WO2023183021A1

WO2023183021A1 - Toner cartridge with toner supply member

Info

Publication number: WO2023183021A1
Application number: PCT/US2022/043283
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jinsam PARK; Jinhong Kim; Seongwoong YANG
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date: 2022-03-21
Filing date: 2022-09-13
Publication date: 2023-09-28
Also published as: KR20230136943A

Abstract

An example toner cartridge includes a fixing portion including a toner discharge port, a rotatable toner storage portion to contain toner, the toner storage portion being coupled to the fixing portion to convey the toner to the fixing portion, and a toner supply member having a second rotational axis that is different from a first rotational axis of the toner storage portion, the toner supply member to convey the toner inside the fixing portion to the toner discharge port.

Description

TONER CARTRIDGE WITH TONER SUPPLY MEMBER

BACKGROUND

[0001] An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is to form a visible toner image on a photoconductor by providing toner to an electrostatic latent image formed at the photoconductor, transfer the toner image to a print medium through an intermediate transfer medium or directly to the print medium, and fix the transferred toner image on the print medium.

[0002] A main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus may include a buffer and a developing device. The buffer may be connected to the developing device. Toner is contained in a toner cartridge. The toner cartridge may be attached to or detached from the main body. Based on the life of the toner cartridge ending, the toner cartridge may be replaced. In a case where all toner contained inside the toner cartridge is consumed, the toner cartridge is removed from the main body and a new toner cartridge may be mounted on the main body. Based on the new toner cartridge being mounted on the main body, the new toner cartridge is connected to the buffer. A toner supply structure to supply a fixed amount of toner to the developing device is provided in the buffer. The toner is supplied from the toner cartridge to the buffer, and the buffer is to supply a fixed amount of toner to the developing device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] Various examples will be described below by referring to the following figures.

[0004] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toner cartridge according to an example.

[0005] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge of FIG. 1 taken along a line X1 -X1 ' according to an example.

[0006] FIG. 3 is a partial exploded view illustrating a guide member according to an example. [0007] FIGS. 4 to 6 are cross-sectional views illustrating a process in which toner is conveyed according to an example.

[0008] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a toner cartridge according to an example.

[0009] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a toner cartridge according to an example.

[0010] FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of a toner cartridge according to an example.

[0011] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a toner cartridge according to an example.

[0012] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a toner cartridge according to an example.

[0013] FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] An image forming apparatus to print an image on a print medium by an electrophotographic method includes a developing device to supply toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoconductor and to develop the electrostatic latent image into a visible toner image. The toner may be contained in a replaceable toner cartridge. The toner may be supplied from the toner cartridge to the developing device. A hopper (or buffer) may be provided in the image forming apparatus. A fixed amount supply structure to stably supply a fixed amount of toner to the developing device is provided in the hopper. The toner may be supplied from the toner cartridge to the hopper, and the toner inside the hopper may be supplied from the hopper to the developing device by the fixed amount supply structure provided inside the hopper. According to the image forming apparatus described above, a space and cost are used to mount a hopper, a fixed amount supply structure, and a driving structure to drive the fixed amount supply structure inside a main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0015] According to an example, a toner fixed amount supply structure may be integrated into a toner cartridge. In an example, the toner cartridge may include a fixing portion and a rotatable toner storage portion. The toner storage portion may be combined with the fixing portion to convey toner to the fixing portion. A toner discharge port may be provided in the fixing portion. The toner fixed amount supply structure may include a toner supply member mounted inside the fixing portion. The toner supply member may include a second rotational axis that is different from a first rotational axis of the toner storage portion, and that may be rotated with respect to the second rotational axis to convey toner inside the fixing portion to the toner discharge port. According to an example, a fixed amount of toner may be discharged from the toner cartridge by controlling the toner supply member. Because the toner fixed amount supply structure is integrated into the toner cartridge, a space and cost for mounting the hopper, the fixed amount supply structure, and the driving structure for driving the fixed amount supply structure inside the main body of the image forming apparatus may be reduced. [0016] The toner supply member may be rotated in accordance with rotation of the toner storage portion. According to an example, a driving structure of the toner supply member may be simplified. For example, a drive transmission portion may be provided in the toner storage portion, and a drive reception portion connected to the drive transmission portion may be provided in the toner supply member. As another example, based on the toner cartridge being mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, the toner supply member may be driven by a driving unit provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus. The toner supply member may be positioned outside the toner storage portion or may be positioned inside the toner storage portion.

[0017] As an example, the toner cartridge may include a guide member to guide, to the toner discharge port, toner conveyed from the toner storage portion to the fixing portion. As an example, the toner cartridge may include an agitating member to agitate the toner in the fixing portion. Hereinafter, examples of the toner cartridge and the image forming apparatus are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals denote like members having the same function, and the sizes of each component may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience in explanation. [0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toner cartridge 1 according to an example. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge of FIG. 1 taken along a line X1 -X1' according to an example. The toner cartridge 1 may be attached to or detached from a main body 2 of an image forming apparatus. Based on the toner cartridge 1 being mounted on the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus, the toner cartridge 1 may be connected to a developing device 210 (see FIG. 12). Toner may be supplied from the toner cartridge 1 to the developing device 210. Based on toner contained inside the toner cartridge 1 being consumed, the toner cartridge 1 may be detached from the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus, and a new toner cartridge 1 may be mounted on the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, as an example, the toner cartridge 1 may include a fixing portion 110, a toner storage portion 120, and a toner supply member 130.

[0019] A toner discharge port 113 may be provided in the fixing portion 110.

The fixing portion 110 may have, e.g., a cylindrical shape with one side thereof open. For example, the fixing portion 110 may have a cylindrical shape having an open end 114 and a closed end 115 overall. A structure, e.g., a handle 116, grippable by a user during handling of the toner cartridge 1 , may be provided at the closed end 115 of the fixing portion 110. The toner cartridge 1 may include a shutter 140 to open and close the toner discharge port 113. For example, the shutter 140 may be at a position to block the toner discharge port 113, and, based on the toner cartridge 1 being mounted on the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus, the shutter 140 may be moved to a position at which the toner discharge port 113 is opened by the mounting operation. As another example, based on the toner cartridge 1 being mounted on the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus, the shutter 140 may be moved to a position at which the shutter 140 opens the toner discharge port 113 by a driving unit (not shown) provided in the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus.

[0020] Toner may be contained inside the toner storage portion 120. The toner storage portion 120 may be combined with the fixing portion 110 to be rotatable. For example, the toner storage portion 120 may have a cylindrical shape with one side thereof open, e.g., a cylindrical shape having an open end 123 and a closed end 126. The open end 123 of the toner storage portion 120 may be coupled to the open end 114 of the fixing portion 110 to be rotatable. The toner storage portion 120 may be rotated with respect to a first rotational axis AX1 and convey the toner contained therein to the fixing portion 110. The first rotational axis AX1 may be an axis of the toner storage portion 120 in a longitudinal direction. For example, a spiral structure 122 protruding inwardly may be provided in a body 121 of the toner storage portion 120. Based on the toner storage portion 120 being rotated, the toner may be conveyed to the fixing portion 110 by the spiral structure 122.

[0021] The toner cartridge 1 may include a fixed amount supply structure to discharge a fixed amount of toner to the toner discharge port 113. As an example of the fixed amount supply structure, the toner supply member 130 that is to convey the toner inside the fixing portion 110 to the toner discharge port 113 may be employed. For example, the toner supply member 130 may be rotated to convey the toner inside the fixing portion 110 to the toner discharge port 113. An internal space of the fixing portion 110 functions as a hopper in the structure of the related art. By controlling a rotation speed and a rotation time of the toner supply member 130, a fixed amount of toner may be discharged from the toner cartridge 1 .

[0022] The toner supply member 130 may be rotated with respect to a second rotational axis AX2 that is different from the first rotation shaft AX1 of the toner storage portion 120. The first rotational axis AX1 and the second rotational axis AX2 may be parallel to each other. For example, the toner supply member 130 may include an auger including a rotation shaft 131 extending along the second rotation shaft AX2 and a spiral blade 132 formed on the outer circumference of the rotation shaft 131 . As an example, the toner supply member 130 may be positioned outside the toner storage portion 120. In this case, the expression "outside the toner storage portion 120" means that the second rotation shaft AX2 of the toner supply member 130 is positioned outside the toner storage portion 120.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the fixing portion 110 may include a first portion 111 and a second portion 112. The first portion 111 may include the open end 114 and the closed end 115 described above. The toner storage portion 120 may be coupled to the open end 114 of the first portion 111 to be rotatable. The first portion 111 and the second portion 112 may be separated from each other by a partition wall 117. The second portion 112 may be positioned below the first portion 111. The partition wall 117 may be a lower wall of the first portion 111 and an upper wall of the second portion 112. The first portion 111 and the second portion 112 may be connected to each other. For example, a communicating port 118 may be provided in the partition wall 117. Toner may flow into the second portion 112 from the first portion 111 through the communicating port 118. The second portion 112 may be positioned outside the toner storage portion 120. The second portion 112 may be positioned to be offset in a direction perpendicular to the first rotational axis AX1 with respect to the toner storage portion 120. The toner discharge port 113 may be provided in the second portion 112.

[0024] The toner supply member 130 may be positioned in the second portion 112. The toner supply member 130 is to convey, to the toner discharge port 113, toner flowing into the second portion 112 from the first portion 111 through the communicating port 118. As an example, the toner supply member 130 may be rotated in accordance with rotation of the toner storage portion 120. The toner cartridge 1 may include a drive transmission portion 124 provided in the toner storage portion 120, and a drive reception portion 133 provided in the toner supply member 130 and connected to the drive transmission portion 124. The drive transmission portion 124 and the drive reception portion 133 may each have a gear connection structure. For example, the drive transmission portion 124 may include a first gear 125 formed on the outer circumference of the toner storage portion 120. The first gear 125 may be formed on the outer circumference of the body 121 of the toner storage portion 120. The first gear 125 may be formed at a position close to the fixing portion 110. The first gear 125 may be formed as one body with the toner storage portion 120. The first gear 125 may also be coupled to the toner storage portion 120, e.g., the body 121 , as a separate member from the toner storage portion 120. The toner supply member 130 may include an extension portion 135 extending outwardly of the second portion 112. The extension portion 135 may extend toward the toner storage portion 120. The drive reception portion 133 may include a second gear 134 provided in the extension portion 135 to engage with the first gear 125. The second gear 134 may be formed as one body with the toner supply member 130. The second gear 134 may be coupled to the toner supply member 130, e.g., the extension portion 135, as a separate member from the toner supply member 130.

[0025] As an example, the toner cartridge 1 may include a guide member 150, to guide, to the toner discharge port 113, toner conveyed from the toner storage portion 120 to the fixing portion 110. In an example, the guide member

150 is to guide, to the communicating port 118, toner conveyed from the toner storage portion 120 to the first portion 111. Accordingly, the toner in the first portion 111 may be guided to the toner discharge port 113. FIG. 3 is a partial exploded view illustrating the guide member 150 according to an example. Referring to FIG. 3, the guide member 150 may be provided inside the fixing portion 110, e.g., the first portion 111. The guide member 150 may have a shape inclined downwardly with respect to a horizontal plane including the first rotation shaft AX1 .

[0026] The guide member 150 may include a first end 151 close to the communicating port 118, and a second end 152 away from the communicating port 118. The first end 151 may be spaced apart from an inner wall of the fixing portion 110, e.g., an inner wall of the first portion 111. The second end 152 may be spaced apart from an inner wall of the fixing portion 110, e.g., an inner wall of the first portion 111. A gap 152G between the second end 152 and the inner wall of the fixing portion 110 may be greater than a gap 151 G between the first end

151 and the inner wall of the fixing portion 110. The toner conveyed from the toner storage portion 120 to the fixing portion 110, e.g., the first portion 111 , may be guided to the communicating port 118 by the guide member 150 and flow into the second portion 112 through the communicating port 118.

[0027] The gap 151 G, which is relatively small, allows the toner flowing into the first portion 111 from the toner storage portion 120 to be sufficiently collected in the vicinity of the communicating port 118. Based on an amount of toner flowing into the first portion 111 being greater than an amount of toner discharged from the first portion 111 to the second portion 112 through the communicating port 118, toner may accumulate on top of the communicating port 118. In this case, some toner may be pushed out from the top of the communicating port 118 through a space between the first end 151 of the guide member 150 and the inner wall of the fixing portion 110 by the pressure of toner conveyed to the fixing portion 110 by the spiral structure 122 of the toner storage portion 120. Accordingly, the pressure of toner may be prevented from being excessively increased due to excessive accumulation of toner on the top of the communicating port 118. Also, based on the level of the toner accumulated on the top of the communicating port 118 exceeding the second end 152 of the guide member 150, excess toner may be pushed out from the top of the communicating port 118 through a space between the second end 152 and the inner wall of the fixing portion 110. Accordingly, the pressure of toner may be prevented from being excessively increased due to excessive accumulation of toner on the top of the communicating port 118.

[0028] Toner conveyed from the toner storage portion 120 to the fixing portion 110, e.g., the first portion 111 may be guided to the communicating port 118 by the guide member 150 and flow into the second portion 112. The guide member 150 may be formed as one body with the fixing portion 110, e.g., the first portion 111. The guide member 150 may be coupled to the fixing portion 110 as a separate member from the fixing portion 110. For example, the guide member 150 may be in the form of a film and attached to the fixing portion 110.

[0029] Based on the toner cartridge 1 being mounted on the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus, the toner storage portion 120 may be rotated by receiving driving power from the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus. For example, a driven coupler 127 may be provided at the closed end 126 of the toner storage portion 120. Based on the toner cartridge 1 being mounted on the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus, the driven coupler 127 may be connected to a driving coupler 21 provided in the main body 2. The driving coupler 21 may be rotated by a driving motor 23. As another example, based on the toner cartridge 1 being mounted on the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus, the first gear 125 may be connected to a driving gear 22 provided in the main body 2. The driving gear 22 may be rotated by the driving motor 23. In response to the rotation of the toner storage portion 120, the toner contained in the toner storage portion 120 may be conveyed to the fixing portion 110.

[0030] FIGS. 4 to 6 are cross-sectional views illustrating a process in which toner is conveyed according to an example. Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, in response to rotation of the toner storage portion 120, toner inside the toner storage portion 120 may be conveyed toward the open end 123. The toner conveyed to the fixing portion 110, e.g., the first portion 111 , may be guided to the communicating port 118 by the guide member 150 and flow into the second portion 112 through the communicating port 118. Based on the toner supply member 130 being rotated, an amount of toner proportional to the number of rotations of the toner supply member 130 may be discharged through the toner discharge port 113.

[0031] To discharge a uniform amount of toner from the toner discharge port 113, the amount of toner conveyed to the fixing portion 110 by the spiral structure 122 of the toner storage portion 120 as a first supply member is to be greater than the amount of toner discharged through the toner discharge port 113 by the toner supply member 130 as a second supply member. A pitch and a height of the spiral structure 122 of the toner storage portion 120 (i.e., the amount of protrusion of the spiral structure 122 to the inside of the body 121 of the spiral structure 122), a pitch and a height of a spiral of the toner supply member 130, and a rotation ratio of the toner storage portion 120 to the toner supply member 130 may be selected so that such a condition is satisfied. As the pitch and the height of the spiral structure 122 of the toner storage portion 120 increase, a transport force of the spiral structure 122 may increase. As the pitch and the height of the spiral of the toner supply member 130 decrease, a transport force by the toner supply member 130 may decrease. For example, in the case of a structure in which the toner supply member 130 is rotated in accordance with rotation of the toner storage portion 120, a gear ratio of the first gear 125 to the second gear 134 may be selected to satisfy the aforementioned condition, considering the transport force of the spiral structure 122 of the toner storage portion 120 and the transport force of the toner supply member 130. In the case of a structure in which the toner supply member 130 is driven independently of the toner storage portion 120, a rotation speed of the driving gear 22 connected to the second gear 134 and a gear ratio of the second gear 134 to the driving gear 22 may be selected to satisfy the aforementioned condition, considering the transport force of the spiral structure 122 of the toner storage portion 120 and the transport force of the toner supply member 130.

[0032] As described above, according to an example, because a structure to supply a fixed amount of toner is integrated into the toner cartridge 1 , the toner fixed amount supply structure may be omitted in the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus. Accordingly, the cost of the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus may be reduced. In the toner cartridge 1 , an internal space, e.g., the first portion 111 and the second portion 112, of the fixing portion 110 functions as the hopper of the related art, and thus, a small-sized toner cartridge 1 having a fixed amount supply function may be implemented. According to an example structure in which the toner supply member 130 is rotated in accordance with the rotation of the toner storage portion 120, a driving structure of the toner supply member 130 may be simplified, and there is no need to arrange a driving unit for driving the toner supply member 130 in the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus.

[0033] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a toner cartridge 1 a according to an example. Referring to FIG. 7, the toner cartridge 1 a differs from the toner cartridge 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 in that the toner cartridge 1 a includes an agitating member 160 that is to agitate toner inside the fixing portion 110. Hereinafter, members having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, redundant descriptions are omitted, and differences are mainly described.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 7, the agitating member 160 may be mounted in the fixing portion 110 to be rotatable. A rotational axis of the agitating member 160 may be coaxial with the first rotational axis AX1 and may be parallel to the first rotational axis AXI . The agitating member 160 may include a rotation portion 161 supported inside the fixing portion 110 to be rotatable, and at least one agitating blade 162 axially extending from the rotation portion 161 . The rotation portion 161 may have, e.g., a disk shape. The agitating member 160 may be connected to the toner supply member 130 and rotated. For example, a gear 136 may be provided in the toner supply member 130. The gear 136 may be integrated with the toner supply member 130 or may be coupled to the toner supply member 130 as a separate member. A gear portion 163 to engage with the gear 136 may be provided in the agitating member 160. The gear portion 163 may be provided on, e.g., the outer circumference of the rotation portion 161.

[0035] Based on the toner cartridge 1 a not being used for a certain time, the toner inside the fixing portion 110, e.g., the first portion 111 , may be clumped and thus may not flow into the second portion 112 through the communicating port 118. Based on the toner supply member 130 being rotated, the agitating member 160 may be rotated inside the fixing portion 110, e.g., the first portion 111 , and the toner inside the fixing portion 110, e.g., the first portion 111 , may be agitated, which reduces or eliminates clumping of the toner. Accordingly, the fluidity of the toner improves, such that the toner may easily flow into the second portion 112 through the communicating port 118. The agitating member 160 may agitate toner in the vicinity of the communicating port 118 to prevent an excessive amount of toner from accumulating in the vicinity of the communicating port 118. [0036] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a toner cartridge 1 b according to an example. Referring to FIG. 8, the toner cartridge 1 b differs from the toner cartridge 1 a shown in FIG. 7 in that an agitating member 160a may be rotated in accordance with rotation of the toner storage portion 120. Hereinafter, members having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, redundant descriptions are omitted, and differences are mainly described. Referring to FIG. 8, the agitating member 160a may extend from the open end 123 of the toner storage portion 120 into the fixing portion 110, e.g., the first portion 111. The agitating member 160a may be implemented by, e.g., a film member attached to the vicinity of the open end 123 of the toner storage portion 120 and extending into the fixing portion 110. According to an example, the agitating member 160a may be rotated together with the toner storage portion 120, and clumping of the toner in the vicinity of the communicating port 118 may be reduced or eliminated. Accordingly, the fluidity of the toner improves, such that the toner may easily flow into the second portion 112 through the communicating port 118.

[0037] FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of a toner cartridge 1 c according to an example. The toner cartridge 1 c differs from the toner cartridges described above in that a toner supply member 130c is positioned inside a toner storage portion 120. Referring to FIG. 9, as an example, the toner cartridge 1 c may include a fixing portion 110c, the toner storage portion 120, and the toner supply member 130c.

[0038] A toner discharge port 113c may be provided in the fixing portion 110c. The fixing portion 110c may have, e.g., a cylindrical shape with one side thereof open. For example, the fixing portion 110c may have a cylindrical shape having an open end 114 overall. A structure, e.g., a handle 116, grippable by a user during handling of the toner cartridge 1 c may be provided at a closed end 115 of the fixing portion 110c. Although not shown in the drawing, the toner cartridge 1 c may include a shutter (not shown) to open and close the toner discharge port 113c. For example, the shutter may be at a position to block the toner discharge port 113c, and, based on the toner cartridge 1 c being mounted on the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus, the shutter may be moved to a position at which the toner discharge port 113c is opened by the mounting operation. As another example, based on the toner cartridge 1 c being mounted on the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus, the shutter may be moved to a position at which the shutter opens the toner discharge port 113c, by a driving unit (not shown) provided in the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus.

[0039] Toner may be contained inside the toner storage portion 120. The toner storage portion 120 may be combined with the fixing portion 110c to be rotatable. For example, the toner storage portion 120 may have a cylindrical shape with one side thereof open, e.g., a cylindrical shape having an open end 123. The open end 123 of the toner storage portion 120 may be coupled to the open end 114 of the fixing portion 110c to be rotatable. The toner storage portion 120 may be rotated with respect to the first rotational axis AX1 and convey toner contained therein to the fixing portion 110c. The first rotational axis AX1 may be an axis of the toner storage portion 120 in a longitudinal direction. For example, the spiral structure 122 protruding inwardly may be provided in the body 121 of the toner storage portion 120. Based on the toner storage portion 120 being rotated, the toner may be conveyed to the fixing portion 110c by the spiral structure 122.

[0040] The toner cartridge 1 c may include a fixed amount supply structure to discharge a fixed amount of toner to the toner discharge port 113c. As an example of the fixed amount supply structure, the toner supply member 130c that is to convey the toner inside the fixing portion 110c to the toner discharge port 113c may be employed. For example, the toner supply member 130c may be rotated to convey the toner inside the fixing portion 110c to the toner discharge port 113c. An internal space of the fixing portion 110c is to function as a hopper in the structure of the related art. By controlling a rotation speed and a rotation time of the toner supply member 130c, a fixed amount of toner may be discharged from the toner cartridge 1c.

[0041] The toner supply member 130c may be rotated with respect to the second rotational axis AX2 that is different from the first rotational axis AX1 of the toner storage portion 120. The first rotational axis AX1 and the second rotational axis AX2 may be parallel to each other. For example, the toner supply member 130c may include an auger. The toner supply member 130c may be positioned inside the toner storage portion 120. In this case, the expression "positioned inside the toner storage portion 120" means that the toner supply member 130c is arranged in the fixing portion 110c so that the second rotational axis AX2 is positioned inside the body 121 of the toner storage portion 120. The toner supply member 130c may partially extend into the toner storage portion 120 from the fixing portion 110c.

[0042] The toner supply member 130c having the aforementioned arrangement may be rotated in accordance with rotation of the toner storage portion 120. The toner cartridge 1 c may include a drive transmission portion 124c provided in the toner storage portion 120, and a drive reception portion 133c connected to the drive transmission portion 124c and provided in the toner supply member 130c. The drive transmission portion 124c and the drive reception portion 133c may each have a gear connection structure. For example, the drive transmission portion 124c may include a first gear 125c formed on the inner circumference of the toner storage portion 120, e.g., the inner circumference of the body 121 . The first gear 125c may be formed at a position close to the fixing portion 110c. The first gear 125c may be formed as one body with the toner storage portion 120. The first gear 125c may also be coupled to the toner storage portion 120, e.g., the body 121 , as a separate member from the toner storage portion 120. The drive reception portion 133c may include a second gear 134c provided in the toner supply member 130c to engage with the first gear 125c. The second gear 134c may be formed as one body with the toner supply member 130c. The second gear 134c may be coupled to the toner supply member 130c as a separate member from the toner supply member 130c.

[0043] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a toner cartridge 1 d according to an example. The toner cartridge 1d differs from the toner cartridge 1 c shown in FIG. 9 in that the toner cartridge 1 d includes a guide member 150d. Hereinafter, members having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, redundant descriptions are omitted, and differences are mainly described. Referring to FIG. 10, the guide member 150d is to guide, to the toner discharge port 113c, toner conveyed from the toner storage portion 120 to the fixing portion 110c. The guide member 150d may be provided inside the fixing portion 110c. The guide member 150d may have a shape inclined downwardly with respect to a horizontal plane including the first rotational axis AX1 .

[0044] The guide member 150d may include a first end 151 d close to the toner discharge port 113c, and a second end 152d far from the toner discharge port 113c. The first end 151 d may be spaced apart from an inner wall of the fixing portion 110c. The second end 152d may be spaced apart from an inner wall of the fixing portion 110c. A gap 152Gd between the second end 152d and the inner wall of the fixing portion 110c may be greater than a gap 151 Gd between the first end 151 d and the inner wall of the fixing portion 110c. The toner conveyed from the toner storage portion 120 to the fixing portion 110c may be guided to the toner discharge port 113c by the guide member 150d. Based on an amount of toner flowing into the fixing portion 110c being greater than an amount of toner discharged through the toner discharge port 113c, toner may accumulate on top of the toner discharge port 113c. In this case, some toner may escape from the top of the toner discharge port 113c through a space between the first end 151 d of the guide member 150d and the inner wall of the fixing portion 110c by the pressure of toner conveyed to the fixing portion 110c by the spiral structure 122 of the toner storage portion 120. Accordingly, the pressure of toner may be prevented from being excessively increased due to excessive accumulation of toner on the top of the toner discharge port 113c. Also, based on the level of the toner accumulated on the top of the toner discharge port 113c exceeding the second end 152d of the guide member 150d, excess toner may escape from the top of the toner discharge port 113c beyond a space between the second end 152d and the inner wall of the fixing portion 110c. Accordingly, the guide member 150d may reduce or prevent toner from excessively accumulating on the top of the toner discharge port 113c. The guide member 150d may be formed as one body with the fixing portion 110c. The guide member 150d may be coupled to the fixing portion 110c as a separate member from the fixing portion 110c. For example, the guide member 150d may be in the form of a film and attached to the fixing portion 110c.

[0045] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a toner cartridge 1 e according to an example. Referring to FIG. 11 , the toner cartridge 1 e differs from the toner cartridge 1 c shown in FIG. 9 in that the toner cartridge 1 e includes an agitating member 160e to agitate toner inside the fixing portion 110c. Hereinafter, members having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, redundant descriptions are omitted, and differences are mainly described. Referring to FIG. 11 , the agitating member 160e may be mounted in the fixing portion 110c to be rotatable. A rotational axis of the agitating member 160e may be coaxial with the first rotational axis AX1 and may be at a position parallel to the first rotational axis AX1 and offset from the first rotational axis AX1 . The agitating member 160e may include a rotation portion 161 e supported in the fixing portion 110c to be rotatable, and at least one agitating blade 162e axially extending from the rotation portion 161e. The rotation portion 161 e may have, e.g., a disk shape. The agitating member 160e may be connected to the toner supply member 130c and rotated. For example, a gear 136e may be provided in the toner supply member 130c. The gear 136e may be integrated with the toner supply member 130c or may be coupled to the toner supply member 130c. A gear portion 163e to engage with the gear 136e may be provided in the agitating member 160e. The gear portion 163e may be provided on, e.g., the outer circumference of the rotation portion 161 e.

[0046] Based on the toner cartridge 1 e not being used for a certain time, the toner inside the fixing portion 110c may be clumped and thus may not be easily discharged through the toner discharge port 113c. Based on the toner supply member 130c being rotated, the agitating member 160e may be rotated inside the fixing portion 110c, and the toner inside the fixing portion 110c may be agitated, which reduces or eliminates clumping of the toner. Accordingly, the fluidity of the toner improves, such that the toner may be easily discharged through the toner discharge port 113c.

[0047] FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an example. Referring to FIG. 12, the image forming apparatus includes the main body 2 including a print portion 200, and a toner cartridge 100 in which toner to be supplied to the print portion 200 may be accommodated, the print portion 200 is to supply toner to an electrostatic latent image formed at a photoconductor, e.g., a photosensitive drum 212, and develop the electrostatic latent image. The print portion 200 may print an image on a print medium P by an electrophotographic method. The print portion 200 may print a color image on the print medium P by the electrophotographic method.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 12, the print portion 200 may include a plurality of developing devices 210, an exposure unit 250, an intermediate transfer belt 260, a transfer roller 270, and a fixing unit 280. The plurality of developing devices 210 may include four developing devices 210 for forming a toner image of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) colors. The four developing devices 210 may accommodate developers, e.g., toners, of Y, M, C, and K colors, respectively. Four toner cartridges 100 accommodate toners of Y, M, C, and K colors, respectively. The toners of Y, M, C, and K colors may be supplied from the four toner cartridges 100 to the four developing devices 210, respectively. The developing device 210 may include the photosensitive drum 212 in which an electrostatic latent image may be formed on the surface thereof, and a developing roller 211. The developing device 210 may develop the electrostatic latent image into a visible toner image by supplying toner to the electrostatic latent image. [0049] A charging roller 215 is to charge the photosensitive drum 212 to have a uniform surface electric potential. The exposure unit 250 is to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 212 by irradiating light modulated in correspondence with image information to the photosensitive drum 212. The developing roller 211 is to supply toner contained in the developing device 210 to a developing area opposite to the photosensitive drum 212. The toner may be supplied to the electrostatic latent image across the developing area by a developing bias voltage applied to the developing roller 211 , and the electrostatic latent image may be developed into a visible toner image. The intermediate transfer belt 260 may be supported by a plurality of support rollers 262, 263, 264, and 265 and circulated. Four intermediate transfer rollers 261 may be respectively arranged at positions facing photosensitive drums 212 of the four developing devices 210 with the intermediate transfer belt 260 therebetween. A toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 212 may be intermediately transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 260 by an intermediate transfer bias voltage applied to the intermediate transfer roller 261 . A cleaning member 217 is to remove residual developer on the surface of the photosensitive drum 212 after the intermediate transfer process. The transfer roller 270 may be positioned to face the intermediate transfer belt 260 and form a transfer nip. The print medium P may be picked up from a paper feed cassette 201 by a pickup roller 202 and supplied to the transfer nip along a path 291 . The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 260 may be transferred to the print medium P by a transfer bias voltage applied to the transfer roller 270. The fixing unit 280 may apply heat and pressure to the toner image transferred to the print medium P and fix the toner image to the print medium P. The print medium P, on which printing is completed, may be discharged by a discharge roller 292.

[0050] As the toner cartridge 100, the toner cartridge 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, 1 d, or 1 e described above may be applied. The toner cartridge 100 may be connected to the developing device 210, and based on the toner inside the developing device 210 being consumed, supply a uniform amount of toner to the developing device 210. For example, a sensor that detects a remaining amount of toner may be provided inside the developing device 210. Based on the remaining amount of toner detected by the sensor being less than or equal to a reference remaining amount, a controller (not shown) may drive the toner cartridge 100 to supply toner to the developing device 210. For example, the controller may drive the driving motor 23 (see FIG. 1 ) to rotate the toner storage portion 120. Toner inside the toner storage portion 120 may be conveyed to the fixing portion 110 or 110c by the spiral structure 122. The toner supply member 130 or 130c may be rotated in accordance with rotation of the toner storage portion 120 or in connection with the driving motor 23. Toner inside the fixing portion 110 or 110c may be discharged through the toner discharge port 113 or 113c, in response to the rotation of the toner supply member 130 or 130c, and supplied to the developing device 210. An amount of toner discharged from the toner cartridge 100 depends on the number or rotations of the toner supply member 130 or 130c. Accordingly, by controlling the number of rotations of the toner supply member 130 or 130c, a desired amount of toner may be supplied to the developing device 210.

[0051] It should be understood that examples described herein should be considered in a descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each example should typically be considered as available for other similar features or aspects in other examples. While examples have been described with reference to the figures, it will be understood that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope as defined by the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1 . A toner cartridge comprising: a fixing portion including a toner discharge port; a rotatable toner storage portion coupled to the fixing portion to convey toner to the fixing portion; a toner supply member having a second rotational axis that is different from a first rotational axis of the toner storage portion, the toner supply member rotatable in accordance with rotation of the toner storage portion to convey toner from the fixing portion to the toner discharge port; a drive transmission portion provided in the toner storage portion; and a drive reception portion connected to the drive transmission portion and provided in the toner supply member.

2. The toner cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the first rotational axis and the second rotational axis are parallel to each other.

3. The toner cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the toner supply member comprises an auger.

4. The toner cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the toner supply member is positioned outside the toner storage portion.

5. The toner cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the fixing portion comprises a first portion to which the toner storage portion is coupled to be rotatable, and a second portion positioned below the first portion to be connectable to the first portion, and in which the toner discharge port is provided, and wherein the toner supply member is positioned in the second portion.

6. The toner cartridge of claim 5, wherein the drive transmission portion comprises a first gear formed on an outer circumference of the toner storage portion, wherein the toner supply member comprises an extension portion extending outwardly of the second portion, and wherein the drive reception portion comprises a second gear provided in the extension portion and engaged with the first gear.

7. The toner cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the toner supply member is positioned inside the toner storage portion.

8. The toner cartridge of claim 7, wherein the drive transmission portion comprises a first gear provided on an inner circumference of the toner storage portion, and wherein the drive reception portion comprises a second gear provided in the toner supply member to be engaged with the first gear.

9. The toner cartridge of claim 1 , further comprising a guide member to guide, to the toner discharge port, the toner conveyed from the toner storage portion to the fixing portion.

10. The toner cartridge of claim 1 , further comprising an agitating member to stir the toner inside the fixing portion.

11. The toner cartridge of claim 10, wherein the agitating member is connected to the toner storage portion to be rotated.

12. A toner cartridge comprising: a fixing portion including a toner discharge port; a rotatable toner storage portion to contain toner, the toner storage portion being coupled to the fixing portion to convey the toner to the fixing portion; and a toner supply member having a second supply member that is different from a first supply member of the toner storage portion, the toner supply member to convey the toner inside the fixing portion to the toner discharge port.

13. The toner cartridge of claim 12, further comprising a guide member to guide, to the toner discharge port, the toner conveyed from the toner storage portion to the fixing portion.

14. The toner cartridge of claim 12, further comprising a rotatable agitating member connected to the toner storage portion to agitate the toner inside the fixing portion.

15. An image forming apparatus comprising: a developing device to supply toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoconductor and develop the electrostatic latent image; and a toner cartridge to contain toner to be supplied to the developing device, wherein the toner cartridge comprises: a fixing portion including a toner discharge port; a rotatable toner storage portion coupled to the fixing portion to convey toner to the fixing portion; a toner supply member having a second rotational axis that is different from a first rotational axis of the toner storage portion, the toner supply member rotatable in accordance with rotation of the toner storage portion to convey toner from the fixing portion to the toner discharge port; a drive transmission portion provided in the toner storage portion; and a drive reception portion connected to the drive transmission portion and provided in the toner supply member.