WO2022210024A1

WO2022210024A1 - Toner cartridge

Info

Publication number: WO2022210024A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/012601
Authority: WO
Inventors: 淳一橋本; 裕ブン王; 拓也雨池
Original assignee: ブラザー工業株式会社
Priority date: 2021-03-31
Filing date: 2022-03-18
Publication date: 2022-10-06
Also published as: JP2022155672A

Abstract

Provided is a structure that makes it possible for drive force supplied from a coupling both to move a shutter from a closed position to an open position and to rotate a transport member as well as to continue to rotate the transport member after the shutter has moved from the closed position to the open position. A drive input gear 41 rotates around a first axis A with a toner coupling. An internal tooth gear 24 rotates around the first axis A with a shutter 20. The internal tooth gear 24 has gear teeth 241 and a toothless part 242. Idle gears 61, 62 transmit drive force from the drive input gear 41 to the internal tooth gear 24. When the shutter 20 is in a closed position, the drive input gear 41 engages idle gear 61, and idle gear 62 engages the gear teeth 241 of the internal tooth gear 24. When the shutter 20 is in an open position, the drive input gear 41 engages idle gear 61, and idle gear 62 faces the toothless part 242 of the internal tooth gear 24.

Description

toner cartridge

The present disclosure relates to toner cartridges.

Conventionally, electrophotographic image forming apparatuses such as laser printers and LED printers are known. An image forming apparatus has a toner cartridge and a drum cartridge. The toner cartridge can be attached to the drum cartridge. Further, the drum cartridge to which the toner cartridge is attached can be attached to the image forming apparatus. A conventional image forming apparatus is described, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200012.

JP 2011-186067 A

The toner cartridge has a shutter movable between a closed position that closes the toner outlet and an open position that opens the toner outlet. In the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, after the toner cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, the user operates the shutter to move from the closed position to the open position. In order to reduce user operations, it is desirable to move the shutter from the closed position to the open position by the driving force supplied from the image forming apparatus. However, if the driving force for rotating the conveying member that conveys the toner in the toner cartridge and the driving force for moving the shutter from the open position to the closed position are separately supplied, multiple couplings are required. Become.

An object of the present disclosure is to realize both the movement of the shutter from the closed position to the open position and the rotation of the conveying member by means of the driving force supplied from the coupling, and after the shutter has moved from the closed position to the open position. Another object of the present invention is to provide a structure capable of continuing the rotation of the conveying member.

A first disclosure of the present application is a housing capable of containing toner, the housing having a toner outlet, and a conveying member having a shaft extending in a first direction, wherein the first shaft extending in the first direction and a conveying member positioned inside the housing, between a closed position that closes the toner discharge port and an open position that opens the toner discharge port, with respect to the housing. a shutter rotatable about one axis; a toner coupling for rotating the conveying member, the toner coupling rotatable about the first axis; and a driving input rotatable about the first axis together with the toner coupling. a gear, an internal gear rotatable about the first axis together with the shutter, the internal gear having gear teeth and a missing tooth portion, and transmitting a driving force from the drive input gear to the internal gear. and an idle gear for transmission, wherein when the shutter is in the closed position, the drive input gear meshes with the idle gear in a state in which the toner coupling rotates the conveying member, and and when the idle gear meshes with the gear teeth of the internal gear and the shutter is in the open position, the drive input gear meshes with the idle gear while the toner coupling rotates the conveying member. and the idle gear faces the missing tooth portion of the internal gear.

A second disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of the first disclosure, wherein the idle gear has a first idle gear that meshes with the drive input gear and a second idle gear that meshes with the first idle gear. , when the shutter is in the closed position, the driving input gear meshes with the first idle gear in a state in which the toner coupling rotates the conveying member, and the first idle gear engages with the second idle gear; When the second idle gear is meshed with the gear teeth of the internal gear and the shutter is in the open position, the drive input gear is rotated while the toner coupling rotates the conveying member. It meshes with the first idle gear, the first idle gear meshes with the second idle gear, and the second idle gear faces the missing tooth portion of the internal gear.

A third disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of the second disclosure, wherein the first idle gear and the second idle gear are arranged in series between the drive input gear and the internal gear. Characterized by

The fourth disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of any one of the first disclosure to the third disclosure, characterized in that the number of idle gears is an even number.

The fifth disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of the fourth disclosure, characterized in that an even number of idle gears are arranged in series between the drive input gear and the internal gear.

The sixth disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of the first disclosure, characterized in that the number of idle gears is an odd number.

The seventh disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of the sixth disclosure, characterized in that an odd number of idle gears are arranged in series between the drive input gear and the internal gear.

An eighth disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge according to any one of the first disclosure to the seventh disclosure, wherein at least part of the shutter is covered, and the shutter communicates with the toner outlet when the shutter is in the open position. It is characterized by further comprising a cover having a communication port for communicating.

The ninth disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of the eighth disclosure, wherein the cover is fixed to the housing.

The tenth disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of the eighth disclosure or the ninth disclosure, characterized in that the cover is positioned on the outer surface of the end of the housing in the first direction.

The eleventh disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of any one of the eighth disclosure to the tenth disclosure, wherein the cover has an idle shaft extending in the first direction, and the idle gear comprises the idle shaft. is rotatable about

The twelfth disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of the eleventh disclosure, wherein the idle gear has a hole into which the idle shaft is fitted.

A thirteenth disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge according to any one of the eighth disclosure to the twelfth disclosure, wherein the shutter is a holder positioned between the housing and the cover in the first direction. a holder having a concave portion, the toner cartridge comprising: a stopper positioned between the cover and the holder in the first direction, the stopper being movable in the first direction; An elastic member that can expand and contract in one direction, one end in the first direction is connected to the cover, the other end in the first direction is connected to the stopper, and presses the stopper toward the holder. and an elastic member, wherein the stopper is positioned outside the recess when the shutter is in the closed position, and a portion of the stopper is positioned within the recess when the shutter is in the open position. It is characterized by

The fourteenth disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of the thirteenth disclosure, wherein the holder further has an inclined surface for guiding the part of the stopper toward the recess.

The fifteenth disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of any one of the first disclosure to the fourteenth disclosure, characterized in that the toner coupling and the driving input gear are integral parts.

The 16th disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of any one of the 1st disclosure to the 15th disclosure, characterized in that the shutter and the internal gear are integral parts.

The seventeenth disclosure of the present application is a toner cartridge according to any one of the first disclosure to the sixteenth disclosure, wherein the toner cartridge is attached to a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum and mounted on a body frame of an image forming apparatus. and the shutter is a lever that can contact the body frame, and when the lever contacts the body frame, the shutter moves from the open position toward the closed position. characterized by having a lever for

The eighteenth disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of any one of the first disclosure to the seventeenth disclosure, wherein the toner cartridge is attachable to and detachable from a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum, and the toner coupling is and receiving a driving force from a relay coupling of the drum cartridge, and transmitting the driving force to the conveying member.

The 19th disclosure of the present application is the toner cartridge of any one of the 1st disclosure to the 18th disclosure, wherein the conveying member is an agitator.

According to the first to nineteenth disclosures of the present application, when the shutter is in the closed position and the toner coupling rotates, driving force is transmitted from the drive input gear to the internal gear via the idle gear. This rotates the internal gear about the first axis and moves the shutter from the closed position to the open position. Therefore, rotation of the toner coupling can achieve both rotation of the conveying member and movement of the shutter from the closed position to the open position.

Also, when the shutter moves to the open position, the idle gear and the internal gear are disengaged. Therefore, no driving force is transmitted from the idle gear to the internal gear. Therefore, the position of the shutter is maintained at the open position. However, the conveying member rotates due to the rotation of the toner coupling. This allows the conveying member to continue rotating even after the shutter moves from the closed position to the open position.

Further, according to the third disclosure of the present application, the drive input gear and the shutter can be rotated in the same direction about the first axis, and the number of idle gears can be minimized to two to reduce the number of parts. .

Also, according to the fifth disclosure of the present application, the drive input gear and the shutter can be rotated in the same direction about the first axis.

Also, according to the seventh disclosure of the present application, the drive input gear and the shutter can be rotated in directions opposite to each other about the first axis.

Further, according to the thirteenth disclosure of the present application, the shutter is positioned at the open position by inserting the stopper into the recess. This allows the idle gear to be pulled away from the end of the gear teeth of the internal gear.

Further, according to the fourteenth disclosure of the present application, the inclined surface guides the stopper toward the recess. This allows the shutter to be easily positioned to the open position.

Also, according to the fifteenth disclosure of the present application, the number of parts can be reduced compared to the case where the toner coupling and the drive input gear are separate parts.

Also, according to the 16th disclosure of the present application, the number of parts can be reduced compared to the case where the shutter and the internal gear are separate parts.

1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a toner cartridge; FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a cross section of the toner cartridge; FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the toner cartridge; FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the toner cartridge; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the first axis of the toner cartridge; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the first axis of the toner cartridge; FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the direction in which the shaft 31 of the toner cartridge 2 extends will be referred to as "first direction".

<1. Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus 1 is an electrophotographic printer. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 1 is a laser printer or an LED printer. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes four toner cartridges 2, a drum cartridge 3, a body frame 4, and a control section 5. As shown in FIG.

The drum cartridge 3 is a drawer. As shown in FIG. 1 , the drum cartridge 3 has four developing rollers 301 and four photosensitive drums 302 . The four toner cartridges 2 are detachable from the drum cartridge 3 . Also, the drum cartridge 3 to which the four toner cartridges 2 are mounted can be attached to and detached from the body frame 4 . The number of toner cartridges 2 attached to the drum cartridge 3 of this embodiment is four. However, the number of toner cartridges 2 attached to the drum cartridge 3 may be one to three, or may be five or more.

The four toner cartridges 2 contain toners of different colors (eg, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). The image forming apparatus 1 forms an image on printing paper using toner supplied from four toner cartridges 2 .

The control unit 5 is located inside the body frame 4 of the image forming apparatus 1 . The control unit 5 has a processor 501 such as a CPU and a main body memory 502 . The main body memory 502 is a storage medium from which information can be read and written. The processor 501 can read information from the body memory 502 and write information to the body memory 502 . Control unit 5 executes print processing in image forming apparatus 1 by processor 501 operating according to a program stored in main body memory 502 .

Each of the four toner cartridges 2 has an IC chip 201 . The IC chip 201 is a storage medium from which information can be read and written. The drum cartridge 3 has four drum contacts 303 , a drum harness 304 and a drum connector 305 . The four drum contacts 303 are electrically connected to the drum connector 305 via the drum harness 304 . Further, the image forming apparatus 1 has a body connector 401 and a body harness 402 inside the body frame 4 . The body connector 401 is electrically connected to the controller 5 via a body harness 402 .

When the toner cartridge 2 is attached to the drum cartridge 3, the IC chip 201 contacts the drum contact 303. The IC chip 201 is thereby electrically connected to the drum contact 303 . When the drum cartridge 3 with the toner cartridge 2 attached is attached to the body frame 4 , the drum connector 305 contacts the body connector 401 . Thereby, the drum connector 305 is electrically connected to the main body connector 401 . As a result, the IC chip 201 is electrically connected to the controller 5 via the drum contact 303 , the drum harness 304 , the drum connector 305 , the body connector 401 and the body harness 402 . As a result, the control unit 5 can read information from the IC chip 201 and write information to the IC chip 201 .

<2. Toner Cartridge>
Next, the structure of the toner cartridge 2 is described. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge 2. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a cross section including the first axis A of the toner cartridge 2. FIG. 4 and 5 are partially exploded perspective views of the toner cartridge 2. FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the toner cartridge 2 includes a housing 10, a shutter 20, an internal gear 24, an agitator 30, a toner coupling 40, a drive input gear 41, a cover 50, a first idle gear 61, a second 2 idle gear 62 , stopper 70 , first locking member 81 and second locking member 82 .

The housing 10 is a container that can contain toner, which is an example of developer. The housing 10 extends in the first direction. The housing 10 has a first end 11 , a second end 12 and a tubular peripheral surface 13 . The first end 11 is separated from the second end 12 in the first direction. The shutter 20, the internal gear 24, the toner coupling 40, the drive input gear 41, the cover 50, the first idle gear 61, the second idle gear 62, the stopper 70, the first locking member 81, and the second locking member 82 are Located at the first end 11 . The IC chip 201 described above is located at the second end 12 . The peripheral surface 13 extends in the first direction between the first end 11 and the second end 12 . The peripheral surface 13 has a tubular shape centered on a first axis A extending in the first direction.

The housing 10 has a storage chamber 14 inside. Toner is stored in the storage chamber 14 . Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the housing 10 has a toner discharge port 15. As shown in FIG. The toner discharge port 15 is positioned at one end of the peripheral surface 13 in the first direction.

The shutter 20 is positioned at the first end 11 of the housing 10 . The shutter 20 has a holder 21 , a shutter plate 22 and a lever 23 . The holder 21 is positioned between the housing 10 and a gear cover portion 51, which will be described later, in the first direction. The holder 21 has an annular shape centered on the first axis A. As shown in FIG. Shutter plate 22 extends in a first direction from a portion of holder 21 toward second end 12 . The shutter plate 22 has a shutter aperture 220 .

The shutter 20 is rotatable about the first axis A with respect to the housing 10 between a closed position that closes the toner discharge port 15 and an open position that opens the toner discharge port 15 . The shutter plate 22 covers the toner outlet 15 when the shutter 20 is at the closed position. As a result, the shutter 20 closes the toner discharge port 15 . When the shutter 20 is at the open position, the shutter opening 220 of the shutter plate 22 overlaps the toner outlet 15 . This causes the shutter 20 to open the toner discharge port 15 . That is, the toner discharge port 15 communicates with the communication port 53 of the cover 50 to be described later through the shutter opening 220 . As a result, the toner stored in the storage chamber 14 can move to the drum cartridge 3 .

The housing 10 has a recess 16. A recess 16 is located in the peripheral surface 13 of the housing 10 . A shutter plate 22 is positioned within the recess 16 . The recess 16 has a first surface 160 , a first stop surface 161 and a second stop surface 162 . The first surface 160 has the toner outlet 15 . The first stopper surface 161 extends outward from the first surface 160 in the radial direction about the first axis A. As shown in FIG. The second stop surface 162 extends outward from the first surface 160 in a radial direction about the first axis A. As shown in FIG.

The first stopper surface 161 stops the rotational movement of the shutter 20 from the closed position to the open position. The shutter plate 22 contacts the first stopper surface 161 when the shutter 20 is positioned at the open position. The second stop surface 162 stops the rotational movement of the shutter 20 from the open position to the closed position. The shutter plate 22 contacts the second stopper surface 162 when the shutter 20 is positioned at the closed position. This restricts the movement range of the shutter 20 between the closed position and the open position.

It should be noted that the first stopper surface 161 does not have to completely stop the movement of the shutter 20 in the rotational direction. The shutter 20 may be slightly movable while in contact with the first stopper surface 161 . Also, the second stopper surface 162 may not completely stop the movement of the shutter 20 in the rotational direction. The shutter 20 may be slightly movable while in contact with the second stopper surface 162 .

In this embodiment, the toner outlet 15 and the first stopper surface 161 are located on the same housing 10 . Therefore, when the shutter 20 is positioned at the open position, the shutter 20 is accurately positioned with respect to the toner discharge port 15 . Further, in this embodiment, the toner discharge port 15 and the second stopper surface 162 are located on the same housing 10 . Therefore, when the shutter 20 is positioned at the closed position, the shutter 20 is accurately positioned with respect to the toner discharge port 15 . However, the later-described cover 50 may have the first stopper surface 161 and the second stopper surface 162 . Also, a component other than the shutter 20 and the cover 50 may have the first stopper surface 161 and the second stopper surface 162 .

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the holder 21 has holes 210 . Hole 210 is located in the center of holder 21 . Moreover, the holder 21 has a first recess 211 and a second recess 212 around the hole 210 . The first recessed portion 211 and the second recessed portion 212 are positioned opposite to each other with the first axis A interposed therebetween. The first recessed portion 211 and the second recessed portion 212 are recessed in the first direction toward the housing 10 from the surface of the holder 21 facing the gear cover portion 51 described later.

The lever 23 protrudes outward from the outer peripheral portion of the holder 21 . The lever 23 is located on the opposite side of the shutter plate 22 with the first axis A interposed therebetween. The lever 23 can contact the body frame 4 . When the drum cartridge 3 with the toner cartridge 2 mounted thereon is removed from the body frame 4 , the lever 23 contacts the body frame 4 . This causes the lever 23 to rotate about the first axis A. As shown in FIG. Then, together with the lever 23, the shutter 20 moves from the open position to the closed position. As a result, the shutter plate 22 covers the toner discharge port 15 .

The internal gear 24 is a gear that can rotate about the first axis A together with the shutter 20 . The internal gear 24 has an annular shape centered on the first axis A. As shown in FIG. The internal gear 24 is positioned inside the holder 21 . In this embodiment, the shutter 20 and the internal gear 24 are integral parts. Specifically, the shutter 20 and the internal gear 24 are integrally molded. As a result, the number of parts of the toner cartridge 2 can be reduced as compared with the case where the shutter 20 and the internal gear 24 are separate parts. However, the shutter 20 and the internal gear 24 may be separate parts. In that case, the shutter 20 and the internal gear 24 should be fixed to each other.

The internal gear 24 has a plurality of gear teeth 241 and a missing tooth portion 242 . A plurality of gear teeth 241 are provided in a partial angular range around the first axis A. As shown in FIG. Each gear tooth 241 protrudes radially inward from the internal gear 24 . The toothless portion 242 is an arc-shaped inner peripheral surface without gear teeth.

The agitator 30 is a conveying member for agitating and conveying toner within the housing 10 . The agitator 30 is located inside the housing 10 . The agitator 30 has a shaft 31 and vanes 32, as indicated by broken lines in FIG. The shaft 31 extends along the first axis A in the first direction. The shaft 31 has one end and the other end. One end of the shaft 31 is located at the first end 11 of the housing 10 . The other end of the shaft 31 is positioned at the second end 12 of the housing 10 . The blades 32 spread radially outward from the shaft 31 . That is, the blades 32 spread from the shaft 31 toward the inner peripheral surface of the housing 10 .

The shaft 31 and blades 32 are rotatable about the first axis A. When the vane 32 rotates about the first axis A, the toner inside the housing 10 is agitated and conveyed toward the toner outlet 15 .

The toner coupling 40 is a part for transmitting driving force to the agitator 30. A toner coupling 40 is located at the first end 11 of the housing 10 . The toner coupling 40 is connected via a connecting member 42 to one end of the shaft 31 in the first direction. On the other hand, the drum cartridge 3 has a relay coupling (not shown). The toner coupling 40 can be connected with a relay coupling. The toner coupling 40 can receive a driving force from the relay coupling while being connected to the relay coupling.

When the drum cartridge 3 with the toner cartridge 2 attached is attached to the body frame 4 , the relay coupling of the drum cartridge 3 is connected to the toner coupling 40 . Then, the image forming apparatus 1 supplies driving force to the toner coupling 40 via the relay coupling. The toner coupling 40 rotates about the first axis A by receiving driving force from the relay coupling. When the toner coupling 40 rotates about the first axis A, the agitator 30 also rotates about the first axis A together with the toner coupling 40 .

The drive input gear 41 is a gear rotatable about the first axis A together with the toner coupling 40 . The drive input gear 41 is positioned on the outer periphery of the toner coupling 40 . In this embodiment, the toner coupling 40 and the drive input gear 41 are integral parts. Specifically, the toner coupling 40 and the drive input gear 41 are integrally molded. As a result, the number of parts of the toner cartridge 2 can be reduced as compared with the case where the toner coupling 40 and the drive input gear 41 are separate parts. However, the toner coupling 40 and the drive input gear 41 may be separate parts. In that case, the toner coupling 40 and the driving input gear 41 should be fixed to each other.

The driving input gear 41 has a plurality of gear teeth 411. A plurality of gear teeth 411 are positioned all around the outer peripheral surface of the drive input gear 41 . Each gear tooth 411 protrudes away from the first axis A. As shown in FIG.

The cover 50 is positioned on the outer surface of the first end 11 of the housing 10 . The cover 50 is fixed to the first end 11 of the housing 10 . The cover 50 has a gear cover portion 51 and a shutter cover portion 52 .

The gear cover portion 51 has a substantially disc shape centered on the first axis A. The shutter cover portion 52 extends in the first direction from a portion of the outer peripheral portion of the gear cover portion 51 toward the housing 10 . The holder 21, the internal gear 24, the toner coupling 40, the drive input gear 41, the first idle gear 61, the second idle gear 62, and the stopper 70 are arranged between the gear cover portion 51 and the housing 10 in the first direction. It is positioned between the first end 11 . The shutter cover portion 52 is positioned in the recess 16 of the housing 10 . The shutter cover portion 52 covers at least part of the shutter plate 22 .

The gear cover portion 51 has a center through-hole 510 , first side through-holes 511 and second side through-holes 512 . The center through-hole 510, the first side through-hole 511, and the second side through-hole 512 penetrate the gear cover portion 51 in the first direction. The center through-hole 510 is located in the center of the gear cover portion 51 . The toner coupling 40 is exposed outside the cover 50 through the center through hole 510 . The first side through-hole 511 and the second side through-hole 512 are located around the center through-hole 510 . The first side through-hole 511 and the second side through-hole 512 are positioned opposite to each other with the center through-hole 510 interposed therebetween.

The shutter cover portion 52 has a communication port 53. The communication port 53 is located at a position overlapping the toner discharge port 15 regardless of whether the shutter 20 is positioned at the closed position or the shutter 20 is positioned at the open position. The shutter plate 22 covers the communication port 53 when the shutter 20 is positioned at the closed position. When the shutter 20 is at the open position, the shutter opening 220 overlaps the toner discharge port 15 and the communication port 53 . As a result, the toner discharge port 15 communicates with the communication port 53 through the shutter opening 220 .

As shown in FIG. 5, the cover 50 has a first idle shaft 54 and a second idle shaft 55. The first idle shaft 54 and the second idle shaft 55 each extend in the first direction toward the holder 21 from the surface of the gear cover portion 51 facing the holder 21 . The first idle shaft 54 and the second idle shaft 55 are cylindrical. The first idle shaft 54 and the second idle shaft 55 are positioned between the drive input gear 41 and the internal gear 24 in the radial direction about the first axis A. As shown in FIG.

The first idle gear 61 and the second idle gear 62 are gears that transmit driving force from the drive input gear 41 to the internal gear 24 . The first idle gear 61 and the second idle gear 62 are positioned between the gear cover portion 51 and the holder 21 in the first direction.

The first idle gear 61 has a first hole 610. The first hole 610 is located in the center of the first idle gear 61 . The first idle shaft 54 fits into the first hole 610 . The first idle gear 61 is thereby supported by the first idle shaft 54 . Also, the first idle gear 61 is rotatable about the first idle shaft 54 . The first idle gear 61 has multiple gear teeth 611 . A plurality of gear teeth 611 are positioned around the entire circumference of the first idle gear 61 . Each gear tooth 611 projects away from the first idle shaft 54 . Gear teeth 611 of the first idle gear 61 mesh with gear teeth 411 of the drive input gear 41 .

The second idle gear 62 has a second hole 620. A second hole 620 is located in the center of the second idle gear 62 . The second idle shaft 55 fits into the second hole 620 . The second idle gear 62 is thereby supported by the second idle shaft 55 . Also, the second idle gear 62 is rotatable about the second idle shaft 55 . The second idle gear 62 has multiple gear teeth 621 . A plurality of gear teeth 621 are positioned around the entire circumference of the second idle gear 62 . Each gear tooth 621 projects away from the second idle shaft 55 . Gear teeth 621 of the second idle gear 62 mesh with gear teeth 611 of the first idle gear 61 .

6 and 7 are cross-sectional views of the toner cartridge 2. FIG. 6 and 7 show a cross section including the first idle gear 61 and the second idle gear 62 and orthogonal to the first axis A. FIG. Also, FIG. 6 shows a state in which the shutter 20 is positioned at the closed position. FIG. 7 shows the state where the shutter 20 is positioned at the open position. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the first idle gear 61 and the second idle gear 62 are arranged in series between the drive input gear 41 and the internal gear 24 .

As shown in FIG. 6, when the shutter 20 is in the closed position, the gear teeth 411 of the drive input gear 41 mesh with the gear teeth 611 of the first idle gear 61, and the gear teeth 611 of the first idle gear 61 mesh with the second idle gear. The gear teeth 621 of the gear 62 and the gear teeth 621 of the second idle gear 62 mesh with the gear teeth 241 of the internal gear 24 . Therefore, the drive force input to the drive input gear 41 is transmitted to the internal gear 24 via the first idle gear 61 and the second idle gear 62 . In this case, the internal gear 24 rotates about the first axis A while the toner coupling 40 rotates the agitator 30 . This causes the shutter 20 to move from the closed position to the open position. As a result, the toner discharge port 15 is opened. Thus, the rotation of the toner coupling 40 causes both the rotation of the agitator 30 and the rotational movement of the shutter 20 from the closed position to the open position.

As described above, the internal gear 24 has a plurality of gear teeth 241 and a missing tooth portion 242. When the shutter 20 reaches the open position, the gear teeth 621 of the second idle gear 62 and the gear teeth 241 of the internal gear 24 are disengaged. As a result, the gear teeth 621 of the second idle gear 62 are separated from the missing tooth portion 242 of the internal gear 24 from the state in which the gear teeth 621 of the second idle gear 62 mesh with the gear teeth 241 of the internal gear 24. to face each other.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the shutter 20 is in the open position, the gear teeth 411 of the drive input gear 41 mesh with the gear teeth 611 of the first idle gear 61, and the gear teeth 611 of the first idle gear 61 mesh with the second idle gear. The gear teeth 621 of the gear 62 mesh with each other, and the gear teeth 621 of the second idle gear 62 face the missing tooth portion 242 of the internal gear 24 with a gap therebetween. Therefore, the drive force input to the drive input gear 41 is not transmitted to the internal gear 24 . Therefore, the position of the shutter 20 is maintained at the open position. That is, the toner discharge port 15 is kept open. However, the rotation of the toner coupling 40 causes the agitator 30 to rotate. This allows the agitator 30 to continue rotating even after the shutter 20 has moved from the closed position to the open position.

The stopper 70 is a member for positioning the shutter 20 at the closed position. The stopper 70 is positioned between the gear cover portion 51 and the holder 21 in the first direction. The stopper 70 is movable in the first direction between a first position and a second position closer to the holder 21 than the first position.

Also, the toner cartridge 2 has a spring 71 . The spring 71 is an elastic member that can expand and contract in the first direction. Spring 71 is, for example, a coil spring. One end of the spring 71 in the first direction is connected to the gear cover portion 51 . The other end of spring 71 in the first direction is connected to stopper 70 . Further, the spring 71 is arranged between the gear cover portion 51 and the stopper 70 in a state of being contracted in the first direction from its natural length. Therefore, the spring 71 presses the stopper 70 in the first direction toward the holder 21 by its repulsive force.

As shown in FIG. 6, the holder 21 has stopper recesses 213 . The stopper recessed portion 213 is recessed in the first direction from the surface of the holder 21 facing the gear cover portion 51 toward the housing 10 . When the shutter 20 is positioned at the closed position, the stopper 70 is positioned outside the stopper recess 213 . That is, the stopper 70 contacts a portion of the surface of the holder 21 facing the gear cover portion 51 other than the stopper concave portion 213 . At this time, the stopper 70 is positioned at the first position in the first direction.

When the shutter 20 moves from the closed position to the open position, the stopper concave portion 213 of the holder 21 approaches the stopper 70 . Then, the distal end of the stopper 70 is inserted into the stopper concave portion 213 . At this time, the extension of the spring 71 moves the stopper 70 from the first position to the second position in the first direction. By inserting the tip of the stopper 70 into the stopper concave portion 213 in this manner, the shutter 20 can be positioned at the open position. As a result, the ends of the gear teeth 241 of the internal gear 24 can be prevented from coming into contact with the second idle gear 62 .

Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the holder 21 has an inclined surface 214 . The inclined surface 214 is inclined toward the housing 10 toward the stopper concave portion 213 at the portion of the surface facing the gear cover portion 51 of the holder 21 that contacts the tip portion of the stopper 70 . The inclined surface 214 guides the tip of the stopper 70 into the stopper concave portion 213 . When the shutter 20 moves from the closed position to the open position, the tip of the stopper 70 is guided into the stopper concave portion 213 by the inclined surface 214 . Thereby, the shutter 20 can be positioned at the open position more easily. Also, the second idle gear 62 can be pulled away from the end of the gear teeth 241 of the internal gear 24 .

The first locking member 81 and the second locking member 82 are members for locking the rotation of the shutter 20 . The first locking member 81 fits into the first concave portion 211 of the holder 21 . The second locking member 82 fits into the second recess 212 of the holder 21 . The first lock member 81 is exposed to the outside of the cover 50 through the first side through hole 511 of the cover 50 . The second locking member 82 is exposed to the outside of the cover 50 through the second side through hole 512 of the cover 50 . Each of the first locking member 81 and the second locking member 82 is movable in the first direction between a locked position and a released position that is further from the gear cover portion 51 than the locked position in the first direction.

Also, the toner cartridge 2 has a first spring 83 and a second spring 84 . The first spring 83 is positioned between the first locking member 81 and the holder 21 . The first spring 83 is an elastic member that can expand and contract in the first direction. The first spring 83 is arranged between the first locking member 81 and the holder 21 in a state of being compressed from its natural length. Therefore, the repulsive force of the first spring 83 constantly urges the first locking member 81 from the unlocked position to the locked position. A second spring 84 is positioned between the second locking member 82 and the holder 21 . The second spring 84 is an elastic member that can expand and contract in the first direction. The second spring 84 is arranged between the second locking member 82 and the holder 21 in a state of being compressed from its natural length. Therefore, the repulsive force of the second spring 84 constantly urges the second locking member 82 from the unlocked position toward the locked position.

When the first locking member 81 is positioned at the locking position, the first locking member 81 contacts both the cover 50 and the holder 21 . Also, when the second locking member 82 is positioned at the locking position, the second locking member 82 contacts both the cover 50 and the holder 21 . In this state, the shutter 20 cannot rotate about the first axis A with respect to the housing 10 and the cover 50 . Therefore, the shutter 20 cannot be moved from the closed position to the open position.

When the drum cartridge 3 to which the toner cartridge 2 is attached is attached to the body frame 4 , the image forming apparatus 1 moves the first lock member 81 and the first locking member 81 through a movable member (not shown) provided on the drum cartridge 3 . The second locking member 82 is pressed toward the holder 21 . As a result, the first locking member 81 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position by contracting the first spring 83 . In addition, the contraction of the second spring 84 moves the second lock member 82 from the lock position to the release position. As a result, the first locking member 81 is removed from the first side through-hole 511 and the second locking member 82 is removed from the second side through-hole 512 . Therefore, the first locking member 81 and the second locking member 82 are separated from the cover 50 . In this state, the shutter 20 is rotatable about the first axis A with respect to the housing 10 and the cover 50 . Therefore, the shutter 20 can be moved from the closed position to the open position.

In the structure of this embodiment, the lock of the shutter 20 is not released unless both the first locking member 81 and the second locking member 82 are pressed simultaneously. Therefore, when the toner cartridge 2 is not attached to the drum cartridge 3, it is possible to prevent the shutter 20 from being unlocked due to an erroneous operation by the user.

<3. Variation>
Although one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment. Various modifications will be described below, focusing on differences from the above-described embodiment.

<3-1. Regarding the number of idle gears>
In the above embodiment, the two idle gears, ie, the first idle gear 61 and the second idle gear 62 are arranged in series between the drive input gear 41 and the internal gear 24 . By doing so, the drive input gear 41 and the shutter 20 can be rotated in the same direction about the first axis A. As shown in FIG. In addition, the number of idle gears required to rotate the drive input gear 41 and the shutter 20 in the same direction is minimized to two, thereby reducing the number of parts of the toner cartridge 2 .

However, the toner cartridge 2 may have an even number of idle gears instead of two. An even number of idle gears may be arranged in series between the drive input gear 41 and the internal gear 24 . This allows the drive input gear 41 and the shutter 20 to rotate about the first axis A in the same direction.

Also, the toner cartridge 2 may have an odd number of idle gears. An odd number of idle gears may be arranged in series between the drive input gear 41 and the internal gear 24 . As a result, the drive input gear 41 and the shutter 20 can be rotated about the first axis A in directions opposite to each other.

<3-2. About gear teeth>
The driving input gear 41 may have no gear teeth 411 and transmit the driving force by friction of rubber. Also, some idle gears among the plurality of idle gears may have no gear teeth and may transmit driving force by friction of rubber.

<3-3. Conveying member>
The toner cartridge 2 of the above embodiment has the agitator 30 as a conveying member. However, the toner cartridge 2 may have a screw-shaped auger as a conveying member. At least part of the conveying member may be located inside the housing.

<3-4. Others>
The detailed shape of each part constituting the image forming apparatus 1 may be different from the shapes shown in the drawings of the present application. Further, each element appearing in the above embodiments and modifications may be selected as appropriate within a range that does not cause contradiction.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 image forming apparatus 2 toner cartridge 3 drum cartridge 4 body frame 10 housing 15 toner outlet 16 recess 20 shutter 21 holder 22 shutter plate 23 lever 24 internal gear 30 agitator 31 shaft 32 vane 40 toner coupling 41 drive input gear 50 Cover 51 Gear cover part 52 Shutter cover part 53 Communication port 54 First idle shaft 55 Second idle shaft 61 First idle gear 62 Second idle gear 70 Stopper 71 Spring 213 Stopper concave portion 214 Inclined surface 220 Shutter opening 241 Gear tooth 242 Chipping Tooth A 1st axis

Claims

a housing capable of containing toner, the housing having a toner outlet;
a conveying member having a shaft extending in a first direction, the conveying member being rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction and located inside the housing;
a shutter rotatable about the first axis with respect to the housing between a closed position that closes the toner outlet and an open position that opens the toner outlet;
a toner coupling for rotating the conveying member, the toner coupling being rotatable about the first axis;
a drive input gear rotatable about the first axis with the toner coupling;
an internal gear rotatable about the first axis together with the shutter, the internal gear having gear teeth and a missing tooth portion;
an idle gear that transmits driving force from the drive input gear to the internal gear;
A toner cartridge comprising
When the shutter is in the closed position, the driving input gear meshes with the idle gear and the idle gear meshes with the gear teeth of the internal gear while the toner coupling rotates the conveying member. meshing,
When the shutter is at the open position, the drive input gear meshes with the idle gear in a state in which the toner coupling rotates the conveying member, and the idle gear is the missing tooth portion of the internal gear. A toner cartridge, characterized in that it faces a .
The toner cartridge according to claim 1,
The idle gear is
a first idle gear meshing with the drive input gear;
a second idle gear meshing with the first idle gear;
has
When the shutter is in the closed position, the drive input gear meshes with the first idle gear, and the first idle gear meshes with the second idle gear in a state in which the toner coupling rotates the conveying member. and the second idler gear meshes with the gear teeth of the internal gear;
When the shutter is at the open position, the drive input gear meshes with the first idle gear, and the first idle gear meshes with the second idle gear, while the toner coupling rotates the conveying member. and the second idle gear faces the missing tooth portion of the internal gear.
The toner cartridge according to claim 2,
A toner cartridge, wherein said first idle gear and said second idle gear are arranged in series between said drive input gear and said internal gear.
The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The toner cartridge, wherein the number of idle gears is even.
The toner cartridge according to claim 4,
A toner cartridge, wherein an even number of said idle gears are arranged in series between said drive input gear and said internal gear.
The toner cartridge according to claim 1,
The toner cartridge, wherein the number of idle gears is an odd number.
The toner cartridge according to claim 6,
A toner cartridge, wherein an odd number of said idle gears are arranged in series between said drive input gear and said internal gear.
The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The toner cartridge further comprises a cover that covers at least part of the shutter and has a communication port that communicates with the toner discharge port when the shutter is in the open position.
The toner cartridge according to claim 8,
A toner cartridge, wherein the cover is fixed to the housing.
The toner cartridge according to Claim 8 or Claim 9,
The toner cartridge, wherein the cover is positioned on the outer surface of the end of the housing in the first direction.
The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 8 to 10,
The cover is
having an idle shaft extending in the first direction;
The toner cartridge, wherein the idle gear is rotatable about the idle shaft.
12. The toner cartridge according to claim 11,
The idle gear is
A toner cartridge, comprising a hole in which the idle shaft is fitted.
The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 8 to 12,
The shutter
a holder positioned between the housing and the cover in the first direction, the holder having a recess;
The toner cartridge is
a stopper positioned between the cover and the holder in the first direction and movable in the first direction;
An elastic member that can expand and contract in the first direction, one end in the first direction is connected to the cover, the other end in the first direction is connected to the stopper, and the stopper is directed toward the holder. a pressing elastic member;
further comprising
when the shutter is in the closed position, the stopper is positioned outside the recess;
A toner cartridge, wherein a part of the stopper is positioned within the recess when the shutter is in the open position.
14. The toner cartridge according to claim 13,
The holder is
The toner cartridge, further comprising an inclined surface for guiding the part of the stopper into the recess.
The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 14,
A toner cartridge, wherein the toner coupling and the drive input gear are integral parts.
The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
A toner cartridge, wherein the shutter and the internal gear are integral parts.
The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 16,
The toner cartridge is attachable to and detachable from a body frame of the image forming apparatus in a state of being attached to a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum,
The shutter
A toner cartridge comprising: a lever capable of contacting the body frame, wherein the shutter moves from the open position to the closed position when the lever contacts the body frame. .
The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 17,
The toner cartridge is detachable from a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum,
The toner cartridge, wherein the toner coupling receives a driving force from a relay coupling of the drum cartridge and transmits the driving force to the conveying member.
The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 18,
The toner cartridge, wherein the conveying member is an agitator.