JP4886366B2 - Developer supply container and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is detachably provided in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, or a developer receiving apparatus of an image forming unit, and is set in the developer receiving apparatus by a setting operation accompanied by at least rotation in the setting direction. The present invention relates to an agent supply container and an image forming apparatus .

  Conventionally, a fine powder developer (toner) is used for image formation in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a printer. In such an image forming apparatus, as the developer is consumed, the developer is replenished from a developer replenishment container that is set in the image forming apparatus in a replaceable manner.

  Since the developer is an extremely fine powder, the developer may be scattered depending on how it is handled during the developer replenishment operation. For this reason, there has been proposed and put to practical use a method in which a developer supply container is placed inside the image forming apparatus and the developer is discharged little by little from a small opening.

  In such a conventional developer replenishing container, many examples have been proposed in which a cylindrical container having a discharge member for stirring and conveying the developer is used.

  Such a developer supply container is provided with a coupling member for driving an internal discharge member. The coupling member of the developer supply container is configured to receive a driving force by engaging with a coupling member on the image forming apparatus side.

  After the developer supply container is inserted and mounted in the image forming apparatus, the user rotates the developer supply container by a predetermined angle so that the operation of the developer supply container (developer supply) becomes possible. That is, as the developer supply container rotates, the opening provided on the outer peripheral surface of the developer supply container communicates with the opening on the image forming apparatus side so that the developer can be supplied.

  On the other hand, in order to automatically rotate the developer supply container, there has been proposed an apparatus in which the developer supply container is rotated by a driving force from the image forming apparatus side. This is done by inserting the developer supply container into the image forming apparatus, driving the motor with the coupling member engaged, and rotating the developer supply container until the container side opening and the apparatus side opening coincide with each other. (Patent Document 1).

JP 53-46040 A

  Therefore, when automating the rotation of the developer supply container as described above, the present inventors have verified that a gear is used instead of the coupling member as in Patent Document 1, and the problems as described later are obtained. There has occurred.

  That is, since the container mounting space of the developer receiving device is provided with a certain amount of backlash so as to allow the developer replenishing container to rotate, the developer replenishing container inserted into the image forming apparatus rotates. In some cases, the gear on the developer supply container side is too close to the gear on the image forming apparatus side. As a result, the distance between the axes of these gears is shorter than the appropriate distance range, and the developer supply container cannot be properly rotated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a developer supply container and an image forming apparatus that can appropriately rotate the developer supply container inserted into the developer receiving apparatus.

Typical means of the present invention for solving the aforementioned problems is a developer supply container detachably mountable to developer receiving apparatus, said developer receiving apparatus by the set operation with rotation of the at least a set direction In the developer supply container to be set, it has a rotatable discharge member for discharging the developer in the developer supply container to the outside, and a drive receiving gear engageable with the drive gear of the developer receiving device , a drive mechanism for transmitting the driving force from the driving gear to said discharging member, thereby the rotating the inserted said developer supply container to the developer receiving the apparatus to the set direction by the driving force which the driving force receiving gear receives a load applying means for applying to the driving mechanism of the load for, a engagement member can be engaged with the engaging portion of the provided near the driving force receiving gear the developer receiving apparatus, said driving force receiving Center of rotation of said drive receiving gear and the driving gear when the tooth tips of one gear of A and the drive gear rotates the developer supply container so as not hit a tooth bottom of the other gear to the set direction And an engaging portion having an arcuate portion for regulating the distance.

According to the present invention , the drive transmission loss between the drive receiving gear on the developer supply container side and the drive gear on the developer receiving apparatus side is reduced, and the developer supply container inserted in the developer receiving apparatus is appropriately rotated. Can be set by moving .

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. First, an image forming apparatus having a developer receiving device will be described, and then a developer supply container will be described.

{Image forming device}
As an example of an image forming apparatus equipped with a developer receiving apparatus to which a developer supply container according to this embodiment is mounted, a configuration of a copying machine employing an electrophotographic method will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes an electrophotographic copying machine main body (hereinafter referred to as “apparatus main body 100”). Reference numeral 101 denotes a document, which is placed on the document table glass 102. An optical image corresponding to the image information is formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member 104 (hereinafter referred to as “photosensitive drum”) as an image carrier by a plurality of mirrors M and lenses Ln of the optical unit 103. An electrostatic latent image is formed. The electrostatic latent image is visualized by the developing device 201 using a developer.

  In this embodiment, toner is used as the developer. Therefore, toner for replenishment is accommodated in a developer replenishment container described later. In the case of an image forming apparatus using a developer including toner and carrier, a carrier may be stored in a developer supply container together with the toner, and these may be supplied.

  Reference numerals 105 to 108 denote cassettes for storing recording media (hereinafter referred to as “sheets”) S. Among the sheets S stacked in these cassettes 105 to 108, an optimum cassette is selected based on information input by an operator (user) from the liquid crystal operation unit of the copying machine or the sheet size of the document 101. Here, the recording medium is not limited to a sheet, and may be appropriately used and selected, for example, an OHP sheet.

  Then, one sheet S conveyed by the feeding / separating devices 105A to 108A is conveyed to the registration roller 110 via the conveying unit 109, and the rotation timing of the photosensitive drum 104 and the scanning timing of the optical unit 103 are set. Transport in synchronization.

  111 and 112 are transfer dischargers and separation dischargers. Here, the image formed by the developer formed on the photosensitive drum 104 is transferred to the sheet S by the transfer discharger 111. Then, the separation discharger 112 separates the sheet S on which the developer image has been transferred from the photosensitive drum 104.

  Thereafter, the sheet S conveyed by the conveying unit 113 is fixed on the developer image on the sheet by heat and pressure in the fixing unit 114, and then passes through the discharge reversing unit 115 in the case of single-sided copying. The paper is discharged to the discharge tray 117 by the roller 116. Further, in the case of multiple copying, the same path as in the case of single-sided copying is carried out after being transported to the registration roller 110 via the refeed transporting units 119 and 120 under the control of the flapper 118 of the discharge reversing unit 115. Then, it is discharged to the discharge tray 117.

  In the case of double-sided copying, the sheet S passes through the discharge reversing unit 115 and is once discharged out of the apparatus by the discharge roller 116. Thereafter, the trailing end of the sheet S passes through the flapper 118, and the flapper 118 is controlled at a timing at which the sheet S is still nipped by the discharge roller 116, and the discharge roller 116 is reversely rotated, thereby being conveyed again into the apparatus. . Thereafter, the sheet is conveyed to the registration roller 110 via the re-feed conveyance units 119 and 120, and then discharged to the discharge tray 117 along the same path as in the case of single-sided copying.

  In the apparatus main body 100 having the above-described configuration, an image forming process device such as a developing device 201 as a developing unit, a cleaner unit 202 as a cleaning unit, and a primary charger 203 as a charging unit is installed around the photosensitive drum 104. Yes. The cleaner unit 202 is for removing the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum 104. The primary charger 203 is for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum in order to form a desired electrostatic image on the photosensitive drum 104.

(Developer)
Next, the developing device will be described. The developing device 201 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 104 by the optical unit 103 with the information of the document 101 using a developer. A developer supply container 1 for supplying developer to the developing device 201 is detachably provided on the apparatus main body 100 by an operator.

  Further, the developing device 201 includes a developer receiving device 10 provided with a mounting space for detachably mounting the developer supply container 1 and a developing device 201a. The developing device 201a further includes a developing roller 201b. And a feed member 201c. The developer replenished from the developer replenishing container 1 is sent to the developing roller 201b by the feeding member 201c, and is supplied to the photosensitive drum 104 by the developing roller 201b. As shown in FIG. 2, the developing roller 201b is disposed in contact with the developing roller in order to prevent the developer from leaking between the developing blade 201d that regulates the amount of developer coating on the roller and the developing device 201a. A leak prevention sheet 201e is provided.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a replacement cover 15 for a developer supply container which is a part of the outer cover of the copying machine is provided. When the operator attaches / detaches the developer replenishing container 1 to / from the apparatus main body 100, the replacement cover 15 is opened and the developer replenishing container 1 is inserted and attached in the direction of arrow A, or opposite to the A direction. Pull out in the direction and remove.

{Developer supply container}
Next, the configuration of the developer supply container 1 in this example will be described. 3A is a perspective view of the developer supply container, FIG. 3B is a view of the developer supply container as seen from the filling port, and FIG. 3C is an enlarged side view.

  A container main body 1a as an accommodating portion for accommodating the developer in the developer replenishing container 1 has a substantially cylindrical shape. A slit-like developer discharge port 1b extending in the longitudinal direction of the container 1 is provided on the peripheral surface of the container body 1a.

  The developer discharge port 1b is provided when the developer supply container 1 is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body and rotated by a predetermined angle as described later (the developer supply container to the developer supply position where the developer can be supplied). At the time when the pivoting operation is completed).

  Furthermore, the container body 1a is required to have a certain degree of rigidity so as to protect the internal developer during distribution before use, and to prevent leakage of the developer. In this example, the container body 1a is injected using polystyrene as the material. Molded by molding.

  A handle 2 is provided on the outer surface of the container main body 1a. The handle 2 is a handle member that a user (operator) holds when the developer supply container 1 is supplied. The handle 2 is required to have sufficient rigidity for the same reason as the container body 1a, and is molded by injection molding using the same material as the container body 1a.

  Note that the container body 1a and the handle 2 may be fixed as long as they can secure sufficient strength that does not come off during replenishment operations, such as mechanical fitting, screwing, bonding, and welding. If possible, it is desirable to integrally mold the container body 1a and the handle 2 from the viewpoint of strength and cost.

  Further, a developer filling port 1c is provided on the end surface of the container body 1a opposite to the side on which the first gear 5 is provided (in the longitudinal direction). After the developer is filled, a cap as a sealing member is provided. Is sealed.

  Further, on one end surface of the container main body 1a, there is provided a restriction convex portion 100 (FIG. 3a) as a restriction member for restricting the mounting posture (angle) of the developer supply container to the developer receiving device 10. On the other hand, the developer receiving device 10 is provided with a regulation recess 10f (FIG. 5a) as a regulated member for guiding the regulation projection 100 in order to regulate the mounting posture of the developer supply container 1. The restriction recess 10f is provided so as not to interfere with the restriction protrusion 100 when the developer supply container 1 is properly mounted in the developer receiving apparatus.

(Conveying member for developer supply container)
Next, the configuration of the conveying member 4 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the inside of the developer supply container as viewed from the side.

  Inside the container main body 1a, while rotating the developer in the container by rotating relative to the container main body 1a, the developer is transported from below to the developer discharge port 1b to receive the developer. A conveying member 4 (discharge member) for discharging to the apparatus 10 is installed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the conveying member 4 is mainly composed of a stirring shaft 4a and a stirring blade 4b. One end of the stirring shaft 4a in the longitudinal direction is rotatably provided on the container body 1a and is provided so as not to move in the stirring shaft direction. On the other hand, the other end in the longitudinal direction of the stirring shaft 4 a is coaxially connected to the first gear 5. Specifically, in the container main body, the shaft portion of the first gear 5 and the other end of the agitation shaft 4a are locked to connect them.

  In order to prevent the developer from leaking out of the container from around the shaft portion of the first gear 5, a seal member is provided around the shaft portion. The first gear 5 and the agitation shaft 4a are not directly connected to each other as described above, and both can be in a coaxial drive connection relationship via a certain member.

  The agitation shaft 4a is required to have sufficient rigidity so that the developer can be conveyed and discharged to the developing device side even when the developer in the container is hardened. Then, it is desirable to use polystyrene, polyacetal or the like as the material of the stirring shaft.

  The agitation blade 4b is fixed to the agitation shaft 4a, and is used for releasing and agitating the developer inside the container with the rotation of the agitation shaft 4a and transporting it toward the developer discharge port 1b. Further, the stirring blade 4b is configured to slide on the inner surface of the container during operation so as to reduce the amount of the developer remaining in the developer supply container. That is, the overhang length of the stirring blade from the stirring shaft is set in consideration of the inner diameter of the container.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the stirring blade has an inclined portion (a in FIG. 4) so that a part thereof is inclined in an L shape, and this inclined portion conveys the developer in the longitudinal direction of the container. It plays the function to do. That is, the inclined portion has a function of transporting the developer contained on the container end side toward the developer discharge port 1b located on the center side. In this example, a polyester sheet was used as a stirring blade.

  The configuration of the transport member 4 is not limited to the above-described example, and various configurations can be adopted as long as the function of transporting the developer while stirring can be achieved by rotating. . For example, it does not matter if the material and shape of the agitating blade described above are changed or a different transport mechanism is adopted.

(Shutter for developer supply container)
The container shutter 3 that opens and closes the developer discharge port 1b is shaped to have a curvature along the outer peripheral surface of the developer supply container 1, as shown in FIG. 3a. The container shutter 3 is engaged with two guide portions 1d provided on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developer discharge port 1b. This guide portion 1d is configured to guide the container shutter to slide along the outer peripheral surface of the container when the developer discharge port 1a is opened and closed. The guide portion 1d is provided with a stopper portion for defining the sealing position of the container shutter 3.

  Further, the container shutter 3 has its portion on the front end side in the opening direction abutted against a stopper portion of the developer receiving device 10 during the setting operation of the developer replenishing container 1 to be described later, so that the container shutter 3 is further rotated with the developer replenishing container. Stopped and stopped. Accordingly, when the developer supply container rotates relative to the container shutter in the state where the movement is prevented, the developer discharge port is exposed from the container shutter and opened.

  Furthermore, the container shutter has its portion on the front end side in the sealing direction abutted against the stopper portion of the developer receiving device during the developer replenishing container extraction operation described later, thereby preventing further rotation with the developer replenishing container and stopping. Is done. Therefore, when the developer supply container rotates relative to the container shutter in the state where the movement is prevented, the developer discharge port moves to a position where it is shielded by the container shutter and is resealed.

  In order to prevent the leakage of the developer, it is preferable to provide a seal member on the surface of the container shutter 3 that faces the developer discharge port 1b, or conversely, the seal is provided around the developer discharge port 1b of the container body 1a. A member may be provided. Of course, you may provide a sealing member in both the container shutter 3 and the container main body 1a. Such a sealing member is configured to be compressed by a predetermined amount between the container shutter and the outer surface of the container main body.

  In this example, a configuration in which a container shutter 3 capable of opening and closing the developer discharge port 1b is provided is used. However, without providing the container shutter 3, a resin seal film is attached to the container main body around the developer discharge port 1 b by a method such as heat welding, completely sealed, and peeled off when the developer is replenished. It doesn't matter.

  However, in this configuration, after replenishing the developer, the developer discharge port 1b cannot be resealed when the container is replaced, and there is a possibility of contamination due to the scattering of the developer. It is desirable to provide a shutter 3 so that the developer discharge port 1b can be resealed.

  Of course, if there is a possibility that developer leakage may occur during distribution before developer replenishment due to the shape of the container discharge port or the developer filling amount in the container, both the container shutter and the above-mentioned seal film are used. It is also possible to secure a stronger sealing performance. In the case of this configuration, it is preferable that a part of the seal film is attached to the container shutter 3 and the seal film is removed as the container shutter 3 is opened.

(Developer shutter interlocking mechanism of developer supply container)
On the peripheral surface of the container body 1a, there are an unsealing protrusion 1e (interlocking part) and a sealing protrusion 1f (interlocking part) for opening and closing the developer shutter 11 (FIG. 5a) as the developer supply container 1 rotates. Is provided.

  Specifically, during the setting operation of the developer supply container 1 described later, the unsealing protrusion 1e pushes down the developer shutter 11 to open the developer receiving port 10b (FIG. 5b). Further, during the operation of taking out the developer supply container, which will be described later, the sealing projection 1f pushes up the developer shutter 11 to reseal the developer receiving port 10b. Of course, both portions of the developer shutter 11 where the unsealing protrusion 1e and the sealing protrusion 1f abut also function to link the rotation of the developer supply container 1 and the opening / closing movement of the developer shutter 11.

  When the developer supply container 1 is mounted on the developer receiving device 10, the unsealing protrusion 1e is located upstream with respect to the moving direction when the developer shutter 11 is unsealed, and the sealing protrusion 1f is located downstream. It is configured as follows.

(Drive mechanism for developer supply container)
Next, the configuration of the driving mechanism of the developer supply container 1 that transmits the rotational driving force by the driving gear 12 (FIG. 5a) as the driving member provided in the developer receiving apparatus 10 to the conveying member 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 3a. To do.

  In this example, as will be described later, the drive mechanism has gear trains juxtaposed, and the rotation shafts of the respective gears are directly and rotatably supported on the end surface of the developer supply container 1.

  The drive mechanism and the drive gear 12 are not driven and connected to each other in the circumferential direction when the developer supply container 1 is in a mounting position where the developer supply container 1 is mounted on the developer receiving device 10 (state in FIG. 7c). It is in the position (non-engaged state). The developer supply container 1 in this mounting position is in a state where removal from the developer receiving device 10 is permitted.

With such a configuration, the drive gear 12 and the drive receiving gear (second gear 6 described later) of the developer supply container 1 meshing with the drive gear 12 are in contact with each other when the developer supply container 1 is mounted. It becomes possible to suppress deterioration and breakage due to.

  Thereafter, when the developer supply container 1 is rotated by a user operation from the mounting position to the set position rotated by a predetermined angle (the state shown in FIG. 8c), the drive transmission means and the drive gear 12 face each other and are connected to each other. Configuration (engaged state).

  Further, after that, the developer supply container 1 is configured to automatically rotate from the set position toward the supply position where the developer can be supplied using this drive mechanism.

  The drive mechanism of this example includes a first gear 5 and a second gear 6 that are installed on one end surface of the container body 1a in the longitudinal direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3 a, the first gear 5 is pivotally supported on the end surface of the container main body 1 a in a state where the rotation shaft is coaxial with the transport member 4 and engaged with the transport member 4. The rotation center of the first gear 5 is substantially coincident with the rotation center of the developer supply container 1 during the setting operation in which the user rotates the developer supply container by a predetermined angle with the handle 2 (mounting position → set position). Is attached.

As shown in FIG. 3, the second gear 6 ( drive receiving gear ) rotates on the end surface of the container main body 1a at a position where the rotation shaft is separated (eccentric) from the rotation center of the developer supply container 1. It is freely pivotally supported and is installed in a drivingly connected state with the first gear 5. That is, the rotation center of the second gear 6 is decentered from the rotation center of the developer supply container.

  The first gear 5 and the second gear 6 only need to be able to sufficiently transmit the drive from the developer receiving device 10, and in this example, polyacetal is used as the material, and the gears are injection-molded. In this example, the first gear 5 has a φ (diameter) of 40 mm and the number of teeth of 40, and the second gear 6 has a φ (diameter) of 20 mm and the number of teeth of 20. The drive gear 12 is 17 mm in diameter (diameter) and 17 teeth. The set values of the gear (gear) diameter, the module, the number of teeth, and the like may be set as appropriate so that drive transmission is properly performed at the time of meshing, and are not limited to such values.

  An oil seal (seal member) is attached around the shaft portion of the first gear 5 that is rotatably supported by the container body 1a in order to prevent developer leakage from the container body 1a. . On the other hand, since the second gear 6 is rotatably supported on the outer surface of the container body 1a, the oil seal described above is not attached.

  Since the second gear 6 is pivotally supported at a position eccentric from the rotation center of the developer supply container 1, the second gear 6 is separated from the drive gear 12 in the circumferential direction when the developer supply container 1 is in the mounting position. (FIG. 7c).

  The second gear 6 is configured to be drivingly connected to a driving gear 12 provided in the developer receiving device 10 as the developer supply container 1 rotates. That is, when the developer supply container 1 reaches the set position by the user operation, the second gear 6 is configured to start driving connection (meshing) with the driving gear 12 (FIG. 8c).

  In this example, the position of the second gear 6 in the rotation direction with respect to the container main body 1a is set so as to satisfy such a configuration.

  After that, when the developer supply container is in the supply position, when the second gear 6 receives a rotational force from the drive gear 12, the first gear 5 that is in a driving connection relationship with the second gear 6 is used. Also rotates. As a result, the conveying member 4 rotates relative to the container main body 1a that is substantially non-rotatably fixed by the developer receiving device, and the developer is conveyed and discharged. The second gear 6 is moved in the direction of arrow B, which is the same direction as the rotation direction during the setting operation of the developer supply container 1, by the drive gear 12 rotating in the direction of arrow C in FIG. Rotate. As a result, a force for pulling the developer supply container 1 in the direction of the arrow D acts.

  In this example, since the container has a substantially cylindrical shape, the rotation center of the conveyance member and the rotation center of the container body 1a are substantially coincident with each other, and the rotation center of the first gear 5 directly connected to the conveyance member 4 is used. Is substantially coincident with the rotation center of the container body 1a. On the other hand, the second gear 6 has a rotation center different from that of the first gear 5 and revolves with respect to the rotation center of the container main body 1a as the developer supply container 1 rotates. The drive gear 12 is connected.

  Thus, in this example, the second gear 6 is configured to rotate relative to the developer supply container 1 by the driving force received from the drive gear 12 in the developer supply process, that is, to “rotate”. The Further, the second gear 6 rotates around the rotation axis of the developer supply container 1 together with the developer supply container 1 by the driving force received from the drive gear 12 in the setting process of the developer supply container 1. It is also configured to “revolve”.

  In such an example, the rotation center of the transport member 4 may be different from the rotation center of the container. For example, the rotation center of the conveying member 4 may be positioned closer to the developer discharge port of the container. In this case, the first gear 5 is also pivotally supported at a position different from the rotation center of the container main body 1a corresponding to the rotation center of the transport member 4, and the second gear is rotated along with the rotation of the container. The gear 6 revolves around the rotation center of the container main body 1 a and is connected to the drive gear 12 of the developer receiving device 10.

  Further, when the rotation center of the conveying member 4 is different from the rotation center of the container main body 1 a, the first gear 5 may not be provided, and the drive transmission means may be configured by only the second gear 6. Specifically, the second gear 6 is provided coaxially with the transport member 4, and the shaft portion of the second gear 6 and the shaft portion of the transport member 4 are connected. In this configuration, the rotation direction of the conveying member 4 is opposite to the above-described example, and from above toward the developer discharge port 1b facing sideward (about 3 o'clock in terms of timepiece). The developer is transported downward. That is, there is a possibility that the developer discharging performance may be deteriorated.

  Therefore, in such a case, it is desirable to configure the transport member 4 as follows. In other words, a resin plate of high hardness that lifts the developer in the container upward by its own rotation, and a guide projection that guides the developer lifted by the resin plate toward the developer discharge port located below. It is desirable to have a configuration in which a plurality of them are provided on both sides. In the case of this configuration, the rotation shaft is installed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the resin plate, and one end side of the rotation shaft is directly or indirectly connected to the second gear 6 described above.

  Note that in the case of a transport member configured with such a resin plate, there is a possibility that the remaining amount of developer in the container may increase, so the first gear 5 and the second gear as in this embodiment. A configuration in which both of the six are provided is more desirable.

  That is, as will be described later, it is desirable that the rotation direction of the conveying member 4 is set in the direction opposite to the arrow B direction in FIG.

  On the other hand, as will be described later, in order to achieve the automatic rotation of the developer supply container using the drive transmission means of the developer supply container 1, the rotation direction of the second gear 6 in FIG. It is desirable to set the rotation direction of the drive gear 12 in the direction opposite to the B direction.

  In this example, in order to satisfy these two functions (developer transport / discharge performance and automatic rotation of the developer supply container), two drive gears, the first gear 5 and the second gear 6, are used. A gear is provided. That is, the first gear 5 functions as a rotation direction conversion mechanism that converts the rotation force of the second gear 6 into the rotation force in the rotation direction of the transport member 4.

  In addition, as a rotation direction conversion mechanism, not only the structure like the 1st gear 5 mentioned above but the following structures may be sufficient.

  Specifically, instead of the first gear 5, a pulley (support member) is arranged so that the drive transmission belt and the conveying member 4 rotate coaxially (the rotation center coincides with the rotation center of the developer supply container). Provide. This pulley is connected to the conveying member 4 directly or indirectly. Then, the rotation shaft of the second gear 6 is extended in the longitudinal direction of the container (on the front side in the drawing in FIG. 7c), and a drive transmission belt is formed between the extended rotation shaft portion and the pulley. Wrap in shape.

  Note that the second gear 6 may have a rubber roller configuration instead of the gear, and may be configured to be driven and connected by allowing the rubber surface to enter the gear tooth tip of the drive gear 12.

(Rotation resistance applying means)
The developer supply container 1 of the present embodiment is automatically rotated from the mounting position to the set position by driving transmission to the second gear 6. For this purpose, rotation resistance applying means as load applying means is provided as follows.

  FIG. 6 a is a perspective view of the second gear 6, and FIG. 6 b is a cross-sectional view showing the shaft support structure of the second gear 6. As shown in FIG. 6b, the shaft portion 6a of the second gear 6 is fitted into a projecting portion 1a 'projecting from the end surface of the container body 1a. The outer side of the second gear 6 has a bowl shape, and a ring member (sliding member, elastic body) 64 made of silicon rubber as a rotational resistance imparting means is installed in the collar portion with a predetermined amount compressed. Has been. Specifically, the ring member 64 made of silicon rubber is compressed between the bottom surface of the collar portion of the second gear 6 by a spring (biasing member) 62 via a pressure plate 63 (biasing member). It is in a state. The pressure plate 63 is fixed to the projecting portion 1a ′. A cap-shaped member 61 (biasing member) is fixed to the projecting portion 1a ′ so that the spring 62 is compressed between the pressure plate 63 and the spring 62.

  As described above, in this example, the second gear 6 is in surface contact with the ring member 64, and the second gear 6 is configured to be difficult to rotate with respect to the container body 1a. That is, the rotation resistance of the second gear 6 with respect to the container body 1a is set to a sufficiently large value.

  On the other hand, such a rotational resistance applying means is not provided in the first gear 5 portion, and when focusing only on the first gear 5, the rotational resistance with respect to the container body 1a is sufficiently small.

  That is, the first gear 5 and the second gear 6 having a function of transmitting a rotational force to the conveying member are configured to be difficult to rotate with respect to the container body 1a by the rotation resistance applying means. Automatic rotation of the developer supply container is achieved.

  In addition, as rotation resistance provision means, you may employ | adopt not only the structure mentioned above but another well-known structure. For example, urethane rubber may be used instead of silicon rubber. It is also possible to use an elastic resin such as an elastomer instead of silicon rubber. Further, by making the overhang length sufficiently long (increasing the degree of rubbing between the stirring blade and the inner surface of the container) while increasing the rigidity of the stirring blade 4b, this may be used as rotation resistance applying means. In addition, by enhancing the sealing performance of a seal member that prevents developer leakage such as an oil seal installed in the first gear 5 described above, this may be used as rotation resistance applying means.

  Further, the location where the rotation resistance applying means is installed may be installed not in the second gear 6 but in the first gear 5 and the drive transmission means rotates relative to the developer supply container. Any configuration that is difficult is acceptable. For example, it is also possible to employ a technique such as installing rotational resistance applying means on a portion (bearing) of a container that supports the end of the stirring shaft 4a on the filling port side.

  As described above, the specific configuration and the installation position of the rotation resistance applying unit are not limited to the above-described examples as long as the developer supply container described later can be automatically rotated.

  In addition, if the rotational resistance generated in the first gear 5 and the second gear 6 by the rotational resistance applying means is too large, the driving member 4 drives the transport member 4 to transport and discharge the developer for the drive motor of the image forming apparatus. There is a risk that the torque required for this will increase. That is, in this example, considering this point, the rotation resistance generated in the first gear 5 and the second gear 6 by the rotation resistance applying means is set so that automatic rotation of the developer supply container is achieved. is doing.

(Container positioning protrusion)
In the developer supply container 1 of the present embodiment, when the developer supply container 1 is automatically rotated from the set position to the supply position as shown in FIG. In order to prevent the developer from approaching beyond the distance range, a positioning projection 7 is provided as an engaging portion that contacts the engaging member of the developer receiving apparatus 10. The positioning projection 7 is provided in the vicinity of the second gear 6 and includes an inter-axis distance determining portion 7a having an arc shape and an end positioning portion (stop portion) 7b. The operation of the positioning projection 7 will be described later.

(Assembling method of developer supply container)
The developer supply container 1 of this example is assembled through the following steps.

  First, the container body 1a is prepared. The conveying member 4 is fixed in the container main body 1a. Thereafter, the first gear 5 is assembled to one end surface of the container body 1a, and then the second gear 6 is assembled. Further, the container shutter 3 and the handle 2 are assembled. Thereafter, the developer is filled from the filling port 1c, and finally the filling port is sealed by the sealing member.

  The order of filling the developer and the assembly order of the second gear 6, the container shutter 3, and the handle 2 can be changed as appropriate so as to facilitate assembly.

  In this example, a cylindrical container having a φ (outer diameter) of 60 mm and a length of 320 mm is used as the container body 1a. The volume of this container was about 600 cc, and 300 g of developer was filled in the above example.

{Developer receiving device}
Next, the configuration of the developer receiving apparatus 10 in this example will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B. The developer receiving device 10 is provided with a mounting portion 10a for detachably mounting the developer supply container 1 and a developer receiving port 10b for receiving the developer discharged from the developer supply container 1. The developer replenished from the developer receiving port is supplied to the above-described developing device and used for image formation.

  Further, a developer shutter 11 having a substantially semi-cylindrical surface shape along the peripheral surface shape of the developer supply container 1 and the mounting portion 10a is provided. The developing device shutter is engaged with a guide portion 10c provided at the lower edge of the mounting portion 10a, and can slide and move along the circumferential direction so that the developer receiving port 10b can be opened and closed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5a, a driving gear 12 as a driving member for transmitting a rotational driving force from a driving motor installed in the image forming apparatus main body 100 is provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the mounting portion 10a. . Even if the drive gear 12 interferes with the tooth tip of the second gear 6 of the developer supply container and does not mesh, the drive gear 12 is configured to retract from the second gear 6 like a known coupling member. The position is fixed to the developer receiving device.

  Further, as will be described later, the drive gear 12 also functions to give the developer supply container 1 a rotational force for automatically rotating the developer supply container 1 during the setting operation. In this example, the drive gear 12 is connected to a drive gear train for rotationally driving the developing member feeding member 201c, the developing roller 201b, and the photosensitive drum 104 shown in FIG.

(Device side positioning protrusion)
Further, as shown in FIG. 5 c, the developer receiving device 10 is provided with a positioning projection 13 as an engagement member on the device side that contacts the positioning projection 7 of the developer supply container 1. The positioning protrusion 13 abuts with the positioning protrusion 7 of the developer supply container 1 to define the end position of the rotation of the developer supply container 1 to the developer supply position where the developer can be supplied. Further, when the developer supply container 1 rotates toward the developer supply position, the positioning protrusion 13 has a distance between the rotation axes of the second gear 6 and the drive gear 12 (distance between the rotation centers) exceeding an appropriate distance range. To be shorter.

  The positioning protrusion 13 is provided in the vicinity of the drive gear 12, and as shown in FIG. 5c, is constituted by an inter-axis distance determining portion 13a and an end positioning portion 13b having an arcuate shape. The operation of the positioning protrusion 13 will be described later.

{Set operation of developer supply container}
Next, the setting operation of the developer supply container will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 shows the time when the developer supply container is mounted, and FIG. 8 shows the time when the developer supply container is rotated to the set position. FIG. 9 shows the developer when the developer supply container is rotated to the supply position.

  FIGS. 7a, 8a, and 9a are schematic views showing a developer supply container and a developer receiving device. FIGS. 7b, 8b, and 9b are cross-sectional views mainly illustrating the relationship among the developer discharge port 1b, the developer receiving port 10b, and the developing device shutter 11. FIG. 7c, 8c, and 9c are cross-sectional views for mainly explaining the relationship between the driving force transmitting means. 7d, 8d, and 9d are cross-sectional views mainly illustrating the relationship between the developer shutter 11 and the interlocking portion of the container body.

  The setting operation of the developer supply container 1 of this example is configured to have both a manual process performed by the user and an automatic process performed by the developer receiving apparatus.

  That is, the mounting operation of the developer supply container 1 to the mounting position of the developer receiving apparatus 10 (position where the mounting and dismounting of the developer supply container is allowed) and the set position (second gear 6 and drive gear 12) are performed. The rotating operation of the developer supply container to the position where the two mesh with each other is a manual process. This set position is also a position where the opening protrusion 1e of the developer supply container 1 engages with the developer shutter 11. In addition, when the rotation operation by the user advances by a predetermined angle (about 2 to 3 °), the interlocking portion (opening protrusion) is restricted by the developer receiving device 10 so that the developer supply container 1 cannot be taken out. It has become. Accordingly, when the developer supply container 1 is at the set position or the supply position, the developer supply container 1 is prohibited from being taken out.

  On the other hand, the rotation operation of the developer supply container 1 from the set position to the supply position (position where developer can be supplied) is an automatic process. The rotation operations of these developer supply containers 1 are all in the same predetermined rotation direction (the direction of arrow B in FIG. 7). The developer supply container 1 is restricted so that it cannot be taken out even when the developer supply container 1 is at the supply position.

  In this example, the rotation angle of the developer supply container 1 between the mounting position and the set position is 60 °, and the rotation angle of the developer supply container 1 between the set position and the supply position is 12 °.

  Hereinafter, the set operation will be specifically described.

(Installation process for set operation)
First, the user opens the replacement cover 15, and inserts and attaches the developer supply container 1 to the developer receiving apparatus 10 from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 7a (direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the developer supply container).

  At this time, the mounting posture in the rotation direction of the developer supply container 1 is regulated. That is, the user accepts the developer supply container 1 while keeping the position of the regulation convex portion 100 (FIG. 3a) of the developer supply container 1 and the regulation concave portion 10f (FIG. 5a) of the developer receiving device 10 aligned. Attach to device 10. As a result, the developer discharge port 1b of the developer supply container 1 is mounted so as to face upward in the vertical direction (or 12 o'clock in terms of a clock). This prevents the developer remaining inside from leaking between the container main body peripheral surface and the container shutter 3 when the developer supply container 1 is taken out from the developer receiving device 10 as will be described later. Because.

  Note that the orientation of the developer discharge port 1b at the time of loading (extraction) by a user operation is not limited to the upward direction in the vertical direction, and may be any direction as long as it is substantially upward in the vertical direction. That is, the direction of the developer discharge port 1b may be within a range of ± 30 ° with respect to the vertical line (11 to 1 o'clock in terms of a clock). The direction of the developer discharge port 1b indicates a direction along a straight line connecting a position that is the center of the developer discharge port 1b in the rotation direction of the developer supply container 1 and the rotation center of the developer supply container 1. And the vertical line may be within a range of ± 30 °.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 7c, the drive gear 12 on the developer receiving apparatus 10 side and the second gear 6 on the developer supply container 1 side are separated from each other in the rotation direction of the container 1 without meshing with each other. Therefore, drive transmission is impossible.

(Manual rotation process of set operation)
Next, the developer supply container 1 at the mounting position of the developer receiving device 10 is rotated in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 7 (the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the conveying member 4) by the user operating the handle 2. Is done. Then, with the rotation of the developer supply container 1, the second gear 6 revolves with respect to the rotation center of the developer supply container 1 (the rotation center of the conveying member 4), and the drive gear 12 of the developer receiving device 10. Move towards. When the developer supply container 1 reaches the set position by this user operation, the developer supply container 1 is stopped from further rotation (FIG. 8).

  That is, since the opening protrusion 1e of the developer supply container 1 abuts against the developing device shutter 11 that is blocked from being moved by the lock member, further rotation of the developer supply container 1 is prevented. is there. That is, the unsealing protrusion 1e functions as a stop portion that stops manual rotation of the developer supply container 1.

  Further, the second gear 6 meshes with the drive gear 12 of the developer receiving device 10 as the developer supply container 1 is rotated from the mounting position to the set position. Thereafter, the drive transmission from the drive gear 12 to the second gear 6 is possible.

  On the other hand, the developer discharge port 1b and the developer receiving port 10b are both unopened when the developer supply container 1 is at the set position. That is, the developer discharge port 1b and the developer receiving port 10b are both closed by the container shutter 3 and the developer shutter 11.

(Automatic rotation process of set operation)
In the state where the developer supply container 1 is located at the set position as described above, the user closes the replacement cover 15. Then, in conjunction with this, the lock of the developing device shutter 11 by the lock member is released. Further, the drive gear 12 starts rotating by the drive motor in conjunction with the closing operation of the replacement cover 15.

  As the drive gear 12 rotates, a rotating force (hereinafter also referred to as a pulling force) acts on the developer supply container 1 via the second gear 6 meshing with the drive gear 12, and the developer supply container 1 is set. It automatically rotates from the position to the replenishment position.

  When the developer supply container 1 reaches the supply position, the developer supply container 1 is prevented from further rotation and stops. That is, as shown in FIG. 9e, the end positioning portion 7b of the positioning projection 7 abuts against the end positioning portion 13b of the positioning projection 13 for defining the rotation end position at which the rotational movement is stopped. One further rotation is prevented. Accordingly, the supply position of the developer supply container 1 is always fixed at the same position. Further, when the end positioning 7b and 13b come into contact with each other, it is set so that the arc portions of the inter-axis distance determining portions 7a and 13a are in contact with each other. Even if the second gear 6 moves in the direction approaching the drive gear 12, the distance (L) between the rotation axes of both the second gear 6 and the drive gear 12 will not be further reduced.

  Further, the distance (L) between the rotation axes of the second gear 6 and the drive gear 12 is equal to the sum of the pitch circle radius (R1) of the second gear 6 and the pitch circle radius (R2) of the drive gear 12. To do. This is preferable because the rotational drive of the drive gear 12 can be efficiently transmitted to the second gear 6 with little drive transmission loss.

  As shown in FIG. 9f, it is also conceivable that the positions where the end positioning portions 7b and 13b abut are the same as the positions where the arc portions of the inter-axis distance determining portions 7a and 13a are in contact. However, in this case, if the tip 7c of the positioning projection 7 is only slightly damaged for some reason, a backlash occurs between the inter-axis distance determining portions 7a and 13a. The distance between the rotation axes will be reduced.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9e, the position where the end positioning portions 7b and 13b abut is downstream of the rotation direction of the developer supply container 1 with respect to the position where the arc portions of the inter-axis distance determining portions 7a and 13a contact. If it is provided at the offset position, even if the tip 7c is damaged, the inter-axis distance is not reduced.

  Thus, in this configuration, the distance between the rotation axes of the second gear 6 and the driving gear 12 when the rotation of the developer supply container 1 is completed and the developer supply position where the developer can be supplied is reached. Can be prevented from shrinking. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of torque overload due to the tooth tip of one gear hitting the tooth bottom of the other gear.

  Further, according to this configuration, the rotation end position of the developer supply container 1 is regulated, and the developer supply container 1 is always provided in the developer supply container 1 via the second gear 6 while the developer is supplied, that is, while the drive gear 12 is rotating. A rotational load is applied in the direction of rotation during mounting. For this reason, the accuracy of the container opening position is always maintained when the developer is replenished. For example, the container is rotated little by little by the rotation of the conveying member 4 in the toner replenishing container 1 to prevent the opening position from being shifted. It becomes possible to do.

  As in this configuration, the inter-axis distance determining unit 7a and the end positioning unit 7b of the toner supply container 1 are driven by the second gear 6, and the inter-axis distance determining unit 13a and the end positioning unit 13b of the toner receiving device 10 are driven. If the gears 12 are provided close to each other, the positional accuracy of the gears can be easily obtained. For example, even if the container is slightly deformed due to a rotational load applied to the developer supply container 1, it is not easily affected.

  Further, in this configuration, as shown in FIG. 9 h, the arc portion of the inter-axis distance determining portion 7 a is set to a shape along the tooth tip circle of the second gear 6. For this reason, it is possible to protect the tooth tip of the second gear 6 at the time of distribution of the developer supply container 1 or a user operation. Furthermore, it is more preferable that the arc portion of the inter-axis distance determining portion 7a is set so as to protrude from the tooth tip circle of the second gear 6 in a direction orthogonal to the rotational axis direction of the gear 6.

  The developer discharge port 1b and the developer receiving port 10b are opened in conjunction with the turning operation of the developer supply container 1 from the set position to the supply position, and the developer discharge port 1b and the developer receiving port are opened. The position of the mouth 10b is completely matched (FIG. 9b). That is, when the developer supply container 1 is rotated to the supply position, the developer supply from the developer supply container 1 to the developer receiving device 10 can be performed.

  Specifically, in conjunction with the rotation of the developer supply container 1 from the set position to the supply position, the container shutter 3 abuts against the stopper portion of the developer receiving device 10 and further rotation is restricted. Is gradually opened. When the developer supply container rotates to the supply position, the developer discharge port 1b is completely opened.

  On the other hand, the developer shutter 11 is pushed down by the opening protrusion 1e of the developer supply container 1 and developed in conjunction with the rotation operation (opening operation of the container shutter) from the set position of the developer supply container 1 to the supply position. The agent receiving port 10b is gradually opened. Then, the developing device shutter 11 comes into contact with the stopper 10e (FIG. 9b) for defining the end position of the unsealing movement and stops, so that the lower end of the developer receiving port 10b and the upper end of the developing device shutter 11 are accurately matched. That is, when the developer supply container 1 is rotated to the supply position, the developer receiving port 10b is completely opened.

  As a result, when the developer supply container 1 is rotated to the supply position, the developer discharge port 1b and the developer receiving port 10b are both opened, and are in a state where they face each other and the positions match.

  Thereafter, when the drive gear 12 rotates, the rotational force is transmitted from the second gear 6 to the first gear 5 to the conveying member 4 so that the developer supply from the developer supply container 1 to the developer receiving device 10 is performed. Done.

  In this example, the installation positions (circumferential direction) of the developer discharge port 1b, the unsealing protrusion 1e, the second gear 6 and the like with respect to the developer supply container 1 so that various operations are accurately performed in conjunction with the timing described above. ) Is adjusted.

  Thus, in this example, without providing a separate drive system for rotating the developer supply container 1, it is important in the final rotation position of the developer supply container 1, that is, in the developer supply process. Automatic rotation can be performed to determine and guarantee the replenishment position. As a result, usability can be improved while simplifying the configuration of the developer supply container 1.

  In other words, by automatically rotating the developer supply container 1 using the second gear 6 for driving the conveying member, the final rotation position of the developer supply container 1 which is an important element in the developer supply process is determined. Can be confirmed and guaranteed. In the configuration in which the second gear 6 for driving the conveying member is used for the automatic rotation of the developer supply container, the second gear 6 is deteriorated due to contact with the drive gear 12 when the developer supply container 1 is mounted. And damage can be prevented.

  Of course, it is possible to prevent the drive gear 12 of the developer receiving apparatus 10 from causing such problems as deterioration and damage due to tooth contact. In other words, by adopting the configuration of the developer supply container 1 of this example, it is possible to contribute to prevention of deterioration and breakage of the drive gear 12 of the developer receiving device.

  Accordingly, the subsequent replenishment of the developer is performed smoothly, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of image defects such as image density unevenness and insufficient image density due to a shortage of developer replenishment amount.

{Remove developer supply container}
Next, a process of replacing the developer supply container 1 or removing it from the developer receiving apparatus 10 for some reason will be described.

  First, the user opens the replacement cover 15. Then, the user operates the handle 2 to rotate the developer supply container 1 in the direction opposite to the arrow B direction in FIG. That is, the developer supply container 1 in the supply position is rotated by the user operation until it reaches the mounting position via the set position.

  At this time, the developing device shutter 11 is pushed up by the sealing protrusion 1f of the developer supply container 1, and the developer receiving port 10b is closed. In parallel with this, the developer discharge port 1b is also rotated and closed to a position shielded by the container shutter 3 (FIG. 8b).

  Specifically, the container shutter 3 abuts against the stopper portion of the developer receiving device 10 and is prevented from moving. In this state, the developer supply container 1 rotates, so that the developer discharge port 1b is connected to the container shutter 3. It is configured to be closed again. Further, the rotation of the developer supply container 1 for resealing the developing device shutter 11 is prevented from further rotation by the stopper portion provided in the guide portion 1 d of the container shutter 3 abutting against the container shutter 3. Is configured to stop.

  Further, with the rotation of the developer supply container 1 as described above, the second gear 6 revolves, and the meshing engagement with the drive gear 12 is released and the meshing with the drive gear 12 is impossible, and the state shown in FIG. become.

  Next, the developer supply container 1 in the mounting position is taken out from the developer receiving apparatus 10 by a user operation.

  In this way, the operation for taking out the developer supply container 1 is completed. Thereafter, the user attaches the prepared new developer supply container 1 to the attachment portion of the developer receiving apparatus 10. Then, the user only needs to perform the manual rotation process of the setting operation of the developer supply container 1 and close the replacement cover 15.

  The developer supply container 1 may be configured to automatically rotate the supply position from the supply position to the set position.

  Specifically, when the developer replenishing container 1 is in the replenishing position, the driving gear 12 is rotated in the opposite direction to that during the setting operation, thereby causing the developer replenishing container 1 to have a force in the direction opposite to the above-described pulling force. Make it work.

  As a result, as the developer supply container 1 is rotated by this force, the developer shutter 11 moves toward a position where the developer receiving port 10b is resealed. At this time, the developer discharge port 1 b is also resealed by the container shutter 3.

  Even in this example, the force acting on the developer supply container 1 (the force in the direction opposite to the pulling force described above) is set to be larger than the rotational resistance force of the container body 1a. Yes.

  As described above, usability can be further improved by automating the rotation operation between the set position and the replenishment position of the developer replenishment container 1. When the second gear 6 on the developer supply container 1 side and the drive gear 12 on the developer receiving apparatus 10 side are engaged so as to be able to transmit driving, the second gear 6 is stopped at an appropriate position to drive the gear. The drive transmission can be efficiently performed by appropriately engaging with 12.

  A replenishment test was performed using the developer replenishment container 1 of this example, but no problem with respect to the replenishment of the developer occurred, and a stable image could be obtained over a long period of time.

  It should be noted that the material, molding method, shape, and the like of each member used in this example are not limited to this example, and it is needless to say that they can be freely changed within the range where the above effects can be obtained. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the handle 2 is provided on the end surface of the developing device supply container 1 opposite to the surface on which the second gear 6 is provided. As shown in FIG. The apparatus supply container 1 may be configured to be inserted and installed in the toner receiving device 10 with the handle 2 held by the user with the second gear 6 at the top along the longitudinal direction thereof.

  In this example, the positioning protrusion 7 of the developer supply container 1 and the positioning protrusion 13 of the developer receiving apparatus 10 are brought into contact with each other to position the second gear 6 and the drive gear 12. The shape of the protrusion 7 is not limited to this, and may be configured as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, for example.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 12a, the positioning projection 7 is erected on one end surface in the longitudinal direction where the first gear 5 and the second gear 6 of the developer supply container 1 are installed. The positioning protrusion 7 is for ensuring the positional accuracy of the developer supply container 1 in the developer receiving device 10, and the arc-shaped protrusion protrudes in a longitudinal direction on a concentric circle at the rotation center of the developer supply container 1. Is provided.

  In the example of FIG. 12a, the positioning projections 7 are provided on the concentric circle and divided into a plurality. This is to reduce as much as possible the frictional resistance caused by the sliding of the positioning projection 7 and the positioning guide 13 described later, which occurs during the automatic rotation of the developer supply container 1.

  As shown in FIG. 12 b, the developer receiving device 10 is fitted with the positioning protrusion 7 of the developer supply container 1, thereby ensuring the positional accuracy of the developer supply container 1 within the developer receiving device 10. For this purpose, a positioning guide 13 which is an arc-shaped engaged portion is provided.

  The dimensional tolerance of the inner peripheral surface 13d of the positioning guide 13 is preferably set as strict as possible in order to increase the position accuracy. Further, as shown in FIG. 12b, the positioning guide 13 may be configured to reduce the contact area between the positioning projection 7 and the positioning guide 13 by providing a semicircular rib 13e on the inner peripheral surface 13d. In this way, the frictional resistance due to the sliding of the positioning projection 7 and the positioning guide 13 can be reduced as much as possible.

  When the developer supply container 1 is inserted into the developer receiving device 10 and the user closes the replacement cover 15, the drive gear 12 starts rotating by the drive motor in conjunction with this. As the drive gear 12 rotates, the rotational force acts on the developer supply container 1 via the second gear 6 meshed therewith, and the developer supply container 1 automatically moves from the set position to the supply position. Rotate.

  At this time, even if the second gear 6 tries to move in a direction approaching the drive gear 12, the positioning projection 7 is fitted to the positioning projection 13, so that the distance between the shafts of both the gears 6, 12 is not reduced. . Further, the drive is transmitted from the drive gear 12 to the second gear 6, and even if a force acts on the second gear 6 in a direction away from the drive gear 12 (arrow C direction in FIG. 13), The positioning projection 7 on the opposite side of the gear 6 across the first gear 5 is fitted and positioned with the positioning guide 13. For this reason, since the developer supply container 1 moves only within the set range (within a range of about several tens of μm for the fitting backlash), the distance between the rotation centers of the drive gear 12 and the second gear 6 is increased. It becomes possible to prevent.

  Therefore, the amount of meshing between the drive gear 12 and the second gear 6 is not reduced during the automatic rotation of the developer supply container 1, and the gear tooth tip is not damaged. Also, stable drive transmission is possible.

  Even with this configuration, the distance between the rotation axes of the second gear 6 and the drive gear 12 can be maintained within an appropriate range.

  Further, the developer receiving device 10 to which the developer supply container 1 of this example is mounted may be an image forming unit that is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body or that can be easily attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. Absent. Examples of the image forming unit include a process cartridge having an image forming process means such as a photoreceptor, a charger, and a developing device, and a developing cartridge having a developing device.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus. It is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the structure of a developing device. It is a perspective view which shows a developer supply container. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a developer supply container. FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view showing a developer supply container. It is a figure which shows the structure of the conveyance member in a developer supply container. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a developer receiving port when the developer receiving device is sealed. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the developer receiving device when the developer receiving port is opened. FIG. 5b is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 5a showing the developer receiving apparatus. It is a perspective view of the 2nd gear. It is sectional drawing which shows the axial support structure of a 2nd gear. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where a developer supply container is in a mounting position. FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the developer supply container is in a mounting position. FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the developer supply container is in a mounting position. FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the developer supply container is in a mounting position. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where a developer supply container is in a set position. FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state where a developer supply container is in a set position. FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state where a developer supply container is in a set position. FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state where a developer supply container is in a set position. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where a developer supply container is in a supply position. FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state where a developer supply container is in a supply position. FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state where a developer supply container is in a supply position. FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state where a developer supply container is in a supply position. FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view showing a state where a developer supply container is in a supply position. FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view showing a state where a developer supply container is in a supply position. FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view showing a state where a developer supply container is in a supply position. FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view showing a state where a developer supply container is in a supply position. It is a perspective view which shows a developer supply container. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where a developer supply container is in a mounting position. It is explanatory drawing which shows the positioning protrusion of the developer supply container which concerns on other embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the positioning guide of the developer acceptance apparatus which concerns on other embodiment. It is a related explanatory view of positioning projection and positioning guide concerning other embodiments.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Developer supply container 1a ... Container main body 1a '... Projection part 1b ... Developer discharge port 1c ... Developer filling port 1d ... Guide part 1e ... Opening protrusion 1f ... Sealing protrusion 2 ... Handle 3 ... Container shutter 4 ... Conveying member 4a ... stirring shaft 4b ... stirring blade 5 ... first gear 6 ... second gear 6a ... shaft portion 7 ... positioning projection 7a ... interaxial distance determining portion 7b ... end positioning portion 7c ... tip portion
10 ... Developer receiving device
10a… Wearing part
10b: Developer receiving port
10f… Regulating recess
11… Developer shutter
12… Drive gear
13 ... Positioning protrusion
13a ... Center distance determining part
13b ... End positioning part
15… Replacement cover
61… Cap-shaped member
62… Spring
63… Pressure plate
64 Ring member
100… Regulating protrusion

Claims (5)

A developer supply container detachably mountable to developer receiving apparatus, the developer supply container to be set in the developer receiving apparatus by the set operation with rotation of the at least a set direction,
A rotatable discharge member for discharging the developer in the developer supply container to the outside;
A drive mechanism having a drive receiving gear engageable with a drive gear of the developer receiving apparatus, and transmitting a driving force from the drive gear to the discharge member;
A load applying means for applying a load for rotating the set direction by the driving force which the developer receiving apparatus inserted the developer supply container the driving force receiving gear in receiving the drive mechanism,
An engaging portion provided in the vicinity of the drive receiving gear and engageable with an engaging member of the developer receiving device, wherein a tooth tip of one of the drive receiving gear and the drive gear is the other gear. An engagement portion having an arcuate portion that regulates the distance between the rotation center of the drive receiving gear and the drive gear when the developer supply container is rotated in the setting direction so as not to contact the tooth bottom of
A developer supply container characterized by comprising:   The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein the engagement portion includes a stop portion that stops the rotation of the developer supply container by contact with the developer receiving device. 2. The drive receiving gear is provided on one end surface in the rotation axis direction of the developer supply container, and is rotatable about a position different from a rotation center of the developer supply container. Or the developer supply container of 2. The arcuate portion may be any developer supply container according to claim 1 to 3, characterized in that there is a shape along the tooth crest of the driving force receiving gear of the engagement portion. An image forming apparatus comprising: the developer supply container according to claim 1; and a developer receiving device that receives the developer from the developer supply container.
The developer receiving device includes a mounting space for detachably mounting the developer supply container, a drive gear that can be engaged with a drive receiving gear of the developer supply container, and an engaging portion of the developer supply container. An image forming apparatus comprising: an engaging member that can be engaged.

Images