing barrel (10), a driving force reception portion (14) is provided on the outer surface of the housing barrel (10); the developer supply container is further provided with a housing (20), the housing (20) is arranged at one side of the housing barrel (10) and is provided with a powder outlet (24), a wedge disc (35) is detachably arranged on the housing (20) and can open and close the powder outlet (24). The housing (20) is provided with a developer storage portion (32), the developer storage portion (32) is communicated with the powder outlet (24) and is provided with a stirring device (64), the stirring device (64) comprises an axis rotation portion (66) and an elastic blade (67), the fixed ends of the elastic blade (67) are fixed on the axis rotation portion (66) and the free ends can penetrate the powder outlet (24) and reach the wedge disc (35).

Description

Developer supply container and electrophotographic imaging equipment

Technical field

The present invention relates to the field of electronic imaging equipment, and in particular to a developer supply container for electronic imaging equipment and an electrophotographic imaging equipment using the developer supply container.

Background technique

Electrophotographic imaging equipment usually has an image processing unit and a detachable developer supply container mounted on the image processing unit. The developer supply container is filled with developer (toner) such as toner, which is formed on the image processing unit. The electrostatic latent image is developed to form a visible image on media such as paper. As the developer is a consumable, it needs to be constantly replenished in the electrophotographic imaging device, and the developing unit detachably installed in the electrophotographic imaging device can only be loaded with a certain amount of developer, so frequent replacement of the developer Agent supply container.

Figures 1 and 2 are respectively an exploded view and a cross-sectional view of an existing developer supply container that can be detachably mounted on an image processing unit. The developer supply container 100 includes a receiving portion 110 for accommodating the developer, and also has a supply Part 120, the supply part 120 is used to supply the developer in the accommodating part 110 with its own rotation. The developer supply container 100 is also provided with a discharge part 130, which is provided for allowing the supply part 120 to feed the developer The discharge port 131 for discharging the developer, the developer supply container 100 also has a pump portion 140. The pump portion 140 acts on the discharge portion 130 and has a volume that changes with repeated movement. The developer supply container 100 is also provided with a driving force receiving portion 111 , Used to receive the rotational force from the developer replenishing device to rotate the accommodating part 110, the developer supply container 100 is also provided with a drive conversion part 150 for converting the rotational force received by the driving force receiving part 111 into operation of the pump part 140 Power.

Among them, the pump portion 140 is stretchable and this stretch is sufficient to change the internal pressure of the developer supply container 100 by using volume change. The drive conversion portion 150 drives the pump portion 140 to perform an axial expansion and contraction action, and drives the air pressure inside the developer supply container 100 to repeatedly change between positive and negative pressure. Under the action of the positive pressure of the pump 140, the developer flows out from the discharge port 131 and enters the developing unit. When the pump 140 returns to its original state, the negative pressure drives the developer inside the developer supply container 100 to keep the inner developer in a fluffy state, preventing the developer from forming a lumpy shape and not easily discharged from the discharge port 131.

However, the pump portion 140 has a volume that changes with repeated movement to change the internal pressure of the developer supply container 100. When the pump portion 140 returns to its original state, negative pressure may suck the developer back, causing the developer to be supplied. Not smooth.

Therefore, some existing developer supply containers are provided with a blast cavity, and a wind wheel is arranged in the blast cavity. The wind wheel is provided with a plurality of blades. When the developer supply member rotates, the wind wheel also rotates. , The airflow is formed by the rotation of the wind wheel, and the flow of the developer is driven by the airflow to keep the developer in a fluffy state. Other developer supply containers are provided with a discharge cavity at the upstream end of the powder outlet, and a spiral conveying member is arranged in the discharge cavity, and the developer is stirred by the conveying member to keep the developer in a fluffy state. Since the above two solutions do not need to provide a pump part, the problem of poor supply of the developer can be avoided, and the fluffy state of the developer can be maintained.

However, after the above scheme cancels the pump part, the conveying amount of the developer is affected, resulting in a small amount of developer conveyed after each rotation of the developer feeder, which affects the quality of the developed image, resulting in the formation of characters and patterns on the paper The color is lighter.

Summary of the invention

technical problem

The first object of the present invention is to provide a developer supply container that ensures that the developer is delivered to the powder outlet to maintain a fluffy state.

The second object of the present invention is to provide a developer supply container that improves the conveying amount of the developer.

The third object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic type image forming apparatus using the above-mentioned developer supply container.

Technical solutions

In order to achieve the first and second objects of the present invention, the developer supply container provided by the present invention includes a receiving tube and a supply member arranged in the receiving tube, and a driving force receiving portion is provided on the outer surface of the receiving tube; The container is also provided with a shell, the shell is set at one end of the accommodating cylinder, and the shell is provided with a powder outlet. The shell is detachably installed with a shutter, and the shutter can open and close the powder outlet; A developer storage part is provided, and the developer storage part is in communication with the powder outlet. A stirring device is arranged in the developer storage part. The stirring device includes a shaft rotating part and an elastic blade. The fixed end of the elastic blade is fixed on the shaft rotating part. The free end of the blade can pass through the powder outlet and abut the gate.

A preferred solution is that the number of elastic blades is more than two, and the plurality of elastic blades are arranged circumferentially around the shaft rotating part.

A further solution is that at least one protrusion is formed on the peripheral wall of the developer storage portion, and the protrusion extends from the peripheral wall of the developer storage portion in the axial direction of the developer storage portion; in the direction of rotation of the elastic blade, the protrusion Located at the upstream end of the powder outlet.

A further solution is that at least two feeding parts are provided at one end of the feeding part close to the housing, and a first storage part is formed between the two adjacent feeding parts; an extension plate is provided in the housing, and the extension plate and the housing A transmission port is formed between the peripheral walls, and the free end of the elastic blade can abut on the extension plate.

A further solution is that in the direction of rotation of the elastic blade, the extension plate is located at the upstream end of the transmission port, and the free end of the elastic blade can pass through the transmission port. In addition, on the projection of the plane where the powder outlet is located, the projection of the transmission port and the projection of the powder outlet do not overlap.

A further solution is that the gate is provided with a powder feeding port, and when the gate is in the open position, the powder feeding port is set directly opposite to the powder outlet. Preferably, the cross-sectional area of the powder feeding port is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the powder outlet .

A further solution is that along the axial direction of the shaft rotating part, the length of the elastic blade is smaller than the length of the powder outlet. In this way, it can be ensured that the free end of the elastic blade can pass through the powder outlet and abut against the shutter, thereby applying force to the developer on the shutter.

A further solution is that the amount of developer passing through the powder feeding port is between 18 grams and 22 grams every minute the stirring device rotates.

A further solution is that the developer supply container further includes a transmission assembly, which receives the rotational force output by the supply member and drives the shaft rotating component to rotate.

A further solution is that the transmission assembly includes a driving wheel, the rotation shaft of the driving wheel is connected with the feeding member, the driving wheel drives the driven wheel to rotate, and the rotation shaft is fixedly connected to the driven wheel.

A further solution is that an end of the feeding member close to the driving wheel is provided with a shaft hole, and the rotating shaft of the driving wheel is inserted into the shaft hole.

A further solution is that the rotation direction of the stirring device is the same as the rotation direction of the feeding member, and the rotation speed ratio of the stirring device and the feeding member is between 4:1 and 5:1.

A further solution is that the feeding member has a plate body, and guide ribs are respectively formed on two sides of the plate body, and each guide rib extends from the surface of the plate body to both sides.

In order to achieve the third object of the present invention, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided by the present invention includes an image processing unit and the above-mentioned developer supply container, and the developer supply container is detachably installed in the image processing unit.

The solution to the problem

The beneficial effects of the invention

Beneficial effect

The developer supply container of the present invention agitates the developer entering the developer storage portion through the stirring device located in the developer storage portion, and can ensure that the developer entering the developer storage portion is in a fluffy state. In addition, since the developer storage portion is in communication with the powder outlet, it is advantageous to feed the fluffy developer to the powder outlet, ensuring that the developer can smoothly pass through the powder outlet.

In addition, since the developer enters the developer storage part and is stirred by the stirring device, the developer flows to the powder outlet more quickly, and the free end of the elastic blade of the stirring device can abut the shutter to push the developer on the shutter. To the powder feeding port, each time the developer supply container rotates one turn, more developer will flow out from the powder feeding port, which improves the conveying amount of the developer.

By providing multiple elastic blades, the present invention can ensure that the developer in the second storage portion can be sufficiently stirred, and effectively prevent the developer from forming a cluster at the upstream end of the powder outlet.

In addition, in the present invention, the elastic blade is abutted by the convex portion and forms elastic potential energy. When the free end of the elastic blade enters the powder outlet, a greater force will be applied to the developer, which is conducive to pushing more developer to send. The powder port ensures the conveying amount of the developer.

In addition, the supply part and the peripheral wall of the housing form the first storage part, so that the structure of the developer supply container is simple, and the extension plate can guide the flow of the developer to ensure that the developer rotates in a predetermined direction. The amount of developer that enters the second storage part each time can be adjusted.

The elastic potential energy accumulated by the elastic blade can push more developer toward the developer storage part when the free end passes through the conveying port, thereby increasing the conveying amount of the developer.

Since the cross-sectional area of the powder feeding port of the present invention is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the powder outlet, it can be ensured that the developer entering the developer storage portion can effectively pass through the powder feeding port and be transported to the outside of the developer supply container.

In addition, the present invention can ensure that the free end of the elastic blade can pass through the powder outlet and abut against the shutter, thereby applying force to the developer on the shutter, and can also ensure the amount of powder delivered per minute of the developer supply container .

In addition, the transmission assembly drives the stirring device to rotate, which can ensure that the stirring device and the feeding member rotate synchronously, that is, when the developer supply container rotates, the stirring device also rotates synchronously, so as to ensure that the developer is stirred by the stirring device after entering the developer storage part , To ensure that the developer remains fluffy in the second storage part.

In addition, in the present invention, the rotating shaft of the driving wheel is connected with the feeding member and driving the driven wheel to rotate, which can effectively ensure the synchronization of the rotation of the stirring device and the feeding member.

In addition, the feeder and the driving wheel cooperate to achieve transmission through the shaft hole, which can improve the reliability and synchronization of the transmission.

Moreover, after the developer enters the developer storage part, the stirring device is stirred in the same direction as the rotation of the feeding member, which is beneficial for the developer to be fully stirred and maintain a fluffy state. In addition, since the developer has a certain inertia when being transported to the first storage portion by the supply member, it is stirred by the stirring device in the same rotation direction after entering the developer storage portion, which is beneficial to increase the transport amount of the developer.

Brief description of the drawings

Description of the drawings

Figure 1 is an exploded view of the structure of a conventional developer supply container.

Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a conventional developer supply container.

Figure 3 is a structural diagram of an embodiment of the developer supply container of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the structure of the hidden container of the embodiment of the developer supply container of the present invention.

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the structure of the concealed container of the embodiment of the developer supply container of the present invention.

Figure 6 is an exploded view of the structure of the housing and the shutter of the embodiment of the developer supply container of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the structure of the hidden container, the outer cover and the gear cover of the embodiment of the developer supply container of the present invention.

Figure 8 is an exploded view of the structure of the transmission assembly and the stirring device in the embodiment of the developer supply container of the present invention.

Figure 9 is an enlarged view of the structure of the stirring device in the embodiment of the developer supply container of the present invention.

Figure 10 is an enlarged view of the structure of the supply member in the embodiment of the developer supply container of the present invention.

11 is an exploded view of the structure of the supply member, the transmission assembly and the stirring device in the embodiment of the developer supply container of the present invention from a first perspective.

Figure 12 is a second perspective structural exploded view of the supply member, the transmission assembly and the stirring device in the embodiment of the developer supply container of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a structural view from a first perspective of the housing of the embodiment of the developer supply container of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a second view of the structure of the housing of the embodiment of the developer supply container of the present invention.

Figure 15 is a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the developer supply container of the present invention in a first state.

Figure 16 is a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the developer supply container of the present invention in a second state.

The present invention will be further described below with reference to the drawings and embodiments.

Invention embodiment

Embodiments of the invention

The developer supply container of the present invention can be installed in the image processing unit of an electrophotographic imaging device. Preferably, the developer supply container is detachably installed in the electrophotographic imaging device, and the developer supply container is filled with carbon. A developer such as powder, which can flow out from the developer supply container and develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the image processing unit to form a visible image on a medium such as paper.

3, the developer supply container of this embodiment has a substantially cylindrical receiving tube 10, the receiving tube 10 includes a tube body 11, a spiral guide groove 12 is formed on the peripheral wall of the tube body 11, the guide groove 12 The outer surface of the peripheral wall of the cylinder 11 is recessed toward the axis of the cylinder 11. A housing 20 and an outer cover 18 are provided at one end of the accommodating cylinder 10, and the outer cover 18 is covered on the housing 20. The container 10 is loaded with developer such as toner. It can be seen from FIG. 3 that the guide groove 11 is spirally inclined from the end away from the casing 20 to the end close to the casing 20. In this way, when the container 10 rotates, the container The developer in 10 is continuously moved to one side of the casing 20 under the push of the guide groove 11 to be sent out of the receiving tube 10.

In this embodiment, the end of the cylinder 11 away from the housing 20 is closed, but an opening is provided at the end close to the housing 20, and a sleeve 13 is provided at the end of the cylinder 11 close to the housing 10. Preferably, the sleeve 13 is sleeved on the outer side of the opening end of the cylinder 11 in the circumferential direction. 4, the outer surface of the sleeve 13 is provided with a ring of teeth 14 as the driving force receiving portion of the present embodiment, the teeth 14 can receive the driving force output by the driving part of the electrophotographic imaging device, for example, drive The component is a gear, which meshes with the teeth 14. When the gear rotates, the teeth 14 are driven to rotate, which in turn drives the sleeve 13 to rotate.

In addition, the inner wall of the sleeve 13 is provided with two clamping grooves 15, and the outer peripheral wall of the open end of the cylinder body 11 is provided with a stress plate, which is inserted into the clamping groove 15. When the sleeve 13 rotates, the cylinder The body 11 will follow the sleeve 13 to rotate synchronously.

A feeding member 40 is provided in the receiving cylinder 10, specifically, the feeding member 40 is a stirring rack, and one end of the feeding member 40 is provided with two fixing pieces 43, and two clips are provided on the inner wall of the cylinder 11 In the groove, the fixing piece 43 is clamped in the groove on the inner wall of the cylinder 11. When the cylinder 11 rotates, the feeding member 40 will follow the cylinder 11 to rotate synchronously. Therefore, the sleeve 13, the barrel 11, and the feeding member 40 will rotate synchronously, that is, the rotation speed and the rotation direction are the same.

The housing 20 is arranged at one end of the housing tube 10, but the housing 20 does not rotate with the housing tube 10, and the outer cover 18 is buckled on one side of the housing 20. Referring to Figures 5 and 6, a powder outlet 24 is provided on one side wall of the housing 20, and the developer in the accommodating cylinder 10 is conveyed to the housing 20 after passing through the supply member 40, and can pass from the powder outlet 24. Send out. In order to prevent the developer from flowing out of the powder outlet 24 before the developer supply container is installed in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a shutter 35 is provided on a side wall of the housing 20, and a powder feeding port is provided on the shutter 35 37. It can be seen from FIG. 6 that the powder outlet 24 is square, the powder feeding port 37 is circular, and the area of the powder feeding port 37 is smaller than the area of the powder outlet 24.

The gate 35 can move relative to the housing 20. Therefore, buckles 36 are provided on both sides of the gate 36, and sliding grooves are provided on both sides of the housing 20, and the buckles 36 can slide in the sliding groove 20. Before the developer supply container is installed in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the powder feeding port 37 and the powder outlet 24 do not overlap, that is, the powder feeding port 37 does not face the powder outlet 34, which can prevent the developer from flowing out. After the developer supply container is installed in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a driving component in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus drives the shutter 35 to move and causes the powder feeding port 37 to face the powder outlet 24, as shown in FIG. 5. After the accommodating cylinder 10 rotates, the developer can enter other parts of the electrophotographic imaging device through the powder outlet 24 and the powder feed port 37, and form required characters and patterns on media such as paper after being developed.

After the developer is sent to the housing 20 by the supply member 40, the developer is likely to accumulate at the powder outlet 24, which easily leads to poor supply of the developer. Therefore, in this embodiment, a stirring device is provided in the housing. The developer entering the casing 20 is sufficiently stirred so that the developer can smoothly pass through the powder outlet 24 and the powder feeding port 37.

4, 7 and 8, a stirring assembly is provided in the housing 20. The stirring assembly includes a housing assembly 50 and a transmission assembly 60 arranged in the housing assembly 50. The stirring assembly also includes a stirring assembly arranged in the housing 20.装置64. The housing assembly 50 includes a gear seat 51. One end of the gear seat 51 is open, and a gear cover 55 is covered at the open end. Of course, a sealing ring can be arranged between the gear cover 55 and the gear seat 51, for example, a sealing ring may be arranged along the outer side of the gear cover 55. The sponge body set in a circle is used as a sealing ring.

The transmission assembly 60 includes a driving wheel 61 and a driven wheel 63. As shown in FIG. 9, the stirring assembly 64 includes a driven wheel 65, a rotating shaft 66 and elastic blades 67. The driving wheel 61 meshes with the driven wheel 63 and drives the driven wheel 63 to rotate, and The driven wheel 63 meshes with the driven wheel 65 and drives the driven wheel 65 to rotate. In addition, the driven wheel 65 is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft 66, and the elastic blade 67 is fixed on the rotating shaft 66. Therefore, when the driving wheel 61 rotates, the driven wheel 63 and the driven wheel 65 will be driven to rotate in turn, thereby driving the elastic blade 67 around the rotating shaft 66. The axis of rotation.

In this embodiment, the elastic blade 67 of the stirring device 64 is fixed on the rotating shaft 66. In actual application, if the stirring device is set in a frame structure, for example, the stirring device has an annular frame, and a rod is set in the frame as a shaft to rotate. The elastic blade is fixed on the shaft rotating part, and the shaft rotating part is driven to rotate when the frame rotates, thereby driving the elastic blade to rotate. It can be understood that the rotating shaft 66 in this embodiment is a special shaft rotating component.

In this embodiment, the driving wheel 60 is driven by the feeding member 40 to rotate. Referring to Figures 10 to 12, the feeding member 40 has a plate body 41. A plurality of guide ribs 42 are respectively formed on two sides of the plate body 41, and each guide rib 42 is directed from the surface of the plate body 41. Extend on both sides. Moreover, the extending direction of the guide ribs 42 is inclined to the axial direction of the housing tube 10. When the housing tube 10 rotates, the developer moves toward the housing 20 under the guidance of the guide ribs 42, so that the developer continuously From the cylinder 11 to one side of the housing 20. It can be seen from FIG. 10 that the fixing piece 43 is disposed at one end of the plate body 41, and preferably, the fixing piece 43 is located at the end of the plate body 41 close to the cylinder 11.

A shaft hole 46 is provided at one end of the plate body 41 away from the fixing piece 43, and a key is provided in the shaft hole 46. In addition, the gear seat 51 is mounted to one end of the housing 20, and a shaft hole 52 is provided on the bottom wall of the gear seat 51, and the rotating shaft 62 of the driving wheel 61 passes through the shaft hole 52 and is inserted into the shaft hole 46. It can be seen from FIG. 11 that the rotating shaft 62 is a non-circular shaft. In this way, when the rotating shaft 62 is inserted into the shaft hole 46, when the feeding member 40 rotates, the driving wheel 61 is driven to rotate, thereby driving the stirring device 64 to rotate.

In this embodiment, the rotation direction of the driving wheel 61 is the same as the rotation direction of the feeding member 40, and the rotation direction of the driven wheel 63 is opposite to the rotation direction of the feeding member 40. In this way, the rotation direction of the driven wheel 65 is the same as that of the feeding member 40. The rotation direction of 40 is the same, that is, the rotation direction of the elastic blade 67 is the same as the rotation direction of the feeding member 40. Preferably, the rotational speed ratio of the stirring device 64 to the feeding member 40 is between 4:1 and 5:1, that is, every time the feeding member 40 rotates, the stirring device 64 rotates 4 to 5 revolutions. Further, the stirring device The rotational speed ratio of 64 to the feeding member 40 is 4.5:1, that is, the feeding member 40 rotates one revolution, and the stirring device 64 rotates 4.5 revolutions.

In this embodiment, the elastic blade 67 is one piece, and the middle part of the elastic blade 67 in the longitudinal direction is fixed on the rotating shaft 66, that is, the middle part of the elastic blade 67 is the fixed end, and the two ends in the length direction are free ends. The elastic blade 67 can be elastically deformed when it rotates, and a large stirring power can be applied to the developer, so that the developer is sufficiently stirred.

In addition, the end of the feeding member 40 away from the fixing piece 43 is provided with two feeding parts 45, the two feeding parts 45 are each a quarter circle, and the two feeding parts 45 are both arranged around the shaft hole 46 To the outside.

Referring to Figures 13 and 14, the housing 20 has an arc-shaped peripheral wall 21, and one end of the housing 20 is provided with a bottom plate 30, and a support plate 23 is provided on the side of the bottom plate 30 close to the peripheral wall 21. The support plate 23 and the bottom plate 30 are parallel to each other, and a gap 34 is formed between the support plate 23 and the bottom plate 30. The gate 35 is installed in the gap 34 and can reciprocate in the gap 34, so that the gate 35 opens or closes the powder outlet 24.

The peripheral wall 21 of the housing 20 encloses an accommodating cavity 25. Along the axial direction of the accommodating cylinder 10, both ends of the accommodating cavity 25 are open, and the gear seat 51 is installed at an open end of the accommodating cavity 25. One end of the feeding member 40 may be installed in the receiving cavity 25, and therefore, the developer will be sent into the receiving cavity 25. In order to prevent the developer in the accommodating cavity 25 from leaking from the gap between the housing 20 and the gear seat 51, it can be seen from FIG. 4 that a sealing ring 57 is provided between the housing 20 and the gear housing 51. The outer contour of the sealing ring 57 is consistent with The outer contour of the gear seat 51 is the same. Preferably, the sealing ring 57 is made of sponge material. In addition, since the rotating shaft 61 of the driving wheel 61 needs to be inserted into the shaft hole 46 of the feeding member 40, in order to avoid the leakage of the developer, an annular sealing ring 58 is fitted on the rotating shaft 61, and the sealing ring 58 abuts against the shaft. The hole 46 is axially outward. Preferably, the sealing ring 58 is also made of sponge material.

The peripheral wall 21 of the housing 20 is provided with three threaded holes 22 radially outside. As shown in FIG. 8, three through holes 53 are correspondingly provided on the outer wall of the gear seat 51, and three through holes 56 are also provided on the gear cover 55. , A screw is used to pass through the through hole 53 of the gear seat 51 and the through hole 56 of the gear cover 56, and the screw is screwed into the threaded hole 22, so that the gear cover 55, the gear seat 51 and the housing 20 are fixed.

The powder outlet 24 is provided on the support plate 23, and an extension plate 26 is provided on the side of the accommodating cavity 25 close to the powder outlet 24. The extension plate 26 curves and extends from the inner surface of the peripheral wall 21 to the powder outlet 24 side, and, Only one end of the extension plate 26 is connected with the peripheral wall 21, and the other end of the extension plate 26 is not connected with the peripheral wall 21 to form a transmission port 27. As can be seen from Figures 13 and 14, the transmission port 27 is formed between the extension plate 26 and the peripheral wall 21 In this embodiment, the accommodating cavity 25 is a cavity surrounded by the peripheral wall 21, the extension plate 26, and the transmission port 27 with open ends. Moreover, with the axis of the feeding member 40 as the center of the circle, the extension plate 26 is located radially outside the feeding portion 45, that is, the diameter of the extension plate 26 is larger than the diameter at the outer edge of the feeding portion 45. This prevents the extension plate 26 from obstructing the rotation of the feeding member 40.

A developer storage portion 32 is formed on the side of the extension plate 26 close to the powder outlet 24. The developer entering the accommodating cavity 25 can be sent to the developer storage portion 32 through the transfer port 27, and then be conveyed to the powder outlet. twenty four. 15, one end of the supply member 40 is located in the containing cavity 25. Specifically, the two supply parts 45 are both located in the containing cavity 25, and the radial outer contours of the two supply parts 45 and the peripheral wall of the housing 20 There is a gap between 21 to facilitate the feeding part 45 to rotate in the containing cavity 25.

When the accommodating cylinder 10 rotates, the developer is driven by the feeding member 40 and is conveyed along the guide rib 42 to an end close to the feeding portion 45. At this time, the developer enters the accommodating cavity 25, as can be seen from FIG. 15, A first storage portion 31 is enclosed between two adjacent supply portions 45 and the peripheral wall 21 of the casing 20. After the developer enters the containing cavity 25, it is actually transferred to the first storage portion 31. Since the feeding member 40 is provided with two feeding parts 45, two first storage parts 31 are formed in the containing cavity 25. Taking the axis of the shaft hole 46 as the centerline, the two side walls at both ends of the circumferential direction of each first storage portion 31 are the two end walls of the two supply portions 45, such as the first storage portion in the upper left corner of FIG. 15 The two side walls of 31 are the end wall 47 of one feeding part 45 and the end wall 48 of the other feeding part 45 respectively. As the feeding member 40 rotates, the first storage portion 31 also rotates along the axis of the receiving tube 10.

After the developer supply device is installed in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the first storage portion 31 is located above the communication port 27, that is, the state shown in FIG. 15, because the first storage portion 31 communicates with the transmission port 27, and the transfer port 27 is located below the first storage portion 31. Therefore, after the developer is transferred to the first storage portion 31, it will pass through the transfer port 27 and enter the developer storage portion 32 under the action of gravity. In this embodiment, the developer storage portion 32 is the second storage portion.

In addition, the powder outlet 24 of the housing 20 is located below the developer storage portion 32, so the developer can pass through the powder outlet 24 from the developer storage portion 32 under the action of gravity, and then be discharged through the powder feeding port 37 for development. Agent supply container and sent to other parts of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

Since the developer is easy to accumulate in the developer storage portion 32, the developer forms a lumpy shape and is not easily sent out of the powder outlet 24. Therefore, the stirring device 64 is disposed in the developer storage portion 24 and rotates with the feeding member 40 Therefore, the developer in the developer storage portion 32 is stirred to avoid accumulation of the developer.

In this embodiment, the rotation direction of the stirring device 64 is the same as the rotation direction of the feeding member 40, that is, it rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 15. When the developer enters the developer storage portion 32 from the first storage portion 31 through the transport port 27 After that, the stirring device 64 sufficiently stirs the developer. It can be seen from FIG. 15 that with a point on the axis of the housing 20 as the center, the central angle corresponding to the transmission port 27 is smaller than the central angle corresponding to the first storage portion 31, that is, in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 21 of the housing 20, the central angle of the transmission port 27 The length is smaller than the length of the first storage part 31. This design makes the length of the transfer port 27 small, so as to prevent the developer in the first storage portion 31 from quickly passing through the transfer port 27, but when the first storage portion 31 rotates, the developer passes through the transfer one after another. The opening 27 enters the developer storage portion 32, which effectively prevents a large amount of developer from entering the developer storage portion in a short time, which may cause a large amount of developer to accumulate in the developer storage portion 32.

In addition, on the projection of the plane where the powder outlet 24 is located, the projections of the transfer port 27 and the powder outlet 24 do not overlap, so that the developer needs to pass through a curved path after entering the developer storage portion 32 from the transfer port 27 The powder outlet 24 prevents the developer from quickly entering the powder outlet 24, which is beneficial for the stirring device 64 to fully stir the developer. In other embodiments, in the projection of the plane where the powder outlet 24 is located, the projections of the transmission port 27 and the powder outlet 24 may be partially overlapped, and at least a portion may not overlap.

In this embodiment, the length of the elastic blade 67 is relatively long, and the free end of the elastic blade 67 can abut against the peripheral wall of the developer storage portion 32. As shown in FIG. 15, a convex portion 29 is formed on the peripheral wall of the developer storage portion 32. The convex portion 29 extends from the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the developer storage portion 32 in the axial direction of the developer storage portion and is elastic In the direction of rotation of the blade 67, the protrusion 29 is located at the upstream end of the powder outlet 24. In this way, when the elastic blade 67 rotates, the free end of the elastic blade 67 will be blocked by the protrusion 29 and be elastically deformed, and the elastic potential energy will be accumulated. In addition, since the free end of the elastic blade 67 can also abut on the peripheral wall of the developer storage portion 32, elastic deformation will also occur and elastic potential energy will be accumulated. Of course, in other embodiments, the number of protrusions 29 can also be more than two.

When the stirring device 64 continues to rotate and rotates to the state shown in FIG. 16, the free end of the elastic blade 67 passes through the powder outlet 24. Preferably, along the axial direction of the rotating shaft 66 of the stirring device 64, the length of the elastic blade 67 is smaller than the length of the powder outlet 24, so that the free end of the elastic blade 67 can extend to the powder outlet 24. It can be seen from FIG. 16 that the free end of the elastic blade 67 can be in contact with the shutter 35 located below the powder outlet 24, so that the developer located on the shutter 35 is transported to the powder feeding port 37.

When the shutter 35 is in the open state, the powder feeding port 37 is located directly below the powder outlet 24, that is, the powder feeding port 37 is arranged directly opposite to the powder outlet 24, and the area of the powder feeding port 37 is smaller than the area of the powder outlet 24. In addition, a seal 33 is provided between the powder outlet 24 and the gate 35. The shape of the seal 33 is the same as the shape of the powder outlet 24, and both are square, and the area of the through hole in the middle of the seal 33 is larger than the powder feeding port. 37. Avoid the sealing member 33 blocking the powder feeding port 37 and affecting the conveying of the developer.

As the stirring device 67 rotates, when the state of the elastic blade 67 changes from the state shown in FIG. 15 to the state shown in FIG. 15, the elastic potential energy accumulated by the elastic blade 67 is released, and the developer on the shutter 35 is applied The greater force causes a large amount of developer to be conveyed into the powder feeding port 37, thereby ensuring the amount of developer passing through the powder feeding port 37.

On the other hand, in the rotation direction of the elastic blade 67, the extension plate 26 is located at the upstream end of the transmission port 27, and the free end of the elastic blade 67 can pass through the transmission port 27. As shown in the state shown in Figure 16, the free end of the elastic blade 67 is blocked by the extension plate 26 to elastically deform and accumulate elastic potential energy. When the free end of the elastic blade 67 reaches the transmission port 27, the elastic potential energy of the elastic blade 67 is released , And apply force to the developer passing through the conveying port 27 and push the developer into the developer storage portion 32, thereby ensuring the amount of the developer entering the developer storage portion 32. After testing and applying the solution of this embodiment, the amount of developer passing through the powder feeding port 37 is between 18 grams and 22 grams every minute the stirring device 64 rotates. Preferably, the stirring device 64 passes through the powder feeding port 37 every minute when it rotates. The amount of developer is 20 grams, which can ensure the developer supply of the developer supply container.

Finally, it should be emphasized that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. For example, the number of elastic blades can be set to be multiple, and the multiple elastic blades are evenly arranged in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the number of elastic blades is one and The middle part of the elastic blade is fixed on the rotating shaft. In practical application, one end of the elastic blade may be fixed on the rotating shaft, and the other end is a free end that abuts against the peripheral wall of the developer storage part.

In this embodiment, the feeder is driven by a plurality of gears to drive the stirring device to rotate. In actual application, the transmission assembly may include a chain or belt, a worm gear, and other transmission components. Such changes should also be included in the protection scope of the claims of the present invention. Inside.

Industrial applicability

The electrophotographic imaging device of the present invention can be used for laser printing. The developer supply container can be detachably installed in the electrophotographic imaging device, and the developer supply container is filled with developer such as toner. The developer can be removed from the developer. The supply container flows out and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the image processing unit to form a visible image on media such as paper. Since the developer supply container stirs the developer entering the developer storage portion by the stirring device located in the developer storage portion, the developer can be kept in a fluffy state and the developer delivery amount of the developer supply container can be increased.

Claims

The developer supply container includes:

A receiving tube and a feeding part arranged in the receiving tube, the outer surface of the receiving tube is provided with a driving force receiving part;

A casing, the casing is arranged at one end of the containing cylinder, and the casing is provided with a powder outlet, and a shutter is detachably installed on the casing, and the shutter can open and close the Powder outlet

Its characteristics are:

A developer storage portion is provided in the housing, and the developer storage portion is in communication with the powder outlet, and a stirring device is provided in the developer storage portion. The stirring device includes a shaft rotating member and an elastic blade, so The fixed end of the elastic blade is fixed on the shaft rotating component, and the free end of the elastic blade can pass through the powder outlet and abut the gate.
The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein:

The number of the elastic blades is two or more, and a plurality of the elastic blades are arranged circumferentially around the shaft rotating part.
The developer supply container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

At least one protrusion is formed on the peripheral wall of the developer storage portion, and the protrusion extends from the peripheral wall of the developer storage portion in the axial direction of the developer storage portion;

In the rotation direction of the elastic blade, the protrusion is located at the upstream end of the powder outlet.
The developer supply container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein:

At least two feeding parts are provided at one end of the feeding member close to the housing, and a first storage part is formed between two adjacent feeding parts;

An extension plate is provided in the housing, and a transmission port is formed between the extension plate and the peripheral wall of the housing;

The free end of the elastic blade can abut on the extension plate.
The developer supply container according to claim 4, wherein:

In the rotation direction of the elastic blade, the extension plate is located at the upstream end of the transmission port, and the free end of the elastic blade can pass through the transmission port.
The developer supply container according to claim 4 or 5, wherein:

On the projection of the plane where the powder outlet is located, the projection of the transmission port and the projection of the powder outlet do not overlap.
The developer supply container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein:

A powder feeding port is provided on the gate, and when the gate is in the open position, the powder feeding port is set directly opposite to the powder outlet.
The developer supply container according to claim 7, wherein:

The cross-sectional area of the powder feeding port is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the powder outlet.
The developer supply container according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein:

Along the axial direction of the shaft rotating part, the length of the elastic blade is smaller than the length of the powder outlet.
The developer supply container according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein:

The amount of the developer passing through the powder feeding port is between 18 grams and 22 grams every time the stirring device rotates for one minute.
The developer supply container according to claims 1 to 10, wherein:

The developer supply container further includes a transmission assembly that receives the rotational force output by the supply member and drives the shaft rotating member to rotate.
The developer supply container according to claim 11, wherein:

The rotation direction of the stirring device is the same as the rotation direction of the feeding member.
The developer supply container according to claim 11, wherein:

The rotation speed ratio of the stirring device and the feeding member is between 4:1 and 5:1.
The developer supply container according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein:

The feeding member has a plate body, and two side surfaces of the plate body are respectively formed with guiding ribs, and each of the guiding ribs extends from the surface of the plate body to both sides.
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an image processing unit and the developer supply container according to any one of claims 1 to 14, and the developer supply container is detachably installed in the image processing unit.