JP6943309B2 - Image forming device and toner container - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a toner container that is detachably attached to a mounting portion of the image forming apparatus.

Conventionally, image forming devices such as printers, copiers, facsimiles, and multifunction devices are provided with a toner container for replenishing the developing device with toner. For example, a toner provided with a container body that houses the toner, a rotating member that is housed in the container body and rotates around a rotation axis, and a transmission member that is arranged outside the container body and transmits rotation to the rotating member. There is a container (see Patent Document 1). In such a toner container, by transmitting the rotation from the transmission member to the rotating member, the toner in the container body can be agitated or conveyed by the rotating member.

The above-mentioned toner container is usually removably mounted on a mounting portion provided in an image forming apparatus. The above mounting portion includes a drive coupling that rotates by a rotational drive force from the drive source, and by connecting this drive coupling to the transmission coupling of the transmission member, the rotational drive force from the drive source can be applied. It becomes possible to transmit to the transmission member.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-305841

An example of a configuration in which the transmission coupling and the drive coupling are connected will be described below. First, the toner container is attached to the attachment portion. Next, the operating member provided on the toner container or the mounting portion is operated to move the drive coupling in the direction of the rotation axis. As a result, the transmission coupling and the drive coupling are connected.

However, in order to adopt such a configuration, it is necessary to provide a mechanism for moving the drive coupling in the rotation axis direction in the mounting portion, which may complicate the configuration of the mounting portion.

Therefore, in consideration of the above circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to connect the transmission coupling and the drive coupling without complicating the configuration of the mounting portion on which the toner container is mounted.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a toner container and a mounting portion to which the toner container is detachably mounted, and the toner container includes a container body for accommodating toner and at least a part thereof in the container body. A rotating member that is housed and rotates around a rotation axis, a transmission member that is arranged outside the container body and has a transmission coupling and transmits rotation to the rotating member, a first position, and the rotation. A moving mechanism for moving the transmission member between a second position farther from the container body than the first position in the axial direction is provided, and the mounting portion is subjected to a first operation. It includes an operating member that moves between a position and a second operating position, and a drive coupling that rotates by a rotational driving force from a drive source, as the toner container is mounted on the mounting portion. With the moving mechanism engaged with the operating member, the transmission coupling facing the drive coupling, and the toner container mounted on the mounting portion, the operating member moves from the first operating position. As it moves to the second operating position, the moving mechanism moves the transmission member from the first position to the second position, and the transmission coupling is coupled to the drive coupling. The moving mechanism is a holding member that rotates between a first holding position that holds the transmission member in the first position and a second holding position that holds the transmission member in the second position. And an urging member that urges the holding member to the second holding position, the holding member holds the transmission member and is rotatable about the rotation axis, and the base. It has an arm extending in the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the portion and a boss portion extending from the tip of the arm portion to a side away from the container body in the rotation axis direction, and the toner container is mounted on the mounting portion. As the operation member presses the boss portion of the holding member, the holding member moves from the second holding position to the first holding position against the urging force of the urging member. As the operating member moves from the first operating position to the second operating position while the toner container is mounted on the mounting portion, the holding member by the operating member The pressing of the first holding position against the boss portion is released, and the holding member rotates from the first holding position to the second holding position by the urging force of the urging member. ..

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the toner container further includes a cover member that covers a side of the container body that is separated from the container body in the direction of the rotation axis, and the cover member includes a main wall having a through hole and the above. A guide wall that protrudes from the main wall on the outer periphery of the through hole toward the side approaching the container body in the direction of the rotation axis is provided, and a part of the holding member is inserted into the guide wall. It may be a feature.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a guide portion is provided at the edge portion of the guide wall on the side approaching the container body in the direction of the rotation axis, and at least a part of the guide portion has the holding member. When rotating from the holding position of 1 to the second holding position, the holding member is inclined from the upstream side to the downstream side in the rotation direction toward the side away from the container body in the rotation axis direction, and the holding member is the guide portion. It may be characterized by having a guided portion that comes into contact with the part of the above.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the toner container further includes a support member connected to the rotating member, and the transmission member is movable along the rotation axis direction and is not relatively rotatable. The urging member may be interposed between the support member and the transmission member.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the container body has a discharge port for discharging toner, and the toner container is between a closed position for closing the discharge port and an open position for opening the discharge port. The operating member is further provided to rotate between the first operating position and the second operating position, and the operating member rotates from the first operating position to the second operating position. As the rotation to the operation position of 2, this rotation is transmitted to the shutter, and the shutter may rotate from the closed position to the open position.

The toner container of the present invention has an image having a mounting portion including an operating member that moves between a first operating position and a second operating position, and a drive coupling that rotates by a rotational driving force from a drive source. A toner container that is detachably mounted on the mounting portion of the forming device, the container body that houses the toner, a rotating member that is housed in at least a part of the container body and rotates around a rotation axis, and the above. A transmission member that is arranged outside the container body and transmits rotation to the rotating member and has a transmission coupling, and a first position and a distance from the container body from the first position in the rotation axis direction. A moving mechanism for moving the transmission member between the second position is provided, and as the toner container is mounted on the mounting portion, the moving mechanism engages with the operating member. As the transmission coupling faces the drive coupling and the operating member moves from the first operating position to the second operating position while the toner container is mounted on the mounting portion. The moving mechanism moves the transmission member from the first position to the second position, the transmission coupling is connected to the drive coupling, and the moving mechanism moves the transmission member to the first position. A holding member that rotates between a first holding position that holds the transmission member at the position and a second holding position that holds the transmission member at the second position, and the holding member at the second holding position. A urging member is provided, and the holding member includes a base portion that holds the transmission member and can rotate about the rotation axis, and an arm that extends along the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the base portion. The operating member has a boss portion extending from the tip of the arm portion to a side away from the container body in the direction of the rotation axis, and the operating member holds the toner container as the toner container is mounted on the mounting portion. The boss portion of the member is pressed, the holding member rotates from the second holding position to the first holding position against the urging force of the urging member, and the toner container is mounted on the mounting portion. As the operating member moves from the first operating position to the second operating position in this state, the operating member presses the holding member against the boss portion to the first holding position. Is released, and the holding member is rotated from the first holding position to the second holding position by the urging force of the urging member.

According to the present invention, it is possible to connect the transmission coupling and the drive coupling without complicating the configuration of the mounting portion on which the toner container is mounted.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the printer which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the toner container which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the toner container which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is an exploded perspective view which shows the support member, the transmission member, the moving mechanism and the cover member in the toner container which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the transmission member is in a 1st position in the toner container which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the transmission member is in a 2nd position in the toner container which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the support member and the transmission member in the toner container which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the holding member is in the 1st holding position in the toner container which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the holding member is in the 2nd holding position in the toner container which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the shutter is in a closed position in the toner container which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the shutter is in an open position in the toner container which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the top cover is closed in the printer which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the top cover is opened in the printer which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the mounting part which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a toner container is mounted on a mounting portion and an operating member is in a first operating position in the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a toner container is mounted on a mounting portion and an operating member is in a second operating position in the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a toner container is inserted to a predetermined position of a mounting portion in the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a support member, a transmission member, a moving mechanism, and a cover member in the toner container according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the operation member which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the holding member is in the 1st holding position in the toner container which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is a front view showing a state in which an inclined surface of a boss portion is in contact with a pressing portion of a protruding portion in a printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a front view showing a state in which a pressing portion of a protruding portion presses a boss portion to the left in the printer according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a front view showing a state in which the pressing portion of the protruding portion on the boss portion is released from being pressed to the left side in the printer according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a toner container is mounted on a mounting portion and an operating member is in a first operating position in a printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a toner container is mounted on a mounting portion and an operating member is in a second operating position in a printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the holding member is in a 2nd holding position in the toner container which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 17.

First, the overall configuration of the printer 1 (an example of an image forming apparatus) will be described. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the left side in FIG. 1 is referred to as the front side of the printer 1. The arrows Fr, Rr, L, R, U, and Lo appropriately attached to each figure indicate the front side, the rear side, the left side, the right side, the upper side, and the lower side of the printer 1, respectively.

With reference to FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes a box-shaped printer main body 2 (an example of a device main body). A paper cassette 3 for storing paper S (an example of a recording medium) is housed in the lower part of the printer main body 2. A paper output tray 4 is provided on the upper surface of the printer main body 2. In the upper part of the printer main body 2, the exposure device 5 is housed under the paper output tray 4.

A paper S transport path P is provided inside the printer main body 2. A paper feeding unit 6 is provided at the upstream end of the transport path P. An image forming portion 7 is provided in the middle stream portion of the transport path P. The image forming unit 7 has a photoconductor drum 8 and a developing device 10. A fixing device 12 is provided downstream of the transport path P.

A toner container 15 (an example of a toner container) is housed in the upper front portion of the printer main body 2. The toner container 15 is detachably attached to the attachment portion 16.

Next, the operation of the printer 1 having such a configuration will be described.

First, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor drum 8 by a laser beam from the exposure device 5 (see the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 1). Next, the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum 8 is developed by the developing device 10 to form a toner image. As a result, the image forming operation is completed.

On the other hand, the paper S taken out from the paper feed cassette 3 by the paper feed unit 6 is conveyed to the image forming unit 7 at the same timing as the image forming operation described above, and the toner image is exposed in the image forming unit 7. It is transferred from the body drum 8 to the paper S. The paper S on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed downstream along the transport path P and enters the fixing device 12, and the toner image is fixed on the paper S in the fixing device 12. The paper S on which the toner image is fixed is discharged from the downstream end of the transport path P to the paper discharge tray 4.

Next, the toner container 15 will be further described.

The arrow O appropriately attached to each of the drawings after FIG. 2 indicates the outside of the toner container 15 in the left-right direction, and the arrow I appropriately attached to each of the drawings after FIG. 2 indicates the inside of the toner container 15 in the left-right direction.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the toner container 15 is housed in a container body 21, a stirring member 22 (an example of a rotating member) housed in the central portion of the container body 21, and a rear lower portion of the container body 21. A transport member 23 (an example of a rotating member), a support member 24 arranged on the right end side of the container body 21, a transmission member 25 arranged on the right side (outside in the left-right direction) of the support member 24, and a moving mechanism 26. It includes a cover member 27 that covers the right side (outside in the left-right direction) of the container body 21, and a shutter 28 that is arranged on the rear lower side of the right end of the container body 21.

The container body 21 of the toner container 15 has a long shape in the left-right direction. The container body 21 contains toner (developer). The container main body 21 includes an accommodating portion 31, a lid portion 32 provided on the upper side of the accommodating portion 31, and a duct portion 33 provided on the rear lower side of the right end portion of the accommodating portion 31.

The accommodating portion 31 of the container body 21 has a box shape with the upper side open. A support hole 35 is provided in the central portion of the right side wall 31R of the accommodating portion 31. A lower flange portion 36 is provided on the outer periphery of the upper end of the accommodating portion 31.

The lid 32 of the container body 21 has a box shape with the lower side open. An upper flange portion 37 is provided on the outer periphery of the lower end of the lid portion 32. The upper flange portion 37 is fixed to the lower flange portion 36 of the accommodating portion 31. As a result, the accommodating portion 31 and the lid portion 32 are integrated. The internal space of the lid portion 32 communicates with the internal space of the accommodating portion 31.

The duct portion 33 of the container body 21 has a cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction. The duct portion 33 is integrally molded with the accommodating portion 31. The internal space of the duct portion 33 communicates with the internal space of the accommodating portion 31. A discharge port 38 for discharging toner is provided on the lower surface of the duct portion 33.

With reference to FIG. 3, the stirring member 22 of the toner container 15 is housed in the housing section 31 of the container body 21. The stirring member 22 is rotatably provided around the first rotation axis X extending in the left-right direction. That is, in the present embodiment, the left-right direction is the rotation axis direction of the stirring member 22. The stirring member 22 includes a stirring shaft 40 extending in the left-right direction and a stirring blade 41 attached to the stirring shaft 40. The stirring blade 41 is made of, for example, a resin film, and has a sheet shape.

A portion of the toner container 15 extending from the left end portion of the transport member 23 to the central portion in the left-right direction is accommodated in the accommodating portion 31 of the container main body 21. The right side portion of the transport member 23 is housed in the duct portion 33 of the container body 21. The right end portion of the transport member 23 projects to the right side (outside in the left-right direction) of the duct portion 33 and is exposed to the outside of the container body 21. The transport member 23 is rotatably provided around a second rotation axis Y extending along the left-right direction. That is, in the present embodiment, the left-right direction is the rotation axis direction of the transport member 23.

The transport member 23 includes a transport shaft 43 extending in the left-right direction, a spiral transport fin 44 projecting from the outer periphery of the transport shaft 43, and a right end portion of the transport shaft 43 (a portion exposed to the outside of the container body 21). ) Is provided with a driven gear 45 fixed to the).

With reference to FIG. 4, the support member 24 of the toner container 15 includes an annular exposed piece 47, a connecting piece 48 protruding from the center of the exposed piece 47 toward the left side (inside in the left-right direction), and an exposed piece 47. A boss piece 49 protruding from the central portion of the boss piece 49 toward the right side (outside in the left-right direction), and a pair of insertion pieces 50 protruding from the exposed piece 47 toward the right side (outside in the left-right direction) on the outer periphery of the boss piece 49. ing.

With reference to FIG. 3, the exposed piece 47 of the support member 24 is arranged on the right side (outside in the left-right direction) of the accommodating portion 31 of the container body 21, and is exposed to the outside of the container body 21. A drive gear 52 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the exposed piece 47. The drive gear 52 meshes with the driven gear 45 of the transport member 23. As a result, the support member 24 is connected to the transport member 23.

The connecting piece 48 of the support member 24 penetrates the support hole 35 provided in the right side wall 31R of the accommodating portion 31 of the container body 21. As a result, the support member 24 is rotatably supported by the container body 21. The tip of the connecting piece 48 is inserted inside the accommodating portion 31 and fixed to the right end of the stirring shaft 40 of the stirring member 22. As a result, the support member 24 is connected to the stirring member 22, and the support member 24 can rotate around the first rotation shaft X integrally with the stirring member 22.

With reference to FIG. 4, a hook 54 is provided at the right end portion (the outer end portion in the left-right direction) of each insertion piece 50 of the support member 24. The hook 54 projects outward in the radial direction (the side away from the first rotation axis X).

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the transmission member 25 of the toner container 15 is arranged on the right side (outside in the left-right direction) of the accommodating portion 31 of the container body 21, and is arranged outside the container body 21. The transmission member 25 is a straight line along the left-right direction between the first position (see FIG. 5) and the second position (see FIG. 6) on the right side (outside the left-right direction) of the first position. It is provided so that it can be moved.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 7, the transmission member 25 includes a transmission piece 56, a tubular piece 57 projecting from the center of the transmission piece 56 toward the left side (inside in the left-right direction), and an outer circumference of the tubular piece 57. A pair of projecting pieces 58 projecting from the transmission piece 56 toward the left side (inside in the left-right direction) and a substantially annular fixing piece 59 fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the left side portion of the pair of projecting pieces 58 are provided. There is. A transmission coupling 61 is provided on the right surface (the outer surface in the left-right direction) of the transmission piece 56. The boss piece 49 of the support member 24 is inserted into the tubular piece 57. A pair of insertion grooves 62 are formed at the forming interval of the pair of projecting pieces 58. Each insertion piece 50 of the support member 24 is inserted into each insertion groove 62. With the above configuration, the transmission member 25 is supported by the support member 24 in a state where it can move along the left-right direction and cannot rotate relative to each other. The fixed piece 59 locks the hook 54 of each insertion piece 50. As a result, the detachment of each insertion piece 50 from each insertion groove 62 is suppressed.

With reference to FIG. 4, the moving mechanism 26 of the toner container 15 includes a holding member 64 and a coil spring 65 (an example of an urging member).

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the holding member 64 of the moving mechanism 26 has a first holding position (see FIG. 8) for holding the transmission member 25 in the first position and a second position for the transmission member 25. It is rotatably provided between the second holding position (see FIG. 9) and the second holding position (see FIG. 9). The arrow RD appropriately attached to each figure indicates the rotation direction (hereinafter, referred to as “rotation direction RD”) when the holding member 64 rotates from the first holding position to the second holding position. ..

With reference to FIG. 4, the holding member 64 includes a base portion 67, an arm portion 68 extending linearly from the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 67 toward the outer side in the radial direction (the side separated from the first rotation axis X), and the like. A boss portion 69 extending linearly from an end portion on the outer side in the radial direction of the arm portion 68 toward the right side (outside in the left-right direction) is provided.

The base portion 67 of the holding member 64 has a cylindrical shape with the first rotation axis X as the axis. A pair of projecting pieces 58 of the transmission member 25 are rotatably inserted into the inner circumference of the base portion 67. As a result, the base portion 67 rotatably holds the transmission member 25. The left edge portion (inner edge portion in the left-right direction) of the base portion 67 is in contact with the fixing piece 59 of the transmission member 25.

A pair of guided portions 71 (in FIG. 4, only one on the front side in the drawing is displayed) is projected from the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 67 of the holding member 64. Each guided portion 71 includes an inclined piece 72 and a non-inclined piece 73 provided on the downstream side of the inclined piece 72 in the rotation direction RD, and has a substantially V shape. The inclined piece 72 is inclined to the right side (outside in the left-right direction) from the upstream side to the downstream side in the rotation direction RD. The non-tilted piece 73 is provided along the rotation direction RD.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the coil spring 65 of the moving mechanism 26 is interposed between the exposed piece 47 of the support member 24 and the transmission piece 56 of the transmission member 25. The coil spring 65 is mounted on the outer periphery of the cylindrical piece 57 of the transmission member 25. The coil spring 65 urges the transmission member 25 to the second position (see FIG. 6) by pressing the transmission member 25 toward the right side (outside in the left-right direction), and holds the holding member 64 in the second position. It is urging the position (see FIG. 9).

With reference to FIG. 4, the cover member 27 of the toner container 15 includes a flat plate-shaped main wall 75, a guide wall 76 arranged on the center side of the main wall 75, and a peripheral wall arranged on the outer peripheral side of the main wall 75. 77 and.

The main wall 75 of the cover member 27 is provided along a plane intersecting the first rotation axis X. A circular through hole 79 is provided in the central portion of the main wall 75. With reference to FIG. 2, an arc-shaped curved hole 80 is provided in the front portion of the main wall 75, and the boss portion 69 of the holding member 64 penetrates the curved hole 80. As a result, the tip of the boss portion 69 is exposed on the right side (outside in the left-right direction) of the cover member 27. At the lower part of the cover member 27, a notch 81 is formed over the main wall 75 and the peripheral wall 77.

With reference to FIG. 4, the guide wall 76 of the cover member 27 has a cylindrical shape. The guide wall 76 projects from the main wall 75 toward the left side (inside in the left-right direction) on the outer circumference of the through hole 79. The base portion 67 of the holding member 64 is inserted into the guide wall 76. As a result, the cover member 27 rotatably supports the holding member 64.

A pair of guide portions 82 are provided on the left edge portion (inner edge portion in the left-right direction) of the guide wall 76 of the cover member 27. Each guide portion 82 is provided on the upstream side inclined portion 83, the downstream side inclined portion 84 provided on the downstream side of the upstream side inclined portion 83 in the rotation direction RD, and the downstream side of the downstream side inclined portion 84 in the rotation direction RD. It includes a non-tilted portion 85. The upstream-side inclined portion 83 and the downstream-side inclined portion 84 are inclined to the right side (outside in the left-right direction) from the upstream side to the downstream side in the rotation direction RD. The upstream-side inclined portion 83 has a smaller inclination with respect to the rotation direction RD than the inclined piece 72 of each guided portion 71 provided on the base portion 67 of the holding member 64. The downstream side inclined portion 84 has the same inclination degree with respect to the rotation direction RD as the inclined piece 72. The non-inclined portion 85 is provided along the rotation direction RD.

With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the shutter 28 of the toner container 15 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The shutter 28 is rotatably attached to the outer periphery of the duct portion 33 of the container body 21. The shutter 28 is rotatably provided between a closing position for closing the discharge port 38 of the duct portion 33 (see FIG. 10) and an open position for opening the discharge port 38 of the duct portion 33 (see FIG. 11). ing. A shutter side gear 87 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the shutter 28.

Next, the mounting portion 16 will be further described.

With reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, the upper part of the mounting portion 16 is covered with a top cover 100 that can be opened and closed, and the toner container 15 can be attached to and detached from the mounting portion 16 by opening the top cover 100. It has become like. With reference to FIG. 13, the toner container 15 is detachably mounted on the mounting portion 16 along the mounting direction Z from the upper side to the lower side.

With reference to FIG. 14, the mounting portion 16 includes a case member 101, an operating member 102 supported on the upper portion of the case member 101, a connecting member 103 supported on the lower portion of the case member 101, and an upper portion of the case member 101. It is provided with a drive coupling 104 housed in the.

The case member 101 of the mounting portion 16 is arranged on the right end side of the mounting portion 16. The upper wall portion 101U of the case member 101 is provided with an upper slit 106. A circular mounting hole 107 is provided in the upper part of the left wall portion 101L of the case member 101. A circular shaft hole 108 is provided in the lower portion of the left wall portion 101L of the case member 101. An arc-shaped front slit 109 is provided on the front portion of the left wall portion 101L of the case member 101.

With reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, the operation member 102 of the mounting portion 16 is formed from the fulcrum portion 111, the operated portion 112 extending linearly upward from the outer circumference of the fulcrum portion 111, and the outer circumference of the fulcrum portion 111. It is provided with a contacted portion 113 extending linearly toward the front side. The operating member 102 has a first operating position (see FIG. 15) in which the operated portion 112 is in a substantially vertical posture, and a second operating position (FIG. 16) in which the operated portion 112 is tilted forward from the first operating position. (See) and rotatably provided around the fulcrum portion 111. An operation member side gear 115 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the fulcrum portion 111.

With reference to FIG. 14, a portion of the operating member 102 other than the upper portion of the operated portion 112 is housed in the case member 101. The upper portion of the operated portion 112 is exposed to the outside of the case member 101 through the upper slit 106 of the case member 101.

With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the connecting member 103 of the mounting portion 16 includes a first connecting piece 121, a second connecting piece 122 provided on the left side of the first connecting piece 121, and a first connecting piece 121 and a first. It includes a connecting shaft 123 that connects the two connecting pieces 122.

With reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, the first connection piece 121 of the connection member 103 is housed in the case member 101. A first connection gear 125 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first connection piece 121. The first connection gear 125 meshes with the operation member side gear 115 of the fulcrum portion 111 of the operation member 102.

With reference to FIG. 14, the second connection piece 122 of the connection member 103 is exposed to the outside of the case member 101. A second connection gear 126 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second connection piece 122.

The connecting shaft 123 of the connecting member 103 penetrates the shaft hole 108 of the case member 101. As a result, the connecting member 103 is supported by the case member 101 in a state in which it can rotate around the connecting shaft 123.

The drive coupling 104 of the mounting portion 16 is rotatably mounted on the inner circumference of the mounting hole 107 of the case member 101. The drive coupling 104 is exposed to the outside of the case member 101 through the mounting hole 107. The drive coupling 104 is connected to a drive source 128 configured by a motor or the like.

Next, the operation of discharging the toner from the toner container 15 will be described.

With reference to FIG. 3, when the toner is discharged from the toner container 15, the transmission coupling 61 of the transmission member 25 is connected to the drive coupling 104, and the discharge port 38 of the duct portion 33 is opened. Then, the drive source 128 is driven. When the drive source 128 is driven in this way, the drive coupling 104 is rotated by the rotational driving force from the drive source 128. When the drive coupling 104 rotates in this way, the rotation is transmitted to the stirring member 22 by the transmission member 25 and the support member 24, and the stirring member 22 rotates. Along with this, the toner contained in the accommodating portion 31 of the container body 21 is agitated by the stirring member 22.

Further, when the drive coupling 104 rotates as described above, this rotation is transmitted to the transport member 23 by the transmission member 25 and the support member 24, and the transport member 23 rotates. Along with this, as shown by an arrow A in FIG. 3, the toner contained in the accommodating portion 31 and the duct portion 33 of the container body 21 is conveyed by the conveying member 23 toward the discharge port 38 of the duct portion 33. .. The toner conveyed toward the discharge port 38 of the duct portion 33 in this way is discharged to the outside of the toner container 15 from the discharge port 38 of the duct portion 33. The toner discharged to the outside of the toner container 15 is replenished to the developing apparatus 10 (see FIG. 1).

Next, an operation in which a worker such as a user or a serviceman sets the toner container 15 in the mounting portion 16 will be described.

When the toner container 15 is removed from the mounting portion 16, the holding member 64 is in the second holding position (see FIG. 9), and the inclined piece 72 and the non-tilted piece 73 of the guided portion 71 of the holding member 64 are respectively. The cover member 27 is in contact with the downstream inclined portion 84 and the non-inclined portion 85 of the guide portion 82. Further, the transmission member 25 is held at the second position (see FIG. 6) by the holding member 64, and the transmission coupling 61 of the transmission member 25 is on the right side (outside in the left-right direction) of the through hole 79 of the cover member 27. It is protruding. Further, the shutter 28 is arranged at the closed position (see FIG. 10), and the operating member 102 is arranged at the first operating position (see FIG. 15).

When the operator sets the toner container 15 in the mounting portion 16, the worker inserts the toner container 15 into the mounting portion 16 along the mounting direction Z. As shown in FIG. 17, when the toner container 15 is inserted to a predetermined position of the mounting portion 16, the boss portion 69 of the holding member 64 comes into contact with the contacted portion 113 of the operating member 102. That is, the holding member 64 engages with the operating member 102.

From this state, when the operator further inserts the toner container 15 into the mounting portion 16 along the mounting direction Z, the toner container 15 is mounted on the mounting portion 16 as shown in FIG. Along with this, the contacted portion 113 of the operating member 102 presses the boss portion 69 of the holding member 64 upward, and the holding member 64 is in the second holding position (FIG. 9) against the urging force of the coil spring 65. (See) to the first holding position (see FIG. 8). Along with this, the inclined piece 72 of the guided portion 71 of the holding member 64 moves along the downstream inclined portion 84 of the guide portion 82 of the cover member 27, and the inclined piece 72 and the non-inclined piece 73 of the guided portion 71 are moved. The boundary portion of the guide portion 82 abuts on the upstream side inclined portion 83 of the guide portion 82. Along with this, the holding member 64 moves to the left side (inside in the left-right direction), and the transmission member 25 held by the holding member 64 moves from the second position (see FIG. 6) to the first position (see FIG. 5). Moving. Along with this, the transmission coupling 61 of the transmission member 25 retracts inside the through hole 79 of the cover member 27 and faces the drive coupling 104.

Further, as the toner container 15 is mounted on the mounting portion 16 as described above, as shown in FIG. 10, the shutter side gear 87 of the shutter 28 is the second of the second connecting piece 122 of the connecting member 103. It meshes with the connecting gear 126. As a result, the operating member 102 and the shutter 28 are connected via the connecting member 103. By arranging the connecting shaft 123 of the connecting member 103 at the position of the notch 81 of the cover member 27, the interference between the connecting member 103 and the cover member 27 is suppressed.

Next, the operator presses the operated portion 112 of the operating member 102 forward. By this pressing, the operating member 102 rotates from the first operating position (see FIG. 15) to the second operating position (see FIG. 16). Along with this, the pressing of the holding member 64 against the holding member 64 by the operating member 102 to the first holding position (see FIG. 8) is released, and the holding member 64 is moved to the first holding position (see FIG. 8) by the urging force of the coil spring 65. ) To the second holding position (see FIG. 9). Along with this, the inclined piece 72 of the guided portion 71 of the holding member 64 moves along the downstream inclined portion 84 of the guide portion 82 of the cover member 27, and the inclined piece 72 and the non-inclined piece 73 of the guided portion 71 are moved. Contact the downstream inclined portion 84 and the non-inclined portion 85 of the guide portion 82, respectively. Along with this, the holding member 64 moves to the right side (outside in the left-right direction), and the transmission member 25 held by the holding member 64 moves from the first position (see FIG. 5) to the second position (see FIG. 6). Moving. Along with this, the transmission coupling 61 of the transmission member 25 projects to the right side (outside in the left-right direction) of the through hole 79 of the cover member 27 and is connected to the drive coupling 104.

Further, as the operation member 102 rotates from the first operation position (see FIG. 15) to the second operation position (see FIG. 16) as described above, this rotation causes the shutter 28 via the connection member 103. The shutter 28 rotates from the closed position (see FIG. 10) to the open position (see FIG. 11). As a result, the discharge port 38 of the duct portion 33 is opened. As described above, the setting of the toner container 15 in the mounting portion 16 is completed.

When removing the toner container 15 from the mounting portion 16, the operator rotates the operating member 102 from the second operating position (see FIG. 16) to the first operating position (see FIG. 15), and then the operator. The toner container 15 is pulled out from the mounting portion 16 in the direction opposite to the mounting direction Z.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the toner container 15 is provided with a moving mechanism 26 for moving the transmission member 25 between the first position and the second position, and the first operating position and the second operating position are provided. The mounting portion 16 is provided with an operating member 102 that rotates between the two. Then, as the toner container 15 is mounted on the mounting portion 16, the holding member 64 of the moving mechanism 26 engages with the operating member 102, and the transmission coupling 61 faces the drive coupling 104, so that the toner container 15 is mounted. As the operating member 102 rotates from the first operating position to the second operating position while the toner is mounted on the mounting portion 16, the moving mechanism 26 moves the transmitting member 25 from the first position to the second position. The transmission coupling 61 is connected to the drive coupling 104. By adopting such a configuration, it is not necessary to provide the mounting portion 16 with a mechanism for moving the drive coupling 104 in the left-right direction. Therefore, the transmission coupling 61 does not complicate the configuration of the mounting portion 16. And the drive coupling 104 can be connected.

Further, as the toner container 15 is mounted on the mounting portion 16, the operating member 102 presses the boss portion 69 of the holding member 64, and the holding member 64 is second against the urging force of the coil spring 65. The operating member rotates from the holding position to the first holding position, and as the operating member 102 rotates from the first operating position to the second operating position with the toner container 15 mounted on the mounting portion 16, the operating member The pressing of the holding member 64 against the holding member 64 by 102 is released, and the holding member 64 is rotated from the first holding position to the second holding position by the urging force of the coil spring 65. By adopting such a configuration, the holding member 64 can be rotated between the first holding position and the second holding position by using a simple structure.

Further, the base portion 67 of the holding member 64 is inserted into the guide wall 76 of the cover member 27. By adopting such a configuration, the holding member 64 can be rotatably supported by the cover member 27 by using a simple configuration.

Further, the upstream-side inclined portion 83 and the downstream-side inclined portion 84 of the guide portion 82 of the cover member 27 are inclined to the right side (left-right direction outer side) from the upstream side to the downstream side in the rotation direction RD, and the holding member 64 is It has a guided portion 71 that abuts on the upstream inclined portion 83 and the downstream inclined portion 84. By adopting such a configuration, the holding member 64 can be reliably moved in the left-right direction as the holding member 64 rotates.

Further, the transmission member 25 is supported by the support member 24 in a state where it can move in the left-right direction and cannot rotate relative to each other, and the coil spring 65 is interposed between the support member 24 and the transmission member 25. By adopting such a configuration, the support member 24, the transmission member 25, and the coil spring 65 can be integrated and arranged in a narrow space.

Further, as the operation member 102 rotates from the first operation position to the second operation position, this rotation is transmitted to the shutter 28, and the shutter 28 rotates from the closed position to the open position. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to execute both the operation of connecting the transmission coupling 61 and the drive coupling 104 and the operation of opening the discharge port 38 of the duct portion 33 by operating the operation member 102. Therefore, the burden on the worker can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the operating member 102 is rotated between the first operating position and the second operating position. On the other hand, in other different embodiments, the operating member 102 may move linearly between the first operating position and the second operating position.

In the present embodiment, the shutter 28 is rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of the duct portion 33 of the container body 21. On the other hand, in another different embodiment, the shutter 28 may be rotatably mounted on the inner circumference of the duct portion 33 of the container body 21.

In the present embodiment, the operating member 102 and the shutter 28 are connected via the connecting member 103. On the other hand, in other different embodiments, the operating member 102 and the shutter 28 may be directly connected.

In the present embodiment, the entire stirring member 22 is housed in the container body 21. On the other hand, in another different embodiment, a part of the stirring member 22 may be housed in the container body 21. In the present embodiment, the portion of the transport member 23 excluding the right end is housed in the container body 21. On the other hand, in another different embodiment, the entire transport member 23 may be housed in the container body 21.

In the present embodiment, the entire transmission member 25 is arranged outside the container body 21. On the other hand, in another different embodiment, a part of the transmission member 25 may be arranged outside the container body 21.

In the present embodiment, a case where the configuration of the present invention is applied to the printer 1 has been described. On the other hand, in other different embodiments, it is also possible to apply the configurations of the present invention to other image forming devices such as copiers, facsimiles, multifunction devices and the like.

<Second embodiment>
Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 to 24.

First, the toner container 151 according to the second embodiment will be described. The same configuration as the toner container 15 according to the first embodiment will not be described.

With reference to FIG. 18, the moving mechanism 153 of the toner container 151 includes a locking mechanism 154 in addition to the holding member 64 and the coil spring 65. The lock mechanism 154 includes a pair of one-sided protrusions 155 (in FIG. 18, only one on the front side in the drawing is displayed) and a pair of other-sided protrusions 156. Each one-sided protrusion 155 protrudes from each guided portion 71 of the holding member 64 toward the right side (outside in the left-right direction). Each of the other protrusions 156 protrudes from each guide portion 82 of the cover member 27 toward the left side (inside in the left-right direction).

An inclined surface 157 is provided at the right end portion (outer end portion in the left-right direction) of the boss portion 69 of the holding member 64. The inclined surface 157 is inclined downward toward the left side (inside in the left-right direction).

Next, the mounting portion 152 according to the second embodiment will be described. The same configuration as the mounting portion 16 according to the first embodiment will not be described.

With reference to FIG. 19, the operating member 158 of the mounting portion 152 includes a protruding portion 159 in addition to the fulcrum portion 111, the operated portion 112, and the contacted portion 113. The protruding portion 159 projects upward from the front portion of the contacted portion 113. The protruding portion 159 has a shape in which the front side and the left side are opened, and an insertion space IS is formed inside the protruding portion 159. A pressing portion 160 is provided at the upper end portion of the protruding portion 159.

Next, an operation in which a worker such as a user or a serviceman sets the toner container 151 in the mounting portion 152 will be described. The description of the same part as that of the first embodiment will be omitted.

In a state where the toner container 151 is removed from the mounting portion 152, the holding member 64 becomes the first one against the urging force of the coil spring 65 by engaging each one projection 155 and each other projection 156 of the lock mechanism 154. Is held at the holding position (see FIG. 20). That is, the holding member 64 is held at the first holding position by the lock mechanism 154. Therefore, the transmission coupling 61 of the transmission member 25 is retracted inside the through hole 79 of the cover member 27.

When the worker sets the toner container 151 in the mounting portion 152, the worker inserts the toner container 151 into the mounting portion 152 along the mounting direction Z. As shown in FIG. 21A, when the toner container 151 is inserted to a predetermined position of the mounting portion 152, the inclined surface 157 of the boss portion 69 of the holding member 64 hits the pressing portion 160 of the protruding portion 159 of the operating member 158. Touch.

From this state, when the operator further inserts the toner container 151 into the mounting portion 152 along the mounting direction Z, the pressing portion 160 of the protruding portion 159 presses the inclined surface 157 of the boss portion 69 to the left side (inside in the left-right direction). .. Along with this, as shown in FIG. 21B, the arm portion 68 of the holding member 64 is elastically deformed to the left side (inside in the left-right direction).

From this state, when the operator further inserts the toner container 151 into the mounting portion 152 along the mounting direction Z, the toner container 151 is mounted on the mounting portion 152. Along with this, as shown in FIG. 21C, the pressing portion 160 of the protruding portion 159 releases the pressure on the boss portion 69 to the left side (inside in the left-right direction), and the arm portion 68 is elastic to the right side (outside in the left-right direction). After returning, the boss portion 69 is arranged on the lower side (back side in the mounting direction Z) of the pressing portion 160 of the protruding portion 159. Along with this, the boss portion 69 is inserted into the insertion space IS of the protruding portion 159.

Next, the operator presses the operated portion 112 of the operating member 158 to the front side. By this pressing, the operating member 158 rotates from the first operating position (see FIG. 22) to the second operating position (see FIG. 23), and the pressing portion 160 of the protruding portion 159 presses the boss portion 69 downward. .. Along with this, the engagement between each one-sided protrusion 155 and each other-sided protrusion 156 of the lock mechanism 154 is released. That is, the lock mechanism 154 releases the holding member 64 from being held at the first holding position. Along with this, the holding member 64 is rotated from the first holding position (see FIG. 20) to the second holding position (see FIG. 24) by the urging force of the coil spring 65. Along with this, the holding member 64 moves to the right side (outside in the left-right direction), and the transmission member 25 held by the holding member 64 moves from the first position to the second position. Along with this, the transmission coupling 61 of the transmission member 25 projects to the right side (outside in the left-right direction) of the through hole 79 of the cover member 27 and is connected to the drive coupling 104.

When removing the toner container 151 from the mounting portion 152, the toner container is such that the left side (the side where the holding member 64 is not provided) is on the top and the right side (the side where the holding member 64 is provided) is on the bottom. While tilting 151, the toner container 151 is pulled out from the mounting portion 152 in the direction opposite to the mounting direction Z. As a result, it is possible to suppress the boss portion 69 and the protruding portion 159 from getting caught, and the toner container 151 can be smoothly removed from the mounting portion 152.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the toner container 151 is provided with a lock mechanism 154 that holds the holding member 64 in the first holding position against the urging force of the coil spring 65. Therefore, when the toner container 151 is removed from the mounting portion 152, the transmission member 25 is held in the first position by the holding member 64, and the transmission coupling 61 of the transmission member 25 is inside the through hole 79 of the cover member 27. It is possible to evacuate to. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the transmission coupling 61 from being damaged by an impact from the outside during transportation of the toner container 151 or the like.

Further, the lock mechanism 154 includes a one-sided protrusion 155 provided on the holding member 64 and a other-sided protrusion 156 provided on the cover member 27 and engaged with the one-sided protrusion 155. By adopting such a configuration, the lock mechanism 154 can be formed without adding a dedicated component.

Further, while the toner container 151 is being mounted on the mounting portion 152, the pressing portion 160 of the protruding portion 159 presses the boss portion 69 to the left side (inside in the left-right direction), and the arm portion 68 is elastic to the left side (inside in the left-right direction). When the toner container 151 is deformed and mounted on the mounting portion 152, the pressing portion 160 of the protruding portion 159 releases the pressure on the boss portion 69 on the left side (inside in the left-right direction), and the arm portion 68 is on the right side (outside in the left-right direction). ), And the boss portion 69 is arranged on the lower side (back side in the mounting direction Z) of the pressing portion 160 of the protruding portion 159. By adopting such a configuration, the boss portion 69 can be reliably pressed by the pressing portion 160 of the protruding portion 159 as the operating member 158 rotates.

<First Embodiment>
1 Printer (an example of an image forming device)
15 Toner container (example of toner container)
16 Mounting part 21 Container body 22 Stirring member (example of rotating member)
23 Conveying member (an example of rotating member)
24 Support member 25 Transmission member 26 Movement mechanism 27 Cover member 28 Shutter 38 Discharge port 61 Transmission coupling 64 Holding member 65 Coil spring (an example of urging member)
67 Base part 68 Arm part 69 Boss part 71 Guided part 75 Main wall 76 Guide wall 79 Through hole 82 Guide part 102 Operation member 104 Drive coupling 128 Drive source X 1st rotation axis Y 2nd rotation axis Z Mounting direction <No. 2nd Embodiment>
151 Toner container (an example of toner container)
152 Mounting part 153 Moving mechanism 154 Locking mechanism 155 One protrusion 156 The other protrusion 158 Operating member 160 Pressing part

Claims (6)

Toner container and
A mounting portion on which the toner container is detachably mounted is provided.
The toner container is
The container body that stores the toner and
A rotating member whose at least a part is housed in the container body and rotates around a rotating shaft,
A transmission member arranged outside the container body, having a transmission coupling, and transmitting rotation to the rotating member,
A moving mechanism for moving the transmission member between a first position and a second position farther from the container body than the first position in the direction of the rotation axis is provided.
The mounting part is
An operating member that moves between the first operating position and the second operating position,
Equipped with a drive coupling that rotates by the rotational drive force from the drive source,
As the toner container is mounted on the mounting portion, the moving mechanism engages with the operating member and the transmission coupling faces the drive coupling.
As the operating member moves from the first operating position to the second operating position while the toner container is mounted on the mounting portion, the moving mechanism moves the transmitting member to the first operating position. Moving from the position to the second position, the transmission coupling is coupled to the drive coupling.
The moving mechanism
A holding member that rotates between a first holding position that holds the transmission member in the first position and a second holding position that holds the transmission member in the second position.
An urging member that urges the holding member to the second holding position,
The holding member includes a base portion that holds the transmission member and can rotate about the rotation axis, an arm portion that extends along the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the base portion, and the rotation shaft from the tip of the arm portion. It has a boss portion that extends away from the container body in the direction.
As the toner container is mounted on the mounting portion, the operating member presses the boss portion of the holding member, and the holding member is subjected to the second holding member against the urging force of the urging member. Rotate from the holding position to the first holding position,
As the operating member moves from the first operating position to the second operating position while the toner container is mounted on the mounting portion, the operating member moves the holding member to the boss portion. An image forming apparatus, characterized in that the pressing on the first holding position is released, and the holding member is rotated from the first holding position to the second holding position by the urging force of the urging member. The toner container further includes a cover member that covers a side of the container body that is separated from the container body in the direction of the rotation axis.
The cover member is
The main wall with through holes and
A guide wall that protrudes from the main wall on the outer periphery of the through hole toward the side approaching the container body in the direction of the rotation axis is provided.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a part of the holding member is inserted into the guide wall. A guide portion is provided at the edge of the guide wall on the side approaching the container body in the direction of the rotation axis, and at least a part of the guide portion has the holding member from the first holding position to the second holding position. Inclines from the upstream side to the downstream side in the rotation direction when rotating to the holding position of the container, and tilts toward the side away from the container body in the rotation axis direction.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the holding member has a guided portion that comes into contact with the part of the guide portion. The toner container further includes a support member connected to the rotating member.
The transmission member is supported by the support member in a state where it can move along the rotation axis direction and cannot rotate relative to the rotation axis.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the urging member is interposed between the support member and the transmission member. The container body has a discharge port for discharging toner, and has a discharge port.
The toner container further includes a shutter that rotates between a closing position that closes the discharge port and an open position that opens the discharge port.
The operating member is provided so as to rotate between the first operating position and the second operating position.
As the operating member rotates from the first operating position to the second operating position, this rotation is transmitted to the shutter, and the shutter rotates from the closed position to the open position. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The mounting portion of an image forming apparatus having a mounting portion including an operating member that moves between a first operating position and a second operating position and a drive coupling that is rotated by a rotational driving force from a drive source. A toner container that can be attached and detached.
The container body that stores the toner and
A rotating member whose at least a part is housed in the container body and rotates around a rotating shaft,
A transmission member arranged outside the container body, transmitting rotation to the rotating member, and having a transmission coupling,
A moving mechanism for moving the transmission member between a first position and a second position farther from the container body than the first position in the direction of the rotation axis is provided.
As the toner container is mounted on the mounting portion, the moving mechanism engages with the operating member and the transmission coupling faces the drive coupling.
As the operating member moves from the first operating position to the second operating position while the toner container is mounted on the mounting portion, the moving mechanism moves the transmitting member to the first operating position. Moving from the position to the second position, the transmission coupling is coupled to the drive coupling.
The moving mechanism
A holding member that rotates between a first holding position that holds the transmission member in the first position and a second holding position that holds the transmission member in the second position.
An urging member that urges the holding member to the second holding position,
The holding member includes a base portion that holds the transmission member and can rotate about the rotation axis, an arm portion that extends along the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the base portion, and the rotation shaft from the tip of the arm portion. It has a boss portion that extends away from the container body in the direction.
As the toner container is mounted on the mounting portion, the operating member presses the boss portion of the holding member, and the holding member is subjected to the second holding member against the urging force of the urging member. Rotate from the holding position to the first holding position,
As the operating member moves from the first operating position to the second operating position while the toner container is mounted on the mounting portion, the operating member moves the holding member to the boss portion. A toner container characterized in that the pressure on the first holding position is released, and the holding member rotates from the first holding position to the second holding position by the urging force of the urging member.

Images